When I was living in the dorms in college, I couldn't believe that there were frozen yogurt machines right there in the cafeteria. So, I would make sensible (well, about as sensible as cafeteria food can be) choices for dinner, and treat myself to dessert almost daily.
After college, I began to make better choices - but still not great. I was a sucker for sweet snacks. I would have yogurt covered raisins or dark chocolate almonds and tell myself these were healthy indulgences.
Then I had kids and I tried to tighten up my eating habits, but that sugar thing is hard to kick. I found my sleep-deprived self reaching for more chocolate, more "health" bars, and more ice cream. On top of that, I was baking more often too. I would cut slice after slice of my "healthy" banana bread - made with dark chocolate chips, of course - and tell myself it was okay because it was healthy or because "I didn't really eat lunch". I found myself always thinking about my next treat. My body was craving them. It could not get enough - the minute I had a little, I wanted more.
Sugar is a powerful addiction. Even as powerful as some street drugs.
I kept thinking, "I need to do something to fix this," but I didn't know what to do. I knew I couldn't do it alone. I had been thinking about doing a juice cleanse, but they're pretty expensive, and I wasn't sure that it would be effective. Plus, I would be pretty cranky surviving on juice for a few days (I can't imagine I would have the support of my husband and kids on that one!) It seemed like it would be a temporary fix to my big problem.
I kept telling myself I would do something about it the next day, or the next week, or after this cup of ice cream. Months went by of me feeding myself this excuse - and then the opportunity to do Arbonne's 28 Day Detox program came along. A few of my other Arbonne sisters were doing it, so I figured "why not? - at least I'll have a support network for when the chocolate chips in my pantry start talking to me."
So I signed up, and I ordered my detox supplies from Arbonne.
I prepped for it all last week because Arbonne is awesome and knows that to make a life change as big as this one people need guidance and support, and they provide that through a private Facebook group. I listened to recordings explaining the ins and outs of the program, and why balancing blood sugar and pH is so important. I read about clean eating, and how to change my philosophy towards food. I reviewed lists of foods to avoid, foods to eat, and recipes for week one. I bought vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains, and I prepped detox friendly snacks.
For the next 28 days, I will be eliminating dairy, gluten, soy, peanuts, sugar, artificial sweeteners, coffee, alcohol, fruits (with the exception of limes, lemons, green apples, and berries), white potatoes, non-cage free eggs, corn, nitrates, MSG and vinegar. (Detoxers also eliminate certain meats but since I am a vegetarian, I don't have to worry about those.)
Sounds a little intense and scary, right?
I'm talkin' no morning coffee and no evening glass of wine. How is a mother supposed to survive?!
At first, I was worried. But, as I learned the facts about why I was eliminating these things from my diet and how it would benefit my body, I became really excited. Our leader for the detox promised us that nothing we would have eaten if we weren't on this detox would taste as good as we are going to feel. That got my attention.
This detox is going to help me feel better. It's going to create balance inside my body. It's going to give me more energy - something I feel like I'm in short supply of, and desperately need to keep up with my boys. It's going to clean the toxins from my body - toxins that are there from the food I ate, the environment, and what I used to put on my skin. I'm removing the things that do not serve me from my body and my diet - I'm going to learn to see food as fuel.
I'm doing this to quit my sweet tooth for good. I am also doing this because I want my body - inside and out - to be in the best condition it can be. Looking at cancer and other disease statistics, I want to know that I am doing everything I can to keep myself healthy. But there are so many other reasons why people are choosing to participate in this program. Some are looking to lose weight. Some have hit plateaus in their weight loss and are doing this program to reset their metabolism. Others are looking to recharge their health. This program has been designed to help all of us succeed no matter what our end goal is.
I want to be the trailblazer for getting myself and my family on a healthier path.
Today is DAY ONE of my first detox and a big step towards a healthier life.
Join me on my first detox on instagram / facebook / twitter and see how you can transform your health too.
