WELCOME SUMMER!
If the picture above is any indication of how you spent your Memorial Day Weekend then you are probably looking to get back on track... QUICKLY!!!
Holidays, long weekends and vacations are the best times for building memories with friends and family. Everyone loves to live it up, throw all of their cares out the window and indulge on vacation and for most it is much needed! Fully enjoying your "time off" and stepping out of your normal routine is an extremely important key in maintaining "balance" in your life.
Having too many drinks, eating foods that you wouldn't normally eat, eating more than you typically would, etc happens to us when we are on vacation and for a lot of us there is a mad rush to get back on track once we return home and hit the scale and see that we have packed on a few pounds. The added weight combined with the sluggish recovery from vacationing and sleeping in and very likely the bloated feeling that you are experiencing are unpleasant side effects of "having too much fun!" :)
Try some of these steps for a successful recovery from your overindulgence. You will begin to feel more positive and in control again and should be able to get right back on track.
Sleep - One of the most important things you can do to regenerate and restart your body is sleep. Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep for the first 5 nights after returning from vacation or a long weekend. Make sure you get to bed early in a dark room with no distractions. Do everything you can to wake up at your normal time, no matter how you feel. Regenerating this cycle will tell your body it's time to get back to normal.
Water - As always... water, water, water!!! With all of the toxins that you have built up from a weekend of drinking, off-plan food and other indulgences it is obvious your body needs a good flush. Not to mention the dehydrating affect alcohol has on the body and overall lack of water consumption during the weekend. Drink 2-3 liters of water a day, period - no excuses! This is essential in your detox plan!
Exercise - No matter if you feel like it or not you have to get back into your exercise routine. The following day after returning from vacation is the perfect day to start exercising again. Whether you are itching to get back in or dreading it... make it happen! Endorphins will be flowing and sweat will be dripping and the term "sweat it out" will be defined. Make sure you give it your all... don't slack... push yourself hard. You and your body will love it!
Dandelion Root Tea - This tea is an important part of liver detoxification. Try one cup a day for the next three days. For a great herbal diuretic with liver tonic properties, dandelion leaf is good as well. Try dandelion tea and see how it makes you feel. You will be surprised.
Stretching - If this is not a part of your daily routine, it should be. Work on lengthening your muscles that may be stiff or stagnant from a weekend of partying. Start with your quads and hamstrings holding each stretch for 30 seconds. You will feel more relaxed and mobile for your recovery week.
Avoid/Reduce Stress - If you are getting right back into a strenuous life or job do everything that you can to reduce/minimize your stress. Meditate for 15 minutes a day, try a new yoga class, get a massage, watch a funny movie or simply take 30 minutes a day to yourself to do whatever you like. Do everything you can to not get stressed out. You don't want to contribute to an already worn out body.
Vitamins - You may have missed your vitamins all weekend long... immediately get back on your multivitamin and omega 3s. You need to replenish your system that was likely depleted over the course of the weekend. Vitamins help with mental clarity, detoxification and cellular health. Trying to keep your skin healthy? Get your vitamins! Don't take them? START!!
Get Back to Your Healthy Eating - Eat your green veggies, lean proteins, healthy fats and whole grains are essential in getting you back on track. For 5 days try to stay away from sweets completely. Pump up your nutrition by drinking a green smoothie every morning and include green veggies like broccoli, spinach, kale and avocado. Keep eating your green veggies through the day!
Drink Green Tea - Now, more than ever, you need antioxidants to get rid of the free radicals you built up all weekend. One of the best ways to accomplish that is to drink green tea. Even if you've never tried green tea before, make sure you do now and you'll notice how amazing you feel!
Organize - Keep your mind at ease and your stress level down by being organized. This is always important so now is the best time to start if it's not something you're already practicing. Create a 5 day plan prioritizing what needs to get done. Don't overdo it and don't expect miracles. Only plan to accomplish the essentials. Seeing it in front of you will relax your mind and help assure you that this week is going to go smoothly.
From here, take it one day at a time. Remember, if you stay on track and eat clean all week long, allowing yourself a "cheat" meal one night on the weekend won't throw you off track... it's a treat you can look forward to!!
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