Life after a detox...

The start of a new week, and I have to say I’m feeling pretty virtuous at the moment - nutritionally speaking that is.

Two weeks after my last detox programme I’m still feeling the benefits.

Long overdue after an incredibly social November, Christmas and January – both my body and mind were ready for a healthy reset.

Anticipating the festive excesses I booked a 7-day Alkalise, Balance and Cleanse from Nosh Detox; a programme designed to help you lose weight and cleanse your digestive system.

It may sound lazy to buy a detox, but the prospect of everything you eat being delivered to your door, freshly prepared every couple of days was extremely appealing to me.

It is true though these types of programmes are not a cheap option, but the good thing about Nosh Detox as a company is they have regular offers on their website; so for this one I took advantage of a 20% off discount.

I know have said this before, probably in one of my earlier blogs, but it is worth reiterating - I much prefer detoxing than dieting – it just suits my personality better. If I tell myself I am cutting out certain foods for the foreseeable future – my brain will obsess endlessly about those foods creating the polar opposite of a healthy environment for my mind and body.

But a structured week of balanced, nutrient rich meals, without any caffeine and, importantly for me, no sugar is long enough for me to break the conditioned reflex of looking for “unhealthy” foods every day.

The other massive benefit for me is reframing portion size. Portion control is something I have struggled with for as long as I can remember, and it is personally important for me to have at the forefront of my mind. Being attuned to when I’m hungry and only eating until I’m just full and not over full are also pertinent.

Another big plus for this kind of programme is the food you get is a combination of smoothies, soups, snacks and proper meals. Years ago I did a few juice cleanses - literally just juice, and I found them really hard going – they affected my energy levels and I realised I am one of those people who needs to chew food to feel full.

So, all in all, my 7-day detox was a success and whilst my goal was to feel ”healthier”, I lost about four pounds, which was of course a welcome by product.

For me though, the tricky bit comes after the detox. I’m not bad at being disciplined for a short period of time; it is maintaining consistency with healthy food choices that I struggle with.

But the detox has had a great knock on effect on my mind-set and I know I don’t want to undo all the good nutritional work I have put into place. So I have set myself some realistic guidelines - which seem to be working well for me. I am not denying myself anything – but I am making sure my caffeine free, and sugar free days outweigh the days on which I partake.

So two weeks on, my bad habits seem to be minimal, I feel energised and “lighter”, and I don’t just mean in terms of weight and I am very much enjoying this state of being.

So I’m going to keep up my strategy of moderation and the emphasis on lots of fresh fruit and veggies for as long as I can and see how I go… no doubt, I'll keep you posted! 

Do you have a “magic number” for your size and weight, and what do you do to get there?

Mine is 54kg. I have been 49kg; which didn’t suit me, mentally or physically and I have been close to 60kg. People didn’t really notice, but some of my clothes felt a little snug and I had to do this crazy wriggling dance to get into my jeans.

Now the sky is blue and the sun feels warm I tend to jump on the scales. I have weaned myself off this habit over the years, as it can be counterproductive. I know it is just a number and in isolation it doesn’t mean a great deal. But that number can hold a lot of momentary power – when it goes down I’m delighted, when it goes up I am temporarily dejected.

It seems most of my mates (women) are similar. When we turn our attention to health and vanity goals, most of us have our own “magic number”. A number plucked from youth, or the slimmest time of your life or because you think you “should” be a particular weight.

We all know that there are many factors affecting “weight” including sleep, stress, illness and hormones but still we obsess about the “magic number”.

We know that eating healthily is the way to go so for the most part I do, but anyone who knows me knows my love for cake and pudding - I just don’t want to look like a pudding! So I exercise five times a week.

I can get to and maintain 52kg, but it takes a LOT of discipline. And I’m not sure that level of self-restraint is very fun, for me, or the people around me.

What I have learned over the years is that bodies change and I am learning to accept this, for the most part. I was bigger at university, but after each child, I went down a dress size. Right now I am about 1.5kgs off my “magic number”. Yep, it’s still in my head…I read an article years ago about the gorgeous model Iman Abdulmajid who said as a woman hits her thirties she should add 5lbs to the weight she thinks she would like to be, to guard against looking older than her years. Whilst the lovely Iman can probably afford a few pounds here and there, I think she has a point. We all want to look good and be healthy, but not at the cost of looking gaunt or aged.

The reality is that this “issue” is a subjective one. When we look at ourselves we focus on our flaws and imperfections. We compare ourselves to friends with completely different body shapes. We long to regain how we were at our youth or perceived best and fixate on what has changed “negatively”. For me, all I ever see is my stomach - which after two children is the polar opposite of washboard! But maybe others just see the whole picture. I know do when I look my friends or people walking down the street.

So I guess moderation is the key, and being kind to yourself. With the media flooded with super foods, nutritional advice and new ways of training they are many ways to attain whatever goals you have or reaching your “magic number”.

I try to be balanced, but that “magic number” can be an elusive wotsit, so I’m off for a run…what do you do to get to your “magic number”? Do you have one, or are you happy as you are?