So I am a little late with this week’s installment. I got side tracked this weekend with spring cleaning the kitchen and organising cupboards (which I get some kind of weird kick out of).
IQS week 5 started well and I definitely felt quite energised by Thursday from my liver cleanse regime that I decided to tackle as the detox part of this week. However, it all came to a crashing halt on Friday with my first real lapse to my old ways. My justification – the end of a really long, busy term combined with my usual “that time of the month” cravings. So I indulged in a decidedly delightful lamington at the end of term morning tea, chased that with an equally delicious carrot cake cupcake at lunch and a bag of Maltezers after dinner. Well, I guess a blow out is a blow out.
Woke up on Saturday with what can only be described as a sugar hangover. The heavy -headed, thick, lethargic feeling is one I have not experienced for weeks. Very interesting. In some ways I don’t regret this lapse as I have learnt a lot about my body’s reactions to sugar. I am so much more mindful of the incredible strides I have made towards health over these past 5 weeks. And I have learnt that I can cope with a lapse like this, not feel too guilty and just move forward making more positive decisions food wise than unhelpful ones. Massive progress really.
Even the hangover feeling I woke up with passed quickly after a whole lot of water with lemon and focusing on getting started on the spring cleaning. The fact that I felt I had the energy to tackle the task at hand is amazing to me. The change in my energy levels for the better is rather overwhelming to me.
Another tool in my health and wellness journey I have this week rediscovered – The Gabriel Method. I read Jon Gabriel’s book a few years ago and got a lot out of it at the time. I found his visualisation techniques very helpful (although the results for me were not long-lasting and my body definitely defaulted back to its old ways after about a year). I found the book again and have reread it. I have now decided to try the guided meditations Cellular Wisdom listed on his website. I have thought for a long time now that setting aside that quiet time each day such as meditation or yoga must be highly beneficial. I like the idea of this being guided – need all the help I can get. It seems to me that a better mind-body connection can only improve health and wellness outcomes rather than just focusing on food and drink.
Right, time to soldier on into week 6 – adding back a little sweetness. I have already tried the Raspberry Ripple. This is decadent and delicious – with the freshness of the berries (oh, how I missed the berries!) and the richness of the cacao. And just a the tiniest taste is enough to sate the need for sweetness.
Great progress Cath! Wish you were here with me … BEST healthy food and the most caring environment I have ever experienced. One day …. 🙂