I did the 28 Day Total Body Detox program to see how I would feel when I took a month to take care of my liver, my digestion and remove gluten and all cow’s milk dairy.  What I got from the program was much more than I had expected!

I was happy with my weight before the program.  In early March, I had a visit to the doctor’s office and weighed 145 lb. Very health and feeling great. Today, I was there again (for my daughter) and stepped on the scale for fun – I figured I had lost some weight because my clothes were looser. Scale reading: 136 lb. A total of 9 lb lost during the detox. My exercise routine stayed the same, walking for 30 min, 3-4 times a week with some stretching and moderate strengthening exercises.

And I really feel healthy and happy.

This is not a weight loss program. It’s certainly a nice side effect. The best part is, I can continue with many of the best parts of the program after! I’m continuing with my nutritional supplements – did you know that a solid nutritional supplement foundation is one of the keys to optimal health? I’ve also decided to keep gluten out of my diet whenever possible. And I am more aware of my drinking and plan to stick to more moderate consumption.  Dark chocolate is still on the menu of course! And because of the positive effects on my monthly cycle, I will also be continuing with the liver support supplement, and see how I feel after a few months of really taking care of my liver.

Many of you have inquired about starting the program. What’s holding you back? We have several affordable options and if you’ve been following our Facebook group, you’ll see that one of our program participants, Kenda Blum, showed us how she SAVED money during the 28 days!  Finally, if you’re not ready to do 28 Days, why not start with the 5 Day Jumpstart – our RESET program! We have special offers on this program as well and it’s a great way to get started. In fact, one of my clients who started with the RESET and then did the 28 Day Total Body Detox had truly wonderful results.

For more information on our programs or to get started, please contact me via email at info@julieboyer.com. Photo credit, Jason Stevens, Streeter Stevens Photography.

Have you been checking out our Facebook group?  We’ve got stories, tips and meals ideas for the 28 Day Total Body Detox and beyond.

Tonight I just wanted to share my new favorite snack that I discovered during the detox. It’s quite simple but very tasty (and a bit addictive).

Spread 10 – 12 Mary’s Organic Crackers on a small, microwave safe place.  Sprinkle mozzarella style Daiya cheese on top. Microwave (don’t stand in front of it) for 20 sec on high, or until just melted. Dip in Wholly Guacamole or homemade guacamole.  This is simple, fast and delicious and includes whole grains (gluten-free), good fats (avocado) and “dairy”!

Anyone else have great snack ideas to share? Check in below.

Not everyone has a great reaction when starting a detox program.  I asked our registered holistic nutritionist, Laura Townsend to provide some of the potential “uncomfortable” side effects of a detox, that some people may be (or have been) experiencing.

Natural symptoms of detoxification

• Skin breakouts

• Bloating, stomach pains

• Headaches

• Food cravings

• Trouble sleeping, nightmares

• Diarrhea and constipation

• Fatigue, drowsiness, low energy levels

• Irritability

• Congestion, mucus or cold like symptoms

*Not everyone experiences these symptoms

These symptoms are OK! Your body is going through a natural detoxification process; it’s in a state of shock it’s in withdrawal. For years you have been ingesting chemicals, additives, sodium, sugar, processed fats, caffeine etc. etc. they have become almost “drug like” to your body. Now, without these anti-nutrients in your diet that have been throwing your body’s biochemistry off balance you are incorporating natural, healthy foods as well as supplementation that will replenish your nutrient stores and help to rebalance your body’s physiology.

When you eliminate or reduce intake of certain foods your body breaks down and eliminates toxins. With additional toxins moving throughout your body you may experience cold or flu like symptoms.

Be patient as these unpleasant symptoms will pass! Focus on all of the fabulous benefits a clean, healthy diet will provide you and all of the happy and healthy years you have to enjoy!

Thanks Laura for sharing this with us – perhaps I should have posted this 28 days ago .  There is still lots of activity going on on our Facebook page for the 28 Day Total Body Detox, check in and join the group if you like.

This is it!! I’ve completed the 28 Day Total Body Detox. As I have mentioned in several posts, although this is the end of the official plan, I am committed to continuing with many new habits beyond 28 days. I also plan on continuing to blog on this topic, including a special guest post tomorrow with Laura Townsend, the Registered Holistic Nutritionist who created the meal plan and many of the bonuses for our plan.

