My 5-Day Fruit & Vegetable Cleanse Was Not What I Expected
Like everyone else, I ate way too much during the holidays.
I had this thought in the back of my mind that once the New Year hit and I started my Kanye workout plan, I would be all good. I also knew I wouldn't be on the baked macaroni and sweet potato pie diet for days at a time. Still, we're getting further into the new year and my body is still crying for help.
My body told me in more ways than one I needed a major detox. I tried a few that I found on Pinterest, but nothing seemed to work. I was getting really discouraged as I realized my food was just not digesting properly. So, I went cold turkey (or I guess without turkey) and everything else except fruits and vegetables, for five days.
In a nutshell: my body was a victim of culture shock. It's not that I just ate so badly all the time. I never realized how much I needed to cleanse my body from certain foods that I did eat regularly. My experience during those five days was much different than I expected.
To be honest, I'm still not sure if this was the best way to go.
Day 1 & Day 2
The first day of my detox, which was a Friday, was proof that I needed one. I'm not quite sure how to put it into words, but let's just say I experienced immediate results. I was like, "If I keep at it, I'm about to lose five pounds in a week!" That didn't happen. Still, I can admit I was definitely feeling myself after Day 1. I started to think about embracing becoming a Vegan because I thought it was just that easy, especially since Day 2 was a breeze, too.
Day 3
While I was thankful I started at the top of the weekend and got the difficult days over with in the beginning, I started to feel the impact of this brief eating change that soon felt like forever on Day 3. I thought I had gotten into a nice rhythm the first couple of days and assumed I would coast for the rest of the week. Nope.
I had mixed vegetables for lunch that Sunday. Even though I was full at the time, anyone would know that's certainly not enough for a full day. I took a nap and woke up that evening STARVING. Like, dizzy, blurred vision and all. That's when it hit me that this isn't for the faint at heart.
Yes, I prepared the best I could. I stocked up on groceries because knowing myself, I was fully aware I couldn't do this on the fly, but there was nothing that could have prepared me for how I felt that night. Thankfully, I stuck to my fruits and vegetables menu but realized I needed some good protein that would stick to my stomach. I Googled, "What do Vegans eat for protein?" because this rookie had no clue what she was doing. After I found out that almonds were not a vegetable, mushrooms and asparagus became my best friends.
Day 4 & Day 5
Even though I felt better when I woke up on Day 4, I didn't work out like I normally do in the morning because I still felt a little weak. Clearly, my body was missing its protein so I tried to add even more into my regimen.
Interestingly enough, things took yet another unexpected turn for Day 5. I was back to my energetic self and even felt good enough to work out, but I realized my digestion issues had somehow resurfaced overnight because my mid-section seemed a little bigger. I stood on the scale and realized I had gained two pounds and was pretty much back where I started before I began this temporary diet cleanse.
I almost felt like it was all a waste.
Even though my body reacted so quickly to the cleanse during the first couple of days, I felt like the rest were unnecessary. I literally thought to myself, "I could've at least had a piece of fish and gotten these same results." I did a little more research and found that the best length of time to do the fruits and vegetables-only diet is for three days.
I would have to say the biggest lesson I learned is that there is a such thing as too much of a good thing; even when it comes to healthy foods. Yes, fruits and vegetables are the teacher's pets when it comes to the nutritional food groups, but they weren't enough to sustain me or even to keep my body cleaned out for longer than a couple of days.
Since then, instead of the temporary quick fix of a cleanse or a diet, I've decided to just embrace a healthier lifestyle altogether. I realized that I went from one extreme to another and I just needed a solid balance (and solid food). After this experience, I decided to cut out bread, sugar, pastas, and processed snacks.
It's certainly not as drastic as only fruits and vegetables, but I have a feeling my body will be thanking me much more for this lifestyle change in the end.
Have you ever tried a cleanse? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments down below.
- Fruit Flush Diet Plan Review: Detoxing With Fruit? ›
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- The Fruit Flush Diet | Everyday Health ›
- The Best Fruits & Vegetables for Cleansing | LIVESTRONG.COM ›
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- Weekend Detox: Try This Healthy Vegetarian Cleanse - Vegetarian ... ›
- Urban Remedy: How To Do A Cleanse At Home ›
- How to Cleanse Your Body With Fresh Fruits and Vegetables ›
Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LISTÂ HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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