Sharing a full recap of my first 21-day detox, how I felt, what I learned, and if I’d do it again. Check out my full review! I also created a freebie with 21 days of detox recipes if you’d like to download it (details below).
Hi friends! How are you? I hope you had a lovely weekend! Ours was great. I feel like I caught up on life (laundry, chores, grocery shopping) and also taught a couple of classes, we had an amazing dinner night with friends, and also met up with the fam for brunch. I hope you had a great one, too!!
For today’s post, I wanted to share a recap of my 21-day detox experience! I love doing the EquiLife detox four times a year. It helps support my liver pathways, I always feel GREAT when I do this, and it’s become a part of my health routine. Please keep in mind that I’m just sharing my experience and this isn’t medical info. Before proceeding with any new fitness or nutrition routines, always consult with your doctor.
As you guys know, I’ve been dealing with some inflammation issues since last spring. It started with my eyes (which was a long, painful mystery, and thank God, it’s been resolved), and in the process, I had a couple of markers come back positive for Lupus. I share more of my story in this podcast episode.
In addition to working with my primary care, I’ve been running some functional labs on myself. I had a feeling that I had some gut issues (since gut issues can manifest in different ways and contribute to autoimmune symptoms, as well as allergies, brain fog, fatigue, digestive issues, decreased immune system function, low mood, poor sleep, etc.) and sure enough, I had significant yeast and bacterial overgrowth.
Here’s what page 1 of my OAT test looked like, which is extremely comprehensive. It also gave me insight into nutrient deficiencies as well as neurotransmitter levels.
(Please keep in mind that functional labs do not treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure any types of disease or illness. They’re used as a tool to discover deficiencies and toxicities, so you can work to bring the body back to balance. After running a couple of tests, I feel empowered with an action plan.)
21-day Dr. Cabral detox recap and recipes
So now, I’m working through some specific protocols – I can share more info if you guys are interested- but the first step before protocols is a detox, to help ensure your body’s detox pathways are open. (You can read more about this specific detox and how it works in this post.)
We have a 7, 14, and 21-day detox, and I knew I wanted to do the 21 day option.
While it was a long time, it went by quickly, and also felt easier than I expected (with a couple of modifications).
I finished the 21 days and I feel like a different person. It reset my habits, helped my sleep, decreased my cravings for sugar, and my energy has been surprisingly awesome. Leading up to the detox, I was drinking a caffeinated coffee or tea in the afternoon for a little boost, and I don’t need it anymore. I’ll also often wake up before my alarm, which was unheard of before the detox.
Here’s how the 21-day version of the detox works:
– It’s the same format as the 7-day version, but you complete the 7-day process for three total weeks.
Here’s how the week is set up:
Dr. Cabral Detox modifications
There are also many ways to modify the detox. You can skip the fasting days and just head into the format for days 3-7. You can do one fasting day instead of two. You can complete the fasting days each week, or only do them during the first week. It’s really about staying within a framework, but adapting as needed.
Some people need extra fuel and protein, which is totally ok (and encouraged) to add in. It’s important to remember that this detox is not intended for weight loss, though many people do end up losing weight in the process. The intention is to provide the b-vitamins, Vitamin C, antioxidants, amino acids, and minerals that the liver needs to do its job. It can become burdened by the toxins in our environment and food, and this detox provides the nutrients it needs to function at its optimal ability.
Here’s how I modified the detox:
– I only did two total fasting days during the 21 days. My body was already under significant stress – leading up to the detox, I had many weeks of zero or uninterrupted sleep from the eye issues- so I didn’t want to add too much to my stress bucket. I also snacked on berries during the fasting days, and included extra protein during the remaining days. I had extra servings of protein at dinner, and would add some to my lunch soup or salad. I snacked on sardines and veggies with hummus if I was feeling hungry in the afternoon.
– I added in some condiments that aren’t necessarily on the plan, including Tamari, a splash of balsamic vinegar here and there, and some Kevin’s sauces. I definitely wasn’t *perfect * the entire time, but I still had incredible results and feel like I made it work for my life, especially since it was a longer span of time.
– I often made a *pudding* with my Daily Nutritional Support powder, just using less water, some cinnamon, and would top it with berries. It’s a tasty way to switch things up if you get sick of the shakes.
Would I do it again?
1000000%. I don’t think I’ll do the 21-day detox each time, but possibly once a year, I’ll do the longer version. The difference between this one and the 7-day detox is significant, and that says a lot, because I really love the 7-day version.
You can read more about the Dr. Cabral 7-day detox here, including some recipes that I’ve enjoyed in the past.
If you’re looking for new recipes, I created a free recipe book that includes lots of options for lunch and dinner!
Add your email address here and I’ll send it to you:
If you’re interested in checking out the detox, you can explore the different options here and use my code FITNESSISTA10 for 10% off the EquiLife site through the end of the year.
If you’re looking to explore functional lab testing and working together on a 1:1 basis to determine the root cause of what you’re experiencing and receive a customized action plan, send me an email and we can set up a short discovery call. gina@fitnessista.com subject: COACHING I have a few spots remaining for the end of the year.
Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today. Hope you have a wonderful day and I’ll see ya soon!
xoxo
Gina
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