Tips for Success ~ 21-Day Sugar Detox

I started the 21-Day Sugar Detox a week early to test out food portions, recipes, snacks, etc as I know how planning is the key tom success.  I work full-time, teach @ 3 different gyms, commute about 3 hours per week, have two kids, am trying to launch a new business and do all of the food planning for our family.

If you haven't downloaded your copy yet, download now @ www.the21daysugardetox.com and be sure to enter your email address as Diane updates the manual throughout the program and you will receive an updated manual and supplement via email.


Here are my tips:


(1) Take Diane's food list and be realistic about what you will actually eat when you grocery shop.  Trying a bunch of new meat recipes may lead to becoming discouraged and frustrated when the food doesn't taste the way that you hoped.  Take her list, pick the foods you know that you like or will eat and shop from that list.  After week 1, you can get creative if you'd like, but learn from me.  I made about half the recipes in Diane's manual and tossed out about 6 of them as I just couldn't stand the taste.

(2) Keep it simple - seriously folks, keep it really simple.  The easier it is, the easier it will be to stay on track.  We used Romaine lettuce in lieu of tortillas, bread, etc for just about all of the meat dishes and all were tasty.  I cut up lots of fresh vegetables - carrots, jicama, celery, broccoli, celery, etc. for dipping in fresh guacamole.  Add meat to really big salads (I didn't do this well test week 1 and I will definitely do next week).

(3) Watch portion sizes - for every meal, 2/3rd should be vegetables and the 1/3 should be protein & fat.  Watch the fat as it should be about 10% of your meal.  I made the mistake of too much fat in week one and it did not sit well with my stomach at all.  I am making some bigger changes this week.

(4) Eat when you are hungry, but don't let yourself get to the point where you are starving.  I made this mistake last week as well.  I am used to keeping fruit and nuts in my bags as quick snacks - which I didn't do this week.  On those days where I was out running errands, etc I went way too long without eating and then ate way too much when I was able to get to food.  I will plan better for this week.  If you know that you are someone who needs to eat 6 small meals, do that - but keep them small.

(5) If you have a crazy schedule and don't get home until later in the evening and know that you won't be eating until 7(pm) or later, make this your lightest meal - maybe salad topped with grilled chicken and sliced avocado.  I made this mistake as well and when it was time for bed, I was incredibly uncomfortable.  I will make this adjustment this week and eat lighter in the evenings as I am not able to eat before 7:30(pm) most evenings due to commute and the kids.

(6) Get some exercise every single day and try to exercise early - WHY?  The endorphines set the tone and your mood for the day.  Also, it sets your metabolism for the day.  It also results in you eating less over the course of the day...yep, it's true.  Be sure to subscribe to this blog as I am going to upload a video later in the week that shows how you can use what you have in your own home right now to use to be able to do a complete workout in your own living room. Set our alarm 30 minutes earlier and don't listen to ANY excuses that may enter your head.  Start small if you don't normally exercise - 15 minutes day one and add 5 minutes each and every day thereafter.

(7) Plan to fall asleep earlier than usual.  Holy smokes folks, this was a big change for me.  If I didn't shower by 8(pm), there were problems for me as my body basically shut off between 8:45/9(pm) all week.  I feel asleep no matter where I was - even sitting at the table in front of my computer.  I have a 4(am) wake up time, so falling asleep at that time is probably a great idea. 

Stay tuned for more tips and posts during the official kick-off to the 21-Day Sugar Detox which stats tomorrow!

Get ready to be a better and healthier you in 2012!
Happy New Year Everyone

~ Amy