Diet

Detox Diaries: My Three Weeks on "Clean"

Think you've got what it takes to detox for 21 days? Here's how one woman did it, why (perfect skin, anyone?), and the info you need to decide if this plan is for you

by Sarah Carrillo

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You know how you think things out loud, and don't really realize what you're saying until it's out there? Well that's how I got roped into this detox diet. At our last brainstorming meeting, I mused aloud that it would be interesting to follow real people as they attempted detox diets. Next thing I knew my editor was handing me the book "Clean" by Dr. Alejandro Junger and telling me to take my before photo. Um, what?

You see, I am not what you would consider a "healthy eater." To me, dieting is skipping the bacon on my cheeseburger. I literally eat chocolate every day. And I can count the number of fruits and vegetables I will willingly consume on one hand. Granted, these facts are probably why I could use a body detox -- but would I survive?

My husband thought not. In fact, he laughed when I told him what the "Clean" diet plan entails: A smoothie or green juice for breakfast, an uber-healthy lunch (from a list of approved ingredients, mostly lean protein, brown rice, and steamed veggies), and a green juice or soup for dinner. That's it. No extra treats, no chocolate, no French fries. He tried to be supportive, though admitted he was eager to see if I could forgo all the junk food stocked in our pantry.

But it's amazing how much of a motivator job security is, so I set off on this detox journey. I read "Clean" so I would know how to detox, packed my kitchen with more fresh food than it's ever seen, and fired up my new Jay Kordich PowerGrind Pro Juicer.

Wondering if I survived, if I actually managed to give up that chocolate, and how I looked and felt at the end of the three weeks? Read on.

A Healthy, Effective, Detoxing Cleanse from Cosmo

SEE NEXT PAGE: The plan

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Older comments

Can any please tell me what Detox diet plan is?

by _1990 Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 12:41AM Report as inappropriate

I'm getting ready to start this diet. Where are the recipes?? I didnt see them on the Clean website, just the products they're trying to sell. Help!! :)

by myriah_denk Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 12:41PM Report as inappropriate