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| Belly Fat |
Goodbye, belly bloat. Hello, shinny jeans. The newest Hollywood weight-loss plans cleanse the body and help you shed pounds with fresh vegetables, fruits, and lots of liquid. But which belly losing program is right for you?
Even weight loss has gotten a makeover: If a celebrity used to go on a how-to-lose-belly-fat diet diet, these days she often goes on a cleanse. What exactly is that? Not the starvation diet you might imagine. In fact, the best new versions are nutritionally balanced plans offering fresh produce and juices (alcohol, caffeine and sweets are off-limits). Some include food, others are all juice--but still pack 1,200 calories a day. A healthy cleanse aims to steer you toward clean eating and better long-term choices, but weight loss is a nice side effect--it's not uncommon to drop a size in a week. The three programs on these pages even get a nutritionist's approval, though be sure to ask your own doctor before you start one. "These three cleanses are good ways to inspire permanent changes in the way you eat," says N.Y.C. nutritionist Lauren Slayton, of Foodtrainers.net. "You see what's hard to give up and learn new habits to follow." Here, all the pulpy details …
The Quantum Wellness Cleanse
There's plenty to eat--provided it's all vegan and without gluten, sugar, alcohol or caffeine
Celebrity fan OPRAH WINFREY
The skinny "I started this easy exercises to lose belly fat to snap myself into a healthier state," says Kathy Freston, author of The Quantum Wellness Cleanse. "it lasts 21 clays because that's how long it takes to form a habit and change your taste buds. The intention is to eat consciously--really think about what you eat and how it makes your body feel."
Easiest part You can still consume a lot--you can even dine out.
Wicked hard Beyond skipping morning coffee or wine at night? Avoiding gluten and sugar. And while there are vegan options galore at supermarkets, you'll find many contain these no-no's.
Yummy food Guacamole, hummus, corn chips
Tester feedback "I never felt deprived, but I had to pay attention to everything I ate," says Rory Evans, an In Style contributor. "I read labels zealously and even bought gluten-free brown-rice bread. But who cares? In just five days my stomach pooch deflated."
Nutritionist take "Some people like to give up one thing at a time, but others do really well going whole hog," Slayton says. "The rituals are still there, but with substitutions. Instead of coffee, have herbal tea. This plan is best for people who cook their own meals and aim to include a balance of food--you don't want to end up eating baked potatoes for three weeks."
Organic Avenue Cleanse
Drink up! Expect lots of liquids, plus all-raw meals
Celebrity fan GWYNETH PALTROW
The skinny. This easy exercises to lose belly fat fast program of cleanses is five days' worth of juices, shakes, and some uncooked foods, says Denise Marl, the founder of Organic Avenue Marl
Easiest part. Unwrapping the bendy straw. Bushels of fresh veggies go into making a pint of juice. It could take all day to eat those nutrients, but you need just minutes to drink them.
Wicked hard. Like other cleanses, this one can test your patience (and your taste buds), sticking to the same foods and drinks for five days or more. "People eat for emotional as well as nutritional reasons," Mari says. "But when you're able to stick it out, it gives you a sense of confidence. Then you can make other dietary changes moving forward. Like, OK, I will have the green salad for dinner. Those small, everyday adjustments won't feel so difficult."
Yummy food. Velvety smooth cucumber-basil soup--so lush, you won't even notice it's raw.
Tester feedback. "The plan is very regimented, with so many juices each day that I didn't miss eating and felt full at night," says InStyle contributor Robin Sayers. "Over five days it evened out my energy level and my mood, and I felt clearheaded. Best of all, I lost weight without being hungry, and it stayed off."
