A whole body detox is necessary even if you think you exercise well, don’t smoke, don’t overeat and follow regular good health practices. However, you still feel drained out, sluggish and lethargic. Why is it so? Apart from blaming the heat and the weather, things like the carbon monoxide filled polluted air, road construction smoke, cigarette smoking, factory smoke, petrol and diesel smell; not to mention added work and personal life stress can accumulate a lot of toxins in your system. You definitely need to give your body a makeover with whole body detox.
When should I go for a whole body detox?
When you feel totally tired, unhealthy and stressed out, it is the time to go for a whole body detox. Remember that a detox diet should not be treated like a mere trend or something that will help you reduce weight. Look at whole body detox as an exercise that flushes out toxins and makes you fresh and energetic.
How do I choose a good detox program for my body?
You should research well and choose something that suits your body. You should go for a whole body detox once in six months; the freshness can last for 4-15 days. The plan and the duration can depend essentially on two factors: your body and lifestyle.
• If you are obese, then you are more vulnerable to unhealthy eating and emotional bingeing. Detox every three months.
• If you have cholesterol, diabetes and acidity — detox every 3-4 months
• If you lead an extremely stressful life — detox every two months.
A good plan should contain 50 per cent juices and 50 per cent solid diet. Depending on the afore-mentioned factors choose a diet which would primarily include:
• Lots of raw food
• Juices for hydration.
• Foods that offer enough phytotochemical, traditional nutrients and enzymes. Eg: Pineapple (contains brom-lain, a digestive enzyme), papaya (contains papain, a great colon cleanser), onion and garlic (contains compounds that strengthens the process of detox) etc.
Fight cravings through whole body detox
Since whole body detox can put you on a disciplined diet for a few days, it is naturally that you will get cravings for the ‘tasty, oily’ food as well. So expect side effects to the detox like stomach aches, moodiness, terrible cravings etc. But you have to stay committed. Here are some ways you can fight food cravings:
• Avoiding places that have foods that you crave.
• Drinking a lot of water and fruit juice
• Exercising or going for a walk or jog when your cravings come on strong
• Breathing exercises
Boost your whole detox program with the right fitness regimen
Combine your detox with the right exercise regimen. Here’s how to modify your workout accordingly.
• Walking, jogging, trampoline exercise, aerobics and swimming are helpful in the detoxification process. They increase your body temperature making you sweat.
• Make sure your workout intensity is high. Plan it in a
way that weight training and cardio exercises are done in circuit routine.
• Go for more of compound movement exercises as they involve more than three muscles simultaneously and burns more calories and repairs the tissues.
• You can do squats for back, decline press for chest and V-sit ups as ab-exercises.
When should I not go for a detox
Never go on a detox…
• If you are pregnant or lactating
• Suffering from a thyroid, liver or kidney problem
• Never go for a single-food programme — just juices or only protein or carbs
• Keep away from caffeine or carbonated drinks.
Here is a simple detox plan to fit for your busy schedule
1. Begin your day with mint and ginger juice dissolved in water.
2. Before breakfast, have apple juice with milk
3. During breakfast, eat whole pomegranate
4. Just before lunch have pineapple juice with wheat grass
5. During lunch, take salad with any vegetables from the cruciferous family (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower etc
6. At 3.30 to 4 pm, take butter milk
7. Have herbal tea between 5.30 to 6pm
8. Between 7 pm and 8 pm have clear soup
9. Between 8pm and 9pm, have light dinner along with salad.
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by on 25. Jun, 2010 in how to lists
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