There are many "lose weight fast" diets out there but most don't address the importance of detoxing. Why do so many diets work to begin with and then a plateau is reached? One reason is because our fat cells are holding on to toxins. Over time we have accumulated toxins through internal and external sources. It is our fat cells that hold onto these toxins to protect our bodies from their damaging effects. It IS a wonderful thing that our bodies do this! The problem occurs when our liver is overworked and cannot remove the influx of toxins quickly enough. As our weight is coming off, from our latest "diet", toxins that were held in our fat cells are being released into our system at such a rate that our liver can't keep up. Plateau, here we come! So, how CAN we detox and lose weight fast?

There are several important aspects to detoxification and weight loss:

-Eating whole foods

• Lots of fresh vegetables and fruit, green drinks, complex carbs, nuts, legumes, lean meats.

-Supporting liver detoxification and elimination

• Getting rid of toxins through regular bowel movements, supporting Phase I and Phase II liver detoxification, cleansing the liver.

-Get moving

• Exercise, far infrared sauna, ozone sauna, lymphatic massage, rebounding, dry brushing to stimulate and detox the lymphatic system.

-Limiting exposure to toxins: internal and external

• Being conscious of what we take into our bodies, what we breathe and what we touch. Understanding that chemicals are part of our daily lives and choosing to limit our exposure, where possible, so our health can flourish.

Eating Whole Foods

Whole foods are packed with thousands of phytonutrients. These, along with vitamins, minerals and macronutrients promote good health. When foods are processed we lose a significant amount of those essential nutrients. Our cells have energy. In order for our cells to keep producing energy we need to take in the highest quality fuel, whole foods, the least processed, most nutritious. A variety of whole foods is ideal. We receive isolated nutrients from foods we don't eat often. These help complete our phytonutrients to give us vibrant health. When our bodies are getting the nutrients we need, we stop craving the foods that are bad for us.

Liver Detoxification and Elimination

The liver is our largest internal organ. It is amazing. It controls our blood sugar, regulates fat storage and blood flow, supports the digestive system, stores and drives our energy. For women, it keeps our menstrual cycles running smoothly. The most important function our liver has is chemically breaking down and processing everything that enters our body, from the healthiest organic foods we eat to the harmful chemicals we may only touch or breathe.

The liver's job is to distinguish between the nutrients we need and those that are unnecessary, toxic substances that have to be filtered out through our bloodstream. When our liver is overrun with toxins, it cannot do an effective job processing fats and nutrients. We will have more and more difficulty losing weight and keeping it off that more toxic our bodies become.

Choosing foods that have cleansing properties like dark leafy greens, beets, cruciferous vegetables, lemon juice are an easy way to begin the detox process. Coffee enemas are another highly effective and inexpensive way to support liver detoxification. There is more information on how to incorporate coffee enemas into your routine.

Exercise

It is very important to get the lymph system moving. This is critical to helping our body detox. A person who is overweight most likely has poor circulation. Heavy metal toxins can cause a person's microcirculatory system to shut down. So depending on ones physical ability, a person would benefit from including any of the following into their daily/weekly routine: exercise, far infrared sauna, ozone sauna, lymphatic massage, rebounding, dry brushing to stimulate and detox the lymphatic system.

Limiting Exposure to Toxins

INTERNAL: Try to incorporate more organic food into your diet, especially foods listed on the dirty dozen list. Avoid foods with additives and artificial colors/flavors, foods that are highly processed and foods with added hormones.

EXTERNAL: Be conscious of anything you breathe or touch. For example, cleaning products, paint products, garden chemicals, etc. Those are the obvious toxins but also think about perfumes and colognes, lotions, make-up, hair products, deodorants, toothpastes, laundry detergents and fabric softeners. Most of these products do not fall under the same regulations as does our food. So chemicals and solvents can be used to the detriment of our health. These toxins go right into our skin very effectively, just like administering a drug through a patch on our skin.

Realize that depending on your level of health to start with, making these changes will either help you feel AMAZING or start you off on a process of detoxing that can make you feel pretty lousy. Do not get discouraged or be afraid of this. If you feel lousy, be encouraged that you are on the right path. Some of the symptoms you may experience are: headache, nausea, achy, flu-like symptoms, etc. You will continue to gain strides in your health. I know first hand that this can be a process. I have been dealing with Lyme Disease and several co-infections that have made my road to health a challenge. I have made tremendous progress and feel healthier than I have in years. I feel like I finally know how to be healthy!