If you’ve been anywhere near a TV, newspaper, radio, social media or walked around town – at least in London – you may have seen that there is a lot on offer for a healthy 2015 start. Which is absolutely amazing – to have options, choice and awareness. We are heading into the right direction, being more self and environmentally conscious.
However, when all you see these days is “detox this, detox that” everywhere, we need to stop and reassess our reasons behind our choices. It’s better and healthier to look at this as a long term strategy rather then a one-off experience beyond which one returns to old habits. When I started on the plant based diet in 2012 I gave myself a 365 day challenge, thinking that by the end of it I’d have the best idea whether it fits me or not. As it happened, only a few months later it became my second nature (see what I did there?)
What worked? The condition that I could stop at any time, should I not feel well, and have whatever I would crave for, want or need and assume that choice. Giving yourself permission to have cheat meals or days together with a long term view and a good reason is the secret to sustainable long term journey.
Every so often I get into a different mood of setting new habits, raising the bar, growing and experimenting with foods. This January I decided to focus on movement. As a habit – part of my daily life. Thus, I got a gym membership. I haven’t had one in a while simply because I love doing things on my own and run freely outside or do the specific yoga i’m in the mood for that day, but I thought I’d try something new for a change. Here I go making it public – my first 7 days of the New Year Journal.
Day 1
I started on the 2nd with a run in the sunshine. Bless us living in the UK, cherishing and glimpse of golden rays. I could tell I’ve been out of practice since my pace was pretty slow, but my lungs were extremely happy to breathe in fresh air. It wasn’t cold, but windy and I looked like an Eskimo running because of the extra layers. Love every step of it. I had a banana before the run and a green smoothie after. For lunch sweet potato-Brussels sprouts salad.
Day 2-3
I went away for the weekend for a long due catch up and very late Christmas presents sharing with my besties from home. There were pancakes and smoothies involved and the occasional yoga pose in between movie watching and story telling. I think every detox should include that in the program! Hurray!
Day 4
Tonic in the morning. Sunshine in my body! Check the recipe here.
Rock and roll at the gym with a new yoga class that left me sore! I missed that feeling!
Sauna after. I missed that too.
Tip: If you sign up for a gym, make sure it has sauna included. It will speed up your detox, since you sweat all that out and leave your skin smooth and soft, like a baby’s.
Food: 1 tonic, 1 green smoothie, 2 salads, 3L of water – at least
Day 5
- 2 handfuls spinach
- 1 banana
- 1 handful frozen berries
- 1 handful frozen grapes
- 1 spoon maca
- 1 spoon coconut oil
- 1 tsp ashwaganda
- 1 tsp moringa
Day 6
I was able to wake up early. I meditated, had my tonic, a nice millet flakes bowl and proceeded with the day. The pattern was quite similar to day 5 and I thoroughly enjoyed the yoga session. The sore is gone.
Here’s the green smoothie I had today pre/post yoga and it was so delicious!
- 1/2 cup almond pulp
- 2 handfuls spinach
- 1 banana
- 3 dates
- Lemon
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Maca
- Moringa
- Chlorella
- Coconut oil
Day 7
This was a break day from the gym. Used the trampoline in the morning.
I included home made sauerkraut in the menu as it finally cultured and made a new batch of almond milk. Just to make it clear: I did not combine them! haha (Just between you and me if there’s someone making these combos I’d be that someone haha)
As I look at this written down it seems like it’s not much different from a regular day of mine. Maybe the label of a new start makes it special. But I wanted to show you that you don’t need to go extremes to feel good. Transition and ease into things and you’ll get double the benfits
Update:
The days are still continuing and I’ve also had the first cheat day of the year on day 10 – hip hip hurray! It wasn’t necessary, but it was circumstantial, and having that flexibility of being able to bend the rules every so often makes the plan work long term. I always say – if you’re having something off the list, you may as well enjoy it and move on.
I’ll continue documenting the process as I move to different classes in the gym and see what my body likes most and….. maaaaybe even get to learn how to swim!! Or convince myself that I know how to, because that’s what I’ve been told. I sometimes have the feeling I’m the only person left on earth that can’t swim.. There’s my stretch.
If you have any questions or swimming advice splash away below in a comment. I’d love to hear from you!
Until next time, much love and a stretchy new year!
Denisa xxo
Image credit: www.deathtothestockphoto.com
