Since writing The Great American Detox Diet after helping Morgan Spurlock cleanse after our Super Size Me adventure, I’ve assisted hundreds of people to cleanse their bodies, detox their diets, and transform their lives. Many have been successful, and others have found disappointment on the road to health.
After looking over what has worked and what has hindered their progress, I’ve put together a list of the top reasons why people don’t succeed in their cleansing efforts:
1. Going Alone:
Embarking on a detox, cleanse or major change in diet and lifestyle can be daunting, especially when you do it all by yourself. Flying solo makes it hard to get through tough times when you’re tired and just want to give up. If you’re the only person at work or in your family who is making changes, you might even get some grief from those around you who don’t understand how much you want to create healthy, lasting changes.
Success Strategy: Do your detox with a group of people who are as committed to changing their diet and health as you are. You’ll find support and ideas from others, and you’ll be able to offer suggestions too. Sometimes helping someone else is the best way to help yourself through a difficult transition.
2. Too Extreme = Rebound Effect:
Many detox programs and cleanses severely limit the number of calories and foods you’re “allowed” to eat. Living off of lemon juice and cayenne pepper has been useful to some people, but if your life is already super busy you’ll need more variety and flexibility to provide flavor, adequate calories, nutrition, and the option of eating with other human beings.
Success Strategy: Choose a detox plan that is based on real food. A diet of delicious whole foods that avoids common food sensitivities will allow you to feel satisfied while still supporting your body to cleanse and heal.
3. Not Planning Ahead:
Someone once said “If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.” Jumping into a new diet without knowing the when, where, why and how this is all going to work is a recipe for disappointment.
Success Strategy: Starting a detox or cleanse requires some advanced planning, so be sure to read up or talk to an expert on how others have weathered a similar program or diet plan.
4. Only Changing Your Food:
You nourish yourself in many ways, and your health, body, and ability to lose weight are affected by more than just your food. Most detox programs only address the food on your plate and don’t consider the other areas of your life that can be contributing to how you’re feeling…or the triggers for your food cravings!
Success Strategy: Start looking at every area of your life and how it affects your body, cravings, and energy. We are emotional and spiritual beings in a physical world, and sometimes your life matters more than your meal.
If you’re ready to make some major progress on your detox, diet, and cleansing goals now, I have 6 spots open for new clients before July 6th. After that, my rates will be changing and I won’t be taking any new clients until September.
* Go here and sign up for a 4, 8, or 12 week personalized program:
Once I receive confirmation that you’ve signed up, you’ll receive an email from me with health history forms and we’ll talk about scheduling our first appointment!
