In the pursuit of that ever-so desirable summer beach bod, I found myself committed to trying the 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse by JJ Smith. The cleanse is a 10-day detox from processed foods, dairy, meat, and caffeine, designed to give your body a much-needed "break" and allow it to focus on other things, like burning fat.
More substantial than a juice cleanse, the green smoothies are based with kale, spinach, and other leafy greens, then mixed with various fruit combinations. These combinations make the smoothies quite yummy, despite their bright green appearance. The best part of the cleanse is that it is not a starvation diet; in fact, it is encouraged that you snack between smoothies when you are hungry.
This 10-day adventure was said to be a challenge and one of the hardest things one can do. The benefits are not expected to show up until after the first three days on the cleanse. However, after that initial hump, you are promised to feel more energized, sleep better, have fewer cravings and less bloating, and of course, shed some pounds. JJ Smith clearly states that this is not an end-all solution. The cleanse is meant to reset your body and encourages you to continue eating healthy by incorporating smoothies into your daily routine. Read on to hear about my experience.
The Journey Begins: Prep and Day One
My plan was to make about 72 oz. of green smoothie every day and drink some every 3-4 hours, starting at 7:30 am. On Prep Day, I set out to buy the ingredients for the first five days. Luckily, the cleanse includes a shopping list, because I would have been close to hopeless without one. Finding all the vegetables and frozen fruits was fun, but the cost was around 70 dollars.
I woke up starving. To ease the deep hunger in my stomach, I chugged two bottles of water and sipped on green tea before I even thought about making my smoothie. The prep for the smoothies wasn’t bad; I actually left for work twenty minutes earlier than normal. Drinking my first smoothie, I was pleasantly surprised by how good it tasted. As the day went on, it felt weird to be only drinking my meals, but I was confident I could do this.
Day Two: Challenges and Cravings
It’s hard to go without caffeine. I was very distracted at work and couldn’t seem to focus on what I actually needed to do. Someone walked by my desk and asked what I was drinking, commenting that it looked like bottled swampy lake water. Gross. I could tell this was going to be a long day. On top of that, the cravings started rolling in; I wanted everything from peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to spicy Thai food.
A note to self: Do not go into Target hungry. As a girl who loves snacks, it was hard not to drop 20 bucks on trail mix right there. I was feeling optimistic today, but I felt weak in my workouts. After my usual 2 miles on the treadmill, I was especially exhausted. I couldn’t focus in my yoga class either. These must be the detox symptoms I read about. I ended up having a bit of an episode and called my dad, crying that I was too tired to do anything.
Mid-Cleanse Reflections: Day Five and Beyond
By Day Five, I had reached the halfway point. Yay! Today’s smoothie, called romaine berry, was my favorite so far. The refreshing blend mixed spinach, peaches, and a variety of berries together. I made my way to the grocery store to pick up the next five days’ supplies and found myself looking at the sweets section - a big mistake.
On Day Six, my dad came to town to visit, leaving me with the choice of being that girl with a strict diet or breaking the cleanse. I’m sorry, smoothie cleanse, but I couldn’t resist a cheat meal. I drank smoothies throughout the day but treated myself to pizza for dinner.
The next day, I was back on the cleanse and felt refreshed. I decided to officially commit to no caffeine for the next four days, eliminating green tea and replacing it with hot water and lemon. I also made another change in my strategy because the first week left me too hungry with too many cravings between smoothies. I decided to eat half of a baked sweet potato at lunch and 3.5 oz. of Greek yogurt at dinner in addition to my normal smoothies. I was liking my new strategy with the added food. The smoothies started to have more tropical flavors because the recipes called for pineapple and mango. I couldn’t complain about the taste, but drinking smoothies was beginning to get boring.
Nearing the Finish Line: Day Nine and Ten
By Day Nine, I felt like I had this smoothie thing figured out and almost enjoyed it. I felt awake in the mornings without any caffeine and almost didn’t want to go back to drinking coffee when this ended. The last day arrived, and I was so happy! I felt good and had noticed changes in how I looked and felt. I liked how healthy I felt, but I was also relieved that I could start eating real food again.
