Bare skin and more bare skin-– the first signs of spring in New York City. It’s time to come out of the cashmere cocoon but like the rest of the planet. Unfortunately, a last-ditch winter diet hasn't exactly provided the slim figure you were hoping for. But the real reason you've forgotten what gym you even belong to is that you're not down with traditional workouts or diets. Then how about trying a cleanse, holistic Asian medicine, kooky fad diet, or a nice guy to cheer you on while you wretch in front of strangers? psychoPEDIA's done the legwork, now all you have to do is show up:

Jill Pettijohn: Chef of Life Foods, Nutritional Cleanse
($410 for 6 16 oz. drinks)
Jill Pettijohn, a native New Zealander with varied training as an RN and personal chef for the likes of Donna Karan, Tom Cruise, and Drew Barrymore, has not only been practicing cleansing herself since 1984, but has designed a 5-day nutritional cleanse system-- easy enough for first-timers to rid themselves of toxic residue while going on-the-go. Delivered directly to your front door each morning, the organic raw food 6-pack consists of a green juice, 2 soups, a lemonade, lemon-based astringent, and nut milk-– the exact ingredients of which vary slightly each of the five days-- which you drink every 2-3 hours with a glass of water between.

The immediate benefits include looking better and having more energy, and cleansing gets you in touch with your body. Beyond that, Pettijohn explains,"It’s good to rest your digestive system in our day and age. Ideally, cleanses should be done 4 times a year or any time you're feeling sluggish, tired, or unwell. They're easier in the spring and summer." She stresses that everyone will react differently, but for most, it's less than pleasant–- especially if your diet consists of sugar, caffeine, and flour. Headaches, flu-like symptoms, and irritability are to be expected the first few days, if not the entire week. Energy levels tend to be lower than normal and are accompanied by a general fuzziness (this can be remedied with light cardio, yoga, or massage). Hunger comes in waves, as do moments of refreshingly unfamiliar clarity and heightened senses. "It’s important to know everybody is different. The first time, you might lose weight. The second time, you might have an emotional cleanse," Pettijohn adds.

For those with a more delicate constitution, Pettijohn offers a food cleanse-- a 5-day food cleanse, consisting of live foods (not heated above 118 degrees F). A heartier package, which can also be delivered daily, consists of a green juice, a green smoothie, salad, snack, main course, and dessert. The portions are minimal, but tasty. Pettijohn recommends cleansing for anyone except pregnant women, but suggests everyone consult their physician first.

Nara Clinic-- Holistic Asian Medicine
Dr. Senghee Jin, Director
Asian medicine approaches every individual as "a small universe within a universe in the harmony of forces." Dr. Jin, a highly sought-after holistic Asian medicine practitioner and pioneer in treating obesity in Korea, employs this sensibility when treating her patients. Asian medicine strives not simply to eliminate and alleviate symptoms, but get to the root causes and strengthen the body's immune system. Individual body constitution is key to this process.

Dr. Jin's clinic offers a bountiful menu of services. Nara Esthetics treats acne and promotes overall skincare and health. The "U to U Program," a Hollywood favorite (her client list is very guarded and supposedly includes an ex-president) promises better-than-Botox results. Prior to the 10 treatments (2-3 times per week), Dr. Jin examines skin for external abnormalities and organ function. She claims this 'acupuncture for the face' works on everyone and will reduce, eliminate, and prevent wrinkles as well as lift sagging skin.

Nara's holistic weight-loss program is no run-of-the-mill diet. Dr. Jin assesses each client's constitution to diagnose the particular type of obesity, then designs a plan specific to the individual. And if that's not enough, detox your colon, kidney, or liver with a regimen of prescribed diet, exercise and Dr. Jin's directives, divulged only by her, in her L.A.-based clinic.

If a trip west is not in the cards, order Herbal Slim Bath-- a 100% natural recipe to promote relaxation, capillary stimulation, and fat loss. Or, sip on Nara's Diet Herb Tea to help maintain your weight or lose body fat.

SoyPal Cookie Diet
($49 per box, 9 servings, 3 flavors)
It's hard to imagine a diet less that's less demanding or difficult to follow than this: Skip any meal, eat 7 cookies (yes 7!) and lose weight. The magic ingredient of Japan's #1 diet cookie is okara-- a soy pulp with the unique characteristic of expanding to 3 times its original volume. After ingesting the treats (available in plain, sesame or green tea flavors), drink water or a healthy alternative to "feed" the okara (which, translated, means "honorable pulp"). The cookies expand, and hunger disappears.

Matt Brown's Hollywood Abs
(Free; Contact nycrunningtours[at]gmail.com for information)
Matt Brown began Matt Brown's Hollywood Abs workout four years ago in an attempt to bring together exercise enthusiasts and those with a love for outdoor training. The due diligence hedge fund investigator gathers a group at his Lower East Side apartment twice a week and takes off on a one-hour ass-kicking workout. The Florida native, who grew up working as a lifeguard and training for high school sports outdoors, says MBHA is his way of "trying to recreate the outdoor glory of those days." Here is the chance to snap into shape (sans iPod) with the support of a gung-ho leader and a group of 15-20 other people looking for an alternative to treadmill boredom. The workout is a one-mile run along the East River park to the amphitheater, complete with core ab exercises, push-ups and relays in between.

~Lisa Germinsky


First photo by marielou via Flickr
Second & fourth photos, courtesy of Jill Pettijohn
Third photo by magandafille via Flickr
Fifth photo, courtesy of Nara Clinic
Eighth photo by efreet69 via Flickr