FAQs – Is this program for me?
7 day detox Q+A’s
- Who exactly needs to detox?
Anyone can benefit from a detox program. You don't need to be sick and you don't need to be well. The act of detoxifying the body is not only an incredibly powerful way to jump-start any treatment or wellness regimen but also one of the most powerful PREVENTATIVE health measures you can take. People with the following conditions will undoubtedly feel a significant shift from this program: Low energy, irritability, lacklustre, despondency, anxiety/depression, lethargy, brain fog or insomnia, stiff joints, body pain or inflammation, poor digestion, IBS, gastritis, constipation, bloating or gas, Candida overgrowth or parasites, headaches, allergies, low immunity, hormone imbalances, cravings/addictions for sugar, carbs, alcohol or caffeine.
However, if you suffer from insufficient kidney function, severe anaemia or Type 1 Diabetes, you will need to advise your health care practitioner before starting the program and if appropriate, the program will need to be adapted. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is not recommended that you undergo a detox program since your body is on a different trajectory at this time. Remember that I am always available as support to your program so amendments to the protocol can always be made before your start dates and in real-time.- How much weight will I loose?
The majority of participants lose between 2-5 kg in 7 days. This is not a weight loss programme, but the nature of a detox is to burn fat. Non-water-soluble toxins are stored in our fat cells and so when we ramp up fat metabolism, we eliminate toxins and weight (fat) loss is unavoidable. If you do not want to lose any weight, you will be given guidelines in the Post-Detox information on how to put back any weight loss in a healthy and sustainable way. Equally, if you want to continue on after the program losing weight until you reach your optimum weight, you are in a very strong position to do so and will also be given tips on how to achieve appropriate weight loss in a safe way.
- I’m Pregnant. Can I still participate in the program?
No. It is not recommended for pregnant women to partake in a detox program. Because the nature of my program is quite intense, it is not a good idea to re-work your digestive system which directly correlates with your hormones and weight loss. Pregnancy requires an entirely different approach to building and maintaining health as almost all bodily systems are busy building a new life. The best time to undergo a detox program is when you stop breastfeeding or if you are trying to get pregnant.
- I’m breastfeeding, can I detox?
No, It is not recommended for lactating women to partake in a detox program. Because the nature of my program is quite intense, it is not the ideal time to re-work your digestive system which directly correlates with your hormones and weight loss. A lactating woman's body is on a specific trajectory, there are many healthy foods and practice that support this unique biological function. The best time to undergo a detox program is as soon as you stop breastfeeding or if you are trying to get pregnant.
- I’m trying to get pregnant. Is a detox a good idea?
Yes. My protocol is based on the Ayurvedic system of detoxification called Panchakarma. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is recommended that anyone trying to conceive, both men and woman, undergoes a full Panchakarma program to prepare the body for conception. Ayurveda also teaches that the quality of both the egg and sperm can be improved and strengthened by properly eliminating the toxins stored within the body before conception. According to Ayurvedic medicine and many holistic health practices, the process of deep cleaning not only boosts the chance of conception but can also create a healthier fetus.
- I need to eat! Will I feel hungry on the program?
- Very few of my past participants have complained of hunger during the program (shockingly few)! More people remark on how much easier it was than they ever anticipated. The unique part of the program is that there are three days of preparing the body for the liquid fast, which makes it much easier than most people expect. Will it be challenging at times? Yes, but once you are in it, and have completed 3 full days of preparation, you will be quite amazed and surprised at just how easy it is to go without food. Of course, hunger will come up but is completely manageable with the tricks and techniques taught in the program. If being hungry brings up fear for you, this may give you the opportunity to combat some of your own issues around food as security. I am always happy to discuss this with you. The victorious feeling from fasting is very empowering.
- Do couples have good experiences doing the program together?
- Doing the detox program as a couple can deepen and strengthen the relationship through mutually supported goals as well as a proactive combined effort at home to improve your overall quality of life. During the program, it sure is nice to be sharing the same meals and teas and treatments with a loved one, so in many ways, it can really and truly enhance not only the process but also the core relationship. That said, it is very important to give each other space during the program to go through your own unique experience. No matter how close you are as a couple; you are still completely unique individuals with your own needs as well as physical and emotional responses. If you want to detox with your partner, let me know and I will send you both my Detox for Couples Survival Guide, outlining ways to support each other through the process and come out as a stronger union. Happy healthy people make happy healthy couples.
- I am a terrible cook, what kitchen skills will I need to make the detox dishes?
No, you do not need to be a good cook or have any kitchen skills. The dishes you will make are extremely basic and practically foolproof. There are no complicated recipes and anyone can make these simple mono-diet dishes.
- What will I need to buy to be prepared for the program?
- Everything you need to purchase is listed in the PRE-DETOX package you will receive before your program starts. Many of you will already have some of these basic groceries and ingredients. Everything can be easily purchased the week before the program from local grocery and health food shops.
- I am very athletic and workout every day. How with the detox affect my training?
- The important thing to keep in mind is that you must first and foremost REST the body in order to promote the cellular regeneration and repair needed to properly detoxify the body. Therefore, a detox program is not the time to try to improve athletic performance. Unlike normal training where “pushing your limits” can be a good thing, in this case, it will be counterproductive. You must listen to your body, if it wants to rest, rest. In general, you can continue with your exercise/training routine but at 50-70% effort. Athletes will find that by staying active, but less active than normal, once they finish the program they will return to their training with more strength, focus and endurance.
- Should I continue with my regular exercise regimen?
