This morning I woke up to a comment on my post from yesterday that read:
Sorry to burst your bubble but nothing really helps. Smaller portions of your regular food, regular exercise and a disciplined lifestyle are the only ways to a healthier you.
I certainly appreciate the comment and the cautionary words from the commenter, but I couldn’t help to think as I read it that if I were not a strong minded person, and if I were not focused and committed to this phase of my journey, the first portion of this comment just might have burst my bubble. But the good news is that it helped to add fuel to my fire and I am determined to make it happen!
This is a follow-up post to yesterdays, which was already prepared because I think it’s critical to know what my exit strategy will be once the cleanse is over. Of course, I know that I can’t drink smoothies for the rest of my life. I also know that the same things I do to lose the weight are the same things I’ll have to do to keep the weight off. Having said that, I agree 110% with the commenter’s suggestions and have the following exit strategies in place and ready to go.
- Have a plan in place for when the cleanse is over. I knew going into this cleanse that I would need to be prepared to do things differently once it was over. I mean what kind of sense does it make to drink green smoothies for 10 days to only turn around after it’s over and return to my unhealthy eating habits?
- Wean myself back into a normal way of eating. For a week after the cleanse, I plan to continue drinking the smoothies for breakfast and for dinner to give my body time to reacclimate itself to food. I will eat a healthy lunch that consists of a protein, veggies, and a healthy carb. I already have my first meal planned…salmon, a sweet potato and a salad…YUM!
- After a week, phase another meal back in. I have chosen to add in dinner. Following the same health plan by eating protein, veggies and a carb. I will eat two meals a day for another week before returning to three meals a day.
- Continue to hydrate. In fact I will be introducing lemon water to my daily morning routine. Stay tuned to a future post where I’ll share the benefits of doing so.
- Commit to eating all meals from my own kitchen. Now I know this is not possible 100% of the time but unless I am away on business or the circumstances are such that I don’t have any other choice, I will be cooking my own meals. And if I have to eat out, I will make the healthiest choice possible!
- Be flexible and be realistic. There is no way on this green earth that I will never have another chicken wing. Ain’t gonna happen! But I will plan for it. And I will do just as the commenter suggested…eat smaller portions. Food is meant to be enjoyed and it is my plan to enjoy it and not obsess over it as I once did.
- Learn the fine art of cooking. It’s no secret…I am not a cook. But I’m going to change that. I’m going to learn how to cook healthy and flavorful meals that will be both satisfying and enjoyable!
- Listen to my body. Having gone through this cleanse, I am more in tuned than ever before. One things for sure, all those times I was feeding my face in the past had nothing to do with hunger and everything to do with emotional eating. NO MORE!!!
So, there you have it…my exit strategies for continued success long after the cleanse is over!
Your Turn To Share
Have you done a cleanse, detox or fast? If so, what things did you do to aid you in continued success after the cleanse was over?