Alrighty, I’m gonna go ahead and tackle this little fad that always tends to pop up this time of year.  “Cleansing” diets.  I probably better start off by saying I fundamentally hate the concept of “diets”.  By definition a diet is what you consume on a daily basis, healthy, junky and in between.  The general population tends to think a diet is something that they “go on” like a carnival ride, with the intention of someday getting off of that ride.  In the 10 years that I have been a trainer I have never (let me repeat that) NEVER seen a temporary diet program produce results that were anything other than… well, temporary!  The ONLY successful cases I have ever had clients truly reach and maintain their weight loss goals are those who made the commitment to change their lifestyle and eating habits forever.  Yep, you heard me… FOR-EV-ER.

Now back on the subject of these “cleansing” diets.  User beware of these programs that make you radically change the way you eat.  I will NEVER endorse any program that tells you to not eat (even for a day), depletes your body’s hydration levels or puts you on massive calorie restrictions.  There is no such thing as a “reset” button on your metabolism and frankly, by taking part in these type of diets you are telling your body IT IS STARVING.  When your body is starving it is built to adapt in ways to keep you alive.  Therefore, by cutting off the calorie (energy) supply to your body, your body will react and try to conserve energy & subsequently slow your metabolism.  Now what happens when you start eating again??  Your body still thinks it is starving so it will not be using all of these fun new calories you are re-introducing to your system, BUT it sure as heck will store them as fat for the next time you try to pull this crazy cleansing diet!  Be NICE to your body people.  Do not starve it, dehydrate it or fill it with awful tasting cayenne pepper, lemon, molasess water… that is mean!  Your body will get you for that.

What I do believe in….

I believe in eating clean, non-processed foods at every available opportunity.  I believe in stuffing your face with all the wonderful vegetables you can get your hands on, enjoying fruits and whole grains in moderation and keeping your protein intake high and lean.  If you are hungry, EAT.  Never let yourself feel thirsty and drink plenty of water everyday.  And of course, savor those little moments when someone brings in a batch of homemade cookies to the office, HAVE ONE.  It’s okaaaaay. (slow head pet)  If you completely deprive yourself of the occasional treat you WILL lose it and go all tasmanian devil in your pantry when you get home.  We’ve all been there… and it’s not pretty.

Health and Happiness,

-H