I know it’s tempting to buy into the idea that you can wipe the slate clean.. especially around the New Year.. whether it’s in 3 days to 30, that in one fell swoop you can move from a way of eating that makes you feel weighed down, out of control, or unhealthy… to purified, light, and transformed, never again to allow a morsel of “unclean” food to touch your lips again.
If only…
I wish I could tell you how many women land on my doorstep, either mid-cleanse/detox.. or shortly after… feeling like failures, feeling demoralized, and feeling anything but “clean”, anything but transformed. Mostly they feel worse than when they started.. having been unable to stick to the regime, not gotten the wished for results, and often having landed in a binge after so much restriction.
I kind of gave away the ending. If you are somebody who has any kind of tendency to binge eat.. the strict detoxes or cleanses aren’t a great strategy for you.. too restrictive and there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself binge eating either before you finish the program or shortly after. Even people who don’t typically binge eat often have this experience.. it’s a normal response to starving and deprivation at that level.
But..I am a big believer in cleansing or detoxing.. I just have my clients do it differently. I know that people who are attracted to detox plans are typically looking for the quick-fix..that of course is the appeal of something so restrictive. You want fast results.. you want a way out of longstanding patterns that have been dogging you.. this is one more thing that you’re willing to try to get some peace, to try to create some freedom in the body wars.
You might want to try it this way instead..you won’t get the fast results, but you will get results and changes you can live with. Take one substance out at a time. Typically in a standard cleanse or detox there are basic “offenders” that are eliminated. These might be sugar, flour/wheat or gluten, dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and sometimes animal products. Very often all of the above are eliminated in one fell swoop. This will be extremely challenging for most people and will lead to physical and emotional symptoms that can be seriously uncomfortable. It requires a lot of commitment, a lot of planning, and some space to go through what is going to come.
I believe that it’s very worthwhile eliminating some of the above mentioned substances.. one at a time. Getting solid and comfortable and adjusting emotionally and your way of eating before removing the next one. Create momentum that’s solid..It’s possible to do this AND still feel comfortable. To FEEL your way through it intuitively in ways that are manageable and let you hold your center. In ways you can SUCCEED!
Personally I have eliminated gluten, dairy, caffeine, and love juice and green smoothies in the morning.. but I didn’t do all of this at once.. and my way of eating is still very intuitive and changes day to day and with the seasons. This is how I try to guide my clients.. very individually around their needs, preferences/chemistry, and personal goals.
You’ve had enough of feeling like a failure. Of falling off plans. Of the noisy chatter of negative beliefs that taunt you within your own mind. You don’t have to go there. Try a little tenderness (love that song.. I was 10 when Otis Redding was singing that!).
Slow and steady wins the race.. but pretty much always, in my experience. Trust yourself.. trust what you know from all of your experience. Trust yourself not to put yourself through something that will leave you feeling badly..again. Try something different to get a different outcome, yes?
Whatever you’ve done in the past, if it hasn’t worked, hasn’t sustained you, hasn’t given you peace that has lined up with what you really want, and who you really want to be in the world.. try something else. I want that for you.
Want some help getting started? Some feedback that’s just right for you? An intuitive individual consult with me is a valuable way to see if this work is right for you and to get some fresh perspective. Email me at Lisa at IntuitiveBody dot com
With love.. heart to heart..
Jessica says
I’m so relieved to hear this advice from your credible, trustworthy voice. I cringe at every new “cleanse” that really seems more like a self-imposed physiological crisis. Thank you for suggesting starting with one substance at a time — so sensible, so practical, and so loving.
Lisa says
Jessica.. And I’m relieved that your credible trustworthy self finds it helpful.. You and I both re the cringe-response. As with most things marketed for weight loss.. they are based in fear and needing to change fast.. instead of coming at finding real ways to fall back in love with who we are and let the changes come from that…sigh. Love to you. Lisa
eyenie says
Aaahhhh…so comforting to read this Lisa!! Honestly! I have been wanting to cleanse, and have wondered the best way to go about it… I LOVE the eliminate one thing at a time. Simple, easy, effective! YAY! Thank you kindly, wise one! Can’t wait!
Lisa says
Eyenie.. so so glad. This actually really works, is really painless and will let you see which of the foods you are or aren’t sensitive to.. you’ll notice changes in how you feel. Plus I truly believe that most of us intuitively KNOW exactly which foods are aggravating us physically and emotionally.. which one are the true “vampires” that knock us down every which way.. Even starting there is going to help.. our intuitive selves/intuitivebodies speak to us all the time.. it’s not about guilt it’s about guidance! Much love to you.. (and if I can help at all.. email me) Lisa
Helen says
That makes a lot of sense – like anything in life, it’s lots of little steps to make big changes. I just hadn’t really thought of applying that to diet! I’m a vegan these days anyway and in hindsight I let myself make the transition in my own time, going vegetarian first and just not replacing the animal products in my cupboards & fridge as I used each one up. It was pretty effortless, and I enjoyed it whereas many of my peers take the plunge and end up craving “forbidden” foods, especially cheese. Thank you for putting this into perspective!
Lisa says
Helen.. so smart and so intuitive to make the big transition to vegan that way.. I think any changes and especially big ones.. whether to diet or other areas of our lives, are best done gently and comfortably ..we can keep the forward movement plus sustain the progress we make. The fact that it felt effortless to you is proof that your ways worked beautifully for you! Love, Lisa
Inga says
Thanks, Lisa! This is very valuable information and a good reminder to start eliminate unhealthy food, I remember that once I eliminated biscuits and pastries from my menu for 30 days, and I got very visible results. better slowly but steadily
Lisa says
Hi Inga…I mostly believe in eliminating what isn’t a good match for our individual bodies. It’s so personal and our bodies and needs change over time.. what we thrive on may go through various changes over time and being discerning and learning what nourishes us is the most important piece in my view. Love to you, Lisa
Leah Shapiro- Life Activator says
I love your perspective on this Lisa.
I’ve done my share of cleanses and have suffered through the detoxing and the desire to JUST HAVE A CHEESEBURGER GOD DAMN IT!! LOL!
Timing is everything for me and learning to prepare for it by slowly eliminating caffeine and sugar from my diet first so I don’t feel sick.
I had planned on starting a cleanse I enjoy- The Whole Living 21 day Cleanse- at the beginning of this week…but decided to wait until the 28th instead because I’m hustling to fill my Unleash Yourself! class….plus kicking it off and I know that restricting my eating would be way too difficult right now.
I’m doing my best to be smart about what is realistic for me so I can have a positive experience with it.
Lisa says
Hi Leah… I agree.. timing is everything and it’s hard to focus on more than one challenge at once comfortably. I remember “meeting” you right after you did the cleanse you mentioned and how good you felt. Think back on what you might adjust to make it more intuitive this time.. having done it before there might be changes you can make to create something more personalized. I think when we tweak things in that way, we are even more successful. Wishing you success in both the class and the cleanse.. Love to you, Lisa