The Viva Mayr Diet. Helena Frith Powell

fix; this is permanent change we are talking about here. With this book, you have the opportunity to acquire all this knowledge and all those secrets for a fraction of the price and in the comfort of your own home. This is a great opportunity, and one I think you will be really happy that you took.

      Make that list and keep it somewhere safe; look at it now and again to remind yourself why you are doing this. I promise that the rewards are huge compared with the actual effort. The Viva Mayr Diet is all about making subtle changes in your lifestyle that will result in huge gains both in terms of weight loss and your general health. This is something you need to keep in mind at all times. You have to be a little like a child waiting for Christmas; just a few more days and you’ll see some results, another week and you’ll have lost another few kilos. But when Christmas Day comes, you will be so hooked and happy with the new you that you won’t want to stop.

      As I said, there will be challenges. If you are a coffee and tea addict, you may get headaches as your body purges itself of toxins. I know this might sound silly, but look upon those headaches as a good sign. Headaches equal progress. A lot of people I met at the clinic said that the toughest day is Day Three, when you are really starting to feel the effects of what is effectively a deep cleanse. You feel headachy, tired and perhaps a little depressed, too. But then you come out the other side feeling incredible. Whatever side-effects you experience, they can never be as bad as feeling fat and unhealthy. So persevere and you will make it, I promise.

      Re-read your list of aims, remind yourself why you are here and what you are doing. Remember that you bought this book with an aim in mind and a goal to reach – and you will reach that goal. There is no one stopping you. You have it within your grasp to become whatever you want.

      Stocking up

      So how best to prepare for the Viva Mayr journey? Today is not only a day to stock up on all the good things you are going to feed your new-look body, but also a great opportunity to throw out all those crisps and Mars bar ice-creams you have been saving for a special treat. You are going to prepare yourself both mentally and practically.

      Your essential shopping list

      Over the next 14 days, you’ll need the following foods in your store cupboard and fridge. Most of the recipes are designed to serve about four, so if you are cooking for your family, this is probably ideal; however, if you are going solo, you will need to purchase smaller quantities of the ingredients. Read through the recipes before heading off to the shops, so you know what you’ll need. It’s also a good idea to purchase your fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs daily (if possible), and, unless you have a very good deep-freezer, your meat and fish, as well.

       Drinks

      Green tea

      Pomegranate juice

      Spring water

       Store cupboard

      Stevia

      Vegetable stock cubes, organic

      Rock salt

      Extra-virgin olive oil

      Cold-pressed linseed oil

      Cold-pressed hemp oil

      Cold-pressed walnut oil

      Cold-pressed pumpkin-seed oil

      Coconut oil

      Truffle oil (optional)

      Balsamic vinegar

      Honey

      Maple syrup

      Cider vinegar

      Blackcurrant purée

      Baking powder

      Cream of tartar

      Organic soya sauce

      Raisins or sultanas

      Green olives

      Black olives

      Dried fruit, such as apricots and prunes

       Dairy & eggs

      Organic eggs

      Butter

      Soft goat’s cheese

      Soft sheep’s cheese

      Sour cream

      Soya milk

      Single cream

      Double cream

      Parmesan cheese

      Cottage cheese

      Rice milk

      Oat milk

      Live sheep’s, goat’s or cow’s milk yoghurt (avoid the latter if you have any allergies or intolerance to milk, milk proteins or lactose)

      Goat’s milk or sheep’s milk (full-fat cow’s milk is OK, if you have no allergies)

       Fruit & vegetables

      Apples

      Berries (such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries; whatever you can get)

      Pomegranates

      Oranges

      Lemons

      Limes

      Bananas

      Papaya

      Mangoes

      Spinach

      Onions

      Radishes

      Celery

      Carrots

      Fennel

      Potatoes

      Kohlrabi

      Ripe vine tomatoes

      Baby plum tomatoes

      Pumpkin or butternut squash

      Salad (various lettuce leaves; anything goes)

      Garden cress

      Mixed sprouts, such as fenu greek, alfalfa, mung bean, radish, soya

      Courgettes

      Parsnips

      Avocados

      Artichokes (globe)

      Broccoli

      Celeriac

      Rocket

      Aubergines

      Turnip

      Shallots

      Fresh beetroot

      Fresh horseradish (or shop-bought horseradish sauce)

      As well as any fruits and vegetables in season …

       Fish & meat and meat substitutes

      Trout fillets

      Smoked trout fillets

      Skinless, boneless turkey breasts

      Slices of turkey ham

      Loin of lamb

      Salmon fillets

      Slices of smoked salmon

      Fillet of beef

      Organic silken tofu (or hemp tofu if you can get it)