Customer Reviews

The Fast Track Detox Diet: Boost metabolism, get rid of fattening toxins, jump-start weight loss and keep the pounds off for good

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I had about 20 pounds to lose, and tried other methods but couldn't seem to budge them. The key thing about any diet or eating program is that everyone's chemical makeup and metabolism responds differently, and so they don't work for everyone.

The people who would benefit the most from this book and this program are those with a combination of certain symtoms and habits, plus a willingness to spend time, energy and money on shifting how they eat.

This is a good book for you if (like me) you suffer from a collection of symptoms:
- overweight
- bloating
- fatigue
- bad skin/rashes
- gastric issues
- problems sleeping
- cholesterol problems (among other things)

While at the same time you have erratic eating habits, such as:

- lots of restaurant meals & takeout
- non-organic food
- fast-food or processed prepared meals
- a passion for sugar, alcohol or caffeine
- overeating/portion control problems
- too much starch, not enough vegetables in your diet

And:
- you decide you can live without coffee
- you're not dependent on drugs or alcohol
- you have accessibility to a steady supply of organic fruits, vegetables and meat into your diet (read: a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's near you)
- the pocketbook to afford more expensive food, plus supplements

This book would probably benefit these types of people the most, as it changes your focus toward food, and makes you understand why certain foods and habits are bad for you. The focus on the liver/colon is especially helpful if you've never given these two organs much thought. For me, it was a major eye opener. Her arguments for organic foods (especially meat) are especially persuasive.

All that said, this is not a one-day detox, and I agree that the title is misleading. I lost six pounds in 11 days on this program, despite a sluggish thyroid. Since then, I've lost an additional two pounds in about a week. I don't stick to it daily but I've incorporated some lessons and I'm continuing to lose. I now find it almost impossible not to eat organic, and I realized that I had a sensitivity to gluten that I was not aware of which surely affected my weight.

One thing you have to keep in mind when selecting an eating program is choosing one that has foods that you like. To be successful on this program, you must like or be willing to eat some dark leafy vegetables (kale, mustard greens, chard, etc.), plus your choice of asparagus, artichokes, broccoli, brussel sprouts and the like. And eggs, you've got to eat some eggs on this plan. But otherwise, you can eat a lot of your normal foods - the key is on elmininating wheat, sugar, alcohol and caffeine. (I cheated, and drank a cup of decaf organic coffee each morning so I didn't lose the "ritual" and it had a sort of placebo effect.) Someone posted that you can't use olive oil, which is erroneous; it's encouraged as part of "healthy oils" intake.

You must also like cranberry juice, which is required for the fast to help stave off hunger. The requirement for unsweetened cranberry use probably makes this impractical for most people living outside the U.S.Canada, as it's difficult or not impossible to get in Europe, Asia and Australia.

Many people complain about the cost of her supplements. But if you take her book into a local health food store, they can hook you up with an equivalent of whatever she's offering. I bit the bullet and ordered Colonix (you can find through a search engine) instead and while spendy, it's been incredibly effective as part of this program.


One secret to the 11 day diet for me was vegetable soup. I made a couple of batches of different soups on the weekend (such as cabbage soup, broccoli/cauliflower, kale/white bean) and ate those each day for lunch to get several of the required vegetables. I also learned that I really like mustard greens and chard - I'd just never realized it. Just visit a recipe site like [...] for the recipes and plug in the ingredients.

She has recipes in the back of the book, but I didn't try them save for the flax "pancake" that I made after the fast. It was fine, mostly apple-y, but I hadn't eaten in a day so anything tasted good!

I recently finished fast track and it definitely worked. I went on the diet to break a weight loss plateau and I lost about 7 pounds: 4 on prequel, 2 on fast and 1 on sequel. More than I expected. I followed it pretty much exactly, with one or two mess-ups or omissions here and there. I had plenty of energy - worked out almost every day - and wasn't hungry most of the time, nor did I experience constant cravings. The science behind the diet makes sense, and I definitely felt like I was retraining my body and learning about the importance of adding certain categories of food into my diet.

