The 12-Step No-tox
Let’s face it.
If a 30-day juice fast, daily diet pill or extreme detox was healthy, maintainable and actually worked, we’d all be doing it. But it doesn’t work. In the real world, we need to be more, well…realistic. After a weekend of one too many spoonfuls of blue cheese, no workouts and paltry amount of fruits + veggies, there is no need to feel guilty and force yourself to detoxify in crazy, unhealthy ways (which I used to do, with NO success…ever).
Instead, try…
“The Healthy Everythingtarian’s 12-Step No-tox!“
No gimmicks, no crazy pills, no fasting. When I feel like things have gotten a lil’ out of balance, here are the 12 steps I live by to even things out and get back on track…
- Sleep. Last night, I went to bed at 9:30pm and woke up at 6:30am feeling refreshed. It may seem like a lot to many people, but nine hours of sleep is perfection to me.
- Eat a balanced breakfast. Peanut butter + banana on sprouted Ezekiel bread works everytime for me – it is such a good combo of carbs, fats and proteins that is sure to last me at least 3-4 hours.
- Drink an extra cup of coffee (or two). Contrary to popular belief, I am a firm believer in caffeine. When I am getting back in the saddle after drinking too much wine falling off the horse, an additional cuppa joe (or tea, for that matter) gives me the extra boost I need to make it to step 12.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Preferably, with water. H2O is a great cleanser for the body. If you are feeling a little off or ishy, shoot for at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water. And…don’t argue with me about whether or not the eight glasses of water a day rule is fake. Just do it.
- Be a planner. When time is of the essence, I rely on organized to-do lists to make sure I get everything done I need to. This includes meal planning, workout planning AND general life planning. Somehow, once I have everything down on paper, I feel ready to attack the week!
- Be a snack pack(er). Not the pudding kind (although delicious in its own right). Eating every couple hours will help even out your blood sugar levels and hopefully keep you from dippin’ your hand in the candy bowl, chip bag, ice cream carton, doughnut box…you get the picture. And, if you have a crazy imagination like me, have fun with your snack (see below)!
- Make a big batch of a veggie-filled meal to enjoy all week. I took my recipe for Veggie Spaghetti, added a can of garbanzos and came out with five Tupperware containers filled with lunch (or dinner) for the week. Bam – donezo!
- Take 5-minute breaks every hour. Whether you work behind a desk, are busy studying in school or doing whatever it is you do, make sure to take small breaks every hour or so. They can go a long way in restoring mental sanity and ensuring you won’t need bifocals before the age of 50.
- Wear something cute (or cool, if you are a guy and cute isn’t your thang)! I am a firm believer in look good, feel good a la Stacy + Clinton from What Not To Wear. It is amazing how much better you can feel after a bit of overindulgence if you put yourself together. Today, I chose my fave Vans shoes, black skinnies and new red plaid shirt for a hipster yet work appropriate look…
- Fatten up! Healthy fats go a long way in restoring skin elasticity, making your hair grow, brightening your mood and improving your overall complexion. For. Reals. Need some help in adding good fats to your diet? Give Susan’s Fatty February Challenge a shot!
- Work it out. Yes, as hard as it is to get back in the workout groove after missing days or weeks, you just gotta do it. It is truly amazing how just ONE workout can significantly improve your mood and help get your body back on track. To make it easier, pack your gym bag at night so you have no excuse not to go bright and early in the morning or right after school/work (which is what I did today – 60 minutes of sweat-tastic spin class)!
- Don’t skip meals. Ever. Not eating is NOT going to make you feel any better if you’ve been indulging. In fact, it will probably make you feel worse because eventually you will binge, eat more than you wanted and feel far worse than you did in the first place. Or maybe that’s just me. Enjoy your post-workout glow with a spinach-filled green monster smoothie (mine = organic skim milk, banana, frozen strawberries + spinach) and load up on those veggies!
There you go. Twelve easy steps to getting back on track without sacrificing your health, sanity or hunger. I plan on following these rules all week, and by Friday, I am sure I am going to feel 100% again.
Screw the crazy diet fads and just live. Life calls for indulgence, so don’t be afraid if you overdue it now and again. Your body is amazingly resilient, and with just a bit of work, you can bounce right back. And quite frankly, I wouldn’t have as many hilarious stories if I didn’t go off the deep end every now and again 
.
What is one thing you do to get back on track after too much indulging?
