
If you have ever researched ways to lose weight, chances are you have heard of drinking green smoothies. One of the most popular weight loss programs that has emerged over the past few years is JJ Smith’s 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse. This program proclaims that you can lose up to 15 pounds in just10 days.
The program consists of consuming 3 blended smoothies per day that contain green leafy veggies mixed with a combination of fruit, water, and ground flaxseeds. A small number of foods that are primarily vegan-based (with a few exceptions) are also allowed as snacks per day. You must also drink lots of water, drink herbal detox tea and take various other supplements that promote regular bowel movements. The program can be found in JJ’s New York Times bestselling book which is available at pretty much any major retailer.
It won’t take much research to find rave reviews from hundreds of thousands of people on social media, amazon, and the like, who have reported tremendous weight loss success after completing the program. Having done the cleanse myself several times, I can also say from personal experience that it does work if followed properly. A persona can, and likely will, lose more weight after the 10-day cleanse than he or she would after completing a whole month of typical diet and exercise.
So, what’s the catch? As with mostly anything there are more than a few downsides to this program. Before deciding that this is the complete answer to your weight problems, here are 6 things you should know about JJ Smith’s Green Smoothie Cleanse:
#1 You will spend considerable time in the restroom
If you are the average adult who works and has a family, following this cleanse can be somewhat of a nightmare. The amount of fluids you are expected to drink between the green smoothies, water, and detox tea will make you a prisoner to your bathroom, with the need to constantly relieve yourself. If you have a job that does not allow multiple restroom breaks, you will be forced to get most of your fluid in after work. If you are up all night using the bathroom, the lack of sleep can trigger night cravings and excessive hunger, which makes it even more difficult to complete the cleanse.
#2 You can still overeat on the cleanse
With so many foods off limits, you can easily find yourself overindulging on the allowed snack items if you aren’t careful. Some of the biggest culprits are apples and peanut butter, almonds, hard boiled eggs, and square organic bars. Eating too many of these snack items will surely halt your weight loss efforts.
#3 Its nearly impossible to exercise while on the cleanse
Exercising will lead to increased hunger since the cleanse is so calorie restricted. It can also lead to dizziness and weakness. Adding protein powder to the smoothies helps, but it does alter the taste, and doing the modified version (2 smoothies with a sensible dinner) also helps but will not yield the same results as the full cleanse.
#4 If you are a coffee drinker, be prepared for withdrawal symptoms
JJ touches on this in the book, and this is something that you should prepare yourself for. The most common symptom of caffeine withdrawal is a headache, but you may also experience irritability, excessive fatigue, and even some mild depression. Some people have even reported flu-like symptoms. Keep in mind that this degree of withdrawal is probably a sign that your body has developed a dependence on caffeine, and if that is the case, then detoxing is probably a good thing anyway.
#5 Beware of the salt water flush
One of the methods in the 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse book for promoting regular bowel movements is the “salt water flush”. This consists of drinking two spoons of sea salt mixed in a full glass of water. Increasing your blood sodium levels in such a short amount of time (hypernatremia) can lead to nasty side effects such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, and disorientation. These symptoms tend to pass quickly but can be incapacitating at the time, making normal tasks such as showering or driving extremely dangerous. The less dramatic method of colon cleansing recommended in the book is to take Mag 07 supplements which will promote a bowel movement the next morning when taken the night before.
#6 You must continue to drink green smoothies to keep the weight off
This one is huge. Do not start this cleanse with the mindset that you can return to your normal eating habits after the 10 days. The weight will return just as quickly as it melted away. You will either need to continue drinking green smoothies regularly or start another low calorie clean eating plan. JJ offers a transitional program in her Green Smoothies for Life book, however it can be difficult to continue drinking green smoothies as meal replacements due to the risk of becoming bored.
All things considered, the 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse is still a reliable method for healthy, rapid weight loss. You can indeed lose 10-15 pounds, or even more in some cases. Completing the cleanse will provide you with a sense of accomplishment and the confidence needed to achieve your health and weight loss goals.
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About The Author
Salimah Jones is a Family Nurse Practitioner and bestselling author of Nursing 411: The Ultimate Career Guide for Busy Adults. With over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Salimah enjoys motivating people to achieve their health and life goals, as well as educating people on various health topics. Visit www.thenursingguide.com for more up-to-date health articles and free health resources.