1066 All Stars

So that's it, I have completed the Clean 9 challenge. Nine days of calorie controlled diet, supplements and Aloe Vera Gel. Lots of Aloe Vera Gel.

How was it? Did I achieve my goals? Would I do it again? Would I recommend it to others? Let's take a look...

The Plan

Days 1-2

It is quite the culture shock switching from a normal breakfast with a cup of tea to some Aloe Gel and a couple of tablets. Hunger pangs on these first two days are unavoidable and you will need to make use of the free food list. Just when you think you couldn't possibly drink another cupful of Aloe Gel, guess what? You need to drink another cupful of Aloe Gel.

Midway through day two, you may feel tired, even faint. You'll have (quite literally) had a gutful of drinking nothing but water. These are undoubtedly the hardest days of the plan. But you can do it.

Tips - start your plan when you have time and freedom to relax and take it easy. Not recommended for a busy day at work. And don't forget your free foods, which you can eat in moderation throughout the plan. 

Days 3-6

Day 3 represents a triple whammy of good news.

To start with it is weigh in day so hopefully the teeth gnashing frustration of days 1-2 will see you rewarded with a few pounds off on the scales.

Secondly, you actually get to eat something! Breakfast and lunch introduces the shake. Your first inclination may be to wonder how this puny looking milk drink is going to help and why, for the love of all that is good and holy, you can't just eat something. But it turns out that the shakes are fab. the vanilla one is really tasty and packed full of vitamins but best of all, it keeps you feeling full right through to the next mealtime.

And finally, it's a real dinner! Enjoy, and look forward to another weigh in on day 6.

Tips - use skimmed milk with the shake, both for the lower calories and ease of drinking. Personally I loved it but if you find the taste  too bland, add some strawberries or other fruit to make a smoothie. And don't get discouraged if the weigh in isn't as thrilling as you hoped. There is still a long way to go and you're doing lots of good things to get your body ready for weight management.

Days 7-9

The finishing line is in sight now and after two (hopefully) positive weigh ins and measures, you'll likely be feeling pretty good about yourself.

By now your exercise regime should have increased to match the additional calories. The 600 calorie meal limit leaves plenty of scope for tasty dinners and if you get those evening hunger pangs, don't forget the free food list.

Day 9 represents the last day and a final weigh in. Give yourself a pat on the back, you did it.

Tips - plan your meals and count out your calories before you start cooking. And no cheating either, because the only person you are cheating is yourself. Find exercise difficult? Not a gym rat or a swimmer? Use your lunch break for a brisk walk or take the kids out to the park. There are plenty of opportunities for sneaking in some exercise if you really look for them.

The Final Countdown

Let's take a look at the measurement chart and see how I did.

Day one measurements

Weight - 11st 3lbs

Chest - 39 inches

Biceps - 10 inches

Waist - 35.5 inches

Hips - 37 inches

Thighs - 21.5 inches

Calves - 13.5 inches

Day nine measurements

Weight - 10st 13lbs

Chest - 37.5 inches

Biceps - 10 inches

Waist - 35 inches

Hips - 35.5 inches

Thighs - 20 inches

Calves - 13.5 inches

The day 9 measurements were of course taken with one day of the plan still to go. With this in mind, I decided to do a final (final) weigh in the next day (day 10 if you like).

Weight - 10st 12lbs

Goals

So how did I do against my initial targets?

Skin

I had hoped for clearer skin, the unslightly and uncomfortable blemishes clearing across my neck, back and shoulders.

Result - whilst I noticed a definite change to my complexion, my skin loking and feeling less greasy, sadly there was no noticeable improvement.

Target not met.

Mind

I have long experienced tiredness, lethargy and difficulty concentrating that are not related to my underlying issues of depression and anxiety.

Result - I noticed a significant improvement to my energy levels and, by association, my mood. It was like a fog had cleared from my mind and I felt energised and engaged. This was the goal I thought the least likely to reap any benefits and I am both surprised and delighted with the results.

Target met

Weight

After losing a good chunk of weight over the last 12-15 months, I had become stuck at or around the 11st 3lb mark. I hoped to break through the 11st barrier with a short term target weight of 10st 12lbs.

It took until day 6 but the 11st barrier was breached. My weight then remained unchanged at day 9, dropping a further pound post-plan, hitting my 10st 12lb target.

Target met.

Before and After

The moment of truth. After an end of plan celebratory haircut, how do I look?

Some definite improvements. My stomach is noticeably flatter, especially at the sides. I think that's even a bit of ribcage I can make out there whilst my chest / moob area has also tightened up.

