Before You Sign Up for a Cleanse, Read This
It’s come to my attention that cleanses have gotten a bad reputation. And I can see why. Some are hollow. Some are too short. Some are unreasonable. Some are all about deprivation. And many simply don’t affect permanent change.
The SHED really is different. But you don’t want a sales pitch. You want change.
So let’s talk about what makes a good cleanse.
The Coach: Compassion, Results & Follow Up
Ask about results, supplements and their process for helping your mind adapt to the cleanse. Who’s running this cleanse? What is their why? What are the typical results? What happens when its over? What will you learn? What credibility do they have? Call the coach directly and ask for a consultation, along with the contact information of past cleanse participants. Inquire about their process and tips on changing your lifestyle. Research (stalk!) the coach online. Look at their LinkedIn profile, Facebook profile and website. All should be cohesive and impressive. Be sure there’s a structure in place for follow up coaching calls and education.
Quick Tip: Check in with your gut on this. It’s usually right.
The Menu: Local, Seasonal & Organic
Be sure you look at the menu. Can you easily purchase the ingredients? Do the recipes look appealing to you? Are there exceptions for various allergies you might have? Do the foods match the seasons? Are the meals doable in your household? Will the food be shipped from a 1000 miles away? First, food should be local.Our food system is far from perfect and the longer it takes for fresh produce to reach you, the more nutrients it loses. Second, food should be seasonal. Remember that a natural connection exists between our body and the earth. For example, there’s a reason citrus is abundant in the winter–we need Vitamin C to manage stress. Finally, your food should be somewhat organic. But it doesn’t have to break the bank.
Quick Tip: Consider the dirty dozen, and let that guide your produce purchases at the grocery store.
The Program: It Should be Both Mental and Physical
The coach offering is critical. Are coaches on hand every week to talk to? Are your coaches curious about your relationship with food? Do they offer behavioral tips? Have you considered ways to reduce your stress during the cleanse? Your body is so complex. And food is just one way you feed it. Other factors include sleep, emotional stress, mental stress, family issues, supplements, self-care, meditation and self-talk. A good cleanse acknowledges this and speaks openly about the root of your eating habits, how to increase your awareness and steps to make a change. It’s not easy for your mind to catch up with your body, but if you don’t even include your mind on the cleanse, you won’t have a chance.
Quick Tip: A good cleanse is hard work on your part. If it was easy, everyone would do it. So if a cleanse feels too good to be true, it probably is.
The Length: 30 Days is Optimal
A cleanse should be at least 30 days. But it’s not only the length of the cleanse, but also how long it takes to re-introduce foods back into your life. Anything less is not enough time to allow your body to reset. Popular programs like the lemonade/cayenne pepper cleanse and the cabbage soup cleanse are often too short to make a difference–and they’re ridiculous.
Quick Tip: Timing is everything. If 30 days doesn’t work now, it might work better some season in the future. The trick is to plan ahead so you then schedule your life AROUND the cleanse.
The Supplements: Research. A Lot.
Supplements are not required for a good cleanse, but they sure do help. IF you’re includes them, get curious. Where do the supplements come from? Are they third-party tested? Can you find them on Amazon (a negative)? Don’t be afraid to call the company directly and ask about their ingredients. Google everything and be careful of the credentials of the website you read. Be suspicious of an overall sales pitch for supplements, but know that they’re often a critical part of a cleanse. A different diet can create deficiencies and supplements help with that.
Quick Tip: Avoid Costco, Walgreens or off the shelf brands. You’ll need a referral from a practitioner for medical grade supplements but I can help you with that – give me a call.