Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Master Cleanse


So I've never done anything like this before, but I've been feeling a little sluggish and not all myself lately, so figured a good detox cleanse couldn't hurt.  Now, this was something I've known about for probably 6 years and thought that anyone that would do it was crazy (since I like to eat, and usually don't like going more than 4 hours without eating something).

For those of you who don't know what the Master Cleanse is, this is the breakdown of what I'm doing:

I can drink as much purified water as I want.  (I've been drinking quite a bit of water, which is very abnormal for me...usually I don't even drink 8-oz. a day, unless you include my morning coffee.)

My "meals" consist of 6-12 glasses of:
  • 2 Tbsp. organic fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp. organic Grade B Maple Syrup
  • 1/10 organic Cayenne Pepper (or more if you can handle it)
  • 8-oz. purified water

Then I take a laxative tea at night.
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Let me just say that I've done the total body detoxes that you can buy in a box from the store (two weeks long), and I've always felt the same before, during, and after.  Basically at the end, I just felt like I gave up coffee and alcohol, but coffee, most importantly, for two weeks for nothing.  If I'm going to give up something I love, I better feel fucking amazing!  Hah.  So I was definitely skeptical (and a little nervous) in doing this extreme cleanse.  The cleanse is supposed to be 10 days long...currently I'm going for 5.  I might go longer, depending on the color of my tongue (read below)!

BTW, before I started I gave fair warning of my potential bitchiness to coworkers and friends due to hunger.  Hangriness, if you will.  Haha.

But this is how it's gone so far:

Day1 (Monday, Feb. 13):  I worked all day, so it was nice to keep busy.  There was only one instance where I felt my brain had left me and I couldn't seem to focus...and I thought it was funny.  I then had a glass of the concoction and I felt better right away.  Oddly, I never really felt hungry...the opposite of what I had expected.

Day2 (Tuesday, Feb. 14):  Again, I worked all day.  Woke up feeling great...with lots of energy and not hungry at all.  I actually went through the entire day and night feeling better than "normal".  I realized that my body wasn't hungry for food at all.  It's more the taste of food and the physical act of eating that you miss.  Definitely miss the taste of coffee!  But it's great not having any caffeine in my body...I've got so much more energy than "normal", and it feels real.  Also, at work I spoke with a guy who told me when your tongue turns pink, you are done cleansing.  Interesting he mentioned that because there is a white film that has developed on my tongue...it's part of the detox process.  Glad to know it's working!  To get rid of it, you just use a tongue scraper.

Day3 (Wednesday, Feb. 15):  Had so much energy I woke up a few times during the night, but finally got up at 10 am to get to the gym.  Did a light workout, then took a nap a little later in the afternoon.  Again, I feel like I have so much natural energy.  No coffee, no Red Bull!

Day4 (Thursday, Feb. 16):  Today, again, a lot of energy!  I woke up at 9:30am (don't remember the last time I could really get up in the morning) and got a lot done.  There were a couple times where I got hungry and was really wanting food.  Good news...my tongue is pink!  I may be done, but have not yet decided.  I would love a crepe from Jobot.  haha

Day5 (Friday, Feb. 17):  ...

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So I decided to stop after Day4 because my tongue was pink and I felt like I was done.  I felt like I could've gone on forever, but I figured my body didn't have much to give up, so I should start eating again anyway. 

On the first day of the ease-out process you are supposed to drink orange juice/water; on the second, juice your food; and on the third, eat raw foods.  I decided to go to Yardhouse and eat normal food (Seared Ahi Salad) because I know my body adapts really well to anything and everything.  I wasn't hungry so had a hard time deciding what to order since I usually order off of cravings.  I've been trying to monitor my food intake to make sure I'm getting enough calories.

Overall, I realized that what I missed most about eating was the social aspect of it...catching a bite to eat with a friend, or meeting up for a coffee to sit down and chat.  My body never really became hungry, and I felt more clear, focused, and energetic than ever.  I was skeptical at first, since I've used the boxed cleanses you can buy at the store, but it is so simple, it totally works, and I feel great!  I seriously recommend this to anyone that wants to make a change and is willing to try it!