Detox & fat loss drinks/diets....rant.

Life is lived in extremes. Very little of our time is spent in balance, we either starve ourself by sacrificing chocolate and all things nice or we binge so dramatically in our new threads we wore out to dinner or the movies that night, or if you prefer drowning your sorrows in ice cream and pizza in front of the TV, your quilted pyjamas or lingerie, either way these clothing items have somewhat constricted to a lycra-type fit.  Let’s make this clear, powder is not a food and any diet/detox that suggests drinking one "nutritious smoothie" a day, generally composed of a cheap protein source, in most cases soy (man + soy = man (.)(.)s ), and rammed with all sorts of junk to make the thing palatable to the unfortunate people who actually buy the stuff, is not good. Ok sweet, your in a calorie deficit, congratulations, but your faeces looks like cheese, that’s if you actually manage to squeeze one out, and your head probably feels like you've chewed a whole sleeve of Xanax because your running on fumes along with a temper that’s running across thin ice. 

The week goes by and what do you know you've lost 5 kilos (~11lbs), bear in mind that will primarily be the camel-like water you have managed to store away due to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress along with a likely over consumption of calories prior to the powder life (carbohydrates particularly), I digress, you've ingested, drank or spooned, if you’re creative, 300 kcals a day for the past week, I wouldn't be surprised if the pigeons in Trafalgar Square are eating more than that a day purely on bread. 2 weeks go by and the "diet/detox" has either finished or you just can't be doing with the powder anymore. Your sludge creations are just not cutting it, you don't feel "fantastic" or “10-years younger” and  you're back to looking exactly the same, if not worse, because you decided it would be sound to carry on where you left off.  Gregg's bacon bap (Bakers Delight for you upside down lot) washed down with your sweet-milk-coffee-infused beverage (that isn't a coffee) for breakfast, and the show goes on.  Yes it is a show, you are now famous if you haven't realised...you managed a week using this magical potion and all of a sudden you look like Kendall Jenner and your toilet smells like roses...nah just kidding you look more like your lycra wearing self you did 2 weeks ago. Your body is not stupid. If you starve yourself for a prolonged period of time (restrict calories so dramatically), as soon as you eat something with a substantial amount of energy (Kcals), it’s going to store that stuff right where you DONT want it, within fat cells, where it can be stored and possibly, emphasis on the possibly, oxidised, that’s if you actually get to the gym before you fall asleep, as not only do your fat cells take a hit but your blood sugar levels will crash so hard you will be back on that Xanax-like trip we mentioned earlier, this can be quite comforting for some. Then the cycle starts again..."I feel bad, I’m knackered all the time, I’m fat”, you know the expressions.  What do you know, Sally down the road comes to you with this almighty product she's selling, "ultimate 10-day detox to replenish you in all nooks and crannies”.  Sally is part of a pyramid marketing scheme and unfortunately for her she probably hasn't got a clue a) what’s in the product she's selling you and b) what a pyramid marketing scheme is.  And once again, the fantasy show goes on. 

What to do?  Let’s actually give our body what it needs.

A lot of negativity there unfortunately, but I think you now know where I stand with my opinion on these liquid diets.  Are they sustainable and do they really work?  Fortunately there is hope and this is where we can actually start putting some things into action and actually give our body what it needs, as a result you probably will feel "fantastic" and “10-years younger”, because you’re eating what your body has been craving. Your body requires a certain amount of energy (calories) each day/week. I prefer to focus on daily calorie intake, but some people may prefer to work on weekly intake as this can be a bit easier, each individual is different in what they require due to their different activity levels and genetic make ups. Macronutrient breakdowns or ratios can be dramatically different from one individual to another, this is where self assessment comes in. If you find that your concentration levels and energy levels are fantastic on a low-moderate carbohydrate intake, notice I didn't say 0 carbohydrate intake I don't condone that unless in extreme circumstances, then carry on with that style of eating or vice versa if you find yourself being lethargic and snoozey. Lets start with putting some figures together and ensuring that you are either eating enough (not too severe a deficit) or not eating too much (excessive surplus).  Calculators and formulas are available online to work out these "magical numbers", those  detox drink adverts are rubbing off on me, and I will be writing another post shortly on how to go about this 7 days from now. What I want you to do today is start getting an idea for how much you are eating.  For now let’s monitor/track our intake over a week (7days).  What I want you to do is download the app called Myfitness Pal, this is free on the apple app store and android store or can be used online if you prefer, use this to track what you are eating for the next 7 days, you can write it down and punch it in at the end of the day if that is easier, but we need to get an idea of where you are at now. Hopefully you will all comprehend with this and come 7 days from now I will have addressed the next step in creating our "diet".   

Enjoy the read and please get in touch if you have any questions

Too easy,