How to Cleanse Your Body Before and After Vacation

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You wear a swimsuit, take pictures and meet new people on vacation—it's no surprise that looking your best is a top priority. Once you're on vacation, your fitness and diet routine might be pushed aside for decadent dinners and cocktails.

A quick way to prepare for vacation and get back into a routine afterward is to cleanse your body. Here's what you need to know to get started.

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Pre-Vacation Cleanse

Juicing or another popular method of cleansing such as smoothies or fasting can help eliminate water retention, bloating and swelling. However, if done incorrectly, a drastic cleanse can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, putting your body in a dangerous place before jetting off to vacation, especially if you're heading to a tropical place.

To avoid the dangers of cleansing before vacation, try one of two tactics:

1. Spend one day "drinking" your meals in the form of smoothies or juice for breakfast, lunch and dinner the week before you leave. Feed your body with lean proteins like fish, ground turkey, beans and whole grains like quinoa, farro and brown rice for the rest of the week. Add in plenty of vegetables too.

2. Avoid juicing and smoothies and simply be mindful of what you eat. Drink plenty of water and focus on eating high-fiber foods.

To get the best results, give yourself time to eat well and exercise, instead of doing a juice cleanse for quick results in the days before you leave. Plan healthy meals and workouts in the weeks before you leave, incorporating strength training into your routine, to increase your metabolism and get your body into top shape.

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