A 1 Day Cleanse to Kickstart Your Metabolism
With summertime in full effect, we all know what it feels like to be a bit self conscious of our bodies. From weekend beach trips to revealing clothing, summertime can be a difficult time for those of us who aren’t completely comfortable in our own skin. The good news is, though, that with just one short 1 day cleanse from your local juice bar franchise, you can kickstart any diet program and send your metabolism into high gear, shedding pounds in a healthy, manageable way.
If you’ve had trouble sticking to a diet in the past, or have been feeling bloated, tired and uncomfortable with your body and want to find a solution to jumpstart healthy living, you will definitely want to consider a 1 day cleanse. Here, we’ll talk about what a 1 day cleanse is and is not, who should consider a cleanse program, and tips and tricks for implementing one into your diet. Let’s get started!
Are You a Good Candidate for a 1 Day Cleanse?
Before we dive in, let’s talk about who might be the right candidate to embark on a 1 day cleanse program. Of course, we always recommend speaking to a healthcare professional before beginning any diet program. That being said, below are a few factors to consider when deciding if cleansing is right for you:
1. Are you committed to the cause?
Think long and hard about your answer before jumping into a cleanse. If you’re only somewhat interested in embarking on a healthy lifestyle journey, or are looking to cleansing as a quick fix, then this solution is not for you. Cleanse programs, even if they’re only one day long, can be intense, depending on how toxic your body is, and they are not for the faint of heart. It can also be a big slap in the face to fail on a cleanse program, and many people throw in the towel altogether and become even more unhealthy after a dietary setback. We recommend cleanse programs only for those who are 100% invested in the cause and want to take control of their health, not just lose a few pounds fast.
2. Are you looking for a quick fix, or a lifestyle change?
Like we mentioned above, cleanse programs should not be looked to for a quick fix. Yes, you may lose water weight quickly on a cleanse, but without a proper plan in place to continue with a healthy lifestyle once your cleanse is complete, that weight will pile back on quickly. Plus, you may binge after a cleanse if you’re looking for a quick fix, causing you to put on even more weight than before. Always begin a cleanse program by setting yourself up for success after your cleanse is complete. The most impactful lifestyle changes are always done in moderation, consistently over time.
3. How much effort are you willing to put into a cleanse?
Yes, a cleanse program will require a lot of effort on your part. Not only do you need to be mentally prepared, but you also must be prepared to come off your cleanse with healthy meals ready to go. You may need to take a day off of work, or get care for your children for the day, as detox symptoms can be overwhelming for some people. Any truly healthy lifestyle change will require a significant amount of effort up front, but once you’ve incorporated changes into your everyday life, they’ll become easier and easier over time.
4. What kind of results are you expecting from a 1 day cleanse?
If you’re looking for a quick fix that will help you lose five pounds fast, a cleansing program isn’t for you. While you can expect to lose a bit of weight on a cleanse, you cannot expect to keep that weight off without implementing lifestyle changes post-cleanse. A cleanse will not be a cure-all for your health problems, but it can absolutely help kickstart a healthy lifestyle. Do not expect the world from a cleanse. Be realistic with the kind of results you may see, otherwise, you’ll just be setting yourself up for disappointment and continued unhealthy habits down the road.
How to Prep for a 1 Day Cleanse
Now that we’re clear on who may or may not be the right candidate for a cleanse, let’s talk about how you can prep for a cleanse and make the most of it. Below, we’ve got our favorite tips from cleansing experts at Pure Green to help you get the most out of a cleanse and continue down a healthy path post-cleanse.
1. Go grocery shopping ahead of time
This is the most important element of any cleanse and we cannot stress it enough. Make sure that you grocery shop ahead of time so that your fridge is fully stocked with healthy food when you’re ready to re-introduce solid foods into your diet. If you embark on a cleanse without preparing for your post-cleanse meals, you’ll put yourself at risk of an unhealthy binge. What you eat post-cleanse is just as important as the cleanse itself. Your digestive system must be awoken slowly and with nutrient-rich foods, otherwise, you could undo all the great work you did while cleansing.
2. Pick your cleansing date wisely
Don’t plan a cleanse over a holiday, during a hectic work-week, or during a stressful time in your life. Cleansing requires a lot of mental and physical effort, and doing so at a time when outside stress and temptations are kept to a minimum will help you along in the cleansing process and make things much more manageable. Try to pick a day or weekend when you have an easy workday. You might even consider taking a day off of work. Mental fog is a common symptom of detoxing, so don’t try to give an important presentation or other mentally intense activity during a cleanse.
3. Rest, hydrate, repeat
When your body tells you to rest, listen to it. Be gentle with yourself, drink plenty of fluids, and rest some more. Your body is working hard to rid itself of toxins as you cleanse, so help it along in any way you can. Set an early bedtime, and consider setting an alarm clock to remind yourself to drink a glass of water every hour. Trust us, it helps!
4. Dry brushing and saunas
Dry brushing before a shower is an excellent way to slough off dead skin cells and help your body release toxins through the skin. Sitting in a sauna is another great activity while cleansing because it promotes sweating, and sweat carries out plenty of toxins from our bodies. If you feel like doing some light exercise, go for it, but listen to your body and don’t push it. A brisk walk may be enough to break a sweat.
5. Prepare for setbacks
As with any mentally rigorous undertaking, it’s important to go into it knowing you may have small setbacks. If you become overwhelmed by hunger, faint or dizzy during a cleanse, don’t beat yourself up if you need to have a small snack of raw almonds or an apple. This will not undo your entire cleanse and there is no need to beat yourself up over it. Accept your own journey and move forward.
6. Make a post-cleanse game plan
Always, always have a game plan for coming off your cleanse. Try coming off of it with a healthy, nutrient-dense smoothie or bone broth, then slowly incorporate solid foods in the form of raw fruits and veggies. Listen to your body, and if it feels right, introduce some lean protein sources like chicken or fish. Continue to drink plenty of water and, if it helps, carry around a reusable bottle throughout the day. Whatever you do, don’t come off a cleanse blind. Have a clear picture of what you will eat, how you will re-incorporate exercise and how you will continue a healthy lifestyle moving forward.
Our Favorite Post Cleanse Smoothie Recipe
Now that you have the tools you need to succeed on your 1 day cleanse, we want to share our favorite post-cleanse smoothie recipe to break your cleanse and reintroduce food back into your diet.
The Post-Cleanse Pure Green with a Kick
Ingredients:
Kale
Spinach
Mango
Banana
Pineapple
Coconut water
Double serving of ginger
Cayenne pepper
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until creamy. Adjust cayenne to taste.
This smoothie is one of our favorite choices for coming off a cleanse because it’s filling, packed with fiber, and contains metabolism-awakening ginger and cayenne. After a cleanse, your digestive system slows down as it has not had to break down foods for the entirety of your cleanse. Ginger and cayenne are excellent ingredients for revving the metabolism and preparing yourself for solid foods.
Remember, if you have any questions at all about cleansing, our cleansing experts at Pure Green are here to help you succeed.