EDITOR’S NOTE: Before embarking on a cleansing program ~ or any diet or exercise program ~ be sure to consult with your medical professional.

By Mike Wood

No bread. No sugar. No salt. Sounds sort of like a death sentence, doesn’t it? Well, fear not. It’s really just swimsuit season, that time of year when some folks ~ like me ~ are just a bit more self-conscious about what we eat because what we’re wearing is, well, a little bit less. There’s no more hiding beneath multiple layers once summer hits, and for many, getting ready for the pool or the beach means making sure we’re comfortable in our own bodies.

One jumpstart for summer swimsuit season that’s become more and more popular for people over the last decade or so is the cleanse. When most people hear the words “cleanse” or “detox,” they think of three or four dreaded days subsisting on nothing but liquids and mood swings. But there are so many options out there today, and these body detoxifications or cleanses can range from a day to a month of minimal caloric intake while ingesting copious amounts of water and vitamins to get your metabolism moving and your bowels running.

You’ve probably heard of the Master Cleanse or The Lemonade Diet or any other number of programs that claim to clean out your digestive system and help you lose weight. But not all cleanses are created equal. Some can even be dangerous if you simply starve yourself or stop eating altogether. I took on the challenge myself to see if a cleanse could help me drop some pounds, increase my energy and get me on track for summer.

I chose Beachbody’s Ultimate Reset because it’s backed by a clinical study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine in March 2013, which found that this plan was effective for weight loss and lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. And with this plan, detoxing doesn’t mean starving. For this, I was happy. Another bonus: You won’t have to set up permanent camp in your bathroom, either. But you will have to have self-discipline. You’ll also need time; the recommended foods during the “reset” take longer to prepare than the expert chefs on the accompanying DVD suggest.

So what are you in for? You will be eating lots of vegetables and other whole foods. And you will be drinking lots of water. There are three steps over the three weeks to “reclaim,” “release” and “restore” your body. You will take pills throughout the weeks at scheduled intervals to “revitalize, “optimize” and “soothe” your body during the detox. You’ll also add Himalayan salt to your water for three weeks ~ remember, you drink a lot of water ~ and while its taste is subtle, after a week, you’ll long for the days of a water without this little pink additive.

There’s an alkaline packet you’ll consume throughout the program that looks and tastes like seaweed but, surprisingly, isn’t awful to drink when mixed with very cold, distilled water. I lost 3 pounds in the first two days, and after a week, I had lost 5. During Week 2, my weight remained the same, but my energy level was much better than Week 1, when I felt a bit sluggish, and frankly, a little irritable as my body adjusted. I felt great by constantly and consistently fueling myself with small meals throughout the day. The second week is when you begin the actual detox, drinking a detox packet three times a day. It looks like it will taste terrible, but it’s actually a little bit sweet and not too bad at all if you can gulp it down without gagging on the gritty consistency. The first couple of days with the detox packet added to the mix, my stomach gurgled and protested a bit, but I never found myself running to the bathroom. I had to go more frequently, but never urgently.

During Week 3, you’re asked to stick to a strictly vegetarian diet. This was difficult for me at first; cutting out red meat during the first week wasn’t very hard, but losing dairy, then fish and chicken … well, grumpy is a word that comes to mind. But your body finds its equilibrium after a day or two during the changes each week, so be patient and drink lots of water to fill yourself up.

By the end of 21 days, I had lost 9 pounds. I felt better, my clothes fit better, and I definitely had renewed energy. Truth also be told, however, while most of my cravings for “bad” food were gone, I was definitely jonesing for a hamburger or a slice of pizza during the last week, and I treated myself to that slice of pepperoni and mushroom perfection on Day 22!

If you’re considering a detox or a cleanse, take your time, make a commitment to yourself and try to make healthier choices. Over time, you’ll look and feel better, and something like the Beachbody Ultimate Reset can be a great guide to get you started on the right track … but keeping on that track will be entirely up to you.

For more information on Beachbody Ultimate Reset, visit beachbody.com.