Do you want to detox to lose weight? Detoxification, previously the preserve of the most radical ‘health nuts’, is pretty mainstream these days. There are many ways in which you can cleanse your body – and most people following these detox plans will lose some weight too. However, in most cases detoxing is not the best method for permanent weight loss, as we’ll see.
What Is Detoxing & Why Should You Do It?
Detoxification involves giving your body a break from your normal diet and lifestyle in order to allow it to release some of the toxins that build up over time, as a result of factors such as eating processed foods and being exposed to chemicals in the environment. Toxins are stored in the fat cells, and some authorities believe that is a person lives a very unhealthy lifestyle, in some cases the body will lay down extra fat specifically to store these toxins, in order to keep them away from the vital organs. In this way, leading a toxic lifestyle could directly contribute to being overweight. Note that many conventional health professionals do not believe in the need for detox – but many more holistically-oriented practitioners value it highly as a healing method, as well as a way of preventing disease from occurring in the first place.
There are many ways to detox, some more extreme than others. Basically, ‘detox’ is a relative concept, and what constitutes a detox plan depends on a person’s normal diet and lifestyle habits. For example, a meat eater who drinks, smokes and lives on takeaway food and ready meals would detox just by cutting out the meat, cigarettes and alcohol and eating a wholefood diet. Whereas a non-drinking, non-smoking vegetarian who normally eats a wholefood diet anyway would need a more ‘rarefied’ regime to experience the benefits of detox, such as a juice fast or just eating raw fruits and veg.
So, hardcore detox enthusiasts might fast on water only for three days or more (water fasting for more than three days without supervision isn’t recommended), but most people prefer gentler forms of detox, such as juice diets, the Master Cleanse, or just eating light foods like fruit, vegetables and salads for several days. Most detox plans are based around dietary changes, but may be supported by other measures, such as taking herbal supplements, taking saunas or steam baths, or having a colonic irrigation or enemas. A detox can be done at home, or you can visit a spa or other natural health establishment for the duration. If you’re detoxing at home, it’s best to stick with the less intense forms of detox, such as eating a lighter diet for a week or two.
Whatever method you choose, detoxing can help you to feel more energetic, as well as give you clearer skin, brighter eyes, less cellulite, and provide a general boost to your health.
Detox And Weight Loss – Should You Detox To Lose Weight?
Since detox involves cutting out the kinds of sugary, fatty processed foods that contribute to weight gain, and often involves eating a very light, low calorie fruit- and vegetable-based diet, or just fresh juices, it is common for people to lose weight when doing a detox plan. However it’s important to realise that for most people, the weight lost as a result of detox doesn’t usually stay off. This is because, as with any drastic low calorie diet, much of the initial weight loss is water and stored glycogen from the muscles – both of which are quickly replenished when you begin eating normally again. If your detox lasts more than a day or two, you’ll probably lose some fat as well, but again, this will return if you resume your previous diet after the detox is over.
So, detox is usually best done for health reasons, and not as a way to lose weight permanently. However, if you’re detoxing to kick start a new healthy lifestyle, and are not planning to eat unhealthily again afterwards, you’ve got a better chance of maintaining some of the weight loss. A detox can be a great incentive to stick with a healthy lifestyle, since not only will the initial weight loss motivate you to continue, but you’ll probably be feeling so great that you simply won’t want to go back to junk foods, smoking, drinking or other unhealthy habits you might have had.
Detox For Those Who ‘Can’t’ Lose Weight
There is another facet to detoxing to lose weight, however. There are some overweight people who find it very difficult to slim down, and according to Dr. Suzanne Gudakunst, author of Top Secret Fat Loss Secret, these people may be carrying parasites in their intestines that thrive on the breakdown products of junk foods, create cravings for more, and make it very hard for the host person to lose their excess weight. These peoples’ weight loss efforts will benefit directly from following the advice in her book, which is basically a plan to detox the body of these parasites, and ensure that they cannot gain a footing again.
This is a controversial idea, but many people have experienced success with her approach where all their other weight loss regimes have failed, so if you just can’t seem to lose weight no matter what you try, it could be worth checking out Top Secret Fat Loss Secret (you might not want to look at the pictures on the site while eating though!)
How To Detox
There isn’t space here to discuss detox methods in great detail, but most healthy people will experience good results by spending up to a week eating regular meals of raw fruits, vegetables and salads (no junky dressings!), with plenty of water (not from the tap – preferably filtered or high quality bottled water). You could also include olive oil, coconut oil, nuts and seeds, and even some whole grains (not wheat) and pulses if you don’t want the detox to be too intense. Natural herbs and spices can be used as condiments. Eating just one type of fruit at each meal leads to a deeper level of cleansing, but can also lead to stronger detox symptoms. Freshly made fruit and vegetable juices can also be drunk, as can pure herbal teas.
Avoid processed foods of all kinds, anything with added salt, sugar, flavourings and other additives, meat (including fish), dairy produce, alcohol, tea, coffee, soft drinks, sauces and anything containing wheat.
You may experience symptoms such as tiredness, headaches, runny nose etc., as your body releases stored toxins, and you should ensure that you take plenty of rest – it’s best not to work while detoxing. You may benefit from some light exercise such as some stretching or a gentle walk, but in general it’s a good idea to give your usual exercise regime a rest. If you experience very severe cleansing symptoms, consult a natural health professional.
When you complete the detox it’s vital to transition gradually back into your normal diet – don’t just eat apples one day and then have a fried breakfast the next! Start by adding in some denser but still healthy foods like steamed vegetables, then wholegrains, beans etc, and then progress to things like dairy and meat, if you eat those.
If you’ve lost a lot of weight while detoxing, chances are you’ll regain some of it, even if you stick with a healthy diet afterwards. Don’t be discouraged if that happens – just stick with your improved habits, and the weight will continue to come off, this time at a steadier, sustainable pace – and you’ll feel fantastic too! In fact, I recommend a short period of detox for anyone who wants to lose weight, simply because it can be of such value in ‘resetting’ your taste buds, and eliminating cravings for over-processed foods. Weight loss is so much easier when you’re not constantly battling junk food cravings!
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