2011: What Day Are You On and How Are You Doing?

[C Mack]

Y-A-W-N

Board is slow today! I'm closing down the east coast... maybe there will be some late night posts from the west coast. Time for my tea and some sleep time (no headache yet today - YES!)

[CityGal]

I am starting a cleanse again tomorrow. This will by my 3rd cleanse. I went on a trip and since i came back I have not been able to consistently work out and have reverted to even worse eating habits. The cleanse energized me the last two times and also got me more aware of what I eat. I am hoping to do that again.

i just had my laxative tea... am not looking forward to the SWF (hardest part of cleanse for me).. but i will get through it as i have done before.. i hope you are all doing well

[C Mack]

Hello to Day FIVE!

Welcome back CityGal! Hope the SWF went well this morning (not my favorite thing either) sounds like we have similar goals this round. Weight loss is nice - cleansing is better - but regaining control is the best.
Is everyone else still on board?
Tipping my lemonade to all for a good day today!

[Limonada]

Day 20: Friday was good, empowering, very long work day, lots of lemonade, some water...Still haven't gotten enough water in my system. Saturday was good as well, busy, crazy busy with work, barely drank any lemonade, but tons of water. Today is day 20. Serious food cravings today from vegetable scrambles to my favorite pizza. Overcooked I think by yesterday being very busy, so typically after a couple crazy busy days, I do spend my Sundays in bed. Nothing different on that aspect. Hungry as all craziness. Made myself a couple lemonade "slurpees" while soaking in some vitamin D today. Molasses isn't so good in lemonade slurpees, but I can add more cayenne. Blood sugar is running higher than usual as well. Recovery I believe but depleting my system. Tomorrow's the initial goal. New goal is 30 days, figure I have enough lemons to go 30 days. Going through about 64 ounces of maple syrup in two weeks. Crazy. And yes when my blood sugar drops a lot, I do take a couple spoonfuls. Thankfully I'm not sick of the taste yet. Hoping this coming week changes my perspective a lot. Praying for a sort of enlightened to answers to questions I have about life in general. All in all, still going strong. Crazy. Never thought 20 days would be as easy as it is for me, but I think I'm prepared to endure. Distractions help a lot. :)

I hope everyone is doing well. Hang in there.

[C Mack]

Good morning Day SIX!

Things are going well - luckily no interesting things to report which I cannot complain about. Way to go Limonada! Twenty days is awesome. wtwien, cleatus, baddison,Deborah Sue - still hanging in there? ope it is going well!

Have a lemony fresh day all :)

[cleatus]

Hi all, still here. Doing fine, but cranky and bored. Had a tempting weekend away with hubby, baby and friends (lots of food and drink). I didn't imbibe but...one place they ordered from served a "murphquake burger" 2 grilled cheese sandwiches instead of buns around a cheeseburger and bacon - COME ON! It's like the devil designed that beauty with me in mind.

So, Day 5...home, tired (baby is allergic to sleep) and bored (don't know what to do with ourselves today - most of my friends work). Wish there was an app that tells you which playgrounds of bathrooms.

Funny thing...1st cleanse I bought a cute little glass flask for my LA and used it for my 3 pre-mommy cleanses. Now when I sit at the park with baby and whip out a glass flask with a bourbon-like beverage, I get some strange looks:)

Glad everyone seems to be doing so well with their cleanses. I REALLY wish I could go longer than 10 days, but the summer is such a socially busy time and I'm already tired of either declining invites, explaining myself or dealing with extreme temptation (did I mention the above takeout place also served fried snickers?). 10 days this time and maybe shoot for a 20 once everyone starts their social hibernation the beginning of next year.

[betty1024]

Today is the first day of my cleanse. shooting for 10 days again .. want to go longer but I have family coming in for the 4th July so going longer is not going to work for me.. wishing everyone luck on their Journey!!!!!

[C Mack]

Cleauts - OMG.... fried snickers? and anything with cheese and bacon? you win! the onion rings I had to observe drove me crazy Saturday night but I made it through. I like the idea of the flask... I imagine that would get a few funny looks at the park! January is when I have had the most luck with the extended cleanse... only problem with that is one might freeze to death! That is one nice thing about cleansing mid-summer - built in airconditioning! LOL

Welcome aboard Betty!

[cleatus]

Cleauts - OMG.... fried snickers? and anything with cheese and bacon? you win! the onion rings I had to observe drove me crazy Saturday night but I made it through. I like the idea of the flask... I imagine that would get a few funny looks at the park! January is when I have had the most luck with the extended cleanse... only problem with that is one might freeze to death! That is one nice thing about cleansing mid-summer - built in airconditioning! LOL

Welcome aboard Betty!

I hadn't thought about the cold factor in January...I do get very cold even in the summer while cleansing. Also not sure if I can get organic lemons around here at that time of year. I tried cleansing twice in the fall, but there were no organic lemons or limes locally and I failed after 5 days each time. 'Food' for thought. (Still thinking about the "Murphquake" burger and looking for to next trip to the Cape to give it a try).

[C Mack]

That brings up a good question... when is lemon season exactly?! My organic lemons are so tiny it takes twice as many as usual! I think they get smaller each time I cleanse.

[cleatus]

That brings up a good question... when is lemon season exactly?! My organic lemons are so tiny it takes twice as many as usual! I think they get smaller each time I cleanse.

I'm thinking Spring is the best time for organic lemons. That's when i did my 1st cleanse and there were plenty - organic limes too. Now, like you said, the lemons are really puny and by fall they aren't readily available on the east coast.

Today (Day 5) was...blah. I think I am getting my period (I've never been good about keeping track, except when trying to conceive), so maybe that's why I feel...blah.
My FIL came for a visit with Chinese food from our favorite (and very healthy) Chinese restaurant. So, of course I had to tell him why I wasn't eating (I've never been a good liar). I was worried about my inlaws knowing (mostly because my FIL is kinda a big deal in the medical industry). He was just so nice and supportive about it! He's such of good guys:)

Nothing else to report. Hope everyone is doing well:)

[Christene]

Drinking my smooth move tea.........the first night of a ten day MC (or more.................the tongue never lies)

[C Mack]

Hello to Day SEVEN!

Morning Lemon Heads! Happy Day one to Christene :) and happy all the other days out there too!

Talk about energy - I had so much yesterady that i could not go to sleep last night. crazy. ended up watching TV until WAY too late then had to get up to do the SWF. One nice thing about the SWF though, it gives me a chance to watch movies on HBO on demand! LOL Hopeing the energy continues through today.

I had originally planned on an 8 day short reset cleanse - but it will now be 7 days. Buying oranges and grapefruit tonight and will make soup tomorrow night for the next day. I normally always go 10 days but this feels right for me this time. I am ready for my GOOD habits to take over and this is certainly the season for fresh veggies and fruits. Ending on a good high note and a non-detox day seems best. I think I will return again for 10 in August though and maybe again in November.

I'll stick around for a day or so while I transition especially since the board seems so quiet!

Have a great one!

[Christene]

Hello to Day SEVEN!

Morning Lemon Heads! Happy Day one to Christene :) and happy all the other days out there too!

Talk about energy - I had so much yesterady that i could not go to sleep last night. crazy. ended up watching TV until WAY too late then had to get up to do the SWF. One nice thing about the SWF though, it gives me a chance to watch movies on HBO on demand! LOL Hopeing the energy continues through today.

I had originally planned on an 8 day short reset cleanse - but it will now be 7 days. Buying oranges and grapefruit tonight and will make soup tomorrow night for the next day. I normally always go 10 days but this feels right for me this time. I am ready for my GOOD habits to take over and this is certainly the season for fresh veggies and fruits. Ending on a good high note and a non-detox day seems best. I think I will return again for 10 in August though and maybe again in November.

I'll stick around for a day or so while I transition especially since the board seems so quiet!

Have a great one!

Thanks for the welcome and support I really needed that today hon.....great to see you in here........can you get those lovely red grapefruit they are so yummy. Really miserable over here looking at the fridge which I am seriously thinking of ductaping shut permanently for the next ten days........groan:mad: Crawling off to get my second lemonade of the day...........sigh!!!

[cleatus]

C Mack, sad to see you go, but of course you know what's best for you! Today is a better day. No different from yesterday. Nothing I can pinpoint except that maybe I'm just in a better mood. Just posted many details of my cycle on the thread for women if anyone is interested. It's long and may be too detailed for some folks here. Hope all is well. Juice on...

[cjones89]

Hi guys! This is my first time here and I'm poking around for information and helpful tidbits. I switched to a fully vegan diet several months ago and I feel so much better but I can tell that some of the junk food I use to eat is still kinda weighing me down. I feel like a cleanse is probably the answer and after lot of research I've decided on the master cleanse. I'm starting mine next week, not because I'm opposed to starting it sooner (I'm actually really excited now that I've made the decision) but because I'm getting a tattoo this weekend and don't want to be "cleansing" if I'm gonna be stuck in a chair for that long :-p

[Limonada]

Okay day 22: Doing well (like usual). So here's my thing. I've gone 22 days, still crave food, today's craving is coffee (and pizza, although I found a recipe for a beet and watercress salad I'm dying to try) Oh yeah, and if I stopped the cleanse right now I know I'd go buy a bottle of champagne and drink myself silly. So I won't stop the cleanse, just want the cravings to stop.

Feel really weird that how long I'm been on this, nothing's really happening, like cleansing reactions or something. I still pass solids in the evening and in the morning after the SWF. Which is odd to me, since the first time I did this cleanse, I stopped passing solids after 4 or 5 days. Energy's the same, although I'm sleeping heavier, and don't want to get up in the morning, but once I do, nothing stops me until I get everything done. Now around 4 or 5pm, I get so freaking bored. I'd go run, but that sounds boring to me today, plus my body's still tweaked up favoring my left side, so I'm not running even. Left calf has been 1.5 inches bigger than my right since I busted my right foot back in 2007.
So yeah, doing well, just bored. Wondering when my thought patterns if they will change, or something similar.

Any thoughts?

[C Mack]

Day is coming to a close. Had to work today, but then went to get a hair cut. I really think that doing things for yourself, and letting yourself remember that you are really worth the effort of the cleansing, healthy rewards are important.

Christene - Hope the day got better as it went along!

Cleatus - Hang in there... sometimes it is just not so fun being a girl.

cjones89 - wow - full vegan! I keep telling myself I want to go vegetarian, but then I just don't know if its possible... I think my body needs the red meat, I get anemic really fast if I don't have it, but I really want to cut way back on meat. Maybe 2-3 times a week instead of twice daily. Tattoo sounds exciting! I have none, but my husband has two so I appreciate the art. Hope it is as painless as possible :)

Limonada - I don't have any good answers for you as I have never gone more than 18 days - wish I did. The solids thing does seem odd... without being too icky are you positive they are solid? Sometimes with a strong mucous discharge things can really look solid even when they are quite fluid, just globular (yes - discussing BMs is prime time fun around here!) Also can't help you with the boredom thing - but it sure does make one realize how our eating patterns might not be all about nurishment and more about being bored! Sometimes too the cleanse can be emotional rather than physical... maybe this time around you are in pretty good repair from past cleanses and the stuff your purging isn't the same sort of thing as in previous cleanses? Or if your body is working on healing rather than purging toxins maybe that also does not look as we might expect?

Have a good night everyone!

[cjones89]

I think my body needs the red meat, I get anemic really fast if I don't have it, but I really want to cut way back on meat. Maybe 2-3 times a week instead of twice daily.

I try to not be one of those vegans that preaches at other people. As long as you're buying from family farms and in ways that minimize the suffering of animals I think the choice is ultimately yours, and I realize that everyone's body needs different things. That being said, if the Iron is your only hang up then red meat probably isn't the best solution. I've always had low Iron levels and when I came back from the Peace Corps I was actually told to take supplements because of it. I hate pills though, so my solution was to research and I found that adding lots of dark, leafy greens to my diet helped. They are very high in Iron and if I add a little to my smoothies or juice (and no, I don't have a juicer, just a really awesome blender will do) then my iron levels are normal. The same is true even now that I'm eating no meat at all.

So, even if you want to continue eating meat, adding plenty of dark greens would allow you to cut back on the amount you eat without becoming anemic.

@Limonada Are you maybe grinding up more of the pith this time around? I've heard others on the MC say that increasing the amount of pith you put in your juice will help you feel fuller but will make your BMs more solid.

[cleatus]

Day 8 and all is well. Back to pre-preggo energy, if not weight (really wish I had found a way to weigh myself before or at least early on in the cleanse). Some clothes are fitting better, but not all. Having energy to be with my daughter is really the key. We had 10 months of horrible sleep (I averaged 3 hours a night) and then 2 months of BOTH parents being hospitalized and needing care, then I got really sick. So...it's nice to finally enjoy being a Mom.

I really wish I could go longer, but there are just too many social events coming up. The food and drink itself is not the problem so much as feeling somehow disconnected from your friends for not partaking. Oh well, I can always do it again.

How is everyone else doing?

[C Mack]

Hey folks! Breaking the fast is going well - feeling great and full of energy. Made several kinds of soup so that I will be reday with healthy choices for the next week as I plan menus for moving forward. If I can keep on track over this weekend and the nephew's wedding festivities I think I can hold out!

cjones89 - thanks for the tips on iron, I will keep them in mind going forward. Even if I don't give up the meat more iron is a good thing and I would much prefer to get it from foods than supplements

cleatus - isn't it great to have that energy!? I get what you mean about the disconnectedness - I try so hard to plan a time when little is going on - but I swear there is always some little thing! I guess I am blessed to have such problems: must mean I am an active person who enjoys the high life!

Oh well... another work day comes to a close and I'm off to shop for earrings for saturday! more happiness :)

Have a great day all and stay on track!

[cleatus]

Day 10

So, really wishing I could go longer (only lost about 5 lbs and just feel like my body could do more). But I promised I would stop after 10 days, so....at least I'm not in a MAJOR detox phase. My tongue is not pink, but I'm not having any other symptoms and have finished my period, so I feel fine to stop.

Hope everyone else is doing well:) See you next time around....

[Limonada]

Day 26 -
Friend is really worried about me. I've lost about 15 pounds in a month or so. My skin is hanging from my arms. Pretty freaky.
Felt my first "real" detox symptom last night. Exhausted, nauseous etc. Been really tired in the mornings. Exhausted. Now I'm beginning to panic a bit about this decision to do this cleanse. But if I have the slight chance to regain my health I want to do it, just freaked out that my once 142lb frame is now 129 with my skin hanging from my arms. Not necessarily wanting to look like the girl version of Christian Bale in The Machinist.

Still good BMs, stuff still coming out, not mucous. But yes probably some pith or so from juicing the lemons. Not yellow but brown still. Weird.

Gonna call my naturopath on Monday and ask her to muscle test me to see how long I should be doing this thing.
One bonus, when I crave something, I know that if I eat something, I'll get really sick to my stomach, not enzymes for digestion per se. So yeah it keeps me from cheating. *sigh*

Feeling anxious and scattered brained this evening. I hope all is well. Thanks for letting me vent. :)

[popelikr]

Yippeeee! I finished my 10 day cleanse, and that was all I committed to, so I am done. I feel great, lost 9.6 lbs (133 to 123.4 lbs), fit into all my clothes again and am ready to start a largely raw food diet (can't commit to 100%, but maybe 80%.) I have a few books and I am ready to go. My end goal is now 118 lbs. That would put me to before marriage, before kids weight - and at 43, I feel like that would be a great place to be!

I started the day with one last SWF - I woke up in the middle of the night with more BMs, so I thought it would be a good idea to "flush" one more time before I go back to food. I drank some fresh-squeezed, organic grapefruit and orange juice this morning and felt fine. So I ate an orange for lunch and also felt fine. Interestingly, I am not feeling hungry at all. Seems my appetite is much diminished after the MC, and my food cravings for anything bad are at bay for the moment.

All in all, I am extremely happy with the results of the MC. I had a few rough days, and I thank you all for helping me through them. The support on this board (and from my sis) saved me. I am now a true MC believer! (although, I can't really imagine wanting to do this very often!)

Good luck to all of you on MC and in health, I am in awe of those of you going for more than 10 days!

Kimpossible,
That is awesome!! I was on my first MC for 21 dyas and lost 18lbs.... I and a friend are going to do another cleanse the day after July 4th or so..I too want to get down to 120 or so...and being 47 that is awesome to be weigh the same or a little less then in HS! When I went off the MC I too had ZERO appetite...I drank only OJ for 3 days. My friend scared me of eating my first foods...goes to show how different every body is. I had no problem going back to solids. I have kept it 95% fruits and vegetable.

Way to go!!!!

[popelikr]

Good morning, people! I am on Day 1 of my 2nd Master Cleanse diet! I went 10 days last time and I'm hoping to double that this time around but will see how it goes on a weekly basis! This cleanse will be a little different than last: I now have to be at work at 4:30am so doing the Salt Water Flush is going to be impossible for mornings. Anyone have any suggestions for this? I know I can do the tea - should I then do the tea in the morning and the SWF in the evenings?

Already feeling super hungry but I know that by my 3rd day, it won't even be an issue! Looking forward to hearing about everyone's progress!!

Brittany, It is easy... Just wake up 30 minutes earlier. I know that you are already waking up TOO early as it is, just pretend that work is earlier... Oh and try to do some movements after you drink the SWF...makes it move through you faster. ANd NO you can't do the SWF at night. I read SOMEWHERE that you do the SWF after a complete 8 hrs of non ingesting anything. even the Lemonade.. that is what i remember reading somewhere.
I have read where you do the tea at night and then in the morning...which I dont understand...it takes HOURS for the first one to work....is it going to hit you HOURS into work if you drink more in the am??? Try drinking (2) bags of tea at night. but really what I would do is just wake up earlier and drink the SWF as soon as possible. Celtic Grey Sea Salt is the best!

