Clean and Lean Diet

Hi all,

I have just finished the 14 day Clean and Lean Diet Kick-start and though I would share my experiences in case any one else is doing or thinking of doing it.

First off the background - the author of this book is Elle Mcpherson's PT and nutritionist and amongst others including Hugh Grant and Victoria Secrets model Rosie huntington-whiteley which seemed like pretty hard hitting references.

The book is based on the reasoning that the human body stores fat for two medical reasons;
- in case of a famine
- as a safe way to store toxins that cannot be processed by your body

It also talks about why sugar is pretty much the Devil and all the affects it has on your body, compared to the nutritional benefits

So in order to have a lean healthy body you must eat small portions frequently and eat pure whole foods with no processing, chemicals or sugars.

For the first 2 weeks your diet plan includes 0 sugar (not even fruit) and no wheat either (as it rapidly converts to sugar), it includes lots of lean organic meat, dairy, fish and tons of veges! + a few sources of oats or rye bread. The thing I found surprising in this diet was it advocates eating whole foods, i.e. full fat milk, butter, yoghurt etc. as long as they are in their natural state. This is because the chemicals and sugar added to low calorie foods are far worse for you than the healthy 'good fats' these foods contain. However this was a major change for me after years of 'skinny lattes'. I was shocked I lost more weight with full fat then I ever have on trim and soon I looked forward to the 'treat' of some avocado or smoked salmon

So how did I find it?
It takes a lot of organisation to make sure you have food available to eat at the right times and you will be shocked when you start reading the back of labels as to how many products have added sugar (tinned tuna!) However there full 14 days meals and snacks are planned out for you and there are recipes you can swap in (I am allergic to prawns so had to do this) which make it a lot easier to stick to. At first I thought eating organic would be expensive but I found when I minused the 'eat-out' lunches and daily coffees I actually saved money!

You are allowed to drink a cup of coffee a day (black, organic, with a splash of whole milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon). And if you are hungry can fill up on as many veges as you need.

For the first two days I had a massive headache (which came back a couple of times over the 14 days) and felt really really low. However on the third day I was euphoric and energised in a way I have truly never felt before and that people commented on. Over the next seven days my energy plateaued at a comfortable energised but not overwhelmed level and I found it easier and easier to ignore the child in my head screaming for sugar.

In the second week I noticed more subtle changes, like the pores on my face disappearing (well getting smaller), my skin getting softer and all my blemishes disappearing, it was easier to get out of bed in the morning and my hair was thicker and shinier. It feels like this is what we are supposed to feel like all the time

The book has a simple exercise plan which I actually didn't do in the first week but started in the second as my new found energy really motivated me to get moving.

Overall I have lost 5 pounds in the 2 weeks (normally I'd be lucky to shift a pound in that time) and more than that I FEEL great - focused and energised, I don't get that mid afternoon slump or horrible 'dead' feeling in the mornings. Now the two weeks are done I can introduce thin skinned fruit and organic honey to my diet plus the occasional wine, or rice and one meal "off" a week.

This diet has helped me see real results and feel so good I HIGHLY recommend! It is nothing too revolutionary but I was shocked at how small changes and ditching the sugar has had such a profound affect.
Also I found that an average day had me nearly exactly (within 20 +/-) on my calorie count and ticking most of my nutritional boxes to (which I used to struggle with!)

Most of all I think this is truly a way I can eat for life and that the 2 weeks has allowed me to form habits, break addictions and adjust my tastes to make that possible!

If any one else has done this diet I would love to hear your thoughts!