The words cleansing and detox seem to be very big trigger words that get everyone all fired up. People want to know what they mean, and what to do about them. They wonder if cleansing is healthy, and how to get started. I want to make very clear that these are words that have a very broad range of definitions. Let me try to clear some of this up.

Cleansing means what it sounds like: to cleanse your system. However, the means by which you do it can vary greatly.

Toxins:

If you smoke, drink, and consume things like red meat, sugar, and coffee, simply cutting out these foods for a period of time is a version of a cleanse. Your body will start to detoxify your system naturally. (Detox means: to remove toxins.) If you decide to eat strictly fruits, vegetables and non-processed foods for a few days then this is a cleanse as well.

Examples of Cleanses:

In the past, when I have decided to cleanse my system it has ranged from eating only fruits, vegetables, pureed soups and brown rice to consuming only green juices for a week at a time. Some people cleanse with a raw vegan diet, which means only eating raw fruits, vegetables, raw nuts, soaked grains and nothing cooked at over 118.

The green juice cleanse is one version of a fast. Fasts also vary, from drinking only organic green juices to combining organic juices with broths and teas, to the master cleanse, which is a combination of water, fresh lemon, cayenne pepper and maple syrup.

Steps for a Successful Cleanse:

I really don't want to confuse you because this is an overwhelming topic. I would start by evaluating where you are, and cleanse at your level. Depending upon where your diet is now, progressively remove certain toxic substances in an attempt to slowly begin the cleansing process.

While cleansing, I find that it is important that toxins are properly removed from the system, so it is important to drink a lot of water and make sure that you are going to the bathroom.

It is also important to detox through your skin during the cleansing process. I often dry-brush or loofah my skin while cleansing. I typically use a dry towel, brush, or loofah on my dry skin in circular motions towards the heart and follow with a warm bath of epsom salts.

Exercise & Weight Loss:

As far as weight loss, I don't recommend fasting as a weight-loss tool. The weight often comes right back. Rather, use it as a jump-start to making healthier food choices. I have found cleansing to be helpful in getting rid of bloating; it also makes me feel healthier, lighter, and brighter.

While doing a cleanse, I prefer to do yoga, which relaxes me. I make sure to do poses to specifically detox the system, but do what you enjoy. Any type of exercise is beneficial because it provides detoxification through perspiration. Perspiration itself is a cleansing process.

Skinnygirl Daily:

As far as cleanse products, if it is a shelf-stable packaged or bottled juice, then it has been preserved to prevent perishability.I always prefer fresh organic live juices because they have all their vitamins and nutrients in their best form.

There are also many cleanse pills, teas and powder products. My experience has been that these products are extremely harsh. They smell terrible, and they make you run to the bathroom every few hours.This is not sustainable.You should not be running to the bathroom.This is not something you can maintain, and this is not a weight-loss tool.

This is why I created my own cleanse, Skinnygirl Daily Cleanse and Restore, to provide a solution to cleansing. As with everything in the "Skinnygirl" brand, this product is a simple solution to a common problem. This product consists of individual green lemonade packets that you put into a glass of water at night and/or in the morning.It gently cleanses the system on a daily basis while replenishing and restoring the system with vibrant greens. On a day-to-day basis, depending upon how I feel, I alter whether I take it at night or during the day, and whether I take it once per day or more.

The important distinction here is that this product is one that you can use every day and it "keeps things moving" while removing toxins from your system (detoxing). I've always suffered from constipation, yet I find most fiber products too harsh.

You can decide how to incorporate this cleanse into your life. If you're feeling very toxic, you can eliminate processed foods and alcohol from your diet. If you just need to "keep things moving" on a regular basis then incorporate this cleanse into your existing lifestyle.

You decide. Please don't be obsessive. This is a journey. Cleansing and detoxing is not black and white. Make it your own!!! Unleash your Skinnygirl!