[BooRadley]

Middle of day 3. My last post disappeared. wtf?

Anyhoo, no bad feelings yet. Just a headache yesterday, which I put to bed with a BC Powder. Also, using senna tea morning and night. Saltwater flush is just too gross.

I'm expecting lots of discomfort in the thigh and hip area. Caffeine withdrawal. :(


Peace and love. Peace and love.

http://www.therawfoodsite.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26&d=1309209609

[welshyshelly]

Good Morning All,
Im a newbie to the site and to the master cleanse.....Just a quick hello and introduction........Im on day 3 and im feeling fab, to be honest the first 2 days were pretty good, im a little-un in height at 4 foot 10 and at the start i weighed 154lbs and to date ive lost 4lbs.... i know most is water but it sure does help you carry on..... hope your all having a fab day! xx

[cjones89]

So after a long weekend and many delays I've finally been able to start and so far I'm happy with the MC. I did the SWF this morning and then decided that from now on I'll use the tea morning and night as the SWF made me very nauseated :(

Only other issue thus far is the spicyness of the lemonade, which I guess I'll adjust to in time. I'm very sensitive to spices so I taste the cayenne really strongly when I drink. Other than that I'm happy with the lemonade and the process.

[BooRadley]

Day 4, and no pain or discomfort yet. Well, except for some the occasional headache, very light muscle...discomfort(?)...in my calves, and vague abdominal cramps a few hours a day, due to senna tea morning and night. Oh yeah, and the lemonade burns going in. Not so much going out, but there is a little burn there.

Aside from this, I feel okay. Better than before I started the cleanse. And even though it is only the fifth day, I am down from my starting weight (this time around) of 195 to 189. There is very little if any edema left in my feet and lower legs, but still a little but of a bruised feeling in my feet, though.

Ever forward!

[wtwien]

I just finished Day 7 which was a bad day. I had a headache all day long. This is my third Cleanse and this cleanse has been pretty good so far; however I can not sleep at night and am restless at nighttime since I started this cleanse and it has been every night since I started this cleanse. Why? and what can I do so that I can get a good night sleep?

MC 1 40 Days Aug 2010
MC 2 18 Days Feb 2011

[Limonada]

Day 34: *sigh* So overall good experience for me. Called my naturopath last Monday to have her remote muscle test me to see if I should still go for 60 days (ultimate goal). Yes, I fully believe in muscle testing and have been seeing my naturopath in Flagstaff for 12 years now. Well she got back to me and said "9 more days". So alas my last day will be July 6th.

Off and on experienced dehydration headaches, food cravings (something to be said about distraction can cure any cravings!). Over the course of the past couple weeks my cheating has consisted of eating a couple spearmint leaves, 3 watercress leaves, yesterday I cheated with one green bean and a maraschino cherry (go figure!), and today a handful of raw almonds, so yeah my heart and my mind's not committed anymore, but committed through Wednesday yes.

As I wrote in the beginning, I am a Type 1 Diabetic, and main goal is to attempt to see if I could jump start my pancreas into producing insulin which well, hasn't happened, but I do feel quite a bit healthier and have my head screwed on more straight when it comes to my health, my food habits and where to go from here when I eat.

Oh yeah the almonds I ate today - wow - gave me a crazy mental high - like dizziness.

Positives and benefits: My allergies tend to be almost non-existent. A few sneezes today, but weird cause some of my friends have crazy allergies, me nada, nothing. It's great! Began on this crazy cleanse at 142lbs. Now I fluctuate between 126 and 124 lbs. Best of all (even though I go through a liter of maple syrup every three or four days!) Insulin intake! Began at 40 units in a 24 hour period now around 15 units in 24 hours. Holy hot damn! That's so rad! (yes I'm in my early to mid 30s!)

Eyesight isn't any better, as is any muscle or body injuries. No fluctuations. No healing there. Hopefully with my coming yoga routine and a 90% raw diet, no processed sugar or carbs, I can keep the weight off, keep the insulin shots down to the 15 units or so, the eyesight and injuries will heal over time. We'll see. I hope and pray.

@BooRadley - You go! I hope you're still doing good!
@cjones89 - I've only skipped the SWF once thus far, only because I didn't have the time that one morning before work to go to the bathroom every 4 minutes for 1.5 hours. The SWF is hard to get down of course, chug it, and yes sometimes I've been a bit nauseated on it, but I usually do my best to distract myself directly following (usually by going outside and watering my perennials). So yeah, I would say you need to find a way to get and keep the SWF down. Distractions following help so much!

Good luck all. Only three full days left for me. So stoked to be finished! Can't way to slurp Gazpacho!

[BooRadley]

Well, I tanked. Had no one to talk to after this site locked down. What happened?

Anyways, I may try again at some point in the near future. Peace and blessings.

[HippieMama]

Hey everybody!

So glad I found this forum and website! Im not new to cleansing...my friends call me the cleanse queen but I feel far from that. Did a 92 day juice feast last year during thanksgiving and christmas...needless to say, I didnt gain any weight over the holiday season:) Doing the MC for the first time and today is day 1!...only 5 hours in but feeling ok. No food cravings yet although Im usually fine during the day its the night that kills me! Didnt do the SWF yet because drinking that before my cycle class this morning did not seem like a good idea so Ill just start that tomorrow. Trying to loose lbs before my wedding in 30 days. Im still not sure how long this cleanse will last...either 15 days or 20 days. Will check back in tonight because Im sure I will need the motivation! Oh and using Raw Agave instead of Maple syrup since I am mostly Raw..and lovin the cheyenne!

[popelikr]

Hey everybody!

So glad I found this forum and website! Im not new to cleansing...my friends call me the cleanse queen but I feel far from that. Did a 92 day juice feast last year during thanksgiving and christmas...needless to say, I didnt gain any weight over the holiday season:) Doing the MC for the first time and today is day 1!...only 5 hours in but feeling ok. No food cravings yet although Im usually fine during the day its the night that kills me! Didnt do the SWF yet because drinking that before my cycle class this morning did not seem like a good idea so Ill just start that tomorrow. Trying to loose lbs before my wedding in 30 days. Im still not sure how long this cleanse will last...either 15 days or 20 days. Will check back in tonight because Im sure I will need the motivation! Oh and using Raw Agave instead of Maple syrup since I am mostly Raw..and lovin the cheyenne!

Congratulations on the upcoming nuptials.. Good luck it isn't that bad.. and I just look at the end of the tunnel for help getting through each day.

[popelikr]

Limonada,
Your friend is jealous... You just need to tone up now, just like any weight loss program. I too am still tired, nauseous etc too. but what gets me through that is how great I feel losing the weight and knowing all the GOOD FOODS I am going to be eating.

[babsofyours]

Hey fellow MCers,

I will be going on a 30 day cleanse starting around the 23rd of this month. It will be my 4th or so attempt and my longest one yet. I am going to be doing this with my lover though he is a little reluctant and I'm not sure he will last. I admittedly talked him into it(bribed him a bit :/) but I want to help him and I figure if he sees the benefits of it in himself.

But this isn't about him so much right now. I want to offer myself as a text buddy for anyone else doing the cleanse at this time and also ask for some advice. I posted in the breaking the cleanse board but I figure I'll bring my question here too. I want to combine my 30 day cleanse with a juice fast. I haven't decided how long yet but what I'm trying to figure out is when to do it. Before or after. I figure if I cleanse and detox with the MC before then replenish with a juice fast after it will help with eating healthy after too. Any opinions, knowledge, 2 cents?

[AmSunshine]

Hi Everyone!
Tomorrow I start day one of my cleanse. This is my second time on the MC, but the first time I only did four full days. Anyone else cleansing right now??

[Doctor Bunsen]

Babs - why bother combining it with a juice fast? The MC is all you need. If you want to go longer, just do 40 days or maybe do a few extra days of orange juice after your MC.

I'm just finishing Day 2. I'm starting to get a headache. Other than that, I haven't had any detox symptoms or cravings yet.

[jim54]

hey guys...gonna start my 4th ever MC on sunday night....look forward to your support which always helps me get through it!

[Aria]

Hello,
I am planning a 21day cleanse next week. I am starting 3days of "easy-in" from tomorrow, followed by 21day cleanse and another 84days of transitioning diet (clean, simple, vegan, mostly "raw"), making it total 108days of journey. To make myself keep focused and achieve the goal I want, I created a blog and plan to keep write about my progress in my mind and body as a whole. I wish I can share my experience with others and get some supports and advice. http://promisewithme.blogspot.com/[URL="http://promisewithme.blogspot.com/"]

[Tanyazl1]

Hello Lemonheads!

I'm concluding Day 7 of 10. Last week was so hectic; I didn't have any time to post. Cleansing is a way of life! I hope your cleansing experience is productive!

Tanya

[cheriewilson]

Okay everyone! I just spent the whole day at an amusement park on DAY 4!!! of the cleanse and I feel great! I wasn't hungry or tired all day! I just was disgusted by everyone eating their fattening burgers, fries, and hot dogs! Gross! I could have cared less about it all and I sat there and watched my family eat their lunch and dinner (healthy food of course from home!)

Yay! Love the cleanse!

Anyone on day 4 and wanna cleanse with me? There doesn't seem to be much activity on this thread!

[Doctor Bunsen]

I just finished Day 5. I'm staying at my parents' house while they are on vacation and just praying no one will show up and surprise me with food. It's weird doing the cleanse somewhere other than my own home. It's kind of scary. I haven't really had any bad detox symptoms yet. I almost threw up the salt water flush this morning. I think I'm going to stop at 10 days, but I feel obligated to go for longer because my last couple of cleanses were long. I guess I'll just see how I feel.

[Susan Hall]

Hello everyone:

I am starting my 6th cleanse and this is my first day. The last cleanse was done almost two years ago. Lately, I am feeling more tired, have more headaches, am breaking out more and generally is less motivated to work out and lead a more healthy life style. So now I have jump back onto this healthy track. Got to get on here and keep myself motivated.

MC#1-3/07-24 days
MC#2-10/07-17 days
MC#3-10/08-18 days
MC#4-2/09-20 days
MC#5-9/09-21 days

[sunnyrae]

Day 1

hello all!!
just chiming in in case anyone else is starting today (monday)...and making myself accountable! ;)
rough start this morning in only doing the lax tea.
a little tired but no other symptoms. going for 10 days as i am hosting book club at my place on day 11.

p.s does anyone know how to change the signature??

[jim54]

Day 1

hello all!!
just chiming in in case anyone else is starting today (monday)...and making myself accountable! ;)
rough start this morning in only doing the lax tea.
a little tired but no other symptoms. going for 10 days as i am hosting book club at my place on day 11.

p.s does anyone know how to change the signature??


hey sunny rae....i too started today so you and i are destined to get to day 10 together. good luck and make sure you have your fresh OJ ready for your book club meeting!

[Tanyazl1]

Great motivation and energy...Yes, not many people cleansing this month; or, they don't have time to post their progress...I'm concluding day 8 of 10. Whooohooo!

Happy cleansing!

[77vargas77]

Hi everyone. I am on Day 1 of the MC. I didn't particularly enjoy the SWF but I managed to chug it down. I have drank 6 glasses of the lemonade and I have had one bottle of water. I didn't realize I was supposed to drink lots of water as well until I read the forum. In retrospect it obviously makes sense, but whatever. I AM HUNGRY! I keep watching my kids eat and I want to snatch their food and devour it. Should I be working out alot? Will that help? I am doing this to reverse the effects of bad eating for the last few months. I have put on 15 lbs in 4 months which has NEVER happened before and no amount of exercising is working, so I believe my body needs a cleansing. All words of encouragement/advise would be lovely.
--Danielle

[sunnyrae]

Hi everyone. I am on Day 1 of the MC. I didn't particularly enjoy the SWF but I managed to chug it down. I have drank 6 glasses of the lemonade and I have had one bottle of water. I didn't realize I was supposed to drink lots of water as well until I read the forum. In retrospect it obviously makes sense, but whatever. I AM HUNGRY! I keep watching my kids eat and I want to snatch their food and devour it. Should I be working out alot? Will that help? I am doing this to reverse the effects of bad eating for the last few months. I have put on 15 lbs in 4 months which has NEVER happened before and no amount of exercising is working, so I believe my body needs a cleansing. All words of encouragement/advise would be lovely.
--Danielle

hang in there! you can work out if you would like but oddly people have mixed reviews on weather or not they lose more weight by doing so.that being said i always try to focus on relieving detox symptoms by paying attention to what my body tells me. this makes it more likely you can stick it out.and if you feel good on the day, then work out. if not, then dont push too hard! take extra water when feeling head-achy and if that isnt doing the trick a hot sea salt bath to sweat it out always helps me. if you feel low energy it means you need to drink more lemonade. the hunger will go away pretty quickly so try to suffer through that and know its temporary...as is the cleanse ...and food will be there when you are done! healthier energy producing food :)
good luck and just keep posting on here, it helps! also, i keep a journal (in my outlook calendar) with my daily weigh ins and my symptoms...i work on it when the desire and cravings kick in ;)

[Susan Hall]

Hey Sunnyrae:

Can you tell me a bit more about the sea salt bath? I am getting head-achy and I really did not get that in my other MCs. How much sea salt do you use? Do you just use the regular coarse sea salt?? Was thinking of going into the sauna, any thoughts?? Also, this time, I am getting itchy skin especially on my face and lips, weird??

[jim54]

finished day 2 and now on day3....felt very rundown last night but hope it will pass today. im lookin fwd to that energy burst that happens around day4-5.

[sunnyrae]

Hey Sunnyrae:

Can you tell me a bit more about the sea salt bath? I am getting head-achy and I really did not get that in my other MCs. How much sea salt do you use? Do you just use the regular coarse sea salt?? Was thinking of going into the sauna, any thoughts?? Also, this time, I am getting itchy skin especially on my face and lips, weird??

hi susan! a sauna would probably do you well if you can tolerate it. infra red is less taxing..
the itchy skin makes me wonder about candida & if you are using organic lemons. what day are you on?
if there is a whole foods near you or a natural food store they carry something called "albas" its green herbal liquid that you add to your bath. i love this stuff! i add about 3 or 4 tblspoons to my bath regularly. a few of the ingredients stimulate the lymph glands to move out toxins. as i understand it, very few things other than exercise and massage can do that. (dry brushing also helps). the albas is also anti viral and bacterial and soothing on the skin so might help with the itching, it will be about $14 & lasts a while . i add it in with my sea salt. i tend to use moderately coarse dead sea salt and put between a half of cup and a cup. but even if you just do the albas i think it will help a lot.
good luck!

[sunnyrae]

good morning all!
day 3 here. VERY lethargic today and a little achy. Will be having some molasses today..i think my minerals are low, as i am doing agave instead of maple (very few things can sub for maple..dark raw agave is one of those but molasses is needed here and there to make up for the lower mineral content)
i was reminded this morning, while wishing it were day 10, to just enjoy cleansing. for all that it is. its different each time so its interesting in that way. & the break from food is actually nice. no struggle with what to eat, how much etc. as well as all the time it takes for shopping, planning, preparing, & cleaning up... and bloating from too much salt & carbs etc..
hope my fellow day 3ers are fairing well...i have a feeling today is one of my detox days! :D

[sunnyrae]

**** If you are cleansing leave a post!!!
we need reading material and support!!! :) :) :) ****

[DRBREW]

Hello All, Day 12 of 20 for me, so good so far, the first couple days were a little rough and I was kind of tired, but it's going well now just settled into the daily routine, SWF, Lemonade and lax tea, not so bad. Enjoying the cleanse and at the same time looking forward to finishing, I'm on the downhill side now. Too many smelly people, as usual..... =)

Happy Cleansing All

[Susan Hall]

hi susan! a sauna would probably do you well if you can tolerate it. infra red is less taxing..
the itchy skin makes me wonder about candida & if you are using organic lemons. what day are you on?
if there is a whole foods near you or a natural food store they carry something called "albas" its green herbal liquid that you add to your bath. i love this stuff! i add about 3 or 4 tblspoons to my bath regularly. a few of the ingredients stimulate the lymph glands to move out toxins. as i understand it, very few things other than exercise and massage can do that. (dry brushing also helps). the albas is also anti viral and bacterial and soothing on the skin so might help with the itching, it will be about $14 & lasts a while . i add it in with my sea salt. i tend to use moderately coarse dead sea salt and put between a half of cup and a cup. but even if you just do the albas i think it will help a lot.
good luck!

Suunyrae:

thanks for the tip! I will go and get the albas and use sea salt. I am on day 3 and the headache has been nagging but mild. I was going to go work out but decided to stay in and rest. I feel so much better after resting. Day 3 is usually one of the bad days so I just have to ride it out. Will let you know how the albas work out, thx!

[Doctor Bunsen]

I am on Day 8 now. I had a bad headache this morning and my skin has been breaking out a lot, but these eight days have gone quickly. I think I will be continuing after Day 10.

[77vargas77]

Sunnyrae,
Thanks for the words of encouragement. Day 2 was bad. I had the bodyaches pretty bad and I craved meat all day long. It definitely did not help that we hosted a bday party at the house too. :) But I made it. I-did-not-cave! Now it is Day 3 and so far I feel ok. The SWF made me nauseous, but it's tolerable. Yesterday I only drank 4 LA's. I could not make myself drink another, but I did drink 3 bottle of water also. Does it matter if I don't have 6 LA's per day?
Sincerely,
Danielle

[DRBREW]

Sunnyrae,
Thanks for the words of encouragement. Day 2 was bad. I had the bodyaches pretty bad and I craved meat all day long. It definitely did not help that we hosted a bday party at the house too. :) But I made it. I-did-not-cave! Now it is Day 3 and so far I feel ok. The SWF made me nauseous, but it's tolerable. Yesterday I only drank 4 LA's. I could not make myself drink another, but I did drink 3 bottle of water also. Does it matter if I don't have 6 LA's per day?
Sincerely,
Danielle

6 lemonades is the minimum, that's only about 720 calories a day, not a lot compared to the recommended 2000 or so for a regular diet, less than 6 lemonades and your body kicks in to starvation mode and burns muscle before fat, or so I've heard.

