Has anyone had any weight loss success with having a green smoothie for breakfast and as a snack? I am starting tomorrow and I am just curious. 

Thanks. 

I'd like to know that too, plus how to make them? 

Well, I won't be doing that again. I have a very sensitive system and the green smoothie gave me a wicked migraine. I guess I would rather just cook them and eat the veggies that way. :)

Weight loss occurs due to a calorie deficit, if drinking a green smoothie for breakfast will create that deficit then you will likely look weight.

What greens did you use for the smoothie ?.

Amla & Vegan Blog

I consume 1200 calories 6 times a week and one day a week I consume 1400. I workout and am not losing weight. I change my workouts every month. Still stuck at the same weight after a year. 

I used 3 cups spinach, 2 cups romaine lettuce, 1/2 pear, 1/2 banana, 1/2 apple with 1 cup water. 

I have gastroparesis so I am suppose to avoid high fiber in my diet. However, being a gluten free vegan it is impossible to avoid high fiber. 

Guess I am destined to be stuck at this weight forever. 

That is quite a strong green smoothie especially if you are new to them.

Ok so it is not a calorie issue and you workout so probably not that either. What kind of workouts do you do, maybe try and switch it up with some HIIT(high intensity interval training) and/or weight lifting(don't worry you won't bulk up like the muscular female bodybuilders you see), both of these done properly help stimulate resting metabolism, which means you are burning calories even whilst resting.

There are multiple reasons for those who have trouble losing weight and it can take abit of trial and error until you find out yours. Some examples are endocrine disorders such as adrenal fatigue and hormonal imbalances such as estrogen dominance, sluggish metabolism and nutrient deficiencies.

Pending you have no thyroid disease consuming a little iodine in the form of seaweeds can help stimulate the metabolism via nourishing the thyroid gland.

Amla & Vegan Blog

I have and do all of Jillain Michaels workouts. This month I am on 6 week 6 pack abs. Which I thought were HIIT training. I also use 10 pound kettlebells and walk my dog on a daily basis. 

I have been told by my doctor that I am estrogen dominant. I was taking all natural pills that were suppose to help and this nasty cream but it ended up giving me hot flashes and mood swings. I was such a bitch I couldn't stand myself. After 3 months of that with no weight loss I stopped.

What else can I do?

Was the nasty cream a progesterone based one ?. Probably likely and often comes with those side effects so i rarely recommend them unless very low in Progesterone.

You are much better off supporting your liver when it comes to hormonal disorders as it is the liver which breaks down the excess hormonal metabolites. You can achieve this by using bitter herbs on the back of the tongue pre meal, this stimulates digestion and cleanses the liver. Bitters actually also help with weight loss.

Vitamin B's from natural sources such as Brewers Yeast(if not allergic to yeast) are needed by the liver to break down hormones.

Make sure your gut flora is in balance as the flora are what break down estrogen metabolites also. You can support your gut flora with fermented foods, probiotics and prebiotics. Ill stick an article your way i have done which explains more, ill post it up on here later when i find it.

Supporting the adrenal glands can also be beneficial when it comes to achieving hormonal balance, adaptogenic herbs are my preferred choice along with vitamin C and vitamin B5.

Amla & Vegan Blog

Thanks so much for the amazing info Powerlifer. I have a lot of allergies some that seem to baffle my doctor so I have to tread lightly at first and wait for a reaction. 

I take a multi vitamin that has vitamin C and B5. 

When you say "bitter herbs" how does one take them? In a tea? 

Thanks so much again. You have been very helpful.

Allergies are partially caused by adrenal gland dysfunction so this would go hand in hand with hormonal imbalances and sluggish metabolism. Both which making losing weight stubborn for some.

I prefer natural food sources where ever possible when it comes to nutrients, i find they are in most cases more effective and have the supporting nutrition which aids absorption such as the bioflavonoids and vitamin C.

Bitter herbs can be taking in a number of ways you can brew up a bitter tea, use a bitter herbal powder(little pinch on the back of the tongue pre meal) or you can use a liquid/tincture digestive bitter formula. The latter is probably the easiest method, you will probably find a digestive bitters or swedish bitters formula in your local health foods store. I wouldn't go with swedish bitters though as they contain stimulant laxative herbs which weaken bowel function.

Better choices include grape or chinese bitters and you will find these online. Like i say you can just use a bitter herbal powder if you have any lying around such as bupleurum, gentian, dandelion root, andrographis etc. Bitters stimulate digestion and cleanse the liver, so increasing your water intake slightly in the beginning is wise to offset any cleansing reaction.

Amla & Vegan Blog

I like this post on green smoothies. Very informative, with a link to an awesome recipe at the end!

http://www.spotlightonhealthyliving.com/new-year-green-smoothie/