And here I am from the side. Again, the general tightening is visible, although still a little way to go.

No real change to neck, shoulders and back. Perhaps I was naive to think nine days would be sufficient to address such an underlying issue.

Thoughts

Change of Mentality

I had thought myself a relatively healthy eater but the plan helped me to take a step back and understand the conveniences I had fallen into. Those £1 snack bars and rice cakes may be better than a bag of crisps and chocolate but they are still packed full of garbage. There is no substitute for real fresh fruit and vegetables.

And they don't have to break the bank. Shop around, go for the bargains, keep your snacking varied.

Calorie Counting

I was surprised how much you can pack into a 600 calorie meal and started to wonder how I usually get to my recommended 2,000 calorie daily limit. Of course the answer partly lies in the snacking noted above but also in desserts, breakfast choices and good old fashioned over sized portions.

In this day of instant search results and apps, calorie counts are just a finger tip away, making it easier than ever to plan your meal and portion properly.

Shakes

I loved them! Quick and convenient, tasty and filling, they were great for both breakfast and lunch and I have already placed an order for more.

Headaches

I am routinely plagued with headaches, paracetamol and ibuprofen a regular part of my daily routine.

However whilst on the plan, the odd morning wobble aside, they were virtually non-existent. I'm not sure what element of the plan has helped. Perhaps it is the supplements, perhaps it is the additional water. Perhaps it is simply reducing the level of caffeine and sugar in my diet. Either way, the results are astounding.

State of Mind

When I underwent therapy for depression and anxiety, there was a moment of clarity that helped me find the path to recovery. It came as I realised the one underlying, fundamental truth; you can change.

The Clean 9 plan is not a magic pill or overnight solution. Like therapy, it is a key to unlock the door but you must choose to walk through.

With the plan now complete, I can snack away to my heart's content. That bag of crisps lying temptingly open in the drawer can be mine at last. That half finished box of sweets and chocolate can finally return to the promised land of my sweaty palm as I shovel them into my gob.

But I don't want to.

Having completed the plan, I feel great and have a really positive mindset. I want to continue what I have started and embed these principles into my daily routine. The occasional treat is fine, sure. But I have no desire to return to where I was. My meal plan today was based around a 300 calorie lunch and a 600 calorie dinner with free food snacking in between. My one indulgence a cookie for dessert, the first in nine days. And I feel absolutely stuffed!

I don't know how long this wave of positivity will last. but I'll ride it for as long as it does.

Cooking

I had always been a keen chef, knocking up my own masterpieces in the comfort of the kitchen. But somewhere along the way, in between the depression, stress and kids, I lost the desire, resorting to frozen foods and ready made sauces.

With the need to calorie count and eat fresh, I feel inspired. I'm looking forward to digging out my cookbooks that have been tucked away in a box, destined for the charity shop for goodness knows how long. Tomorrow's lunch is already made, a chunky tomato soup made from scratch.

Therapy helped reconnect me to writing. The Clean 9 helped me reconnect to cooking. I am indebted to both.

Priceless

I have a real hang up about money. Whatever something costs, I'll always look to see if I can get it cheaper, constantly convinced that the world is trying to con me.

With this in mind, it has never occured to me to pay for supplements or better ingredients. Why buy a salad for lunch for £3 when I can get a ready meal for 80p?

Finally I am beginning to understand. The scales show I have lost 5lbs but a greater weight has been lifted from my mind. Breaking through the 11st barrier, clearing some of the mental fog I had been lost in, reconnecting to a hobby thought lost;  these things have no monetary value and yet to me, they are priceless.

Summary

I was sceptical about the benefits of the Clean 9 plan but my expectations were well and truly shattered.

Nine days later, I look good and I feel great. But more than that, I move forward with a positive mindset ready to implement some of the principles of the plan into my daily routines.

Healthy living is not a passive process. It is your diet, it is your life and these are your choices to make.

Consder me converted.

Next Steps

I have already placed an order the some shakes which I'll either use as breakfast, lunch or just a post-exercise protein boost.

I am also considering moving on to the Fit1 plan to carry on the good work already done and see if I can get a little closer to my long term goal of 10st 6lbs.

Finally I am excited to get back into the kitchen and am looking forward to trying out some new recipes, baking my own bread and maybe making some fun biscuits with the kids.

Aloe Vera Dreams

If you are interested in starting your own Clean 9 plan, you can find details of how to order by searching for Aloe Vera Dreams on Facebook or on Twitter @AloeVeraDreams.