I went on a work trip to Lake Tahoe and Dallas. Unlike most company trips, this was a bit different and whilst there was a lot of business related training and a day biking in the mountains, there was also a lot of partying and American size food portions. When I got back, I felt lethargic, lacking in energy and all the good exercise I had put in over the Summer was seriously at risk from the extra weight I had gained. Not great timing because my Marathon PB (Personal Best) target race was coming up.
So with six weeks to go, I decided it was time to take action. So here is my review of the Forever C9 (Clean 9) that I used to get me back on track. It’s a nine day body cleanse programme that many of my friends had raved about, but being an athlete, my main aim outside of exercise was eating lots, so it hadn’t occurred to me to try it before! Here’s how I got on. Meanwhile, if you are looking for other ways to improve your health,
If you're diggin' what you see and wanna order the Clean 9, you can buy it straight up by clicking HERE for Vanilla or HERE for Chocolate. Forever offers a 60 day money back satisfaction guarantee, so you can use it with confidence. Note: I am an Independent Distributor of Forever Living Products because I love their products. I use many of them as part of my training regime. As with all of my other reviews, I will stick to the facts and do my best to remain objective!
My goals:
The first time I tried the C9, I was pleased to see that one of the first things you need to do is write down three goals in the booklet that you want to achieve. Written goals are far more likely to be achieved than ones stored in the mind! Mine were:
Lose the bad snacking habits – too many biscuits and cakes had reappeared in my daily diet. I do a lot of running so need a lot of calories, but there are better sources of energy!
Drink less alcohol – alcohol trashes recovery from exercise. Drinking three times a week wasn’t helping my marathon chances!
Feel more energetic – I’m not a morning person at the best of times, but I was finding it even harder than normal to get out of bed and go for my morning run.
C9 is marketed as a cleanse rather than a weight loss program. Many people do lose weight, but it shouldn't be one of the goals for the nine days. If you have long term weight loss goals, you would be better off looking at the F1 and F2 programs. If you have questions about these, please get in touch.
There is a note of caution regarding medical conditions: “Before beginning any exercise programme or using any dietary supplement, please consult your doctor for more information. Please note that Clean 9 and the Forever F.I.T. programmes are not suitable for those who have diabetes or kidney disease. If you have any medical condition, please consult your doctor before starting the programme.”
What’s in the box?
2X Forever Aloe Gel bottles – the gel from the inner leaf of the Aloe Vera plant. Nutritional and cleansing. Put them in the fridge straight away – they taste better chilled.
1X Forever Lite Ultra pouch (chocolate or vanilla) – nutritionally balanced soy protein shake.
54X Garcinia soft-gels – take 20 mins before food.
9X Forever Fibre sachets – helps keeps you regular.
18X Forever Therm tablets – works on the metabolism. Contains a small amount of caffeine.
Tape Measure and Shaker
C9 Booklet
Who’s it for?
The Clean 9 is perfect for anyone looking to establish healthier habits with both their diet and exercise routine. The included daily exercise targets make this a comprehensive solution for anyone looking to improve their wellbeing.
When to do it?
The Clean 9 is perfect for anyone looking to establish healthier habits with both their diet and exercise routine. The included daily exercise targets make this a comprehensive solution for anyone looking to improve their wellbeing.
Guide booklet
The C9 booklet that comes with the pack is mostly straightforward and useful. It outlines the daily routines, provides suggestions for exercise and diet, lists what we call "Free Foods" (see below!), and has a place to store weights, measurements, food diary and goals. Having said that, there are a few bits of information that are easily missed and commonly asked about in our support group:
On days 3-8, men are allowed an extra 200 calories per day due to their higher metabolism rate in comparison to women. Both genders will consume shakes on these days, but on day 9, lunch will instead consist of a 300 calorie meal. This meal can be eaten at lunch or dinner time, and you can switch up the order if you'd like. It's important to drink a lot of water during these nine days - approximately 3 litres per day for men and 2-2.5 litres per day for women.
The final weigh-in should be done on Day 10, after the 9-day program is completed. It's important not to weigh yourself every day, as this can fluctuate and be misleading. Instead, focus on the end result. Additionally, depending on personal factors, the program could be adjusted.
The Clean 9 can be completed up to three times per year, usually following holidays. I'd wonder why you want to do it more frequently; perhaps you should take a closer look at the F1 and F2 instead.
