I always thought I was healthy. For years my exercise habits included weight training, HIIT, spin classes, boot camps, hiked, ran, hot yoga and pilates- you name it, I’ve tried it. My diet wasn’t much different. I’ve followed the 80/20 rule, done Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, keto, paleo, Noom, Golo, Lumen. Again, you name it, I’ve tried. No matter what, though, there was always a struggle with my weight and I was constantly exhausted. Despite my active lifestyle, my weight would not budge.
For years I blamed it on my career as a massage therapist, thinkin the physical and energetic nature of the job was what caused the constant joint and back pain. Even after slowing down my practice, I noticed I still wasn’t feeling any better. The decrease in output made zero difference in my level of pain. Finally, I decided to have some blood work done. This is a great place start because numbers don’t lie and will tell a completely different story.
A diagnosis of prediabetes, with high cholesterol and an even higher LDL scared me straight. “How could this be?”, I thought. I’m healthy, I cook most of my meals at home, and I workout at least 4 days a week! It forced me to take a good hard look at, not my present lifestyle, but my past.
Turning the mirror on yourself isn’t an easy process, but I had no choice. After some much needed self-reflection, I was forced to admit that my extensive years spent as the party girl did some long term damage to my organs and I was now unable to process fats and sugars the way I should be. Furthermore, my liver and gallbladder had crapped out to the point that my lymphatic system was holding on to fluids that my body couldn’t metabolize. This is why that “layer of puff” never seemed to go away.
I heard about Dr. John Douillard and Lifespa. He created the Ayurvedic Colorado Cleanse that’s a 3 part, 2 week reset where you eat certain foods at certain times, with herbs that are meant to detox and cleanse your organ system. I’ve done many cleanses and I can honestly say this is by far, the most effective and eliminating cleanse that I’ve ever done.
Ayurveda was a foundational part of my massage therapy school and understanding elemental theory was the basis for several styles of bodywork that I practiced. If you don’t know, Ayurveda is an ancient form of healing that’s history is rooted deep in Vedic philosophy. Ayurveda looks at the whole person, not just your symptoms. It takes into account everything- from how you sleep, how you eat and digest food, to what’s up with your poo, and how you handle stress. You are not separate from your organs. According to Ayurveda, you are one being and so you will heal as one being.
Knowing I had a lot to detox was a great motivator but by the end of the first day I wasn’t sure I could handle it. My head was pounding, I felt nauseous and exhausted. Bodies are amazing in how they process and eliminate, so I continued with the hot sips and dug into my fierce determination. Day 2-4 was much more tolerable but I still had a slight headache.
I was shocked! After 4 days of taking the herbs and following the recommended diet, my body had rid itself of so much inflammation. I started to feel much better but still had 10 days to go. Phase 2 of the cleanse is no joke! Since it was my first time, I stuck to the beginner’s dose of ghee. The thought of drinking liquid clarified butter is…well…totally gross. But in practice, it wasn’t all that bad. There was some waves of nausea but again, leaning into that determination, I knew it would be worth it.
If you like Indian food then kitchari is right up your alley! It’s an easily digestible staple in the cleanse and I couldn’t get enough of it! The recipe is simple with easy to find ingredients. I could see myself eating this 3 times a day with no problems. As the days passed, I experienced a surge of energy! The constant pain in my back and joints was gone- I couldn’t believe it! Could this really be some miracle cure?
By day 14, my layer of puff was gone! The pain in my joints and back completely disappeared and I no longer experienced that afternoon slug time. I experienced deep sleep for 8 hours every night and woke up before my alarm, every day, feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. My digestive system had the opportunity to really heal.
Nothing will motivate you more than feeling your best, and when you feel your best, you look your best. I’ll take that any day over wine and cheesecake.