Mood:
lazyTopic: Food
Today is the day I've been anticipating and dreading all at the same time. Today is the kickoff of a 14-day detoxification plan I'm doing. Since the summer began, I've realized that I've taken on a few pretty unhealthy habits, such as eating disgusting food and drinking...a ton.
Since I'm a member of a spa, I noticed their nutrition line included a detox program. So I told myself that as soon as my wine class wrapped up, I would detox my body. Luckily, several of my friends jumped on board, so at least I'm not in this alone.
For starters, let me share a little information on the detox program. It is a 14-day program that includes herbal supplements along with a strict diet in order to rid my body of the daily poisons I face (sounds scary, huh?). According to the spa's website:
"Detoxification is not a fad diet designed to temporarily shave off a few pounds. It is the amazing natural ability of the body to renew and recharge itself. Just as you would spring clean and maintain your home, detoxing cleans and maintains your body."
Signs you may need to detoxify—allergies, bad skin, body odor or sweating, dependency on sugar, caffeine, alcohol (check, check, check), headaches (check), lack of energy (CHECK), absent-mindedness and confusion (check and check!).
Benefits of detoxification—increased energy, improved mental clarity, reduced dependencies and cravings, restored digestion and elimination.
Umm...amazing! Now, it's the nitty gritty—the diet plan. The goal is to eat 4-6 small meals each day, which are made up of healthy foods. What this really means:
No processed foods, canned goods, artificial sweetener, soda, white sugar, white flour, alcohol, caffeine, red meat, salt, or dairy.
Welcome to reality.
What will I eat? I've been pondering this question for months, and I've found that, the more I look, the more I find healthy items that are detox-compatible. According to my YES/NO list, I can eat white meats (turkey, chicken, and seafood), rice, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts (unsalted and unroasted), seeds, whole grains, olive oil, sea salt, and soy sauce.
The soy sauce thing throws everyone for a loop—even me. But I'm taking it—I love salt, and I LOVE soy sauce. I was amazed when I realized I can eat sushi, provided there are no fried parts or condiments. I can also have turkey burgers and turkey tacos, with whole grains. I hope you readers will join me on yet another personal journey, this one a completely different kind, and see how well it turns out.
I don't talk much about my eating habits on here, but I guess now is the time. I rely heavily on caffeine, something I've done since my freshman year in college. I have an insanely high tolerance for it—how my heart hasn't jumped out of my chest is beyond me. It takes at least 2 RedBulls before I even notice a difference. Each morning, I drink a solid six cups of black coffee before lunch. At lunch, I drink a diet coke. When I get home from work, I usually drink wine or beer. And I wonder why I can't sleep.
As for food, I don't feel like I eat incredibly unhealthy things. If I do crave fast food or sweets, I eat in moderation and be done with it. I do not, however, workout. Frankly, I refuse to. I don't like doing it and I don't feel guilty about my laziness. It's my life and I do what a want, cuz I'm a gangsta like Lil Wayne.
Everything I just listed is on the NO list for detox.
Over the weekend, I went shopping for all of my detox-friendly foods. I didn't buy everything, since most things need to be fresh, but I found a variety of foods I enjoy. I bought a protein shake that was approved by my spa, unroasted nuts with sea salt, raw fruits and veggies, unsalted and unraosted seeds, hummace, brown rice, red kidney beans, corn on the cob, lean chicken, whole grain pasta, and low-sodium V8. I also purchased a large water jug and lots of lemons, because I have to drink at least 3 quarts (100 ounces) of water every single day.
Now that the basics are out of the way, onto the business of Detox Day 1:
I woke up at 4 am, with two problems—1, I was incredibly congested with a sore throat (awesome, because I can't have orange juice or chicken noodle soup) and 2, I was hungry. I did the only thing I knew to do—took a tablet of Vitamin C, drank a glass of water, and watched QVC for an hour.
Needless to say, when I actually had to get up at 6:30, I was tired as hell. I had already packed my food for the day, so I made my protein shake and drank it in the car on the way to work. Upon arrival of the office, the smell of coffee plagued me. Oh, how I miss the sweet nectar already.
By 9:30 I was starving, so I reached for my first snack of the day—a handful of fresh berries. This held me over for a bit, but around 10:30, I felt horrible. I was dragging ass, so tired with no pick-me-up in sight, and I was hungry. Not to mentioned I'd already made five trips to the bathroom because of all the water I chugged.
For lunch, I had 3/4 cup of brown rice, and a 1/2 cup of red beans, with sea salt. In the afternoon, I had a few raw veggies with hummus. I was ready to go home and cook myself some meat, so for dinner, I had a small baked chicken breast, with 1/2 cup of brown rice, and 1 kabob (pineapple, squash, mushroom, onion, bell pepper). It was the first filling and pleasant meal I had all day.
However, after dinner, I suffered from what my spa calls a "healing crisis," which basically means you feel like shit during this process. It could come in the form of flu-like symptoms, body aches, etc. I had an amazing headache, but hey, it's not like I have any bars to go visit, restaurants to go eat at, or dairy farms to raid for the next 14 days, so I didn't feel guilty about being lazy (I actually used this time to finish reading Bill Clegg's Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man).
Even though it's Day 1, it was rough. My body has some adjusting to do with this diet; I feel like I ate all day, but I'm still hungry. I can't lie, I have already been dreaming of a steak, or a big leg of king crab with butter sauce...sigh.
Although the detox program is not supposed to be a method of losing weight, I figure, how else am I going to see if this healthy eating thing really works? So, as of 8:45 this evening, I weigh 124.6 pounds, which is what I expected.
I have yet to finish my third quart of water. However, I am boiling water for some caffeine-free rose and lavender tea, alongside more fresh berries and my herbal supplements.
Day 1—done!
