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)