As my 10 day detox draws to a close I’m reflecting on what I’ve learned and how I might take some lessons forward to make sustainable tweaks to the way I live. To keep it going but in a more moderated way, some middle ground – both with food and technology!
The detox has been like pressing pause and a kick start for healthier habits but beyond this it’s made me so much more aware.
It wasn’t as hard as I’d imagined and at times I found myself actually enjoying it – and other times I’d wish I’d never thought of the idea! Particularly the first few days before the headaches wore off and my body ached liked I was getting the flu – apparently though this was just the toxins working their way out.
Admittedly there’s been a few breaks in the 10 day detox, a treat cup of tea with milk – the caffeine high lasted all morning and left my feeling like I was a bit drunk! And a couple of healthy meals when I needed that extra boost. But the strange thing is despite thinking about pizza so often I don’t actually want any. My cravings now are for the simple things I missed; a cup of tea with milk, a piece of cheese on a cracker, toast with butter! It seems the more healthily we eat the less junk food we crave and I suppose the reverse is also true. That’s why it’s so easy to get stuck in unhealthy cycles. That’s been my main lesson from this experiment – the power of habits and our ability to form new habits, press reset.
So I’ve lost a few kilos but that’s just a bonus in terms of the real benefits, the way I feel – which is somehow just brighter and lighter, how my body functions and the lessons I’ve learned. So what have I learned and what might I do differently now?
To create some healthier habits around my device, not having it in the bedroom so it doesn’t become the last thing I do at night and the first thing I reach for in the morning. Resolving to check it only at certain times of the day to reduce that habit of constantly reaching for it. Removing the notifications from apps so each time I use my phone I’m not distracted by these little calls for attention and promises of social validation.
The food detox has really increased my awareness around my relationship with food. We’ve been brought up to clear out plates, don’t leave the table until you’ve eaten all your dinner. Even when we’re out for dinner there’s a feeling of eating more to get value. I’ve become much more mindful about what I eat and why. Stopping when I’m full and knowing that that’s after less food than my brain often believes. Being more aware of emotional eating and not just reaching for food because its midday or we’ve been invited to a party and there’s snacks.
It’s been an interesting experiment and one that’s benefited my health but I’m also keen to return to something more balanced and moderated – that will be the big test!