If you read last month’s newsletter, you’ll remember my crash back down to earth, after a warm and sunny break in Cape Town. We are all human, and yes, I was a little over-indulgent; I was on holiday after all! As I returned home and felt the after effects, it was time for me to get back on track, so this has been an interesting month! I decided to road test a new diet that would not only shift those extra pounds, but as I discovered, could really benefit some of my clients.

Michael Mosley’s 8-week blood sugar diet

As the name suggests, the blood sugar diet https://thebloodsugardiet.com/ involves a complete sugar ban, as well as no refined foods, so be ready to cut out your morning toast and jam, and afternoon biscuit. It may sound like a challenge, but I promise, you’ll thank me for it! I followed the diet rigidly for two weeks, as I just needed to return to my post-holiday physique, which I can maintain throughout the year with a balanced diet. I lost just over an inch around my waist and 3.5kg in weight, so it was a great success. Whether you need a short-term fix after a little over-indulgence, or a long-term solution to losing weight and changing your eating habits, I thoroughly recommend giving it a go.

Time to detox

But if this sounds a little drastic and you’re simply in need of a spring clean, I have a slightly less challenging alternative. The human body has a natural ability to detox, but with the toxins that surround the world we live in, from environmental pollutants to refined foods, it’s put under increasing pressure. The liver has a tough job as it detoxifies, collects proteins, assists the immune system and produces hormones, to name just a few. With this amount of responsibility, you can see how it can become overwhelmed, especially when Pinot Grigio and a bowl of salty snacks are added into the mix! There is a limit to how much your liver can handle and once it’s overloaded, the toxins are stored in the body’s fat cells, which in turn, will have a detrimental effect on your health. A regular detox should become part of your routine; if any of the symptoms below sound familiar, your body is trying to tell you something, and it could be time for a spring clean.

Spot the signs

• Sensitivity to strong smells, certain foods or chemicals
• Chronic fatigue or a continual feeling of tiredness
• Fibromyalgia (muscle pain and fatigue)
• Headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Joint pain

Kath’s tips for a successful spring clean

• It’s official! We should now eat 10 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Doing so, will give your body the tools it needs to detox naturally.
• Try the blood sugar diet if you need to lose a few pounds. If you’d like to change your eating habits without losing weight, try the Mediterranean Diet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_diet which allows for a wider range of fresh food.
• I thoroughly recommend the Healthy Starter Pack http://kathgriffin.eu.nspshop.com/healthy_starter_pack as a simple way to detox. I do this once a year. You may experience headaches in the first few days, but stick with it, as you’ll feel on top of the world afterwards.
• If your bowel movements are irregular, your body is hanging onto unwanted toxins. Increase your fibre intake and drink plenty of water. Try one teaspoon of Psyllium Hulls http://kathgriffin.eu.nspshop.com/psyllium_hulls_(100) every morning and evening, followed by a glass of water.
• Read the book Your Body’s Many Cries for Water by F. Batmanghelidj and you’ll understand why it’s so important!
• Download the Jason Vale 3-day juice diet to give your liver a boost.
• Your liver will love the introduction of turmeric, coriander, beetroot and lemon into your diet.
• Alpha Lipoic acid http://www.epigenetics-international.com/product/1898/Alpha_Lipoic_Acid_100mg_pack_of_60_capsules is also great at supporting your liver.