Here are some of the habits I plan on continuing after the 28 days:

• Minimizing gluten – my plan is to reintroduce small amounts of gluten into my diet to see how I feel, but based on how many of my digestive problems have disappeared, I’m fairly confident this is a lifestyle change.
• Be more aware of my alcohol consumption – I’ve realized that it was a habit, not a necessity, but I do enjoy it, so I’ll reintroduce it.  In fact, we’re enjoying a bottle of bubbly tonight to celebrate being done!
• My nutritionals of course, but more specifically, the Hepa Plus (liver support) for the next few months, to see how my cycle is. I am very pleased with how I felt this month, so I am hopeful that this will continue over the next few months.
• Many of the recipes from the 28 Day Total Body Detox have become favorites in our house. And there are still a few I have to try.  I did hot amaranth this morning – wasn’t for me. My husband liked it. My daughter just picked off all of the berries.
• Taking moments in the day to breathe. I am much more aware of my breathing patterns now.  And I have new ways of dealing with stress, instead of turning to a glass of wine immediately.
• Eating more organic fruits and veggies. I made decision to choose more organic fruits and veggies during the 28 days to help reduce liver loaders like pesticides. I have noticed that organic fruit really does taste better. I plan on continuing to purchase more organic fruits and veg – in fact today I noticed that the organic broccoli was the same price as the regular broccoli, go figure? Try organic raspberries – so tasty!!!

All in all, this program has made an impact in many of my client’s lives and in my own.  If you’re ready to start, drop me an email at info@julieboyer.com. We have a program for every budget! Stay tuned for more blog posts and guest bloggers over the next few weeks, as well as more testimonials.

As these first 28 days of the rest of my healthy lifestyle come to a close, I just have to say that I am super happy with not only my own results, but the results for the majority of people who started this journey with us.  A few have shared their stories with us, take a peek at Sara and Kenda’s success stories. I look forward to adding more stories as we have several people who are starting this week.  The spring is the best time to do a detox program, so it’s important to get started in the next couple of weeks as summer is just around the corner.

A reminder to all of those who are still following the program that this program is really about YOU.  Making healthier choices for YOU.  Taking time every day to take care of YOU.  Spending time on what YOU want to do and not simply worrying about what everyone else is doing.  Today I had a little bit of fun, for me! I think that it’s important to give yourself a reward when finishing a challenge like this.  I know that Sara is off to Niagara Falls for the weekend! My reward is a little simpler, but something I don’t usually do for myself.  I went shopping today!! Usually I don’t like shopping because I have a hard time finding things that fit properly – I often seem to be between sizes.  Today was different. As I have mentioned, I don’t have a scale.  I am certain that I have lost weight (I’m guessing 7-9 lb) because I fit into a smaller size.  And I fit well!! It was super nice to just grab a few summer dresses, try them on, and buy them!! Yes, there will be photos to share in a few days .  I even found a style of dress that I had wanted for years, it’s so cute!!

Am I ready for a glass of wine tomorrow night? You bet I am! Am I really glad I abstained for a month (with one minor exception) – you bet I am! My liver thanks me. And it’s given me a chance to take note of my drinking habits and also to realize that it’s ok to NOT have a drink on a Friday night.  An added bonus of this program, because I am usually the one who buys alcohol in our house, my husband has also reduced his drinking this month – and he’s lost weight too.  There are a few others factors that I’m certain have contributed, such as less gluten and taking his vitamins twice a day (he also created a new habit).

If you’d like to have your 28 Day Total Body Detox story featured on the blog, please comment below or on our Facebook site and we’ll connect. 

Today’s guest post is by Kenda Blum, the founder of Balance My Life, an online community for confident, stylish, savvy women. Kenda is a 40ish mom of 2 and one of the hardest working entrepreneurs I know. She has been sharing her experiences with us on the Facebook group for the detox – all of successes and challenges. (photo credit Tara West)

I was asked by Sara Martel to give the 28 day detox a try, and after 2 very successful Reset programs and 20 lbs later, I said YES immediately.

I have been having horrible stomach and digestion issues that I have been dealing with for too long and thought giving this a try could not hurt! The first three days were the hardest because my body was going through withdrawal from giving up coffee (I drank A LOT). After that it was smooth sailing, I simply replaced it with green tea.

By day 7 I was feeling FABULOUS! The bloated feeling that I got after every meal was gone and I just felt lighter. By day 14 I was noticing that I was sleeping – actually sleeping through the night which was also something new for me and it felt great to finally wake up in the morning feeling alive.

The best part about this program is that it teaches you how to eat properly and gets you excited about food again. It was so easy before to pull a box out of the freezer but now I enjoy trying new recipes, going grocery shopping and fueling my body with only the good stuff.

