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The Difference Between a Detox and Permanent Change

By U.S. News & World Report

Last month, I grabbed coffee with a friend whom I hadn’t seen in months. We shared stories of surviving a new job (her), a move and home renovations (me), and, of course, the holidays.

“I am done with having a glass of wine (or two) every night,” she declared as she sipped a green drink from a local juice company. That’s when she told me she was on a three-day juice “detox.” Essentially, she was drinking nothing but premixed juices for three miserable days straight.

Why? She thought her health behaviors had gotten so far out of control that she needed to swing the pendulum back in the other direction. She planned to use the juices to jump-start a healthy diet so she could make permanent changes.

But when I checked in with her a few days ago, that plan hadn’t quite worked out. She was back to her normal eating habits and thinking about committing to a three-day juice fast once a month.

I told her simply that it wouldn’t work. Monthly juice fasts are only an expensive and temporary break from a lifestyle of choices that don’t work. Solving those (versus punishing yourself for a month of less-than-stellar choices) is the only permanent solution.

Here’s Why:

— Our bodies don’t need to detoxify because the body detoxifies itself. Daily, in fact. The human body has an amazing ability to get rid of harmful or unnecessary substances. It does this by sweating, urinating, defecating, vomiting and yes, giving you diarrhea. No juices, fasts or supplements necessary.

— Many people treat exercise and dieting as a way of compensating for overindulging. This view creates an unhealthy cycle that looks at both exercise and food restriction as negative. Let’s be honest, that’s just not healthy. Fueling our bodies appropriately with foods that provide us with energy and exercising are two of the biggest tools we have to feel great and live well. By focusing on the positive, we add to our life, rather than feel deprived.

— We need to find ways to be compassionate with ourselves over the choices we make. If we are stressed out, exhausted and overwhelmed, the easy choice is to rely on caffeine, alcohol, chocolate or the couch (not the gym). The compassionate choice is determining what we really need — whether it’s better work delegation, more sleep or social support — and giving it to ourselves.

Convinced yet? Take a better approach by following these three tips:

1. Resolve to change what’s not working.

In the case of my friend, she felt overwhelmed by the idea of changing her job, so she let her diet lapse. Too often, we “let ourselves of the hook,” rather than taking the time to think about what we really need. Identify the behaviors that aren’t working, and make a plan to slowly change those.

2. Maintain healthy behaviors consistently.

How do you do that when life picks up? Identify your non-negotiables. These are behaviors you maintain no matter what life sends your way, but you just dial them back when times are busy. Instead of meditating for 30 minutes, I might listen to a meditation recording as I fall asleep. Or perhaps instead of going to the gym for an hour workout, I might rely on Johnson & Johnson’s Official 7-Minute Workout App to squeeze in a few rounds of exercise in the morning. Maintaining healthy behaviors year-round allows you to avoid the wild pendulum swings that leave you exhausted and ready to quit altogether.

3. Find the joy.

There’s something to be said about enjoying your life. The new job. The new house. The erratic schedule around kids and snow and sickness. Yes, these factors bring uncertainty and change to our lives. But they also bring growth and challenge and excitement and adventure. Find what’s good and celebrate it, rather than hunkering down to manage a rigid grip on routine or giving up when that’s not possible.

At the end of our phone call, my friend reluctantly agreed that her juice fast “fix” wasn’t much of a fix after all. While she said she felt more energetic (likely because of what she wasn’t eating), she didn’t necessarily enjoy all of the juices. “Besides,” she said as we were hanging up, “my social life went right into the toilet.” Pun intended.

More from U.S. News

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The 38 Easiest Diets to Follow: in Pictures

Green Smoothies 101: Health Benefits and Recipes

The Difference Between a Detox and Permanent Change originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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