[WilliamL]

Day 4 for me. This is my 8th cleanse since 2006, longest was 16 days and last was two years ago. Feeling pretty good this time around so far. For me it is most important to be mentally prepared and to have your schedule planned out in advance. Good luck to everyone!

[Susan Hall]

Day 4 for me. This is my 8th cleanse since 2006, longest was 16 days and last was two years ago. Feeling pretty good this time around so far. For me it is most important to be mentally prepared and to have your schedule planned out in advance. Good luck to everyone!

Hi, all, Day 4 here and feeling much better today. Yesterday and Day 2 was very lethargic and nagging headaches all day but after the swf this morning and the bathroom runs. Everything is better. My cleanse this time is different from the other times as I am getting very itchy skin, all over. Sunnyrae mentioned it could be Candida.
The first couple of days was just the face then the skin around the lips. Yesterday and today is the back. It feels like it just wants to shed the top layers of the skin. The vanity in me just want the cleanse to give me beautiful skin, LOL! But does anyone know whether I should test for Candida or??? Any thoughts!

Also, It seems like there are quite a few of us that have cleanse several times prior, do you find you have different detox symptoms every time or are they the same the same symptoms every time?? Kindly share your experiences!!

The next question is electrolytes imbalances. Someone told me that Dr. OZ have warned people of cleanses and that the dangers of electrolyte imbalance can be dangerous, Any thoughts or comments??

Thanks for your support!!

[Aria]

It was the second day and it went well. I didn't have any detox symptoms and feeling great. It is maybe because I am drinking more lemonade? Last time, during my first cleanse, I tried to drink less, hoping that would help more weight-loss. Whenever I did, however, the next day was horrible; feeling dizzy, low energy and headaches. This time, since I focus on clearing my mind and study, though still want to lose some weights, I am letting my mind/body to tell me how much and when I need to drink. It seems going well now, but hope it does not blocking my weight loss. (yeah, I am still obsessed to the weight :o )

Oh, my partner also started the cleanse today. It's the first time for him. He is doing great so far. I will share our progress later again.

[77vargas77]

Day 4 for me (first-timer). Yesterday was not too bad. I felt good, I just craved food. Today I woke up and was suprised that my BM had more "debris" in it since yesterday it was like lemonade. I did my SWF about 10 minutes ago and am having to resist the urge to vomit. My stomach feels like it can't hold 32 oz. When aiming for maximum weight loss and cleansing how many LA's & oz of water should I be drinking? Yesterday I had 6 LA's, no water. The day before I had 4 LA's, and 54 oz. of water.
Also I feel like I am retaining water. When will that stop? And I have not lost any weight so far and am a little bummed out.
Words of advise greatly welcome.
--Danielle

[77vargas77]

Okay everyone! I just spent the whole day at an amusement park on DAY 4!!! of the cleanse and I feel great! I wasn't hungry or tired all day! I just was disgusted by everyone eating their fattening burgers, fries, and hot dogs! Gross! I could have cared less about it all and I sat there and watched my family eat their lunch and dinner (healthy food of course from home!)

Yay! Love the cleanse!

Anyone on day 4 and wanna cleanse with me? There doesn't seem to be much activity on this thread!

If you are still cleansing I would love to cleanse with you. You are a few days ahead of me but I am on Day 4 as of today.
--Danielle

[Doctor Bunsen]

If you want to lose more weight, use less maple syrup in your lemonade.

I'm on Day 10 and I've lost almost 10lbs. I'm sure half of that is water weight though.

[babsofyours]

I'm starting day 1 of what I hope to be a 30 day cleanse tomorrow with my guy. Wish me luck. And patients because he is a little reluctant still.

[babsofyours]

Day 1 almost over. Feeling a little headachey but nothing too bad. Question though and it might offend but we are all adults. I'm gonna sum it up in one word. Oral.

[Aria]

I'm starting day 1 of what I hope to be a 30 day cleanse tomorrow with my guy. Wish me luck. And patients because he is a little reluctant still.

Yesterday was my 4th and my partner's 3rd day. I also started with my partner, so I wanted to share my experience with you. It is kind of stressful. He was doing well generally during the first couple of days, but yesterday he got some headaches and acid stomach pain. He started searching on the Internet looking for scientific evidence or side effects of the master cleanse. He became very doubtful about this cleanse. We had long conversation last night and he decided to give a try a couple of more days. However, it was so frustrating and I felt some guilty/disappointment feeling after that.

One good thing is I didn't get affected by his negative comments, since I myself experienced positive benefits already. However, until he experiences something good himself, it seems difficult to persuade him. Actually, before starting, he didn't do any research on this, but just listened to me. He was willing to do it, because he wanted to lose some fat on his belly. I think that was the problem. He was not prepared well. He himself needed to be prepared and convinced.

Anyway he started and I don't want him to stop it only after 3days, when detoxification has been just started. If he does, he would have bad impression only and not gain any of benefits of 3day efforts. So I wonder if anyone of you have similar experience with your partners, family, friends, loved ones, and have any suggestions for me to keep him encouraged to go little bit further.

Also I wonder if there is any "scientific research" on the effects of the cleanse, instead of "assumption-based" negative reports by medical doctors. My partner is a "science boy".

I think another way to encourage him is to see his weight/fat loss. He is planning to weigh/measure himself when he finishes, so we don't know the progress in terms of number yet. We see little bit of difference in his shape but there's no significant sign on belly fat. I assumed men usually (though not always)lose fat faster than women. No? I cannot compare it with myself since I am a very small framed woman. If anyone can share their experience/information/insights with me, I will really appreciate it. Thank you.

[DRBREW]

Day 1 almost over. Feeling a little headachey but nothing too bad. Question though and it might offend but we are all adults. I'm gonna sum it up in one word. Oral.

I think a one word answer sums it up, spit.

[DRBREW]

Yesterday was my 4th and my partner's 3rd day. I also started with my partner, so I wanted to share my experience with you. It is kind of stressful. He was doing well generally during the first couple of days, but yesterday he got some headaches and acid stomach pain. He started searching on the Internet looking for scientific evidence or side effects of the master cleanse. He became very doubtful about this cleanse. We had long conversation last night and he decided to give a try a couple of more days. However, it was so frustrating and I felt some guilty/disappointment feeling after that.

One good thing is I didn't get affected by his negative comments, since I myself experienced positive benefits already. However, until he experiences something good himself, it seems difficult to persuade him. Actually, before starting, he didn't do any research on this, but just listened to me. He was willing to do it, because he wanted to lose some fat on his belly. I think that was the problem. He was not prepared well. He himself needed to be prepared and convinced.

Anyway he started and I don't want him to stop it only after 3days, when detoxification has been just started. If he does, he would have bad impression only and not gain any of benefits of 3day efforts. So I wonder if anyone of you have similar experience with your partners, family, friends, loved ones, and have any suggestions for me to keep him encouraged to go little bit further.

Also I wonder if there is any "scientific research" on the effects of the cleanse, instead of "assumption-based" negative reports by medical doctors. My partner is a "science boy".

I think another way to encourage him is to see his weight/fat loss. He is planning to weigh/measure himself when he finishes, so we don't know the progress in terms of number yet. We see little bit of difference in his shape but there's no significant sign on belly fat. I assumed men usually (though not always)lose fat faster than women. No? I cannot compare it with myself since I am a very small framed woman. If anyone can share their experience/information/insights with me, I will really appreciate it. Thank you.

Have you read Peter's book? There is a lot of anecdotal evidence, about the affects of the cleanse on 100 people also some science too. I got the book from my public library befor I did my first cleanse, it's got a lot of good information for beginners and what to expect, this website is good too, for every negative comment out there, there are a lot of positive ones too, just remember this cleanse is not for everyone, you can't force it, maybe he needs a less intense cleanse like a raw juice fast or just raw food cleanse anything is better then the SAD (Standard American Diet)!

[sunnyrae]

Hi Ya'll!
day 7 here, checkin' in to see how everyone is doing.
overall this has been a great cleanse so far for me. it's my 8th and every cleanse has been different!
i have been pretty good this time in listening to my body & recognizing what things mean, easing detox symptoms asap with extra water or sea salt baths and learning to get molasses in everyday to help with minerals which can affect body aches and feeling lethargic. (i mix it in as one of my syrup tablespoons).

as a treat here and there i have been having iced peppermint tea! :) (for those who dont know, peppermint tea is allowed in the original booklet)
i notice when cleansing i am always a little colder. this time instead of always compensating, i'm letting myself be a little cool at times and i think that its resulting in a little extra weight reduction. (yay!)
also, i'm being really good on not skimping on the LA's..it WILL effect how you feel the next day!!
as for activity, i havent been pushing it, no real workouts. just been busy and going for walks when i feel energetic. yesterday we went repelling at a cavern which was awesome..but i made sure to drink a ton of LA first, and then needed some after as well to keep my energy.

hang in there guys, it will all be there for you when you are done...just do your time!
;)

[Aria]

Hi DRBREW,
Thank you for your suggestion. I haven't read Peter's book yet. I will look for it. It sounds great. Anyway, my partner is keep doing it today on his 4th day and says he would keep doing it to see what happens. Let's see really what happens. I hope I can come back with great result later. Thank you again.

[babsofyours]

Yesterday was my 4th and my partner's 3rd day. I also started with my partner, so I wanted to share my experience with you. It is kind of stressful. He was doing well generally during the first couple of days, but yesterday he got some headaches and acid stomach pain. He started searching on the Internet looking for scientific evidence or side effects of the master cleanse. He became very doubtful about this cleanse. We had long conversation last night and he decided to give a try a couple of more days. However, it was so frustrating and I felt some guilty/disappointment feeling after that.

One good thing is I didn't get affected by his negative comments, since I myself experienced positive benefits already. However, until he experiences something good himself, it seems difficult to persuade him. Actually, before starting, he didn't do any research on this, but just listened to me. He was willing to do it, because he wanted to lose some fat on his belly. I think that was the problem. He was not prepared well. He himself needed to be prepared and convinced.

Anyway he started and I don't want him to stop it only after 3days, when detoxification has been just started. If he does, he would have bad impression only and not gain any of benefits of 3day efforts. So I wonder if anyone of you have similar experience with your partners, family, friends, loved ones, and have any suggestions for me to keep him encouraged to go little bit further.

Also I wonder if there is any "scientific research" on the effects of the cleanse, instead of "assumption-based" negative reports by medical doctors. My partner is a "science boy".

I think another way to encourage him is to see his weight/fat loss. He is planning to weigh/measure himself when he finishes, so we don't know the progress in terms of number yet. We see little bit of difference in his shape but there's no significant sign on belly fat. I assumed men usually (though not always)lose fat faster than women. No? I cannot compare it with myself since I am a very small framed woman. If anyone can share their experience/information/insights with me, I will really appreciate it. Thank you.


I'm definitely seeing the same thing with my partner. He won't read the book I gave him and is going off of me only and complains constantly. I'm just sitting back and waiting for him to reach those better days. Its only day 2. I already feel better but that is probably just the feel good feeling from knowing I'm doing something good for my body and excitement for the results. I'm still headachey and a little light headed but I struggle with drinking all the lemonade and I get little water either. Its so much liquid to take in.

[Doctor Bunsen]

I rarely drink the extra water on top of the lemonade and I've been on two 40-day cleanses. I figure it must not be that important if I haven't had any problems. Maybe I will try drinking a glass of water with each lemonade and see what happens.

I'm on Day 13 now. I guess I'm going for 14 or 20, but I might end up doing more again. I started feeling really good on Day 9 or 10. There's no need for me to stop now.

Good luck to everyone trying to get someone else to do the cleanse. Everyone I've ever told about it has gone crazy telling me I am killing myself. They won't listen to reason. Millions of people have done the cleanse. Don't they think if people were dying from it, someone would have heard about it by now? My friend says they are dead so they can't tell anyone. Seriously. There are so many people out there who think you will die if you don't eat for a few days. And they still tell me I'm going to die after I spent 112 days out of a year eating no solid food.

I just lie to everyone about it now. I'm sure people are wondering why I am avoiding them. I'm going to tell them I just felt like being alone for a little while. They'll get over it.

[sweet pea]

Hi everyone!

I am going to start my cleanse on the first of August. This would be my first summer time cleanse and it makes sense to do it now due to the freak waves we have been having in New York. I will by ice pop trays and make lemonade ice pops to keep my mouth busy make it think it eating solids. 8)

I did my last cleanse two years ago (will power is hard to come by) in the winter and I was so cold due to the lowered by temperature. I wanted to ask people who have crazy schedules when is the best time to do the SWF? I have job that starts almost the crack dawn and I am not a morning person but in the economy I have to be. Has anyone done an evening/afternoon SWF?

[islabonita115]

Hi! I have a question regarding how soon you can start a new MC after completing one. I did a 16 day MC that spanned from June 3rd to June 18th, eased off for 3 days following Stanley Burroughs' instructions, then had a huge binge day on the 4th day post-cleanse, so I went back on the MC for 4 more days. So, technically I finished the MC on June 26th and was on it for 20 days, although it was split up into 2 periods, one lasting 16 days and the other 4 days with a 4 day gap in between. I have been off of the cleanse for a month now, and have unfortunately gained weight back...I am thinking that I need to do a 40 day cleanse to get down to my goal weight once and for all and then maintain that weight instead of trying to lose more weight post-cleanse like I did with this last one I did b/c it ended up backfiring on me. I know that you can do the MC 3-4 times a year, but how soon can I start a new MC after finishing one? Since it's only been one month post-cleanse, should I just focus on nourishing my body and wait two more months before I do a 40 day cleanse???

[babsofyours]

Alright its the afternoon of day 3 on my cleanse. Today all the headaches I've had the past two days are gone. I have felt a little achy and tired but I took a noon nap and feel great. I've been craving like mad though. Foods I haven't had in years I've been wanting hardcore. I know the food will still be there when I'm done though so I'm determined to stick this out. I weigh myself every night and while this cleanse isn't for weight loss I do like to keep track. So far I have lost three pounds. We will see what the scale says tonight.

[Aria]

Hi Doctor Bunsen,
I understand how you would feel. Actually, a few years ago, I also thought the cleanse is nonsense. However, after starting being interested in healthy eating and life, I realized giving a break to our bodies from food is the way to cure naturally. It is not only about fasting, but also eating less in everyday lives. Putting too much food in our stomach was causing many problems to us, I think, based on what I have read. I wish you could also have someone to share it with you. It is so great and encouraging.

Hi babsofyours,
I am glad you are doing well. How's your man(?) doing?
My partner, who became doubtful on his 4th day, is now doing great. His 4th and 5th day were very difficult. He was experiencing headache, back pain, migraine, and mild cold symptoms. I think that made him to think negatively. But in the afternoon on the 5th day, yesterday, he felt much better and almost all the pain was gone. Then he decided to go for 10 days as he planned to do in the beginning. Actually, I myself was feeling little dizzy and tired yesterday afternoon, and he took care of me. He was feeling so great and started believing in the effects of the cleanse. I am so glad he survived it and changed to be positive.

[babsofyours]

Hey Aria, he is still pretty skeptical and gives me the glare eye every now and then when we see friends eating but he knows its his choice and I know he can get cranky. He leaves earlier in the morning than I do and opted to not bring LAs to work with him. Its going to be a horribly hard day for him and considering he has done no reading and seems to have no interest in it I don't think he will last. I hope he does because I want him to feel the benefit and accomplishment you get after 10 days. He goes stints without food because he will get caught up working on his car or something but the LAs are important for this cleanse. I try to tell him that it isn't just about not eating but like I said he nearly has no interest. I admittedly coerced him into starting it in the first place so he likes to blame me but I've given him the option to not start or to try it for a few days and stop but he is stubborn. I think he will stick it out just because of that but since he has no interest in trying to do it right and relies only on me and my knowledge I feel he is setting himself up for failure or poor results.

Oh well. Morning of day for and I'm congested and tired and achy but I look forward to a long lunch time nap while my classmates go out for food. lol. I took one yesterday because I felt so tired and then I felt amazing for the rest of the day, even during my improv class which entails a lot of moving around. I didn't change out of my boots though and those heels were killing me.

[reception55]

Day 1 for me, not really hungry. feel a little dizzy when I stand up but I take it slow. thankfully, my job is not stressful and I can work at my own pace. I do, however, look forward to finishing this fast. I have a friend who did a 40 day fast and was still able to work as a cook! I am doing this for several reasons, #1 to lose weight, #2 to detox/flush my body of all the toxins etc., #3 for all those that suffered in the Holocaust, sounds strange maybe, but I just watched a Nat Geo program about the holocaust and it just broke my heart, all those people being killed and the way they were killed. Those people suffered beyond my understanding and I hope I can do them some justice by my completing my 10 day fast. I have not suffered like they did! Also, #4 for Jesus and all the suffering he went thru for ME and everyone else. I CAN DO THIS!!

[sweet pea]

Day 1 for me, not really hungry. feel a little dizzy when I stand up but I take it slow. thankfully, my job is not stressful and I can work at my own pace. I do, however, look forward to finishing this fast. I have a friend who did a 40 day fast and was still able to work as a cook! I am doing this for several reasons, #1 to lose weight, #2 to detox/flush my body of all the toxins etc., #3 for all those that suffered in the Holocaust, sounds strange maybe, but I just watched a Nat Geo program about the holocaust and it just broke my heart, all those people being killed and the way they were killed. Those people suffered beyond my understanding and I hope I can do them some justice by my completing my 10 day fast. I have not suffered like they did! Also, #4 for Jesus and all the suffering he went thru for ME and everyone else. I CAN DO THIS!!

