If you’ve “tried everything” to lose weight, you’ve probably encountered a juice cleanse, a lose-weight-fast trend, or an overly restrictive diet. We won’t name any names, but if your new diet promises results in 30 days, cuts out major food groups, has a trendy name, or just makes you hate your meals (or your life)... run away... fast.

Don’t believe us? Here are four reasons to avoid a weight loss cleanse this year. 

Four Reasons You Don’t Need a New Year Weight Loss Cleanse

1. You already have a built-in detoxification system: your liver and kidneys. Your organs work around the clock to eliminate toxins in your food. A “cleanse” doesn’t improve or speed up this process. In fact, it may actually deprive your body of the calories required to do so. 

2. You won’t lose body fat in a matter of days from “cleansing,” even if the scale drops. This change in weight is likely due to a drop in water weight and a decrease in food volume in your body at any given time. With a drastic drop in food intake, you’ll likely experience rebound hunger, electrolyte loss, digestive issues, mood swings, sleep troubles, headaches, low energy, and decreased performance and recovery.

3. A hash diet based on the elimination of major food groups is hard to follow and sustain. These diets or cleanses almost always leave you feeling deprived, which leads to an unhealthy mindset as you begin to label foods as “good” or “bad.” They also leave you feeling lost and out of control when the “30 days” (or similar time constraint) ends. Instead, focus on building sustainable habits while eating foods you can commit to eating (and enjoying) long-term. 

4. Consuming a diet rich in whole foods, lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, and drinking water—while limiting alcohol and processed foods—will help you feel your best without the negative side effects of a restrictive cleanse. (Of course, this excludes people with sensitivities and allergies!) 

It’s not too late to reverse course and include balance & sustainability in your goals this year. A WAG Coach can help you develop a balanced approach to your nutrition that leaves you feeling satisfied and keeps you enjoying foods you love in the process.