If you’ve ever searched for ways to lose weight quickly, you’ve probably seen promises around detoxes for weight loss. From juice cleanses to lemon water diets, the internet is full of “miracle” plans that claim to remove toxins, reset your digestive system, and kickstart rapid weight loss.
But do these detox diets actually work, or are they leaving women in midlife feeling more frustrated than ever?
For women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, struggling with menopause symptoms and stubborn weight gain, it’s easy to get drawn into quick fixes.
You may feel like you’ve tried everything like cutting carbs, skipping meals, or even considering weight-loss jabs, yet your body doesn’t respond like it used to.
That’s where the appeal of a full body detox comes in. But the truth about detoxes is more complicated than the marketing claims.
What is a Detox?
A detox is typically marketed as a way to “remove toxins” from the body, reset your system, and speed up weight loss.
This often involves eliminating processed foods, replacing meals with juices, or adding ingredients like lemon juice, cayenne pepper, or green tea that are said to cleanse the body.
The idea is that modern life exposes us to harmful ingredients and that a detox cleanse, juice cleanse, or colon cleanse can reset our digestive system and support weight management.
Some people even turn to dietary supplements or detox products sold with bold claims about boosting health, lowering blood pressure, or preventing cancer.
But here’s the thing: your body already has an incredibly sophisticated detox system: your liver, kidneys, lungs, and digestive system. They work 24/7 to process and remove toxins naturally.
No special detox diet is required for that.
“I’m a yo-yo, yo-yoer. I tried all sorts of diets. I’ve juiced, I’ve done the Dukan Diet. I’ve done the GI diet. I’ve done… Goodness me. Yeah, all sorts. All sorts I’ve tried, and worked. The juice plan, loved it. Lost what you were expected to lose in the time. But then basically just found I would just end up back where I started. I remember sitting in my bedroom very, very low. at the time I was 11 stone, three and a half pounds. I’m eight stone now, which I would never have thought I’d ever have been. I feel comfortable in my skin, I love my body.
– Sarah Davies (43) , Trinity Client
The Most Common Types of Detox for Weight Loss
If you’ve looked into detoxes for weight loss, you’ve likely seen these popular approaches:
Juice Cleanses
These involve drinking fruit and vegetable juices only, sometimes with lemon juice or cayenne pepper, for days or weeks. They promise rapid weight loss and a full body detox but the reality is a little different. Most of the weight lost is water, not fat, and it’s easy to regain once normal eating resumes.
Detox Diets
Detox diets often cut out entire food groups, replace meals with shakes or supplements, and eliminate processed foods. While this might feel “clean,” it’s rarely sustainable and may leave you undernourished.
Colon Cleanses
Marketed as a way to improve digestion and remove toxins from the digestive system, colon cleanses can be uncomfortable, and in some cases, dangerous.
Herbal Teas and Green Tea Cleanses
Some teas promise a detox cleanse that helps you lose weight. While green tea has proven health benefits and is linked with weight management in clinical trials, detox teas often contain laxatives that cause water loss and not fat loss.
Weight Loss Drugs (The Modern-Day Detox Alternative)
Although not technically a detox, weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Saxenda are often marketed in the same “quick fix” way.
Just like a juice cleanse promises to remove toxins overnight, these drugs promise rapid fat loss without changing lifestyle.
But the reality is similar: results are slower than advertised, and they come at a cost. Clinical trials show average weight loss of around 15.8% over 68 weeks which is less than 0.4lbs per week.
Worse, for every 1.5lbs of fat lost, women lose 1lb of muscle, which lowers metabolism, makes the body weaker, and leaves many feeling like a “deflated balloon.”
Do Detox Diets Work?
Detox diets are often marketed as the answer to quick weight loss, but the truth isn’t as simple as that.
The Claimed Benefits
Some women report feeling lighter or less bloated after a detox cleanse or juice cleanse. Cutting out processed foods, alcohol, and sugar can temporarily reduce water retention, giving the appearance of fast weight loss.
