Preparation is everything! Especially when you’ve decided to venture a lifestyle change, like the Fat Flush Plan. There will be lots of roadblocks and hurdles, some that you know and some unforeseen. With the input of veteran Fat Flushers and seasoned Smoothie Shakedowners, we have compiled a list of the top things that will help you jump the hurdles that may pop up along the way!
1. Pre-squeeze!
Zest some lemons and save the zest (you can even freeze it if you wish), then juice the lemons into ice trays and freeze. Each cube is equal to 1/2 lemon squeezed so you can just throw a “lemon cube” in your Hot Lemon Water in the morning!
2. A watched pot never boils.
Waiting for water to boil seems to take forever! So there’s nothing worse than having to try and boil eggs in the middle of your busy week. But these oval gems are life savers when snack-time is calling your name during the day. Don’t miss out because you “didn’t have time”! Over the weekend, boil eggs for the whole week. Keep them in the fridge and ready to go!
3. Endless fountain of…cran-water!
Mixing each individual cup of cran-water can sometimes be a pain— especially when you’re on-the-go or super busy at work. Try pre-mixing your daily cran-water in a pitcher or spouted dispenser. This will help you save time AND it helps keep you on top of your daily water intake!
4. Snack station
Another good way to have snacks on hand is to buy, wash, and pre-cut veggies on the weekend. Store them in the fridge in baggies for each day of the week. This is a HUGE time-saver because the little baggies are in the fridge and ready to be grabbed as you run out the door.
5. Strength in numbers!
If you can, get some friends/co-workers/family members to get on board with you! It helps so much when you feel like you’re not alone– a good support system even makes it feel more like an adventure, a fun journey! Also be sure to visit our Facebook pages (Fat Flush or Smoothie Shakedown) and Fat Flush Community for support! Encouragement, recipe swaps, tips, trials, questions & answers…and more!
6.Be adventurous!
Cutting the usual suspects out of your diet can be a challenge. (For some, the most challenging part.) When you say goodbye to pre-packaged foods, sugars, and sodium it can be difficult to adjust. Unfortunately, they’re major players in food these days. But learning to eat without these health-offenders forces you to think outside the box! Take advantage of the freedom– it’s a clean slate! Try new foods, sprinkle a new spice, experiment with a new recipe!
7. Mental Prep
Commencing with your everyday life will carry everyday events– birthday parties, graduation dinners, office luncheons. First, ready yourself that these events will happen and they carry all kinds of temptations with them. Next, come up with some ways to participate without breaking your diet. Look at the menu ahead of time (if possible) where the luncheon will be, and find something you can order or tailor to meet your parameters. Have a snack baggie ready in your purse to nosh on before-hand so you’re not hungry at the party. Also, it’s a good idea to come up with some Go-To answers when someone offers you a temptation. “Would you like some cake?” can be replied with, “No, thank you. I’ve been eyeing that beautiful veggie platter! I think I’ll go get some of that!”
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Here are some tidbits about common spices and seasonings to arm yourself with when fighting the battle of the bulge! They are easy to get, easy to use, and—best of all—bring your recipes to life!
Garlic stimulates metabolism, stabilizes blood sugar levels, and eliminates toxins from the body.
Cayenne‘s heat comes from a high concentration of capsicum, a substance that gives cayenne the power to fire up circulation, stimulate the body’s metabolic rate, and help clean fat out of the arteries.
Ginger raises body temperature and assists the body to burn 20 percent more calories, according to a study published in the Journal of Obesity.
Lemons are high in vitamin C, supplying four times more than oranges. Lemon juice can help liquefy fat so that it can be flushed out of your system faster.
Apple Cider Vinegar‘s main ingredient is acetic acid—a powerful nutrient that has been proven to stimulate metabolism. Look for brands of ACV that are certified organic, unfiltered, unpasteurized.
Cumin packs a punch when it comes to both flavor and healthy benefits! Slightly bitter and peppery with a hint of citrus, cumin is a powerful liver detox enhancer.
Cinnamon consumption can boost metabolism, keep blood sugar levels in check, and derail Candida (the microorganism that causes yeast overgrowth in the body).
Parsley has been used as a blood purifier and natural diuretic. Its ability to rid the body of excess water and toxins makes it an ideal tool for weight loss.
Take advantage of these nature-given secret weapons!
The colors of your favorite veggie don’t just make them visually appealing. Their hue is a clue to their vitamins and nutritional value!
The more vibrant the pigment, the more packed with health-promoting antioxidants. Here are some of the basics:
– Dark, leafy greens (spinach and kale): These calcium-rich greens are also a good source of folic acid which can prevent birth defects, and lutein which aids and protects vision. They are also a rich source of potassium!
– Yellow-green (peas and corn): These little nibbles also contain lutein, as well as zeaxanthin which is another plant-based antioxidant which helps to prevent cataracts and macular degeneration (the most common cause of blindness in the elderly).
– Yellow-orange (acorn squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots): Orange veggies are bursting with beta-carotene, an antioxidant that is a powerful ally with anti-aging, healthy skin, good vision and strong immune system.
– Red (tomatoes): Raw, cooked, or in a tomato sauce are all tasty sources of lycopene. This red compound is a powerful aid in supporting prostate and breast health.
– White-green (onions, garlic, mushrooms, endive, celery): These are ideal sources of allicin and flavonoids which are cell protectors and immunity strengtheners.
Quick tip: The best way to store your veggies is loose or in a perforated plastic bag (so they can breathe). It’s also best to store them in a separate bin from fresh fruits. Many fruits like pears and apples, for instance, produce a ripening gas called ethylene which can alter the taste of vegetables!