- When we exercise normally, it is most beneficial to give ourselves that extra "push", for a really good workout. But in this case, it's the opposite, leaning back into less effort is the best approach. One of the best types of exercise for the detox is brisk walking outside in fresh air, preferably in nature, bringing in as much fresh oxygen to the system as possible. The anti-inflammatory effects of the detox will most likely improve your workout/flexibility/stamina so give yourself the opportunity to get there, making deep rest the priority for the 7-days. If you are an athlete or in training, you will need to keep it up at the minimum amount required.
- I don’t do any exercise at all. Is exercise required during the program?
Although rest and relaxation are fundamental to the detox process; moving your body every day is a very close second. You will need to get your body moving once a day if you can. Even a 15-minute brisk walk will help keep the process on track and be of great assistance. If you are considering partaking in the detox program, you can start to prepare your body with the simple practice of a brisk 15 walk every morning and evening.
- I WILL NEED TO WORK DURING THE PROGRAM, IS THAT A PROBLEM?
- Most people are able to work throughout the detox week without any problems. But in a perfect world, you would be able to take as much time off (the whole week ideally) as needed. If this just isn't an option for you, then you can still follow the program while working. You will need to be quite organized beforehand, making sure you have read the program manual thoroughly before you start so you have a good idea of how to plan and organize your week. Any time lost at work will be made back up again when you return with more focus, energy and positivity. Ideally, you let your body, not your schedule guide your experience. The more space and freedom you can create in your detox week, the better it will be. If you can not get time off work, you should know that pushing yourself too hard during the program will be extremely counter-productive to the program. Rest and relaxation are essential to the detoxification process and success of the protocol. Keeping the central nervous system in “chill-out” mode is key to allowing the natural bodily function of detoxification to kick in. Being stressed out during the detox week is 100% against the objective and to be avoided. Far better to wait for a week where you can put yourself first.
- Should I take a week off from work?
- Taking a week off work for the detox program is an excellent idea. What a great way to invest your time, really looking after yourself, making sure that when you return to work, you are more energetic, more focussed and positive, looking and feeling your best. The benefits of the program can be greatly improved by lots of downtime: relaxing walks in nature, days at the spa getting massages and saunas… so, of course, it would be great to have a free week for the program. It is important to remember that we are already detox machines, and our bodies are doing this for us day in, day out but even more so when we are asleep or in deep states of rest. The more time you can spend in deep states of relaxation during your detox program, the great the benefits will be.
- If I take a day off work, which day should it be?
- The ideal day to have off from work is DAY-1 of the program. If you are following a set-date program, DAY-1 is generally a Friday. There are lots of steps to follow in the morning routine and since this is the first day of the program, it can take a little extra time until you get used to all the new things, which gets easier and quicker with practice! There are also special meals you will have to prepare for yourself and this can take extra time before work. Having DAY-1 free to get settled into the program is ideal. DAY-3, the Virechana purge day is a 'stay-home' day and you must not have any outside commitments on this day.
- What is the most challenging day of the program?
There is absolutely no way of knowing this. Everyone is so radically unique in the way they experience this detox process. Even people who have been through my protocol 2 and 3 times, still have vastly different experiences each time. Some people even start to feel detox symptoms on Day 1. And of course, some feel excellent every day right up until day 7. Just go with your own flow, let it be what it will be and trust the process.
- Isn’t it dangerous not to eat?
- No, it is not dangerous to fast. This is a myth. Unless you are diabetic, anaemic or have insufficient kidney function, you are safe to fast, especially the type of fasting that we do on this program. In fact, there are countless health benefits to abstaining from food periodically. When you rest the digestive system, you free up extra energy that gets redirected to cellular renewal and detoxification which is incredibly beneficial. More specifically, medical research has shown that fasting can help balance blood sugar levels, promotes an anti-inflammatory response, improve heart health, boosts overall brain function, prevent neurodegenerative disorders, boosts fat metabolism, increase growth hormone secretion and is associated with anti-ageing and longevity in general.
- I am responsible for feeding my family, will I be able to sit and eat with them during the program??
- Yes, you can prepare other peoples food and sit and eat (or not) with them. The hardest part about being around other people’s food is the smell, after all, it is the aroma and spices of food that gets our digestive juices flowing and signal to our brain its time to eat. For most people, preparing meals for their families can be quite easy since it is such a fixed part of their routine. If you want to join your family at meals, just be prepared to feel stimulated by the food. There is no reason you cannot sit and enjoy their company with your own detox-plan food, teas or liquid fasting drinks. You will need to be strong, but you are strong, which is why you're here. I might suggest that you ask them in advance for their support around your decision to detox and not fill you with fears or temptations while you are on the program. You can even go one step further and get them involved, have them try the dishes and teas. They will surely be impressed by your dedication to your own well-being. Good health is always shared with those we love.
- During the detox week I have a lunch/dinner booked with friends, can I go? What should I eat?
- Being around other people drinking and eating can be quite challenging while on a detox or cleanse program especially since the aroma of food will stimulate your appetite and make it very hard to stick to your resolve. In order to get the results you want, and the results I've promised you, you must stick to the protocol as closely as humanly possible. The program is really short in comparison to how many wonderful and lovely meals you can enjoy in your lifetime! So my advice would be to take the path of least resistance and either opt-out or reschedule for when you are back in full force. If your lunch/dinner companions are people who back your efforts to find new levels of health, and whose company leaves you feeling loved, secure and grounded, then they will understand your choice to stick to your personal transformation plan. Some people find it extremely satisfying to be able to mingle and socialize while still following the protocol as it only reinforces their own victorious dedication to their health. If you find yourself unable to reschedule or opt-out of dinner or social plans, let me know and we will make a detox survival food plan for you.