Have you tried the Shakeology cleanse?

Anyone who has spent more than 24 hours with me knows I LOVE my Shakeology.  I like most of the flavors, but by far my favorite is the chocolate.  It's great plain, but my favorite recipe is to use almond milk and add PB2.  I know having the same thing for breakfast isn't for everyone, but Shakeology offers some great short and long term benefits, so today, I'm going to share with you the Shakeology cleanse!

 

The Shakeology® 3-Day Cleanse uses Shakeology® to help get the most nutrients as possible into your body using the fewest amounts of calories.  This cleanse has actually been called the “performance cleanse” because it was designed to be done in conjunction with a workout program.  Let's take a look at how this differs from other cleanses:

First of all, it's not a true cleanse. It's a calorie-restricted & nutrient-dense diet plan.  Traditional cleanses contain very few calories and nutrients.  Compared to the much more popular Master Cleanse, it's like an all-you-can-eat buffet.  Traditional cleansing diets are done to rid your system of toxins and bring it into homeostasis.  They also contain a spiritual aspect.  This process can take a long time, which is why you may have seen coworkers walking around the office in a zombie-like state for weeks on end - swilling a strange concoction of lemons and maple syrup. 

The Shakeology cleanse is nothing like that.  Depending on how you decide to do it, you'll be eating frequently and consuming between 800 and 1,200 calories per day - it could be even more should you feel the need.  The point of this cleanse is not calorie restriction, per se - it's nutrient efficiency.  The aim is to get the most nutrients possible into the fewest number of calories. The goal is to put all of these calories to use as a part of your exercise program, to rid your body of undigested foods and toxins, and to bring your hydration levels into homeostasis.  

The most important thing to remember about the Shakeology® Cleanse is that the results you are after shouldn’t just be about weight-loss.  Although that will likely occur, the reasons you should complete it are to help get your body running more efficiently.

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I want to try the Shakeology Cleanse!

How it works:

Your eating structure doesn't change - you still eat every few hours while you're awake.  Each meal should have a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats & fiber.  While you're not eating as much food as you'd normally eat, your calorie-to-nutrient ratio is extremely high.  This means that you shouldn't restrict the actual nutrients you're getting by too much, so activity can continue as normal.  Adding fruits and/or seeds (for fat and fiber) can and should be done as you see fit.  Ditto for your one solid meal - a salad.  As we all know from any salad bar, the definition of salad can be varied.  The goal of the salad in the plan is to keep your calories coming from natural sources (no artificial ingredients should be added, including artificial salad dressing).  Aside from that, you can add ingredients as necessary.  Keep your meat intake to four ounces or less, but add veggies, seeds, nuts, fruits, and legumes in quantities to satiate you.  The goal of the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse is to optimize your performance.  You want to eat enough to fuel your day AND your workout.  The foods you're eating are so high in fiber and nutrients that it's virtually impossible to overeat.  You'll be consuming so much fiber, along with enzymes and digestive aids, that your body's ability to flush excess foods quickly will be at its peak.

What to drink:

Water, of course, is recommended in quantity.  This is vital to any cleanse, because one of your goals is to bring your hydration into homeostasis.  When your electrolytes are out of balance - the main problem we have is salt (you often retain water outside of your cells).  This situation, which is referred to as retaining water, is cured by drinking more water.  As the excess salts are diffused, your body begins to hydrate your cells (using sodium as it should be used) and flush the water held outside the cells.  So, oddly enough, you drink water to eliminate water retention.  Sodas, alcohols, juices, etc., should be eliminated entirely during a cleanse.  Coffee and tea, which are diuretics, should be minimized at the very least and eliminated if possible.  Again, performance is the key, so if you need a cup of Joe as a pick-me-up, go ahead.  Just use only as needed, and don't use additives.  Eliminating sugar and chemicals is vital.  However, do not use energy drinks or soda for this purpose, including the ones with artificial sweeteners.  Coffee drinkers may find that switching to black tea during a cleanse will give you the energy you're looking for with less upset.  Coffee's acidic nature can heighten the effects in a negative way during your cleanse. 

Should/can I still workout during the cleanse?​

• This depends on the individual - you will have less energy so you are going to need to plan accordingly.
  
• I would suggest to try to do moderate-intermediate workouts and avoid strenuous activity for these 3 days.
  
• If you do continue with strenuous workouts, you will need to add more food accordingly, but stay within the limits of the cleanse (lean protein, no dairy)

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What type of green tea should I use?​

• Any unsweetened green tea will work, and it can be hot/cold.

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Can I put sweeteners in my green tea?​

• Yes, my advice is to use Stevia.
  

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Can I do a 1-day or a 2-day cleanse instead of a 3-day?​

• Yes, some people will see results in 1 or 2 days!
  
• It is not recommended to do the cleanse for longer than 3 days.
  

​​What if I become really hungry during the cleanse, can I have an extra snack?​

• Yes.  Try adding a banana or  a tablespoon of almond butter to your shake.
  
• Other snack options to add are a whole apple or unsalted almonds to a meal or snack
  

I want to try the Shakeology cleanse!

I'm planning on starting this cleanse next week - have you ever tried a cleanse?