It turned out I lost about 6 pounds, and I do agree that I slept better and had more energy in the mornings. The cleanse reinforced the idea that you have to be committed for a long-term change; otherwise, your body will go right back to the way it was before. There is no reason to add sweetener to the smoothies. It’s important to keep track of your fresh food to prevent it from rotting. Drinking lots of water is also crucial. It’s best to be honest and tell people you’re on a cleanse.
User Experiences and Testimonials
Many individuals have shared their experiences with the 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse, offering diverse perspectives on its effectiveness and challenges.
Positive Outcomes and Weight Loss
- Some users reported significant weight loss, with one individual losing 10 pounds in 8 days, though acknowledging much of it was likely fluid.
- Another user experienced a loss of a pound a day, feeling "light and free" by the fourth day.
- A notable testimonial mentioned a husband who, after following the recipes for eight weeks, saw drastic improvements in his medical numbers, including a forty-point drop in cholesterol and improved blood pressure, in addition to losing over thirty pounds.
- Another participant lost 10 pounds and felt amazing, marking the beginning of a healthy life.
- One individual lost an additional 6 pounds by the end of the 10-day journey, contributing to a total loss of nearly 40 pounds and a change from a size 2X to a size 14.
Challenges and Cravings
- The first few days are often described as the hardest, with intense cravings for sugary junk food, diet sodas, fried chicken, and Chinese food.
- Some found the limited snack list frustrating, especially after several days.
- One user noted that hunger sometimes worsened rather than improved as the cleanse progressed.
- The taste of some smoothies, particularly those with kale, was described as tasting like "leaves" or "swampy lake water."
- One individual experienced their hands and face turning orange towards the end of the challenge, which subsided after stopping.
Smoothie Preferences and Recipe Variety
Reviewers shared their favorite and least favorite smoothies:
- Favorites: Apple Strawberry, Pineapple Spinach, and Apple Mango were highly praised for their taste and tropical flavors.
- Least Favorites: Apple Berry and Spinach Kale Berry were noted for lacking flavor or tasting unpleasantly like leaves.
The book provides a shopping list for ingredients and recipes for each of the 10 days. Additional recipes are offered for specific needs like stress, fat-burning, and kid-friendly options. Some users wished for more snack options or the choice between a smoothie or salad.
The Salt Water Flush Experience
One user described the salt water flush on the final day as an intense experience, involving multiple forceful "pressure-wash style dumps" for about 2 hours. Despite the intensity, it resulted in a remarkably flat stomach.
Long-Term Impact and Lifestyle Changes
Beyond the initial 10 days, the cleanse aims to instill lasting healthy habits. Many users found it to be a catalyst for lifestyle change, encouraging them to continue incorporating smoothies into their diet and making healthier food choices.
One reviewer found the cleanse to be a good jumping-off point for restarting weight loss and healthy eating goals, noting that while initial irritability and headaches were present, they felt good by the fourth or fifth day and were no longer hungry despite low calorie intake.
The cleanse also highlighted the impact of carbohydrates and sugar. One participant realized they were addicted to "carbs" and that the cleanse helped them see this clearly, leading to a sustained reduction in carb intake. While some water weight was regained, they continued to consume smoothies for greens and a healthy meal.
JJ Smith emphasizes that the cleanse is not just about weight loss but about training the body for better eating habits and encouraging increased activity. The goal is a healthier, happier lifestyle, not just a temporary diet.
Some users found the cleanse effective for managing sugar cravings and flattening their stomach. They also adopted the salt water flush as a weekly regimen to stay bloat-free and reduce sweet cravings for days.
Considerations and Recommendations
While many found the cleanse beneficial, some points of caution and advice emerged:
- Commitment is Key: The cleanse requires significant willpower, especially during the first few days.
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of water is crucial throughout the cleanse.
- Ingredient Accuracy: One user noted that the provided shopping list might not be entirely accurate, requiring substitutions.
- Sweeteners: Caution is advised against adding too much sweetener, as it can make the smoothies taste oddly sugary.
- Listen to Your Body: If you are on medication or have existing health conditions, it is advisable to consult your doctor before starting the cleanse.
- Transitioning Back: The book advises stepping lightly back into solid foods after the cleanse to avoid undoing progress.
- Beyond the Cleanse: The cleanse is presented as a tool for long-term change, encouraging continued healthy eating and activity.