Good for you! They say if you feel a little dizzy drink lemonade (I think thats their answer for everything:o). I was wondering how muc weight did you friend lose on the 40 day cleanse? I am doing the 40 day starting Monday and I just want to get at least 30lbs off forever.

[Doctor Bunsen]

Hi! I have a question regarding how soon you can start a new MC after completing one. I did a 16 day MC that spanned from June 3rd to June 18th, eased off for 3 days following Stanley Burroughs' instructions, then had a huge binge day on the 4th day post-cleanse, so I went back on the MC for 4 more days. So, technically I finished the MC on June 26th and was on it for 20 days, although it was split up into 2 periods, one lasting 16 days and the other 4 days with a 4 day gap in between. I have been off of the cleanse for a month now, and have unfortunately gained weight back...I am thinking that I need to do a 40 day cleanse to get down to my goal weight once and for all and then maintain that weight instead of trying to lose more weight post-cleanse like I did with this last one I did b/c it ended up backfiring on me. I know that you can do the MC 3-4 times a year, but how soon can I start a new MC after finishing one? Since it's only been one month post-cleanse, should I just focus on nourishing my body and wait two more months before I do a 40 day cleanse???
I think you should wait a few months and maybe start one in September. I've tried "losing more weight post-cleanse" and it never works. The best I've done is maintaining my 30lbs lost from my 42-day MC. I did this by eating raw vegan for a week or two and then calorie counting.

[islabonita115]

I think you should wait a few months and maybe start one in September. I've tried "losing more weight post-cleanse" and it never works. The best I've done is maintaining my 30lbs lost from my 42-day MC. I did this by eating raw vegan for a week or two and then calorie counting.

Thanks for your reply! 8) I totally agree about not being able to continue to lose additional weight immediately after the cleanse. I've tried it a couple of times and it never worked. I always ended up gaining back all the weight I lost on the cleanse. I think because our bodies have already lost so much weight in such a short period of time on the cleanse, once we start eating normally they don't want to let go of any more fat for a while??? That's my very unscientific theory.

It's really great and encouraging that you maintained your 30 lb loss on a 42 day MC. I have about 35 lbs to lose (my goal is 120 and I'm a little over 5'6"). I don't do the MC just for the weight loss; rather, I see the weight loss as a very welcome side effect of me detoxing my body.

My instincts are telling me that I should wait until September to do an extended MC, but I know that it's considered safe to cleanse up to 40 consecutive days at a time and I only did 20 days so I would think I'd be able to do a 20-21 day cleanse a month after completing a 20 day MC...or doesn't it work that way??? The white coating on my tongue never went away on my last cleanse, and I have a random teardrop-shaped red mark right in the middle of my chest halfway between my belly button and boobs that actually started to fade towards my last days on the cleanse, but I had to stop b/c I was starting a new job assignment that would have made it impossible to continue. So, I don't think my detoxing was complete. Then of course I gained weight after going off the cleanse. My primary goal at the moment is to stop the weight gain and lose the 13 lbs I gained post-cleanse. I felt good at that weight and do not feel good right now. Should I just try to adopt a more raw, vegan diet for the next month to lose the weight I gained and then do another MC? Or is it OK to start a 21 day cleanse next week? I am currently job hunting and hopefully will be interviewing in the next couple of weeks and I know how important it is to look good, and when I was at 142 lbs, which was my weight post-cleanse, I liked how I looked. Of course, my goal is lower than 142, but there is a big difference between 142 and 155 on me. So, b/c of my job search I feel the need to lose weight quickly, but I want to do whatever is healthiest for my body and mind.

On one level I think I should forget about the MC b/c I have read some very negative things about it, such as the lack of fiber binding to the toxins released from fat while on the MC so they are allowed to wreak havoc in the body and possibly cause cancer in 20 years. Also, how glutathione, which is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, is depleted. Not sure if these claims are true or not but they do give me pause. Additionally, I was reading on Stanley Burroughs' Wikipedia page about the cancer patient who died of a hemorrhage while on the MC. It was determined that he died from a hemorrhage of the mesentery in the abdomen brought on by Stanley Burroughs' deep tissue massages. So, it was most likely the massage that killed him, not necessarily the MC. And yes, I do understand he would have died from the terminal cancer (leukemia), but you have to wonder about Stanley Burroughs' judgment in regards to this patient. He told him to not have any contact with his doctor while he was under his care and even advised him against getting a bone marrow transplant.

On another level, I really did feel better, more energized and healthier while I was on the cleanse and I just want the weight loss to stick this time! I believe that if I am on the cleanse for a long enough period of time to reach my goal then I would be able to maintain my weight loss this time.

As you can see, I am very confused and would really love some more input. :D

[SeattleGuy37]

Hello All! I've been lurking around and reading all the motivating stories and finally decided to register. I've been researching the Master Cleanse for a while as I do most things before jumping in. I definitely prepared myself mentally as I LOVE LOVE LOVE food and being a smoker I knew it was going to be extra hard. I'm 37 and probably around 220. I don't have a scale but the last time I weighed myself I was 210 and I know i've gained much more weight since.

Today is Day 1 for me. I drank my Smooth Move tea last night and did the SWF this morning. Didn't mind the taste of the water but dang it was hard to put away 32oz of it but I did it. Needless to say that it only took 30 to 45 minutes for the flush to work. All I can say is WOW! LOL

I've had 4 LA (drinking my last 2 here in a bit) and kinda getting disgusted with the taste of the organic grade b maple. Even the smell of it when I open the bottle starts making me gag. But I'll get through it. Fingers crossed.

I'm not really that hungry and have been drinking water throughout the day so hopefully that is helping. One thing I have noticed is that I've had a slight headache all day. Hope it goes away soon. Maybe it's my lack of caffeine as I do love my coffee and lack of cigs. Funny thing...I haven't craved a cig today.

I look forward to finishing my MC. My goal is 10 days but hoping by that time to increase to 14 maybe 20. Time will tell and everything in baby steps.

Onwards and upwards!

[sweet pea]

Hello All! I've been lurking around and reading all the motivating stories and finally decided to register. I've been researching the Master Cleanse for a while as I do most things before jumping in. I definitely prepared myself mentally as I LOVE LOVE LOVE food and being a smoker I knew it was going to be extra hard. I'm 37 and probably around 220. I don't have a scale but the last time I weighed myself I was 210 and I know i've gained much more weight since.

Today is Day 1 for me. I drank my Smooth Move tea last night and did the SWF this morning. Didn't mind the taste of the water but dang it was hard to put away 32oz of it but I did it. Needless to say that it only took 30 to 45 minutes for the flush to work. All I can say is WOW! LOL

I've had 4 LA (drinking my last 2 here in a bit) and kinda getting disgusted with the taste of the organic grade b maple. Even the smell of it when I open the bottle starts making me gag. But I'll get through it. Fingers crossed.

I'm not really that hungry and have been drinking water throughout the day so hopefully that is helping. One thing I have noticed is that I've had a slight headache all day. Hope it goes away soon. Maybe it's my lack of caffeine as I do love my coffee and lack of cigs. Funny thing...I haven't craved a cig today.

I look forward to finishing my MC. My goal is 10 days but hoping by that time to increase to 14 maybe 20. Time will tell and everything in baby steps.

Onwards and upwards!

You don't have to use the maple syrup. There are other options. I am about to do my third fast starting Monday, the first one I did was hard because of the awful maple syrup, ugh!! The maple syrup was so bad that I went from MC to just water the last 5 days of my cleanse (20 days I completed) because at the time I did not know about the alternatives. I am going to use Agave Nectar, I found a brand that I trust and like and now I am ready to guzzle the lemonade. Try looking for a agave nectar but make sure it is completely organic. Good luck to you!!!

[DRBREW]

Day 20 for me, and I'm done! Making fresh organic carrot/apple juice tonight to ease me out of the cleanse tomorrow and over the weekend, I love cleansing in the summer, being in the desert it is hot here, 115 deg, but my body temp seems to regulate and stay cooler when I'm cleansing, I ride my bicycle to work and back and do a daily workout and the heat isn't even an issue, just drinking lots of water!!!!!!!!!! (=

Good Luck to everyone just starting out, it only gets better!!

Be back in the fall!

Namaste.

[babsofyours]

Its the morning of day six and I woke up and had my SWF early this morning and went back to bed, but I slept in so I couldn't make any LA for the morning. I had an awards breakfast to go to and I know how yummy the food is there having gone many times before but it was easy to resist and I even got into conversations with people about the cleanse and thankfully they were all open minded and interested in the concept. I am making my LAs now and off to class.

I have lost a total of 8lbs. Not sure if I'm having too many detox symptoms. The headaches stopped after day 3. My back has been aching a lot though and I have been pretty tired but feel good none the less. My tongue is thoroughly coated and my face has been breaking out. The SWF seems to be getting harder though for me. The first day was a breeze but now I struggle and can't get all of it down. Some is better than none though and I am only short a few oz but I can't bring myself to take the last few gulps. Seems to be working regardless, like clockwork. My tentative goal is 30 days but we will see how it goes. I definitely want to do more than 10.

I haven't been working out at all but I have a yoga DVD that I want to try so I might start that this weekend or maybe even tomorrow after I drink the SWF. If I'm getting up an hour early anyway why not work out. I just feel so sick after drinking it. We will see how it goes. I will try to take longer walks with my dog too. My ultimate goal is to cleanse and get healthy so that I can get down to a healthy weight. I want to lose a total of 30lbs or more. I have a lot of bad food habits and this cleanse has helped me realize how often I would snack for no reason or "treat" myself with something bad for me. I will start looking up some raw food recipes and I am excited to use my juicer for something other than lemons lol.

My partner is still a little grumpy about the whole thing but he seems determined to stick through it though he expects no results. We will see how it goes for him. I just want him healthy and happy. I know I have been rambling a bit. Good luck and happy cleansing Lemon Heads. :)

[babsofyours]

Oh and I definitely bit off all my finger nails and the other night had a sore throat and a cough and the sore throat lasted throughout the day. Gotta love detox symptoms. Truly though you know its working.

[babsofyours]

My throat and ears hurt today. I think my tonsils are swollen. Hopefully it goes away. I'm hoping its a detox symptom and not something else. If its not better tomorrow I may have to go to the doctor :/. I think I remember gargling salt water would help the throat but I'm not sure.

[Doctor Bunsen]

Today is Day 17 for me. I've been having trouble fitting in the SWF, six glasses of LA, and senna tea all in one day, but I'm feeling good so far. Time seems to be flying on this cleanse.

[babsofyours]

My last cleanse was 10 days and it was a breeze. Just cravings and even then it wasn't much. Didn't have many detox symptoms and they were all light, I had even doubted it did much in the way of cleansing because I seemed to have little to no detox symptoms.

This cleanse however is hitting me hard. Day 8 and I feel awful. Sore throat dizzy headaches and nausea. Back aches intermittent and irritability. Fatigue and cramps. Its getting harder on the days its supposed to get easier. Whats the deal. I hope tomorrow is better. Thank gawd its the weekend so I can just relax.

[Doctor Bunsen]

It's Day 19 and I went to a nightclub last night. It's so strange to go to a place like that and be sober. My back REALLY hurts. I am getting these weird sores on one of my legs that I think might be a detox symptom. I haven't really had any other detox symptoms since Day 10 or so.

[SeattleGuy37]

You don't have to use the maple syrup. There are other options. I am about to do my third fast starting Monday, the first one I did was hard because of the awful maple syrup, ugh!! The maple syrup was so bad that I went from MC to just water the last 5 days of my cleanse (20 days I completed) because at the time I did not know about the alternatives. I am going to use Agave Nectar, I found a brand that I trust and like and now I am ready to guzzle the lemonade. Try looking for a agave nectar but make sure it is completely organic. Good luck to you!!!

Hi Sweet Pea! Thanks for the suggestion but I'm the kinda person who follows the recipe/formula by the book but I appreciate your help. Reading Peter's book and suggestions he always talks about not swaying from the true recipe so I guess that's just been engrained in my head. Haha However I did find a way to get it down that actually makes it taste good. I'm using cold water instead of warm/room temp water and makes it taste way better.

I'm on Day 6 and it's going pretty good. Day 1 was hell with all the cravings and headaches but I got through it. Day 2 was great and found I had a lot of energy. Actually I've had so much energy everyday which is fantastic. I'm waking up earlier without my alarm clock and do not feel groggy at all. Day 3 was good but got my headache back but went away once I drank more water. Day 4 was another good day. Had a little bit of cravings but I chugged an LA and it's all gone. Day 5 was good but a little tough in the evening. Friends usually come over for dinner on Saturday nights and I'm the one that cooks. Made them a new recipe I found "Chicken a la King" and it smelled sooooooooo good! The cravings got bad but got through it. What's funny is that I've been making my SO lunch and dinner all week and I actually enjoy it (except for last night's craving). I think just the joy of cooking and smelling it was enough to curve my cravings. You may think I'm crazy but it works for me so far. Haha

Detox systems haven't been to bad. One thing I did notice today is that my face is really dry. I've always had an oily face and now it's dry. Has this happened to anyone? What's really amazing is the debris I expel every morning and haven't had anything solid since before I started MC. Crazy to think that all of this crap (no pun intended) is impacted on the walls of our intestines.

I'm going for 10 days but my SO is thinking of starting on Tuesday so if that happens I may stay on longer. We shall see. :)

Onwards and upwards!

[babsofyours]

Ok so I've done badly this time around. I haven't cheated so I count that as good however the past two nights I didn't drink the tea becuase I was out very late and came in a crashed. Still eliminated due to the SWF just fine but like it says its agitator and rinse cycle and you're better off with both. And today I literally had 0 LAs. I know I know thats really bad. I haven't felt hungry or tired though I have a little heachache now as it is getting close to bed time. I know tomorrow is probably going to suck. My throat is clearing up though and my tongue looked like it was almost clear yesteday. I know I had originally planed 30 days, but I think I may stop tomorrow or I might extend to 15. I will definitely take care to get all the LAs I need though. The weekends are harder because my schedule gets all messed up and I get super lazy. Chalk it all up to experience.

[sweet pea]

Awesome, I am glad for you,SeattleGuy37!!! I am on day one now. My hand was not steady in adding a pinch to my 2 liter mix and I ended up added a chunk up cayenne pepper :mad: HOT!!!

I am going to start working out at the gym at take it easy. Prior to the cleanse I was a "wannabe runner" and I took a week off because I was sick. Im not sure if I should just stick to cardio or add two day of weight lifting. The majority of my weight is do to muscle and I want trim it down.

[Aria]

Hi everyone,
I haven't been here for a while and then felt like I should "report" what happened to my partner and me after all. My partner did great after having some bad detox symptoms on his 3rd and 4th days. He didn't get any other symptoms or pain. He finished his 10day and feels great. So after all, he appreciates that he did this cleans. His only complain was that he was tired with the lemonade taste.

For me, it was hard last week because of my period. I had mild cramps on the first day, but the bigger problem was feeling dizzy and tired. It was not pleasant experience at all. After that, I got okay like before the period, no other bad symptoms and everything is going well now. Actually, today was day 13 and tomorrow is going to be the last day for me. I am turning into juice cleanse for another 7days. Though I want to continue MC and don't feel difficulty at all, I miss other tastes of fruit like my partner. So, good luck everyone with your cleanse and thank you for your communication with me!!

[sweet pea]

I am almost done with day 2 and toady I recieved my black and decker juicer, I am so siked!!! This time I using agave nectar instead of maple syrup. It goes down so much easier. Now if I can just manage the SWF:confused:

[Benni]

Hi All.
I am sooooo trying to get back on the MC, but it is really difficult. I need to come to these Boards more often to get inspiration. Embarrassingly:mad: I have re-gained 20 lbs:eek:

[Doctor Bunsen]

It's Day 22 for me. I am getting really tired of not eating. I'm thinking of stopping soon, but I want to lose a little more weight. I guess I'll go for 25 and see how I feel.

[tthompson]

Hello, I started the MC yesterday and it just got really hard for me after 5 pm. I got very very hungry, and I drank the total 6 glasses of lemonade through the day. I had very strong cravings, and by 9:30 I "attacked" the fridge and had some sausage on a bread with cheese and a chicken noodle soup. I felt so guilty, and this morning I decided to start all over. I need some motivation to keep this going. Please does anyone has some advice?
Thank you

[sweet pea]

Hello, I started the MC yesterday and it just got really hard for me after 5 pm. I got very very hungry, and I drank the total 6 glasses of lemonade through the day. I had very strong cravings, and by 9:30 I "attacked" the fridge and had some sausage on a bread with cheese and a chicken noodle soup. I felt so guilty, and this morning I decided to start all over. I need some motivation to keep this going. Please does anyone has some advice?
Thank you

Day 1 and day 3 are the hardest (it varies with some people). I cheated also on the first day with carbs as well. I had 3 mini corn on the cobs and left over cold pasta salad. Yesterday was day 3 and I cheated with 5 chocolate covered raisins, but day 2 I was ok. Do beat yourself up over it and alsoyou don't have to start over everytime you cheat - just add a day. If you cheat on day 10 then you would have to do the whole 10 days over - that is too much torture. Good luck!!!!

[tthompson]

Day 1 and day 3 are the hardest (it varies with some people). I cheated also on the first day with carbs as well. I had 3 mini corn on the cobs and left over cold pasta salad. Yesterday was day 3 and I cheated with 5 chocolate covered raisins, but day 2 I was ok. Do beat yourself up over it and alsoyou don't have to start over everytime you cheat - just add a day. If you cheat on day 10 then you would have to do the whole 10 days over - that is too much torture. Good luck!!!!

