Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to all the most frequently asked questions below:

General:

Do I Really Have To Stick To The Fat Flush Plan Exactly As Described, Or Can I Personalize It A Bit?
You certainly can personalize the program to suit your own needs. The program is based on principles, not hard-and-fast do’s and don’ts. Of course, build your meals around as many Fat Flushing elements as possible to get the best results: the Hot Lemon Water, increased water, lean protein, low-glycemic-index fruits and vegetables, flaxseed oil, and GLA. Each of these elements has specific fat-burning and diuretic properties.

One of the most common ways to personalize the Phase 1 Fat Flush—especially for those who aren’t willing to give up their heavy duty workout routines—is to add in one or two friendly carbs (see Phase 2) from the get-go. One Fat Flush Tortilla at breakfast and/or a half cup of peas or cooked carrots, winter squash, or sweet potato at night seem to satisfy Fat Flush athletes the most.

It’s My Third Day On Fat Flush, And I Have A Caffeine Withdrawal Headache And Am Very Tired. Is This Normal?
Yes, it is a normal reaction to cleansing and the withdrawal from coffee as well as sugar, grains, and dairy foods—especially if you’ve been a big consumer of these items. According to nutritional biochemist Stephen Cherniske, M.S.: A caffeine deprivation (withdrawal) headache results from the normal opening (dilation) of blood vessels that are constricted by caffeine. In other words, habitual caffeine intake keeps blood vessels in the brain constricted. When caffeine is not consumed, these blood vessels return to their normal blood flow potential, and it is this increased circulation in the brain that causes the throbbing agony of a caffeine withdrawal headache. Ultimately, the brain becomes accustomed to normal blood flow and the headache subsides. After the first four days, you’ll find many of your symptoms vanishing, especially the headaches—if you take it easy, rest, and follow the basic guidelines.
I'm On Day 4, And I Am Bloated And Constipated. I Not Only Feel Bloated, But I Can See That My Stomach Is Protruding Even More As I'm Not Eliminating Properly, What Should I Do?
Ann Louise has said you may take up to 1200 mg of magnesium to ease constipation. Start out slowly at 400 mg and work your way up to a max of 1200 mg, depending on bowel tolerance. As a muscle relaxer, magnesium can cause things to go “the other way,” so be careful. Also, drink tons of water as well as all your Cran-Water and eat lots of fresh veggies for fiber! If you have a rebounder, the downward gravity caused by jumping often helps everything “go south.” Lastly, be patient! It is very common for a sudden change of diet to cause a temporary change in bowel habits. If you follow the suggestions above, things should start to improve, but it can take a little time.
Should I Be Watching My Stools During Fat Flush, And What Am I Looking For Exactly?
Believe it or not, your stools reveal telltale signs of what’s going on with your body. Here are four areas to watch for: —SMELL: No, they really don’t have to have a foul odor. But if they do, it’s a sign that putrefaction—rotting and fermentation of food—is occurring in your digestive tract. This means that your bad bacteria are more than likely outweighing your friendly bacteria. And this spells trouble, because it’s your good bacteria that help digest food by creating digestive enzymes and keeping the bad bacteria under control. —FREQUENCY: Actually, having two to three bowel movements a day is considered healthy. You want to keep things moving along so that stagnation and putrefaction don’t occur. This is where the fiber (psyllium or ground flaxseeds) comes into play to help you eliminate more readily and thereby ward off disease. —FORMATION: Generally speaking, a 2-foot-long stool with a diameter about the size of a half dollar is considered the best. Anything short of this could mean that you’re lacking fiber, flora, or the enzymes needed to ensure complete digestion. If food particles (notably protein) are not broken down completely, they can enter the bloodstream, which leads the way to food allergies, a weakened immune system, and various diseases. —FLOTATION: If your stools sink to the bottom of the toilet, it means that they are too hard and that your diet is lacking something, possibly fiber and/or essential fatty acids. A healthy stool floats, is not compact, and breaks into smaller pieces as it is flushed.
I Started Fat Flush A Year Ago And Lost 30+ Pounds In 6 Months. I Have Been On Phase 3 Since With No Weight Gain. I Am Feeling The Need To Do A Detox But I Don't Want To Lose Any More Weight. Is This Possible?
We recommend returning to Phase 1 for a week or two and then go right back to Phase 3. It shouldn’t cause excessive weight loss.
I Have A Lot Of Questions And Would Love To Get Advice And Support From Other People Who Have Experienced Fat Flush. Who Should I Talk To?
Thousands of Fat Flushers are here for you! Our online community at annlouiseforum.com provides free 24/7 weight loss, detox, and lifestyle support.

