Day 8 (day 2 of the detox week) of the Beachbody 21 Day ReSet has been my most painful.  As I write, I am lying in my bed taking deep breaths just trying to allow the back pain to pass.  My body is alive with aches and pains and fatigue today.

I should have expected this.  The first week was all about preparing our bodies for THIS week – the “Detoxification” week.  I have been doing ample amounts of online research to determine the justification for this pain.

I keep getting the same message.

My body is releasing toxins into the bloodstream.

The importance of drinking tons of water during this phase is also crucial.  This finally flushes those toxins OUT of your body.

My 24 year old daughter, who is also doing the Reset, is feeling no pain.  I, on the other hand, almost 47, have been around longer to absorb theses toxins.

So, what ARE these toxins anyway?????  I feel stupid for even asking the question.  But, really, I am fairly healthy.  I don’t live near a chemical plant or garbage dump.  I don’t smoke.  How can my body be so filled with toxins?

You would be amazed.

I did some research and found a few sites that have totally creeped me out in how much badness there is to contaminate our bodies.  I had no idea (well. . .some, but not enough to really freak me out).

Toxins are in our shampoos, make up, perfume, soaps, cleaning products, paint fumes, plastics, sunscreens, sick buildings, vaccinations, flu shots, fabrics, pesticides,  and even our cell phones and computer screens emit toxins into our bodies.

I am deeply troubled though, by the amount of toxins that enter into our bodies on and in our food.  There are thousands of chemicals intentionally added to our foods, not to mention the additional chemicals added during processing and storage.  Aughhhh!

But. . . thank goodness!  There is hope!

When I finish this Reset, I am making some life changes in order to reduce the amount of toxins I consume.  Here are a few of them:

1. Buy fresh produce.

Not in bags, not frozen, not in cans.  FRESH.  Better yet, buy from a farmer’s market.  Better than that, figure out how to grow a garden and freeze and can for winter.

2.  Buy an Ultrasonic Food Washer.

Even if your produce is fresh, they still contain chemicals and toxins. Washing them throughly is critical.  This food washer is the answer to eliminating the majority of those baddies.

3.  Start buying organic beauty products. . . shampoos, soaps, etc.

I’m nervous about the quality and cost compared to what I buy now, but that is a bridge I’ll have to cross.  By now, surely, you’d think some companies have created some quality products.  If you know of any, please let me know.

Along with eating clean, drinking tons of water, exercise and epsom salt baths, this will be my new beginning!

What kinds of life changes could you make to live a healthier life without toxins?

Shari 🙂

 

(illustration from http://www.nativevilliage.org