Whilst I like to think myself as a balance person. I tend not to drink too much, eat healthily, adhere to a routine which incorporates fitness and fun, there's little doubt that the last three years have probably had an affect on body and mind.
According to Diana Ketchen Natural Health Consultant, 'modern day life has resulted in an exponential increase in our exposure to chemicals, drugs and pollutants. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics, over dependence on alcohol and a fast lifestyle have all contributed to making out bodies unhealthy. The modern generation seems to have forgotten that to get to the top of the rat race we need a healthy mind coupled with a healthy body.
Our body’s detoxification system comprises of the digestive and urinary systems, skin, lungs and liver. It is a perfect system in which the organs supplement and complement each other. There is, however, a limit to how much it can be stretched.
What happens is this. The frontline defense of the intestines is broken due to the large quantities of toxins that enter our body. This intake can happen through food, exposure to the environment, drinking water and other points of contact. The breakdown of the function of the intestines leads to a condition where the liver needs to work more than its capacity.
Over time, if we have not had a natural body detox, the toxins start to leak out of the intestinal walls into the blood stream. And a situation like this causes diseases like bowel toxaemia (blood poisoning caused by bacterial toxic substances in the blood) and candidiasis (an infection caused by fungi). These diseases are characterized by symptoms like diabetes, chronic constipation, vaginal thrush, loss of libido and increase in blood cholesterol'.
In my final year of University I quit alcohol for 3 months, walked everywhere, did yoga and cut down on my carbs. The results were incredible, I lost weight, I felt great and my mind was tuned in. I was also very happy and more confident than I'd felt in a long time.Then, well I fell in love, moved to the big smoke, got a full-time job in the city and commuted a good hour or so a day in London.
This was the start of my naughty period. Oblivious at the time (until obviously too late!) I indulged in mars bars from the work vending machine, drank half a bottle of wine a night and always ended up eating late after work which usually contained man portions of potatoes! That along with being unhappy in my job and taking up voluntary work for Oxfam coordinating events in whatever spare time I had certainly added to the stress.
So the waistline broadened and brain cells depleted... The thing is although I will openly admit to being somewhat lazy in London along with eating irresponsibly, it is a lifestyle suited to the big smoke. Time is tight - it is the London mentality, people moving in and out of the city tend to commute long distances (house prices, family etc.) and the weather is predominantly terrible, or at least it was for the duration I was there. Which if you're anything like me, means one will scoff on comfort food further escalating the unhealthy lifestyle already accustomed to.
Now I am in no way slating London. I love that place. But I can't deny it triggered a downward spiral in terms of my health. I was constantly ill, managed my time badly and ate/drank as much as my boyfriend (who is much bigger than I am)!
So now I have decided it is time to face the music and work off that too easily accrued load. It is time for the D.E.T.O.X.
My aim is to get healthy and feel firstly and foremost confident in my skin.
So the plan?
- Gym at least twice a week (cardio & weights)
- No meat aside from fish & chicken
- No alcohol
- No caffeine
- No wheat
- No dairy
- Only organic/gluten free food where possible
I'm going to stick to this for 3 weeks, starting from today. Time to lose the London load, time to be good...
Will keep you updated. Wish me luck!
P.S. Don't expect too much - I'm already bored.
P.P.S. Typical, my work mate's announced she's bringing in chocolate cake tomorrow.