One trick to eating healthier is to always have healthy options in the fridge. I always have washed and cut up vegetables, a huge bowl of my Colorful Quinoa Salad  and I cook up large quantities of chicken and freeze them in packages of 2 so that I always have chicken ready and waiting to add protein to any meal.

After week 2 I weighed myself and had lost 6 pounds and today (day 23) I stepped on the scale again and am now down 10. The goal of this program for me was not to lose weight but it has been an added bonus for sure.

What do I miss? The odd glass of wine, but other then that absolutely nothing.

I have a battery of tests that I am scheduled to go through for my stomach and digestion issues in September but I have a feeling that if I continue with this clean eating I will be canceling all of those appointments! Check back with me in September and see how I am doing.

Remember it takes 7 days to form a new habit and 21 days to master it – and I have mastered it. So hang in there and make this a new way of life, your body will thank you. Remember diets do not work – healthy eating does.

Thank-you so much Kenda for sharing your challenges and successes with us! Ready to start your own 28 Day Total Body Detox program too?

I’d like to share a few of my personal results tonight from the 28 Day Total Body Detox. Tomorrow night we’ll have another testimonial from another very successful participant, Kenda Blum of Balance My Life, so stay tuned!

One of the reasons I decided to put together this program was because of a few issues that I was dealing with, that I thought were “normal” until I briefly consulted with Dr. Libby Weaver back in February.

The first challenge – digestive upset after most meals. And often the next morning, things weren’t as “solid” as they should be. It was suggested that I try to eliminate gluten for a month to see if that helped.

The second challenge – my monthly cycle. I’ve been dealing with cramps and other uncomfortable symptoms for years (the only relief was when I was pregnant and breastfeeding).  I’d read in Accidentally Overweight that some of these symptoms could be due to liver congestion.

The third challenge – this has been a challenge of mine for over 4 years – I have been dealing with pain in my big toe joint and have tried over a dozen solutions, to some degree of success but I was still experiencing pain while walking (a bit of a setback for a former Ironman Triathlete).

So, here’s where I’m at after 25 days of the 28 Day Total Body Detox. I no longer have digestive upset after meals.  In fact, I feel really great when I eat and feel much fuller than ever before, with smaller portions. My snacks are healthy and I don’t worry about portion sizes or when I’m eating. I eat when I’m hungry. I have sustained energy throughout the day and from a digestion point of view – things are more “solid” now, which is much better. That means I’m properly digesting my food.  I am also certain that I have a gluten intolerance, as the results have been so dramatic.

As for my cycle, some of the symptoms have virtually disappeared. Now, it’s only been one month, so I plan on sticking to the Hepa Plus (liver support supplement) for another month or two to see how I do, but I usually miss 1 day a month, stuck in bed, unable to function. That’s not the case this month .

And the best news of all, my toe. Two things that were changed this month, I had my orthotics adjusted by my good friend Fareen of Burlington Orthotics, which allows my toe more comfort in my shoes.  And the other is removing gluten – which can be inflammatory as we know.  My toe is feeling MUCH better. In fact, there are days when I don’t even notice any pain.  This is incredibly huge for me. I may even consider running again in another few weeks. After struggling for 4 years, could it be that I have finally found relief?

This program has changed my life. Truly. In so many more ways than I had imagined. I love that I am eating whole foods about 90% of the time now. I am so much more in control of what goes into my body.  I have learned different methods for managing stress. I have lost weight – a nice side effect – but I wasn’t aiming for that. My skin is brighter.  I sleep more soundly than ever before. I truly feel amazing. Will I go back to my old ways before? Doubtful.  I can assure you that I will be sticking to gluten-free for the most part (at least when I’m in control of my meal options). I will be enjoying wine again, but will probably avoid beer (cause gluten-free beer is terrible!!).  What started out as an experiment that I thought would only be 28 days, has turned out to create new lifelong habits. And I’m really pleased about that.

Sara Martel and I will be taking some photos this weekend to share our success in photos. Stay tuned!  And I will continue to blog after my 28 days are over (just not every day thank goodness) and share more and more success stories with you.  If you’re ready to start your 28 Day Total Body Detox, drop me a line – info@julieboyer.com.

As we wrap up the 28 Day Total Body Detox program, I will be sharing not only my personal life changes but I am excited to highlight a few of the clients I have been working with who are also coming to the end of the first 28 days of the rest of their lives.  I encourage you to follow this 28 Day journey from Day 1.  It’s truly been life changing for many people already, including me.

