Diets and Detox's!

 

 

With the holiday season right around the corner, there is no better time than the present to fortify our diet and cement healthy eating.
Ironically, while healthy eating is our birthright, for many of us it seems like taking the plunge into eating a whole foods-based diet is the equivalent to traveling to some distant land. But it doesn't have to be such a scary or foreign experience.

 

Because whole foods-based diets remove all the sugary, fatty, chemical-laden, artificial stuff from the diet, they sometimes get called a detox or a cleanse

 

 

 

Why is detoxification important?

 

When our bodies become toxic, it means that our natural method of ushering out metabolic waste from normal human metabolism, environmental pollution  has exceeded the threshold for what the body's innate detoxification system can tolerate. With this toxic load, every system in the human body can become affected. From our head to our toes and everything in between, toxicity makes us sick!

 

 

 

How do you know if you are toxic and need to properly cleanse?

 

Usually a constellation of complaints help to determine whether or not you are toxic and to what extent you need to cleanse. Some examples of what might indicate a toxic system are:
constipation
persistent headaches, muscle aches, and muscle fatigue
inclusion of large amounts of tuna etc. into diet
food allergies
stubborn weight loss
hormonal imbalances and consistent use of hormone replacement such as "the pill" or progesterone cream
consistent use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen

skin abnormalities such as acne, rosacea, or eczema

 

How long should you stay on a cleanse?

Typical cleanses that harness our body's natural processes for filtering and removing waste tend to be gentle and can therefore be tolerated for longer periods of time than more extreme protocols. A safe cleanse is one that doesn't make you starve yourself or take fancy pills, potions, or expensive drinks.
Safety means allowing the body to do what it wants to do naturally, with a little assistance from some guided healthy eating, appropriate supplements, and relevant lifestyle modifications.

 

do a cleanse for seven days to six weeks, or even longer, depending on their particular needs. (IF you have any health issues consult a doctor first)

 

 

 

How to prepare for a cleanse?

Like we would plan for any big trip to a new destination, we need to prepare, plan, and set out some main goals for our journey. And by the way, as in all travels, it's always a good idea to leave some room for the serendipitous excursions to occur. When handled properly, they can be the best part of a trip!

 

 So how can we plan for a safe and simple detoxification protocol?
Take some basic measurements before you begin to track your progress as you go through your program. For example, if weight loss is your goal, measure your waist, hips, and record your weight. If, migraines are an issue, determine the duration, intensity and frequency. Keep a journal; this will help you in more ways than one!

 

Make lists! Organize your pantry, toss out the junk, gather recipes, sketch out weekly menus, make shopping lists for healthy foods you will be eating and formulate a cooking schedule to ensure you allot time to prepare food for the week.
Use journaling as a way to "cleanse" your inner world and relieve yourself of mental and emotional stress.
Gather any supplements  (solga vitamin B and C complex) you need to take that have been advised for you by your medical provider.
Think about the kind of exercise that will best complement your end goal and plan for it in your schedule.
Detoxification requires you to slow down. Make sure you fit time for deep relaxation into your plan.

 

 

Often, unsavory side effects appear in the initial phase of a cleanse. Two side effects to look for and keep track of in your journal are:
Constipation. Move those bowels! Drink plenty of purified water. Try warm water with lemon first thing in the morning.(check my blog out for a lemon diuretic) Often, taking 300 milligrams of magnesium citrate is helpful, or try an Epsom salt bath.
Food allergies or sensitivities. These can be obvious or obscure. But chances are, as your body lets go of toxic waste, it will be easier to recognize a hidden reaction to gluten, dairy, soy or any of the other common food allergies.

