I consider myself a relatively healthy person. I eat a very green, fiber heavy diet, I hardly eat meat (when I do it's usually organic) and I hardly ever eat out. My meals are planned ahead of time and cooked only with all-natural ingredients and foods rich in nutrients and vitamins. But regardless, I've still been considering doing a fresh juice cleanse for the longest. I hear it flushes your system from toxins and leaves you almost brand new. I've had my concerns though!
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When it comes to juice cleanses I've heard a lot of mixed reviews. Some people tell me it's awesome and super worth it. While others swear they lost weight only to pick it back up once the cleanse was over. Some friends even insist to me that they felt tired and completely out of energy during their cleanse. It's not that cleanses are bad, they just aren't for everyone. And it's also important to choose one that works best for you. Considering juicing? Here are 5 things you MUST know before jumping into a juice cleanse!
Choose the right one for you: The thing about juice cleanses is there's a ton of different ones to choose from. You have to think about why you want to do one in the first place. Figure out what kind of juices you'd like to make, what your goals are and if you even have time to make your own juices or if you need to buy them. There are actually juice cleanses you can order online and have sent straight to your door.
Be realistic: If you're embarking on a juice cleanse as a means to help your overeating habits you're already off to a bad start. Cleansing isn't a quick fix or a cure-all for a lifestyle of bad eating. A short cleanse is more like a jump-start to healthy eating. It helps you release toxins and get beneficial vitamins and nutrients into your system. If you eat good fruits and vegetables on a regular basis, a cleanse may not even be necessary. And yes, you can lose weight with it but don't expect drastic results.
Know your body: A juice cleanse doesn't work for every lifestyle. If you have a very demanding lifestyle or like to do intense workouts on a regular basis, a cleanse might not work out well for you. You need to be able to adjust your lifestyle accordingly.
Do your research: Don't just start a cleanse without doing your homework first. Do your research or even consider talking to a nutritionist to see if it's something that even makes sense for you to do.
Choose flavors you like: Don't start drinking green juices made with kale, spinach or swiss chard just because that's what everyone else is doing. You're not going to dedicate yourself to drinking something that repulses you. Try experimenting with fruits and veggies you like that you'll actually enjoy drinking.
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