Are you wondering why your jeans seem to have shrunk even though you have not washed them? Are you needing to give your Lululemons an extra tug, or better yet feel like you want to stretch the elastic out so they fit a little better? Ah…the bleak aftermath of overindulging on holidays. We’ve all been there. I’ve been there.
So, let’s talk about some easy ways to detox the bloat away from last week’s riot of food and drink. You might want to keep these tips handy as we face the next round of holiday celebrations—because we’re about to enter the most challenging weeks of the year for eating right, keeping fit, and feeling good.
If you’ve been following my blog or tweets, you know that I am a firm believer in starting your day in the most positive way. There’s no better time to begin combating (and preventing) bloat than first thing in the morning. Here’s how:
Mindfulness and meditation
Physical cleansing and emotional cleansing are all part of the same package. A 20-minute meditation upon waking is setting your day up for success. End your meditation saying 5 things you are grateful for. This immediately enhances your ability to be present, as well as calm you down and set you up for the day in a happy and effective way.
Hot water with lemon
Trade in your morning coffee for a mug of hot water and the juice of half a fresh lemon to jump start your digestion. The pectin fiber in lemons is very beneficial for colon health that helps flush out toxins and encourages the production of bile. Lemons are also an excellent and rich source of vitamin C, an essential nutrient that protects the body against immune system deficiencies.
Go green
Give your digestion a slight break by following your hot water with lemon with a green juice or a green smoothie for breakfast. You can make a quick stop at your local juice bar or make your own at home! Get creative if you are making your own, but definitely throw in dark leafy spinach, kale, or collards to help your system regain a healthy pH balance.
Keep a water bottle on hand
I also recommend increasing your water intake after a day (or days) of over indulging. Try setting a goal of drinking a liter of water before 12 pm to help flush out your system. Drinking more later in the day won’t then seem as daunting. Hate drinking water? Get creative- add some lemon, or cucumber slices, or even some strawberry. No excuses 🙂
Break a sweat
Getting your blood circulating is imperative to your feeling good, and sweating also helps to detoxify the body. Whether you choose yoga, rebounding, dance cardio, or want to get your power walk on–get that bod moving. Even ten minutes a day makes a difference!
Another way of breaking a sweat is to jump in a sauna. Infrared saunas are my favorite. It’s relaxing, of course, but it also helps with detoxification, improves circulation, and lowers blood pressure. And it just feels heavenly.
Cut out the crap
Put your hands in the air and drop the bread and the block of cheese. Reach for these gems instead: green salads, fresh fruit, vegetables, quinoa, millet, clean and lean sources of protein. Eating simple, unprocessed foods lets your digestive system do what it does best. Adding asparagus, dandelion greens, cucumber, parsley, and celery to your salads will help you lose water weight naturally.
Clean house
Eating food with fiber is an excellent idea (chia seeds, flax, raspberries, for example), but if you are feeling really sluggish and in need of a system reset, you might consider enemas and colonics. Colon therapy by trained professionals is a safe and effective method of removing toxins and waste from the large intestine. Reboot!
Let’s bring it back to the basics, friends, and set ourselves up for the rest of the holiday season. These tips will definitely help you get your glow on. No one deserves more care than you, and self care is the best gift you can give yourself this holiday season!