 

 

 

 

The following symptoms are very common at the beginning of the program and should dissipate within the first few days. Don't worry, these symptoms are indicative that your body is eliminating toxins and are a good sign!
bad breath
constipation
achy, flu-like feeling
fatigue
headache
hunger
irritability
itchy skin
nausea
offensive body odor
sleep difficulties (too much or too little)
These symptoms can occur for a number of reasons. First, eliminating food allergies and un-junking the diet causes reactions similar to withdrawal from other addictive substances like caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, or heroin.
Note: We are often most addicted to the foods we are allergic to! Getting off those allergens can cause a brief, flu-like achy syndrome that may last one to three days. Second, toxins in our digestive tract may make us feel ill if we don't eliminate them. The best way to get relief from these symptoms is to follow the recommendations below.

 

How to avoid withdrawal symptoms

 

Initially, those who consume the most caffeine, alcohol, and sugar, and those who have the most food allergies, will have the most difficulty. Symptoms usually disappear after three to four days. It is best to slowly reduce your intake of caffeine, alcohol, sugar, white flour, and over-the-counter medications (except as directed by your physician) a week or two before you start your program.
Drink at least six to eight glasses of filtered water daily. Stay away from plastic bottles; glass bottles are okay.
To prevent headaches, make sure your bowels are clean.
Fatigue is normal during a cleanse so allow more time for rest and sleep. To boost energy, exercise for 30 minutes a day. Walking outside in fresh air is best ( Start a walking club early morning with a few friends, its quite encouraging). Roll up those sleeves and let the sun hit you with some vitamin D!

 

Don't wait until you are starving to eat! Balance your blood sugar by eating protein-based meals and snacks every three to four hours (SMALL HEALTHY MEALS). Excellent sources of protein are baked or broiled fish, lean poultry, and legumes such as black beans.

 

Heat is a great resource while cleansing as it helps draw out toxins from within. Try a sauna or a warm bath with Epsom salts for 20 minutes a few times per week.

 

While safe, these types of cleanses can still be stressful on the body and mind so remember to relax. Actively engaging your parasympathetic nervous system helps restore your energy which your body needs to replenish itself. Meditation, deep breathing, or any calming activity is good.

 

Eliminate all refined sugars, flours, caffeine, alcohol, dairy, gluten, or addictive substances. By allowing certain triggers to stay in the diet the body stays on the vicious cycle of cravings and addictive behavior. Reset your biology to eliminate all triggers.
Keep a journal and track your symptoms. You should feel better in three to seven days.

 

Tune in to your body and listen to the cues it provides. A cleanse is a great journey to learn more about understanding how to operate your very own owner's manual.

 

Eat healthy , remove all junk, don't starve and do exercise!! GOOD LUCK!!

 

(adapted from a fitness article, shape magazine and mens health to form this blog post)

breakfast, why you must have it!

If you find yourself ravenous at lunch and unable to pass up fries...and something cheesy...and a brownie, it's not your midday meal that needs work--it's your breakfast.

 

Previous research has found that people who don't eat in the a.m. are 4.5 times more likely to be overweight, and among a registry of people who have lost more than 27 kg's and kept it off for at least five years, 78 percent start every morning with a meal.

 

Now new research from scientists at Imperial College London explains what happens in your brain if you do or don't "break the fast." In a study, 21 normal-weight people looked at pics of high-calorie foods while undergoing MRIs. One day they were given no breakfast before the scan, another day they were fed a robust 730-calorie breakfast an hour and a half prior to the MRI, and on both occasions they were later treated to lunch.
 

While not shocking, the results are telling: The area of the brain involved with "food appeal" was more activated in those with an empty belly. As a result, meal skippers were more attracted to the food photos, and they downed more calories at lunch--one fifth more. The scientists say the study supports the notion that fasting fuels hunger, ups the allure of high-calorie foods, and ultimately increases overall intake. In other words, skipping breakfast is essentially a recipe for weight gain.

 

 

A lot of my friends tell me they're just not hungry in the a.m., but you can change that. Start by eating something small and light, such as a mini apple, woolworths has the cutest kiku apples. Once your body gets used to it, tack on something else, like almonds. Next add a single-serve container of organic nonfat Greek yogurt or a dairy-free alternative, then start stirring in a whole grain such as al bran, which is rich in fibre. Before you know it, you'll be waking up ravenous, which is a good thing--it means your metabolism is now in high gear.

