I apologize for not having done the regular Friday food round-up this week. I decided at the last minute to come back down to Virginia to help my mom move into a new house. It has been a hectic few days!
I just wanted to share some thoughts about my on-going detox with everyone, and hopefully I will hear back from some of you about your own thoughts and experiences. At the beginning of this detox, I expected great things- a meteoric rise in my energy and activity level, a lightening of my mood, and noticeable improvements in my weight and appearance. As we completed the third week of the detox, however, I was beginning to get a little disappointed that nothing *major* was happening. I did not lose much weight, I was not overcome with any startling feelings of well-being or energy... things seemed pretty so-so.
And that put me in a bit of a funk. How could I be so strict and observant about what I put in and on and around my body and not see measurable results? These questions bugged me until I got to my mom's house. There I noticed a subtle change inside of me. Whereas the usual array of goodies and snacks usually lure me in, I have managed to go the entire trip so far without breaking my detox. Surrounded by candy, white bread, chocolate, chips, and other processed foods, I was able to calmly munch on my fruits and homemade trail mix.
This was not major, but it definitely marks a difference in how I approach food. This must mean that my blood sugar is pretty darn stable these days, I am neither attracted to nor haunted by sweets and other junk. The detox has allowed me to truly rid my body and mind of the need for foods that are not good for me.
And that is something to celebrate!
Click here and here for previous posts in this blog in which I discuss The Great American Detox Diet by Alex Jamieson.
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16 comments:
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Hoorah!
That's super neat that you are noticing a difference in the lure that sweets and such have on you.
I think that dietary changes take a while to move into the body... They are pretty subtle effects, and I think it takes a fair amount of fine tuning to become more and more sensitive to them.
I've never seriously tried to undertake a detox or a fast... but the closest thing I've got experience with is yoga practice. I've been practicing for maybe 11 or 12 years so far, and with each passing year I feel more sensitive/mindful/aware of myself - physically, mentally, emotionally. The changes are often quite subtle, but add up to an overall picture of greater health, self-awareness, and self-control.
Also, isn't it interesting how "quick result" oriented we all are!!?? I can *totally* relate to this! Yoga philosophy says that the way to enlightenment is through the balance of practice (discipline) and detachment (letting go). This means always being willing to work our hardest, without expectation of outcome. Very hard to do!
I am so impressed you two did a detox. I definitely don't have that kind of motivation to do it! LOL
I'm glad you noticed a change after all your hard work. WTG on avoiding processed food. And congrats to your mom on her new house. That is so sweet you helped her moved. We all know what a pain the butt moving can be.
Whoopsie! What a typo on that last line, it should read "what a pain IN the butt moving can be".
Sounds like the detox isn't doing magical things because you don't have much to detox from! When you eat healthy and exercise regularly, and abstain from most of the 'evil' foods, your body is well equipped to flush out toxins on a regular basis.
It's good that you've stayed on the plan 100%, and that you feel strong with it.
I was thinking the same thing as posted above: you already eat so well that you wouldn't experience the drastic side effects that others may. You are right about your blood sugar though, and that's an encouraging thing! Even if you don't see or feel the changes drastically, you know they are happening inside. :) I think you're doing great!
Hi Bazu,
I didn't really lose any weight from doing Chef Alex's detox either. I was slightly disappointed with that, as you were, until I realized that the benefits I was experiencing were more important. You've already discovered these: lack of craving/temptation for sugar/refined/processed things. In the long run, I think that mental and physical benefit far outweighs the weight-loss that we expected. Also, you might find that, after the full 6 weeks that you're detoxing, you will have lost weight. It's all a matter of letting your body take its natural course. You're doing a great job; keep it up!!
vegyogini
I haven't done a real detox, but I was on an anti-inflammatory diet provided by my naturopath. No sugar, salt, coffee, dairy, wheat, corn, alcohol, etc. I ate a lot of tofu, brown rice, lentils, lots of fruits & vegetables, which I normally do anyway & like you, I didn't notice much of a difference. I thought I would miss bread the most, but since I found some great spelt bread, that wasn't a problem. What I really missed, strangely enough, was coffee. I have 1 to 1 1/2 cups per day & I missed that more than chocolate, if you can believe it. Once I got past the first few days, my cravings went away. I wasn't "craving" the coffee, I just wanted the flavour I guess. I tried herbal teas so I could have a hot beverage in the morning, but that just didn't cut it. I didn't lose much weight or feel significantly different either, but like you, I found it easier to say no to junk food. Keep up the good work and keep the progress reports coming! Good luck!
Bazu, it's so wonderful that you have found your sugar cravings curbed. I remember once, several years ago, I wasn't doing a detox per se, but I gave up all refined sugar for a period of several months. And when I stopped "actively" saying no to it, I just found that I didn't really want it anymore. One of the wonderful things about our bodies, I think, is that when you eat the most healthy foods, your body craves the most healthy foods. I have been strongly considering doing the detox you're doing, and mostly I guess for the results that you are experiencing (though I really would like to lose a little weight too!)...
Like Carrie mentioned above, coffee would be my one stronghold. I just love the stuff. I can go several days without it and not really feel any physical effects, but I love the taste and I love just holding a steaming cup in my hands! I would have to consider maybe just cutting down to about two cups a week or so, instead of cutting it out entirely. We'll see...
Congrats on your achievements!
Bazu, I think you've done wonderfully with your detox. Kicking sugar is usually the hardest part for everyone, so what you have done counts for a whole lot!
Hi Bazu,
Congratulations on your detox! I think it's amazing that you've done three weeks like that. Your epiphany about the sweets and whatnot is wonderful. I know that I also get upset when I'm trying so hard to follow a plan and I'm not seeing results right away. It's hard to remember that I'm trying to alter years of past behavior and a few weeks or months is'nt much comparativly. I hope you continue to see great things with your detox. It sounds like you already are.
I'm visiting a friend in Maryland right now, about 30 min from D.C. so I'm kind of nearby (?). We got a little snow here tonight! It's just beautiful. I hope you guys get a little dusting in VA too. :)
Congrats on realizing your wonderful and much-worked-for results of the detox diet. I'm glad you were able to see the real benefits and didn't give up simply because you had no tangible or visible results. I agree with the rest of the other commenters that you already had such a healthy diet, that it makes sense you wouldn't have drastic physical effects!
-Teresa
Congratulations on your detox insights! I know exactly what you mean about wanting to see results (NOW!) - I find it hard to let go of always trying to achieve something. It sounds like you're experiencing some important changes, though, even if they weren't exactly what you had in mind.
In the Feb issue of yoga journal, Phillip Moffitt's bio (pg10) includes this quote 'scientific research shows that mastery of anything comes from practice'. So congrats, you've mastered your desire to avoid food you consider junkie! Such a huge accomplishment given the society we live in.
Your detox posts had a ripple effect this side of the border: I asked myself what do I have issues with, and it's coffee. So thanks to you looking inward and sharing publicly, I've been able to cut back to two coffees in the morning. Then I switch to water (thank goodness for our water filtration system) and the occasional herbal tea.
Thank you so MUCH for your help!
I thought this was a really interesting post Bazu. As I was reading it, I almost thought you were going to say that it did nothing for you and you thought it was a waste of time. But, I think your results at your mom's house and your conclusion is insightful and honest. I'm glad that you're noticing the changes, even if they're small.
i am really enjoying reading about your detox adventure. you are inspiring! your food still looks beyond delicious.
how are you feeling since your surgery? hope your recovery is quick! take care :)
shelly
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