Tags: apple, beans, carrots, pasta, PB+B, smoothie, spinach, tomato, yam
February 8th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
LOVE those tips (almost as much as the veggie spaghetti picture). I always have to remind myself that if and when I do venture off track, that it’s okay – life isn’t over. I sometimes have a hard time with this and beat myself up over any small mistake. Once I accept that, I know I can resume the healthy course pronto!
February 8th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
I get right back to greens, green juice, raw foods and lots of water and a good run. Usually puts me right back on track. that and no sugar.
love those vans. I so had a pair decades ago.
xo
February 8th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
GREAT tips-especially about more sleep! i need to get on that!
February 8th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
***applause***
Great stuff!
I dragged my butt off the chair and exercised this morning. I didn’t wanna after two sluggish days + too much food + too much drink. But I did it & I feel ready to do it again tomorrow!
February 8th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Great tips! I need to get more sleep but I’m always never going to bed when I need to. I’m also a little too OCD about planning….my entire life seems always planned out
February 8th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
The days that I feel most “off” are almost always days where I don’t work out, so I feel you on that tip. Jealous of that Madison marathon shirt!!! My neighbor has one and when I see her wearing it I get so excited for May
February 8th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
THE VANS!!! I die.
Smart plan, lady.
I need to take a page from your book.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
AHH! Bookmarked this post, and will be tweeting it as well.
Great stuff, Holls. Although the only one I’ve mastered is the getting enough sleep thang. Might I also add that your beauty pic of the carrots & PB has almost inspired me to finally try this bloggie-favourite snack. (Canadian, so forgive the extra “u” in that word) I am thisclose to trying it, swear!
The plaid shirt looks rockin’.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Fun pictures and great advise. You make eating healthier look fun!
Hold on, “What Ice Cream? Sure, I’ll be right there.”
Sorry, what was I saying? Oh yea, nice pictures!
February 8th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
I’m like you–I just go back to the regular grind with an extra dose or two of fresh veggies and fruits. I may throw in a clay mask and some nail polish too
Wish I could’ve joined you for a spin class–actually just any hangout time with you would be awesome.
p.s. you still look super cute hiding behind the green monster!!
February 8th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
i agree with you 100%. this is the way people should detox, not by practically starving themselves! love ya girl and totally agree that we need to do the red mango meet up too. i definitely got some tonight anyways! haha i walked by it on the way home from my sorority meeting and couldn’t resist.
February 8th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
I love your 12 step program. And I’m jealous you got to eat too much blue cheese…
I think working out in one way or another always gets me back on track…
Have a great week!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:48 am
Fantastic ‘tox list!
I swear by green tea and lists.
And cleaning/organizing… I’m a little OCD… it’s my go-to for when I’m feeling overwhelmed at my never ending to-do list – it’s a good starting point to get me moving and it is refreshing once I’m finished, especially after a weekend of overindulgence! hah!
February 9th, 2010 at 1:14 am
LOVE this post! I’m bookmarking it so whenever I have weeks like that, I can remember WHY I don’t detox but rather no-tox
It’s so true that us health-minded folk may feel more “off” than others after indulging, but it’s good to be reminded that what would life be without some indulging? Boring, me thinks.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:21 am
Love your tips – well, minus the veggies one.
I try to pick upright where I left off, and not wait to start ‘on Monday.’
February 9th, 2010 at 5:25 am
This post is awesome! I couldn’t agree with you more! This is totally how I get back on track. And yes, I too love the coffee and have no plans of quitting any time soon
The fitness magazine I just bought has an article in it called coffee, the healthiest drink in the world…I wanted to frame it haha. Love the great spag squash meal- mm mm mm!
February 9th, 2010 at 5:25 am
Great tips! The one thing I usually do is go for a run or have a major sweat session somehow-it seems to detox me
I probably should get more sleep though!
February 9th, 2010 at 6:01 am
I couldn’t agree with you more and I am living proof that DETOX DIETS DO NOT WORK!!!! Let me tell you why…..
This weekend, I had to prep for a colonoscopy, which can be considered the “ultimate detox”. Well, you see, I did EVERYTHING right. I stopped eating for 2 whole days and spent 2 days “cleansing” if you catch my drift. ‘:) So, time for the procedure and the doc tells me I had a Bad Prep! WTF?!?!?!?! Seriously? No matter how hard you try to starve yourself and cleanse, it’s never entirely an empty tank! Just eat and digest! LoL
Love your 12 step plan!
And I must say, I am sooooooooo much happier to be eating normally again! Life STINKS on a detox!
February 9th, 2010 at 6:12 am
Great post! I hate when I hear that this celebrity or that celebrity is doing a”detox diet” or a “cleanse.” Food is what fuels us!