Smoothie Shakedown:

What Exactly Is The Smoothie Shakedown And How Does It Relate To The Fat Flush Program?
The Smoothie Shakedown is designed as a simple two-week turbo-charged program to enhance metabolism and jumpstart your weight loss journey. It is a stand-alone program that can be used in place of Phase 1 or between other Fat Flush phases.
Do I Have To Follow The Exact Dinner Menu Or Can I Create My Own Recipes On The Smoothie Shakedown?
The dinner menu featured in the protocol is just a sample. As long as you stick to the approved foods and spices, you can be as inventive as you like! For example, enjoy a grilled chicken salad or Fat Flush-style “spaghetti” with lean beef, fresh tomatoes, veggies, and spaghetti squash!
What If I Get Hungry Between Meals Or After Dinner During The Smoothie Shakedown?
Have one of the approved snacks (veggies, hard-boiled eggs, or a third smoothie) if you get hungry! It’s important to make sure that you are eating every three to four hours. Avoid eating two hours before bedtime.
Can I Have My Smoothie Shakedown Meal Anytime During The Day, Or Only At Dinner?
Get creative and plan your daily menu to fit your schedule. Enjoy two smoothies and one meal a day in any order you like.
I Started The Shakedown A Few Days Ago, And Feel A Little “Off,” What’s Going On?
Some people do experience detox symptoms after cutting out caffeine, white flour, sugar, and alcohol from their diet. These symptoms should subside after a few days, if not; consider consulting a health care practitioner.
I Am On Day 2 Of The Smoothie Shakedown And While I Was Out Today I Started Having Low Blood Sugar Issues. I'm Down 1.6 Pounds Just After Yesterday And So I'm Encouraged Since I Expected Nothing From The First Day. I Really Want To Stick With It And Would Appreciate Suggestions On How To Keep This From Happening Again.
You’ll want to add a pinch of salt to each smoothie and to your meal to help with your low blood sugar. It should make all the difference in the world.
I’ve Had Really Good Results During The First Two Weeks Of The Smoothie Shakedown, Can I Keep Doing The Program?
If you have 50 pounds or more to lose, you can stick to this particular program for up to one month at a time. In order to maximize your results, it is recommended to take a one-week break before starting another two-week round of the Shakedown. During the break, enjoy one smoothie and two Shakedown meals daily or follow Classic Fat Flush Phase 1 or 2 in order to stay on track. The Fat Flush Kit supplements are safe and effective for lifetime weight management.
I’ve Completed The Smoothie Shakedown, But Still Have More Weight To Lose (Or I Want To Maintain My Weight Loss), What’s Next?
After completing the Shakedown (either a two-week or four-week regimen), continue on your weight loss journey by transitioning to the Smoothie Shakedown Succession Plan, The Classic Fat Flush Plan, or a Maintenance Plan.

Phase 2:

This Is My Second Day On Phase 2 And I Am Having A Hard Time Moving From Smoothie Shakedown To Phase 2. I Feel TOO FULL To Eat My Proteins For The Day. I'm Eating My Eggs, Spelt Bread For Breakfast, Then Grilled Chicken For Lunch And Dinner And Throwing In A Veggie With Each Lunch And Dinner. I Was Eating My Fruit At 10pm Last Night Because I Am Just Too FULL! Do You Have Any Advice?
Try having your fruit as a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack. Fat Flush is all about a balanced intake and amounts of the correct nutrients – fats, carbs, and proteins. Reducing your intake could result in your body going into starvation mode. Your body will become extraordinarily efficient at making the most of the calories it does get; it will protect fat stores and instead use lean tissue to provide it with some of the calories it needs to keep functioning properly. This in turn will lower your metabolic rate so that your body needs fewer calories to function which will result in weight loss slow-down. As paradoxical as it may seem, you need to eat in order to lose!
Can I Skip Phase 2 If I Lost Enough Weight In Phase 1 Or Smoothie Shakedown And Just Want To Maintain My Weight?
Yes, if you have reached your goal weight, go ahead to Phase 3 which is the maintenance phase.
I Just Finished The Fast Track Detox And Am Ready To Start Phase 1 Or Phase 2. Is It Ok To Use The Recipes From Fast Track, They Are Simply Awesome And Delicious!
You absolutely may use the recipes from Fast Track in your Phase 1 or 2 menus! Just make sure the recipes fit into the food lists for whatever phase you are following.

