Beauty Detox Transformation Story: Alisha!

Hello Beauties,

Normally, we’ll be posting these inspirational transformation stories on Fridays — but last week our schedule shifted around so we’re posting this today. Expect a new one from us on each Friday going forward…

This one is the Beauty Detox story of Alisha Kitchen (love her last name!).

Alisha is such a amazing, inspirational member of our community and I’m sure you will agree! Let’s hear her story directly from her:

1. How long have you been following the Beauty Detox philosophy? Was it easy to incorporate it into your lifestyle?

I have been following the Beauty Detox Philosophy for a year now and I started when I glanced at her bright orange book in June and then brought it home and read it cover to cover. At first it was difficult to follow as I wasn’t used to eating nut meat and green smoothies. However, because I was intrigued by it, I made it and thought it was delicious. The first time I made a smoothie, I understood the acquired taste and added tons of honey to it. Now that’s a different story, as I don’t need any sweetener and have since added cucumber and specifically green apple to the smoothie instead of my familiar red.

2. What is your daily regimen? Give us an example of a typical meal plan and exercise routines.

My daily routine is getting up and exercising for 20-45 minutes basically until I drip sweat. Doing some type of cardio, preferably dancing (on an empty stomach), has been super helpful to me. Then I make my green tea or drink lemon water- whatever I have a taste for on that particular day.

After this, I drink the Glowing Green Smoothie and then follow it with buckwheat groats. My body really understands the Light to Heavy principle. For lunch, I have the gorilla nut meat wraps which I would have never tried if it wasn’t for her YouTube video. Something about the spices and the way she served it intrigued me. So I thought what the hey? If it’s gross, I will never have to make it again, right? It turned out to be delicious! I literally make it every week.

I alternate between kale, romaine and collard wraps which are all delicious, and now I add cayenne and garlic to my recipe. I also have this with her French Onion Soup recipe which is super delicious. I had no idea a vegan recipe could taste that fantastic. For dinner I will have a salad. I have found that my body prefers a heavier lunch and a lighter dinner.

3. How do you feel after adopting the Beauty Detox lifestyle? What changes have you experienced?

I feel fantastic and almost lighter believe it or not. I have literally changed my outlook on calorie counting as I don’t need to do it anymore. BONUS!!! I noticed a change about 6 months after when people told me I was glowing. A couple people told me I was lighter lol.

My hair is shinier and growing. I sleep better and my skin is flawless with little to no acne. Overall my skin is smooth and even toned. The weirdest change which might be a little TMI but I had varicose veins on my butt which were slightly embarrassing and those are gone. My eyes are whiter and I have learned to reignite my passion of cooking and food in a whole new way.

4. How has this impacted your outlook on life?

My impact on life, OH MY GOODNESS DON’T GET ME STARTED LMBO! Kimberly has literally unleashed a beast inside of me that I didn’t know I had. I already loved cooking so the recipes weren’t an issue but I learned to have fun and that when I listen to my body this creates always a win win situation. I already liked most of the foods but didn’t know I could eat them raw or that I could enjoy healthy food this much.

A little back story on the day I found her book. I was super overweight as in I had an obese BMI and I had rolls on top of rolls and I recently stopped drinking alcohol on top of that. Basically, I was super depressed. So before a went to Target to purchase a different book, I was at a family picnic where my aunt basically humiliated me and said in front of everyone, “Welcome to the Chubby Committee!!!” So I left that function sobbing because little did she know that the outfit I wore was the ONLY thing in my closet that fit me.

Ok so back to positivity…I drove to Target on a quest to change my lifestyle and I go to the book section looking for weight loss tips and I see this orange book on the bottom shelf and am immediately drawn to the color so I pick it up and remember her (Kimberly Snyder) being on Dr Oz. Which at the time he was my boy! Like literally we went way back…Well at least that’s what I told myself LOL.

So I picked it up, bought it, read it and then started researching her more. Found out she had another book and a following on YouTube. I watched her videos then was led to others and then my beast was unleashed literally. The first month I lost 8.1 lbs then the second month I lost 7 lbs then I started having fun with it. I had quit drinking a few months prior and have kept with the lifestyle and the weight just dropped off. And to date I have lost 32.4 pounds and am happy to report a normal BMI. All of my clothes in my closet are baggy. New Wardrobe!!! Even my last doctor’s visit he said he would trade blood pressures with me…FANTASTIC.

Just yesterday, I woke up emotional because I couldn’t believe it that with all the myths received by the media of losing weight (pumping it hard at the gym, eating only salads, counting calories, etc) I was able to do it with ease. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t always a walk in the park as it took me 7+ months to lose the other pounds but I was able to eat the foods I loved and have fun working out while feeding my body nourishment.

PS — I only went to the gym twice in the last year and lost more weight letting my inhibitions go in front of the mirror dancing at home. Long story short she changed my life and this is a philosophy I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I do eat other things as well but my regimen incorporating the BDS principles has become ingrained into my daily practices in one way or another. And when I get to my plateau I am able to know what to do and how to get through it based on Kimberly’s advice.

5. Favorite Recipe and Why?

Favorite recipe is hands down the gorilla wraps because it’s super universal. As I stated above, I add cayenne and garlic to the recipe now and they are fantastic. And it’s a bonus to know that walnuts are a beauty staple. I have recently added my homemade guacamole to the wrap and it is the bomb! I can’t wait to eat it for today’s lunch. Delicious .com!! Literally. Even the versatility of the wraps is phenomenal. Depending on my mood, I will use kale, romaine or collard as my wrap. Romaine and Kale are awesome options I found out if you want to change it up.

6. What words of encouragement do you have for others in the Beauty Detox Community?

Stick with it! Do the things you like to do, eat the things you like to eat and look at it as a sprint not a race. I tried to loose weight on several occasions and was unsuccessful because I would hit the gym hard and frankly eat nasty things that were deemed healthy just so I could get that quick fix I was looking for. The weight would eventually come back. With BDS, I have literally stayed within the same 6 lbs within the last 6 months with no huge weight gains. Just wins, wins and more wins LOL.

Currently, I am at my lowest weight which is very exciting for me. Start with a goal in mind to motivate you during the tough days and find a supporter that you can bounce ideas off of or who can just remind you that you can do anything you put your mind to. That person for me was my dad. When I started this I was down on myself and emotional. I had the same ideas that lots of people had when it comes down to losing weight. I literally thought I was going to have to eat meals that tasted like cardboard and count calories. But the fact that I could actually be healthy and enjoy the things I was doing makes this lifetime journey even that more rewarding.

My dad for me was that positive force that gave me the gumption to GO FOR IT as he would say. Also, find a higher power whoever that may be. I am super spiritual so I have incorporated yoga into my routine as well and I continuously go back to my goal and the why power gets me moving every time.

Thank You for Sharing, Alisha!

We so appreciate your openness in sharing your journey with us, what a beautiful inspiration you are! I can not say how much my heart swells with joy to hear your story, and to hear you are feeling better and better, and taking charge of your life. Keep going, beauty!

Now, before I wrap up this post just wanted to say that if you’d like to share — please  do. Your story can inspire so many on the path and you might be the impetus to help keep someone going, or to make a vital life change. Please email Katelyn so she can interview you for a feature. Just reach out to her at Katelyn @ kimberly snyder dot com and be sure to put “Feature Story” in the subject line.

We want to continually inspiring you and others in the community with stories that reveal the incredible health transformation possible with Beauty Detox — and this is the perfect way to do that.

Thanks for reading, we look forward to hearing from you soon.

With great love and gratitude,

Kimberly