FITNESS & BEAUTY ยท NOVEMBER 2018
GET THE SKINNY ON
PRE-HOLIDAY DETOX
A
pre-holiday detox is the perfect thing to do to boost
your immune system and keep you healthy through
the long, hectic holiday season.
Everyone and their best friends are on the
intermittent fasting bandwagon and for good reason. It works
to curb your appetite, rid your body of what it doesn't need,
and boosts fat loss, but when done in combination with not-so-
palatable juices or the latest fad smoothies, it can make fasting
challenging and not a particularly healthy way to detox. After the
swoosh from the initial water weight loss, you may find yourself
struggling to stick to your plan and that can be dangerous.
No one wants to go into the danger zone willingly, so why not try
a kinder, gentler approach to detoxing that incorporates simple
lifestyle changes over the course of weeks rather than a day or
two? It will clean your body from the inside out and will give your
immune system a much-needed boost.
Before starting any detox program, keep in mind that no two
people are alike. For starters, we don't all share the same eating
habits. Some are accustomed to eating organic foods while others
aren't, which can make switching to a strictly organic diet a bit
more detoxifying. And depending on general eating habits, some
people will have to go further than others to see any benefits.
Here is an easy plan to incorporate over the course of one to two weeks prior to the
holidays, or anytime before, to get a head start on a healthy new year.
- Drink one to two glasses of spring water
with a little sea salt and lemon juice from a
full lemon in addition to drinking half your
body weight in ounces of water per day.
Water is crucial for proper detoxification.
- To stimulate your lymphatic system
and promote the removal of waste and
exfoliation of old skin, use a brush on your
entire body before you bathe or shower.
- When showering, alternate between
hot and cold water. Use hot water for
about thirty seconds, then cold for thirty
seconds. Do so for about five minutes.
This technique is great for boosting your
lymphatic system and strengthening the
nervous system. - Avoid gluten, dairy, soy, and corn
during the cleanse. These foods are highly
inflammatory and mucus forming.
- Limit the number of personal hygiene
products you use. Many perfumes and
makeup products can be highly toxic. - Eliminate sugar from your diet. If you
need a little, limit it to one serving of
fruit per day.
- Limit the amount of coffee you drink. If you
normally drink more than one cup per day,
consider drinking tea with caffeine instead. Try
a tea that is infused with jasmine or green tear
(yes, tear). Drink flavored decaffeinated teas
that support optimal digestion like peppermint,
licorice, and ginger. - Exercise. A little every day can make a
big difference.
- Enjoy all the wonderful benefits!
By Carolina Portes
30 HEALTHY MAGAZINE