A Safe Way to Shed 10 to 15 Pounds, and FAST!

March 3, 2010
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

smoothieFight fat, supercharge metabolism, and jump start healthy weight loss.

Believe it or not, swimsuit season will be here before you know it. If snow shoveling hasn’t done it for your waistline, don’t despair. The latest research suggests some smart ways to turbo charge weight loss in just a few weeks.

“Energy presented in liquid form can have satiating power,” says recent research in the Journal of American Dietary Association. Adding fiber to low-carb foods helps suppress appetite and allows you to control what you eat.

A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine reports that low-carb dieters lost 50% more weight by getting most of their protein from plant-based sources—compared with those who ate more meat. And a study at the University of California at Davis shows a 40% reduction in consumed calories when people eat more plant foods.

The latest stats show that 67% of Americans are overweight or obese. Even 18% of teens are overweight! Most people in this country have their work cut out for them long before bikini season begins.

Dr. Ann Louise’s Take:

It’s very exciting to discover that metabolism can be “reset” with cleaner and greener plant proteins!

After reading the study in the New England Journal of Medicine, I designed a brown rice/yellow pea powder for my book Fat Flush for Life. Last summer, a focus group took this protein for a “test drive,” and a new turbo-charged Fat Flush program was born.

The Fat Flush Smoothie Shakedown is an amazingly simple but flexible program that’s perfect for people with a busy lifestyle. And unlike many weight-loss programs, it’s inexpensive—costing less than $15 a day including food.

Basically, you enjoy two protein-rich smoothies at two meals each day—and eat a nutritious dinner (or lunch if you prefer a larger meal earlier). You have a wealth of nutritious foods from which to choose, and Smoothie Shakedown recipes offer a wide variety of flavors.

Effective Weight Management
Because you’re eating every 4 hours, this weight loss plan is safe. And because the Smoothie Shakedown includes plenty of protein and filling fiber, you’re less likely to feel hungry.

Fiber-rich chia and ground flax seeds—used in this program—are excellent sources of omega-3 oils, which help balance blood sugar and lower cholesterol, in addition to slimming you down. Not only will you find recipes using these seeds in the Smoothie Shakedown, but you can also add a tablespoon or two to one of these shakes if you’re not eliminating daily.

Protein Power
A typical smoothie uses 1 cup of berries, 1 scoop of Fat Flush Body Protein powder with one of the highest protein efficiency ratings available, 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil, and 8 to 10 oz. of water with ice cubes. A dairy-free blend of brown rice and yellow pea protein, Body Protein keeps you energized and sustained for a good 4 hours with 20 grams of protein per serving.

While I don’t recommend that everyone go vegetarian, it’s clear that plant-based protein can jump start healthy weight loss. That’s one reason that Fat Flush for Life includes a vegetarian detox plan and classic Fat Flush includes vegetarian options.

Everyone else can enjoy grass-fed beef, fish, lamb, poultry, or seafood in the daily meal, along with plenty of fiber-rich veggies (either cooked or in salads), and fresh fruit to help satisfy even the sweetest tooth. Like both Fat Flush programs, the Smoothie Shakedown includes plenty of slimming spices (cayenne, cilantro, cinnamon, dill, garlic, mustard, parsley, turmeric, and more).

The Bottom Line
In our in-house Smoothie Shakedown study, women in our test group all lost between 5 and 20 pounds in just two weeks. If you have 50 pounds or more to lose, you can stick to the Smoothie Shakedown for a month to get started and then move to The Fat Flush Plan or Fat Flush for Life.

Sources:
Fat Flush for Life
The Fat Flush Plan

www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/overwt.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15976148
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20167786
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19857627
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20028328

Related Articles and Podcasts

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

20 Comments

  1. Gail

    Sounds like a winning plan for the majority of people! Will have to check it out!

    Reply
  2. Administrator

    CDA, ID just launched their local smoothieshakedown group and we will report on the results!

    Reply
  3. Dee

    This did nothing for me at all. I didn’t lose any weight using the Fat Flush.

    Reply
  4. Carolyn

    If you don’t lose weight using Fat Flush you’re cheating somewhere. Followed exactly you WILL lose weight (and after about 3 days feel energy you may not have felt in years).

    Reply
  5. Lori

    Can you use the Whey Protein Powder in lieu of the Body Protein for the Shakedown?

    Reply
  6. Dorothy

    I did not lose any weight using the Fat Flush either and I followed the program as written.

    Reply
  7. Carolyn

    Cheating isn’t always obvious. Deal is, you are in the process of FLUSHING stuff out of your system…. even the smallest cheat–licking your fingers after using jelly in the kids sandwiches, tasting something with salt in it that you make for the family, one small taste of the corner of a bread/cookie, coffee, tea, soda (anything with caffeine and/or artificial sweetener–except SteviaPlus)….. there are a million ways you can STOP the flushing.

