Pressing the Reset Button And Giving Your Body a Break

I would like to discuss varying approaches to DETOXING with you as I feel it is important for people to understand how beneficial a RESET can be for your body.

Before I begin, please understand this is not medical advice and it is for informational purposes only.  If you have a diagnosed medical condition or are taking any medications, I recommend direct guidance/coaching from your health practitioner to ensure the most positive outcomes.  My team and I are always available to answer questions if you are unsure of any conflicts that may occur ([email protected]) so please reach out if necessary.

It holds true that you cannot DETOX yourself out of a bad diet the same way you are not able to EXERCISE your way out of one.  These approaches are not meant to be used repetitively to make up for poor choices every weekend but are to be used to RESET or PAUSE your body’s systems and bring you closer to reaching your health goals. 

Before I break down the various DETOX methods, let’s first discuss how you can set yourself up for success with whichever one you choose. 

LEVERAGE & ACCOUNTABILITY - picking the right time, getting an accountability buddy to keep you on track, preparing your environment (clear your fridge, clear your pantry, clear your mind) and reminding yourself of WHY you are doing this are key contributors to your success.  

Yes, you will probably see a decline in the number on the scale from any one of these approaches, but the most important benefit is the years that it could add to your life and the life it could add to your years!  Losing a couple of pounds will not be enough of a reason to get you through day 9 of a 14-day NO sugar detox when you REALLY want the cookie.  It needs to be a bigger, more motivating reason to help you stay on track.  For anyone who needs help with finding an accountability buddy or determining your WHY, we have created many helpful solutions for you!

DETOX / RESET - now let's introduce you to the various DETOX methods. 

• Intermittent Fasting - this type of fasting (fast for 16 hours / eat during the remaining 8 hours)  is safe for most people and allows the process of autophagy (a process where the body destroys old or damaged cells) to activate.  It is important to consume lots of water (with electrolytes/sodium), during any fasting duration to avoid lethargy/lightheadedness and feel your best.  Most people find it easiest to avoid eating after supper and to skip breakfast to get the 16 hr fast completed.  Break your fast with a small amount of protein for optimal results! 

• Two-Week Reset - no sugar, no alcohol, no processed foods.  I am going to be honest here - this is probably THE MOST difficult approach to detoxing for people.  The other issue here is that you need to do this 100%, which is different from the approach that I normally suggest taking when developing new health habits.  In this case, the hard work is worth it.  If you can succeed at removing sugar, alcohol, and processed foods from your diet for TWO WEEKS, you are guaranteed to hit the RESET button on multiple organ systems in your body (including your brain) and be well on your way to solidifying some new eating habits.

• Liquids Only - this method does not necessarily focus on caloric restriction and is a little easier for people as it is not as difficult as a fast.  For one week you will consume only liquids - bone broth, soups, smoothies, etc.  This method allows your digestive system to take a break and by including bone broth in your diet, it can actually help to heal your gut lining if that is a concern for you.

• FMD (Fast Mimicking Diet) - research has proven that there is a combination of foods that when consumed over five days can “mimic” a five-day fast.  It basically requires you to restrict your protein and restrict your total calories.  If you don’t want to tackle it on your own, there is actually a kit that we can order for approximately $250CDN which has everything that you will need for the five days (snack bars, dehydrated soups, etc).  You can learn more about FMD here and let us know if you are interested in a "done-for-you" solution.

• Multi-Day Fast - in my personal opinion, this is the ultimate detox, but unfortunately, it is not suitable for everyone.  Those who have type one diabetes, hypoglycemia, have an eating disorder, are pregnant or are on specific medications, should NOT choose this method. 

Basically, you work your way from fasting for 24 or 48 hours up to 72 hours.  The benefits from fasting for 72 hours at a time are profound.  I've literally witnessed people with autoimmune issues and some really serious health challenges make huge gains in their healing by doing multi-day fasts. Again, I must stress that this type of fast is not for everyone and it should be supervised by your health practitioner.  Hydration and electrolytes are essential for success here.  I tend to do longer fasts a few times per year and enjoy a 3-day fast quarterly. 

It's possible to set yourself up for success and get you back on track after our Canadian Thanksgiving. Get step-by-step, long-term habit building support from my Longevity Academy Membership. Click here to learn more…