It seems as if there is always a new diet emerging that promises to help you drop those pounds you’ve been dying to get rid of.
Some of those diets are great and really do help shed pounds, while others may not be so great. Either they don’t work, or they put your body at some serious health risk.
The hot new diet talk of the town is the Cinderella Solution. This approach to weight loss is catered specifically towards women who may be struggling with hormone imbalances that lead to extra weight.
Read on to learn more about the Cinderella Solution diet and whether it’s right for you.
Cinderella Solution Diet
Who is it for?
The Cinderella Solution is for women, specifically older women, who are looking to lose weight. Many women struggle to lose weight and remain fit as the hormones in their bodies change.
This approach to weight loss is a more holistic approach than other options out there and does not require extreme dieting or extreme cutting out of foods.
Who created it?
Founder and nutrition specialist Carly Donovan created the Cinderella Solution diet after suffering from a range of issues due to her weight. She was at risk of developing hypertension, depression, and diabetes thanks to the excess weight she was carrying around.
Upon researching how to lose weight, Donovan found an article that shed some light on Japanese women who were practicing something called flavor-pairing in order to improve their health, their weight, and their life expectancy.
From there, Donovan dove deeper into the research surrounding the way that Japanese women approached health in order to achieve slim figures and decided to try the concept of flavor-pairing herself. Donovan found that this dieting approach helps regulate a woman’s metabolism, which, in turn, helps with weight issues.
What is the science behind it?
Donovan created the Cinderella Solution as an answer to the weight gain that many women experience as they age and their hormones change. The change in hormones causes the metabolism to slow down, making it easier to gain weight.
And women go through the most significant hormonal changes when they hit menopause. At this point in their lives, the production of two key female sex hormones – estrogen and progesterone – slows down. This is what causes many of the symptoms associated with menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and more. Weight gain can often be another side effect of menopause.
That’s where the Cinderella Solution comes in. Donovan determined that special attention needs to be paid to insulin, cortisol, and estrogen to keep weight in a healthy place as the hormonal changes in a woman’s body occur.
Estrogen is the hormone that allows women to reproduce, and it also regulates body hair, menstrual cycles, and more.
Insulin is the hormone that regulates the body’s use of glucose from food by turning it into energy. As women reach perimenopause, they become more insulin resistant, which causes them to gain weight.
Cortisol is the stress hormone that, in small doses, can be good, but when cortisol levels get too high, it can lead to weight gain.
Thus, the Cinderella Solution works to create a balance between estrogen, insulin, and cortisol levels in a woman’s body to help her burn more fat and make better and healthier lifestyle choices.
What does it look like?
The Cinderella Solution is a 28-day program that is less strenuous on your mind and body than some of the other extreme diet options that exist today.
It is broken up into two different phases: the ignite phase and the launch phase.
Ignite Phase
This phase has you eating three meals a day that helps regulate the hormones in your body. You are provided with meal plans that ask you to combine certain foods that help with reducing fat and losing weight. In her research, Donovan found that women in other parts of the world did not have to cut out foods high in fat, carbs, and calories in order to lose weight, but instead just had to change how they combined those different foods.
Launch Phase
In this phase, you eat four meals a day that each continues the concept of combining in a way that sets you up for weight loss.
Some of the food combining that the program suggests include:
- Green tea + mint
- Fish + garlic
- Apples + chocolate
- Sweet potatoes + Greek yogurt
By combining foods such as these, the Cinderella Solution approach states that your metabolism will speed up, putting you in a great place for weight loss.
How much does it cost?
The Cinderella Solution costs $37. Included in that cost, you get the following tools and guides:
- Manual that explains the method and the science behind it
- Quick start guide (if you want to skip to the chase)
- Exercise guide that is optional but will improve the effects of the method
- Bonus nutritional blueprint that details every step Donovan took to lose weight
- A book that covers the main triggers for weight gain and weight loss, specifically in women
Is it worth it?
With a price of $37, this isn’t the most expensive option you’ll find, but it’s not a cheap book either. While the website sings the praises of people who have given it a go, you never know how accurate the claims are or if you’ll find the same success. However, if you’re a woman struggling with weight loss, the Cinderella Solution may be a good avenue to try. As with any diet, however, the results aren’t guaranteed. Because it doesn’t require any yo-yo dieting and allows you to eat multiple full meals, it seems as if there is no harm in giving it a try. If you do elect to try this or any other diet plan, consult your doctor to ensure that it is safe for you to do so.
If you’re looking for additional tools to help you in your weight loss journey, consider creating a weight loss vision board.
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