Get Back in Shape After the Holidays with My Proven Tip
Hey everyone, happy New Year and happy new beginnings! I'm sure we're all slowly crawling out from under the table, sporting our post-holiday shapes, and eager to hit the ground running in the year ahead. Who doesn't want to slip back into their old jeans and get back into a familiar routine?
As we embark on this new chapter, it's essential to shed those unwanted pounds and get our bodies back on track. But, let's be real, it can be challenging to stick to a diet and exercise routine, especially after a festive season filled with indulgent treats and lazy days.
First things first, we need to get our hydration game on track. That means drinking at least 2-2.5 liters of water a day, with at least 1 liter of it being 'Sassi' water.
I want to emphasize that Sassi water is not a magic bullet, and it's only a piece of the puzzle. It can help with weight loss and improve your appearance, but it's gotta be combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. So, don't get your hopes up, but do take control of your health!
So, what's the story behind this legendary weight loss water, 'Sassi'? The name 'Sassi' actually comes from the American doctor who created the original recipe.
Dr. Cynthia Sass carefully selected the perfect blend of ingredients to create this vitamin and mineral cocktail. The recipe is simple yet effective, and I'll share it with you in a moment.
Now, let's take a look at the classic recipe:
2 liters of spring water (or filtered or bottled water as a last resort), 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger, 1 medium-sized cucumber sliced thinly, half a lemon, and 10-12 leaves of fresh mint.
My go-to version is a bit different from the classic: sometimes because I don't have certain ingredients on hand, and sometimes because I want to mix things up and add, say, another citrus fruit.
Right after New Year's, I made the classic version (but without mint):
Now I'm still drinking Sassi, with a slightly modified recipe and adding a few slices of apple and half a small sour orange:
The principle of preparation is pretty straightforward: we chop everything up, mix it, but don't overbeat and store it in the fridge. It's best to let it steep overnight for a more pronounced effect.
How I drink Sassi and how dietitians recommend drinking it?
As part of Cynthia Sassi's diet, drinking Sassi is the initial step, a quick 4-day start to determine the true scope of the 'fat roll' problem. During this time, consuming Sassi water should be at least 8 glasses a day. The calorie intake is 1400 Kcal.
Then, they move on to the second, 4-week stage. They increase the daily calorie intake to 1600 Kcal, dividing meals into 4 stages, with each stage consisting of 400 Kcal. They must include products that are sources of monounsaturated fatty acids in their diet. Salt, vegetables containing coarse fiber, sweets, and caffeine-containing drinks are reduced to a minimum.
I'm a bit of a water enthusiast, so drinking a lot of water a day doesn't faze me. Sassi manages to down a liter or two a day.
But if you're not a fan of water in general, you should start 'hydrating' – that's what it's called. So, start with a reasonable amount of water you can handle and add 30-40 mL each day to avoid overwhelming your kidneys.
Once you've increased your daily water intake by at least 1.5 cups, you can confidently add 1-2 cups of Sassi's water.
Don't worry, once you get into the habit of drinking water, you'll be visiting the bathroom more often. But that's normal for a healthy person – it's normal to go every 30-40 minutes or an hour, depending on individual factors.
So, how do the components of Sassi's water affect our bodies?
Ginger contains a compound called gingerol, which accelerates digestion and improves metabolic processes in the body, helping to shed those extra pounds.
While a simple ginger water would be great, given its unique properties, ginger lacks its own distinct flavor when dissolved in water, leaving only a spicy and slightly sweet taste, which isn't enough to qualify it as a tasty drink.
Lemons are rich in vitamin A, C, and B, and contain calcium, zinc, and boron. The juice of lemons suppresses appetite and aids digestion.
I've found that lemons and ginger are a match made in heaven, but be careful not to overdo it, as lemons have some drawbacks: drinking lemon water for an extended period is not recommended for people with high acidity, digestive issues, or sensitive tooth enamel.
The water content in cucumbers is a natural adsorbent, and eating them daily can help cleanse your body and remove toxins accumulated over time.
Wild garlic leaves aid digestion, help with irritable bowel syndrome, and are effective against stomach issues. The aromatic leaves are rich in vitamins A, C, and B12.
While any orange variety can be used for weight loss, I recently came across a fascinating discovery. European scientists found that there's a specific type of orange that's packed with anti-cancer properties. This Sicilian citrus fruit has a reddish pulp that's truly remarkable.
So, these products not only complement each other in the fridge but can also be combined in a single pitcher to create a refreshing drink.
I have to stress that drinking the maximum recommended amount of Sassi water – up to 2 liters a day – is crucial, especially if you don't have kidney issues or overly acidic stomach. This is my top tip and the main contraindication.
If your stomach and kidneys are in good shape, you'll start to notice the water retention going down after about a week. The key principle here is simple: the more water you drink, the faster you'll lose weight. Of course, don't go overboard and drink 5 liters a day – that would put a massive strain on your kidneys. 2-2.5-3 liters a day is a totally realistic target.
I managed to get back in shape pretty quickly after the holidays, thanks to Sassi water. I'd stopped partying and eating junk food from January 2nd, and I'd been drinking Sassi water non-stop.
Here's to a happy, healthy, and fit New Year! Cheers!