Whether you're nursing a hangover from last night's debauchery or just generally run down from a steady diet of processed foods, aiming to "go clean" has the potential to make you feel better as you go about your daily routine. A cleansing or detox routine is typically something you do over the course of several days -- or even weeks or months -- but there are things that can be done just before a workout to help improve your stamina. The end result: A more productive workout that might burn more calories, blast away more fat and leave you feeling accomplished.
Step 1
Avoid toxins, such as alcohol, drugs, caffeine, excess sugar or processed foods. before your workout. Sweating during the workout is going to do a lot to detox you, but you'll get a head start by avoiding some of the biggest toxifiers out there.
Step 2
Drink water. Drink about 17 to 20 ounces several hours before your workout, 8 ounces during your warm-up and 7 to 10 ounces every 10 to 20 minutes during your workout, recommends the American Council on Exercise.
Step 3
Take a shower. It sounds counterintuitive, but if you're having trouble with rashes, skin irritation or other issues related to sweaty gym clothing, rinsing off with a hot shower -- and then ending with a blast of cold water will leave your skin cleansed and refreshed. Better yet, hop in the sauna before your workout and then take a cool shower right afterward. Whatever you do, remove that makeup before you work out, as it could cause skin irritation when it gets mixed with sweat.
Step 4
Take some deep, cleansing breaths just before you start your workout. Breathe in deeply from your diaphragm, puffing up the belly. Exhale deeply, allowing the belly to hollow. Place your hands on your belly, below your rib cage, to pay more attention to deep breathing.