Fat Flush for Life:

In Making The Hot Metabolism Booster, Should I Use Low Sodium Or Regular Veggie Juice?
Low sodium.
For The Hot Metabolism Booster, Is There Some Other Type Of Juice That Could Be Used Along With Using The Other Ingredients?
Some people who can’t tolerate vegetable juice or tomato juice do fine with using fresh tomatoes. As far as a substitution, we’re not sure any vegetable (or combination) would equal the benefits you receive from the fresh tomato, veggie or tomato juices as you’d be missing out on the high concentration of Vitamin C plus the benefits of lycopene. That said, you certainly could experiment with making a completely green drink, using a variety of green veggies. Or perhaps use a red pepper instead of the tomato or the juice? We don’t recommend using just plain water as the tomato/veggie juice really adds to the feeling of satiety one gets when drinking the Hot Metabolism Booster.
I Started Hot Metabolism Booster Today And Made It Through With The Plan But Feel Tired And Wiped Out! I Know This Can Happen When Detoxing But I Am Surprised At How I Feel. I Have Gone Off Coffee Before With No Side Effects.
It’s detoxing, especially carb-related sugar and feeling the effect of no coffee and your level of adrenal energy. If you continue feeling tired you may want to try some Adrenal Formula for support.
Ann Louise Stated That Two Liver-Lovin Formulas Were To Be Used In The Green Life Cocktail. Does This Mean Empty The Capsules?
Yes, just pull them apart and dump in the contents!
Can I Still Continue With The Oil Pulling On Fat Flush For Life In Spring, Or Is It Just Done In The Winter Program?
You may continue to do the oil pulling for as long as you like. Many make this part of their daily routine.

Special Health/Lifestyle Concerns:

I Have Been Diagnosed With A Gluten Allergy. I Am Having A Tough Time Finding Carbs To Introduce Back Into My Diet On Phase 3. Do You Have Any Suggestions?
Actually the majority of grain suggestions are gluten-free on Phase 3 already. There are also the friendly carb starches from Phase 2 already included so you have a plethora of delicious choices to enjoy.
Could My Thyroid-Related Weight Problem Be Tied To Any Other Kind Of Hormonal Imbalance?
Yes, especially if you are lacking natural progesterone and are estrogen-dominant. Synthetic estrogens in the form of birth control pills or hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) elevate sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG), which can depress other hormones, including thyroid hormone. The resulting symptoms range from weight gain and fatigue to cold hands and feet as well as an inability to sweat. Estrogen and progesterone levels can be assessed through testing. You can also try using a cream with a natural form of progesterone, which is identical to what your body makes. Monitor the results over a three-month period by tracking your progress in your journal, noting your energy and overall well-being. If these improve on progesterone, then your thyroid-related weight problem is tied to estrogen dominance and progesterone deficit.
I Have Low Thyroid And Am Currently On Medication To Keep It In Order, How Will I Know If Fat Flush Helps?
When you make changes, having things like your thyroid, cholesterol, blood pressure tested is always a great starting point, that way you know where to go from here.
I Have High Blood Pressure. If This Diet Lowers My Blood Pressure Will I Faint? I Am Concerned My Blood Pressure Will Get Too Low. How Do I Monitor This?
You generally have to have extremely low blood pressure to have fainting from what I know. If you are on medication for high blood pressure, you want to check with your doctor before starting any plan.
I Am A Vegetarian, And I’m Wondering If It Is Ok To Start The Fat Flush For Life Autumn Plan Since It’s Vegetarian. Is Fat Flush For Life Only For Folks Who Have Already Done Phases 1-3 Of The Classic Version?
Absolutely, if you are a vegetarian, feel free to jump over to Fat Flush for Life-Autumn! Month 1 was designed to enhance Phase 1 of Classic Fat Flush for vegetarians with a more detailed explanation of the plan.
I’m A Vegetarian, How Can I Adapt The Smoothie Shakedown To Fit My Lifestyle?
The Shakedown is excellent for vegetarians! Fat Flush Body Protein is vegan, and with the exception of the daily meal, no other modifications should be necessary. Tofu may be consumed twice per week, and in addition, a third daily smoothie should be standard protocol for sufficient protein.
I’m A Vegan. Is There Anything Special I Should Do—And What About Using Beans For My Protein Portions?
Since animal proteins play such an important role in Fat Flush, vegans will be challenged to find equivalent sources that provide the quality of amino acids found only in meat, eggs, fish, and poultry. The five most critical amino acids lacking in most vegan diets, according to biochemist Don Tyson, who ran the Aatron Medical Services Laboratory in Torrance, California, for years, are lysine, methionine, carnitine, taurine, and tryptophan. Taking a well-balanced amino acid supplement containing lysine, methionine, carnitine, and taurine (tryptophan is no longer on the market) with meals would be a good first step. There is also a protein powder available, made from peas, that would be appropriate for vegans because it is enhanced with the four amino acids. Vegetarians, of course, can increase the whey protein shakes during the day and include a balanced amino acid supplement (as described above). As for the beans, they are a source of protein, but they also contain significant amounts of carbohydrates. For instance, 8 ounces of chickpeas contain a whopping 120 grams of carbohydrates. Thus, beans are really considered a carbohydrate. In Phase 3 of the plan, you can start to include these back in your Lifestyle eating routine in very small amounts. (They are not part of Phase 1 or Phase 2.)
Is There Anything Special A Woman Should Do At Certain Stages Of Her Life, Such As Perimenopausal Or Menopause?
Yes, there is. Studies comparing Asian menopausal women with Western menopausal women showed that Asian women have a much easier transition and better overall health. One of the reasons may be their daily intake (from 45 to 100 mg) of the stabilizing phytoestrogens called isoflavones. Isoflavones are highly touted for relieving such symptoms as hot flashes, sweats, etc., caused by hormonal fluctuations. They are found most prevalently in soy, red clover, kudzu root, and lignans.

