Health & Medical Advice and Information - UK Medical Health

Detox time! After the excesses of the holiday many men decide to start the new year with a detox program. In a flush of enthusiasm they make outrageous decisions – no alcohol, lose weight, go to the gym, clean up the diet. All of these are great resolutions, but setting out to do them all at once is a recipe for disaster. Make a small decision now that you have a good chance of keeping rather than planning to do everything.

Let’s look at going to the gym. Is this really what you want to do? You are more likely to keep a resolution if you enjoy the activity. Going to the gym doesn’t suit everyone. You could try joining a runners’ group – pick one that has a welcoming attitude to beginners, and that will teach you how to run properly without overstretching yourself. If you do want to join a gym, make sure you get personalised advice or use an online trainer who can tailor a program specifically for you. If this all sounds too energetic, get a pedometer. Many people walk about 3000 to 4000 steps a day, whereas the recommended amount is 10000 steps a day.

Want to clean up your diet? Start simply – drink a lot more water and add more fresh fruit and vegetables to your diet. Concentrate on adding good things rather than depriving yourself of bad things. Don’t put yourself on a diet that you couldn’t (with some small modifications) follow for the rest of your life. Otherwise the time will come when the diet is too difficult ad you break it big time. Many people end up putting on weight as a result of going on a diet!

Feel your insides need a clean out? Traditionally herbs have been associated with detoxifying and cleansing the body. Herbs such as cramp bark, dandelion, milk thistle, fennel and ginger support the liver, soothe and cleanse the digestive tract. Go for a good quality herbal detox formula that consists of several different herbs for maximum benefit.

Make one of these changes in your life. Don’t try to do everything. Then when that activity is just part of your every day routine, add another change. Go gently on yourself, but go forward into a better life.