I love the change of seasons; I used to love the start of a new school year. Sure I loved all the new clothes and new book bags and school supplies, but it was also that feeling of a clean slate, and though we are 2 months into a new year, I didn’t really allow myself to have that clean slate feeling in January. Now, I am going to make it happen.

I have thought and thought a lot about my next steps for making some progress and though there have been foods and diets in the past that I really liked and really worked for me (like the Zone and the Hamptons Diet), I decided that a new slate would be more exciting for me if it included a new program/diet as well. Now….I will attempt the famous Fat Smash Diet!

This diet was created by Dr. Ian K. Smith, who you may know from VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club. Along with writing 6 books and launching the 2007 50 Million Pound Challenge, in 2010 Dr. Smith was appointed to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. I guess those are good enough references for me to give it a whirl!

Now, here is the basis of the diet (want to join me anyone)? This one is NOT easy, but all of the reviews I have read agree on one thing…you get results! I am tired of tweaking what I already know…because the bottom line is I am really cutting corners here and there. I need strict, I need rigid, and I need discipline! And I think I found it in the Fat Smash Diet.

The Fat Smash Diet is a balanced plan that does not exclude any food groups. It is different from other diets because it has four phases, each gradually allowing you to add more foods to your diet. It also requires you to eat 4-5 times per day, regardless if you are hungry, and allows you to eat unlimited amounts of fruits and vegetables.

The first 9 days are quite restrictive- it is the Detox Phase, it gets your body back to Ground Zero, or as I prefer, “square one.” (just sounds more upbeat, doesn’t it?) Anyway, here is the deal for these 9 days: food choices should be eaten raw, grilled or steamed. Fats are limited to a maximum of 3 tablespoons, with 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil per day. Allowed foods include unlimited fruits and vegetables (except white potatoes or avocado), chickpeas, lentils, tofu, and beans. It also permits limited amounts of brown rice; low-fat, skim, or soy milk; oatmeal; low-fat yogurt; egg whites; and herbal tea. This is the total menu for nine days!

Why so strict? Well, during the detox phase, cravings are suppose to be smashed! And that is what I need….to get back to basics, to have that fresh start! Wish me LUCK!