I’m not one to recommend going without something long-term unless there’s a medical reason or recommendation from a medical professional not to do so. However, I think life is about balance. If you can find a balance between the things you love and the things you need, in order to live life the healthy way, for me, that’s better than completely cutting out all the things that make life a little sweeter! Often, totally removing something you love from your nutrition plan (or your life for that matter) can cause you extra stress… and in this day and age, stress is already a problem for so many people.
That being said, 28 days is NOT forever! And for a short time, it’s going to be a great detox for your body no matter what unhealthy thing you are giving up. Giving up something unhealthy may even be best done cold turkey if you’ve struggled in the past and Febfast gives you a great reason to exclude it! You now have a great reason to give your body the break it most likely deserves after indulging in all those yummy Christmas and New Year’s treats, not to mention you can help others in need by raising money for a good cause along the way! That’s a win-win in my books!
When friends or family look at you suspiciously and ask why you seem different, go ahead and tell them proudly what you’re doing! Once you start to detoxify the body, you’ll naturally feel better and the best news is, looking better is just around the corner! I know I’m going to sound like a broken record, but I’m always telling my clients that if you are healthy and you are starting to feel good, then looking good is a great side-effect!
If you aren’t already familiar with my 7 Rules to Success, I’ll help you out with number five.
“Avoid sugar! Hidden (refined) sugar is the number one enemy for most ‘saddlebag’ sufferers and is a major reason many people fall short of reaching their health and fitness goals. Read your food labels carefully and try to avoid rich sauces and fatty dressings that contain large amounts of sugar as they can be disastrous when trying to control your blood sugar levels and manage your weight.”
That might be some mighty fine cranberry sauce you enjoyed smothering on your lean protein (roast turkey etc) over Christmas, but that large blob of delicious cranberry sauce might be hiding a few skeletons in the closet… or severely overweight ghosts! When possible, opt for natural sweeteners where possible. There are plenty to choose from, so be savvy. Stevia is a sweet-tasting natural herb and can be safely used in tea, coffee, sweets and other foods. It’s low in calories and has other health benefits such as treating diabetes, hypertension, dental problems, dermatitis, acne, stomach ache, digestive problems and flu. Honey is another one of nature’s sweeteners and although it still has a high sugar content, it is low-GI, rich in antioxidants and has the added benefit of being an antiseptic. It can also treat insomnia, beautify the skin, help wounds heal and promote digestion. Obviously, don’t overdo it – balance is always the key! If you’re really feeling like sugar during FebFast, try flavouring foods with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg instead so you can allow your body to really experience the “no sugar” feeling!
Good luck and keep it up!
Source:
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