 

And if time is an issue, there are plenty of quick, nutrient-rich options. Here are three easy, breezy choices:

 

cold cereal: all bran with some skim cold milk

provita: with a light sprinkle of cheese salt and pepper

yoghurt: chopped with fruit and a sprinkle of museli

P.s- alot of you have a small breakfast, medium lunch and large supper, NO!!! It's a large breakfast, medium lunch and small supper, this works for weightloss, keeping in mind what you eat.

It's easy to indulge. tips to refusing too much food!

 

 

With the holiday season coming, many people give themselves permission to stuff not only a turkey, but themselves. When an attitude of overindulgence prevails, how do you summon the strength to say "no" to the extras? And how do you turn down well-meaning friends and relatives who don't see anything wrong with "one more little piece" of a "harmless" treat?

 

I have been mainataining my weight for years, and the word "no" has become second nature to me although at times saying no is hard. The result? I like the way I look and feel, and I don't waste energy regretting my latest debauchery. Here are a few strategies I've used to refrain from eating too much. I hope they will work for you as well.

 

• Take your "fair share" -- and nothing more. Keep to one portion of whatever you choose, and stop after eating a full plate of food. We are so used to dashing from one thing to the next. Instead, force yourself to sit and savor the feeling of eating well.
Plan in advance. Sometimes, writing down a predetermined "fair share" can help you reject the overtures of food-pushers. If you feel tempted, just look at your pad and revisit your plan. The answer is there, in black and white -- you don't need anything more!




Watch your momentum. If you are prone to binge eating, know that the first bite of an unplanned indulgence can set you off to the races, and guilt can keep you going full steam ahead. If this is the case for you, avoid the temptation entirely.




Own your right to stop. "No" is a complete sentence. Once you say it, you do not have to explain yourself. Just smile. If the other person persists, just smile and repeat your power word.




Look outside yourself. Observe others who stuff themselves. They may look like they are enjoying themselves while in the act of eating, but note how they become sleepy or sickly after overindulging. Store this in your memory for when you are tempted to do the same in the future.




Feel your feelings. People often stuff themselves to avoid feeling awkward or unpleasant emotions. Know that discomfort will not cause you to die. In fact, you can use it to find out useful information about yourself or others.




Choose your own path. When someone urges you to partake in overindulging, don't waste energy trying to figure out why. They will one day learn for themselves... or not. Either way, live your life in a way that is best for you.

Oh, yes. Observe how good you feel when that petite word "no" has the upper hand. If I can learn to do it, so can you!

 

 

stay hydrated with WATER!!! which WATER is healthiest??

 

 

WATER.We all know we need it to be healthy; however, remembering to drink it isn't always easy. Sure, it's easy enough to sip water with meals, which is a great start, but hydrating throughout the day is important too, especially as the temperatures start to rise.

 

I used to have trouble remembering to drink water throughout the day because I would get so busy and focused on what I was doing and partly because I hated the taste of it. That's why I came up with these simple ways to ...

...remind myself to sip consistently all day.

Get a bigger bottle. I used to keep a little bottle of water on my desk, and I would drink it all, but then I would never get around to refilling it. Now, I keep a large 1 liter bottle on my study desk with a goal to drink all of it by the time the day is over. I like it because it's a little goal I can set each day and easily see my progress as the hours go by.

 

Drink a glass before each meal. If it's just not convenient for you to drink water throughout the day (maybe your day doesn't involve sitting at a desk), try setting a goal to drink at least one cup of water before each meal. Not only does this help you to stay hydrated, studies show that drinking a glass of water before a meal can help you feel full faster and eat less!

 

Track what you drink. A small glass here and there in your busy day may have you unsure about how much water you consumed at the end of the day. So try tracking your fluid intake just like you would when you record meals and snacks in a food journal.

Add some flavour to your water. I always add a slice of lemon to my water. So if you feel you cant drink it plain, add a slice of lemon or lime, a strawberry, some mint leaves or cucumbers, anything to motivate you to drink your water.

