2 week smoothie detox - nonsense?

[Playfulplatypus]

I bought a detox smoothie guide (cillas amazing smoothie detox) which consists of 3 smoothies a day plus 2 snacks (recommended snacks), there’s also an option to add a small meal but I was trying to do it without at first.

context: I’m 168cm and weigh 73.4kg as of this morning. I know in the grand scheme of things those numbers don’t appear too terrible but my weight prior to lockdown was around 57kg. Lockdown and the birth of dd2 9 months ago has just caused me to gain so much and I cannot shift it for love nor money. Despite healthy eating and walking 15k steps a day with added exercise whenever I got a chance (not very often admittedly) I did not shift any weight whatsoever. I’ve been tested for hyper/o thyroidism and both were clear. In fact my bloods are perfect apart from low vitamin D! I’m convinced breastfeeding is somehow making me cling onto the weight, although I didn’t have this trouble with DD1 4 years ago.

anyway I did day 1 today and feel utterly miserable. So hungry and just depressed that my weight can control me like this. I finally caved and ate two slices of brown toast and now feel like an absolute failure! I’m still living in my maternity leggings and my joints ache from the extra weight. I just hate the sight of my body now and nothing seems to help so I’m trying something fairly drastic to see if that helps. Im scared I’ll get to the end of the two weeks and just gain everything back! Is this a load of nonsense? What am I doing wrong in my usual non detox plan that I cannot shift this weight?!

I followed this plan and it was absolutely brilliant!!! Lost 16 lbs in two weeks and kept it off for over a year. Yeah it sucks the first day - she says if ur craving just have lots of the healthy snacks she suggest.

@Silentsalamander thanks so much for responding!! That’s good to know, I’d be thrilled with that! God this first day has been so miserable though! Would you do it again??

yeah totally, tbh after day 3 it’s so much easier. It’s just a big change to adapt to

Thinking of joining you on this, OP! 😬 What are the smoothie recipes like? Are they vaguely palatable? I did the sirt food green juice diet in the past and it worked great but the juice was disgusting and I don't think I could face it again! 😆

@YesYesAllGood honestly not bad at all! The snacks are not too shabby either (hummus and celery etc) todays smoothie was almond milk, bananas, pineapple, mango and spinach. So still quite sweet! Hoping I haven’t ruined it all with my toast! 😝

@Playfulplatypus 😁 Cool, think I might give it a go! Don't feel too bad about the toast - you're probably still in calorie deficit, which should help!

I did Jason Vale’s lose 7lb in 7 days juicing and smoothie plan and that worked well plus I felt incredible by the end of the week.
I gave up caffeine and decaf drinks at the same time and went to one of his retreats a couple of months later.

I'm sure the 'detox' bit is a load of garbage but if you are able to stick to it you're bound to lose weight then hopefully that'll give you the motivation to continue.

Good luck with it.

Remember that everyone is unique so if this method doesn't work for you try something else (low carb, variations of fasting, food combining, etc) . Keep experimenting, you will find something.

@LoveAHolidayOrTwo Giving up tea would be hard for me but I am enjoying caffeine-free green tea at the mo. Well done on your weight loss!

Would anyone mind sharing the general premise? How many smoothies\ calories etc? Don’t want to pay for a book! Thank you!

Well yesterday my weight was 73.4kg - today first thing it was 71.9kg. I know that’s all water weight but it’s the most progress I’ve seen so definitely going to stick at it!

@ShirleyHolmes it’s not a book as such, just an online guide for I think £12. Basically it’s as follows roughly:

morning: fresh lemon and ginger tea

30 mins later: smoothie number 1

whenever you need it is snack number 1 (celery and hummus, 1 egg with additional egg whites etc)

smoothie 2 when you would usually have lunch

snack 2 whenever you need it

smoothie 3 whenever you have dinner usually. (there’s also the option of having a small healthy dinner here if you need it, day depending so you can chop and change!)

30 mins after eating: fresh lemon and ginger tea.

Shes a dietician so each day has a different smoothie I think to aid in the weight loss and detox effect. You can choose between the 3 day detox, 7 day detox or the two week one. I’m on the two week one! Apparently you can lose an average of 10kg depending on your starting weight!

Also caffeine is allowed (just no sugar and only a dash of milk!)

It says on her website she’s a nutritionist, not a dietician- nutritionist is not a protected title and you don’t need any qualifications to call yourself one. I imagine you will lose weight due to the drop in calories but I wouldn’t rely on any of her claims about health or “detoxing”

That said, the smoothie you described does sound quite nice!

Detox is a load of bullshit. That’s what your liver is for.

Smoothies are a way to reduce calorific intake (potentially depending on what’s in them and how much you drink) and perhaps get a good range of nutrients from a varied mix of ingredients.

The calorie deficit if you stick to this miserable diet may allow you to lose weight. However, it’s not changing your long term habits which you will go straight back to and pile the weight back on.

You would be better off having smaller portions of what you normally eat and/or starting to make some healthier choices, bit by bit until it’s the normal thing for you to do.

I’ve just brought this after reading this thread - does anyone know if I can use a little
honey instead of stevia to sweeten the smoothies?

@MickeyMouseShithouse im sure it won’t make a massive difference! I’ve not added stevia either and so far (only on day 2!) I haven’t needed any extra sweetness! Surely honey is better than stevia anyway I would have thought?! 😬

@Whatevergetsyouthroughthenight totally get this! It was more of a kickstart to a healthier lifestyle and to try get out of the habit of eating nothing besides biscuits all day and then eating a bowl of spaghetti or something at night! I’m surprised I don’t have tickets with my lack of fruit and veggies on a normal basis 🫣

@riotlady ah that’s my mistake! Admittedly i know very little about any of this 🫣

I haven't done this but done a similar 5 day smoothie and soup plan. Lost about 5lbs I think and didn't feel too deprived I did double the quantities of the plan though as otherwise would have only been about 600 calories.

Have caved again and had two slices of brown toast with peanut butter. Genuinely felt like I was about to pass out after hoovering, only had the smoothie an hour and a half ago!!

I’m wondering if this diet is too hardcore for me while I’m still breastfeeding. Dd is on solids but doesn’t eat much at all so is still feeding every other hour plus 5+ times a night 🫣 or maybe I’m just weak!?!

@Playfulplatypus

Quote from her site "I do not recommend this detox for those under 18 years, pregnant, nursing, underweight, with medical conditions or allergies".

Probably not great if breastfeeding you need the energy.

This

You really shouldn't be doing this when you're breastfeeding

The same apples to pretty much every low calorie diet

I do the NurtiSeed Juice Cleanse on occasion, and it’s a great kick start to eating better. Definitely wouldn’t do it while breastfeeding though.

You keep caving because these smoothies are not enough to sustain you. You'd better off eating lower calorie meals that are balanced . You will only make your self ill following this insane diet.