why I cleanse

Lately I've been loving my cleanse days. By scheduling them on a Monday, I begin my week with a clear and focused mind, and it sets me up to make healthy choices for the rest of the week. Not to mention how energetic and refreshed I feel on the days following a cleanse!

But here's the thing. Up until two years ago, if anyone would have told me they were doing a cleanse, I would have feigned interest by smiling and nodding when appropriate - maybe even an enthusiastic "That sounds cool!" But I would have secretly judged them for doing something that seemed trendy, something I assumed was actually unhealthy. Assumed. Because even though I don't know everything, I like to think I do. And let's face it - there are definitely cleanses out there that are unsafe, high in sugar, that deprive your body, that do more harm than good.

But there are also safe, effective, wonderfully formulated cleanses out there, and I've found one! So before I jump into the reasons I cleanse and love it, I would like to preface with a few points:

+ I believe in real food. I believe in cooking healthy and meal prep. I believe in packing my lunch. I also like baked goods, wine, and cereal. So yeah, I'm about that balanced, mostly healthy, but also fun lifestyle.

+ I don't do trendy. I'm anti-trendy in fact. I don't jump on bandwagons until they're teetering on the edge of out of style. I love to research things before I do them.

+ I'm not a dietician or nutritionist. I enjoy learning about nutrition, but I'm no expert.

So now that we've cleared up that I'm fun, eat a lot of cereal, not trendy, and not a doctor, let's talk about why I cleanse.

I don't feel deprived.

What I love most is that this cleanse focuses on nourishing the body while decreasing calories for a short period of time. No laxatives, high-sugar juices, or frequent trips to the restroom. It's also customizable, so you can complete a 2 day cleanse, a 1 day cleanse, or even half day cleanse if you're not feeling it. I rarely feel hungry or run down during a cleanse day. Quite the opposite, in fact, as the products are designed to nourish and keep the blood sugar up.

Two words - visceral fat.

No one likes to feel like they have a spare tire around their waist. But worse than feeling self-conscious in your clothes is the poor health associated with the fat that surrounds your organs- visceral fat. Intermittent fasting - especially this kind with nutritional support, has been shown to reduce this type of dangerous fat. And I'm not mad about feeling better in my skinny jeans or more confident at the beach.

Give yourself a break! Treat yo-self!

I love to pamper myself on a cleanse day! Sometimes it's applying a face mask or giving myself a pedicure, other times I let myself read a good book for 30 minutes. The point is, I know I'm giving my body a break - a chance to reset all the way down to my cells - so why not renew my mind and spirit as well?

Don't you know that you're toxic?

And now that you have a Britney Spears song stuck in your head, I'll continue. Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully designed to get rid of impurities all on their own. Cleansing simply helps that process along. Much needed, as our environment, beauty products, food supply, air, and water are full of chemicals and toxins.

I just feel great!

Even if I didn't know any of the science or research behind it, I would still be a faithful cleanser. Why? Because the way I feel after a cleanse day is how I imagine my iPhone feels when I delete unnecessary data and it starts running smoothly again. Lean, light, clear, refreshed, renewed. This is something I can stick to long term (can't wait to be cleansing when I'm in my 80s), and I'm 100% honest when I say I have never felt this good, healthy, and confident in my life. Even before I had kids. Even when I was a college volleyball player. Even the summer I got married. And that never ceases to amaze me!

*   *   *

If you're curious to know more about the secret weapon that has helped so many mamas improve their health, lose the baby weight, and gain natural energy in a safe way, join my Facebook group Strong For Her Tasks!