1. Juice cleanses are so 2016! It's a scientifically proven fact that the weight loss on a juice cleanse is primarily water loss, not fat loss. It comes back as soon as you return to your regular eating pattern. Furthermore, severely restrictive fad diets can put your body in starvation mode. In other words, your metabolism slows down and tries to conserve calories as opposed to burning them. There is no scientific evidence that juice or vegetable cleanses detoxify the body and rest the digestive system. We have our liver and our kidneys for that!
I can understand the psychological appeal of doing a cleanse: it leads to a sense of accomplishment. Seeing a few pounds drop on the scale instantly is definitely rewarding. However, there are smarter ways to lose weight.
2017 is all about the soup cleanse. If you really want to give up food and live on liquids, then you might as well have bone broth (yakhni). Homemade bone broth is much more nutritionally balanced and protein rich as opposed to a fruit or vegetable juice. Bone broth is rich in minerals, supports the immune system and is like Botox in a cup! Yes ladies, bone broth has both anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. I often tell brides to replace two of their main meals with bone broth for a week. The results are phenomenal. If a week sounds too much, try it for three days and you will feel energised and revitalised by the fourth day!
2. Spring cleaning has traditional connotations of cleaning your closet. However, I want you to step out of your bedroom and into your kitchen to throw out the junk. You simply can't get healthier and fitter if you think about eating greens and end up eating mac and cheese on a daily basis. Remove temptation before the cravings hit!
Replace all your white carbs with brown; all your full fat dairy with low fat dairy; and all your junk food with energizing snacks like mixed nuts, fruit etc. I promise you, your body will be in top shape by summer!
3. When it comes to weight loss and well-being, we often forget to talk about psychological detoxing and emotional healing. When was the last time you cleared out thoughts, feelings and old stories that no longer belong in your emotional house?
Spring is about rebirth and revival. Often, we tend to overeat or to simply abuse our bodies because of emotional baggage.
Take some time out to yourself and work with your issues. Get professional help if you need to. There is nothing wrong with talking out your feelings with a good counsellor. Sometimes, friends and family cannot understand our viewpoint as well as a licensed counsellor. The taboo associated with shrinks is so 2016! One in four people suffer from depression. Mental health is just as important as physical well-being.
4. Finally, do a complete cleanse of your social life! Let go of boyfriends, friends, acquaintances or anything or anyone that you feel is not adding quality to your life. Spring is the perfect time to leave excess baggage behind and move forward.