Why this cleanse is different from previous ones

In my past quest to find the perfect diet or magic solution to my eating challenges, I had the honour of having my path cross with Dr. Jodi Larry Naturopath, several years ago. Aside from one-on-one sessions with her, I participated a couple of times in her 10-day cleanses that eliminate dairy, gluten, sugar and most artificial sweeteners, alcohol, red meat, seafood, and caffeine (I am sure I am forgetting something). Each time I was immersed in one, I felt lighter on my feet, proud of myself and convinced that I would never allow sugar back into my life. Dr. Larry encourages the 80/20 rule of eating “clean” 80% of the time and leaving 20% for indulgences that come up in our regular lives. Sadly I really struggled to maintain this ratio and as someone who gets really stuck in “all or nothing” thinking, my needle would swing much further away from the 20%.

When I started my training to become a Mind Body Eating Coach, one of the first modules discussed the importance of not restricting foods as this automatically leads to us craving these very foods even more. Because of this notion, I started avoiding approaches that I felt were restrictive in any way. For me, when I deviated from any plan I would get really upset with myself and feel shame and frustration. Eliminating certain foods would confuse me even more about what foods I “should” eat and which ones I wasn’t “allowed”. So for a couple of years when I would see Dr. Larry post about her cleanses, I would avoid them because I didn’t think it was healthy for my journey to participate in one.

Fast forward to when Dr. Larry was advertising for her Alumni Cleanse For Life group to begin in October, which involved 5 in-person group meetings and her 10-day cleanse within this time. Initially I kept ignoring the emails, however I kept feeling a pull to register for the program. And I am so thankful that I did on so many levels. We finished the 10-day cleanse last Wednesday and here are 10 things that I have taken away from this cleanse so far:

1) I can cope with stress and overwhelm without sugar; I am on Day 13 of not having refined sugar even over Halloween!

2) Telling myself I “choose” not to have certain foods because I realize how they will ultimately make me feel is different from telling myself I am not “allowed” to have them. By choosing to avoid certain foods to feel better physically and/or mentally, I am not actually restricting

3) If I do choose to have any non cleanse friendly foods moving forward, I don’t need to punish or shame myself but rather treat this decision with love and make the next choice based on how the food makes me feel

4) Planning out the 20% of indulging is really helpful to ensure that it stays somewhat managed

5) There are so many yummy indulgent snacks that you can buy and make that don’t have refined sugars and are equally delicious. And without the refined sugar, you are less inclined to go overboard on these “treats”.

6) Being in a group emphasizes how much we are all the same and share the same thoughts around food and being naturally drawn to sugar. When we are alone feeling ashamed for going overboard on snacks, we don’t realize how many others are in very similar boats.

7) Accountability is so helpful. Having others to check in with over the 10 days and even after was really key to staying the course.

8) Being more in tune with your body can help you realize how foods truly make you feel. For example, my husband was making himself an egg sandwich on challah for lunch yesterday and I started craving it. So I had the same thing with a slice of cheese and felt so bloated and more sluggish after. Next time I am craving these foods, I can remind myself how I feel after eating them and decide if I still want them

9) Getting rid of vices such as food gives us more space to sit with ourselves and tune into our emotions

10) The more we love and respect ourselves, the more we want to nourish our body in a way that energizes us physically and emotionally

I still agree that if you want the cake, eat the cake…provided it makes you feel good!! Slow down and take the time to assess how it will ultimately make you feel. I am so grateful to have had this experience of being in this group.