My Forever Clean9 Detox Experience!
As many of you already know, I have a second business which I run alongside my Zest4Life Coaching- and that is Forever Living Products – high quality aloe vera and beehive based products.
Following on a similar theme to my last blog – Motivational Weight Loss Tips – I have decided to focus this time on my recent 9 day detox experience following the Forever Clean9 Programme.
Why did I decide to put myself through such a thorough cleanse? Why indeed! I really enjoy my food, have a sweet tooth, enjoy my lattes and top up mid morning snack. The thought of 2 whole days without solid food was quite a thought, I can tell you!
My motivating factors? Well, I have had quite a number of clients who have successfully completed the Forever Clean9 and given me honest, detailed and overall very positive feedback so I really thought it was time that I experienced the detox first hand so that I could better inform and support my clients when considering and indeed, undergoing the Clean9 themselves.
Another reason was to challenge my own self control! To discover whether I could last the course and to see how my body (and mind!) reacted. In a way I wanted to conduct an experiment on myself! Although I didn’t want to lose much weight, I did want to cleanse my body, and shedding a few pounds and if possible a couple of inches here and there would, I know, make some outfits a little more comfortable and make me feel better overall. Approaching holiday time was an added incentive and looking more appealing in beach garb a very tasty carrot to reach for!
So……I carefully planned when would be a good time to start – when my diary was a little quieter. I gave up caffeine a few days before, planned the 600 cal meals I could have from Day 3 (check out the fabulous Forever weight management website – Http://www.nutri-lean.net ). I also told friends and family what I was doing (no going back then!) and psyched myself up to tackle my challenge head on. The night before Day 1 I felt rather as if I were eating my “last supper” and like a hamster, I tried to stockpile all my favourites – chocolate, yummy things and so on! I completed my written programme goals - essential to keeping oneself on track and motivated and then….. I was good to go!
Day 1 dawned and I thought “this is it!” I must say I felt rather virtuous, with my family supportive and a little curious as to how I might fare. I had my initial “weigh in” and measured up. By lunch time I realised that this is a “Serious Detox”! I wasn’t feeling hungry and my energy levels were good, but I was missing the habit of eating together with the chewing, taste and smell of food. I had thought I would struggle with so much Aloe Vera Gel ( I normally have the Forever Freedom Gel) and although it isn’t the tastiest drink on earth, I was able to knock it back without much difficulty. I was surprised at how nice the chocolate Forever Lite Ultra tasted, even with skimmed milk – and in a way I was still able to get my chocolate fix!! My evening was busier than anticipated with a 2 hour drive to a meeting, so by 10.30 I was puggled and in need of my bed. Lesson 1: I realised that although I thought I was drinking plenty water, I should have been drinking more – it would have kept the headache at bay!
Day 2 arrived and in honesty I wondered whether I could seriously last the full 9 days. Day 2 for me was the hardest, with a headache which didn’t want to shift, but I continued with my 30 minutes of exercise. I felt rather despondent, not wanting to fail but not convinced I’d succeed. My family were great and rallied round me – having excellent support during a serious detox is essential. Still didn’t feel hungry which I found quite amazing – usually I’d be in need of a little “Scooby Snack” by 10.30am!
Day 3 and I felt like a different person! The fog had lifted, I had my first weight and measurement check since Day 1 and I felt good! I had lost over 3lbs and amongst other things, lost 3/4 inch off my waist and 1/2 inch off my hips!! Hurrah! Clothes were already feeling that bit looser and I had a spring in my step as I walked our girls to school! My Forever Lite Ultra shake for breakfast really filled me up and kept me going – via my 2 bee pollen tablets and plenty of water – till lunchtime. Introducing a 600 cal meal that evening tasted sooo good! I was amazed at how much food (the right kind of food!) one can eat for 600 cals. I didn’t feel deprived at all and again what surprised me, I didn’t crave the sweet things I would normally feel the need of.
Day 4 and I was beginning to relax into the programme. My confidence and motivation to successfully complete the Clean9 was high and I now knew I could do it! I was over “the worst”. I kept the exercise going, my energy levels were great and again, I didn’t feel hungry.
Day 5 and a slight “slip up” at Sports Day with a slice of Victoria Sponge and a coffee (well, I’m being honest with you – I am human and the funds were going to the school PFA!) That aside, I continued where I left off and definitely felt more chilled. I was more than half way there, the “finishing line” was in sight!
Day 6 and time for a further weigh in and measurement check . My weight remained the same as for Day 3 – which didn’t worry me – but I’d lost a further 1/2 inch off my waist (despite that Victoria Sponge!). Day 7 and 8 passed uneventfully, continuing to enjoy my evening meal and taking my pre-mixed Forever Lite Ultra shake, garcinia plus, bee pollen and plenty of water with me on my travels for lunch if I was out and about. It was a really easy programme to stick to and work around my busy daily routine.
Day 9 was upon me – yes, I had got there! Final weigh in showed I’d lost very nearly 4lbs, and, more importantly to me, I had reduced my waist measurement by 1.75 inches, hips by 3/4 inch and thighs by 3/4 inch! To say I was staggered was an understatement! My tighter clothes felt comfy again, I felt energised, revitalised and good!
What I hadn’t bargained for was the way the detox challenged my attitude to, and relationship with food. It certainly increased my awareness as to what I had been putting into my body on a regular basis. Doing the Clean9 made me realise that I could be disciplined regarding what I eat - that I have a choice. It had a greater impact on me mentally than I imagined and completing the detox programme felt as if I were re-setting my food intake button – wiping the slate clean and starting afresh. That was a great feeling!
Would I do the Forever Clean9 Detox again? Yes, hand on my heart, definitely! I’m already thinking that I will repeat the programme either before or after that Xmas excess!
How to move on after the Forever Clean9 Detox? Well, one can do it as a “stand alone” detox programme, to prepare for that beach holiday/wedding/party etc with the aim of losing, on average, between 4-7lbs. Other clients have used it to “jump start” a longer term healthy lifestyle including weight management programme. The Clean9 leads neatly on to the Forever Nutri-Lean long term weight loss plan – check out Http://www.nutri-lean.net for further details. Throughout both programmes I like to keep in close contact with clients, to support, motivate and celebrate with them as they achieve their individual goals.
If you are interested, or curious, to learn more, please email or call me and I’d be very happy to discuss both the Forever Clean9 and Nutri-Lean programmes – and additionally, how life coaching can assist you to achieve and maintain your own healthy living goals.
Remember, as Bill Phillips, the american author and entrepreneur has said, “No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change”.
Wishing you the happiest of summers!
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