[NickyB]

Anyone done Carol Vorderman's Detox Diet, does it work?

And how hard is it to stick to?

[stef]

Hi NickyB,

I haven't tried it but have a couple of customers who have. They all think it is absolutely wonderful, but takes a certain amount of concentration. Restocking your cupboards COMPLETELY. Rethinking your food ENTIRELY. And changing your mind about eating TOTALLY.

None of them managed to stick to it for more than 2 weeks, the shopping sems to have done them in more than the eating. It sounds quite hard to stick to and requires you to eat a lot of foodstuffs that are normally considered to be vegan, vegetarian or health food nut staples.

Before you buy it I would suggest you go to a large book shop and read it through. Then look at the other books around it until you find one that best suits your head! It doesn't matter how other people find it, if it doesn't make sense or appeal to you, you ain't going to do it well! My personal fave is Joanne Hall's Body Blitz. Stupid name but it fits my philosophy almost perfectly and I am being succesful on it!

Good luck, let us know which, if any, book you choose and how you get on with it.

Stef

[NickyB]

One of my friends did it for a month, it just seemed to be cutting out too much for my liking - she did the propoer Carol Vorderman book, and bought another book to help her out with extra recipes.

She liked it, said it gave her lots of energy, but I wasn't sure.

I like a lot of variety in what I eat, I probably eat veggie twice a week, fish once, chicken/turkey twice and beef/lamb/pork twice, so I think it would be too much of a change. For me, the easiest way to stick to a diet long term is to eat as close to a "normal" diet as possible, then you don't crave things that throw you off course.

[stef]

I'm with you on the variety bit and that a diet shouldn't be restrictive to succeed long term. That's probably why I enjoy the Body Blitz book. She only gives you 5 things to change!!

1. Use the starch curfew plan. Now my husband is eating salads out of choice, thanks to Tesco's who do quite an interesting range.

2. Drink a minimum of 2 litres of water a day. Probably the hardest step for me!

3. Decrease your fat intake. Working on it and it isn't so hard after all.

4. Make time for exercise. Easy for me, that's my job after all!

5. Be consistent at least 80% of the time. Yep, I still get to have a home made curry on Weds evenings, including naan bread!!!

Notice no step says reduce your calories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm dropping a steady 1-2 lbs a week with little hassle. I took it slowly and did the steps in order, except for the exercise one. After a month I seemed to have it in hand, and in my head. I still struggle with the water but that's about it. I can easily see myself doing this forever - and that's the point isn't it? To retrain my eating habits!

The book includes a 14 day eating plan, some really good recipes and is written by a woman with honest credentials! I am just now checking out her website. I'll let you know!

I hope you can find an information source that clicks with you as much as this one did with me. It has made a difference. Happy book hunting!

Stef