Thank you sweet pea, I feel that I'm not alone. :)
What is the reason why you have decided to do the MC? How is your progress?
:))

[Doctor Bunsen]

If you are eating, you are NOT doing the MC. The whole point of the MC is not eating anything for 10 days except the lemons, maple syrup, salt water, and tea. If you cheat, I recommend starting over again in a few weeks.

[Doctor Bunsen]

Today is Day 24 for me. I think Day 25 will be my last day. I have some social events to attend next weekend and I want to be all transitioned back to solid food by then.

[puahula]

Hi Everyone! I'm brand new, and on day one. So far so good, although I had a really hard time getting all of the SWF down. My husband and I are doing it together, which I think helps.

I'm so glad this board is available!

[Doctor Bunsen]

Good luck with your cleanse!

I am on Day 25 and this will be my last day. I've lost almost 20lbs and looking forward to healthy eating.

[Healthy Nurse]

Hi! This is my very first MC and I am so glad this site exists! I have found so much info here! I was wondering if the people who have done this several times can tell me if I should go over the 10 days for my first time or if I should leave it at 10 and do it again later for more days. Thank you so much!

[Healthy Nurse]

Day 1 and having cravings already! Not hungry but really craving!! All I see around me is food! Otherwise, I feel fine.

[adopt_a_pet]

Hi all! I just joined this site because I am doing my first MC, and I'd like to share my experience and also get any feeback you may have. I am on day 16. The first couple of days were somewhat difficult as my body was adjusting and I had some cravings, (working in a restaurant does not help). But I didn't cheat once, and by day 3/ 4 I was feeling GREAT, tons of enery, wanted to actually get up and get stuff done. I was getting good sleep and waking up at about 8am, (I would normally sleep in till about 10/11). I was also loosing a pound a day, up until about the 13th day. I am at 16 and the weight loss has fluctuated between 12 and 13 lbs in the last 3 days. I was assuming it would level off at one point. Im guessing I will continue to lose weight, but at a lower pace. The last couple of days I have also had some strong food cravings, but I'm not going to give in, I plan on completing the 40 days. I have also been doing the salt water flush in the mornings and the herbal tea before bed, no problems there. Well I guess that's about all I have for now. And like I said, I welcome any questions or advice.
Thanks, Ryan :)

[Doctor Bunsen]

Hi! This is my very first MC and I am so glad this site exists! I have found so much info here! I was wondering if the people who have done this several times can tell me if I should go over the 10 days for my first time or if I should leave it at 10 and do it again later for more days. Thank you so much!
Aim for 10 days. Then make a new goal every five days depending on how you feel.

[mcarlomany]

I'm on day 2 of my first MC and I'm looking at food really hard and I started a headache tonight...otherwise, I'm doing fairly well. I'm going to keep trying to make it to 10 days and I think I'll be able to but I've thought about stopping a couple of times this evening when I see a watermelon or avocado in the kitchen. I think reading everyone else's comments is making it harder to quit. Other than not taking the laxative tea the night prior to starting, I've stuck to the program to the letter. I did sweeten my mint tea with a tablespoon of maple syrup but I didn't see the harm in that. I swam for a half hour this evening and needed the extra energy or that's what I told myself anyway. I'm cutting back my exercise regimin while on the cleanse but plan on taking my Bikram classes and swimming during the day. Do you think that's ok? A little grumpy and my fuse is a bit shorter I can tell when I get irritated but nothing too bad. Thanks for all the great comments, I hope to make it too the finish line.

[mcarlomany]

We must have started the same day. I was just saying that all I see is food at the moment but not as bad as day 1. I'm getting headache this evening but otherwise doing well also. Good luck!

[rachel1213]

This is my first day of my cleanse. My initial goal is 10 days. My last cleanse was 10 days in April. My migraines have been returning as my eating habits got worse, so I am back on a journey to clear my bad eating habits to relieve my migraines. I normally get a terrible migraine the first/second day, but I've had 4 drinks so far today and no sign of a migraine yet. So far so good. To help adjust my system, I stopped drinking alcohol and caffeine a week ago. The only thing I dread is making my family dinner every day. If I'm not eating, I find cooking for others such a chore. 10 days of crappy quick dinners here we come. Good luck to everyone and happy cleansing!

[puahula]

Wow, that is awesome! Congrats to you!

[The Cleanser]

Day 11! Day 11! This has been the best MC I have ever undertaken. I can only imagine day 15-20. Those are the days when I truly feel connected. My wife and I are on it together. We are having opposite cleanses. She is cranky and has stomach aches. I am high as hell. High on life. On the future. On what I know is coming. We are for the entire month of August. That's right, 30 days baby! My ideas are following again. I'm journalizing my experiences. Writing a book. Or atleast it is a note to self. I dedicated this MC to 'Stepping Back Into The Light'(TM). I have been out of it for such a long time that I couldn't feel anymore. I was dirty. A non-shinning individual. That's it for today. And this is not my 1st cleanse. It's our 6th.

[rachel1213]

Day 5 here, I am extremely weak feeling and very tired. I have to go out for a few hours today and am worried. Downing the LM is awful. I'm not one to start my 10 day and not finish it, but it sucks for right now. I just can't stand the LM this time around. And I'm sure that is why I am feeling so weak. 5 more days I keep telling myself. I am already making a list of yummy things I want to eat when I am done. I have a ton of zucchini that need eaten. And I always crave PB which I never eat. Maybe this time when I'm done I'll actually eat a PB sandwich or PB on crackers.

[Healthy Nurse]

Thank you! I'm in day 7 right now and feeling well. I only had one detox day yesterday (day 6) but it was not that bad. I feel like I can go to 14 days without pushing too hard.

[Healthy Nurse]

Does anybody know how to change status once you finish your first MC? Also, I have seen a lot of people in the forum that have all their MC data at the end of their posts, how can I do that? Thanks!

[rachel1213]

Day 7 here. I'm feeling a little better although I just gagged on my last sip of laxative tea. I will never like the taste of that. I'm down 9 lbs and am very happy with that. I'm going to stop at day 10. My husband is in a band and is playing a show on Saturday. My in laws are taking the kids for the weekend so I can actually go to the show. I don't want to have to rush to the bathroom in a bar for an elimination especially since it is a tiny bathroom with only 1 toilet. Since I cleanse 3-4 times a year, I feel confident that 10 days is enough for me. I hope everyone else is hanging in there and feeling great.

[mhevans98]

I am finishing day 2 and can't think about anything but FOOD! My husband ate a grilled steak and a salad for dinner and I about DIED with envy! I took pics of myself (in all of my non-glory) so anytime I consider stopping this cleanse, I look at those photos to push myself to my goal of 10 days. I did this cleanse in Nov of 2009 and got down from 225 to 207. On this current cleanse, I started at 228 and will quit when I reach 199 (a MAJOR milestone for me!). I figure I will do it again either before Thanksgiving this year or sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas because I want to do it every 3-4 months. However, on future cleanses, I only plan to do it/them for 5-7 days max and just be extremely mindful of my diet during my non-cleansing times. I wish everyone well with their cleanses!

[rachel1213]

mhevans98 - I know just how you feel. I can't stand watching my kids and husband eating dinner. Tonight was my hardest night yet. I talked about quitting, making today my last day and my 9 year old daughter gave me a pep talk while shoving her face full of a quesadilla after dipping it in sour cream and salsa. She said that our family does have quitters. Then she said - ok, we have quitters, but I'll be disappointed in you if you don't go the whole 10 days. Jeez, lessons from a kid while eating is hard to swallow. We CAN do this. Smell your husbands steak salad and get pleasure from watching him eat it. It might make him uncomfortable, but we don't care.

[hellokitty]

Hello Everyone!
This is my second time on this forum. I did the MC in 2008 for 53 days. Looking back, I don't know how I made it that long. Today is my 10th day. I did not think I would make it. I was really hungry in the beginning. Not so much now. Just bored with the lemonade. I am looking forward to a piece of salmon, salad, and a nice cold Perrier Pink Grapefruit! I am going to go past ten days. I have a question.....(clearing my throat) my poo is still somewhat brown and thick during my first couple of LM in the A.M. Not super thick but thicker than the yellow that comes later. It gets more yellow as the day goes on. That's mainly the reason I am going further. I think it should be more yellow right? I can't remember the gory details of my first cleanse. What do you guys think?????

[Lionessheart]

I'm on Day 4. I've had awful aches in my middle back. It feels like when I had a severe kidney infection a couple years ago. It hurts pretty bad! I don't know if this is normal or what is going on. I'm going to keep going on the cleanse though maybe tomorrow will be better. It has been going on for 2 days now. Has this happened to anyone else? I've been looking but can't find anything.

[VI0000]

I'm on day 5 of my first cleanse. I feel bloated! I'm not losing any weight or inches. Anybody else have that experience? I am drinking the SWF and the LM 6 a day - but I feel full, maybe that's not enough? I'm using the Smooth Move and it works, but seems to make it hard to go to sleep. Today is the first day that I feel hungry!

[Valerie]

I am on day 10 and want to keep going. My tongue is not clear, my sty in my eye is not completely gone, my ezcema itch on my scalp is not gone and I want to see all cellulite dissapear. I'm going to day 15 then for sure need to stop weather I see this all clear up or not. But I am hoping!! I am not drinking that much water during the day, not too thirsty.
If I urgently go to the bathroom in the middle of drinking the SWF, should I keep drinking it to finish it afterwards?
I was depressed the first 6 days. I think I discovered how emotionally dependant on food I've been, and I've been under a ton of stress. Days 7,8,9, and 10 have been a piece of cake except the SWF is still a little hard. Now my eliminations are showing up an hour later instead of as I finish the Salt Water.
Thanks for reading! 5 more days! Please cheer me on!

[Valerie]

I have two children I am feeding, what has helped me is I watched quite a few documentaries about food. Food Beware, the one promoted on the site (sick, fat and dying I think) Ingredients and Food Matters. When I get off this cleanse, day 10 today, going till day 15, I look forward to eating raw vegan food mostly. I picked up some kid friendly vegetable and cooking books to read with my kids and they are eating differently as well. Good luck!

[Valerie]

Has your period come? I am wondering if that's it.

[Valerie]

[OK, this isn't working, I've tried to reply to two people and my replies are just posted here on the forum. sorry! I don't know what I am doing wrong.

[jensyln]

Is there anything posted anywhere about thyroid problems and the MC? I have hypothyroidism and am just wondering if any other lemonheads out there do and how the MC affects it?

Thanks!!!

Day 4 today!

[jim54]

hey guys im on day 6 and am almost out of the grade B organic maple syrup. I found some other grade B maple syrup in my fridge that my wife had bought from trader joes but it does not say "organic" on the label. my question...does the grade b maple syrup have to be organic.? that stuff is expensive and i dont wanna go buy a whole new bottle for just 3 more days of cleansing.

[VI0000]

Hi Jim54 - I used the grade B pure from Trader Joe's.

[Barks]

Hi all. I've spent the last 29 years eating fast food and yo yo dieting. A friend of mine recently did a cleanse (not the Master Cleanse) and got me interested. After doing some research online, I decided on TMC.

I'm on my 7th day and I feel amazing. I am planning to go at least 10 days. The fact that I am still eliminating solid waste makes me think I should keep going until I stop. Is that reasonable or not? I have had some typical detox symptoms but no healing crisis so far. In fact, I tore my ACL just over 2 weeks ago. I was worried about avoid pain meds on the cleanse, but so far so good.

Anyways, I wanted to say hi. This forum has gotten me through a couple rough evenings already. Good luck to everyone who has chosen this path. I believe I am experiencing mental, spiritual, and physical growth throughout this experience. I was telling a good friend.... Day 1 was the first day in at least 10 years that I didn't have pot, alcohol, or food as a method of relaxing. It's almost as if I forgot what I was capable of without any crutch. I don't expect 10 days to erase 10 years, but a new perception and a paradigm shift can go a long way.

Cheers.

[angel_eyez816]

Wow what happened to the board?? This use to be a hangot spot where there were dozens of posts daily... This seems odd.

[crizl]

Hi everybody! First time on the forum and the first time on the MC.
I'm currently in my 5th day. I never had any headaches or such until now, nothing bothering at all.
I was 72kg (I'm 1.60cm) when I started and today I am at 70kg. For what I read, people tend to loose a lot more!
I am kinda sad about this, although I'm in the MC to become vegetarian after I finish. But isn't loosing weight a side-effect of detox? In that case I only lost my water weight! I am doing every thing by the book and have a lot of eliminations!

Any hints?

Good luck for all!

[Bridge]

Hi there Newbie :)
Don't sweat the weight loss thing. It'll happen. Just make sure you are doing everything to the T. You can also do a detox bath, that is, using Epsom salt and baking soda for a warm bath. You will have to check the portion as I am not sure of what I remember. In this you would soak for 20 mins or more. The idea is to sweat. Lots of eliminations, good for you.
Great job!

[FaithD]

Hi Crizl,
Try looking at the fattest parts of your body. If you watch them, within a few short days you will likely get a sense that the fat is smoothing out under you skin. I don't know how it does it, but I think the cleanse actually melts fat starting by the third day. The initial weight drop that most people experience day one and two is often water which is nice for the scale but it may not really be helping out the body fat as much. Try really hard to set a goal of a certain number of days, don't get on the scale, and see what happens with your body. You might also get some string and put it around your tummy and cut it. Put another around you butt, thigh, bust, and upper arms and cut each piece. After a few days see what happens. There are more ways than the scale to measure progress.

Barks: Well done on the super cleanse. Inspirational!

Here is my question:
I've done this cleanse a few times before and one of the hardest things for me is how to handle my life around people / food while I'm on it. If I could just be a hermit it would be so much easier. It seems ironic that often as soon as I start, people who have no idea I'm cleansing will bring me a plate of food to thank me for one thing or another. Or - there is a celebration at a restaurant or sit down family dinner for a birthday or other important occassion where it is totally obvious if one person isn't eating. If I'm handed food, I think the thing to do is to throw it away as soon as I am out of view (which is still a temptation the moment it's in my hand and I smell it) Any thoughts for strategies around either one of these?

There are some people I can come right out and tell who have come to accept that this works for me but the others that perhaps mean well but go into their own long winded explanation about blah, blah, blah... I just don't want to hear it so I don't necessarily want to tell everyone.

What has worked for you?

[Bridge]

Hi FaithD

Please remind me about the type of water to drink during the fast. I am planning to use reverse osmosis water.

[DBell]

Today is Day 3 for me. I have to admit that the first two days were a breeze, but today, I ran into a few detox symptoms. I have been making my lemonade drinks every two hours since Day 1, but today I started getting a slight headache and started feeling a little weak around 1pm, so I immediately made another drink, and changed my duration to every hour and a half. It's 7:30pm now, and I feel so much better! I've done this cleanse before for the full 10 days (plus 3 days of orange juice & broth to break the fast), and I know that some days will be more difficult than others, but like Peter says in the book, you have to well aware of the detox symptoms, and stick with it.

Good luck, everyone! I'll continue to post as I go along. I plan on doing at least 21 days this time around.

[cindywilcox]

I'm going to start the cleanse tomorrow. This will be my second time cleansing. I did it a couple of years ago but really overdid it - see my post on hair loss. This time I'm just going to do it for about 10 to 14 days. Cheers everyone!

[FaithD]

Hi Bridge
The book says filtered or spring water. I would think that reverse osmosis would count as filtered.

Day 2:
I went to a farmer's market yesterday with a new friend and she ate and i didn't! It wasn't awkward at all! I told her I am on a really strict eating plan because I am planning on getting married in a few months and I HAVE to stick with it or I'm never going to fit into my dress. (Which is true) She didn't ask me any questions, she didn't make any comments. She just ate and I didn't. Telling her some truth without getting into details worked.
I still need to keep practicing my strategy around people offering me food but I succeeded at least once so far.
Nights are also the toughest time for me. The days are almost easy... it's dinner time and before bed that I just want to get a bite of something. I'm trying to keep myself busy and away from home at night and then go straight to bed.

[FaithD]

Thanks for the informative information on Hair Loss Cindy. That is really good to know... (I am amazed that you did 50 days on your first cleanse.) I know the Burroughs book says a multi-vitamin isn't necessary but I can't see any reason why taking one would necessarily hurt. Does anyone know any reason NOT to? I think this time around I am going to go ahead and take one and see if there is any difference for me. I don't eat meat and I know it's really hard to get enough vitamin B so I should get in the habit anyway. Thanks for your post.

[FaithD]

Day 3 for me. Looks like no one is talking much. Where are you guys?

I am happy to be at Day 3. It feels like a turning point. Before day 3 is like warming up and day 3 is sometimes tough, but once it's past, the changes seem much more evident. I like day 5 too for the same reason. Well, heck, all the days show improvement once I finally get into the groove of them.

I would like to go for 21 days. The longest I've ever gone is 14. Isn't there someone here who is also going 21? And this time around I want to follow Peter's example and mark my calendar to do a 10 day cleanse every 90 days. A lot of people have asked about gaining weight back after cleansing and I have gained weight back but it wasn't overnight, it took a while, and it wasn't the faullt of the cleanse it was the fault of my own eating getting away from me.

In fact, I used the lemonade to lose about 40 pounds and after readjusting up 10, I kept myself at that weight for close to a year. Then I gained ten...and held out for another year or so... then, all of the sudden this year I gained twenty just like that. Ugh! I would imagine that doing a cleanse every, I guess 80 days to account for the 10 cleansing, would help keep both eating and any extra pounds in check. So I am going to mark my calendar in advance for the whole year and make a promise to myself that I am going to just do it. It's not that hard and it is sure easier than needing to take off a whole bunch at once.