Be warned - I didn't feel this fabulous euphoric feeling that the book alludes to. I actually just felt fine throughout. I will say though, the diet was worth it for me. But if you are like me and love lattes, turkey sandwiches, wine, cheese, crackers, etc. and are used to having them in your weekly routine...it will be a little tough. You should also know that the diet was pretty difficult to follow for me in a social setting. It is relatively expensive, and you must prepare in advance (example - I went into my office building's store for a snack one afternoon and couldn't find one thing that was `allowed'). It was hard to incorporate all of the things that I was supposed to eat (how do you eat a cup of raw parsley?!?), but I got creative, used the book's recipes, and it did get easier.

Some tips (my humble opinion, of course):
-Give up caffeine a few days before you start. Find some `legal' recipes you want to try. Warn your spouse/friends that if they eat out of the cracker box in front of you, you might get irritated. Seriously, telling people you are doing it makes you accountable.
-Start on a Monday or Tuesday so you only have to diet over one weekend (I fasted on a work day and just made plans to run an errand during lunch, was fine for me).
-If you are used to a weekend evening cocktail, mix some cranberry juice, fresh lemon, sparkling water and stevia in a wine glass. It almost fooled me.
-Make a chimichurri sauce with parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic and have it on hand to help you meet that `requirement'.
-For the fast, drink the juice and water exactly as suggested by the book. I tried to conserve some juice because I was scared of getting hungry at night, and it didn't work.
-Try to exercise during prequel and sequel, you will have enough energy and it might focus you away from food.
-Start the diet with a partner, I will next time.

I hope this helps. And while I can't imagine a world without Starbucks and Wheat Thins, it is definitely worth it to try this diet a few times a year. If anything, it reprograms you to appreciate food and to be conscious of your veggie, fruit, fiber and water intake. Good luck!

Gittleman's Fast Track Detox Diet brings together two problems that usually are treated separately--detoxification and weight loss--and does a credible job at answering the needs of both. Moreover, no matter what approach one ultimately takes toward losing weight and establishing weight maintenance, her book is a good starting point. The reason is simple: whether or not an individual gained weight because of environmental toxins, it is certainly the case that toxins are stored preferentially in fatty tissues and are released when a person diets. This release of toxins has been shown to be one of the major factors involved in dieting mood swings and in the slowing of weight loss. Simple fasts cause toxins to be released, but these compounds are quickly reabsorbed under fasting conditions, plus the body reacts badly to being suddenly pushed to the wall with fasts. Gittleman knows this and therefore carefully prepares the dieter in the period up to the fast, tells the dieter what to consume to prevent the metabolism from plummeting during the fast, and then maps out an approach for the days following the fast.

Something that I have always liked about Gittleman is that she is very aware of the maxim, "do no harm." Are there more thorough detoxifications available? Of course, but few of us have the luxury of following them, which sometimes I think is a good thing. Are there faster weight loss approaches being marketed? Of course, although speed and lasting weight loss seldom go hand-in-hand. Gittleman describes an initial approach that gets results for the dieter about as quickly as anyone could ever reasonably hope for, yet does not lead to a nasty rebound in weight gain. Thereafter, I would suggest that dieters follow, instead, the approach given in The Fat Flush Plan for consistent and lasting weight loss.

In short, this is a good and useful book. I agree with Gittleman that the data is overwhelming linking environmental toxins to metabolic disorders. Yet even aside from the issue of stored toxins, the preponderance of individuals with weight problems suffer from sub par liver performance and can use Gittleman's tune-up to improve their results from dieting. Highly recommended.

After attending one of the author's free support groups at a local bookstore, I decided to give the program a try. Maybe it was the testimonials from the group (one woman cut out the gluten in Gittleman's Detox Detractors and no longer suffers from mouth ulcers and depressions) or maybe it was the author herself who is such a wonderful testimony to her own program : slim, trim with flawless skin and very high energy.

But, I really have to take issue with some of these reviewers who didn't read the book correctly and are grossly misrepresenting the content. First off, the program is NOT a low-calorie program. You follow your regular diet (minus the detox detractors like white sugar, white flour, artificial sweeteners, gluten, and soy) and add certain powerfoods that support the liver and colon. To this you simply drink 1/2 of your weight in ounces; take two tablespoons of healthy oils, and 4 ounces of protein, twice per day .After all this is a detox book.