 I know this may be TMI , however, If you are not sure whether you are well hydrated or not, you can check the color of your urine. If it is pale in color, you are probably hydrated. If it is darker, you may need more fluids. And remember, if you are working out regularly, especially in the heat, you will need more fluids.

 

 

There are few things more refreshing than a glass of sparkling water with a splash of cranberry or a squeeze of fresh lime. But is there a big difference between the different types of carbonated water?

I got the answers from Marjorie Nolan Cohn, RD, spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, to help unravel the mysterious differences between those bubbles!!

First, a quick primer of the bubbly stuff:

• Sparkling water is a blanket
  term for water that contains carbon dioxide or hydrogen sulfide gas, whether naturally occurring, or injected on purpose to create an effervescent drink.

 

• Mineral water contains naturally dissolved minerals that come from a natural underground source.

 

 
 

• Seltzer is plain old water that has been artificially carbonated.

 

• Club soda is also water that has been artificially carbonated, but it also generally has a few ingredients mixed to add a slight salty/mineral-y flavor. For example, Schweppes Club Soda contains sodium bicarbonate (for "ze bubbles!"), as well as sodium chloride and potassium sulfate, for taste.

 

 

"The main difference between these fizzy waters is taste". They all have no calories, (unlike so many of those "enhanced" and flavored waters out there). "The subtle difference in mineral content, in relation to the big picture of your health and nutrition, is not impactful."

The good news is, they're all a nice break from the tap, and great ways to stay hydrated or jazz up your favorite drink recipes. Plus, sipping carbonated waters may aid in digestion and help settle upset stomachs, especially for people with sensitive digestive systems. And if you're worried about any of the beverages' sodium content, don't be ...it's "generally pretty minimal compared to other foods and beverages."

 

Your Bottom Line: Getting your daily dose of H2O is vital to your health--specifically for your energy levels, your bones, your waistline and even your heart--and Cohn says any sparkling water is fine to drink. To avoid bubble overload, however (and the possible bloating that could come with it), she recommends balancing your daily sparkles with regular water. Or, if you want to get fancy, "flat."

 

p.s. - for weight loss stay away from the sparkling waters etc, rather have your water flat. BUT sparkling water is MUCH better than a cool drink, so if you think you going to indulge with a fizzy drink, rather have a sparkling water.

Strategies to Stick to Your Diet and Get Fit!!!!

 

 

I'm a firm believer in the fact that you can make your body do anything if you work hard and keep doing what you should!! BUT it's easier said than done right?

 

 

 

The challenging part is telling your brain to eat this and not eat that, to exercise and not be lazy, once you have your attitude right and you are determined and focussed, you can achieve great success.

 

Currently at this moment in time im lacking motivation and enthusiasm, I've spent my weekend devouring caramel popcorn, choc chip and vanilla sponge cake, cheesecake flavoured patchi chocolates and many other detrimental things, The upside to this is that im a moderate eater, i indulge but dont over indulge, the downside? I seldomely indulge, so right now im left feeling pathetic as if I have NO self control. To remedy this I am staying out the kitchen, I've eaten a good healthy lunch and now im sitting with water... Everytime I crave something I will drink water!

try it...it works for me everytime!!

 

 

 

MOTIVATION IS IMPORTANT!!!!

 

 

 

Sometimes, regardless of the fact that you know you should workout, you just somehow can’t convince yourself to. In fact, you have pretty much become a pro at convincing yourself otherwise. You are able to justify exactly why you don’t have to work out and why it’s ok for you to eat that entire bag of M&Ms — until the next morning when you regret that decision. Here are 10 ways to motivate yourself to stay on your fit plan.

 

1. Psych Yourself Up!:
Pretend you’re a boxer, a marathon runner, a professional athlete, be a fast running gazelle — it sounds corny, but it works. Get yourself in that mindset, be the boxer, get yourself pumped up, channel Rocky if you want. See it, feel it, see the environment you would be in. The point is to get your head in the game and out of your “I don’t feel like working out” head.