So, I hope everyone is doing well...

I'm off to Costco today to get 18 more days worth of maple syrup which is 6 32 oz jugs. They have pure organic grade A and I know grade B is preferred but as far as I know grade A is acceptable and it is much more affordable at Costco than other places I've found it.

[DBell]

So today is Day 5. I feel alive and energized! I'm down 7 lbs, and everything is going well. I had to slow down on the laxative tea because the cramping is very uncomfortable. I did what Peter suggested, and cut the amount in half and then diluted it. I still get the cramps, but not as bad. I skipped the tea yesterday morning (I don't do the salt water flush) and noticed that I didn't eliminate the way I should have during the day. So I'm back to having the tea morning and night, but again...very diluted. I feel great today. No problems so far. I'll keep posting to let everyone know how it's going.

[katlady]

Hi everyone, I'm back. It's late in the day on day 1 so it seems like I'll make the start this time.

I bought a fancy juicer, but I found that when I put whole lemons in, the flavor is so strong I couldn't stand it. Like overdone air freshener. So I had to start over and peel the lemons first so I wasn't getting the zest. That worked but it took a whole lot longer than my old (and much cheaper) 1/2 a lemon at a time juicer.

[flyingfree]

Greetings all!
Just finishing up on day 2...looking forward to the ease and added energy I usually feel after day 3. Knowing that you are not in it alone has helped me in prior cleanses so I hope to check in, as usual, for the duration. (10-12 days this time around.) During the time I cleanse, I usually become a hermit... but, for me, I look forward to this inward time. I seem to write, think, and dream my most inspirational things....:)
Thanks for still being here and good luck and happy cleansing everyone.
Cheers!

[crizl]

Hi there!

I'm on my 10th and final day of the Master Cleanse! I keep it short for 10 days because I am really tired of the taste of lemonade! I woke up today to 66kg (I was 72 kg when started)! Yey!
I don't see much change in my body in terms of fat allocation, except on my face. But now I can wear my jeans without killing myself in the process!! I feel smarter! I'm studying for 2 math exams and I understand everything with just one read and exercise, which is awsome and unprecedented! I feel with improved mood. I usualy have anger issues, specially in that time of the month that hormones go wild, but now, I'm pretty relax!
It was an awsome experience and I plan to repeat it every summer!
Thanks for all of your help and good luck to whom is starting!

[katlady]

Good morning all, day 2.

I tried the fancy juicer again this time juicing them whole and then running it through a strainer. I think the taste is a little better but still almost unbearable. Guess I'll have to go back to the old juicer.

[katlady]

Day 3 for me. Looks like no one is talking much. Where are you guys?

I would like to go for 21 days. The longest I've ever gone is 14. Isn't there someone here who is also going 21? And this time around I want to follow Peter's example and mark my calendar to do a 10 day cleanse every 90 days. A lot of people have asked about gaining weight back after cleansing and I have gained weight back but it wasn't overnight, it took a while, and it wasn't the faullt of the cleanse it was the fault of my own eating getting away from me.

In fact, I used the lemonade to lose about 40 pounds and after readjusting up 10, I kept myself at that weight for close to a year. Then I gained ten...and held out for another year or so... then, all of the sudden this year I gained twenty just like that. Ugh! I would imagine that doing a cleanse every, I guess 80 days to account for the 10 cleansing, would help keep both eating and any extra pounds in check.


Hey Faith - I'm going to try for 21 also and I'm only a couple of days behind you. The longest I've ever done was 24 days, but it's really hard to last that long - just because you get sick of it, and for social reasons.

I too have managed to gain weight back. Not right away, slowly, but after all this time I'm back to the weight I was when I started doing MC. Time to get that off and feel good again.

Good luck to you!

[FaithD]

Hi everybody,
Day 4. I'm feeling slightly slimmer and that feels great. I've been exercising lightly every day without any trouble. Katlady, I'm glad you're aiming at 21 days, too. I looked at my BMI index and I need to lose 30 pounds to no longer be 'overweight' I don't know if I'll hit that by day 21 but 30 pounds feels doable so I want to get as close as I can.

While I was at costco, I bought one of these stainless steele water bottle paks. They come in pretty colors and I can prepare enough lemonade for 3/4 day and it's portable.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

[Bridge]

Day 1 and I am having a bit of difficulty adjusting. I am already thinking about preparing dinner for my family. But this does not mean that I will eat as I can remember my previous times on the cleanse, I took pleasure in preparing the food because that was the closest I could get to it LOL

Compared to what I normally drink when I am on the cleanse, I can say that I haven't had much since morning but we'll see...this is my third time.

To the rest of you, hang in there :)

[katlady]

Mid day 2 and I'm already getting needy! That little voice keeps telling me all the reasons why I can't do this right now. People here on travel from work will want to go out to lunch tomorrow....I'm taking my kid to see Les Miz wednesday night and wouldn't it be great to have dinner together first....

Oh I can't wait till I'm in the groove again.

Faith - I need to lose about 35 pounds to be at my "ideal for my age" weight, so we're about in the same boat. I'm no longer trying to get anywhere close to what I was in high school - you know, back when I thought I was soooo fat. Not sure I can do 35 pounds in one MC but I sure can break some bad habits and get a good start on it. How are you measuring BMI? Not sure I want to know what mine is....

[FaithD]

I just went to one of the online calculators and put in my height and weight. Also, I made an excel spreadsheet with 21 days marked down on it. I record my weight and then I set it so it keeps a running total of my weight lost and also my new body fat %. If anyone wants to know how to do the bmi from height and weight numbers, let me know and I'll give you the equation. Otherwise, if you want it just once, the online calculators and quick and easy.

Hang in there Katlady and Bridge. It gets easier and you WILL FEEL GREAT for staying strong. The way we do anything is the way we do everything so show yourself how bad ass you are. :-)

One thing I've done this time that is helping is I make 3 drinks worth in a quart bottle - like a big water bottle. I make myself drink one before 9 am, noon, 3, and 6. If I'm a little weak I drink ANOTHER one before 9 pm. That is a whopping 15 servings if I have that many but it is keeping me from forgetting to drink it and it's keeping me on track. I'm still losing weight at the normal rate - 4 pounds in the first 3 days so far. Anyway, aiming for drinking a large amount every quarter of the day is helping and making this seem much more simple.

[katlady]

Aw man, I knew I didn't want to see that! It came up 30.2 which according to the website 30 or more is considered obese. Then I typed in what I considered my "ideal weight goal for my age" and I still came up in the just barely in the overweight range. So I'll have to lose one more pound....

I do the same thing with 1000ml camelback bottles - fits 3 servings. But I'm having trouble finishing the minimum today because the lemon is so strong with the zest juiced in - tastes like battery acid and actually burns a little going down. Got to go back to my old method tomorrow - and I'm so glad my brain is thinking there is going to be a tomorrow cause it's still on the hairy edge of convincing me to just quit. Gee that whole BMI thing may be a bit of incentive...

[FaithD]

If it makes you feel any better, mine was something like 29.999. I'm right there with ya...

[FaithD]

Day 5! I lost another 1.5 pounds for 5.3 total so far. There is a hill behind my house and I've been doing my best to walk up it every day which takes me about 50 minutes round trip and makes me break a sweat without jogging. I'm going to load up my bottles again for the day and keep going. My bmi is now 29.1% so I've lost almost a whole percentage. Considering I only need to get under 25% to no longer be 'overweight' that is only 4 points away and it's helpful to have a way of calculating progress other than the scale. Hopefully tomorrow, I'll be in the 28% range.

How is everyone else doing?

[hak3]

Day 18. Not a ton of activity because I've done this several times in the past, the longest being 24 days, but I'm going for 40. Did a castor oil pack last night to assist with the liver and anger hormones and noticed a stronger odor today than in the past, and definitely felt the release of some anger. Do notice a little burning in my chest sometimes, not sure if it has to do with the quality of the lemons or not.

Have only lost 12 pounds so far, but am hoping it will start to accelerate when the deeper toxins are released.

Do have a little guilt about not really tuning into the spiritual aspect of the purpose of the cleanse. Keep making excuses for not doing meditations.

Other than the usual hunger when it's time to drink more lemonade, I have had very few negative symptoms this time around.

[katlady]

Day 3 and I'm feeling better than yesterday, though still feeling a little sorry for myself. I have to feed the kids tonight since my husband will be out, sigh.

I am down 4 pounds already - and a BMI of 29.8! Just below the "obese" level. Headed in the right direction for sure.

[FaithD]

Yay Katlady! Sorry for yourself? For losing FOUR pounds in two days and no longer being obese?! :-) Good job! How old are your kids? Can they feed themselves with a little assitance? I tried to make my boyfriend dinner last night because he doesn't want to eat in front of me and he hadn't eaten all day... but I do have to admit that it helps me a lot that there are not aromas wafting through the air of that yummy smelling food. He refused my attempts at cooking and had a bowl of frozen blueberries which, ideally, have no scent.

Hak, wow... you're on day 18... that is incredible. The longest I have ever done was 14 and I am going for 21 this time. I can't imagine doing 40 although I would really like to. Thanks for sharing with us. The board is a little shy of people at the moment. Katlady and I are both going for 21 and there were some others here doing 10 but we haven't heard anything from them in a little while.

Loading the bottles ahead of time and taking the lemonade with me is still really helping me. It turns out my new Costco bottles are only 27 oz each so that is about two servings. (The book says 2 oz mix with 10 oz water) So, I thought I was over drinking it but turns out, I'm not. I did a whole bunch of figuring the other day and according to my calculations (which could be wrong) each serving of lemonade only has 105 calories per glass, so if we're having the recommended 6 to 12 glasses per day, that is only 630-1260 calories. No wonder it tends to clean us out so well. I love feeling lighter.

[katlady]

I know - 4 pounds should be plenty of incentive. That and that my "fat jeans" are already feeling looser. I'm just headachy today.

Kids are pretty independant, 17, 15, 13, 10. The older two were busy anyway and fended for themselves so I just made easy kid food for the younger two.

The lemonade is much better today using my old fashioned juicer. But I feel like my throat is burned from the last two days, so it feels like acid reflux when I'm drinking it now. So far I've only had the minimum and I know I'd feel better if I drank more, but I just can't stand it. I guess I'll make more and try anyway - might help with the headache.

If I'm lucky and we get through homework time reasonably well, I'll just go to bed early. Mornings are always better.

Hak - glad to see you on the board too. It's sad when you are feeling needy and there are no posts!

[FaithD]

Day 6. I walked up the hill again today and it felt enjoyable. My pants are definitely looser - thank goodness because i almost couldn't wear them anymore. I still have a long way to go. Am feeling comfortable and am not having any trouble. Keeping the lemonade with me at all times is the key to my success for sure. Sometimes I actually forget that I'm cleansing because I'm not hungry. It's sort of odd and I've really got my head around this idea of 21 days so I need to just plod along and let the days come to me and pass. They will. I'm feeling much less pressure this time around on the cleanse. I'm just drinking the lemonade and keeping on going.

How are you doing Katlady?
How are you doing Hak?

[katlady]

Ah - In spite of now having lost 6 pounds in 4 days, yay! I keep having evil thoughts about quitting...

My throat is really raw and it's hard to drink the lemonade. I've had heartburn and reflux before but this feels like reflux on the way down!

And I'm taking my 17yr old to see Les Miz tonight and it would be nice if we could have dinner together, and the show would be more fun since evenings are my headachy cranky times on this.

My brother also just decided to move, and is packing up to move out on friday. He and I really enjoy cooking together and I keep thinking maybe I should go off MC so I can have a nice evening with him tomorrow night before he leaves.

So I haven't done anything about it yet.... the first 4 days are the worst and I hate to get this far and then give up.

[FaithD]

6 pounds? That's amazing. I think it's 3 days, isn't it because isn't today your day 4? I don't know what to think about the acid reflux... that sounds really uncomfortable.
Let's look at this before you decide to quit. You've lost 6 pounds in I think 3 days so if that is right, that is 2 pounds per day. So, if you ended up only losing half as much for the rest of the 21 days, you would lose something like 23 pounds. Is having dinner with your son and cooking with that other person worth 23 pounds?

For me, I feel like I am starving all of the sudden. I don't know why but I am HUNGRY... I took a nap and that helped some but I feel like today is a big testing moment. I don't want to quit but i really want to eat. I want to keep going, I just want to have a big fat meal right in the middle which I know is a no no.

[flyingfree]

"Did a castor oil pack last night to assist with the liver and anger hormones and noticed a stronger odor today than in the past, and definitely felt the release of some anger. Do notice a little burning in my chest sometimes, not sure if it has to do with the quality of the lemons or not."

Dear hak3,
I was wondering if you could direct me to a good resource that would explain how to do a castor pack with the liver. I know that I got an angry liver and I would like to release some of it as well. Thanks!
P.S. Beginning day 6...my co-workers told me yesterday that they like when I am fasting...I guess I get a little sillier at work and sing out loud more often. Ah, the benefits of cleasing continue to manifest themselves. Happy Cleasing everyone and keep just keep singing.:rolleyes:

[Bridge]

Hi guys,

I haven't been here because I didn't well. I came here looking for inspiration and I am rejoicing at your weightlosses (FaithD & Katlady). I would have been on my fourth day too if I hadn't slip up. But good thing is there's today :) I really need to do this. So today is Day 1.

[Bridge]

I just reached for my lemonade to have a drink and discovered that some of it leaked out....I will have to sip this until I get home "sigh"

[lemony_snickett]

Today is day 2 for me. I am doing the MC technically for the 3rd time, but I think of it only as the 2nd time because the first time I tried, I was only able to go 4 days. Last April I did a full 10 days and now I plan to go 10 days again.

I feel more confident that I can do it this time since I made it 10 days before... but it still seems like a very long time. I am ready for the benefits, though! I lost 10 pounds last time I did the cleanse and kept it off for about 6 months, until the holidays rolled around and I got a new job where treats are continually cycling though the office.

I have a wheat sensitivity, but last winter I was eating a ton of wheat and it wasn't good for me at all. In February, I went wheat-free and haven't looked back. It feels really good, but I also have some lingering weight that is hard to lose and I also had some health issues this summer after a minor back injury. I was taking Aleve every day to deal with aches and pains and after about 3 weeks, I got gastritis - which is the most painful thing! like the beginning of an ulcer. I healed over a few months naturally, but I also was eating more grains and dairy that usually because sometimes that was all I could handle for my digestive system.

As the season is changing and I have a chance to cleanse - I just decided to go for it! I want to look and feel radiant from the inside out... so bring on the lemonade! :o

I did my first SWF this morning - I thought I was planning ahead enough, but didn't quite make it on time to work. Luckily I have a flexible schedule, but I hope that I can get it all over with tomorrow to be on time! I am happy there is a 3 day weekend so I can relax for part of the cleanse.

Good luck and happy cleansing to all! :D

[Christene]

Hi back (been really ill from toxic black mold)..........day 9 of a 30-40 day MC.
Great changes to the website so I am still trying to work my around here.
A couple of familiar names here I see ...yeah!!!

[megandoesthemc]

Hi everyone!

My name is Megan and I'm new to the board. This is my third MC (the first in 2007 was 10 days, the second in 2009 was 14 days and now, my third I'm going for all 30 days of September!)

Today is my day 1, and not much has happened yet. I opt to do two teas as opposed to the SWF (I just can't do it) so, other than being cold - it's been pretty uneventful.

Best of luck to everyone cleansing! I'm looking forward to checking in often for support!

M

[Bridge]

Hi Christene,
I remember you when I did my first MC in July 2009. This is my third MC and I am not doing too good in terms of thinking of food. But you being here have given me hope :)

@Megan I started today too...so let's see if you can do this thing together. I cannot do the SWF in the morning either because of work...I don't have that much time, so I do the laxative both times.

Well here we go again...bottles up!

[Christene]

Way to go Bridge! great to have you and Megan in here...we will make and awesome team...'The Three Musketeers' (or 'Three Miz Lemonade Heads')..............cheers dears, bottoms up, or down down, keep chuggin them down. You will cheer me on also, thats what teamwork is all about (its taken me so many false starts this time to get into it.....had to slowly detox off coffee and sugary carbs after my bout with Sad Syndrome and then my body went nuts with the toxic black mold infection).

[Christene]

Just lost my whole post with some text on info error line..............what?

[Bridge]

Yes, Christene I wanted to post from yesterday but kept getting an error. Don't know if this will go through, but I hope its being reported.

[Bridge]

Ok that post went through so I'll continue.
Thanks Christene for the encouragements...I look forward to journey with you and Megan to a healthier and slimmer us :) BTW I have started the cleanse at 201lbs. My BMI is 31 and that's not good. My ideal weight should be 159lbs or 160lbs so I would need to lose 40lbs.
Thank God I completed yesterday and am one to Day 2. I didn't know you are seasoned in this thing could have false starts :) That makes me feel good in the sense that I thought I reeeally failed and was probably the only one who did that. Yeah I am not alone...I tried on Mon, then on Tues :( But I am seriously on track now.
Megan where are you? We are not leaving you out...You need to post.
Whenever I think of food, I remind myself that its not going anywhere, it'll be all here when I am done cleansing. I use that along with the fact that I wasted 3 days because I wanted to indulge :) Such is life. Another reason why it was easier for me to start yesterday was because it was September 1...psychologically something has to be new for me to do these things lol
mmmmm sigh laxative cramps....I think this is only thing I hate about the cleanse.
Well guys drink up and stay hydrated too. Later :)

[megandoesthemc]

Good evening all -

It's just my luck that I finally join the board - only to have it have technical difficulties for the last 10 days! Hopefully that's it for now.

Day 12 - Wow. Today was by far the hardest. I kept wanting to just taste SOMETHING. I'm enjoying an iced mint tea which I'm pretending is a treat.

