Should You “Detox”? A Few of My Intermittent Dieting Strategies

When you fall… Pick yourself back up! Katherine

Should you “detox?” Did you gain weight last year? After your vacation or a business trip? Have you made a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight? Or have you given up on those resolutions? No need to give up! There are so many ways to lose weight quickly, most are unhealthy or backfire.

Intermittent dieting is in the news a lot! But be sure you are doing it in a way that is PERSONALIZED for you. That way it is enjoyable! And more likely to last. You can use your favorite strategy to lose weight but also to maintain it. That’s why finding a sustainable approach – one that is perfect for you, your lifestyle, your likes and dislikes – is critical.

I’ve found a way to lose weight fast that is satisfying, increases your energy and confidence, allows you to eat your favorite foods, is sustainable, good for you…and, most importantly, works like a charm! I call it my “Diet Simple Detox.” In fact, I’m doing my detox program now after some holiday weight gain.

One UNsuccessful way of Intermittent Dieting is fasting at breakfast and/or lunch. That usually backfires by causing craving and overeating as the day goes by, which is the opposite of what you need for weight loss.

Intermittent dieting is an approach that doesn’t need to be followed exactly how you might have read about it somewhere.  Or in a way that someone you know is doing it. It absolutely can be personalized to your own needs and specifications!

I always give my clients the option and we decide the best way to go about it together. One of the most successful ways is to “semi-fast” in the evening (no need to be restrictive earlier in the day). The way I recommend doing it is to eat about 2/3 or 3/4 of your calorie needs before the evening and then skip dinner, or stick with something very low calorie such as a veggies, yogurt and/or fruit, a salad or soup. The two nights of semi-fasting allow you to eat more enjoyably overall, it can undo damage done during the week, and … surprise … it’s even healthy and enhances your energy.**

There have been numerous studies establishing that eating more during the day and less at night is more likely to aid weight loss. This confirms my observations and recommendations of the last 30 years (Ha Ha! I know, I’m a genius).

The key to quick weight loss and a successful semi-fast is to find two nights when semi-fasting would be easier for you. One of my clients semi-fasts on nights her husband is traveling, when she isn’t faced with eating a full meal with him; she has a satisfying veggie-centric soup. Another client simply doesn’t eat Monday and Tuesday nights (I couldn’t do it!). She lost 35 pounds before her wedding and has kept it off. A client who is a professor has two days when he teaches for ten hours. He gets home exhausted and has found he doesn’t need dinner those nights.

I personally have used this strategy most of my adult life, before knowing about the studies. My motto since the 1980s has been “Light at Night,” and it works. I generally eat light at night for weight maintenance and I’m doing my “Diet Simple Detox” now – after gaining some holiday pounds.

You could lose two to three pounds a week with my “Diet Simple Detox”!

** A growing body of evidence shows calorie restricting may reduce disease and extend life. There are many theories to explain this and one is that a lower metabolism causes less oxidation, cell proliferation (cancer), and decreases harmful chemicals and hormones in your body.