Lifestyle Chatter: Why I’m Detoxing

I know, I know – detoxing can be a controversial topic so I don’t want to bring anyone out in a cold sweat with the subject line of this post BUT I am going to spend the next few days going back to basics and cutting out a few things that I have far too much of and I know aren’t good for me.

Yes – everything in moderation, good fats and bad fats, as a 35 year old woman there is very little I don’t know/haven’t read or tried. However cutting out and eliminating the nasties is something that works well for me and so here’s my plan.

Image courtesy of Seriously Juicy

What goes:

  • Dairy
  • Caffeine
  • Alcohol
  • Any and all sugar (including fruit)
  • Carbs
  • Meat (in my case chicken/turkey since I don’t eat red meat) and fish

What stays

  • Water
  • Caffeine free tea (not decaf since that still has caffeine)
  • Vegetables and salad

And there we have it. It’s been a couple of years since I last undertook this fairly Draconian regime but whenever I’ve done it in the past I’ve felt amazing at the end of 7 days. I sleep better, have clearer skin, have more energy, the list of benefits is endless. Also by cutting out sugar completely, it stops the cravings which is something I really struggle with. It feels very needed since I’m currently eating chocolate or cakes every day and Pete and I have slipped into a dangerous habit of having alcohol (a couple of beers or a couple of glasses of wine) every night after work. As a result of my poor dietary habits my sleep patterns are horrendous, I feel tired and lack concentration. I’m struggling to get any energy for my running which I used to do regularly and really enjoy.

My plan is to stick with this from today until the end of next Wednesday – 6 days which is more than enough to make a big difference. I’ve always found Day 3 the worst day, I wake up feeling headachey with shaking hands as the sugar leaves but after that I feel totally world beating. I’m going to have some veggie stirfrys and veggie curries which aren’t as strict as you can be (the “real” version is basically raw veg and salad for the duration) and some homemade soups. All being well come the end of next Wednesday I’ll feel far healthier, the top button on my jeans will do up that little bit easier. I was thinking about a daily vlog at the end of each day to see how I’m doing/feeling but not sure I’m brave enough, we’ll see!

Have you ever tried a detox? What tips work for you to feel better about yourself?

Fitness 4 Mamas

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11 Comments

  1. May 19, 2015 / 12:41 pm

    I have never done a detox, but really like the idea of it. One of my friends does 14 days every January after all the Xmas indulging. I am not sure I could do it, will be waiting for your next pot to find out how it went! Maybe you could share a few recipes/food suggestions on what to cook/eat? Thanks for linking again #FitnessTuesday

  2. May 19, 2015 / 1:08 pm

    I’ve not done a detox as such but I have made massive changes to my diet and lifestyle since the beginning of the year so I know exactly how good you feel after, it really does make all the difference!

    • Lins
      May 19, 2015 / 1:59 pm

      If only we could educate everyone to feel the same way, I almost wish there was a way of making people see how much a difference in life style could make to them. Well done again! X

  3. May 19, 2015 / 1:55 pm

    I want to do this when I stop breastfeeding ! #FitnessTuesday

    • Lins
      May 19, 2015 / 1:58 pm

      It’s definitely worth it! I’m now on Day 5 and feel great, have lost a couple of stubborn pounds and have lots of energy 🙂 As and when you’re ready let me know and happy to do it again or provide virtual moral support! X

  4. lotty
    May 19, 2015 / 5:17 pm

    I recently went through a detox and spent 4 days juicing and eating only fruits and veg. I felt great afterwards. If I’m feeling sluggish and a little bloated I go and a detox and feel better for it. Hope yours goes well. x

    • Lins
      May 20, 2015 / 9:44 am

      Thank you so much Lotty, today is my last day and I feel great! Lost 4lbs and feel fit and healthy again. It’s definitely a great thing to do for a few days to get back on to the straight and narrow X

  5. MrsB | Mind over Matter
    May 20, 2015 / 9:34 am

    I don’t eat dairy, gluten or sugar normally so I’ve never felt the need to do a ‘detox’ that is as restricted as what you’re doing. But then again – I train quite hard so I would have no energy if I only ate vegetables. Do you find that after your detoxes you stay eating close to the detox way for a while or do you go back to your regular diet straight away? Have you considered cutting some stuff from your diet forever – like sugar? (I’m a huge no-sugar fan 🙂

    • Lins
      May 20, 2015 / 9:42 am

      I would LOVE to cut sugar out but I find it so very hard, it definitely is an addiction for me. I recently bought the Deliciously Ella cookbook and love the “alternatives” at least to processed sugar but it’s why a detox works for me because I have to force myself to eat no sugar for a while to cut the cravings.

      I think what I love about doing it is that for a good couple of months afterwards I pretty much stick to it, for example I’ve got a couple of social events in the next couple of days so will drink wine but I absolutely don’t miss it or feel the need to have it every day. And I love how healthy I feel too so this time around I definitely want to try harder to live a cleaner life but also to get back to running and have some good proteins too.

      PS, totally understand on the training front – I did my normal Monday night Pilates and really struggled because I had no fuel to my muscles at all! Thank you for commenting I’m off to have a look at your blog now X

  6. Stephanie Robinson
    May 20, 2015 / 1:38 pm

    Good luck – I’m sure the benefits will be worth the pain of day 3. I’ve not done a detox but have tried the 5:2 and found the 2 days way easier than I thought. I find tracking what I eat (honestly) is always an eye opener! #fitnesstuesday

    • Lins
      May 20, 2015 / 2:59 pm

      I totally agree, I’m not a massive eater generally but I eat ALL of the wrong things. I’m now nearly at the end but will just carry on as I feel so much better. Apart from tomorrow and Friday when I have two meet ups with friends and a wedding 😉 X

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