Do You Need a Fresh Start this Spring?

When I think of the spring, I think of fresh, new beginnings. Just like those daffodil bulbs peeking up from the ground, we can treat spring as a time to start anew. Many people these days are looking to rejuvenate their bodies with a spring cleanse. Have you heard people talking about them at the gym or seen articles about celebrities touting their benefits? At first the idea may sound daunting or crazy. Do you wonder what is really involved and why people are doing them? 

Spring cleansing means detoxifying your body, says Linda Page, ND, PhD, a naturopathic doctor, lecturer, and author of the book Detoxification. It's a way to recharge, rejuvenate, and renew, says Page. "Anybody can benefit from a cleansing. The body is coming out of what might be called hibernation. It's a way you can jump-start your body for a more active life, a healthier life."

The words ‘detox’ or ‘cleanse’ are generally used interchangeably to describe the same type of activity. There are many different types of programs, some more rigid than others. In its broadest sense, a detox program involves a period of time during which you eat in a certain way and do specific things in order to create the best conditions for your body to be able to do its work of detoxification most effectively. The main purpose of participating in a detox program is to cleanse your liver, pancreas, kidneys and your blood, supposedly removing toxins from your body and leaving you in a healthier state. A secondary benefit or goal of participation can also be weight loss (which seems to be why a lot of people jump on the band wagon this time of year as they think of upcoming summer vacations). 

Due to our modern lifestyles and diet, toxins tend to build up in our tissues and cells more quickly than our body can eliminate them. Your body accumulates toxins received externally and internally. External toxins come from the environment in things like the foods we eat, the air we breathe and the prescription and over-the-counter drugs we take. Internal toxins are created within our body by things such as by-products of our metabolism and waste build-up from constipation. Both can overload our body’s detoxification systems.

In the spring of 2010 I decided to participate in my first two week program called the Optimal Health Detox. I did this for two reasons. First, I had heard of the benefits and as someone who is often skeptical, I wanted to experience them - or not - for myself. Secondly, I liked the idea that I may be able to shed a few extra pounds before the summer months arrived. This program seemed relatively painless in comparison to others I had heard of. The first 6 days required that you only eat fruits and vegetables. During the next 5 days you could add proteins (like lean meats, fish and legumes) back into your menu. During the final 3 days you could add in whole grains and nuts.  For the duration, you avoided sugar, dairy, caffeine and alcohol. 

In the end, I was really glad I decided to participate. I found eating this way for two weeks was a real eye opener to how I was eating beforehand. I believed I was already eating a pretty healthy diet, but I learned there was a lot of room for improvement. I also noticed the direct impact of what I was eating had on how I felt both physically and mentally. In addition, I learned that vegetables could provide the kind of satiety I enjoyed (and thought I could only get from eating meats, breads and pastas) once I knew some new ways to prepare them. As a bonus, I exceeded the few pounds I had aimed to lose and was really pleased with the results.  The best part was that it lead to lasting changes in the way I nourish my body beyond the two week program.  If are curious about the experiences other participants have had with this program, you can view their testimonials on my website.     

To learn more even more about this concept, you can attend a complimentary workshop at the end of this month.

Introduction to Detox Workshop

Tuesday, April 23rd 9:30AM  

Jaie3 234 Main St., Medfield, MA

Feel free to stop by or contact me to learn more about how you can spring into optimal health!