The Hubby Cleanse – Stages and Realisations

Sorry I didn’t recap the results of my first week of cleanse. I could feel in my bones how worried you all were, but frankly, I was far too busy strutting around with the pride I usually reserve for completing a rudimentary home handyman task.

This cleanse thing was easy! Brought it to its knees, I did.

It’s been just over 4 weeks now, which makes a mockery of my intention to provide weekly updates, and which is a little longer than the typical Break Through! program. But remember I’m using this cleanse to address some health issues, meaning not only will it take longer than 3 weeks .. or 4 (gulp), but that I reintroduce food groups as I go.

The results have exceeded my expectations by a considerable margin. Quite frankly, I feel terrific, and it’s noticeable to both myself and those around me. It’s almost like I’m seeing the world in colour for the first time in a while. I’ve even begun to notice these cute little creatures with wings that fly about, and colourful plants with pleasing aromas! The transformation has been quite amazing. I’ve almost literally gone from looking and feeling like this

… to this:

I’m sure you’d agree that’s pretty dramatic!

By committing to a more regular training routine at the same time, as well as getting more sleep, I’ve managed to shed a few kilograms into the bargain. This wasn’t my real objective at all, though I knew it would be a natural consequence. In the meantime, if you know anyone with a belt-hole puncher, send them my way, will you?

Although making adjustments to my diet turned out to be far easier than I thought (I can still pack it away), it hasn’t been without its fair share of help from my lovely wife Brenda. Without that assistance, which has mainly involved cooking and preparation (and gentle reminders to do it myself occasionally), this little cleanse update might have had a different and slightly ashamed tone.

And it’s not like the cravings haven’t ebbed and flowed along the way. I can readily identify a few distinct stages I’ve experienced so far, and I’m sure many people would agree.

Stage 1:

The first couple of days are always the hardest. For me, it’s usually the first couple of minutes before I wipe my brow and claim that I really, really tried. But the reason I think these early days are difficult is that you haven’t built up any ‘time capital’ at this point. Because you’ve only just begun, it’s very easy to just cave in and begin again. What’s the loss, right? A day or two?

I’m pretty sure as I stared into the eyes of the cream-filled biscuits in the work kitchen in those early days, dressed so fetchingly in their smooth, tight-fitting, sealed glass jar, that I could hear them singing “Hello, is it me you’re looking for…?” It took all my strength to keep myself from lunging at them, and it had only been a day! But the last time I did that I ended up with a wife and two kids, so I inserted my knuckle into my mouth and backed away.

Stage 2:

Once the initial two days were safely out of the way, it was fairly easy to relax into a routine of preparing and taking meals to work, nuts to chew on, and some fruit for snacks in between. The siren call of all manner of cookie and lolly jars became but a murmur, and I was beginning to wonder if it could really be this straight forward.

Stage 3:

Moving well into the second week was a bit more jarring, however. And it was unexpected, as well as difficult to navigate safely. The old routine wanted to come out to play, but working in my favour though was time capital I’d built up. I had reached a point where I just didn’t want to start again! Even for the $1 chocolate specials at Woollies.

Truly, there is an element of psychology in making change, and I’ve found that the further you journey into the task (usually), the easier it is to mentally cope with the change.

So what have I learned so far?

The importance of an objective

– If you have a target in mind (health, weight, whatever your fancy), it’s far, far easier to commit to a routine, then stick to it.

The importance of an objective – If you have a target in mind (health, weight, whatever your fancy), it’s far, far easier to commit to a routine, then stick to it.

How much I actually ate – constant grazing for no other reason than something to do (and I do love food!), and often on sugary snacks, is not a great relationship to have with food. I know … my body rebelled. No wonder I felt bloated – my stomach never got a rest!

Lack of side effects – Not only do I feel fitter and more vibrant, but no headaches! Not one, and not even close. Perhaps that’s fortunate given stories I’ve heard from those with heavy addictions to things like sugar and caffeine, but I’m not going to argue. I’ve had more than my share already.

Preparation – You really have to be organised to maintain a strict routine, otherwise it’s too easy to scrape by with snacks that undo all the good work. Just as bad is going without a meal because you haven’t prepared food. The best thing about a bit of preparation is that it generally takes the same time as preparing one meal, but can last you days.

Lack of alternatives – Where I work in the city is not well known for cuisine. That’s a kind way to put it. And the options are limited, mostly carb or grain-loaded, and not really ideal from a health perspective. It takes quite a lot of groundwork just to locate even a half-healthy shop, which never seems to be within an accessible distance as well.

