Height 5'9'', weight is about 186.
I gained about 20 lbs two years ago, which is partially why I wanted to try the cleanses, as well as for chronic hives. The cleanses have not helped the weight gain at all, but I think that is mainly because, after 5 years of following a low carb approach, I started eating a more 'normal' diet, and, for my body type, that does not seem to work. I gained weight very fast & then started having pain in the right rib area.
After the holidays, I am resolved to go back to this style of eating: less dairy, more lean protein, no refined carbs or sugar, more vegetables, some low
Sugar fruit, as well as get into more aerobic shape.
As far as the Gua Sha tool, I just use a big molded plastic cooking spoon, the kind you use to stir & cook with. Make sure it has a smooth edge and is sturdy. The traditional Gua Sha tool is bone, specifically designed for this purpose, or the Chinese use ceramic soup spoons, but I had neither, so I tried it, and used regular olive oil and it works!
If you try it, beware that the raised sha can look *very very scary*, it does not hurt, but you look like you've been beaten. Don't plan on wearing any backless dresses or swimsuits, it takes about 3-6 days to go away. I had it first done, by a pro, about 20 years ago. He rubbed between my shoulder blades for about 4 minutes, with medium to light pressure, using a spoon & some olive oil. It did not hurt, either during or after, but it looked awful, I had two very dark red/brown stripes about 3 inces wide, 6
inches long on my back for about 5 days.
Also, a partner is helpful to do the back, I showed my husband how to do it, and he picked it up right away. If the area does not have any congested blood, you will not get any raised sha, no matter how much you rub. If the area has blood & chi congestion, you will get the dark red spots within less than a minute, without much effort at all, it is pretty neat to see.
The link that I gave gives a lot of info if you want to try it, good luck.