This 10-Day Detox Taught Me A Major Key About Winning
I stopped dieting and calorie-counting a few years ago. I realized that my attempts to slim down were rooted in self-loathing rather than self-love. I knew that the only way to combat that was to truly love myself — as soon as I did, I learned that my size was perfect for me.
One thing I never shied away from, though, was healthy living. Instead of fad-dieting — like I had done so many times in the past — I was simply eating better, consistently. Not for weight loss, but for health purposes. A few years into my (relatively) new healthy lifestyle, my brother started raving about a green smoothie cleanse he'd been doing. He wanted me to get on board and spoke highly of the benefits, but since I had already given up fad diets, I rebuked his idea. I didn't want to lose weight, so this challenge wasn't for me. That was until December 2018 reared its ugly head and I realized I needed a reset for my body.
This coincidentally was the perfect time; ending the year with fresh insides seemed like the best way to end a crappy year (no pun intended). After months of coaxing, my brother won: I agreed to do this cleanse. As soon as I received the information and reviewed the recipes, I trekked to the grocery store to buy what I needed.
The cleanse was straightforward. Each day had its own 72-ounce smoothie recipe. Each recipe included fruits and vegetables, along with ground flaxseeds, protein, and any other health food additives you wanted to throw in the blender. This was coupled with drinking daily detox teas (I opted for the Yogi brand). I reviewed the 40-page packet thoroughly so I knew what to expect.
Though hesitant, I was ready; I started bright-and-early on Monday morning.
Days 1-3 Of The 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse
The information packet suggested that these would be the hardest days of the cleanse. Participants were instructed to start slow if necessary, weaning ourselves off food one meal at a time. On the first day, we were to replace our breakfast with a smoothie; the second day, our breakfast and lunch; and the third day, our breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I was ready to jump in, so I started Day 1 strong — having a smoothie for breakfast and lunch and grilled chicken for dinner. By the second day, I was totally on smoothies, with the exception of approved snacks (unsalted nuts, fruit, tuna, grilled salmon, and boiled eggs). I was off to a great start.
Days 4-7 Of The 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse
After my initial high of mastering the first three days, my doubt began to kick in. Though the recipes were good, I was growing bored with them and tired of the mess smoothie-making was causing each morning. Despite all this, I pushed on. Still following the recipes, managing my snacks, and experiencing how my body was ridding itself of the toxins I had consumed all year. I began feeling a noticeable change in how I felt physically, and once I got over being grumpy, there was a change in how I felt emotionally too.
Days 7-10 Of The 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse
There was no turning back as day seven approached. I was too close to the finish line to turn back now, though I really wanted to. Days one through three garnered no cravings, but these last three days I wanted any and everything. I was in the thick of holiday party season, and hearing food menus took me over the edge. I sent a few "I'm going to cheat" texts to my friends who quickly got me together and reminded me of my own strength. My body had begun visibly transforming by this point; I refused to mess it up this close to the end. (Honesty moment: I did cheat on Day 8, and boy was it worth it!)
By the end of the cleanse, I felt less bloated, had loads more energy, and was down 2.5 inches around my waist (without exercising). I was also — surprisingly — happier. I felt much lighter, physically and emotionally, and knew that completing this cleanse was the best way to end the year. However, the cleanse didn't just recharge me physically and emotionally, it provided a life lesson I didn't realize I needed.
Participating in this 10-day Green Smoothie Cleanse taught me how to win at life (and everything else I choose to conquer).
When I first considered doing the challenge, I read the lengthy packet and became immediately discouraged. Not because the content was discouraging — I'm sure it was meant to be exciting and uplifting — but because the cleanse itself seemed like too much. I wasn't disciplined enough to complete something like this. I wasn't focused enough to really stick with it. As I read the instructions "I can't do this!" echoed in my head. I had never tried anything like this, but for some reason, I just knew I couldn't do it.
I considered all the factors that would prohibit me from completing this cleanse: "It's the holiday season," "I received too many party invites," "I have a fridge full of food that needs to be eaten," "I can't not chew anything for 10 days," "I just ordered coquito." Any excuse I could conjure up, I used to talk myself out of the cleanse before I failed at it. Before I even tasted the first smoothie, I was discounting my ability to complete the task at hand. I was excusing myself for my shortcomings before I even fell short.
I was prematurely counting myself out.
I realized that in order for me to actually do this, I couldn't do that. I couldn't tear myself down before I began. I had to trust myself enough to stand firm in my commitment. Too often we sell ourselves short before we have the opportunity to prove ourselves…to ourselves. We get a new job and are instantly worried that we won't measure up. We explore school options but become immediately anxious that we won't be able to handle the workload. We get engaged then become fearful that our marriage may end in divorce. We start new friendships and worry that those new friends will betray us. We draft an email and figure that no one will even respond. We experience any level of growth, and become concerned that we won't be able to sustain it.
These thoughts creep into our minds and stop us dead in our tracks. We think we've done ourselves a favor by preventing failure, before we actually fail.
That's not a favor, though — that, in itself, is failure. Not trying. Giving up on ourselves. Cancelling our journey before we even start it. We're not helping ourselves by trying to stop the pain before it starts, we're simply selling ourselves short.
Once I realized how my premature excuses were setting me up for failure, I immediately stopped those thoughts. I committed myself to the detox (and whatever journey it took me on), and I owned it. I vowed to handle any shortcomings when they happened, and not a moment before. I refused to sit in anticipation of failure, and instead, decided to give my all to this process and pray for the best. This strategy was much better than the one I utilized during my initial review. This one told me I could do this — and do it I did.
In order to soar in the ways you're called to, we must commit ourselves to the cause, and count ourselves in — not out. We must stop revoking our ability to conquer.
The only way to experience winning, is to give ourselves the opportunity to win. Not by crafting excuses to lighten the blow if we don't, but by trusting ourselves enough to know that we can.
10 days of smoothies taught me that.
Related Articles
8 Best Detox Water Recipes To Get You Back On Track – Read More
My 5-Day Fruit & Vegetable Cleanse Was Not What I Expected – Read More
What Happened When I Cut Out Processed Foods, Meat & Dairy For A Week – Read More
Featured image by Getty Images
Zoe Hunter is the writer, speaker, and creator behind the women empowerment brand DEAR QUEENS. She uses vulnerability, storytelling, and spiritual development to empower women toward healthy decision-making. Stay connected to Zoe's work by visiting DEARQUEENS.com or following her on Twitter @zDEARQUEENS.
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 LIST 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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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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