Day 1 and 2
The Clean 9 can be completed up to three times per year, usually following holidays. I'd wonder why you want to do it more frequently; perhaps you should look. Day 1 began with me doing my weights and measurements, which I recorded in the booklet's back after setting up my goals for the day. The Tanita scales I use calculate my weight and body fat percentage. In order to compare before and after pictures, I also took some pictures of myself from the front and side while I was calm and in good posture
Take a few Garcinia softgels first thing on Days 1 and 2, then wait for 20 minutes. After that, add 250 cc of water and a Therm tablet to 120 ml of the Aloe Gel drink. Since the aloe gel hasn't been filtered, it still has the plant's "gloopy with pieces" texture. Some individuals find it a little difficult the first few times, but keep in mind that it has less flavor when it's cold. However, I had no issue swallowing it as I concentrated on the advantages I would experience and how great I would feel after the nine-day period!
Every day should include at least 30 minutes of exercise, although on Days 1 and 2, this should only be light to moderate activity. If you'd like, you can increase your workout, but take it gently. The manual advises working for at least 30 minutes continuously, which makes sense for fat consumption (the longer the better). I strolled around the nature reserve for 30 minutes because I needed a day of rest. I discovered that, despite not having a typical breakfast, I was still able to complete the walk.
I next drank some fiber-containing water from a sachet. It appears that this must be taken independently of the other supplements.
I took a few more Garcinia around lunchtime, waited 20 minutes, and then consumed another 120ml of Aloe Gel and a Therm tablet. I don't consume caffeine very frequently, but I believe those who depend entirely on coffee will enjoy this period of the day! The hydroxycitric acid in the Garcinia gels aids in appetite control and discourages the storage of fat. I next added some almond milk to a scoop of shake. Light soy or coconut milk are two additional options. I've tried the shakes made with hazelnut milk, and I really like them. I was conscious to drink extra water all through the afternoon.
I had expected to be ravenously hungry by this point, given my usual "trough everything in sight" diet, but I was fine and went about my day as usual. Apart from the fact that I wasn't rummaging through the fridge every hour! Success.
There is, however, a list of "Free Foods" that can be used to satisfy hunger on any day from 1 to 9. You don't have to have them, and I'd recommend avoiding them if possible, but you can have them in moderation if the food craving is too strong. It's better to have some of these than to fall off the track before the finish line!
Day 3 to Day 8
Day 3 was fantastic because I spent most of it anticipating my evening meal. However, the morning routine is similar: 2X Garcinia, 20 minutes, a Therm, 120ml Aloe Gel, and some water. However, there's an extra shake here for breakfast, so we're back to three regular feeds per day. Good times. I added a few blueberries for variety:
Another 30+ minutes of exercise is required, but this time at "moderate" intensity, so you can step up your game. I did a muddy 14k trail run (1h20m) and ate an oat cake when I got home to replenish glycogen stores because I was burning a little more calories than the normal 30 minutes.
After that, the Fibre with water and a shake for lunch (after 2X Garcinia, 20 minutes, and a Therm tablet).
I had an 800 calorie meal for dinner because I am a man (600 for women). This was actually quite close to the amount of food I normally ate in the evening. The booklet includes some sample recipes. I had a stir-fry of pork and vegetables with crispy rice and chili oil. It was by far the best food I had ever had in my entire life at this point:D I was feeling fine until I smelled the food while it was cooking.
Weigh-in on Day 6
On day 6, I measured my weight and fat again, and both were lower. So far, there has been significant progress. This gave me hope that it would all be worthwhile and that I should keep going despite any temptation!
Day 9
The only difference between Days 3-8 and 9 is that instead of a shake for lunch, you have a 300-calorie meal. I consumed a sandwich.
Weigh-in and Results for Day 10!
Weight and fat were even lower. As a result, I had the equivalent of a few bags of sugar less to transport. I could feel a difference while exercising, but more importantly, my cravings for sugar and snacks had vanished. I hadn't had any alcohol and felt much better as a result. Using these healthy habits, I was able to maintain my weight loss all the way until my Portsmouth Coastal Trail Marathon, where I finished 34th in 3h11m. So it worked for me, and I was ecstatic with the outcome.
To ensure you get the 60-day money-back guarantee, you can buy it directly by clicking HERE for Vanilla or HERE for Chocolate . Please check the "allow distributor to contact me" box so that I can assist you during the 9-day period and answer any questions you may have!
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