The Master Cleanse - The After

Ok, so I know this is about 3 million years late, but better late than never right?!

I finished the cleanse on August 1st. On August 2nd, I had some freshly squeezed orange juice first thing. It made my taste buds tingle - not even kidding! My mouth was so excited to have something different to taste. I was also allowed to eat oranges, but honestly I am not a fan - even 10 days of not eating couldn't make me crave an orange. So, I ate about 5 pieces of bacon - don't panic! Each piece was about a square millimetre. Next, I had a few raspberries. Oh my - they were ever so yummy. For lunch I had some vegetable soup broth with SALT. Woah! Flavor city! Not the texture I was craving, but good nonetheless. I had some skinny sticks in the afternoon and they were WONDERFUL! Dinner came around - I was feeling fine so I ventured out and ate a seafood wrap with fresh vegetables and yummy fish for dinner. I ate about half the wrap before I became super stuffed. My stomach had definitely shrank over the 10 days.

As for before and after - there was quite the difference. I lost 10 pounds, and a total of 4.5 inches off my body. I felt great after the cleanse. The first day that I had coffee (a very small cup mind you) I was buzzing around cleaning like a maniac. This it not like me - I generally feel sluggish all the time because of my sleep disorder.

My 'stomach' issues were thought to be cured, as I had NO symptoms after doing the cleanse... until...... this past Saturday I had a pretty bad attack. It was a very stressful and upsetting day so I believe that is what triggered it. It didn't last for very long, but it was VERY painful. My sleep has been a bit better - but not even close to where it should be. I still need work on these areas.

For interest's sake, this is what I purchased/consumed over the 10 days:

-40 lemons. That's right. 40!

-2.5 litres of real maple syrup

Therefore - the cleanse isn't super cheap - especially considering the cost of lemons these days. If you are planning on doing the cleanse at any point, I would recommend buying organic lemons - I found small organic lemons had much more juice. They were also the same price as regular lemons. Buying real maple syrup at the market saved me a TON of money. It's costs twice as much at the supermarket - which was a surprise to me.

So! Overall I enjoyed the results of the cleanse. I would do it again, and next time I think I will do 14 days instead of 10. I feel I could get better results this way. If you are planning on doing this cleanse please ask me questions - I now have so much advice to give since I have done it.

But who's kidding who - it was HARD. :)

Day 8 and 9 - The HOME stretch!!

I am almost done!!!

Tomorrow is the last day. I have almost made it! Oh how excited I am to eat again! Oh to chew.... it will be such a delight :)

I am super interested to see how I feel AFTER this whole thing is over. You are supposed to feel healthier, have less cravings for bad food, sleep better, have more energy, amongst lots of other great points. I am also curious to see how much my body has changed. I measured and weighed myself before starting, and will do the same when I am done. I know I have lost some weight and inches, but am very curious to see how much.

Doing this has made me feel healthier so far. In fact, I am going to a cottage for a week tomorrow, and I am getting really pumped to run every day (it's supposed to be a vacation!) I think of it as a really great kick start to a healthier lifestyle.

Not much different to report on how I have been feeling. Pretty much the same. And I am bored of this drink. Boy I can't wait for some variety in flavor!!

See you all in a week :)

Day 6 and 7

To be honest I can't even remember yesterday.... what happened? How was it? I have no idea! Fine I bet...

Today was interesting. I did an internal salt water bath this morning. This was the first time I have done anything like this... look it up if you want more details. Anyway - I did it expecting to feel fantastic afterwards and I didn't :( How sad! It actually made me feel quite tired, lethargic and lazy. Today was the first day I actually felt tired. Many people are surprised by the fact that I haven't been tired (considering I haven't eaten in 7 days) but I have felt quite energized!

I tell ya though - I am glad I am doing this because it is completely refreshing my thoughts and feelings about food. I have a new found respect for food. I can't wait to start eating again just so I can savour the taste of food - to enjoy every last moment of indulging in some delicious treat. At some point food became a necessity for me - and nothing else. I got bored in the kitchen, not really cooking anything exciting at all. After going through this I am SO excited to get back into the kitchen and make some wonderful, new, delicious, and possibly complicated dishes! I can't wait to savour the tastes :)

Anyways - 3 more days to go! I get to eat on Sunday!!!

Day 4 and 5

Day 4 was by far my hungriest day yet. My stomach was making audible grumbles!!! I kept silencing it with lemonade, but it kept creeping back up on me. Otherwise I was fine. It is challenging working in a restaurant and having to enter the kitchen quite often and smelling delicious meals being prepared....mmmm.....sorry, where was I?!

Today was day 5. Half way there!!! :D I haven't seen the type of 'results' (as I will call them so not to offend y'all) that I expected by this point. It better happen soon!!! I was hungry today as well. I found I am getting hungrier more often - so I am drinking more of the lemonade. I am hoping drinking more of it will also help me see 'results'. I bought some delicious chocolatey chai herbal tea today (I am allowed to drink herbal tea as well) and it is SO yummy! Such a refreshing change from the monotony that is the lemonade. I also got to hang out with my favourite little bug Xander today, which helps everything :) He is such a charmer.

Anyways - 5 down, 5 more to go!

Day 3

They say day 3 is the hardest day of the Master Cleanse. I think they're right! At least so far... we will see what the coming days bring.

I found today challenging. The drink is starting to get pretty boring - I am not enjoying so much anymore. I was happy to find some pure maple syrup for super cheap at the market though!

Sarah had a hard time of it today too - but we are both still going!

Thanks to R and K for keeping me entertained today.

:)

Master Cleanse Day 1

Well it is now the end of day one. I made it!

9 more to go :)

I have felt pretty good. Hungry for sure, but nothing ridiculous. I actually had a small, few second wave of dizziness in the afternoon - while I was sitting on a couch. Strange... Though I managed to go to work tonight and not have a problem.

The lemonade isn't bad. I had tasted it before so I knew what to expect. I find that the cayenne gets settled in the bottom of the glass sometimes so that isn't so much fun... it makes for a really spicy last gulp!

I shall report again!

The Master Cleanse

Well kidlets,

I am about to embark on a very exciting adventure along with my sister. An adventure simply known as 'The Master Cleanse'. This cleanse is also referred to as the 'Lemonade Cleanse'. Its goal is to completely cleanse every organ the body in 10 days (minimum). It is also effective for weight loss - though this is not the main reason why I am doing it. Sure, it will be nice to fit into my bathing suit a little easier, but basically I want to be healthier.

I seem to have too many health problems that doctors can't figure out. They can't quite diagnose me, therefore treatment is hard to come by. My goal with this cleanse is to rid my body of toxins, and flush my system, including whatever it is that is ailing me.

Tomorrow morning we will begin to drink the 'lemonade' - the main thing we will be consuming for the next 10 days. We are also allowed to consume water, and herbal tea.

I will post blogs updating you all on how I am coping with the cleanse. Let's go for making it past day 3! (they say it is the hardest day)

Wish us luck!!!!