Writer loses three pounds on three-day Plenish Purity juice cleanse

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Deni tried a three-day Plenish Purity cleanse and lost three lbs
Concentration levels, productivity, sleep and mood improved
Starting weight was 60.9kg / 134lbs, and after, it was 59.5kg / 131 lbs

Published: 15:12 EST, 7 September 2015 | Updated: 16:01 EST, 7 September 2015

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I'm no advocate of faddy diets. My whole ethos about healthy eating is based on regular consumption of whole, plant-based, ideally unprocessed foods.

But after a heavy weekend at a music festival I was bloated and sluggish and the idea of living on green leaves (in liquid form) on a Plenish cleanse began to appeal.

Desperate for a much-needed detox and health boost I opted for their level three cleanse named Purity. It sounded hardcore - and yet I'd be consuming more than 1,000 calories each day. I wondered if there was a catch, and if it would work.

Deni found her skin actually got worse during the cleanse (left) and she experienced mild breakouts but in the weeks following her skin has cleared up (right)

None of this sugar-laden fruit juice or starvation nonsense. One of their cleanses seemed well thought out and nutritionally sound.

I was suitably convinced by the description online which enthused: 'You probably know what alkaline means, already eat a mostly plant and wholefood based diet, exercise regularly and have tried a juice cleanse or detox before. Level 3 is designed for maximum results and a serious alkaline balancing act.' (tick, tick, tick)

A three-day cleanse costs £240 and includes 6x 500ml juices per day including 2 x Sweet Sexy Green, 2 x Mind Body Green, 1 x Spicy Limonade and 1 x Cashew Milk for before bed.

You have around two hours between each juice - so you're never wanting for long.

Founder Kara Rosen says: 'We space the juices out every two hours so your blood sugar is stabilised. I think you will find that it's a challenge to finish all six juices.

'I'm not saying that you won't miss food or chewing (you might not), but your cells won't be hungry for nutrition, keeping the spacing quite regular, and your blood sugar levels even, you will be less likely to feel ravenous and go off course!'

Deni struggled to begin with; feeling hungry, light-headed, and waking feeling very tired (L-R before and after)

The final phase in the week involves drinking the juice called 'cashew m*lk, which is thicker, more filling and as its packed with magnesium, will regulate sleep, which Kara says is 'one of the best parts of the cleanse.'

I gave it a go and started keeping my diary to see exactly what it's like to go without solids for three days.

DENI'S JUICE DIARY

DAY ONE

11am: I wake up from a night shift feeling groggy and bunged up, suffering the remnants of a cold.

Perhaps my second thought of the day is 'I'll just make breakfast then I'll...' Oh no. I actually had two dinners last night in anticipation of the cleanse. Here we go...

11.45: I weigh myself and am lighter than I thought (albeit stepped on the scales fully undressed and after a lengthy trip to the loo). Having my hot water with lemon.

You have around two hours between each juice - so you're never wanting for long

1.30pm: Having my first juice. Tastes great. Sweeter than I thought, I assume this must be the sweetest one.

3pm: I am spinning out in WH Smiths. I'm light headed and have a headache. I drink my second juice; feel better and 'fed' but still have a headache and I'm very tired. Thank goodness I'm off work today.

5.30pm: Having lazy chilled sofa time for the duration of three juices (don't judge me).

10.30pm: Bedtime. My day has been very short today so I'm going to skip the cashew milk. Slightly worrying as this is supposed to be my meatiest meal of the day with 500+ cals and fats.

My stomach feels empty but I'm not in pain or wanting food. There's the odd rumble and I'm a bit windy, feeling like I'm getting quite cleansed already. I'm tired. Hope I can sleep...

DAY TWO

6.20am: I wake up extremely tired with painful eyes despite more than seven hours sleep (my ideal is nine). I have my lemon and hot water, feel hungry on my way to work.

8am: I have my first juice at my desk. I make a green tea that I sip throughout the day (this is a little naughty but not too bad).

1pm: I'm slow at work and I feel hungry and not really okay. Yesterday was easier as I could embrace the lethargy. It was around this point that I quit the only other cleanse I've tried - the Master Cleanse (of which I am not a fan). I don't feel that bad, the juices do perk me up and they taste good.

The Plenish level 3 cleanse named Purity (pictured) is their most hardcore - but still 1,000+ calories each day

4pm: The spicy lemonade is like a kick in the back of the throat and does a good job of igniting my energy levels.

6.30pm: I'm home and get straight to pyjamas, my tongue is white and my lips blue. I wrap up and drink juice five - a green one. I feel much better now I can let go, not concentrate on anything and just be. Looking forward to cashew milk at 8.

7.30: Indulging in a mug of hot water and lemon. I feel better; calm and serene. I now really feel like this cleanse is meant to last, it's sustainable. I haven't felt the utter misery of the Master Cleanse at all.

8.30: Just finished cashew milk juice and faith in the world is restored. I feel so full and happy. Still have a headache though. Bed by 12, not hungry. Ace.

This transformed by the end - 'I'm on top of the world. I really don't want this to end' (L-R before and after)

DAY THREE

9am: I wake up naturally and feel fantastic. Not hungry or depleted. Less skinny than morning of day 2! That's thanks to the cashew milk - so nourishing.

9.30am: Have lemon and hot water, my first juice at 11 then off to work for 1.

3.30pm: Having my second juice of the day at my desk, my stomach feels so good. The odd, rare rumble but generally calm, flat and comfortable. Feel very sprightly, light and energised. I'm very surprised. This is incredible.

5-10pm: It's an altogether easy breezy day at work, and my concentration levels are on point. I'm enjoying my cleanse massively right now, I'm on top of the world.

I really don't want this to end!

I feel very calm and relaxed yet am able to focus very well. I sleep like a baby and feel light as a feather.

The huge, heavy box of juice was delivered to my door as standard. I was ready to go

THE DAY AFTER

The next day I had banana and porridge for breakfast and a bean salad for lunch to slowly wake up my digestive system.

A few days later and (blaming some poor food choices) I'm back up to halfway between my before and after picture, which is where I reckon I'll stay. I'm fine with that.

In terms of my skin, my breakouts were slightly worse on day three, which I assume was due to the toxins coming out. In the days that followed, it cleared up. I genuinely felt like I was being cleansed from the inside out.

The cleanse was inspiring and I would do it before a big event or even twice a year - before a summer holiday and after Christmas - if I had the money!