5 Steps to Detoxify the Body
It’s time for New Year’s Resolutions. Every year we make them and every year we break them. One of the most common resolutions, I’m sure will not surprise you, is to get fit. On January 1 everyone flocks to the gym to start their weight loss and fitness commitments.
You probably won’t be surprised to know that only 8% of people are successful in their resolutions after one year. Ever wonder why?
The one most important thing we forget to do when we are trying to make health a part of our life is to detoxify the body. If you have any excess fat on your body, you are carrying around toxins that are in all processed foods. The longer you have been carrying the weight the more toxins present in your body.
Here’s how it works: When the body discovers foreign substances, such as chemicals used in processed foods or excessive fat intake, it begins storing them in the fat cells of the body. This continues until the body has time to rest and detoxify, which begins around 10pm at night.
If you want your weight loss efforts to be effective, you need to begin with some form of detoxification. Detoxification resets the body and allows it start moving fat stores and cleaning out toxins that cause cravings and lethargy.
5 Steps to Detoxify the Body
1. Water - The best way to begin cleaning the body out is to drink LOTS of water. This begins the process of flushing the body and elimination. Rule of thumb: drink ½ of your body weight in ounces of water. (For example: if you weigh 160 pounds and want to lose weight you need a minimum of 80 ounces of water per day to clean out your system - the more the better). You know you are getting sufficient water when your urine is clear or pale yellow. Anything darker and you don’t have enough water in your body.
2. Epsoms Salt Baths (with Lavendar) - Every evening take a bath with 1-2 cups of epsom salts (you can add lavendar if you have had a stressful day). This will help your body to clean toxins stored in the layers of the skin.
3. Whole Foods - Eat only one-ingredient foods. Simplifying the food you are eating allows the body to quickly use the energy provided and continue with burning fat stores.
4. Breathe - People often forget that the lungs detoxify our body as well. Slow deep breaths while expanding (as you inhale) and contracting (while you exhale) the muscles in your abdomen massages the internal organs and removes toxins from the bloodstream through your breath. Most people forget to breath because of stress and conditioning but it is one of the best way to detoxify not only the body but the mind as well.
5. Clean Your Tongue - Take a look at your tongue in the mirror. If there is a milky-white coating on your tongue, your body is stagnated and is storing toxins. Daily, gentle tongue scraping will remove this layer and expose your taste buds. This helps cut back on cravings and stimulates your body to taste your food while encouraging detoxification throughout the digestive system.
Combining these 5 steps into a 2-4 day detox plan will trigger your body to start the detoxification process. The body will begin burning fat stores and eliminating toxins, while supporting your body in using the healthier foods you are offering in your new lifestyle. Best of all you will cut back on your physical cravings for food.
If your cravings continue after a detoxification like this, you should begin looking at emotional eating and address the stresses in your life to continue your weight loss.
5 Steps to Detoxify the Body
Theresa Grisanti has been studying and applying her understanding of health, nutrition and intuitive eating for more than 15 years. Her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, included instruction from leaders in the holistic healing field, such as Andrew Weil and Mona Lisa Schultz. Find out more about Theresa's new program Break Free From Dieting and learn how to lose weight the natural way.
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