A cleanse can do wonders for your health and spirit. But doing the 21-Day Clean Program is a big lifestyle shift for many people. Most wonder, what is life like on the cleanse? We change how we eat, what we eat, and pay attention to the products we use. When we do this, we quickly bump up against our addictions, emotional dependencies, and the habits that no longer serve us.
The process can go very deep and it’s not uncommon for people to experience emotional releases as well as new clarity about their life. We are going to discuss some of the challenges you might face on the cleanse, and how to overcome so you can reach your goals and get the most out of it.
Lack of Preparation
The number one challenge mentioned to us is lack of preparation for the cleanse diet. This means that people had more trouble when they hadn’t purchased enough clean food or had too much temptation from foods not on the elimination diet around.
Solution: If you use the Cleanse Kit, you’ll have all the shakes, supplements, and guides in one convenient package. We have many recipes here on the Clean blog, including pre-cleanse breakfast ideas, amazing shakes and smoothies, clean entrees, and even snacks. We also have broken down the process to meal prep your way to success. You can also give us a call, email, or book a free appointment with one of our health coaches to make sure you have everything you need before you start.
Letting Go of Foods
We all have different food routines. Some people like eating certain foods when stressed or after a long day at work. Other people need coffee to start their day and wine to wind down. Changing these food routines even for a few weeks can be tough, especially during social situations.
Remember that the real benefit of removing these items is to understand what role they play in our lives and whether or not they are supporting the way we want to feel and the life we want to live.
Solution: One of the simplest ways to work with cravings is to make sure you are eating enough clean foods. Spend the first few days on the cleanse exploring foods that you think you will like, and when you find them, make sure to eat enough. Make sure you are eating plenty of healthy fats as well. If you don’t, you’ll notice more cravings and more emotional ups and downs. Also helpful is finding healthy substitutions for the foods you like. If wine is hard for you to give up in social situations, try bringing a kombucha, or having a seltzer so you feel like your are participating.
Emotional Ups and Downs
Our emotional life is one of the first areas to get triggered when we do the cleanse. Not only can we experience emotions around removing certain foods, but it’s not uncommon that deeper emotions rise to the surface.
Without the typical numbing practices of junk foods to fall back on, many of us may experience feelings we haven’t felt in a while, or newfound realizations and clarity. The clarity produced by the cleanse can help us work through these emotions but it can also make them more intense.
Solution: Emotional ups and downs are part of life, but they can seem more intense on a cleanse. The more we allow ourselves to experience the emotion fully, the more quickly it will change. If you notice a strong feeling arising and you’re able to find a private space, take a few minutes to let yourself experience whatever you feel. There are no right or wrong feelings.
When you allow the feeling to be experienced, you’ll most likely find some important message and insight buried underneath. Make sure to contact us if you have issues or questions, or even just to check in and let us know how your day is going. We are here to support you. It’s also helpful to cleanse with a close friend or partner, as the buddy system is highly successful.
Finding Balance
With these tools, you should be well on your way to a successful cleanse experience, and we think you will quickly find your balance and routine that you personally enjoy. As a recent member of our community said:
“I’m clearer, more balanced, and happier than I’ve been in a long time. Doing the Cleanse helped me achieve this quickly. I’m taking what I’ve learned and building on it by seeking the best insight to the emotional aspects of my eating, Activity solutions, and supplements. Thank you Clean Team for everything, your website and support have been fantastic.”
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