TIPS TO HELP YOU STAY MOTIVATED
Congratulations on delving into this Belly Healing cleanse :)
When things feel tough, it helps to remember WHY you started.
Whether you're struggling to cook at home, craving junk food or experiencing the effects of die-off, always remind yourself of how good you will feel once you have reclaimed your health and self.
This reminder of WHY you started, will help you refocus on what truly matters.
BELOW ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU STAY MOTIVATED!
1. Set Achievable Goals
As you kick off the cleanse, it's normal to feel a bit overwhelmed by the shifts in your eating or lifestyle habits.
It's also perfectly normal – Many individuals fret about how they'll manage with fewer snacks, reduced alcohol, or a perceived decrease in "fun" during this process!
To make the food adjustments more manageable, consider incorporating health-conscious "swap".
If the idea of forgoing your afternoon chocolate bar seems impossible, try crafting a healthier version of that unhealthy supermarket chocolate bar.
For example making a treat using real cacao, dates and coconut that is often hard to overindulge in.
This allows you to gradually adapt to the dietary restrictions without enduring intense cravings, withdrawal symptoms, or a sense of deprivation.
Remember: A cleanse doesn't have to be mundane and boring, you can make it a self-loving home retreat. Filled with healthy, fun activities that replace the naughty ones!
2. Handling those Cravings
One tricky thing about dealing with an overgrowth of intestinal pathogens is how they sneakily make you crave sugar.
But guess what? You'll be amazed at how fast your taste buds can switch things up when you start taking the herbal tonics, kick sugar to the curb and start eating more nourishing nutrients.
According to psychologists, sugar and alcohol cravings can be satisfied with enjoyable and fun experiences.
So, fill that sweet void by carving out some special time just for YOU.
Dive into things you love and try new lifestyle detoxing suggestions – be it hanging out with friends, visiting a sauna on a Friday night instead of a bar, getting a massage, doing a foot ice bath or experimenting with some new healthy recipes!
Whatever floats your boat, make it something that distracts you from those craving thoughts and leaves you feeling balanced and totally fulfilled.
3. Try this anti-craving powder
Are you struggling to resist the taste of sugar?
Try diamatous earth. This unassuming Earth powder is known for helping remove pathogens from people (and plants), it supports the body with essential minerals and some people say it even stops their food cravings!
To incorporate Diatomaceous Earth into your cleanse, try taking a 1-2 teaspoons mixed with water before a meal.
Feel free to repeat this routine 1-3 times a day, but be mindful – it's potent and may intensify your detox side effects!
Always buy good quality from a health food store and see what country it is sourced from.
4. Keep your focus on WHY you are doing the cleanse
Sometimes, it’s hard to be enthusiastic about a restrictive program.
When your motivation takes a dip, it's crucial to remind yourself of the exact reasons why you’re doing it!
One way to keep yourself motivated is to write down your reasons for wanting to improve your health.
It could be that you want to feel better, feel like your "old-self" and have more energy each day. You might want to overcome your constant digestive problems, be more productive at work or be free of those yeast infections.
You might want to run a marathon or simply make your life even better!
Whatever it is, write down your goals on a piece of paper and stick it to your fridge.
That way, you’ll see it various times a day and whenever you’re tempted to sneak a snack!
Remember – if you do succumb to temptation occasionally, don’t beat yourself up.
You’re only human. A few slip-ups won’t ruin all your good work. Just don't feel guilty and slide down a slippery slope, get back on track as soon as you can and continue as normal.
As you progress through the weeks, you’ll find your health improving – so it’ll be even easier to stick to your healthier lifestyle.
Motivation will come naturally once you start seeing what your willpower can achieve.
5. Re-train Your Taste Buds
Believe it or not, you can retrain your taste buds to prefer healthy foods over unhealthy options.
In my experience, understanding the WHY and HOW behind the impact of unhealthy foods on your body and mind can be the key.
I vividly recall my nutrition classes in college, where I sat there with my jaw dropped, genuinely saddened by the deception and marketing tactics used to educate and sell what our Western world calls "food."
For me, this made it easy to opt for healthier choices instead of POISON.
Besides education you can also begin introducing more sour and ‘umami’ flavours into your life. Get to know the delightful tastes of gut-healthy fermented foods like sauerkraut, pickles, and miso.
These high-quality fermented goodies are fantastic sources of probiotic bacteria, which will also help to balance your gut microbiome!
You can enhance your main meals with dark leafy and bitter greens such as watercress, dandelion greens, rocket, olives, and if you're feeling adventurous - bitter melon. These greens pack a nutritional punch, and their bitterness can give your digestive system a boost, stimulating digestive enzymes for more efficient food breakdown.
A few weeks of embracing bitter foods can work wonders in 'resetting' your taste buds, leading to fewer sugar cravings and easier health decisions.
As mentioned, consider healthy swaps! Trade in that tempting supermarket ice-cream for unflavoured organic Greek yogurt. To make it a little more exciting, toss in some nuts, berries, or bee pollen for natural flavour and added nutrients. 🌿
When we eat healthy, nourishing, living, nutrient-rich foods, our body stops signaling us for more. The hunger and cravings stop! It finds satisfaction, having the necessary nutrients to flourish.
6. Find Alternatives To Your Favourite Take-Away Foods
Missing your Friday night takeout?
You don't have to miss out!
You can still join your friends for a night out, and it's important to do so!
Consider suggesting healthier restaurants or opting for the healthier and more nutritious selections on the menu.
Many good cafes and restaurants take pride in using top-quality fresh ingredients.
A simple shift like choosing steamed or grilled options instead of fried foods is a great start! For instance, if you're a fan of fish and chips, try the grilled fish with a side of salad or veggies instead of the deep-fried version.
If you're preparing meals at home, take the dishes you love and break them down into their main components.
For example, if spaghetti bolognese is your go-to, you can still whip up a healthy sauce with lots of fresh veggies and consider swapping out supermarket pasta for home-made zucchini noodles or organic gluten-free red lentil pasta.
7. Find A Friend
If the cleanse seems too tough to manage on your own, find a friend!
Chances are, there's someone in your circle eager to join you on a cleanse and embark on a healthier path. Why not pair up and engage in some wholesome activities together?
Having a companion on a similar tredectory can be a massive motivation boost.
You'll be able to keep each other accountable, share your thoughts, and even complain and vent about any challenges along the way!
With a buddy, you're more likely to stay on course, as a slip-up affects both of you.
Plus, if either of you encounters a setback, you can offer support to each other and quickly get back on track.
STAY MOTIVATED MY FRIENDS - The results will be worth it!
