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How to Lose Weight in 72 Hours on the Smoothie Detox Diet

If you’re ready for “wow” weight loss, we’re pretty sure we’ve found a plan that can make it happen. Women testing a three-day “ultra detox” report losing “up to 12 pounds in 72 hours,” reveals Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, author of The New Fat Flush Plan ($17, Amazon). Why does her breakthrough approach work so well? “You literally flood your body with powerful compounds that change the way your body handles calories and burns fat,” she promises. “It’s so effective, after just a few days you can shift to a diet that’s less strict and your body will still continue releasing stored fat more easily. I recently had a woman lose 90 pounds in a matter of months.”

The Four Power Ingredients of the Smoothie Detox Diet

Like many detoxes, Gittleman’s upgraded version keeps calories moderate and is built around juices and smoothies, which give your digestive system a break so your body can devote more of its resources to eliminating fattening toxins. Here are the four power ingredients that set the “ultra detox” apart from other smoothie diets:

Turmeric: The No. 1 Weight-Loss Spice

When Tufts University scientists started conducting tests on curcumin — an antioxidant in the spice turmeric — they found exciting evidence that it may block the growth of new fat tissue, speed burning of existing fat, and improve fat-burning in the liver. Though more research is needed, the study’s scientists report they have already increased their personal consumption of turmeric. “The spice aids in both immediate and long-term weight loss,” says Gittleman. “We’re learning that it’s one of the most powerful fat-fighting spices on the planet.”

One brand we like: Frontier Turmeric Root Ground ($5.99, Amazon).

Whey Protein: The No. 1 Detox Protein

While many detoxes skimp on protein because it takes a lot of effort for the body to digest, experts agree that a low-protein diet can cause permanent declines in metabolism. That’s why Gittleman’s ultra detox is spiked with easily digestible whey protein powder, “which is proven to stimulate metabolism by 25 percent for up to 12 hours,” she notes. Bonus: University of Arkansas findings show that whey protein sets off chemical reactions in our muscles, doubling the speed of fat burning and helping us firm up without exercise.

One brand we like: Isopure Zero Carb Protein Powder ($15.70, Amazon).

Probiotics: The Breakthrough Supplement

With an assist from cool new technology, scientists have discovered that certain types of bacteria in our digestive tracts help make us effortlessly lean. So how does this smoothie detox boost slimming bacteria? By trading foods that beneficial bacteria hate (for example, animal fat, sugar, and processed foods) for the prebiotic-rich foods they love (especially leafy greens, onion, garlic, and jicama). Harvard researchers found these strategies can make skinny bacteria surge within 30 hours. To further enhance the effect, you whip additional doses of skinny bacteria — in the form of probiotic powder — directly into detox drinks.

One brand we like: Flora-Key Probiotic Powder ($38.25, Uni Key Health).

Lecithin: The Surprise Liver Boost

Long used by chefs to keep food smooth and creamy, lecithin — extracted from plants like sunflower — thins out buildup in our livers, so the crucial organ can filter away fattening toxins and burn fat faster. “Most people don’t realize that the liver is their primary fat-burning and detox organ,” says Gittleman. “The better your liver functions, the easier it is for you to get and stay lean!” Gittleman adds that the vitamin C rich acids in the detox’s tomato, lemon, and cranberry juices are also proven to help your liver work better and faster.

One brand we like: Bronson Lecithin Granules (Powder) ($18.99, Amazon).

Your 72-Hour Detox Smoothie Recipes

Ready for Gittleman’s buzzed-about three-day detox? When using the regimen, she suggests going organic when possible to avoid introducing new toxins into your system. Though you’ll be sipping lots of liquid meals, you’ll still want to drink additional water (with an optional splash of unsweetened cranberry juice) between sittings.

NOTE: Always get a doctor’s okay before trying a new diet plan, especially if you have a health condition. This plan isn’t for pregnant or nursing moms, or anyone with an eating disorder.

Fat Flush Metabolizer Cocktail

In a blender, blitz:

  • 8 oz. low-sodium tomato juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 handful parsley
  • 1 handful spinach
  • 1 chopped green onion
  • 2 tsp. flaxseed oil ($14.24, Amazon)
  • 1 tbsp. chia
  • 1 crushed garlic clove
  • 1/8 tsp. turmeric ($5.99, Amazon)
  • 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 tsp. dry mustard
  • 1/8 tsp. ginger
  • 6 ice cubes

Fat Flush Smoothie

In a blender, blitz:

Skinny Smoothie

In a blender, blitz:

  • 8 oz. water
  • 1 splash unsweetened cranberry juice
  • 1 small handful of greens
  • 1/2 cup frozen berries
  • 1 serving whey protein powder
  • 1 tbsp. coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp. ground flaxseeds or chia
  • 1 tbsp. sunflower lecithin
  • ice cubes to taste

Your 72-Hour Detox Smoothie Meal Plan

  • Upon waking: Fat Flush Metabolizer Cocktail
  • Mid-morning: Fat Flush Smoothie
  • Lunch: Skinny Smoothie
  • Mid-afternoon snack: Fat Flush Metabolizer Cocktail
  • Dinner: Skinny Smoothie
  • Before bedtime: Fat Flush Metabolizer Cocktail

What to Eat After the 72-Hour Smoothie Detox

After 72 hours of detoxing, Gittleman recommends switching to three daily meals, each containing:

  • 1 serving whey protein powder
  • 2 eggs or 8 oz. cooked lean protein
  • 1 tbsp. chia, flaxseeds, coconut, flaxseed oil or 1/2 avocado
  • unlimited non-starchy vegetables

Also enjoy up to two servings of fruit daily. Season meals with unlimited herbs, spices, lemon or lime juice, vinegar and/or mustard. Natural zero-cal sweeteners like stevia are also fine. Drink plenty of water, adding unsweetened cranberry juice as desired. After two weeks, experiment with healthy starches to see how many servings you can include while still losing weight.

Real-Life Weight-Loss Success Stories!

Diagnosed with a host of health problems, Teena Schorr tried diet after diet with no luck. Then she tested Gittleman’s three-day detox. “I lost ten pounds in 72 hours,” marvels the Nevada reader, 56, now down 15 pounds and still losing. “I went from thinking there was no hope for me to knowing that I can finally get to a healthy weight.”

Meanwhile, Michigan mom Kelly Goralski, 48, was also wowed by the ultra detox. “Everything else I tried, I was hungry. This time, I was never hungry at all, so I really stuck with it,” she says. And her efforts paid off: Kelly lost nine pounds in a single weekend. “In just 72 hours, you can lose an amazing amount of weight.”

This story originally appeared in our print magazine.

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