 

2. No-More Piggy Bank:
Every time I REALLY don’t want to work out, but do anyway, or every time I SO BADLY want a brownie but make a cup of hot water and lemon instead, I put R5 in my No-More Piggy, also called a “Fit Bank.” Once it adds up a bit, I get to spend it anyway I want! Then when I’m strutting around with my new shoes , I’ll be able to think “my workouts and fit mindset bought this for me…”

 

 

3. Photo at your Heaviest:
If you have an old pic at your heaviest, place it where you will remind yourself to get fit. So, if food is your issue: put it in the kitchen — on your fridge, in your pantry, in your freezer, on your counter — wherever you are going to see it before eating foods that you know you don’t need to eat. If your issue is exercise, put that pic on your closet door to remind you to grab your sneakers, put it next to your alarm clock so that when you go to hit “snooze” you see it and decide to get up and exercise instead.

 

4. Photo at your Thinnest:
Same idea, but reversed. Yes, this is a serious glamour shot, a picture of you flexing your muscles or looking sexy in a bathing suit. Why? Because some people are driven by the positive, and others are driven by the negative. What type are you?

 

5. Accountability Chart:
Create a chart, writing down your weekly fit plan, tape it to your refrigerator and every time you workout, check it off!

 

6. Tester Jeans:
If I’m on the verge of eating that or not working out when I know I need to, I just try on my tester jeans. They are my scale alternative when it comes to gauging my body size. For me it’s less how much I weigh and more about how I feel and how big/small I am. I know that the scale stresses me out and I obsess over the number. If I feel like my testers a little tight, I don’t even hesitate — I put that cookie down or I tie on my sneakers and head out for a run!

 

7. Skinny Jeans in the Kitchen:
Literally hang your skinny jeans in your kitchen or pantry so that every time you walk in to “see what’s new in the fridge” or do some emotional eating in hopes of making yourself feel better (which will ultimately make yourself feel worse) you see those skinny jeans hanging there and realize that, while those 10 seconds of taste bud bliss as you down that bag of chips will be heavenly — if you avoid that daily bag for a month, you will be slipping, as opposed to squeezing, into your skinny jeans. And in the end, nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.

 

8. Post-Its in the Pantry:
Find yourself opening the refrigerator door and eyeballing everything (as if you don’t already know what it’s stocked with), perusing the pantry, and riffling through the freezer, even when you’re still full from dinner? I do. Waaaaaay too often. I am great at late-night self-convincing that enjoying a few (or a heaping handful) of M&Ms is “okay” and that, no, I won’t regret it in the morning. Instead, I place Post-It notes with little reminders that I shouldn’t eat that cookie, alternatives to eating that cookie, and, worst case — the result of eating that cookie: weight gain.

 

9. Strip!:
If you’re having a hard time motivating, strip down to your eco skivvies and face yourself in the mirror. It’s not about looking for flaws, it’s about looking at where you stand right now and being honest about it. Yes, I could use a run right now. No, I really don’t want to paste that cookie to the side of my thighs…

 

10. Say It Out Loud!:
Yes, if you are about to mindlessly snack, take it out of your mind and make the announcement: “I am now eating this entire bowl of leftover pasta because I’m bored, not hungry, even though I know it will go right to my butt.” If not working out is your issue. Say “I am not going to work out right now because I would prefer be lazy and not address the fact that I need to get healthy. I am making the decision to prolong and even worsen my health and make my weight loss journey take even longer.” Chances are your statement will make you think better of it.

 

 

 

I’m not a big fan of “dieting” — a word that conjures up images of hunger and chewing on celery or doing some kind of fad diet — but I do believe in trying to eat a healthier diet.
Don’t diet, but do stick to a healthy diet, in other words.
But that’s easier said than done, as we all know. The healthy diet goes out the window around the holidays, for example, or when there’s a family party or a function at work full of unhealthy food, or when we go out to eat with friends, or when we go to a movie or amusement park or the beach, or when … well, you get the idea. There are lots of ways to get off a diet.
And there are just as many ways to stick to your healthy diet.
I’m not perfect, by any stretch of the imagination, and I often will give in to temptations. But I’ve gotten better over time, partially because practice makes perfect and partly because I’ve learned a lot of great tips!!

