SO, feeling full of hope that this summer I’d finally be back to my best – and full of the previous night’s chicken madras, bottle of red and chocolate fudge brownie Ben & Jerry’s – I faced the day of reckoning, with a slightly less substantial bowl of porridge, some slightly soggy cooked fruit and an ominous cup of Rooibos Chai tea.
In honesty it wasn’t far removed from my usual breakfast habits, save for the soy milk in place of semi-skimmed, the blueberries in place of sultanas, and the herbal concoction in place of PG Tips.
So, as I launched my month-long body blitz ‘Ayurveda’-style, I felt quite smug.
And, with the holiday booked and the bikini in the bag, the only thing standing in my way of those size 10 thigh skimmers, as well as a lean, lithe figure and a positively glowing complexion, was a spot of cellulite, a couple of extra pounds, a slightly sluggish system, a moderate dependence on alcohol and four short weeks.
But that’s nothing Anna Blackwood can’t sort! Anna works in Jersey as a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner and she advised me on how to give my body and mind a good spring clean.
Week one
Ayurveda is, says Anna, the ‘art of daily living in harmony with the laws of nature’. It is a ‘practical, medical science which promotes perfect health through prevention, and cures health problems by recommending lifestyle changes’, she says.
With Anna’s advice I’m certainly hoping to lose a pound or two, but, more importantly, I’d like to get my mojo back. Constant coughs and colds have made me lethargic and a hefty social schedule has left me tired and bloated, so the diet that Anna puts me on seems to make an almost instant difference.
The week goes well – fuelled by porridge, soups, salads, Ryvita, hummus, plenty of lean chicken, fish and fresh vegetables and a trio of herbs, I already feel happier, healthier and much less bloated by the weekend. Plus I’m allowed to have a couple of glasses of dry white wine.
Results: So far, so good. Rather than weigh myself I’m going on how my body feels – and this one feels pretty happy.
Week two
With much more energy come Monday morning (and only a slight overdose of white wine at the weekend) I’ve been able to get my post-work gym routine back on track, which has made a definite difference.
However, as part of Anna’s spring detox it’s recommended I rise early each day for some stretching, light exercise or yoga asanas . . . at six o’clock in the morning. I have tried – or at least I have set my alarm – but I have also figured that beauty sleep is just as essential as sunrise yoga, and instead decide to ease myself in gently by waking up at 6.30 am (well, there or thereabouts) for a brisk walk on the beach.
I do feel much better for it, until faced with another bout of milk-free porridge (I’ve run out of soy) and a tasteless herbal tea. Fortunately I am addicted to hummus and rice cakes, which have just about seen me through the week – until Anna reminded me that I’m supposed to eat most of my food, and all of my main meals, cooked. I tell her I’ll settle for an 80/20 compromise.
Results: All went well until Friday, when I fell off the wagon in most spectacular style. And after two and a half days worth of binge drinking, binge eating and no exercise, I’m back to being hungover and bloated (but my trousers do feel a little looser).
Week three
Although I’ve got the diet back under control, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a bit boring. As I’m no Gordon Ramsay, I’m finding it difficult to think of more than three inventive ways to cook up fish, broccoli and basmati rice, and I’ve completely given up on the 80/20 cooked food idea.
Realistically I have no time to cook anything for lunch, so I’ve been relying on shop-bought soups and salads. Yet despite the slip-ups I am feeling much, much better, and I’ve been taking the herbs after every meal as Anna directs.
I’ve had a good crack at the meditation, too. According to Anna, balancing the mind is one of the most important principles of Ayurveda, so I’ve been listening to a relaxation CD for half an hour each evening.
I still haven’t got into the routine of oiling my body before a hot bath or shower, although I am an avid exfoliator, which Anna says is great for eliminating toxins and washing away heavy skin, to leave me feeling fresh and youthful.
My early morning starts, however, are few and far between, and although my body feels pretty good, this diet is starting to feel pretty dull – and I really just don’t have the time to keep up the ideal Ayurveda lifestyle.
Results: Yet again I over-indulged a little on the alcohol, but in my defence it was my birthday, and bank holiday weekend. I did, however, do pretty well food-wise (if you exclude the birthday curry and Saturday night’s chip-shop stop).
Week four
Admittedly I’ve got complacent this week. Knowing that the end is in sight, I’ve sort of prematurely patted myself on the back, and I can feel myself slipping into old habits.
It’s definitely the hardest week, but because I’ve got my gym routine going again I have found myself automatically reaching for healthy options – not necessarily wheat or dairy-free, but foods I know are good for me and foods I enjoy.
I’ve given up on the morning exercise altogether, however, and the meditation is slightly off track too – which is disappointing as Anna has told me this would work wonders for my type of ‘dosha’. I’m a bit of a worrier, or a thinker, and apparently regular meditation will help me put my mind at rest.
But there are elements of this spring detox plan that I will certainly continue with – I’ve become hooked on hot water and lemon every morning, I’ve rediscovered the benefits of regular exercise, I’m addicted to Triphala (one of the prescribed herbs), I’ve cut down on my alcohol intake and, strangely, I’m crazy about Rooibos Chai tea.
Results: I feel fresher, brighter, slimmer and more motivated than I did four weeks ago – not drastically so, but then the regime I followed for the last two weeks was more loosely based on Anna’s recommended plan. But I feel fitter and healthier, and I’m a lot less daunted by the thought of beach weather.
Anna’s given me some more Triphala, which I’ll continue to take, and while I’ll be grateful now for a bit of red meat and some starchy carbs I’ve almost gotten rid of my cravings for junk food. I feel like my skin looks better, too, and I have suffered very little from bloating.
Conclusion
If you’re prepared to follow this detox to the letter, I’m absolutely convinced it will work wonders. However, it’s not an easy regime to follow when you lead a very busy lifestyle.
Eating fresh, hot food for every meal, for example, is just not practical, especially if you can’t get home to cook something every lunchtime. And 6 am starts are not ideal for everyone.
There are aspects of the detox, however, that are adaptable to any lifestyle. There is a big focus on eating fresh, preferably organic, foods in moderate amounts. There is no mention of calorie control, although you are advised to eat only until you are full. Anna asks that you really make an effort to listen to how your body feels, to eat slowly, and to eat only when you are hungry.
And the results really do speak for themselves. After four weeks I have much more energy, my eyes look brighter, my skin is softer, and my motivation levels are up. I’d definitely try it again, but I think two or three weeks is probably long enough!
*Picture: Anna Blackwood prepares some herbal medicines
Article posted on 10th June, 2008 - 3.00pm
