Is it really almost summer? If you are like me, the seasons sneak up on you when you least expect it. I spent most of winter dreaming about warm weather and am grateful that it has arrived! A desire for lifestyle change excites me as the seasons turn. In the winter I choose to hibernate more while sunshine reminds me that I need to get outdoors and rid myself of toxic buildup.

My friends and I often participate in group 30 day challenges. One might choose a challenge of addition, such as running three times a week, while another chooses to eliminate a negative habit. I often give up alcohol or caffeine and add a yoga practice into my weekly schedule. Group support goes a long way, giving you that extra boost for reaching your personal best.

Recently, I decided I wanted to try a different approach to my challenges. Lisa Consiglio Ryan, friend and founder of Whole Health Design, suggested that I participate in one of her ten day detox programs. Weeks away from moving, a ten day detox was just what I needed to prepare my mind and body for the stresses ahead. I signed up, excited to see what Lisa had in store for me!

I soon found out that Lisa’s program caters specifically to your needs; it really is all about you. I filled out a health evaluation and mentioned that I was hoping for more energy and some weight loss. She quickly went to work, creating a ten day meal plan along with daily rituals to cleanse and help me remain energized throughout the ten days.

After a pep talk with Lisa, where she addressed concerns and pumped me up, it was time to begin. My new diet would be mostly RAW. Luckily Great Sage caters to such a diet and I was able to eat most of my meals while at work. We even have a salad called the RAW detox salad, perfect! Also included in the diet were specific cooked foods such as brown rice and various beans. I took alcohol and caffeine out of my diet as well as desserts, which was a hard one for me!

I began my mornings with lemon water and tinctures that Lisa sent me in the mail, that’s right, you get your very own package of health goodies that pertain to your needs! Every morning I did breathing and stretching exercises, a good way to focus before the day ahead. I learned the benefits  of dry brushing, a process that gets rid of dead skin cells and revitalizes your organs.

Mung beans, which can be cooked or sprouted, became a new favorite food to experiment with. Lisa included a recipe for a delicious mung bean stew that my boyfriend helped me prepare. The soup was hearty but didn’t sit heavy in my stomach. I love feeling satisfied without being overstuffed.

Another benefit of the detox was that it got me back into cooking. Taking time to enjoy the preparation of a meal makes every bite more satisfying. We live in a fast paced world, surrounded by grab and go snacks. How many times have you eaten breakfast while driving to work? Lisa reminded me that slowing down and enjoying both your food and the preparation is very rewarding.

Don’t get me wrong, I had my trials with the detox. My first full day without coffee left me sluggish and with a headache. I had to get up 45 minutes earlier each day to prepare smoothies and healthy snacks. There was an online forum for those detoxing to discuss issues, trade advice and help one another stay on track. Thankfully, Lisa checked in each day, providing tips and assuring me that if I could get past day five, I would notice a positive change in the way I felt.

Sure enough, I regained my energy, craved sugar and caffeine less and started to feel a positive shift in my body. Day ten arrived and I couldn’t believe the challenge was over; success! Food tasted better and my co-workers were complimenting my glowing skin. Feeling less bloated and losing five pounds was the icing on the cake!

The ten day detox taught me a lot, aside from exercising my willpower, I added healthy rituals into my life that brought amazing results. I am excited to enjoy the next three months of summer; however, when Fall arrives I will be certain to embrace the changes in nature by making changes in my life right alongside it.

Have you tried a healthy detox program before? How did it go and what did you learn? Let me know by leaving a comment!

For more information on various detox programs, check out Wholehealthdesigns

Katie Smallwood, Assistant Manager/Marketing at Great Sage