Although my family has made many of the changes needed to get away from processed food-stuff and choose real foods, we were never 100% committed.
In early March, I became frustrated with the latest fad in slimming drinks and pills filling my facebook feed, and although some friends were wildly successful, losing 50-70lbs in a matter of months, as a trained herbalist, I have great reservations about drinking stevia and cambodia garcinia on a daily basis. Food and exercise must be the answer. I found an online nine-day cleanse that cuts out all sugars, no sugar substitutes, no grains, no dairy. It is only nine days, but it is REAL food. No gimmicks, no pills, shakes or colorful drinks. At the end of the nine days, a real food, no sugar (and no sugar substitutes) lifestyle is encouraged, legumes, grains, and dairy are added back, with the encouragement to add them back slowly to look for any symptoms of food intolerances or sensitivities.
Now, I could have developed this program myself, however, I liked the fact that it was planned out for me and I didn't have to think about what my next meal would be. At the end of the nine-day cleanse, I had lost over 10lbs. Two weeks later, I have lost another 2lbs. as I am not going back to breakfast cereal or "cheats". Everything I am eating is fueling my body, not just alleviating hunger.
Real food works. It tastes good too!
I am starting to see "cheats" such as jellybeans or peanutbutter cups as contamination of my now-balanced digestion. I still have pizza on Sunday with my family, but the rest of the week, I am eating in a Mediterranean-style, plant-based, real-food way. I feel good, my sinuses are no longer stuffy, and I have broken my caffeine addiction.
Lunch - baked yam with a little coconut oil& butter, steamed brocolli, and crushed pecans
Breakfast - fresh organic berries and chia seeds
Not pictured - last night's dinner was baked chicken, rice, and steamed brocolli.