A big shout-out to Bridge and Christene! I don't know if you decided to go past 10 - I hope everything went well! I'm weighing myself every 5 days - and as of day 10 I was 13 pounds down. I'm toying with going 40 days - we'll see.

Best of luck everyone!
Megan

[Christene]

Good evening all -

It's just my luck that I finally join the board - only to have it have technical difficulties for the last 10 days! Hopefully that's it for now.

Day 12 - Wow. Today was by far the hardest. I kept wanting to just taste SOMETHING. I'm enjoying an iced mint tea which I'm pretending is a treat.

A big shout-out to Bridge and Christene! I don't know if you decided to go past 10 - I hope everything went well! I'm weighing myself every 5 days - and as of day 10 I was 13 pounds down. I'm toying with going 40 days - we'll see.

Best of luck everyone!
Megan

Great to see you again Megan........its been so difficult to get on here lately because of tech difficulties. If you really want to taste or just to chew something try the lemon pulp its good for you and it solves the jaw excercise as well (I am sure it utilizes at least 1 calorie....lol). Hope Bridge is on here somewhere's too. I am on day 21 and 20lbs down already. Mouth tastes like a sewer (I have had to gargle with neat hydrogen peroxide 3% for a few seconds before I rinse out with water......this MC is the hardest one for me to get down the SWF in the morning its a real effort.......sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh!

[Ursa]

I'm so happy to see the board up and running! I am on day 5 of cleanse #8, or rather I am at the end of day 5. I am having a fairly easy go of it so far. I even went skydiving yesterday for the first time. I'm on my way to bed now as I've been running around with work and my daughter all day.

See you all in the morning!

[Ursa]

I got very little sleep last night thanks to a series of random interruptions from friends, family, and even pets. As I was about to finally fall back to sleep, my lax tea decided to join in the fun of keeping me awake. I did finally fall asleep for a couple hours around 5 and am now waiting out the swf.

My tongue wasn't too coated this morning which makes me feel really good about starting day 6, starting the second, or back, half of this cleanse.

Christene, it's great to see you here again! I was just about to comment that my mouth has been worse this cleanse than I remember it being in my last few cleanses. I did the peroxide thing a couple times too.

Megan, sounds like you are having fantastic results as you progress through your cleanse. I'm sorry the board issues have prevented us from sharing the last several days but look forward to hearing your story in the days to come.

[Bridge]

Whew!!!!
I am sure glad to see everyone. It has been a lonely walk these couple of days without the board. I am glad to report that I am still on track. Megan, I am proud of you as a newbie and without the support these last couple of days...you have done well. I am also at day 13. Altogether, including my 3 days of false starts (lemonade and 1 meal), I have lost 14 lbs. Feeling much more comfortable in my clothes. Christene good to see you, I am right here with you guys.
But guys I must say I have been drinking a lot less than what is required...I find that I just cannot drink a lot...my tummy is feeling very full after a couple of gulps...full to the point that I feel nauseated. I take an almost 3 cups bottle and some is left when I am leaving work at 4:30pm. I am also getting weary of the lemonade taste and I am not interested in food its just getting boring probably. We have lots of sugar cane here in Jamaica and I know that it can be used instead of the maple syrup, so last week I bought the cane itself and chewed it for the juice. I sure hope that was ok because I wouldn't mind doing it again. I don't want to come off the cleanse just yet. I still have another 32 oz bottle to go.
Gosh!!! I have so much to say lolx I have also been feeling very weak. I figure it was because of my period. Not feeling too badly this morning. But my schedule is very busy. I leave for work at 6:30 a.m., return home by 6:00pm then out again for either church or a rehearsal. I belong to a singing group and we have a performance coming up Oct. 1 and we will be rehearsing every evening as of Sunday. Now its almost everyday. These rehearsals are not vocals only but choreographed movements and dance. I really have to take it easy but in a sense its rewarding because I am exercising and detoxing lolx
lolx one more thing. I am really enjoying the whole cooking thing...I am trying chinese and all kinds of stuff...and it hasn't affected me...I just really like being around food lolx....ok I'm done lolx

[TiggerBaby]

Today is Day 1 :)

[megandoesthemc]

Day 13! Feeling great today.

Bridge and Christene - wonderful to hear from you - thank you for the support! You both are such an inspiration!

I too am struggling with drinking enough lemonade (something I've never dealt with before.) I maybe drink 4 10oz of the mixture a day. I'm not sure why, but I'm not hungry or light-headed and my detox symptoms are petty in-line with my past experiences. I'm about 5'2" - so perhaps I just don't need the calories?

The best way I've coped is to keep busy. I recently graduated with my master's degree, so I work a full-time day job and babysit in the evening to help get ahead on my student loan. I rush around all day and then fall into bed - so - I don't have a ton of time to be bored!

Good luck everyone!
Megan

[megandoesthemc]

Ursa - thank you too for the kind words! Good luck with Day 6!

[Christene]

Bridge, Wow you actually live in Jamaica how lucky are you? I dream of visiting there one day (and I am in the middle of writing a film script set on and around the island as well)...now tell me what part are you located at). You do realise that you should be drinking half your body weight in water as well as the min of 6 glasses of lemonade a day to help the detox. If you dont have enough fluids you may feel nauseated or faint. Drinking water between lemonades will help you. What is the 32oz bottle you speak of is it maple syrup? Do you have lots of limes on Jamaica, if so you could change up the lemons for limes for a different taste. Fresh sugar cane juice is okay if you swap that for the maple syrup for a change (just dont snack on the cane itself as that isnt in the real MC hon........good luck!)

[Bridge]

Hi Christene, yep I actually live in beautiful island of Jamaica...surrounded by white sand beaches...I am living in Portmore, about 22km or 30 mins from the capital Kingston. I am close to the famous Hellshire Beach, where a lot of fried fish and festival is sold and people socialize there for that reason...it's very nice...Let me know when you're coming lol
I definitely know I should be drinking more of both but my throat is not relaxing when I am drinking either of them (water/MS). Its as if my swallowing muscles are stuck in an awkward position...no joke....so its difficult for anything to pass. I think it is the reason I am feeling weak too. We have lots of limes here and I have some big ones...maybe they are lemons...I don't know but I am beginning to dislike the sour taste...sooo that wouldn't help ;-) Now the cane..I can't juice it so yes I eat the actual cane :( .... the my mouth is doing the extracting lolx My tongue doesn't feel as fuzzy....well...sometimes lolx

[TiggerBaby]

I have a quick question, hopefully someone is on right now... I woke up with a major migraine, which usually makes me throw up... Well, I drank all my SWF and yep.... threw it all up.... does anyone know what I should do now??? Drink another SWF or try the tea??? Thanks!

[Ursa]

Tiggerbaby, I'm so sorry about your migraine. What did you decide? I would probably try the tea if the saltwater was too much this morning.

[Bridge]

I can't manage the SWF in the mornings, especially during my work week so I do the tea both night and morning. I try to do the SWF on weekends. Hope you are feeling better by now.

[Ursa]

It's day 7 and my cleanse is going well. I just had my heart horribly broken yesterday so I barely slept last night. I so much wanted to run out and eat comfort foods and drink with friends but I stuck to my cleanse. I can't let the person who broke my heart take other things away from me too.

My tongue was still a bit coated this morning but I'm happy to notice it less and less so each day. I am nearly done with the swf and possibly it already has finished passing through. I'll know soon I suppose. :rolleyes: I already had two glasses of water and one lemonade.

I feel very sad right now so please forgive me and accept my "hello, everyone," and overall wishes that everyone has a good cleansing day.

[TiggerBaby]

Thanks, My migraine is still really bad and feeling very sick still, so I think I'm gonna give up on the SWF and just try to drink the tea again... At least it's less to try and hold down... I've never reacted like this! I must be super toxic this time around!

[Bridge]

Ursa, sorry that you are feeling sad and happy that you are sticking to your cleanse. I know it must be hard on you right now...but hopefully you will find some comfort here. My tongue is not as coated too :) You know what I find with drinking SWF is that I weigh more...I don't think all of it comes out lolx I think maybe I am retaining it, what do you think?

It's Day 14 yeah!!! I was kind of worried about my activity last night being drained and all. But I up the amount of MS in my lemonade, thanks Christene, and that gave me some energy for the night. I feel much better. Had my first BM for since morning and the cramps weren't bad....I just don't like how it makes me feel weakish :(
Running out of limes, will have to get some later. But I still have a 32oz bottle of MS so I can go further....let's see :)

Megan where are you and how are you?

[megandoesthemc]

Day 14! Hard to believe it's been a full two weeks since I started. I'm pretty sure I'm going to break my 30-day goal and go to 40 - but - I think I'm going to wait 'til day 20 to make the official call.

Bridge and Christene: Keep on going! You're both doing great.
Ursa: I'm sorry about yesterday - I too am an emotional / stress-eater - stay strong!
TiggerBaby: Hello! So sorry about the migraines and sickness - I know I still get great benefits from just doing the tea - it may work better for you.

Happy Cleansing Everyone!
Megan

[johnnyxhayes]

Hello everyone!

I've caught up on all of your recent posts, as I wanted to get an idea of who was actively cleansing, and what you guys are going through.

I wanted to introduce myself (again) and say hello. I've begun the cleanse, as of an hour ago. lol I'm read up on posts and stories, writing madly in my journal, and prepping myself mentally and emotionally for the next couple of weeks.

My goal is two weeks this time. In the past, I've completed a 2 week juice fast, and a 10 day master cleanse. The first cleanse was absolutely challenging, as I'm sure it is for everyone, as you're the most toxic (particularly if you've lived the typical American lifestyle). The second cleanse, which I followed strictly, was phenomenal.

This time, I'm using the cleanse to not only purge myself of the toxins and waste that I've accumulated since my last cleanse, but also, to purge myself of a handful of addictions that I've also picked up in that time. Cigarettes, anti-depressants, and anti-anxiety medication.

I no longer feel that the psychiatric medications are necessary for my mental stability and am very eager to rid myself of the addiction to them. The withdrawal symptoms from these types of medications can be intense, but I feel that fasting during them will quicken the pace at which the medications are cleared from my system. The cleanse truly seems to "knock" everything in your body back in its place. It's amazing. (On my last cleanse, I even experienced an 'increased metabolism', contrary to all of the claims that fasting slows your metabolism. It may do so temporarily, but the moment I started eating again, the healthy food I did ingest went right through me, comfortably, and completely.)

So I wanted to say Hello, and happy cleansing to everyone. You'll be seeing me around. :)

[Bridge]

Megan I haven't committed to the number of days, so I'll be here and there with you :)

[ValentineLady]

Hi, Today is day 8 fr me and things have been going well, although I am ready to eat again! Has anyone else had a lot of gas on the MC? I was surprised that on day 2 or 3 I started having a fair amt of gas (belching mostly, but farting too) and it hasn't stopped.On day 6 or 7 I started to feel full and bloated even. Any one else experience this or know what could cause this?

[Al2905]

Day 2,

This is my first time. Yesterday was pretty bad, today is much better. I had headache all day and then in the end I just vomited my tea. I was thinking I am done. But I am glad I didn't give up.
I really want to last at least 10 days.
If I will be skipping drinking salt water, will it effect my cleanse?

[3BayBeauties]

Hello everyone! This is my first post here, and my 3rd attempt as the MC. I did a successful 9 day cleanse about 2 years ago. My experience then was great, I lost 10lbs, found metal clarity, better sleep, more energy, etc.
I found that I was not drinking enough lemonade and by day 3 or 4 was feeling faint. I ended up eating 2 small pieces of raw broccoli a day, and that helped. My husband and I LIVED on the food network channel during. I could smell the food being prepared on tv, and it was sustaining. Someone posted about being with friends at a restaurant and being fulfilled by their food experiences. I understand it completely.

My 2nd cleanse was a complete flop. I did about 4 days then started my cycle. I was in such intense pain, I had to break my fast and take ibuprofen. I have never been in such pain (no, I do not have children).

So, onto my 3rd. I'm aiming for 14 days. My biggest difficulty is the SWF. The irony here is that not only can I not stand the salty water, but the tea is just as difficult for me to stomach. I hate licorice.
It's a real quandry, because I understand the necessity for flushing the system.
I was wondering if it's possible to funnel the SW....like frat boys funnel beer. Any ideas?

I have started a video log of my daily progress reports. I haven't loaded them yet, but I will share my youtube channel when I get them up.

One more edit: I discovered during my 2nd attempt, that limes are much more palatable to my particular taste. I read that they are just as acceptable as lemons. They make all the difference in the world in the amount of juice I drink during the day. (I'm an eater, not a drinker...)

[ValentineLady]

Day 2,

This is my first time. Yesterday was pretty bad, today is much better. I had headache all day and then in the end I just vomited my tea. I was thinking I am done. But I am glad I didn't give up.
I really want to last at least 10 days.
If I will be skipping drinking salt water, will it effect my cleanse?

Keep trying! I use a straw and have found that it got a lot easier after the 3rd day. In addition to using a straw, I keep my mind occupied... watch the birds from my deck, read Facebook, email, etc... before I know it it's pretty much down. I usually throw out the last 2-4 ounces because I'm full and some salt has settled, so it's even saltier at the bottom. But I think it's a really good thing and do as much as you can of it!

I also bought the Chocolate version of Smooth Move--it's not really chocolaty, but I figured it's got to be better than the original. I wish I had bought the peppermint flavor. (Wegman's)

[ValentineLady]

I totally agree! I love the limes.

[Ursa]

I woke up with a pink tongue! I know it might be coated again tomorrow but it is still so nice to see it pink right now.

I'm still waiting for my swf to finish doing it's thing but I did drink it and am actually already having my first lemonade. I may begin mixing things up with limes today. I try to hold off on them until at least day 7 as my ultimate weapon against boredom. For some reason I didn't whip 'em out yesterday though or this morning yet.

Yesterday was a bad day emotionally but the cleansing part was just fine. I was feeling nauseous last night but I'm convinced it was emotionally induced since it coincided with a lot of sobbing. I managed to drink my senna tea and fall asleep though so that was good.

[GoogieGal]

I am on Day 9.....and have been having some problems...
First, a lot of bloating, and now the last two days I have actually "gained weight"!!!
Doing the SWF with celtic salt (I had the corse on hand and using two teaspoons)...maybe it is the salt???? should be a finer type??? Using the proper amount of lemon or lime juice and drinking 8 glasses per day, and have the tea at nite....I have cut back on the M.Syrup to 1 tablespoon as I want to lose ten pounds...but now concerned I might be compromising the benefits of the syrup so went back to the full two tablespoons...that is a lot of syrup for one day---16 tablespoons.....comments would be deeply appreciated...

Regarding the tongue....I have a bit of a white coating on the top of the tongue but the
rest of the tongue is pink...what actually constitutes a really, clean pink tongue??? sorry for this silly question but need to know .... have had a lot of grime on my teeth lately, anyone experiencing this???

To get more juice out of the lemons/limes just let them sit in really hot water, almost a boil, for about 15-20 min. until they get soft....then roll them very firmly on the counter before juicing them, and you will almost double your juice content....try it and see for yourself...

Been a vegetarian/vegan for over 25 years and have done this cleanse before with no big issue....have done many other cleanses every year but truly love this one the best...
Would appreciate any replys and not for sure how to meander around these threads so do hope it reaches someone out there for some answers regarding the bloat, the syrup, the weight gain, the tongue and the celtic salt....thanks a bunch and many blessings to all.....

[megandoesthemc]

Day 15! And, as of today - I've lost 15 pounds! (13 the first 10 days, and 2 the last 5 - I need to increase my lemonade - I think that's why it's slowing down a bit. BUT - a pound FOR EVERY DAY? That's pretty darn good!)

I'm dealing with my cravings by making a list of all the food I want, and then, at the end of my 30 (or - 40!) days, I can go through and edit it down - it makes me feel a little better!

ValentineLady and 3BayBeauties: I too love the limes! But - what I've found is that I mix one lime for every three lemons - so I have a lemon-limeish mixture (it makes it easier to drink!)

Bridge: I like that attitude - going in without a specific date allows you to personalize your experience!

Happy Cleansing,
Megan

[TiggerBaby]

Day 3

Thankfully doing much better today! Wow, yesterday was ROUGH! I woke up with a migraine and feeling a little sick, had a BM (probably from the smooth move tea the night before) and it burnt my tushie like crazy! Ouch!!! Then drank down my SWF, threw it up... So decided to drink the tea, threw it up... had to lay down with my eyes closed all day because my migraine was horrible all day. And every sip I tried to take of either lemonade or water, I would immediately throw it up... It was awful!!! But I kept just pushing through. By evening I was able to hold down a couple glasses of the lemonade and the smooth move tea. Woke up this morning still feeling awful, drank my SWF, it did it's thing and now I'm feeling ok! The headache is down to just a mild headache, I feel a little tired and achy, but I'm able to get up & move around and do some housework. I'm glad I just kept pushing through yesterday! It was rough. I must be really toxic this time around which only proves to me how much I need to do this right now!!! So if you are having a bad day, hang in there!!! It will get better!!!

[DaisyBlue]

I ran out of tea!!! I can't get anymore for another few days, is there anything else I should do instead??? HELP!!!!

[Bridge]

Day 15
Hello everyone :)
Feeling a little better...Megan and Christene... last night for the first time I felt like quitting. I felt very weak and lightheaded. I even experience some heart palpitations which scared me into thinking...you know what if...I also had a migraine earlier and sinus pressure. Still feeling a little lightheaded with a mild headache this morning. Is it possible I am experiencing detox symptoms still? And, talk about sleep...oh I so want to do it but I am at work.Trying to drink more lemonade and water. My tongue feels awful...it felt much better yesterday.
Sadly the scale has stopped moving for two days now *grrr* it even moved up by a pound *grrr* what's up with that?
Anyways I am trying...despite my hectic schedule.
TiggerBaby, hang in there and to the other newbies....we did, so can you :)

[ValentineLady]

To get more juice out of the lemons/limes just let them sit in really hot water, almost a boil, for about 15-20 min. until they get soft....then roll them very firmly on the counter before juicing them, and you will almost double your juice content....try it and see for yourself...