Secondly, removing hidden food allergens (like the gluten and soy) is a key to lasting weight loss because these foods create water retention and water weight gain. Omitting them from the get-go in the 7-Day Prequel preparation for the One-Day Fast is the reason that people start to lose weight immediately and keep it off IF they continue to follow the hypo-allergenic liver-loving and colon-caring food plan. It's not the calories; its the allergies. Brilliiant!

Lastly, the book is not a recipe book, it is a detox manual. And, one of the most responsible ones on the planet at that. As the author painstakingly points out, since the petrochemical revolution over the past 100 years, we can't "fast" like we used to because of the overload of fat soluble toxins impacting the liver. So, the book is true to its title - it is a ONE-DAY Detox that is preceded by a preparation period and a healing period. What's so deceptive about that? That's just a true health professional being responsible to her readership. Duh.\

Finally, not everybody should fast. But that doesn't mean you can't do the program. Just skip the fasting day.

The book is terrific and I like the emphasis on organic. Gittleman is the only author out there who is true to her message and has been for her past 24 books. I have seen many other so-called experts on television and this woman not only knows her stuff, she can strut her stuff with the best of em.

Quick Review: I liked the book and lost 6 pounds the first time I Detoxed and 5.6 pounds the next week (realizing the benefits). It provided me with a new approach, unlike other weight loss programs that at some level preach the same thing (eat less, exercise more). I am Detoxing again today and it is much easier than the first time. Best of all, I no longer need to drink coffee (Amazing for me). Also, I started introducing Organic foods into my diet. The book has definitely had a postive effect on my weight, cravings, appetite, and physical being. Worth the read.

Additional Information: I have been engaged in a life long struggle to lose weight. I am currently on Weight Watchers as I find it is the best program for me. I was in a bit of rut losing only 1 or 2 pounds per week (which is not a lot for someone my size) when I found this book.

I was a little skeptical at first about the fast, but the science of the book made sense. I followed Gittleman's instructions, doing the best I could during the prequel and did my first One-Day Detox three weeks ago. It was a little difficult at certain points of the day, but I made it through. Weighing in the next day, I had lost 6 pounds. Those results were incredible as I was not strict with my diet during the prequel. I added the foods she suggested (which for me it is always easier to add foods creating a good habit) and worked at avoiding the Detox Detractors (outlined in the book, including things like excess fat, artificial sweetners, caffeine). I followed the 3 day sequel (again only adding certain foods which is easy) which led to a change in my eating habits. The effects of the Detox were immediate on my thinking towards foods, cravings, appetite and physical being.

Being happy with the results, I decided to do the One-Day Detox the following week on the same day (Friday), and I lost another 5.6 pounds. In addition to losing weight, I no longer drink coffee (which was a problem for me at 40-70 ounces a day) and I am eating much healthy than I was (even on Weight Watchers).

I feel leaner and I am adjusting to eating less food (similar to when I was younger). The program reset my metabolism, energy levels and appettite. The program also motivated me to begin eating more organic foods and learning more about the benefits. I am Detoxing Again today, and it is much easier than the first time and better than the second. Giving up coffee makes it much easier. I do not feel light headed and I am not as tired as I was the first time.

The books has definitely helped and unlike many weight loss books provided me with an approach that I would not have considered on my own. Many weight loss books, at some level, preach the obvious (eat less, exercise more). This books actually provided me with a new alternative that really has shocked my body (in a positive way) and I feel like I'm back on a healthier path.

I couple of suggestions if you do decide to Detox. Definitely pick a day when you can take it easy (Friday is good for me b/c my kids go to my mothers and I have time alone in the evening which is my worst time for eating). I did get cravings (less on the 2nd Detox), but they passed. A couple of times I wanted to break the Detox, but I held out for a 1/2 hour or so and the feelings passed. My first Detox day was spent looking at the clock--it was nuts. My 2nd Detox, I was more active and did things (similar to what is discussed in the book). For today's Detox I actually planned some activities to pass the time. The book makes it sound like you will adapt on your first Detox, but that may not be the case.

