Detoxing can be a good way to improve your health. You can reset your taste buds and metabolism. You can lose weight. You can get the toxins out of your body, blood and organs. With all of the benefits of detoxing, it’s also easy to make mistakes. These mistakes can derail your detoxing plan. However, knowing the mistakes in advance helps you prepare for them and avoid them. You can have a safe, effective and well managed detox.
Mistake #1 Choosing The Wrong Detox Plan.
There are a wide variety of detox plans and programs. Some are designed for weight loss. Others are designed to help you eliminate a dependency on sugar, caffeine or gluten. Others are simply designed to help you purge toxins from your body ( which can in turn help with weight loss).
When you choose the right program, it’s much easier to stick to it. For your first detox it’s best to choose a 2 or 3 day detox that is not to exacting or too restrictive. You don’t have to starve yourself to detox. It’s a matter of eating the right things to help push the detox system. Save the 10 day juice cleanses for when you are more experienced.
Mistake #2 Not Preparing For The Side Effects
Most detox programs have side effects. They can include headaches, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, insomnia and mood swings.There are a few common reasons for the side effects. Most of them are caused by withdrawal. If you include sugary foods in your daily diet, going “cold turkey” can cause withdrawal. Eliminating caffeine and starchy carbohydrates can also cause withdrawal symptoms.
It’s best to prepare for the detox diet by gradually decreasing sugar, food containing it and caffeine over a two week period before starting the detox program.
The other commonly held theory behind the side effects is the release of toxins into your body. When you detox you’re experiencing a sudden release of toxins from your tissues into your body. Your body will need to work to get them out of your system. Brisk walking, skin brushing, Epsom salt baths and drinking lots of water helps.
Mistake #3 Bad Timing
Detoxing can be incredibly challenging. It’s best to start your detox during a weekend when you have no commitments or a low stress time. That way you can take care of your body and manage your side effects without additional outside stress. If you cannot time your detox for a weekend or a vacation, consider choosing a gentle detox plan. There are plans that last a week or two but don’t require a sudden elimination.
Mistake #4 Not Drinking Enough
You’ll likely experience an upset bowel when you’re detoxing. This is part of the purging your body of toxins. Take some psyllium husks as a bulking agent and make sure you drink plenty of water. The water will help you stay hydrated. It will also help the toxins get out of your body more quickly. Drinking water, and green tea if the diet allows, will also help you prevent headaches.
Mistake #5 Not paying attention to your body
It’s very important to pay attention to your body during the detox process. It is possible to detox too fast. It’s also possible that detoxing can be bad for you. It’s not right for everyone. If you have compromised health or are fighting an illness, it’s not the right time to detox. Pay careful attention to how your body is reacting. It is okay to stop detoxing or to take it more slowly.
Detoxing can provide a number of powerful health benefits. Choose a plan that fits your needs, goals and lifestyle. Pay close attention to your body and prepare for the detox well. Consult your doctor or Naturopath if you have any serious illness or are taking medication before starting. To your great health!
Having recovered from chronic fatigue with detox Sandy Halliday is passionate about detox and likes to share her knowledge with others through her blog The Detox Specialist and through her weekly Detox & Health Tips Newsletter and Free Secrets of Detox Report
