While some people choose to go into a sauna to sweat out π₯ the toxins in their body, the summers in Japan π―π΅ work just about the same when you step out the door. π
The weather has drastically changed from rainy season βοΈ to sweaty season π. Although I donβt feel that it is that hot in terms of temperature, the humidity makes the 91 degree F into something in the hundreds π₯΅. It also means that despite a cool-ish breeze, it is impossible to open windows to let the air circulate in the house due to the dampness that will surely enter instead. π§
Thus, itβs nothing by βdryβ function or straight AC all the time.
Somehow, though, I think I have gradually adjusted to it and accepted that the next month or so is going to be filled with trying to remember to take a hand towel π§π½ββοΈ with me everywhere to wipe the sweat from walking between air-conditioned locales.
In a way, this has timed well with my decision to do a food detox. Since I donβt particularly like to cook, π
π½ββοΈπ©π½βπ³ and especially donβt enjoy doing it for just myself, it was a perfect time to give it a go.
Although I regularly do intermittent fasting once or twice a week to maintain my weight, I found that my body was getting used to it and I was gaining more than I liked. Therefore, I decided to try a full-on five day cleanse. ππ½ββοΈ
This means that I did the following:
*Drink warm freshly squeezed lemon π water in the morning in lieu of tea or coffee.
*Drink water or sports drinks throughout the day (to fight the humidity sweats).
*Drink dandelion tea at night with a few more glasses of water.
*Have a simple smoothie of half a banana π, frozen berries π, super-green powder and fruit juice or water on the few occasions when I felt weak or just wanted a variation of liquid.
After six days, actually, I returned to food, but following Lyn-Genet Recitasβs _The Plan_ to become more aware of what food my body reacts negatively to.
This is based on the idea that there are a number of ingredients that we eat that can cause bloating, indigestion, constipation, π₯΄ etc., which are considered negative reactions. We tend not to pay attention to how our bodies react to the food that we eat because we eat everything altogether and do not carefully consider which specific thing we ate could have caused the reaction.
As I have become more and more sensitive to food, air, nature, etc. as I get older, I have noticed an increase in skin issues, digestive concerns, and more. Therefore, I would like to investigate π€ in a natural and methodical way what my body is doing with the food that I put into it.
Even on the detox, I have noticed that my throat has slowly been constricting π² from either lemons or dandelion tea. Iβm leaning towards the dandelion tea as the culprit since it is the newest addition to my intake list and as Iβm allergic to grass, itβs probably related. Unfortunately, the symptoms can take days for me to realize what is happening since it does not come on instantly like other reactions that I can have. So, I am eliminating it now while keeping everything else the same for a couple of days (i.e. not adding in anything different or new until I see if the reaction in my throat goes away). If it doesnβt after a couple of days, then Iβll eliminate the lemon water as well and see if that does it.
In any case, Iβm in a holding pattern now with the carrot-ginger soup π₯£ and steamed broccoli π₯¦. Though, I think I will try the hummus I made with carrots π₯ as well since these ingredients are not meant to be reactive according to The Plan (though I still could have reaction to these as well).
While my goal was not to lose weight βοΈ exactly, I have already lost 3 kg (6.6 lbs) in just about a week. Some of that would obviously be water weight, though I feel as if I was drinking enough water to counter that! So, thatβs a kind of perk. More happily for me personally is that the underlying 4-pack Iβve been working on at the gym ππ½ββοΈ is finally showing itself since the flabby belly that was hiding it is starting to disappear. It helps me to see what areas to work on more in my workouts. π
So, the journey continues. I have another week on my own to not be overly influenced by my hubbyβs eating habits π€£π and to keep on experimenting with my food. Hopefully π€π½, by the time he comes back Iβll have a base to be able to keep me on track (and maybe get him started?!).
Iβll keep you posted on what I find! ππ½
~T π
