God help me, I've started a "cleanse."

[LavenderHills]

I realise this term is very silly and the only real detoxing is done by your liver and kidneys etc etc BUT I have also put on 13 pounds in the last year and I'm not happy about it or willing to buy a whole new wardrobe.

So, in an effort to re-set some unhealthy lockdown habits and hopefully kick start a bit of weight loss, I've signed up for a two week program where three fresh, healthy meals and one snack are delivered to me each day. It's all portion controlled and free of red meat, dairy, gluten and refined sugar. I'm hoping that having all meals provided and not having to make decisions will make is easier to eat well and stay away from the chocolate drawer.

Posting here for a bit of added accountability!

Breakfast was scrambled eggs with broccoli, kale, pine nuts and pumpkin. It was delicious but felt strange not to have toast with it. Lunch is a salmon sushi bowl with brown rice, so we'll see how that goes

Sounds really good! I would love to know how you get on!

You've got this, op! I bet you will feel fucking fantastic by the time it's over, and then you can keep going!

Thank you for the encouragement; that's exactly what I need!

The lunch sushi bowl turned out to be extremely delicious; beautiful fresh pieces of salmon sashimi with vegetables and pickled ginger and a lovely dressing.

My colleague has just looked at my afternoon snack- a little labelled lunch box of vegetable sticks and hummus- and said "That is peak late stage capitalism." He's probably right

That sounds so good! Can you please share what company it is? I'd love some healthy meals delivered!

@boredwithit The company is called Eat Fit Food, but I'm in Australia so it's probably not a very helpful recommendation for the vast majority of Mumsnet!

There must be similar companies in the UK, though, if that's where you are? There are at least five or six options in Sydney alone.

Sounds great OP. I've found making sure I get a decent amount of protein at every meal has really helped me. These meals sound delicious!

Thanks! I'm UK and in the past have seen a few companies that do this, but never with appealing options like your delicious sushi. I will have another search. I hope you get the results you're looking for!

Sounds great. Is it expensive? The Fast800 website offers a 12 week programme that is based on a Mediterranean diet, low carb, delicious. Running alongside it is a learning and exercise programme. All included. Week by week, step by step. You can amend any menu you don’t like, print off the shopping list. I lost 7lbs in the first 2 weeks. Took me from 10stone 4lbs to 9st 11lbs. 4 weeks in I’m now 9.5st. Just to be clear I’m not on commission but I’ve found it works. Got me off a years plateau.

Sounds like healthy eating rather than a cleanse to me. I knew you were in Austin because of the time stamp for you lunch report back! If it helps you get back into healthier eating habits what's not to like?

I did a uk version of that once - food was rank I had to throw it away. I might as well have gone out and filled my freezer with supermarket low calorie ready meals - tastier and cheaper

@TheRealHousewife The program you did sounds amazing! So glad to hear it worked well for you.

Yes, this one is hideously expensive. For two adults it's triple our usual weekly grocery budget, which is already high. It's a big treat to do it; I wish I could afford to eat like this all the time. However, I plan to make the most of the special "boost" and hope it gives me motivation to keep making healthy choices.

@Sooverthemill I think it's billed as a cleanse because it cuts out dairy, gluten, red meat and refined sugar, which I'm not planning to do permanently. But yes, it's mainly just sensible healthy eating with lots of veggies and lean protein.

I'm feeling good after the evening meal, but I almost opened a bottle of red wine to accompany it without thinking. Had to sheepishly put it back!

@TheRealHousewife

You’ve convinced me... off to have a look

@KrabbyPatties This is the link. I’m not sure how much it is now. When I joined 5 weeks ago it was on offer at £75.00. Worth every bloody penny. Other half has been doing it too and lost a st so far. His blood pressure has dropped from high into the normal range. He was 1 doctor review away from meds.

Sounds amazing and very healthy but broccoli for breakfast
You are braver than me, I couldn't eat broccoli for breakfast for anyone.

Well, I'm halfway through day four and I've lost 3.9 pounds, which seems like too much to be real? Maybe a lot of it was water retention?

I also have a horrible sugar withdrawal headache, but I am pushing on through! Scrambled eggs with mushroom and gluten free toast for breakfast this morning, then chicken and vegetables with a mustard dressing for lunch, and my afternoon snack is going to be something called sweet potato bread