5 Steps to Detoxing

I signed up for a 6 week fitness and nutrition program. I’m on day 2. I guess I should mention that this is day 2 of no caffeine. I can add it back in tomorrow. The first two days are detox days where I’m supposed to give my liver a break so that it can function better the rest of the time. There’s a bit of fasting that goes on and a limited diet of veggies and veggies during the detox days.

I’m feeling both better and worse right now. I had already lost a few pounds going into this so I know I’m multiplying the momentum by sticking to the plan. But my brain is cloudy. My head feels like I’ve got a tight hat on and I’m using muscles I haven’t used in quite sometime.

Detoxing other parts of our lives is no different. Its the same steps:

1. Create a plan that replaces bad habits with good ones. If you’re getting toxic people out of your life, find new friends. If you’re getting negativity out of your life, turn off the news and read something inspirational.
2. Stick to the plan
3. Push through the uncomfortable times. Its not easy to have difficult conversations. Its hard to not sit on the sofa and turn the TV on to the channel we are used to. Our habits and routines keep us from having to think about our actions too much. So when we are trying to change our lifestyle we have to use brain power to notice them and do something different until a new habit is formed. For help with this read “The Power of Habit,” “Before Happiness,” or “Drive.”
4. Have a defined time period to focus on this. And make it your primary focus. I’d love to be able to do this work on a retreat for 6 weeks but I’ve got to do it with life going on around me. Its hard to eat only veggies when you’ve got a pre-teen athlete who can eat her body weight and still be hungry. But if I know its only for 6 weeks, it feels more manageable.
5. Get support from others. I’m doing this with a group of other women. We have a Facebook group where we can complain about our hunger, headaches, and other aches. You don’t have to do life alone. You weren’t meant to. Find support and give support. We all need it.