 

 

So today we’re going to look at a few of the tips and tricks that I’ve found useful in sticking with a healthy diet.

 

1. Know your motivation. I have a friend,  who is getting healthy so that she’ll be able and well to have a lovely future and lots of opportunities. When she gets tempted by evil junk food, she asks herself whether she’d rather eat the sweets or look forward to a bright future. When you have a powerful motivation like this, and remember what choice you’re making whenever you face temptation, it’s easier to be strong when you’d otherwise cave in.

 

2. Take it in gradual steps. You don’t have to overhaul your diet overnight. I highly recommend changing your diet in small steps — just drink water instead of soda, for example, or eat fruit instead of candy or chips. Once you adjust to this small change, make another a week or two later, and so on until you’re eating much healthier a few months later. This small and gradual process makes it much easier to stick with a healthy diet.

 

 

3. Don’t be drastic. I’ve seen fad diets like the Cookie Diet, Atkins, the Banana Diet, and different cleansing fasts — and I don’t recommend a single one of them. They’re drastic, and very few people can last with them for a long time. And the fact is, while you might lose a lot of weight with a drastic diet in a short amount of time, as soon as you get off the diet and go back to eating unhealthily, you’ll gain the wait back. Don’t do anything drastic — make long-lasting changes

 

4. Choose foods you love. This is incredibly important. If you hate eating salads, don’t make salads a key to your new diet. I happen to love salads, but everyone has different tastes. Don’t eat foods just because they’re good for you — eat them because they’re healthy AND you love them. For me, that means berries and almonds and fruit and salads and yogurt and veggies , but for others it might be salmon and lean chicken and asparagus and walnuts. Find the foods you love that are healthy, and you’ll stick with the diet much longer.

 

5. Pack food. Always bring healthy food with you, wherever you go. Sometimes this just means packing snacks if you’re going on a few errands (I like almonds and fruit), other times you might want to pack more substantial meals and pack them with ice to keep them fresh. Packing your lunch to work is a great idea, along with a bunch of snacks to keep you satisfied all day without eating the donuts someone brought in.

 

6. Eat before you go. If you’re going out to a restaurant or party, eat a small healthy meal first. That way you won’t be starving and won’t need to eat a huge amount of unhealthy food. You can get by on a salad or some fish and steamed veggies or an appetizer or something like that, and still enjoy the company of your friends and loved ones.

 

7. Don’t get hungry. When you allow yourself to starve, you will often binge, because your blood-sugar levels are so low that you crave instant sugar (or refined flour). When you’re starving, you are more likely to indulge in donuts or cake. So eat snacks throughout the day, or small meals, so that you never get super hungry.

8. Choose healthy when you eat out. If you go to a restaurant or party, look for the healthy choices. I love a good salad bar (not drenched in fattening dressing), but you could also choose a lean cut of meat, grilled not fried, with steamed veggies, or some black bean or lentil soup, or something like that.

 

9. Indulge in little bits. I don’t believe in going extreme and not allowing myself to eat treats such as … mmm, chocolate cake. But the key is to eat healthy most of the time, and when you do indulge in a treat, do it in small amounts. Two or three bites of cake or ice cream, for example, won’t kill your diet but will satisfy your sweet craving. Eating a whole tub of ice cream? Not recommended. And someone close to me recommened a woolies vanilla yoghurt that tasted like ICE CREAM!! so maybe indulge on that instead of ice cream?

 

10. Eat small portions when you go out. If you go to a party with lots of food, try for small portions. Just eat until you’re slightly full, then have some water and talk with people without eating for awhile, then when you get hungry have another small portion, and so on. Try for the amount of food that will fit in your hand. If you space out several small portions over the course of a couple hours, you’ll feel satisfied but never take in too much.

