Planning To “Detox” Before The Summer? Skip It And Try This Instead!

Summer is just around the corner and you are probably starting to feel the pressure. We all know that the ‘perfect’ body doesn’t exist and yet, each spring, we start to devise dramatic ways to get ourselves into bikini shape.

It is natural to want to look your best in the skin-baring summer months. At BodyRock, we believe in supporting your goals to build strength and feel your best but we don’t want you to do anything that is damaging to your health!

 

If you were planning a detox, here are some expert supported reasons why you should skip it:

Your body already detoxes on its own

“For whatever reason, making small, reasonable changes to our lifestyles isn’t as appealing as the ‘fresh start’ cleanses claim,” Samantha Finkelstein, R.D., founder of Nerdy Girl Nutrition, explains. “These detoxes are just not necessary, nor are they necessarily effective.” But you know what is effective? Your kidneys, liver, and intestines. “Most of us encounter toxins in our daily lives,” says Finkelstein — things like second hand smoke, air pollution, food additives and charred meats, for example. “While there may be more of these in the environment than there have been for past generations, your organs know what to do,” she explains.

These organs require the proper nutrients to function. The liver helps remove toxins from the blood to be extracted as bile. The kidneys help break down bodily fluids and secretes the waste as urine, while the intestines get rid of waste as stool. “Detoxes and cleanses take away from the [body’s] detoxifying functions more than they aid them,” says Finkelstein. When you remove vital nutrients from your diet by doing a cleanse, you prevent your body from functioning at its full capacity.

Detoxes can hurt your health

Quick fixes are beyond tempting. Who doesn’t want something that will make you feel and look better almost instantaneously? The only trouble is that these quick fixes don’t actually exist.  “A lot of cleanses clock in under 1,200 calories, and sometimes even under 1,000,” Abby Langer, R.D., says. This is not good.

If don’t eat enough nutrients, your body cannot, and will not, function properly. You will start to feel sluggish and rundown. And to make matters worse, you may even hold on to the weight you are trying to lose. “Your metabolic rate may slow down because your body switches into starvation mode,” says Langer. And whatever weight you do lose in this manner is not actual fat. “You’re losing water and burning muscle because you’re not taking in enough calories,” says Langer.

These weight loss methods are not sustainable. When you are restricting your calorie intake in such a dramatic fashion, you will not be able to keep it up over the long term. “When you’re under that much pressure on a cleanse, detox, or any diet that isn’t sustainable, chances of you keeping that weight off are very low,” says Langer.

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Feeling a little heavier after the winter is entirely normal

“There are so many things that contribute to a little bit of weight gain over the winter season,” says Langer. It doesn’t mean that you were “bad” all winter, it doesn’t mean you are broken or need to be fixed. No matter how much weight you gained over the winter, you are okay. Trust us!

But if you are dead set on changing the way you look and feel, start small. It is easier to make a few little changes and see encouraging results than it is to try to overhaul your entire lifestyle. The results you will see from these changes will give you the confidence you need to strut your stuff on the beach! Your body is a powerful machine that needs to be fueled, not something flawed that you need to fix.

Here’s what you can do to look and feel your best come summertime!

Cut down on caloric beverages. Soda, fruit juice, and alcohol are little more than empty calories. “Unlike food, they don’t make your body trigger hormones like leptin that tell your brain you’re full,” says Langer. The key to success, of course, is moderation. There is no point looking fabulous if you are miserable. You can have a piña colada now and then without throwing yourself completely off balance.

Feel free to limit sugar and carbohydrates. Set realistic goals. Try to do things like cut down on added sugar while allowing yourself fruit, says Langer. When it comes to carbohydrates, avoid simple, refined carbs, and opt for complex ones instead. Eat things like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These will provide your body with nutrients and keep you feeling fuller, longer, helping you avoid overeating.

Eat at home more often. When you cook at home, you can control what goes into your food. You can ensure that you are getting fresh, whole foods as close to their natural source as possible without all the salt you might be getting while dining out. You can also make sure that you are eating every few hours so you don’t overeat because of hunger. If you are someone who has a hard time trying to figure out what to eat, we can help. The BodyRock Meal Plan provides you with 30 days worth of healthy meals and snacks that are nutritious, delicious, and easy to prepare. We take all the guesswork out of healthy eating. Each week, we provide you with a detailed grocery list so all you have to do is grab the ingredients and follow the recipes. There is nothing easier! Get the Meal Plan here!

Add things to your diet instead of eliminating them.   “When I want to lose weight, I start eating a lot of plants and drinking a lot of water,” says Langer. If you really want to lose weight, you have to make changes you will be able to maintain. Try to make healthy choices you can carry for a lifetime, not just a season.

How do you get ready for swimsuit season?

Source: SELF

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