These isoflavones are accepted by human cell estrogen receptors, so they satisfy the body’s estrogen needs and thereby relieve premenopausal symptoms. As weak estrogenic mimics, these isoflavones also aid in stabilizing fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels and reduce cholesterol while helping to maintain strong bones. For menopausal Fat Flushing women, there are many elements of the daily routine that offer hormone-stabilizing benefits. The selection of ground flaxseeds in the Long Life Cocktail, as well as the GLA provided by the black currant seed oil helps to balance mood swings, quell hot flashes and night sweats, and provide welcome lubrication for tissue dryness.

Can I Do The Fat Flush Diet While I’m Pregnant Or Nursing?
Phase 3 of Classic Fat Flush is the recommended diet to follow. There are times in a woman’s life cycle that demand optimal nutritional support and additional calories. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are definitely two such times. A pregnant woman should be focused on gaining weight—not losing or maintaining weight—which are the primary goals of each phase of the plan. In fact, in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, a woman needs at least 300 extra calories each day and she needs another 500 extra calories each day while breastfeeding. For a healthy pregnancy, doctors typically recommend that most women gain between 25 and 30 pounds. If a woman is underweight, gaining 28 to 40 pounds is suggested; if overweight, adding 15 to 25 pounds is recommended. Having said that, Phase 3 can be used as a foundational eating program for pregnant or breastfeeding women, utilizing the full array of servings in every food category as a baseline—and even adding on servings in each category if weight gain is not sufficient or the person is still hungry. The only dietary change, based upon the recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), would be to limit fish intake to only 12 ounces per week and completely eliminate larger fish such as shark, swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel while pregnant or breastfeeding. These fish are more likely to be contaminated with toxic mercury, and exposure to mercury can result in neurological problems and learning deficits in children. Plus, the recommended weight loss supplements, with the exception of a daily multiple vitamin with extra folic acid, should be omitted at this time—especially those with herbal ingredients. We highly recommend the initial two phases of the Fat Flush Plan after women give birth and/or stop breastfeeding for a safe body cleansing and weight loss regimen. In addition to the flaxseed oil and GLA supplements, pregnant and breastfeeding women can supplement their diet with other essential fatty acids that can be integrated into Phase 3 right away. The most important is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is found in fattier fish (such as salmon and sardines) and even in omega-3-enriched eggs. In capsule form, DHA is usually purified to remove PCBs and heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic. Since the human brain is composed of 60 percent fat, and the most prevalent fat is DHA, this primary building block is absolutely essential for proper cognitive and visual development. Infants depend on mother’s milk for their DHA. However, the DHA level in the breast milk of American women is the lowest in the world. We always suggest that pregnant women take a dietary supplement containing 200 mg of DHA along with their prenatal supplements. Breastfeeding women can double this amount to 400 mg, which will benefit the baby and the mother by protecting against postpartum depression. Mothers unable to breastfeed should consider adding 100 mg of DHA to each bottle of formula. We recommend a DHA brand from Carlson called Mother’s DHA— available in health food stores—because these supplements support the development of the infant’s brain and eyes.
Which Fat Flush Supplements Can I Take If I Am Pregnant Or Nursing?