Ingredients like green tea and lemon juice may also support digestion and promote a healthy lifestyle when included as part of a balanced diet.
The Real Dangers
Despite these short-term effects, most of the weight lost on a detox is water or muscle, not fat.
Over time, strict detoxes can lead to nutrient deficiencies, slow down your metabolism, and increase cravings which makes it harder to keep weight off.
Colon cleanses and laxative teas can also disrupt the digestive system and even impact blood pressure.
“”A year ago, I was at my heaviest—16 stone 13 pounds, with a BMI of over 40, placing me in the “severely morbidly obese” category. I’d gone to Weight Watchers, I tried Slimming World. I tried this new 800 calorie a day diet thing, that was a disaster. Exercise felt impossible, and I was losing mobility fast. I was in a dark place. In 18 months with TRINITY, I’ve lost 7 ½ stone and dropped from a size 20-22 to a size 8-10. The transformation has been about more than just numbers on a scale. I’ve learned how to eat mindfully, manage emotional eating, and enjoy exercise.”
– Lou Marsh (49), Trinity Client
What to Do Instead of a Detox
So, if detoxes don’t work for sustainable weight loss, what does? At Trinity, we’ve seen firsthand that women over 40 need an approach tailored to their changing hormones, lifestyle, and health and not a short-term cleanse.
Here’s what really works:
Step 1: Work With Your Hormones
Hormonal changes before and during menopause affect metabolism, energy, and fat storage. Instead of following a generic detox diet, you need a programme designed for women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s that works with your body.
Step 2: Focus on the Right Exercise
HIIT, running, or gym classes can often be too stressful on the body at this stage of life. That’s why our clients use Low-Impact Strength Training (LIST). You can do just 30 minutes, three times a week and it’s designed to build muscle, protect joints, and help you lose weight without over-stressing the body.
Step 3: Do a Diet Makeover
Rather than a juice cleanse, we help our clients cut back on problem foods like wheat, alcohol, dairy, and sugar for 1–2 weeks. This resets cravings, balances hormones, and often results in 4–6lbs of weight loss right away.
Step 4: Move More Daily
Instead of relying on dietary supplements or detox teas, increasing your daily steps is a powerful way to burn extra calories in a low-stress way. Try and aim for 5000 steps a day to begin with and stay consistent.
Step 5: Prioritise Sleep
Poor sleep disrupts hunger hormones, leaving you hungrier and less satisfied. Improving your sleep can help you lose weight without extreme diets.
Step 6: Build Accountability and Support
Unlike detox cleanses, which leave you on your own, accountability and coaching help you stay consistent. Our programme includes weekly check-ins with a coach who understands what women over 40 really need.
Watch How Rachel Lost 5 Stone Without ‘Miracle’ Detoxes
How Trinity Can Help You Transform Your Life
At Trinity Transformation, we’ve helped over 7,000 women regain their confidence, energy, and fitness with a proven approach tailored to menopause and midlife.
Our coaching programme has a 97% success rate which is far higher than detox diets, weight-loss jabs, or generic fitness plans.
Here’s what makes us different:
- We don’t promote quick fixes, cleanses, or crash diets.
- Our programme is a complete re-education in fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle for women over 40.
- Our clients see sustainable, long-term results—dropping 1–2 dress sizes in 12 weeks, without starving themselves or wrecking their health.
- You’ll work with a coach who understands your body, your hormones, and your challenges, and will support you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I flush fat out of my body?
You can’t directly flush fat out of your body, but regular exercise, a balanced diet, and staying hydrated support your body’s natural fat-burning processes.
Will a detox cleanse help you lose weight?
Detox cleanses may cause temporary water or muscle loss, but they don’t lead to long-term fat loss and can sometimes do more harm than good.
How much weight can I lose on a 7 day detox?
Most weight lost on a 7-day detox is water weight, not body fat, and it’s usually regained once you return to normal eating.
Does juicing help you lose weight?
Juicing can lower calorie intake temporarily, but it often lacks protein and fiber, making it unsustainable for healthy, long-term weight loss.
