Thursday, December 18, 2014
The Post-Holiday Detox Guide
No matter just how one observes the
holidays, there are a couple constants that apply to most folks—family and
food. Yes, holiday time is an occasion to reconnect with family members around
a dinner or buffet table and let loose. Of course, these gluttonous few days
often result in lethargy immediately afterwards, and that can make it difficult
to get back into a regular gym routine—like those offered by Fitness 19. The best way to offset one of
these holiday binges and resume a healthy lifestyle is through a
four-or-five-day cleanse. So with that in mind, here are some principals anyone
can apply to detoxing after the holidays.
Start with water
a slice of lemon or orange. Health experts
recommend eschewing coffee during this period, which can be a nightmare for
those folks who love their caffeine. The good news is that by swapping out that
morning coffee with a cup of green tea, it’s possible to get an energy jolt
while staying healthy and jump-starting liver activity.
Restock
the pantry
One of the fundamentals of a successful
cleanse is to break the heavy-foods cycle and get the digestive system back on
track. To this end, it is imperative to cut out all sweets, processed foods,
allergens and toxins—such as peanuts, gluten, dairy and soy. These should be
replaced with fresh fruits and vegetables. To start the day, a high-fiber
breakfast is key. Toast with almond butter or oatmeal are solid options. And
while some experts recommend cutting out meat altogether, enjoying the
occasional lean protein at dinnertime is okay.
Forgo
exercise
Well, not entirely. The trick is to adjust
exercise in relation to the lighter eating. That means no heavy gym routines,
although yoga and pilates are generally considered tame enough to not overheat
the system. Even just a few minutes of yoga stretches each morning is enough to
oxygenate the muscles and release some much-needed nutrients into the system. Aside
from that, it’s best to avoid all strenuous activities as much as possible.
Curb cravings
This is easier said than done. However, a
tried and true method to keeping hunger pangs in check is to drink plenty of warm
water throughout the day. This goes a long way to tricking the stomach into
thinking it’s full. Also, a mid-afternoon snack comprised of a handful of
sunflower and pumpkin seeds offers a nice little energy boost.
Come
down gradually
The key to a successive detox is to return to the pre-holiday eating and fitness routine
gradually. That means easing back into richer foods and more strenuous exercise
routines. What’s absolutely not recommended is to cap the cleanse with a combo
meal at the local fast food joint.
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