Take this Sunday off to relax and psyche yourself to get back to routine after a busy party season. Sunday MiD DAY tells you how

The party season has officially come to an end. Somewhere between enjoying free flowing alcohol and Bollywood hits, you realised that partying is hard work and doing it for a few days at a stretch can really take its toll. Now it's time to get back to flow charts and business deals. Still, you really can't return to your hectic routine without a good detox (not of the chemical kind). We draw up the perfect detox plan.

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Keep it light with fruits

In the days you have been partying, you have let go of your diet and had copious amounts of junk food and alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates your body, so drink at least two litres of water, accompanied with other fluids like green tea. Fruits and vegetables are also a must. Dr Richa Anand, chief dietitian, Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, suggests you go on a one-day fruit diet that consists of melons, and citrus fruits.

She says, "Those who have had a heavy few days could eat fruits or khichdi. Stay away from processed, junk and ready-to-eat food." You will also have to get off alcohol and foodstuffs with heavy sugar and salt content as the stomach lining is under strain.

Contrary to belief, starvation will not help you detox and lose the holiday weight. Samreedhi Goel, nutritionist and personal trainer, Size Wise the Exercise Studio, says, "Starvation causes muscles to break down. Put less load on the system by giving it the right nutrition. The correct food will hasten the process of releasing toxicants." She draws up a detox diet (see box).

Take it slow at the gym

Taking days off from the gym would not hurt as much if you had not put on a few kilos. But hitting the gym in a New Year resolution infused vigour, is not the best thing. Nessha Bukht, dietician and branch manager Talwalkars, says, "Your body is dehydrated so do not move into the gym with a hangover. Spend one day hydrating your body. Initially, do not run too hard, too fast and for too long."

To psyche yourself to hit the gym, Leena Mogre, director Leena Mogre's Fitness, says, "Start by doing the exercises you like. Attend a group class as it motivates you. Don't forget to stretch otherwise your body will get sore. The cool down time has to be increased too." Althea Shah, general manager, Gold's Gym, says, "Exercise helps increase the metabolic rate.

Target the larger muscles first and then move on to the smaller ones." If you celebrated New Year's outside the city, exercising also helps you cope with the change in weather conditions and protects you from catching a common cold.