In this post I’ll answer Mickey’s questions about detoxes and how to use them in a way that helps your skin and overall health in the long run.
First, let’s see what Mickey asked.
Also once you do a detox and you go back to your oldlifestyle habits, even if they are averagely healthy, wouldn’t that just ruinall work you did in the fast in the first place? How does the detox help youoverall health in the LONG RUN?
Excellent, excellent points.
This is the reason I keep saying detoxes alone won’t solve anybody’s acne problems. Detoxes are very useful tool for curing acne when used in combination with lifestyle changes. Alone they, at best, produce short-term results. It’s possible to get clear after a three day apple fast (such as in Acne Free in 3 Days) but the results won’t last if you go back to your old diet and lifestyle - unless the lady luck happens to fancy you a lot.
This is reason I keep saying over and over that for you to permanently cure acne this has to be a lifestyle change. That’s the reason I named Clear for Life the lifestyle for health, happiness and clear skin.
Lifestyle is the key. Anything else you add on it is just dressing on top. And detoxes are a particularly useful dressing.
Here’s a good way to think of detoxes and detoxing.
Imagine your body is like a water glass. And the toxin load is like water in the glass. When you keep adding more water at one point it overflows. That’s when you start getting problems, such as acne.
Now this happens to be a special glass because it has a drainage valve. And through that valve water can flow out of the glass. This drainage valve is the constant detox work your body does.
So if more water flows in than flows out the water level increases - and vice versa. Quite simple.
Please understand that you cannot directly control the amount of water flowing out. How fast the body detoxes is up to the body. But as a general rule the less toxins enter the body, and the less stress it faces the more resources it can put on detoxing. And both of these things are to a large extend under your control.
In the long-term they are both tied to your diet and lifestyle choices. By making healthy choices you minimize the amount of toxins that enter your body. This allows the body to crank up the detox work. So over time the water level in the glass comes down.
Going on a detox is just a way to temporarily allow the body to throw toxins out even faster. You do this by eating as simple diet as possible (to reduce digestive stress) and reduce all forms of stress (by giving your body as much rest as possible).
Going on a detox and then right back to your old diet and lifestyle is pointless. Sure during the detox the water level comes down, but as you return to your old diet and lifestyle it starts to increase again. And who has the time and patience to detox every few weeks? And it’s not good for your body anyway.
That’s why it always comes down these three things: lifestyle, lifestyle and lifestyle.
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Clear for Life - The lifestyle for health, happiness and clear skin
November 19th, 2008 at 2:14 am
thank you that definitely clears up a lot of doubt
October 29th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
I am unsure about how to detox. Yes, I bought the book, but it’s taken me so long to read, I’m not done yet.
Anyway, so as I mentioned in an earlier comment, I am on the Arise & Shine cleanse. I have not been consistent on it at all though so think that may be it.
Anyway, I am breaking out so much-even worse than my normal break outs. I quit my job and school, and don’t see hardly anyone because my acne is just so bad even make- up doesn’t cover it. I am trying to be positive, and am running in the day and see people at night, when they can’t see the acne so clearly.
I want to believe in Clear for Life, and want to detox to speed up the process.. I really miss school and work but will not let anyone see me like this… Arise and Shine seemed like a good detox, but I quit as of 2 days ago. But my skin is hideous, it makes me so sad…
If this message is too long it’s ok you don’t need to answer, maybe I just had to vent…
October 31st, 2009 at 6:46 am
@Xochitl
Sorry to hear you are going through such misery. Acne can certainly be a pain to go through. On the other hand it also forces you to change your life and face your limiting beliefs. So it’s also an opportunity - something that most people never get.
It’s quite normal to break out during a detox. It happens to many people.
Anyway, from your post it’s quite obvious that you should focus on the mental and emotional aspect now. In your case that will help you the most now.
The fact that you obviously consider yourself to look hideous isn’t helping your efforts to get clear. And I’m not saying you don’t have a valid reason for not thinking that. Acne can look horrible, and nobody likes having it. That said the emotional pain you feel happens in your own mind and in your own mind only. It has little to do what happens to your externally. Please read the emotional and mental chapters in Clear for Life for more detailed explanation.
Meditation is one good tool for resolving those issues - and that’s why Clear for Life package contains very effective and easy to use meditation tracks. Emotional Freedom Technique is another fantastic and easy to learn tool. My suggestion is you focus on those for now - rather than on detox or diet.
Once you start accepting yourself, with acne and all, you start feeling MUCH better and you’ll notice that getting clear gets a lot easier.
I’m not saying this will be easy, but it’s well worth the effort.
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Thanks for your kindness, Seppo. I know that I have to work on self- confidence and changing negative belief systems before I can get clear. The thing is, I am always focusing (or it seems fantasizing) about having clear skin and being able to do and go wherever I want. I read all the emails and the part of Clear for Life that I have read has made me realise that this step is what I need to focus on the most. I admit I am obcessive and for my life have obcessed over different diets and detoxes. I have taken it to the extreme and was severely anorexic and then bulemic by the time I was 13. I am unsure of what damage that did to my developing body. I recognize this tendency and am trying to use it to benefit my life as opposed to the contrary.
My job was a counselor and I felt I had to quit because my insecurities hindered my ability to help the people I counsel.
I entertained suicide because I couldn’t imagine living with this acne and in hiding forever. I am fighting to live and get clear now. I figure if I am alive, I do not want to be miserable!
I quit school because lack of confidence made me not want to share my thoughts in class or give presentations. I would be starting my doctorate if I had not quit school 2 semesters ago. I am truely passionate about it, but this acne has so changed my life. I now live in a different state- no one I know can even see me by accident. My goal is to return to my life when I am clear.
I stumbled on Clear for Life by accident but believe wholey that it is the real only way I will get clear. And after reading a blog by you, I purchased Mr. X Acne.
Also, since quiting my job, I spent the very last dollar that I had for these books because I know that I have to get clear!
After this long winded post, I want to say that, although I have yet to get clear, I know in my heart that you have paved the path toward happiness, and I thank you- and in advance, I thank myself for following it and getting myself clear with your guidance.
Thanks, Seppo
November 4th, 2009 at 5:26 am
@Xochitl,
Glad to hear you realized where the problem lies. That’s the first step in solving it. Unfortunately most people never get that far. Now that you know the issue you can work through it.
“The thing is, I am always focusing (or it seems fantasizing) about having clear skin and being able to do and go wherever I want.”
That’s good, but do you really believe it? See fantazising won’t help because at the back of your mind you know it’s just a pipedream. A pleasant movie you watch before it’s time to return to the “real world”.
If that’s the case then you are just affirming that you don’t have clear skin and can’t have it.
Anyway, I’m glad to hear you are determined. With some persistence and help you can get over this. Solving self-esteem issues is reasonably simple once you have the tools and knowledge at your disposal.
My goal is to return to my life when I am clear.
You should change that to My goal is to return to my life. If you put your life on hold because of acne you’ll just end up miserable. Please understand that it’s not acne that holds you back. It’s what you think of yourself. Acne is simply an excuse used to justify those beliefs.
You can use EFT to get over them. I talked more about it in this post: Emotional healing for clear skin.
Read the free EFT starter manual. It teaches you everything you need to know about EFT. There’s also a wealth of free info on EFT and how to use it on the web. One of the best places to start is the Personal Peace Procedure outlined in the EFT website.