 

 

11. Have tasty substitutes for your weaknesses. When I feel like eating something sweet, I’ll often have kiwis or fruit. My mum likes to mix fruit with yogurt,  — a weird but satisfying treat. Whatever your weaknesses, find a substitute that will satisfy your cravings when they inevitably come up.

 

12. Clear your home of unhealthy snacks and foods. If you have junk food in your home, you’re more likely to give in at some point and eat it. But if you clear your home of these foods, you won’t have that temptation. Clear your fridge and cabinets of candy, baked sweets, fried foods, foods made with refined flour, fatty and greasy things like chips and fries, and so on.

13. Bring your own healthy food to a party. If it’s allowed, bring a dish to a party you’re planning on attending, and make it a healthy one.

 

14. Fill yourself up with water, fruits, veggies, and lean protein at a party. Lots of parties will have at least a couple of healthy options — some fruits or veggies, maybe some lean protein that’s not fried. I will fill myself up on these, even if they’re not entirely a meal, and then eat a healthy meal later.

 

 

15. Don’t stuff yourself. Make this your ultimate rule. Even if you break down and get fatty, fried food at a restaurant or party, just don’t eat until you’re stuffed. Try the Okinawan rule of eating until you’re 80% full. This way you can eat the unhealthy stuff and still limit the damage.

 

16. Don’t starve yourself. This might sound like the “don’t get hungry” tip above, but it’s bigger than that — don’t eat so little that you’re starving. For most women, that means don’t go below 1,200 calories a day — for men, it’s 1,500. But even those are too low for many of us. You only want to cut a moderate amount of calories from your diet — if you starve yourself, you’ll lose muscle, you’ll get unhealthy and you’ll end up falling off the diet eventually

 

17. If you indulge, burn it off. Sometimes all of the strategies above will fail. That’s OK. Don’t beat yourself up about it — just get back on the wagon, back on track. Look at it as a small bump in the road. And better yet, get outside and burn off the calories by running, walking briskly, playing sports, whatever it takes. Then start eating healthy again.

 

What are your favorite strategies for sticking with a healthy diet? Share in the comments!

Hot Lemon Diuretic

I am a health fanatic, and love to eat clean foods, however sometimes I tend to over indulge and eat the wrong thing, even if it is just a little and it leaves me feeling bloated and horrible!!!

 

SO I turn to Hot water with a few slices of lemon. which does me wonders . However recently a friend of mine mentioned something a bit different which would be good to try!!

 

my friend recommended this quick, simple diuretic that “makes you pee like a race horse” or elevates the rate of urination by forcing the kidneys to produce more urination [ I know, TMI ]. This flushes all of the impurities out of the system fast; it is perfect for before you are about to put on a tight fitting outfit!!

 

The concoction is simple: organic lemons & boiling water. I prefer natural diuretics to store-bought ones. They’re easier on the body, and in my opinion more effective because many of them contain too many chemicals. Drink this about two hours before putting on your fitted outfit [ & maybe even the night before to feel extra skinny & mini ] or just to beat the bloat.

 

Hot Lemon Diuretic

* Makes two cups of hot Water.

2 organic lemons

Hot water

Put water in to teapot. Boil water, squeeze 2 lemons in to teapot. After you’ve squeezed all juice in, throw all four pieces into to teapot, keep the skins on. Lower temperature on the stove. Let this sit for about 2 minutes. Pour in to teacup. Drink up!

I love hot water and lemon and can drink it throughout the day, Mostly mornings and evenings. It has so many healthy benefits. Some say drink it warm, I prefer it boiling hot!!

Here are the Benefits:

Start the day out with a mug of warm water and the juice of half a lemon.

It's so simple and the benefits are just too good to ignore. Warm water with lemon:

1. Boosts your immune system

Lemons are high in Vitamin C and potassium. Vitamin C is great for fighting colds and potassium stimulates brain and nerve function and helps control blood pressure.