Tonight’s guest blogger is Sara Martel. Sara’s purpose and passion is to inspire leaders to create freedom in their lives by teaching them how to achieve optimal health, financial freedom and happiness.

I am curled up with my laptop and a hot bowl of quinoa and vegetable soup, feeling quite content that I have completed Day 22 of my 28 Day Total Body Detox. I was asked to share my experience with this Detox and I must say it has been an easy three weeks.  After being on a fairly healthy lifestyle for the past four years, I decided to do my very first detox out of curiosity and after listening to the overwhelming medical evidence on the benefits of detoxing for our liver.  I also wanted to see how I would feel after removing gluten from my diet.  I pictured the 28 day detox as a month full of sacrifices and imagined checking off the days on my calendar until it was over.  Little did I know that this 4 week journey would become a huge eye opener for me. Lo and behold I actually don’t need coffee or wine to enjoy my day! I had worked my way up to almost a whole pot of coffee  in recent months. I am thrilled to say I haven’t touched coffee in 22 days and I have replaced it with hot water and lemon and a USANA’s REV 3 made with natural white and green teas and antioxidants that give me that sustained energy all day and doesn’t leave me dehydrated and crashing at 3 pm. And  I have embarked on an exciting  culinary adventure , making easy recipes with whole grains I never knew existed. They keep me full and I crave them now instead of the breads I would eat on occasion. My goal was not to lose weight but I weighed in this morning for the first time since I started and I am down 7 pounds. My clothes are loose and  have been told my skin looks amazing and that I look younger.  Will I be sticking to this plan ?  Heck yeah !

Love this!! Thanks to Sara for sharing your journey with us! You can find Sara on Twitter here. Stay tuned for more success stories.

As we start to get to the end of the 28 Day Total Body Detox, over the next few days I will be sharing client testimonials for those who have been doing the program right alongside me.

I’ve been asked if I’m counting down the days until I’m done my 28 Day Total Body Detox. I will say that I am looking forward to being a bit less strict after it’s over but I will be continuing many of the new habits I have created. I was taking a look over the program info last night and re-reading the information in Accidentally Overweight by Dr. Libby Weaver and I realized that the water with lemon in the morning should be HOT. Not room temp as I have been doing.  So I tried it this morning, I boiled the water first and added lemon. It was actually really wonderful and I plan on continuing this. It’s a great way to wake up in the morning, to take time to do this first – before anything else (especially turning on your phone or computer) – and set your day off on the right foot.  I do recommend organic lemons – they taste so much nicer!!

A few others habits I plan on keeping include using the REV3 in my shakes in the morning and my Probiotics.  I also plan to continue using some of the alternative strategies for dealing with stress – such as walking, diaphragmatic breathing, reading and drinking tea.

For those on the program, any specific new habits you are planning to continue with? 

One of the topics I haven’t really covered during the 28 Day Total Body Detox is why it’s super important to avoid refined sugar during the detox – and really, for the rest of your life. Deep down, I think we all know that white, refined sugar isn’t good for us.  Partly because it tastes soooo good, right? There are so many sources of sugar in processed foods today, that it’s really hard to avoid when you’re eating anything that is processed. As I mentioned in a previous post, it’s important to check the labels for hidden sugar content.  Here is list from Prevention.com:

• sucrose
• fructose
• glucose
• dextrose
• galactose
• lactose
• maltose
• invert sugar
• raw sugar
• turbinado sugar
• brown sugar
• confectioner’s sugar
• granulated sugar
• corn syrup
• high-fructose corn syrup
• honey
• maple syrup
• molasses

Although I have been making an effort to avoid added sugar during the 28 Day Total Body Detox, I haven’t completely eliminated it.  I didn’t realize that it was in my healthy salad dressing from Renée’s Gourmet! I’ll have to go back to making my own.

Interestingly this topic came up in the May edition of GI News (it’s from Australia so it’s already posted) and lead me to a great story on CBC’s 60 Minutes, with Dr. Sanjay Gutpa. It’s called: Is Sugar Toxic? and you can watch it here.

Ultimately the decision is yours on whether you eliminate or reduce the amount of sugar in your diet. There are no studies that show a health benefit, that’s for sure.  And if you think diet soda is an option – think again.  I struggled with my own Diet Coke addiction for years and have finally kicked the habit – not a drop since January 1, 2012. I remember reading a study in first year Psychology in University about how diet sodas make you crave more sugar.  From personal experience, I can tell you that this is true.  Do your cells a favour – stick to water, herbal tea, homemade juicing and after the detox, an occasional glass or two of red wine!