Lack of cravings – OK, I did miss coffee, but the way I used to attack chocolate made me think abstinence would be torture. Surprisingly, it wasn’t at all.

The importance of sleep – I do actually know and appreciate this (I’m reminded constantly by you-know-who) … it’s just that I never got around to going to bed early. Making a concerted effort to do so has definitely helped my moods, energy levels and alertness.

When I think about it, it makes a lot of sense to make some more permanent changes to my diet once the cleanse and food reintroduction are completed. If it makes me feel this good, why wouldn’t I?

Adrian Janschek

Resistant or stubborn weight is such an emotional and frustrating subject for many, due to the fact that women have been trying to lose the extra 5-10 kilos for years and are failing miserably. When something is not working, then it is time to try a different approach. If your body is in perfect hormonal harmony, thyroid, adrenals and all systems balance. You should be able to have 2 to 3 healthy meals a day, exercise moderately, and feel fantastic in a body you love.

The gist to losing that resistant weight is to stop, slow down, and listen to your body. Create the perfect environment inside and outside your body to enable it to be where it wants to be. Our bodies have the innate power to heal. Give your body and mind the tools they need, and you will get your desired outcome.

Break Through! To Feeling Fantastic in a Body You Love is a formulated program developed  by myself and Health and Lifestyle Coach , Brenda Janschek.

This e-course is aimed at helping you Break Through! your weight and health barriers. We hope to see you there.

You know you really need one when the increasingly looming departure date feels mentally like it will never arrive. You never quite know how you’re going to survive those last few days without passing out or dead-legging a kitten. But you do, and like a school assignment that is handed in three minutes before being due, your mind and well being are suddenly cleared for take-off!

It’s like magic, which coincidentally describes Noosa to a ‘T’. Our home away from home feels like a warm embrace and a snugly blanket all in one. A place where all deadlines, troubles and responsibilities are denied entry, and we can exist and relax as a family. Stunning beaches reflecting the clear Sunshine Coast skies, wonderful weekend markets, a good book or two, fighting relaxed kids … it doesn’t get much better.

The best part is that there are no timetables. It’s nice when your biggest decisions revolve around pool, beach, and whether to take in the unbelievable sunset from your apartment, or do so over a cocktail!

Fortunately for us, we had our own (river) beach at the end of Noosa Sound, where we would swim, play cricket on the grass, or, mostly, build sand castles. Not just any sand castles, though! An infatuation with another guest’s expert sand castles led to the kids inheriting the spade, trowels and other utensils. We literally spent hours fashioning Inca temples and castles, with the kids honing their ‘stair’ technique without breaking focus.

When we headed for the beach, which was most mornings, the north-facing Main Beach and (more secluded) Tea Tree Bay (main picture) didn’t disappoint. Gentle, rolling waves were perfect for body surfing, boogie boarding and learning to ride a board. Hours passed with what seemed like the blink of an eye.

As a quick thought, I’m often asked about non-toxic sun blocks. Here are the two highly recommended ones we took with us:

Dr Mercola – A natural sunscreen, which is great for the whole family and is free of chemical fragrances, parabens and nanoparticles. It gave great protection for all of us, though but I found the 30+ a little hard to wash off the skin without a good scrub in the shower (if you have an Enjo glove mitt, it gets it off in seconds).

You can buy the Dr Mercola sunscreen from Health Oasis and the Enjo mitt here.

And I love using Mutki which is a tinted 15+ sunscreen, it is also free of any nasties and is safe to use all year round. In fact, the healing antioxidants in it are always good for the skin.

The coverage was perfect and felt like velvet on my skin, giving me an even, subtle coverage. The colour I used was a medium tint, but it also comes in fair. I used this on the days when I was traipsing around Eumundi markets, shopping on Hastings Street or walking to a cafe for breakfast or lunch.

The beaches being so close to Hastings Street is always a bonus. Home to boutiques, cafes, restaurants and ice-creameries like the amazing Massimo’s, you’re never short of a good sticky beak, snack, or, in my husband’s case, a good coffee!

A highlight along the strip is Bistro C, which has gorgeous views overlooking the beach, and picture perfect for sipping an unforgettable coriander-infused vodka cocktail! A couple days later I enjoyed a mouth watering breakfast there with some of the best wellness warriors the coast has to offer .

