GNC total body cleanse? yay or nay?

[Louisa]

I have been thinking about doing a cleanse for awhile, but am now seriously considering it because I wanted to start a diet (I am going to be in the wedding of a very close friend soon) and was told the best thing to do before starting a diet is do a cleanse.  I was told it will kickstart the diet and get rid of any junk that shouldnt be there and you cant get rid of from dieting.  I went to GNC and was directed to their 7-day total body cleanse (the woman said her daughter did it and lost some weight and noticed a difference, also many people she said come back for it several times, and she was planning to buy it for herself.  Someone else told me to try Colonix.  I am a little weary of that one for some reason.    Would you try the 7 day cleanse from GNC (its supposed to be for kidneys, liver, circulatory and colon.) or does this really not have any benefit?  does it interfere with any other meds... just thinking because its got some herbal stuff in it....?   

Anyone use one that they like?  do any of the nurses on board have any comments?  Thanks!!!

Just wondering. 

[BEAU]

I personally wouldn't do it, though it probably wouldn't hurt you.
The reason you may lose weight from it is because all that fiber being put into the body.
As for diets, your best bet is regular sized portions, and watching what you eat.
I have done very well with that and lost a significant amount of weight over the past year.
If you want more specifics, feel free to email me.

[Carol]

I'm with Beau.  It's all about behavior modification and proportion sizes.....lots of water, lots of fruits and veggies.  I know it's not a quick fix but the best weight loss percentages out there that have longevity are the weight watcher plans......all about size of proportions and selection of foods.

[Savage]

I have done very well with that and lost a significant amount of weight over the past year.

She's not kidding, she looks great, and has much more energy...now if we can figure out a way to create more time in a day to do more.....
Now I need to get in shape.....argh!

[Louisa]

Actually, I did see some weight loss when I was on weight watchers back in June... but then I realized they charge something like $40 a month?? And I wasnt sure that it was worth it for what I was getting.  However, now I am thinking of going back.  Does anyone know of any similar programs that aren't as expensive?  If there isnt, I guess I'll bite the bullet and pay the cost, because I would like to join... but I would rather not throw money away if I don't have to because I want to lose about 20 lbs ideally.  If I lost 20 lbs, i'd be satisfied.  Last winter, I stopped running (I truly dont have the time to hit the gym everyday, sadly...) and I dont really have room for a treadmill right now of my own until I move eventually here.  So, over last winter I gained some weight because for some reason it was a bad winter for me and craving comfort food. I'd like to get that off and watch myself this year. 

Beau, I will have to take you up on that... I would definitley like to know any tips you have... but I feel like I did best on the WW program, because it made me recall what i ate and stay within a range. I think my I had 20 points for the day. (which felt like nothing, but i did lose weight rather quickly over a few weeks)

Any suggestions on another site/program that is similar?

[BEAU]

For food tracking I recommend fitday.com
It is an excellent resource.

[Carol]

Hellllooooooo Beau, now that Sav has told us you're lookin' good, we want pics.......pleeeeeeze??

[BEAU]

Oh Sheesh....
Just you wait....
I'll have to have him take one.
The only new one I have is the family one and I'm in the back behind everyone, so you can't really tell much.
I have had a lot of fun buying new clothes though!
 

[saucyaussies]

Actually, I did see some weight loss when I was on weight watchers back in June... but then I realized they charge something like $40 a month?? And I wasnt sure that it was worth it for what I was getting.  However, now I am thinking of going back.  Does anyone know of any similar programs that aren't as expensive?  If there isnt, I guess I'll bite the bullet and pay the cost, because I would like to join... but I would rather not throw money away if I don't have to because I want to lose about 20 lbs ideally.  If I lost 20 lbs, i'd be satisfied.  Last winter, I stopped running (I truly dont have the time to hit the gym everyday, sadly...) and I dont really have room for a treadmill right now of my own until I move eventually here.  So, over last winter I gained some weight because for some reason it was a bad winter for me and craving comfort food. I'd like to get that off and watch myself this year. 

Beau, I will have to take you up on that... I would definitley like to know any tips you have... but I feel like I did best on the WW program, because it made me recall what i ate and stay within a range. I think my I had 20 points for the day. (which felt like nothing, but i did lose weight rather quickly over a few weeks)

Any suggestions on another site/program that is similar?

Why not just do it on yoru own?  You have the books, points values etc...if you need a scale, I bet the dr's office would let you pop in once a week to weigh yourself.  I try not to focus on the actual number on teh scale, but rather on how I'm feeling, how my clothes are fitting etc.  I think we get too focused on that number that we see on the scale.  That is NOT what being healthy is about, it is what you eat, how much you eat, when you eat, living an active life etc etc.  The number is fairly meaningless.

[BEAU]

That is what I did... completely on my own.
I tracked foods on fitday.com faithfully.
However, if you are not completely familiar with portion sizes and what amounts you should be eating, it may help to use the weight watchers materials (which can be bought from ebay if you don't still have them) to get an idea of what you should be eating as a general guideline).
I do feel it helps to weigh yourself often though.
There will be fluctuations, but as long as the general trend is down, you're doing well.

[Savage]

maybe you guys can talk her into showing her old drivers lic. picture vs. her new one!
;-)

[BEAU]

NO WAY....

[Savage]

she hates the old license picture so much...she kept it!
;-)

[Louisa]

well when I posted this original message... my sister had already picked up the cleanse for me, which I didnt know.  I tried it (probably a mistake) for two days and about a day later, after I stopped taking it... I was horribly ill. Very bad, have not been that ill in years.. thought I had a stomach virus (I may have.. but am curious if its was that cleanse)  and have not felt right for the last four days... very sensitive stomach and getting a lot of sour stomach throughout the day off and on... a headache yesterday and just feel BAD.   Could it be that I took a 7 day cleanse only 2 days and decided to stop?? or more likely could it be a stomach flu?  Its been about 4 or 5 days so im just wondering if I hadnt stirred up some things in there with the two days of pills/ etc on the cleanse... and not actually taken it long enough to get rid of it... and now feeling ill... anyone heard of this?  I have never got the stomach flu for this long, usually its a one day thing if I catch it. Nobody else I know has got it.

[BEAU]

Wish I could help you out, but I've never taken one of those cleanses before so I have no idea how they work.