When I need to get back on track, I make sure I start my day with a nutritious, balanced breakfast – a good mix of healthy fat, carbs, and protein.
February 9th, 2010 at 6:13 am
After indulging, I just find it easiest to go back to my daily routine.
February 9th, 2010 at 6:14 am
Love, love, love this post, Holly!
I love all your posts, but this is one of my favorites because I found myself nodding and smiling through the whole thing. Your tips are fabulous! 
February 9th, 2010 at 6:23 am
i love this. besides looking cute, if i’m REALLY feelin’ bummy about my insane weekend indulgences (food and booze related, of course
), i like to shop. not always healthy on the wallet, but necessary every once in awhile. a really cute top/ dress/ whatever is essential every once in awhile!
February 9th, 2010 at 6:51 am
Love that coffee is a part of this no-tox
After I indulge…I don’t really have a game plan. I just try and approach the week with some mental positivity and tell myself, “Today’s a new day.”
February 9th, 2010 at 7:01 am
I have been following your blog for a bit now because I love it and the way you approach healthy living. I, too, am a everythingtarian
And I do your 12 step no-tox approach too!
February 9th, 2010 at 7:03 am
Just the thought of a detox puts a bad taste in my mouth and deters any sort of real change. Getting back in the healthy eating groove is the way to go, plus I feel great doing so. Love the picture of you and the green monster!
February 9th, 2010 at 7:32 am
this post could not have come at a better time! with all the snow we have here…school is been canceled for a few days- aka long weekend– aka lots of drinking and eating bad food and doing no hw…. what I did to get back on track was stay in last night to watch the notebook with a friend, go to bed early, wake up early, eat oatmeal (doing it now), then ill go to the gym later, do errands, go to lunch, study all day
wohooo gettin gback on track!!!!
February 9th, 2010 at 7:35 am
HYDRATE! I’m with you on that one…amazing what a lot of water can do for you to make you feel balanced and better after a rather indulgent few days! Oh and sleep…oooh I heart sleep.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:11 am
I love these tips. This post is definitely getting “starred” in my Google Reader. Thanks!
February 9th, 2010 at 8:14 am
Awesome tips, Ms. Holly. Awesome. I couldn’t agree more about not killing yourself after you indulge. Where’s the fun in living strictly all the time??
I always CRAVE greens when I’ve gotten off track. My body begs for salad.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:19 am
Sleep+veggies+exercise….works every time!
February 9th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Now that is one 12-step program I can believe in. Amen!
February 9th, 2010 at 8:53 am
All those tips work for me when I do them! I think that I have pneumonia now b/c I wasn’t following all of them! Thanks for the reminder!!
February 9th, 2010 at 9:20 am
Amen to you 12-Step No-Tox. Love this lady!
I get in a good sweat session and try to load up on lots of fresh foods. Does the trick everytime. Agreed that life is way too short to not splurge every once in awhile. I would go crazy without my treats!
February 9th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Great tips Holly! My tip is that you need to forgive yourself (not you, but anyone!) – today is a new day.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Were we seperated at birth? Because I am SO with you on the 12 steps!!!
Actually, make that 11. In the winter, I sacrifice cute for warm.
For me, a key breakfast for after indulging is yogurt and fruit!
February 9th, 2010 at 9:53 am
I love your tips- One of my friends just announced she’s doing one of those crazy lemon/pepper/syrup cleanses…maybe I should point her in the direction of your cleanse
February 9th, 2010 at 9:55 am
gareat tips, you make it seem so easy! (i know it’s not).
also, sick handwriting girl.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:04 am
Ok, you’ve inspired me. I’ve totally fallen off the healthy bandwagon the last week and was sitting here eating dark chocolate as I read your post.
But, I’m going to get a giant class of water and get back on track, starting NOW! thanks!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:10 am
One too many vodka/red bulls this past weekend and now I need to put all your rules into the works!
Workout-check
caffeine-double check
lists-hell yea!
I feel better already!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Talk about healthy 12 steps! Thx for sharing and I totz agree with them all.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:26 am
I love your steps! I’m the same way with 9 hours of sleep. No more, no less.. 9 is the magic number for me!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:10 am
Y-u-m! Love the picture of your snack it looks so yummy
When I over indulge I try to hit the gym extra hard and properly food combine to get things speeding along again.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:20 am
I just keep trucking on the good ol’ regular schedule. In the long run, what’s a little indulgence? Great post! Although I’m beginning to question your OCD’ness on those carrots lol
February 9th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
A green monster is usually necessary after a binge. That, in addition to plenty of sleep, water, and fruits/veggies.
