6 Months on the Detox Lifestyle!

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6 months on the Detox Lifestyle!

I thought I'd share with you what I've learnt over the last 6 months with the view to inspire you to take up a detox lifestyle of your own.

How you organise your detox lifestyle is up to you and its different for everyone. Its fundamentally about getting rid of old habits and adopting new beneficial ones in your mind, body and spirit. If you're not sure of what habits you have or would like to change, make a diary for a week of the kind of excercise you do, food you eat, etc and then review it after the week is through. You'll soon see what patterns you have and what you'd like to change.

For me, I wanted to change my eating patterns. I was exercising quite regularly and was pleased with my habits there. However, I wasn't happy about my habits with food.

For my detox lifestyle to become more balanced, I wanted to change 3 main eating patterns:

1- Drinking a glass of wine most evenings.

2- Eating a bar of chocolate most evenings and

3- Eating toast every morning for breakfast.

So I decided to give up wheat, dairy and sugar for 30 days. 


Then 30 days turned into 6 months! :D
 

Here's the lowdown on my 6 month journey:

1- How much did you stick to the wheat free, dairy free and sugar free challenge?

In the first 30 days, I did about 98%. The 2% discrepancy was mainly to do with things that happened by accident! You would be amazed at how much sugar there is in food, even in those little spice mixes you get! Unbelievable.

In 60 days, I stuck to the detox about 90%. This was due to me wanting to try the things I hadn't been having for such a long time! (When I did, they didn't taste that great anymore anyway).

In 90 days, I stuck to it about 85% of the time and beyond 90 days I've kept to this percentage. The only times I'm ever eating wheat, dairy or sugar is when I'm out with friends, or if someone buys me lunch and they didn't realise the new lifestyle I'm into.

2- What were the highlights?

Day 20 was the first highlight for me. I could literally feel my legs thinner in my jeans! It was weird but good!

Day 30 was the second. I was so pleased that I had committed to the challenge and followed through to this milestone day! *proud*

Day 43 was the third highlight. It was an exciting day as I bought lots of new superfoods to try and was super excited to give them a go!

Day 63 was the fourth. I had gone down 3 notches on my belt! Amazing!

3- What were the lows?

Day 15 - Obsession. What was I going to eat and when was I going to eat it?

Day 35 - Boredom. After getting a routine going, things seemed samey. I researched new ways of doing things and got to changing things up. This was a crucial step and now I do this regularly.

Day 47 - Dehydration after consuming wheat and sugar. Realisation - this old food is not good for me!

4- What things did you notice changing other than the physicality of your body ?

I felt lighter, happier and more in control. I gained more determination, more eagerness and a great sense of achievement. I felt a strong sense of centredness.

5- What drove you to keep going?

- Remembering what it was like before, that 'not bothered' attitude of what I'm putting in my body. 
- The willingness to get to a place of noticeable change. 
- The feeling that I could inspire others if I really made a difference to myself.

6- What would you say to people looking to do their own detox?

That in order for you to see and benefit from the results, you must do at least 30 days of whatever it is you want to change at 100%. After 30 days you don't have to be as hard-core and in fact its better for your well-being to realise that perfection is simply an illusion. Doing your best, as much as you can is what matters.

7- What kinds of replacement foods can you recommend for wheat free, dairy free and sugar free?

These are just some suggestions, its not an exhaustive list, just things that work for me. Experiment! Try your own.

Instead of chocolate = dried figs! (or any dried fruit without preservatives)
Instead of toast/bread eat = maize, rye bread or rye crispbreads
Instead of milk = rice or almond milk
Instead of yogurt = coconut butter
Instead of sugary or salty snacks = fruit, seeds, dried fruit, nut mixes
Instead of vinegar = olive oil
Instead of butter = olive oil
Instead of cheese = tofu or nuts, depending on the dish
Instead of tea/coffee = herbal tea (literally freshly chopped herbs)
Instead of frying = steam
Instead of meat = fish
Instead of sugar = manuka honey
 
So there you go! My 6 month summary with some suggestions for you. What do you want to change in your life? You can do it, I believe in you. Give it a go today! There's never a *perfect* time to start, except for now! :D

If you'd like to see my in depth blog about the first 90 days, it starts here. Or go to the Healthy Eating pages and scroll down. Enjoy!

Till next time,

Much Love


Leona.
http://www.createyourtruelife.com

5 advantages of being Emotionally Sensitive

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It's an interesting thing, sensitivity. I was brought up with the belief that emotionally sensitive people are vulnerable. In my experience I have found is that the reverse is actually true. Now I believe that without some level of sensitivity, you cannot be a truly fulfilled human being. Being sensitive has massive lasting benefits that are often overlooked.

It's the initial point of interaction that can be difficult for someone who is sensitive and that's what we tend to hang onto. If you're emotionally sensitive you can take what someone says as personal to you and even harmful. Once this reaction is understood and worked with, it can be powerfully and positively harnessed and used for maximum benefits. For example, when you understand that there is no benefit in taking what someone is saying to you personally and then you put a new reaction into practice repeatedly, you gradually gain a sense of empowerment. I have worked with hundreds of adults and children and all those who demonstrated sensitive qualities, turned out to be the most interesting, talented, resilient and successful in the long term.

The wonderful Jim Rohn (1930-2009) said a beautiful quote which I came across win the middle of writing this post. He said, "The more you care, the stronger you can be".

With that in mind, here are my 5 advantages of being sensitive:

1- You gain an enriched, magical quality to life. Have a unique viewpoint to offer and/or creative way of looking at the world.

2- You have a deeper understanding, inherent compassion and a strong connection in relationships with others.

3- You have a natural connection to all living things; nature, animals, 'source' and/or god.

4- You feel very fulfilled in what you do and/or you feel an importance to attain complete fulfilment in life.

5- You have or look to gain a sense of responsibility to others around you (including animals), your community and/or the planet at large.


So in conclusion, if you feel that you are sensitive - embrace it. Without sensitive people this world would be a cold and empty place. If you feel alone in your sensitivity then begin to understand more about yourself; when, how and why you act the way you do. Think about possible ways to overcome your actions and how you can really use your sensitivity to enhance your life experience. I promise that when you do, your life will become more balanced and enjoyable that you thought possible. If you need some tools to show you how then simply get in touch.

If you feel you are not a particularly sensitive person, then I urge you to take the time to experience humility. Get in touch with your emotions by purposefully putting yourself in situations that you know would evoke an emotional response, so that you can explore these feelings. You'll find that you become a fuller, more enriched human being as a result.

With Much Love and till next time,

 


 
Leona
Helping you to create the life you've always wanted.
http://www.createyourtruelife.com/