No matter how much fun you have on the weekend, come Monday, it’s back to reality. All those cocktails, big fun meals, late nights and unpredictable schedules can wreak havoc on your body and your mental state. If your weekend was like ours and was fully booked with Emmy Awards parties, football games, weddings and baby showers—you’re probably wondering why everything exciting always has to happen between Friday and Sunday? Rest assured, with a little discipline, a lot of self-love and this 24-hour post-weekend detox plan, you’re going to feel like a brand new woman by tomorrow.
7:00 AM: Wake up. We know you want to hit the snooze button, but sleeping in now will not actually catch you up on hours lost in the past. Get up at your usual time and hit the floor for 10 minutes of light stretching and meditation with toe-touches, yogic twists and ujjayi pranayama breathing exercises.
7:10 AM: While you wait for the water to heat up in your shower, chug a full glass of water—between 8 and 16 ounces.
7:15 AM: Don’t cut corners in the shower, even though you may feel too exhausted to even lift the shampoo bottle. Extra time in the steam will open your pores and sinuses—both of which have likely been congested over the weekend with late summer cocktails and yummy food. (Did you know alcohol causes congestion? True fact.)
8:30 AM: Think it’s a good idea to skip breakfast to balance out Saturday’s late-night tacos? Think again. Pick up a fresh green smoothie on your way to work, or make your own with this recipe inspired by Organic Avenue’s Lite Weight Smoothie. It’s loaded with detoxifying ingredients like ginger and kale, hydrating coconut water and satiating chia seeds.
- 1 handful kale
- 1 handful spinach
- 1 tsp. chia seeds
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 cup mango chunks
- Small (grape-size) chunk of ginger root
- ½ cup coconut water
9:30 AM: For every hour you’re awake today, try to drink a full 8 ounces of water. So by now, you should on your 3rd glass.
12:30 PM: Lunch time. You’re probably starving for something heavy and comforting to take your mind off the fact that a) you’re still wiped out from Sunday’s boozy brunch, and b) it is still only Monday. Get out of the office with a friend, and order a salad loaded with protein (salmon, edamame, broccoli) and good fat (almonds, goat cheese, avocado). Eat it slowly, then pack the rest and save it for your late-afternoon slump.
2:00 PM: We know you’ve been sipping water all day, but have you moved from your desk much? Take a half-hour break to walk around outside. You don’t need to change clothes; maybe slip on a pair of chic sneakers to make the trip easier. Walk at a brisk pace for a full 30 minutes. When you get back to the office, pat your face clean with chamomile-infused wipes (they’re great for puffy eyes).
3:00 PM: Tuck into that leftover salad. Ignore your colleague’s cookies in the break room. (Remember: This detox only lasts one day; you can go crazy on the snacks tomorrow!)
6:00 PM: It’s time to sweat—but not in the gym. The benefits of working out in the fresh air are enormous—as much for your mind as your body. And since both mind and body are playing catch-up after 48 hours of hedonism, trust us: You want to exercise al fresco. Warm up with a 5-minute power walk or slow jog, then up your speed, focusing on endurance rather than power. Your body is still full of carbohydrates and sugars—great fuel for a long run. Aim to move fast for an hour, then cool down with another 10-minute stretch and (you guessed it) about 16 ounces of water.
8:00 PM: You’ve eaten well all day—don’t fall off the wagon (and onto the couch) now! A protein-rich meal will replenish your muscles after that workout and keep you full throughout the evening so you’re not tempted to snack later. A niçoise salad has everything you need: protein, complex carbs, fiber and antioxidants. Arrange the following on a big plate and go wild, but skip the wine—it will taste better next weekend.
- 4 ounces Albacore tuna (either grilled, broiled or from the can)
- 1 cup steamed green beans
- 1 hard-boiled egg
- Kalamata olives
- Roasted new potatoes
- Sauted cherry tomatoes
- Mixed baby greens tossed with olive oil and vinegar
Photo: @hayley.collins.feldman
9:00: A Real Housewives marathon won’t help your mind calm down after a busy day (and weekend). Skip the TV and draw a hot bath, filling the tub with a cup of Epsom salts and a few drops of lavender oil. After you’ve covered your face with a pore-opening charcoal mask, brush your body from head to toe with a dry body brush (or even a dry loofah), starting at the extremities and working your way up and in toward the lymph nodes located at your groin and chest. Then, soak in the bath for at least 15 minutes without any distractions (not even a magazine). Once you’ve opened the drain, jump into the shower for a 30-second cold rinse. (Don’t forget to wash off that mask!) Pat yourself dry with a clean towel and drench yourself in baby oil. You will literally feel like you’re at a spa.
9:30: OK, you earned it: have a bite of dark chocolate or some fresh fruit. (Both are packed with antioxidants!) Fire up your Netflix account. Tackle that stack of neglected tabloids. But while you’re relaxing, focus on having fun. Don’t check work emails or pay bills or do anything too practical. Cut yourself off after 30 minutes.
Photo: @bathsquad
10:30: You’ve put in a full day at the office, worked out, eaten well, taken a serious bath, and even caught up with the Kardashians. Now it’s early to bed, and not with your laptop. Shut down all the electronics and curl up with something analog—soft music, a book you’ve been meaning to read for ages. Your day of detox is almost over, and your goal should be to end it as quietly as possible. Dab a bit of lavender oil under your nostrils and at your temples before turning off the light. The aromatherapy will help you further relax before falling asleep. By the time you wake up tomorrow, we guarantee you will feel completely refreshed and detoxed for the week ahead.