The Advanced Daily Multi, GLA-90 and CLA-1000 may be taken at the recommended dosage. Liver-Lovin Formula can be taken in place of Weight Loss Formula. In addition, as recommended above, it would be helpful to take 400 mg of DHA (available in 2 capsules of Super-EPA or 1 tsp of Fish Oil) and Flora-Key, 1 tsp twice daily.

Are There Any Drug-Nutrient Interactions I Should Be Aware Of While Following The Fat Flush Plan?
Yes, there are. The most important drug-nutrient interactions you should be aware of are as follows, especially if you decide to use a GLA-alternative oil to the recommended black currant seed oil: —EVENING PRIMROSE OIL: You shouldn’t take antidepressants (such as Wellbutrin) with evening primrose oil, because it can augment the risk of seizures. This also holds true for individuals having psychotic disorders or taking phenothiazine drugs such as Thorazine, Mellaril, or Stelazine. —BORAGE OIL: This has been shown to increase the blood-thinning qualities of medications such as aspirin, Dalteparin, Enoxaparin, and warfarin. —PSYLLIUM: Taking psyllium with certain medications, such as Coumadin (an anticoagulant), Lanoxin (a heart medication), Tegretol (a seizure medication), or lithium (for manic depression) is not advised. Also remember that fiber can inhibit the pills’ effectiveness. So stagger the meals with your Long Life Cocktail.
Is There An Age Limit For Fat Flush?
Yes and no. The first two phases of the Classic Fat Flush are too stringent for children under age 12; however, Phase 3 is a healthy option. Regardless of age, children definitely can benefit from adding the right fats to their current dietary regimen whether they are on the plan or not! In fact, the most remarkable news about omega-3–rich oils (such as flaxseed and fish oils) is their dramatic effect on children. Many clinical studies have shown how low brain chemistry levels of these essential fatty acids are connected with a multitude of neurological and psychological symptoms, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and violent behavior. Adding from 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil to your child’s cereal or pancake toppings is one of the best oil changes you can make. In fact, it is a great idea to make such changes for the whole family as well. And speaking of oil changes, your teenage daughter can benefit too. By taking gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)–rich black currant seed oil for two weeks before her period, your daughter can help avoid PMS–related headaches, irritability, bloating, cramping, and breast tenderness. Your children will quickly experience—even faster than you—how the right fats are a friend, not a foe!
I Want To Start The Fat Flush With My 9 Year Old Daughter, But I Am Unsure Which Supplements She Can Take Safely. I Just Purchased The 1-Month Smoothie Shakedown Bundle.
Many children have successfully used the Smoothie Shakedown to kick start a healthy eating program. We suggest that you follow the protocol for Smoothie Shakedown for one week – rather than two weeks – in this case, and proceed to the maintenance program as suggested in the Smoothie Shakedown booklet. Please make sure your daughter includes all the “legal” snacks in the program, as well especially all the fiber-rich vegetables. With regard to the supplements, the multi would be fine as would the GLA but we would only suggest one multi in the AM and 2 GLAs – one in the AM and one in the PM. Also, take just one Weight Loss Formula with the “full” meal.
My Husband Wants To Start Classic Fat Flush. What Can He Expect, And Should Men Do Anything Differently?
Men typically lose from 8 to 16 pounds in Phase 1. They have greater muscle mass than women—20 percent more, in fact. Having more lean muscle mass means that men have the ability to lose weight faster than women. Pound for pound, muscle can burn more calories than fat—giving men a built-in advantage (literally). Men who follow Fat Flush usually make some personal adjustments to the plan. They typically jump from Phase 1 to Phase 3, because they need more fuel in the form of friendly carbs for their higher metabolism. Also, some men also feel that they need more than 8 ounces of protein per day and increase portion sizes of meat, fish, and chicken by 2 ounces at lunch and at dinner. Many also feel more comfortable if they double up on the whey protein powder in the morning.

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