Today I wish to give you a day by day breakdown of my experience of using the Clean 9, Forever Livings cleanse and diet programme. The programme is designed around Aloe Vera gel and its aims are to cleanse the body of toxins and give weight loss a kick start.
Before we begin, let me tell you a bit about my background...
4 years ago I was a very slim, size 10, weighing in at a healthy 11 stone, I was active, could pretty much eat anything I wanted and never worried about my appearance or clothes not fitting. I took it all for granted. Then in 2011 I found that all of a sudden the weight started piling on, I started watching what I was eating, but this became impossible because of severe stomach pains. I tried to up my exercise, but this became impossible due to extreme fatigue. Cut a long story short, it soon became clear I was quite poorly, and was eventually signed off my work, eventually leading to me giving my job up altogether.
To say I was depressed was an understatement, I was stressed, in pain, tired yet not sleeping, with no sign of any diagnosis, and the weight was still piling on! Eventually after many tests and ruling various illnesses out I was diagnosed with ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy) aka Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. There is no medical treatment for this illness, and no cure. However overtime I have learnt to deal with the illness, my tiredness has improved, I control my stomach pains with medication and diet, and I am now a fully qualified Beauty Therapist working in a salon, and I also attend college studying Sports Therapy. While my health has improved I still have 'bad' days and the one thing I have not resolved is my weight! At my heaviest sitting at about 16 stone and normally sitting around 15 stone. After many yo yo diets loosing weight and regaining, I joined Forever Living and in turn have tried the Clean 9. Here I will tell you how I got on...
The Clean 9
What you get in your pack:
3 x Aloe Vera Gel
1 x Garcinia Plus Tablets
1 x Bee Pollen Tablets
1 x Shaker
1 x Milkshake Tub (chocolate or vanilla)
1 x Tape Measure
1 x Log Book
1 x Beaker
You receive everything you need for the 9 day plan.
Days 1 and 2
For the breakdown of what you consume on each day please visit: http://www.nutri-lean.net/step-2/clean-9.html
Day 1: First day on the plan I was raring to go and surprised myself as I didn't feel hungry the whole day. I kept myself hydrated by drinking plenty of water and stuck to the plan completely. That night for the first time in over a year, I slept right through the night without the aid of a sleeping tablet. I can not tell you how great this feeling was!
Day 2: Much the same as Day 1, I was feeling determined and did not feel hungry, again I kept myself hydrated but I added some lemon and lime to my water to give it a slight flavor. I was feeling great and again I slept right through the night.
Days 3 - 9
Day 3: Admittedly by Day 3 I was beginning to miss eating, not through hunger, but through the psychological knowledge that I hadn't physically chewed anything for a few days. I was looking forward to my meal. I had a chicken breast with a whole bunch of roasted veggies (TOP TIP: Work out your meal calorie content using my fitness pal and weigh and measure your food!!). I was absolutely stuffed after my meal and again went to bed feeling great and woke up feeling fresh!
Day 4: Day 4 went the same as the other days, with one exception, extra temptation! I had a meal at a friends house in the evening and people would be drinking alcohol and eating lots of food. The menu was fajitas and my friend kindly prepared me a low calorie option! I enjoyed the evening but was a bit fed up that I couldn't have a glass of coke or something, but never the less got through it!
Day 5: An easy day for me! I was at work so no time to think about eating as Saturday is too busy. And in the evening I really enjoyed my meal!
At this point I have been taking my measurements and weighing in as advised by the book you receive and was given a motivation boost by seeing a reduction in inches and smaller numbers on the scales!
Day 6: A tougher day! My day off, and my only day with my boyfriend. Sunday has always been our 'treat' day. Not wanting to go off plan, I stuck to my shakes and supplements, but in the evening I did have my meal from the Chinese takeaway, I made good choices, but if I am being totally honest I probably went over my 600 calorie allowance :(
Day 7: Feeling annoyed with myself from the day before I got back on plan properly with my shakes and in the evening I had stir fried lean beef steak and veggies. A tasty option :) I was feeling back on track, although my sleep was not as good and this was my own fault for having the Chinese food!
Day 8: Still on track and a day at college, however on this day I swapped my 600 calorie dinner for lunch instead. I didn't find it made a difference and the day went well.
Day 9: The final day! Hurrah!! I stuck to the plan with my shakes but probably went over calories on my dinner (naughty me!!) but I still felt super proud of myself for making it to the 9th day!!
Throughout the 9 days I upped my physical activity, I did this with workouts in the gym, walking my dogs for longer, taking the stairs instead of the lift, and aerobics.
Now for the results!!
My starting weight was 14'11. I would like to point out that my weight was previously 15'3 but I had been eating healthily for two weeks leading up to my cleanse, to 'pre-cleanse' the body.
My finishing weight was 14'5! Thats a total loss of 6lbs! And I lost 6.5inches!!
Some of you might be sitting there going well that's not that much, well you are still overweight etc, but I feel better than I have in a long time and this is a significant healthy weight loss!!
It has taken some courage, but I now post my before and after photos below!
It is my intention to continue working with the Forever Living products to loose more weight, my target is to get down to 12 stone, so another 2'5 to go!! My overall opinion of the Clean 9: DO IT!! Stay motivated, imagine the cleaner healthier you! I feel the plan has improved my health and well being and improved my weight loss. I will keep you updated here on my blog!!
For more information about the Clean 9, please visit my facebook page www.facebook.com/foreverbhc and get in touch with me, alternatively please email harrietchristine@hotmail.com.
Thanks for reading and I hope you have found this helpful, much love H xx
