So, you've finished a cleanse, and now you're likely dealing with some new challenges—like realizing your newly baggy wardrobe might need an upgrade or figuring out how to maintain that hard-earned weight loss.
Either way, you did it. The cleanse is over. You lost the weight. You’re looking and feeling your best. But what’s next? Do you slip back into the comfort of unhealthy eating habits, or do you lean towards a restrictive post-cleanse diet?
As a holistic nutritionist working with clients who want to get healthy and lose weight, I can tell you with confidence that both extremes are the wrong way to approach sustainable weight loss.
What if I told you that the answer is to forget everything you know about diet culture and adopt a new belief system around food? One filled with plentiful servings of real nutrition that promote better eating habits to help you lose weight and keep those pounds off once and for all.
Don’t let the potential for lasting weight loss success go to waste with extreme fads. The answer to post-cleanse maintenance is the Stay Skinny Method™. This system teaches you to truly nourish your body with my thoughtfully curated juices, smoothies, and eating guidelines. Put aside regular diet advice and learn to properly nourish your body.
Nourish Your Body And Lose Weight
Eating After A Cleanse
In the wellness world, there is plenty of confusion when it comes to eating after a juice fast. In the midst of confusion, one thing is certain - restricting calories and counting fat grams is not the way to do it. Say goodbye to the idea of ridiculously small portions to lose weight - It will never work for the long term.
The best way to achieve sustainable weight loss is by incorporating nutrient-rich whole foods into your diet. Whole foods contain an abundant amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that keep you healthy, give you energy, and help you feel your best. With added support from raw nutrition, your body can fully detox and continue to lose weight with ease.
Another key factor in keeping off those pounds for the long term is learning to eat in accordance with the Stay Skinny Method** Clean-Eating Guidelines.
How To Maintain Your Weight After a Cleanse
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For breakfast, drink green juice to cut cravings and flood your system with vital nutrients. Pack your plate with vibrant colors from fresh fruits. Eat as many of these as you want until it’s time for lunch.
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For lunch, drink a meal replacement smoothie. Feel free to also snack on raw veggies if you get hungry before dinner.
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For dinner, eat a balanced, clean dinner. This is the time to incorporate healthy whole grains like brown rice or quinoa, steamed vegetables, and legumes or high-quality animal protein.
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Forget what you’ve heard about carbs. Don’t be afraid of carbohydrates. Our bodies need healthy carbs for energy. Feel free to enjoy plenty of fruit or potatoes, like sweet potatoes and baked potatoes.
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Try to maintain a one-drink maximum when it comes to alcohol, and as soon as you get home, drink a tall glass of water or a hydrating green juice.
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Live by the “80/20” rule. Eat healthy 80% of the time so you can enjoy social gatherings, holidays, and your best friend’s birthday guilt-free. It’s all about balance.
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Meal plan when possible to help yourself stay on track. Pack pre-cut veggies or fruit to bring to work or for a busy day. Steam vegetables like broccoli, spinach, green beans, or potatoes to have on hand. Prepping helps you not fall off the wagon.
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Healthy fats are beneficial for you as long as you eat them later in the day. Feel free to incorporate avocado, raw nuts and seeds, and cold-pressed olive oil.
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When you go out to eat, always order a side of veggies. Ask for a lemon or lemon juice as a healthy dressing alternative. Dressings are often loaded with added sugars and hydrogenated oils, which can be sneaky culprits of weight gain. Don’t be afraid to ask for substitutions.
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Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of filtered water and incorporate more hydrating fluids like our Truly Raw Coconut Water and caffeine-free herbal teas.
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Schedule your next cleanse. It’s ideal to cleanse once every three months. Every day, we are exposed to everything from chemicals in our food to environmental toxins. Routine cleanses are a great way to assist your body with the detoxification process.
Post Cleanse Pitfalls
It’s very easy to fall off the bandwagon after a cleanse. Avoid the following processed foods for the best weight loss experience:
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Avoid refined added sugars. Much different than fruit sugar, these empty calories cause constant blood sugar spikes and contribute to gaining weight. Make sure your sugar intake consists of natural sugar from real food, like fruit, raw honey, and pure maple syrup. Our juices and smoothies are naturally sweetened with fruit, like dates or yacon root.
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Avoid low-quality processed grains. Limit foods like whole-grain bread. Stick with clean gluten-free options, like organic brown rice pasta instead.
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Eliminate processed dairy products. Highly processed dairy, like milk and cheese, can cause issues in the digestive system. Quality, organic dairy is okay in small amounts. Things like grass-fed butter or pastured eggs are good choices for dinner meals only. Remember, with this system, it is imperative to eat from light to heavy each day. Fruits and vegetables are “light,” while fats and animal proteins are “heavy.”
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Do not cook in oils or fat, ever. Avoid hydrogenated oils and processed seed oils at all costs. Stay away from canola, peanut, rapeseed, and soybean oil (Read those labels!). Heated oils of any kind, even the healthy ones like avocado and olive oil, are detrimental to your health.
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A general rule of thumb is if you can't pronounce the ingredient on the package, you probably shouldn't eat it. Leave it on the shelf.
Other Tips and Tricks to Stay on Track
Maintaining your weight is more than healthy eating.
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Workout. Find a method of exercise that you love. Whether it’s spin, Pilates, or riding your Peloton, do what makes your body feel good. At least 30 minutes of daily movement is ideal.
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Start your day with fresh, cold-pressed juice, like celery or green juice. The health benefits of either are plentiful. Flooding your system with dark, leafy greens first thing in the morning is a life hack in and of itself, especially for weight loss.— No supplements necessary.
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Manage your stress levels. Stress puts your body in overdrive. When your body is in survival mode, essential functions are put on the back burner, and we go into fight or flight mode. This can cause issues with digestion, make us anxious, and deter us from our goals. Set aside 10 minutes daily to journal or take some deep breaths. A little self-care goes a long way.
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Prioritize your sleep. When you sleep, your body uses this time to regenerate cells and detox. Plus, when you get adequate sleep, it makes your skin healthier and helps to keep your metabolism running smoothly— they don’t call it beauty sleep for no reason!
Skinny Method-Approved Recipe for Oven Fries
These Oven Fries are a recipe from the Skinny Method Clean-Eating Guidelines. I created these recipes with the idea that healthy food doesn’t need to be the typical, boring grilled chicken and broccoli we all have grown to hate. I mean, who doesn’t love French fries?
Ingredients:
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4- 5 large potatoes
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Pink Himalayan Salt to taste
Directions:
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Steam potatoes for 15 minutes until soft. Allow them to cool, and cut them into wedges.
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Place in the air fryer for 15 minutes or put into the oven at 200℉ for 30 minutes.
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Sprinkle salt to taste while warm.
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For added health benefits, feel free to sprinkle your favorite herbs, like parsley or oregano.
For access to 38 simple recipes like this one, a guide on healthy food swaps, and an eating-out guide, try the Stay Skinny Method. This weight loss system has become an overnight best-seller with good reason.
It truly teaches you how to keep weight off by making positive lifestyle changes. It’s more than a diet system - The key to a lighter, happier, and healthier you.
