Authors: Mark Hyman
Tags: #Health & Fitness / Diet & Nutrition / Diets, #Health & Fitness / Body Cleansing & Detoxification
The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet: Activate Your Body's Natural Ability to Burn Fat and Lose Weight Fast (22 page)
Use herbal therapies.
Try 300 to 600 milligrams of passionflower
(Passiflora)
or 320 to 480 milligrams of valerian root extract (
Valeriana officinalis
) one hour before bed.
Try other sleep-enhancing supplements and herbs.
You might try 1 to 3 milligrams of melatonin, 150 to 300 milligrams of magnesium, 200 to 400 milligrams of theanine, 500 to 1,000 milligrams of GABA (a relaxing amino acid), 50 to 200 milligrams of 5 hydroxytryptophan, and 365 milligrams of magnolia. All of these supplements are best taken just before bedtime. Start with melatonin and then add magnesium. If you are still not sleeping, then you can add the others. See www.10daydetox.com/resources for good sources of gentle, nonaddictive sleep aids.
Get a relaxation, meditation, or guided imagery CD.
At www.10daydetox.com/resources, you’ll find my guided relaxation program called
UltraCalm
, which can help you unwind from stress and prepare your body for rest and healing.
I’ve never been a morning person. Now I get up early, I’m in the office early… I honestly cannot believe that I’m a morning person! I would hit Snooze for an hour if I could. Now my energy has changed so much that I
get right up and have consistent energy all day long. I’d always thought I was a sound sleeper, but now I actually feel rested in the morning.
—JACKIE WOODS
Be sure to drink at least eight glasses of clean, pure water throughout the day to help with appetite control and flush out metabolic and environmental toxins through your kidneys. Try drinking two glasses of water before you eat; that alone has been proven to help you lose weight. If you like, you can also drink hot water with a squeeze of lemon or noncaffeinated herbal teas (hot or iced) such as Yogi tea, Mighty Leaf tea, or Tazo throughout the day.
Note: It is especially important to drink enough water if you are taking PGX, to avoid constipation. I cannot stress this enough!
Turn off the television. Silence your smartphone. Log off the Internet. For the next ten days, with the exception of all essential communication, take a brief break from technology and news input. Spend time with your family, with your friends, or just immersed in your quiet thoughts; they are all rich sources of nourishment, restoration, and inspiration. Your mind, sense of well-being, health, and waistline will thank you.
I found that a quiet house was a welcome peace.…
—DONNA STANFIELD
Take your measurements and record the results.
Do your thirty minutes of exercise.
Take your supplements (PGX just before every meal with a glass of water and the rest of your morning supplements just before you eat breakfast).
Make your Breakfast Detox Shake.
Follow the daily menu plans for snacks, lunch, and dinner.
Write in your Detox Journal.
Practice the Take-Five Breathing Break for five minutes.
Take your UltraDetox Bath.
Sleep for seven to eight hours.
Drink at least eight glasses of clean, filtered water throughout the day.
Enjoy your media fast.