2. Balances pH

Lemons are an incredibly alkaline food, believe it or not. Yes, they are acidic on their own, but inside our bodies they're alkaline (the citric acid does not create acidity in the body once metabolized). As you wellness warriors know, an alkaline body is really the key to good health.

3. Helps with weight loss

Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. It also has been shown that people who maintain a more alkaline diet lose weight faster. And, my experience is that when I start the day off right, it's easier to make the best choices for myself the rest of the day.

4. Aids digestion

The warm water serves to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract and peristalsis—the waves of muscle contractions within the intestinal walls that keep things moving. Lemons and limes are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen ama, or toxins, in the digestive tract.

5. Acts as a gentle, natural diuretic

Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body. Toxins are, therefore, released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy.

6. Clears skin

The vitamin C helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes. Lemon water purges toxins from the blood which helps keep skin clear as well.

7. Hydrates the lymph system

This cup of goodness helps start the day on a hydrated note, which helps prevent dehydration (obviously) and adrenal fatigue. When your body is dehydrated, or deeply dehydrated (adrenal fatigue) it can't perform all of it's proper functions, which leads to toxic buildup, stress, constipation, and the list goes on. Your adrenals happen to be two small glands that sit on top of your kidneys, and along with your thyroid, create energy. They also secrete important hormones, including aldosterone. Aldosterone is a hormone secreted by your adrenals that regulates water levels and the concentration of minerals, like sodium, in your body, helping you stay hydrated. Your adrenals are also responsible for regulating your stress response. So, the bottom line is that you really don't want to mess with a deep state of dehydration!

Adopting just this one practice of drinking a cup of warm water with lemon in the morning for a month can radically alter your experience of the day. Don't be surprised if you begin to view mornings in a new light.

Like I said, the recipe is really simple—a cup of warm water and the juice from half a lemon.

 

p.s- I slice 3 pieces off a lemon as shown below and place it in my mugg, and pour boiling water from my kettle. Don't forget to try the hot lemon diuretic!!

 

5lbs is and 5 pounds is 2.3 kilos
60 ounces is 1.77 litres or 7 and half cups

This only works if you cut out junk and many extra carbs and stick to protein and veg!!!

a 3 day juice detox

I'm not one for starving, I believe in eating 3 meals in a day, a healthy breakfast, a nice lunch and a light supper. It works for me and I believe its the best way to stick to your diet long term!!!!

 

Healthy eating shouldn't be regarded as a diet in my eyes, its a healthy lifestyle change for the best to be your best!!

 

For those of you who are able to manage juice cleanses, I've found one of the best I have ever come across!!

 

It's a three day cleans!!!

 

 

 

day 1: Fresh  Liver & Kidney Detox

 

The cleanse entails three days [ today is Liver & Kidney juice: apples, beets, carrots, celery, cucumber, lemon & tomatoes ] of hourly juice consumption. Massive amounts of water and tea are encouraged too. A big plus? One meal a night is allowed [ 170 grams of lean protein & veggies ]. Tonight’s meal will be chopped veggie salad with grilled chicken.

 

Your juice should amount to 1.8 kilograms which is about 8 cups which you can drink hourly!

 

day 2: Fresh Green Drink

 

apple, celery, cucumber, ginger, parsley, spinach

 

 

make your juice, drink it as you did in day 1. I would suggest having the same meal as day 1. drink lots of water!!

 

day 3 : Colon detox

 

You may start to feel a bit grumpy towards the evenings, but after your protein packed meal, you should be feeling better!!!

 

beets, celery, carrots, cucumber, ginger, lemon, lettuce, parsley & spinach.

 

 

for those of your brave enough to try the cleanse, remember herbal teas are fine, water and your juice!! Avoid caffeine!! Eat your protein meal by 6pm and stay away from all carbs, rices , breads etc.

 

you should lose between 1.3 kilos - 3.1 kilos in the three days

 

{ Note: This cleanse isn’t for everyone: if you have any medical conditions before, during, or after the cleanse please consult a doctor immediately }.

 

GOOD LUCK!!!