The holidays are over and, as every year, they’ve taken their toll! To kick off January on the right foot, a little reset is in order. Time for a post-holiday detox cleanse to cleanse your system, recharge your batteries, get through winter feeling great — and, most importantly, make peace with the scales. And here’s the bonus: this cleanse is also anti-cellulite! It really does tick every box. Ready? Follow us!
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Why do a post-holiday detox cleanse?
Between the desserts, the aperitifs and the constant temptations, if you’ve stepped on the scales at the start of the year, you may have noticed a few extra pounds that weren’t there before… Don’t panic! By getting back to good habits and starting a post-holiday detox cleanse, things should fall back into place quickly. It’s the perfect way to start the year feeling motivated, balanced in body and mind! Follow our simple, essential tips to get back on track!
No post-holiday detox cleanse without balanced meals!
After the festive season, it’s time to take back control by rebalancing your diet. To help you ease into the new year with confidence, here is a full day of detox and anti-cellulite menus.
Breakfast
To kick off your detox routine, drink the juice of a lemon in a glass of water on an empty stomach to help flush your system, or try a detox juice (we share our favourite recipe just below). You can then have one or two pieces of fruit (apple, pear, orange, mandarin, banana…) with two prunes. Add a yoghurt with honey or maple syrup, along with 60g of wholegrain bread. Don’t forget a warm drink (green tea, rooibos, white tea or herbal infusion), but no coffee!
Detox recipe idea: Orange, carrot and beetroot detox juice
Ingredients:
- 1 large orange
- 1 large carrot
- 1 stick of celery
- 1 small beetroot
- 1 piece of fresh ginger
Lunch
For this meal, divide your plate into three: one portion for protein, one for carbohydrates, and one for vegetables. For protein, opt for white fish (cod, hake, sea bass) or oily fish (rich in good fats, such as sardines or mackerel), or poultry. No red meat! For carbohydrates, go for brown rice or wholegrain pasta. As for vegetables, cook them with a little olive oil: carrots, cauliflower, green beans, leeks, aubergines, etc. Finish the meal with a yoghurt or a piece of fruit.
Detox dish idea: Pan-fried prawns on a bed of artichokes
Ingredients:
- 2 large artichokes
- 6 large prawns
- 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking
- 3 sprigs of fresh coriander
- 3 sprigs of parsley
- 1 handful of split peas
- 1 tsp walnut oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- Salt, pepper
Dinner
Go for steamed vegetables or a vegetable soup to load up on vitamins. Don’t forget to include some protein: flaked tuna, surimi, chicken breast, fish fillet… Finish with a soy yoghurt. And absolutely no starchy carbs!
Detox dinner idea: Creamy carrot and squash soup
Ingredients:
- 1 kg squash
- 500g carrots
- 2 potatoes
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 onion
- 1/2 l milk
- 1/2 l chicken stock
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Nutmeg
- Light single cream
- Pumpkin seeds
- A little salt, pepper
And don’t forget your protein portion!
What are the 4 key tips for a successful post-holiday detox cleanse?
Drink to flush
Our bodies sometimes confuse hunger with thirst… To avoid cravings, get a flatter stomach and feel lighter, you need to eliminate by drinking enough every day. Aim for around 8 to 9 glasses of liquid per day. Drinking more than a litre of water a day will also help your body flush out the toxins that have built up recently.
Tip: Bored of plain water? Try a detox tea, fruit-infused water, a smoothie or — the ultimate slimming trick — warm lemon water!
Get moving!
You may have put exercise on the back burner over the past few days, through lack of time or motivation. Now it’s time to get back into it! Set yourself goals and go for it! You can pick up your usual fitness routine or use the new year as an opportunity to try something new.
Tip: Don’t step on the scales! Take your measurements instead and note them down each week — you’ll see progress much sooner than you think.
Cut out the snacking
A little chocolate here, a slice of yule log there… Stop! Your body has got used to overeating, so you may find yourself feeling peckish between meals. But if you give in to every craving, not only do you risk putting on weight — you’ll also prevent your body from finding its natural rhythm again. Try to resist for several days in a row, and you’ll soon find you no longer need to eat between meals.
Tip: If you do feel hungry between your 3 main meals, feel free to have snacks that you’ve prepared in advance (e.g. a handful of dried fruit, a cereal bar, a piece of fruit…).
Sleep
It bears repeating: sleep is essential for feeling your best and getting back on track! Fatigue often triggers cravings, makes you skip your workouts and can also take a toll on your mood… So try to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night to feel energised throughout the day!
Tip: It’s best not to exercise right before bed. Physical activity “wakes up” your body and can disrupt your sleep. Try to schedule your workout at least 2 hours before bedtime.
So, what do you think? Ready to start your post-holiday detox cleanse with us? Follow these tips and you’ll be back to feeling like yourself in no time!