    Reply
    • Lori

      Such bull…so shaming!! Many of us eat less than you and have real metabolic issues. Get off your high horse.

      Reply
  8. Joel

    Lori- For the shakedown, the Body Protein really does a great job at knocking out your appetite for a good 4 hours. The whey, although a great way to get extra protein, doesn’t have that long staying power that the Body Protein does.

    Reply
  9. Cyndi

    I did the shakedown and then switched to regular fat flush. I have lost 20 pounds so far, but have gotten stuck the last 3 weeks and not lost anything. I did start exercising, so I think that’s part of my problem on the scale. I did not measure before starting back in January (simply was too ashamed to put it on paper!). I am going to do the shakedown again starting next week and see how it goes. I will measure this time even if I hide it from my husband! I do have one question. In the article about the shakedown it says you are eating every four hours. If i have a shake for breakfast and lunch and then have dinner. How am I eating every four hours? I would like to see a little more literature on this plan, like you have for regular fat flush, including menu suggestions, etc. I love the Fat Flush and have been following it on and off for about 6 years. I have had 2 back surgeries in the last 2 years that caused me to fall off the wagon so to speak. Ive gained about 50 pounds and was simply unable to stand long enough to prepare good food. Things are looking up though and I am enjoying the wonderful recipes in the cookbook again.

    Reply
  10. Ann Louise Gittleman

    Thanks for all your comments.
    Cyndi, the suggested snacks at smoothieshakedown.com should be taken between meals. We are purposefully keeping the protocol as simplistic as possible for those who literally and figuratively “eat and run.” 🙂

    Reply
  11. Crystal

    I have already lost 10 pounds and 8 inches in 3 weeks of the Fat Flush Plan. I will admit that now in phase 2 the weight & inches are coming off slower. I am considering going back to phase 1 for 2 more weeks.
    I would highly recommend this program to others!

    Reply
  12. Cathy

    I just started the Metabolism Boost 5 day plan. I really only have about 7 pounds to lose. But I am starving and I cheated already! Had some dried cranberries and some Flor-essence tea with cinnamon. I have two questions:

    1. What to do if you get hungry and have no energy
    2. Can we substitute Flor-essence tea in the Metabolism cocktail as I could not find anything at several health food stores I checked called Flora-Key.

    Please advise.

    Cathy

    Reply
  13. Joel

    Cathy- Are you following the Metabolism Booster from the Appendix of “Fat Flush for Life”? Dr. Ann Louise gives tips on what to do if hungry in that section of the book.

    Any substitution of the ingredients of the cocktail diminishes it effectiveness. Flora-Key can be found at Uni Key: http://www.unikeyhealth.com/product/Flora-Key/Weight_Loss_Cleansing.

    Reply
  14. Rachel

    can I make the shake without adding the berries? I feel like it’s too much sugar for me. I have a problem with too much sugar even though berries are very healthy. But having 2 cups in a day is a bit much for me… i have a lot of food sensitivities and too much sugar in any form is one of them 🙁 .. Any suggestions? thanks.

    Reply
  15. shannin

    I have been hip to the Fat Flush for almost 5 yrs now, and I love it, including family members. I tell EVERYONE about it.
    Although, I eat vegan, I did have to tweak a few things but the lifelong cocktail and lemon water is essential in my daily eating.
    When I am on a good kick, I have zero cellulite. Who ever thought that was possible?

    I have just started the smoothie shakedown. Super excited that the protein powder is vegan friendly:) So far, I am feeling really good.

    I just wanted to finally thank, Ann-Louise for her knowledge and sharing it with the rest of the world. high-five!!

    Reply
  16. Teresa

    I am doing the smoothie shakedown. I don’t use the Flat Flush though, I live up in Canada and its not available here. I am using a plant protein and I was told it will work just the same. I am following the plan and so far I feel great. I do my cardio and toning everyday on top. I have to eat snacks, but it’s all veggies. I’ve lost some weight, but my doctor says there is no way for anyone to lose 10-20 lbs in two weeks. Im a bit confused with all this.

    Reply
  17. Joel

    Teresa- Working here at Uni Key, the distributor of the Fat Flush Body Protein, I have talked with many people who have taken off ten or more pounds on the program, so it not at all impossible. To read about how some of our customers have done: http://smoothieshakedown.blogspot.com/.

    Reply
  18. Shannon

    I’m going to start the 2 week shakedown smoothie plan. Question is, does it matter if I use the FF Body Protein or the FF Whey Protein in my smoothies? Also, is banana and pineapple off limits?

    Reply
    • Sierra

      Hi Shannon!
      While you are welcome to use either the FF Body Protein or the FF Whey Protein, most Shakers report that the Body Protein keeps them feeling full for longer than the Whey Protein.

      Bananas and pineapple, while having their place in a healthy lifestyle maintenance plan, are both too high on the glycemic index to support weight loss, so they are not allowed on the Smoothie Shakedown.

      Best wishes to you!

      Reply

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