Broadcaster Mi Ja (41) is drawing attention for revealing her diet secrets, which led to a 3.6kg weight loss in just 5 days. She recently shared the happy news on her social media (SNS), stating, "Successfully lost -3.62kg in 5 days. My previously full body and face lines are becoming prettier." Mi Ja also added her determination, "I'll continue for a few more days to get back to my best self." Shall we find out what her diet secret is together?

Mi Ja's Astonishing Weight Transformation

Mi Ja started her diet on the 21st, weighing 53.5kg, and dropped to 49.9kg in just 5 days. This amounts to a significant loss of 3.6kg, and her body transformation showed results even more remarkable than the numbers. The flabby belly fat has disappeared, leaving behind a slim waistline and a flat stomach. The reason Mi Ja decided to diet was the shock she received after eating late-night snacks 4-5 times a week and indulging in her favorite foods like mala tang, tteokbokki, and intestines.

What is a Cleanse Diet?

Mi Ja's diet method is none other than the Cleanse Diet. A cleanse diet is a method of reducing processed foods, salty foods, and spicy foods for a short period, focusing on a diet centered around vegetables and fruits, or consuming juices. It primarily involves replacing some meals with cleanse juices, and can be done by combining salads or low-sodium meals with regular meals. This approach can be expected to lead to reduced calorie intake and effects of reduced bloating and weight loss.

Mi Ja's Meal Composition

Mi Ja's diet was centered around a cleanse meal plan, rather than extreme fasting. She consumed cleanse juices made from fruits and vegetables to replace some of her meals, thereby reducing her daily calorie intake. For solid foods, she opted for salads containing meat or salmon, and poke bowls with a small amount of rice. Additionally, she reduced her regular meals to about half of her usual intake and revealed that she avoided high-sodium foods like kimchi and other salty dishes. The overall characteristic was maintaining a low-sodium, low-calorie diet.

Limitations of Short-Term Weight Loss

Experts explain that a significant portion of short-term weight loss, like Mi Ja's, is likely due to the loss of water and glycogen, rather than fat. Reducing sodium intake can cause a rapid decrease in body weight as water is expelled, and a decrease in carbohydrate intake also leads to weight changes as stored glycogen releases water. To lose 1kg of fat requires a substantial calorie deficit, so in cases where several kilograms are lost in 4-5 days, the actual proportion of fat loss may be limited.

Advice for Sustainable Dieting

While the cleanse diet may be effective for short-term weight loss and reducing bloating, it is also pointed out that it is difficult to consider it a sustainable method. This is because when returning to a regular diet, there is a possibility of the so-called yo-yo effect, where weight is regained as water levels increase again. Experts advise, "Even when utilizing the cleanse method, it should be combined with maintaining protein intake, controlling rather than completely eliminating carbohydrates, and the long-term application of a low-sodium diet." It's also important not to forget that long-term improvements in eating habits and exercise must be combined for healthy weight management.