Getting Back in Gear

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The holidays are a time of joy, laughter, love…and overindulgence.  Whether you have a small family that celebrates modestly or a huge tribe that celebrates the entire season through, you've probably consumed a little more than usual during the holidays.

That period of overindulging, though, is now in the past! Today we’ll focus on strategies to help get yourself back in gear and on track.  Most of us feel less-than-ideal after we give into holiday treats. We feel sluggish, fatigued, and we may lack motivation to change. All of these feelings are completely normal while our bodies are trying to recover from an influx of added sugar, fat, and preservatives. Some people even refer to this as a junk food “hangover”. The body gets used to the foods it is being fed, and it starts to withdraw from those foods as soon as you stop consuming them. Albeit unpleasant, withdrawals are a completely normal physical reaction. In fact, many people report experiencing headaches from sugar withdrawals from holiday sweets! The good news? All of these symptoms are typically short lived and overcome within a few days.

There are many factors that contribute to our unhealthy eating habits during the holidays. Stress, lack of sleep, less time outdoors, less time for regular movement routines...mix these in with holiday engagements, and it's no suprise that our normal eating habits can become interrupted and a little off the beaten path. A little deviation here and there is not going to destroy all of the good you've accomplished all the year through, but each day that you continue to feed the bad habits, the stronger they become and the harder they are to break. In fact, the best way to stop this vicious craving-eating cycle is to remove the foods that are triggering it. 

So, let's talk some simple strategies to help you get yourself back on track and back into gear in the new year!

Remove the Unhealthy Food

Step one is to stop eating the food (or drinking the beverages) that are causing the continuous cycle of cravings, fatigue, and even weight gain. Removing those foods and beverages allows the body to start its natural detox process. That process is the first step in bringing your body back into balance and eliminating the ill-effects of holiday eating.

Drink Lots of Water

The liver is the main organ involved in detoxing the body naturally. The liver needs plenty of water to work efficiently. Drinking water assists the liver in its natural detox process. Additionally, it helps keep your skin clear and relieves bloating. Water can also make you feel fuller; thus satisfying lingering cravings, too.

Eating Healthy

Now that all the junk food is out of your diet, healthy foods should be (re)incorporated into their place. Healthy foods start to tell the body what to expect for energy. They replenish depleted stores of vitamins and minerals while also providing adequate nutrition without the cravings and crash.

Get Up and Get Moving

One of the best ways to rebound from a holiday food-fest is to hop in the gym and sweat it out. Not only will your body thank you, but so will your mind. You may even feel more motivation after just the first workout! We know that for some a gym or intense workout isn't accessible, and that's okay! Start to incorporate more mindful movements in your daily routine - take a different route when walking your dog, walk a lap around the office on your break(s), take 5 minutes every few hours to stand up and do some light stretching and movements!

Detox Your Liver

While water is a great first defense for a healthy liver, there are also supplements that can help your liver more efficiently detox and purify. Liver supplements are usually made from natural herbs and help the liver run efficiently. Internal Cleanser is one supplement that can be found at your local Metaoblic Research Center office. Talk to your doctor and an MRC Coach today to see if this supplement may be right for you!

Today is the perfect day to press the “restart” button on a newer, healthier you! You've got all the tools you need, and we're here to support! ?