Can I exercise while on the LYC cleanse?

This is a common and important question to consider. While your preparing for your cleanse and part-taking in your LYC juices, smoothies and other fluids it’s important to know what you feel you can or can’t do.

It’s not a good idea to start exercising furiously or more than you normally have, up to this point, but it’s also important to be active through this process. Performing gentle exercises is highly recommended whether you normally engage in exercise or not. This is a perfect opportunity to start or maintain a simple exercise program while committing to a cleanse.

What you feel you can or want to do, may vary between each individual. People may have different experiences through the initial stages of their cleanse and may not feel up to it, so it’s really important to listen to your body. If you feel you need extra rest then I highly recommend you take the time to rest and regenerate and consider small amounts of gentle exercises to stimulate circulation and movement. Meditation or relaxing Epsom salt baths may be a better option with simple yoga stretches.

If you normally do not include exercise and you wish to, this can be a great time to start small and work your way up to a healthy moderate exercise plan that includes cardio and light weight bearing exercises.

If you normally perform moderate exercise and feel up to it, then I highly recommend that you continue on with this. If you train for longer periods then 45mins then it can be advisable to drink an extra serving of coconut water or a fresh juice.

If you have a regular intense workout schedule it may be time to shift it down alittle while you’re in the initial stages of the plan and move towards a more moderate plan that includes gentler exercises such as yoga, pilates, walking, swimming or cycling and moderate amounts of weight training. If you’re feeling up to exercising as you normally would after the initial first few days then moving back up to your normal intensity will then be recommended.

Exercise will certainly improve your cleanse experience and improve your results.

Exercise improves:

• Hormone balance
• Weight control
• Appetite and satiety hormones
• Blood glucose balance and insulin sensitivity
• Sleep
• Energy levels
• Chronic disease risk factors
• Mood elevation and happiness

Make sure when exercising you hydrate with water regularly and if exercising for more than 45mins that enjoy an extra juice or coconut water. Beetroots and silverbeet spinach are particularly helpful and have been shown to enhance exercise performance.