AA and Alanon could learn a thing or two from your 12 Step No-Tox! I think yours is much more effective.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Excellent tips Holly – I agree 100%!
I focus on working out, green tea and fruits and veggies!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
It took me being pregnant to finally grasp just how important all of these steps are! Especially the sleep and the snacks.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
It’s hard sometimes isn’t it, when you feel you’ve reeeally fallen off the wagon? I do as you do my love – back to normal with some extra sleep and maybe a bath thrown in. Oh and lots of fruit and veggies! Your veggie pasta looks baller btw. Yum.
Love xxxx p.s. we shall talk soon!
February 9th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Love your tips!! So true..I find after I fall off the wagon and kickin workout and some veggies help make me feel 100% better. Have an awesome day!
February 9th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
I wish everyone knew how great and genius these tips were!
And I am a total coffee advocate. A bit o caffeine is a great thing to have in your day!
February 9th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Love it!! Coffee and a cute outfit can definitely get me back on track. I hate when people overindulge and then say they aren’t eating the next day – won’t work, kids!
Cheetahs and BBQ(??) sauce is a perfect dinner! Hope you’re having a wonderful Tuesday
February 9th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
love this post! sucha great reminder of what we should REALLY be focusing on!
February 9th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
What a great post
I’ve been doing weight watchers for 2 years and just decided today that I’m done with it. So your post is really inspiring as I learn to eat my “new normal”. I went from counting points to “core” and have developed some restrict/binge behavior that I’ve been working on. I’m so over telling myself “I can’t have this or that”. It’s time to put all of the healthy eating that I’ve been doing the past few years into practice and trust that it will be OK when I go out to eat or to a friend’s house for a meal 
Sorry we didn’t meet last night. Hopefully soon!! I’m still up for a whole foods meetup. I’ve never eaten from their hot bar b/c I didn’t know the calories and I’m SOOOO over that
February 9th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
My favorites were: take 5-minute breaks every hour (LOVE this…never would have thought of it) and FATTEN UP. I am a *huge* believer in fat, fat, and more fat; saturated, poly, mono, I don’t discriminate.
Long story short, this post was PERFECTION, in every sense of the word.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
just a quickie to say love the post and love the cloth bag you’re sporting. soo green & eco friendly and i love it!
February 9th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
The one thing I do is make sure I’m getting my workouts in- I don’t mind overindulging and getting a little cushion for the pushin if I’m still getting my fitness in.. I’m a firm believer that the winter is a time when you’re supposed to add an extra layer- it’s cold- doughnuts, chocolate and booze tend to warm you up!
Said like a true health professional.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
HELLZ TO THE YAHHH! go write a book. now. k?
February 9th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
While I disagree in many of the aspects of your no-tox plan, and I think some will infact make you feel worse and encourage worse behavior in the future, I DO agree that sometimes we are a little too intense with “trying” to restore balance and oftentimes it offsets the pendulum even more than before.
I like that you share your stance with everyone but I feel that this “plan” is really only suited for you, and all the more power to you because it works for you!
I find when Ive over-indulged or fell off the wagon eating clean whole foods, sleeping and some long walks really restore me back to where I need to be. Eating clean foods in proper combinations means that my body will not have to work hard on digestion and can focus on anything else that ails me (like a hangover!) and moving the body is always a good idea to get blood flowing!
February 9th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Hm, after too much indulging…I just take it easy for the next few meals. And then back to normal eats I go!
This is why I like you, Holly. You never turn to extreme methods. You’re so well-balanced all around!
February 9th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Love the detox!!
February 10th, 2010 at 9:45 am
“Make a big batch of a veggie-filled meal to enjoy all week”
Of all your amazing tips in this post, I’d say this is one I live by when it comes to getting back on track after a big indulgence. I feel soooo much better when I eat “clean” foods jam packed with fruits and veggies – and making a big batch of somethin’ makes it even easier to do throughout the week.
Number two is the sweat-tastic spin class though. LOVE those! And you! xoxo
February 12th, 2010 at 8:16 am
I love your steps! putting the pictures with them actually makes them seen do-able (and fun!)!
February 12th, 2010 at 10:38 am
I LOVE THIS LIST.
and agree with everything.
most of my “get back on tracking” looks like this, actually – although I ALWAYS try to make myself a little personal journal entry of WHY i want to get back on track. Usually it ends up with a list of WHAT I LOVE about being healthy and why I want to reach new fitness goals etc. and every single entry i have a new mantra of sorts. Its def. habit to do this when i feel like im not doing my best/slacking/making excuses.