After the holidays, vacation and then a week packed with moving and seeing clients, I haven't been taking the best care of my body lately. I haven't been getting to the gym as often as I'd like and had one too many pizza and wine nights last week. Oops! But hey, that's life and the pizza tasted damn good. Now, I'm even more motivated to get back on track. So, when I'm getting my body and mind back on a healthy routine after a brief hiatus, I focus on these 5 things to look and feel my best.
1. HIIT ::
What does that even mean? It stands for High Intensity Interval Training and it's the very best way to jolt your body into action. HIIT is fantastic because it's incredibly efficient. Workouts are normally 20-30 minutes so you're in and out of the gym in no time but continue to burn all day long. Normally, at HIIT workout involves doing some kind of intense movement like sprinting, rowing, squats or jumps for about 30-45 seconds and then you rest for 30 seconds to a minute in between. The idea is to push your body really hard for a short period of time, rest, and then do it all over again. Try 20 minutes of HIIT sprints :: Sprint for 30 seconds as hard as you can and then rest for 30-45 seconds. Do that 15 times.
2. Dry Brushing ::
Dry brushing is something relatively new to me but it's become an important part of my daily routine. Dry brushing helps stimulate the lymphatic system which is responsible for eliminating the waste that our cells produce, making it essential for detox. It's said that dry brushing helps improve circulation, stimulate lymph nodes, improve digestion, remove dead skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite (YES)! To get started, purchase a natural (not synthetic) bristle brush like this one. Then, before you get in the shower, begin to brush. Start at your feet with long, firm strokes and brush towards your heart. Your chest is where the lymphatic system drains so this is why it's important to always brush in that direction. You may notice some dry skin falling to the ground (so gross, I know) but that means it's working! Try to brush as much of your body as you can and then repeat once per day.
3. Whole Foods ::
Eat them. And only them. For me, eating whole foods means focusing on lots of veggies, healthy fats and proteins. I don't include any sort of grain, meaning no rice, quinoa, gluten free flours, etc. This may sounds very minimalist but you can make some incredible meals with purely whole foods. Think oven roasted salmon over cauliflower rice with a rich butter sauce or grilled ribeye with sweet potatoes. Check out my recipe section for some ideas.
No, ice cream is not a whole food :( Though I have been guilty of a little too much ice cream recently. Hence the #detox.
4. The List ::
The list, is essentially, just that. It's a list of things that I'd like to manifest in my life, and when I'm really, truly ready for them, they take shape. The list is a little different from your goals in that it's written out with intention and knowing. For example, one of the top intentions that I have written on my list is "I am going to get paid to speak at 4 corporate events in 2016". I don't have 4 corporate speaking events booked yet, but I KNOW that I will in 2016 and I meditate on that intention. So, I encourage you to begin a list that has intentions both big and small. You could write out something like, "I am going to lost 5 lbs by May and feel better than ever in my body" or "I will be promoted and making x dollars 8 months from now". The more specific and detailed, the better. This list helps you to begin releasing high vibrations that then attract and manifest your goals.
5. Activated Charcoal ::
I'm a huge fan of activated charcoal because it's a fantastic way to detox your body quickly. Activated charcoal is the most ancient detoxifying ingredient known to man. It's been used in Chinese medicine and ayurveda for thousands of years. When activated charcoal enters the body it binds to toxins that can then only be excreted through the bowels. So, it's great way to detox after a night of unhealthy foods, too much alcohol or if you're just trying to get your body back into cleanse mode. I like to make a powerful activated charcoal elixir that is a mix of water, lemon, cayenne, this charcoal and then a dash of honey to really get myself into cleansing mode. If you'd rather just take an activated charcoal pill and skip the drink, I love this stuff. *Do note that activated charcoal may bind to any supplements or medications that you take so don't take it if you're on any sort of medicine or important supplements. Also, consult a doctor if you're on any serious medication before you use charcoal.
In my mind, detoxing isn't about some extreme juice cleanse or workout routine that leaves you dragging by the end of the day or face down in a pile of cookies because you're SO over it. Rather, detoxing is about cleaning out your body and getting in touch with your very best self; it should bring out the best in you! Try out these recommendations or share some of your own with me in the comments here. Every person is different and therefore various detoxification methods work great!
Happy Detoxing!