A lot of people who use the various cleanses from Dherbs Inc. wonder if they should or should not exercise during their cleanses. This concern is logical, especially when you consider that your caloric intake decreases with the dietary change. While it is important to be aware of how much fuel the body needs for exercise, you don’t need to stop exercising altogether. In fact, exercise is a great way to enhance the cleansing process.
Physical activity works to improve digestion and boost metabolic rate, which stimulates the primary eliminative channels. When you exercise, you lose toxins via sweat and breathing, and you promote lymphatic drainage. The lymphatic system does not have a “pump,” so to speak; rather, you are the pump and movement can help you avoid toxin accumulation within the lymphatic system.
But…There Are Things To Consider
Calories provide the body with energy, and the last thing you want to do is workout with negative energy levels. Depleting energy stores results in muscular breakdown because the body searches to obtain energy from other sources. This makes the workout counterproductive. When this occurs, it is possible to experience lightheadedness, fatigue, or low blood sugar. For this reason, it is imperative to eat before and after a workout while cleansing.
The Rules Of Exercising While Cleansing
Lower Your Impact
Trust us when we say that you should lighten the load on your body during a cleanse. Reducing the impact of your chosen activity can help you avoid fatigue that commonly results from a high impact workout. Instead of running for 30 minutes, walk for 30 minutes. If you plan on lifting weights, make sure that you use very light weights. If you need ideas for low impact exercises that give you a great workout, try cycling, rowing, or swimming.
Get Your Stretch On
Stretching is important, whether you are cleansing or not. We’re not referring to plain stretching, though. A great way to strengthen your core and increase flexibility and range of motion is by doing yoga, Tai Chi, or Pilates. You should pay attention to stretching the major muscle groups for best results. These include the legs, back, arms, and chest. Avoid bouncing or quick movements while stretching.
Decrease The Intensity
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts have increased in popularity because they incorporate strength training and aerobic exercise. As a result, people burn more calories in a shorter time period. You don’t want that during your cleanse. It is beneficial to reduce the intensity of your workouts, especially since carbs, sugars, and proteins are restricted. Save the HIIT workouts until you finish cleansing and stick to steady cardio or lightweight exercises, during which you can control your pace and breathing comfortably.
Keep It Short
Don’t spend hours exercising while you are cleansing because you don’t have enough fuel in the tank for that long drive. Your battery has a limited charge during the cleansing process, which is why we recommend sticking to shorter workouts. The ideal workout lasts 20-30 minutes, and this is especially important if you decide to juice during your cleanse. The lack of fiber accelerates digestion and does not contribute to sustained energy.
Exercise In The Morning
During your cleanse, schedule your workout for the morning. You will find that you have more energy in the mornings, as counterintuitive as that may seem. Make sure that you fill up on a smoothie or chia pudding about 30 minutes before your workout. And don’t forget to eat something when you finish!
Stay Hydrated
We cannot emphasize the importance of water enough during your cleanse. Hydrate with water before, during, and after your workouts. Water is not a meal replacement, though, so make sure that you still eat before and after you exercise.
Lastly, it is a general rule of thumb to listen to the body when you exercise, whether you are cleansing or not. See how the body feels and ease up if you feel any fatigue or lightheadedness. You don’t want to push your body to the brink of exhaustion. If you feel like you need carbohydrates before you exercise, click here for great recommendations.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
