So the holidays are over and you’re probably feeling like the rest of Americans right now: bloated, tired and a little heavier than usual. To start feeling like your pre-holiday self, follow these tips to post-holiday detox in a healthy way!
If you feel especially bloated, cutting out the extra sugar, refined carbs and salt you’ve been having at holiday gatherings is the first step to getting back to your usual self. Do this for at least three days to get back on track and give your system time to reset.
Detoxing is all about getting the bad out and the good back in. So after the holidays challenge yourself to eat at least seven to ten servings of fruits and veggies a day. Get a variety of produce to ensure that you’re getting all those vitamins and minerals you probably skimped on over holiday break.
Hydration is the name of the game when it comes to post-holiday detoxing. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, trying to get at least 64 ounces. Water helps flush out toxins and helps your body eliminate waste. If you’re starting to feel hungry at any point, drink a big glass of water with fresh lemon juice and you should be fine until the next time you eat.
The day before you start a cleanse, avoid eating anything too rich, fatty, sweet, or salty, and finish the day off with a really light dinner (preferably something like soup or salad).
Start every cleanse day off with a glass of water with fresh lemon juice. This balances your body’s pH.
Throughout your cleanse, avoid toxins and allergens. This includes: fatty cuts of meat, sugar, wheat, dairy, soy, peanuts, coffee, any artificial colors or flavors, and processed foods of any kind. Stick to whole foods, fruit, vegetables, and gluten-free grains. Look for organic foods whenever possible.
Drink detoxifying herbal teas throughout the day, like dandelion tea, burdock root tea, ginger tea, or a detox tea blend.
You’re probably gung-ho about working out right now and think a killer workout is what it will take to get you back on track, but ease back into the gym. It’s better to do a little bit every day then go to the gym, push it too hard, and then be so sore that you can’t move for days! Yoga and Pilates are both great, moderate forms of exercise that won’t over-exert your system
Take it easy during your cleanse. Don’t schedule lots of activities for the duration of your cleanse, beyond work and your necessary daily activities. Don’t put yourself in social situations where it will be difficult for you to stick to your plan. Lastly, come out of your cleanse gradually. Eat light foods like steamed veggies and brown rice.
Today is a new day — so appreciate the holidays for what they are (or were) and get back on the healthy track!
