Day 4 was a big day - my first day back at work, my first day having to get organised and make everything in advance. And the result... it was fine! I was tired by the evening but who isn't knackered at the end of their first day back after Christmas?
Being back in my normal daily routine really made me notice the differences between the detox plan and my usual lifestyle. I've noticed a huge change in my energy levels - normally my energy levels are a total rollercoaster but this week I've been on much more of an even keel. This has the knock-on effect of making me calmer and more relaxed. Usually I get starving and irritable, scoff loads of food (mostly carbs!) and then have bags of energy before dipping into another crash. This tends to hit before lunch, mid afternoon and before dinner and makes me grumpy and distracted until I get my hands on some nosh!
I also tend to have excess energy at bedtime thanks to my weakness for big portions and plenty of carbs at dinnertime... This week I've been eating less for dinner and eating it earlier, and consequently finding it much easier to get to sleep.
On the menu today, among other things - a plum and grab milkshake for breakfast (less odd than it sounds!), and a delicious evening meal (oh chicken, how I have missed you!). Bending the rules slightly I went for a huge chicken breast (the plan said one chicken breast, not how big it had to be...) leaving my boyfriend a titchy little one which he was not impressed with! I did get a bit naughty and tip a load of soy sauce over it all - I found the steamed chicken bland even with the chilli, garlic and ginger. People grill and fry meat for a reason!
I've been surprised at how much I'll be able to take through to my daily life from this detox - more balanced, evenly spaced meals and healthy snacks, instead of my current regime which now looks pretty stupid: tiny breakfast, supermarket sandwich lunch with junk food to keep my energy up and then a huge dinner. I'm not exactly a morning person, so I will need to plan ahead - I wonder how long I'll keep it up...
