The first time I participated in a detox (it was a raw food detox with only fruit and vegetables), I failed miserably. Within 24 hours I ate a bowl’s worth of chili that my husband had left on the stove. My intention had been to put it in a container and store it in the fridge for another day. That didn’t happen.

What I learned from that experience is doing a food detox brings up a lot of emotional baggage. Denial being one of the biggest emotional triggers. I also realized that I can be an “all or nothing” kinda gal. Since I’d cheated with the chili, the detox was over.

Or was it?

Instead of feeling horrible for failing my first attempt at detoxing, I decided to keep on going and started fresh the next day. This was my big aha moment about food detoxes: You don’t have to get it all right the first time. There will be plenty of other opportunities throughout my lifetime (and yours) to try again.

Once I realized this little nugget of wisdom, I began advising participants in my own detox programs to do their best and not worry if they fall off the wagon (aka: eat the chili). The important thing is to give it your best effort and know there will be other opportunities to add to your success.

And that’s the other key takeaway I have for you. Instead of focusing on what you didn’t do, give yourself credit for what you did accomplish. Maybe you really stuck with the hydration piece of it. Great! That’s a huge accomplishment. Celebrating this success feels so much better than focusing on the pasta you decided to order when you were out to dinner.

It’s like exercising. The more you do it, the stronger and better you’ll get at it. No one goes to the gym on their first day and bench presses 150 pounds. They work up to it.

If you look at detoxing the same way, your success rate is going to be so much higher. I promise you!

And to make sure you’re successful, my 12 Day Detox program comes with lifetime membership. Pay once and use it as often as you like. You’ll also become a VIP member with access to the on-line private Facebook group where we support each other as we go through the detox together four times a year. You can join one or all four. Little by little, healthy eating will become easier as you flex your food savvy muscle!