Also, cut down on the coffee if you can. I think it was the most important thing I did that has made the program easier to follow. I did not think I could do it based on the amount I was drinking and for the number of years I've been doing this. I thought it was impossible, but after my 1st Detox, I didn't see the need to start drinking it again. I crave it in the morning sometimes, but I'm trying different alternatives like Herbal Tea (it's not coffe, but it's something warm). Good luck!!! It works if you work it.

It's blatantly obvious to many of us in the medical profession that weight gain in the 21st century is no longer a matter of cutting down on calories, carbs, or doing more exercise. As a metabolically-oriented psychiatrist, I am keenly aware of how many common medications such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and major tranquilizers can pack on anywhere from 10-30 pounds in a month! And this weight gain has nothing to do with what you are eating. Fast Track makes common (biochemical) sense and is on the cutting-edge of health. I predict that within the next five years it will be general knowledge that "fattening chemicals" like those uncovered in Fast Track are a primary underlying factor sabotaging our best weight loss efforts.

I lost 10 pounds on the detox diet and it's still gone after a month. I exercise regularly and eat a lot of organic healthy foods already, but was having trouble losing some extra weight that started showing up after I turned 30. After the detox, I realized I eat way too much cheese and tend to over-eat daily!

I viewed this diet as a detox that happens to have a side-effect of losing weight. I have never had luck on diets, in fact, the more restrictive the diet, the more stressful it is, and the more my body seems to hold on to the weight! So, this approach was perfect for me. The book was a little bit self-congratulatory, and the term "miracle juice" completely turned me off (I mean, come on!). But, I decided to filter all of that out and give it a go based on the principle of detox.

During the plan, I had some parties and bbqs to attend, but I was always able to find something fulfilling to eat. I cheated and had organic coffee (just a few sips) in the mornings and some other naughty items here and there, but because the point of the diet for me was detox and not weight loss, the psychological stress of "failing" wasn't there. My body finally "let go" of the weight and is now back to a balanced state.

Because of timing, I had to do the fast on a regular work day, but I was completely fine. The book really prepares you for your one-day of fast by explaining the importance of the 7 day preparation as well as coping and theraputic mechanisms to handle the day of fasting. Furthermore, after you finish the full detox program, you aren't left wondering what to do. Gittleman offers some lifestyle choices that you can use to continue your clean eating to maintain your new balance.

My skin is glowing and I have more energy! I plan on doing the detox at the change of every season.

I was more than a bit skeptical about this diet, but I was tired of feeling so tired and I was stuck at a weight that was 20 lbs more than I am comfortable with. It was a little tough starting out, mostly clearing out the cupboards and getting ready with the right foods for the start up phase. By the time I got to the fast I was already feeling much better and had dropped 3 lbs! After the fast, I lost another 6 lbs, then got right on the follow up plan. I have gone back to much of my regular routine but with some radical changes in basic foods -- I have lost a total of 17 lbs and feel better than I have for years!

You need a serious committment to the plan and the will power to hang in there for the first three tough days. This isn't a diet, it's a life change.

I am a huge fan of fat flush. It is a fabulous cleansing weight loss plan. Gittleman has really interesting and worthwhile information about diet and health. I bought the fast track diet while on fat flush and enjoyed reading it. It is NOT a one-day diet. You do NOT lose 8 pounds OVERNIGHT. It is an 11 day diet. That isn't to say that it's not a great plan for those who want or need to drop a quick 10. But it is really untruthful to have blurbs on the back cover that say ' nearly instant weight loss', 'single day, single day. single day'. Ms. Gittleman cheapens herself and her message with such a distasteful marketing ploy.

I have followed the Fat Flush Plan by Ann Louise Gittleman and had lost 85 lbs. My husband wanted to try to lose weight also,so when she wrote her new book, The Fast Track,we both tried it. He lost 15 lbs the first time and I lost another 8 lbs. We continued healthy eating from then on. We have fasted 3 more times since and have lost between 8-12 lbs each time! The book teaches why certain foods are beneficial to our bodies and why some are detrimental.
I will keep this book handy as a reference and I am pleased that it has taught my husband and myself a healthier way of life.