For us, a trip to Noosa is not complete until we’ve toured Eumundi Markets – again. And we never get tired of it! Wonderful stalls with clothes, jewellery, furniture, home wares, organic produce, palm reading, caricature drawings, homemade muffins and cakes and coffee await. Not to mention the BEST seafood paella this side of Madrid!

We spent a day recreating a previous holiday to Maroochydore, less than an hour south. There we stalked the Cotton Tree Markets, which are a fraction of the size of Eumundi, though we ended up buying more. Go figure! I tracked down my apron lady and stocked up on some sweet, original aprons for my School Holiday Kids Cooking Classes, before popping down to the ever-sweet Cotton Tree Beach………

The kids are old enough to swim out to the sand bank now, which was an adventure. Or, they could allow the delightful little circular rip drag them out and back to shore within minutes.

My favourite part of every day, though, was watching the sun start to sink on behind the mountain on the horizon each evening. We would have to quickly grab a glass of wine because it was quick to set, but oh so calming …

I read Room by Emily Donoghue while I was there and, as a bit of a claustrophobe, it was quite a confronting and uncomfortable read. But I found the story of a 5yr old boy and his mum who lived in a small (11ft square) locked room totally compelling. I fell in love with the mother, and felt it was a lovely comment on the protective, nurturing love of a mother, and the amazing bond with her child.

I needed a couple of days break after reading this book before I started the transportational The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, a magical, dazzling and deeply romantic ride I didn’t want to get off.

How often do you find the time to read a couple of books in a week these days?

It’s nothing compared to the time we get to spend together as a family, though. I can’t wait for the next one … hopefully slightly longer!

Bren x

Is the string section in your head already cueing the dramatic score that coincides with pulling out that lunchbox as if it’s ticking?

It’s disappointing when your child hasn’t eaten the food you have lovingly prepared, and it hurts to waste good food. I feel I’m turning into my father when I lecture my kids about people less fortunate. Anther step in that direction and I’ll have a funny laugh, electro-hair and wear pants that are too short.

Check out these 7 easy ways to help reduce lunchbox stress and turning into your parents : )

Build a Framework For Your Kids’ Lunch

So let us all silence our inner soundtracks before they turn into Meatloaf, breathe deeply, and reboot. Let’s explore different ways in which we can encourage our children to eat healthy foods.

Because kids burn up tons of energy growing, learning and playing, they need healthy meals to properly fuel them and keep their teachers sane.

With a little imagination and the right tools, lunch can be a surprise they look forward to.

Keep it fun & interesting

Rotate the lunch menu. Variety is exciting! Choose from pasta salads to green salads, mini-pizzas to egg muffins, pancakes, dips and crackers, fruit kebabs, and so on. Or, try breakfast for lunch in the form of a healthy bircher muesli!

Always include at least 1 favourite.

Use sandwich cutters to make different shapes.

Organise in advance

Batch cooking with the kids is fun and time-thrifty! The result is yummy food that they have actually prepared.

Preparing meals from scratch does take extra time, but you can multitask. Listen to a podcast or some of your favourite music. It is special bonding time with the kids where they have your full attention.

Freeze home-made muffins, yoghurt, pancakes, soups, individual egg frittatas.

Prepare the night prior with cut up fruits & vegetables, thaw frozen items, or peel hard-boiled eggs.

Kids choice

Allow the kids input into what they would like to eat (keep the boundaries tight, Mamas!). This makes them feel important, independent and confident. And more likely to eat the nutritious food!

Go Seasonal

Fruits & vegetables that are in season are fresh, tasty and cost-effective, while offering natural variation to our diet.

Keeping it safe

Make sure you use an ice brick or thermos or insulated containers as required during warmer and colder months.

Keep it clean

Simple, wholesome, nutrient dense whole foods in your kids lunchboxes help kids to concentrate, provide energy, help them to grow and allow them to function at their best.

Remember to include a big bottle of water.

Avoid nutrient deficient products that are processed, artificial and refined, particularly hydrogenated oils and trans fats, preservatives and grain products and sugars.

Healthy lunchbox basics

Home-made hummus and Mountain Bread chips with vege sticks
Spelt & Pancakes smeared with some raw honey, pureed apple and a sprinkly of cinnamon
Home-made raspberry, raw honey  and chia seed frozen yoghurt
Sushi
Egg Muffins
Home made pizzas
Bliss Balls
Fruit kebabs
Leftovers
Air popped popcorn with organic butter and sea salt
Homemade muffins

Remember, variety in healthy meals begins at home. So introduce kids early to the whats and whys of nutrition, and lunchtime will become far easier.