by Lizzy_F » Mon Jul 25, 2022 11:21 am
Hi FatKat! I completed that 12-Day Program in May of this year. It has been nothing short of life altering for me. Best wishes as you work towards your own decision about the program.
Prior to the start of the 12-Day Program, we recieved (electronically) program materials that included recipes and suggestions for creating a menu to follow during the program. The recipes and menu suggestions fell within the broader framework of the Starch Solution rather than the slightly stricter framework of Maximum Weight Loss. As I began to work with my Support Specialist (daily 1 on 1 meetings throughout the 12-Day Program) she helped me work through the decision process to fine tune my menu during the program, and to make plans for after the program. The specific details were dependent on my specific health situation and my goals. I continue to receive guideance from my Support Specialist which is helpful as I fine tune things for the long haul. I would not go into this expecting that the support specialists will encourage or support food & beverage choices that are outside of the Starch Solution guidelines.
Dr. McDougall along with the entire McDougall team spend a lot of time during the program explaining the science behind their recommendations. To use your example about juice, Dr. McDougall explained why "drinking our calories" is problematic, and hence why they do not recommend it. Of course nobody is holding a gun to my head enforcing the recommendations! I will also say that I spent years lurking around the edges of the Starch Solution, but never fully following the recommendations. No compliance got me no results, and partial compliance got me partial results. I am far, far far more satisfied with the results I am achieving now that I am fully compliant with the program. I feel like participation in the 12-Day Program helped me to finally understand the "whys" and to help me feel part of something bigger than me, and to believe that I too can actually DO this, and that by DOING this 100%, I will get similar results to others who are doing this 100%. That is one of the pieces that I think was previously missing for me.
Anyway, I'm not sure if any of this rambling is helpful or answers your question. Best wishes to you on your journey!
Beth
"Long-term sustainable change is what we are really after." ~Jeff Novick