Blog Update!
For those of you not following me on Facebook, as of the Summer of 2019 I've moved to Central WA, to a tiny mountain town of less than 1,000 people.

I will be covering my exploits here in the Cascades, as I try to further reduce my impact on the environment. With the same attitude, just at a higher altitude!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Detox update #1

Yesterday marked the first day of the third week of my detox and I wanted to fill you in on how things are going. I'm feeling pretty good so far. At times I feel absolutely fantastic and almost euphoric but, if I let my blood sugar get too low (which has been an issue for me), I get symptoms of hypoglycemia, which aren't too fun.

Food related stuff
With all the fruits and vegetables it's easy to get filled up and yet, at the same time, not really eat enough. So, the biggest thing I've struggled with is not getting in enough calories and feeling less than energetic at times. If I stay on top of things and make sure I have my food planned out and eat before I get hungry, then I feel fine. If I don't, I feel really tired. That's when I know I need a bolus of peanut butter.

I think my digestive system is finally adjusting to all the fiber. The first week I ate something that I'm sensitive too (frozen pineapple) and it caused me some serious stomach issues for a few days. Normally it wouldn't be a problem but I think that with all the other changes in my diet my stomach wasn't too pleased. It's fine now, although I'm still laying off on some of the spicy stuff.

Starting yesterday, I also added a little wheat back into my diet. I'm still mostly avoiding it, but just threw in some whole grain sprouted bread to help round out my grains. Otherwise, I'm sticking to oats, brown rice and quinoa, among other things. And, I'm still avoiding dairy. I did treat myself to some Coconut Bliss ice "cream" to help bump up the calories.

Over the two weeks I've lost about six pounds.

Other stuff
I'm still doing the Epsom baths and have done one clay bath. I'll be doing another one tomorrow. I'm hoping to make it in to Banya 5 in downtown Seattle this week. It's a Russian style sauna with a number of different dry and wet saunas, with cold pools and the like.

My second deep tissue massage last week kicked my ass and I'm still a little sore. I have major issues with muscles in my shoulders and upper back so I really need to have it done. I'm thinking of adding acupuncture for those problems (and my on-again off-again carpal tunnel issues) but that doesn't have much to do with this detox.

I love the dry skin brushing and look forward to doing it in the morning. Between the daily exercise, weight loss and dry brushing I've seen a noticeable difference in my upper legs with quite a reduction in cellulite. And I just look less puffy all over - my upper body looks a ton leaner than it did before I started.

I started week two of the detox foot pads although I doubt they are doing anything worthwhile. But, I've got 'em so I'm using them and telling myself they are doing something in the hope that I can employ some placebo action.

The down parts of the detox so far were really just diet related, trying to arrange my food needs around the rest of the family and their meal planning. The first week was fine, the second week I was getting bored of my limited food choices, but this week I've got a whole new game plan and am looking forward to trying out some new foods I wouldn't ordinarily try. The end result is that I'll be keeping some of these new food habits even after the detox is over.

Finally, this isn't exactly detox related, but I've been meditating daily for about 30 minutes. I find this helps with keeping focused and with my mood during this "program" and I have to credit being happier as a result of integrating this in as well.

If any of you are just starting out and want to comment about how things are going early on, feel free to leave one!

7 comments:

fragmentaerie said...

Banya has just gone on my list of things to do before I die. That sounds fantastic.

deb said...

Have you done meditation before? What kind of guidance would you give a newbie?

Thanks for this rundown, it's something I'd love to try, a detox. It doesn't seem like it should take time, but somehow I don't feel like I have the time. I think I'm just too wedded to my regular habits.

I'm intrigued by the dry brushing. It sounds similar to something my niece is doing for sensory development issues.

Also, I've been wanting to try a visit to Banya 5 myself, I'm looking forward to a report!

Thanks!!

Crunchy Chicken said...

Yeah, they have half off admission Wednesday through Friday if you go earlier in the day. I'll post about it after I go.

Deb - I have done meditation before, after my kids were born and I was really stressed out with dealing with two babies 17 months apart, one mildly autistic and the other with heinous colic.

I'll do a post this week on meditation as I'll ramble on too much here.

Hippy Goodwife said...

I loved it when Banya had single gender days and you could go suitless if you felt like it. Somehow it just isn't as relaxing with boys and suits.

Melinda said...

Banya 5 is just down the street from us - I'm heading there next weekend to try it out. I hear GREAT things about it. Also a huge fan of Coconut Bliss ice cream - can't wait to add that back in!

Crunchy Chicken said...

Melinda - Let me know if you are game to go Thursday or Friday earlier in the day and we can schvitz together.

bmatusky said...

I am trying to get my started on my detox. I went shopping and I bought some wheat germ. When I got home I started wondering if it qualifies for this challenge. Any thoughts....