If you are nearly cooking the fruit, the I would think that you are killing most of the enzymes and also letting them leach out into the water. Just let them sit out on the counter and roll them before squeezing. I haven't had any issues getting enough juice out of mine.

[Al2905]

Day 3,

This is hungry day for me. Very hungry, so hungry, but determine to continue.
The weekend is coming so it will be challenging for me, since we always have nice dinners and lunches over the weekend.
When does it get better?

[Ursa]

It can vary for everyone but the first few days are always the toughest. It will get better soon. You can have as many as 12 lemonades so if you feel hunger, just have another glass of it. Drink lots of water too. I like to have at least one glass of water for every lemonade I drink.

After doing the cleanse a couple of times, I noticed that my body seems to just shut of the hunger switch from the first SWF on day one. I feel like one of Pavlov's dogs in that my body appears to be trained to respond automatically to that signal now. lol

[Ursa]

I'm starting to want food again, salad and fish especially. *sigh* I have two more lemonades to drink today and then have days 9 and 10 to complete before I can have some OJ and start making my veggie soup. I want spinach. now. hahaha

[pandor]

I need help please. I am ready to quit due to frustration.

2 years ago, I tried the MC and I gave up because the salt water flush was disgusting to me. And on top of that I was having no eliminations.

Here I am trying again. I am on day 4. I have been omitting the SWF and taking herbal laxatives and drinking the tea. I am more than half way through day 4 and still no eliminations, and no eliminations yesterday as well. Out of desperation, this morning I tried the SWF again and it really grossed me out. I drank 75% of the quart, then dumped the rest. I then had a laxative tea on top of that and still nothing!

I'm very frustrated because before I started the cleanse, I was on a healthy vegan diet, with reliable eliminations. This, however, does not mean I do not need a cleanse. I worry about toxic build up in my body due to years of recreational drug use, prescription drug abuse, and intestinal parasites. I don't want to give up, but I don't know what to do. I feel OK, just worried about the lack of elimination.

Should I try a different type of laxative? The tea is organic with senna and other herbs. The pill is psyllium husks. Neither are working. Please do not tell me to do the SWF. It is so disgusting to me, I felt so gross today. And worse was than the taste was the fact that it took me all that time to get it all down, and still no bowel movement.

[Bridge]

I'm starting to want food again, salad and fish especially. *sigh* I have two more lemonades to drink today and then have days 9 and 10 to complete before I can have some OJ and start making my veggie soup. I want spinach. now. hahaha

Oh yeah, I found myself wishing I was sinking my teeth into some fried chicken...I am so wanting some fish too and the list goes on. This is hard but it's coming to the end of another successful day for me and I intend on hanging on...5 days at a time lolx I really hope my weight loss will start up again as that's my biggest motivation right now.
Well I am heading out to a rehearsal so I can get my body moving and break some sweat...wish me luck :)

[Ursa]

No fried cravings for me thank goodness. I'm about to have my tea and head to bed. Goodnight everyone!

[TiggerBaby]

Day 4

Survived yesterday. Kept a headache pretty much all day. Hoping for a better day today!

[Ursa]

Pink tongue again this morning and I'm really looking forward to squeezing some orange and then making some vegetable soup on Sunday!

Tigger Baby, I'm so sorry to hear you had that headache all day.

[Al2905]

Good Morning Everyone!
Day 4 and feel much better for now. It is only morning, so no food cravings yet :)
I was wondering, since many of you have done MC for many times, how much weight do you usually gain back? (Vegan or not)

[megandoesthemc]

Good morning -

Day 16! Although my first 10 days were relatively uneventful, it's been the past couple of days that I've been having detox symptoms. Last night I had the worst headache - and almost quit. But - I had to remind myself that I just can't go and eat something, I have to ease-off. So, I'm sticking with it!

Bridge - the cravings the last couple of days have been KILLER - everything sounds good! Stay strong!
Ursa - I wish I could start to see the end of the tunnel like you - OJ and soup sound wonderful!

For everyone that's struggling - stick with it! Vary your amounts of the Lemonade (I bounced back by upping my intake yesterday) and experiment with light walking and different kinds of laxative teas. Everyone is different - so you'll find what works right for you.

I'm looking forward to weighing myself on Day 20 - and seeing my progress. It will help me determine if I do 30 or 40 days (I've updated my calendar to reflect 40 (positive thinking!) but I'll have to see.

Happy Cleansing,
Megan

[Bridge]

Hi all,

Day 16, feeling a little better in my body...having a headache...Megan I agree with you that the first couple of days were much better than this week. I had asked the question but didn't get a response...could it be that I am still experiencing detox symptoms?

The thought of still having to wait a couple of days before really eating what I want just isn't worth quitting the cleanse for. I'll just wait....I wish the scales would move though *sigh*

Christene...haven't seen you...where are you? Hope all is well.

Good for you Ursa...I have never seen a pink tongue...maybe one day :)

Have a good day everyone and hang in there :)

[Christene]

Day 24 here and still sitting on 20lbs loss for the last two days.........this morning all my sinuses were stuffed up for most of the morning, clearer now.

Bridge sometimes when you feel the worst it means a really good detox (drink plenty of water, even if it is just a sip every few minutes, it all adds up eventually) and tommorow after the SWF you should feel better. Its amazing what 24hrs can do. Good Luck!

Ursa sounds like your body is craving iron...its going to taste sooooooooooo good when you do savour it eventually.
I have never seen a pink tongue even after 40 days, maybe this time.

Pandor please drink the SWF it will really help you (try drinking it through a straw it might help you) And lots of water during the MC.......if you dont follow the program, or only half follow it you cannot expect to see results can you? Nowhere does the MC say to have psyllium pills. I use the Smooth Move tea and am happy with the results. It might be a good idea to read up on the original Maste Cleanse in Borroughs book again to get back on track...all the best to you!

Hugzzzzzzzzz to you all.

[megandoesthemc]

Bridge - it sure sounds like detox symptoms to me! Christene is right, work through it and see what a difference time can make. Good luck! ;)

[Ursa]

Should I try a different type of laxative? The tea is organic with senna and other herbs. The pill is psyllium husks. Neither are working. Please do not tell me to do the SWF. It is so disgusting to me, I felt so gross today. And worse was than the taste was the fact that it took me all that time to get it all down, and still no bowel movement.

The tea sounds fine but the psylium husks are wrong. Also, the saltwater needs to be downed fairly quickly and done on a completely empty stomach, even before you have some water. I use Celtic brand of grey course ground sea salt and heat it up a bit. Then I chug it down as if I'm drinking chicken broth and my life depends on finishing it within a few minutes of the first gulp. Yeah, I do it that way each day. Drink lots and lots of extra spring water. I drink more spring water than I do lemonades.

[Ursa]

I am still drinking my 4th lemonade and can barely imagine having two more before the day is over. I feel so full! I went to the grocery store today for more water and started making a mental list of things I want to get tomorrow for Sunday's soup. hahaha

[Peter Glickman]

I tried the MC and I gave up because the salt water flush was disgusting to me. And on top of that I was having no eliminations. I am on day 4. I have been omitting the SWF and taking herbal laxatives and drinking the tea. I am more than half way through day 4 and still no eliminations, and no eliminations yesterday as well.

Hi Pandor X,

If you've had no eliminations, it will definitely make you feel bad:(. Please realize:

1) Taking anything but lemonade swf or tea, such as psyllium pills is not part of the Master Cleanse.
2) "No eliminations" means no yellow water, nothing at all coming out of your butt.:eek:
3) Failure to have eliminations on the swf means you haven't got the right amount of salt in the water. Try 2 rounded teaspoons, if you really have had no eliminations.

Peter8)

[Ursa]

Okay, I'm happy to be able to say I finished all my lemonades and water. My senna tea is steeping as I type this. In a strange twist, the dog food is really starting to smell good to me. I'll be heading to bed soon so have a great night and morning, everyone!

Christene, I am not sure it would be low iron. I tend to run high in iron due to having hereditary hemochromatosis (genetic iron overload) but I suppose anything is possible. I really don't know how you do such long cleanses.

[Bridge]

Guys I'm really craving stuff...my husband and some coworkers are saying I look drained and food deprived lol I am having a splitting headache now. I drank the 6 lemonade and about the same or more water. I really hope tomorrow will be better, cuz I really need to do this.

Goodnight :(

[Ursa]

I'm really happy to report that today is day 10 and I drank my final swf for this cleanse. It was so hard to get down today. I think my mind is already in breaking mode. I do have a while before I will consider the sw done with me this morning though so I will head to the grocery later for tomorrow's breaking ingredients. I just keep telling myself, "only 6 more lemon/limeades to go!"

Pink tongue this morning again, feeling pretty fantastic. As much as I'm thinking about food, it's all healthy stuff that I want and whenever I consider chips and other "junk" I cringe and have no desire at all for them. I think that's a good sign and will do my best to stay in this state.

:confused:
Bridge, I can't tell whether you are going through a healing crisis or if it really may be time to end your cleanse. Perhaps that answer is clear to you or will be today.

[Bridge]

Hi everyone,
Well I made it to day 17. I think today will be a better day...the headache is gone. Instead of drinking my lemonade from the bottle, I decided to pour in a glass and gulp it down...I think I will drink more that way. Trying to follow up each glass with water as well. But my stomach is so easily filled and easily empty :) But I am looking forward to a few more days still... I hope they go by quickly.
Cheers!

[megandoesthemc]

Day 17! Feeling good! Missing food, but not craving food - which is a nice change.

Ursa - Congratulations!
Bridge - So glad you're feeling better today!

Happy cleansing!
Megan

[Ursa]

I'm so glad to hear you are feeling better, Bridge!

I just got back from the market. I got plenty of organic veggies to make my soup and a few other things for beyond soup like that escarole I've been craving. Oh yeah, and some organic oranges for tomorrow's juice. I just have two more lemonades to make and drink today before I can have my senna tea and call it a night. The cashier at the market commented that I looked incredibly happy and excited for someone buying groceries. I had to laugh at that. I'm so bored with lemons and limes I practically gag on it today.

[pandor]

Day 7 First MC starts out as a very bad day

I got out of bed with a splitting headache. Yesterday, I had only 5 lemonade drinks, and the thought of one more made me sick. I had stomach pains as I laid in bed last night and I kept getting a heart burn like feeling and uncomfortable pains in my stomach. The thought of drinking more lemonade makes me cringe right now. Don't know what to do. Right now I am not giving up, but I do not feel like I can make it through 4 more days.

[Bridge]

Guys...I'm sorry I ended the MC today...it's like someone said earlier I am literally gagging on it now...I couldn't take another sip. I had the last one about an hour ago. I was becoming miserable. I am still drained and weak. It was good while it lasted.
Megan...continue for me and good luck!
Christene you are good at this...keep it up :)
Ursa good for you.
To all the others hang in there...I did 17.5 days lol and 3 days where I false started and had 1 meal.
Cheers!!

[megandoesthemc]

Day 18. Today is HARD.

I feel great, I'm not hungry - BUT - I want food SO BAD. I keep trying to convince myself that a sucker is okay, that what can it really hurt if I'm not "eating." (I know the answer to this question - it is NOT OKAY - but I'm so bored!)

Bridge - congrats on coming this far! Hopefully I'll finish at 40!

Happy Cleansing,
Megan

[Fredzilla]

Hey kids!
Day 6 here of my 3rd MC.
My name is Fred and I REALLY HUNGRY!
I follow the cleanse to a tee.
Last night was rough falling asleep for some reason and today I hiked and am super lethargic.
I want chili, and marshmallows, and raspberry sorbet, and cupcakes, and BENIHANAS!

Its my birthday Friday so I have a Benihana gift certificate for $30 (ps if anyone likes Benihana, they send you a free $30 coupon for your birthday if you sign up on their Chef's Table section of their website). I know its not the healithiest, and definitely not vegan/raw friendly. But just sayin.

I'm going to a movie. I gots to stop thinking about eating my fingers.

[BaileysMama]

DAY 2

Hey party people! Just wanted to check in - this is day 2 of MC #8 for me. I originally planned to start today but then after some plans shifted this weekend I decided to start yesterday. It's going pretty well so far, aside from the fact that I can't decide which I look forward to less, the SWF or the smooth move tea. I'm leaning towards the smooth move tea, it is just so disgusting. Anyway, I'm going to spend a little time this morning checking the board and getting familiar with who's MC-ing with me.

Have a great day and HAPPY CLEANSING! :o

[Al2905]

Hi BaileysMama,

Happy cleansing to you too.
This is my 1st time and 7th day.
It seems like you have been doing this for several times.

Have a good day!
Alena

[Christene]

Take care of yourself Bridge I shall miss you on here.........but dont beat yourself up you did good and there is always another time right? Another MC right? Have an orange juice for me today will you...and some yummy veggie soup in a couple of days ....grins!
Hugzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Ursa]

Today is my 2nd breaking day. I feel great and am loving the veggie soup I made. I just had a glass of pomegranate juice (ran out of oranges lol) and it was so delicious! I feel really good about this latest cleanse and now have 4 of my friends asking questions and saying they want to do it now.

Good luck to all you cleansers!

[Fredzilla]

Day 7.

I'm going for a hike. Feel pretty good. Usually Im good til later in the day, when I start getting cravings.

I wanted to end on day 10, my birthday is the next day, but after reading this board, I feel like the true detox effects come into play around day 15. Id like to see the difference, but its gonna be hard. My partner has planned all this stuff for my bday, so I dunno
peace and love,
Fred

[megandoesthemc]

Happy Day 19!

I was so tempted to quit last night - all I wanted was pizza . . . ah pizza! But, I snuck a peek at my weight loss a day early - and 19 pounds in 19 days! Hopefully tomorrow will be an even 20. That will motivate me to keep going. I'll be halfway done!

I'm stuggling with getting my minimum 6 lemonades - I have to make an active push to get them all in.

Happy Cleansing,
Megan

[Al2905]

Wow Megan,

19 days, Great job!

Good luck finishing!

[Fredzilla]

The night of Day 7.

I feel lonely and can't stop crying.

I want sour cream.

[Maserati]

Hello to all.
I'm on day 9 of my first MC.
I've followed it more or less accurately until now. I can't stand the taste of cayenne pepper and this has prevented me to get 12 glasses a day, but I've ben sticking to 6, do laxative tea mornings and evenings.
I've never experienced hunger during this period, always felt a good level of energy, sleep like a baby and my nose is flushing all the time. The only unpleasant thing is that I feel cold sometimes...
I' lost until now 11lbs, which is fine. I was aiming at 15, but I'll be happy if I end up the fast somewhere between 11 and 13lbs.
Today I began thinking about food and this, combined with the monotony of taste during these last 9 days and my intolerance toe the taste of cayenne, almost made me end the MC before the scheduled day, which is tomorrow...
So I decided to use the forum to share, and to say I've really decided to go on through to the end ( now that i'm so close... ).
I'm european and stick to a mediterranean diet, but due to convenience and time managing problems, had eaten much crap and processed food, lately.
Can't wait for the day I'll be able to eat pasta coi broccoli, again...

[BaileysMama]

DAY 3

I. Am. Tired. And this isn't a detox symptom. Well not yet anyway, it's still early. I'm tired because I have to get up at 4:30 (yikes) to drink my SWF because I have to be out the door by 7 and with a 30 minute commute I can't risk an emergency because I'll have nowhere to go :eek:!! This morning I woke up at 4 convinced I forgot to set my alarm and then never fell back asleep. Oh well. Anyway, so far this cleanse has been smooth sailing *knocks on wood* and hopefully that continues. Watch that comment sneak up on me after a few detox days.

Oh, and it's started already - I'm so cold! I brought my slippers to work with me today so when I'm at my desk I can wear them to keep my toes from freezing.

Happy Cleansing Everyone! 8)

[BaileysMama]

The night of Day 7.

I feel lonely and can't stop crying.

I want sour cream.


BIIIIIIIG HUGS to you Fred! That sounds like a detoxing day if I ever heard it. Hopefully you're doing better today :D Although now I'm thinking about sour cream...mmm sour cream :rolleyes: It'll have to wait I guess!

[megandoesthemc]

Day 20! 20 pounds lost! Feeling good, (missing food) and looking forward to day 40.

Al2905 - thank you for the support! I hope your cleanse is going well too ;)

Happy Cleansing,
Megan

[BaileysMama]

You guys, I can't help looking at allrecipes.com. That's right, I am already resorting to food porn. :eek: It's not my fault! Allrecipes sends me recipes to my email and then I'm forced to keep looking from there. Oh man, and it's only day 3.

And Megan, 20 days on your way to 40? Daaaaaaaaaang that's awesome. 8)

[Al2905]

Day 8,

Have really bad body aches. Since this is my first MC, I'll 10 days and in 2 weeks will start my second MC hopefully for 15 or 20 days.
Kind of disappointed about weight loss, only 5 lbs so far, was hoping for 10 or more.
This is my 3rd night of dreaming about food :) I think it is so funny
I hope everyone is having a great cleanse.

[TiggerBaby]

Day 8

I posted on day 5, but it's not here?? Anyways, this cleanse has really been a struggle. It has been much different than my previous cleanses. It's like every day is a detox day! I get a few hours of relief after each day after the SWF works, but then by late afternoon I start feeling pretty rough again. It's been hard each day but I'm hanging in here. I did weigh myself today. I'm down 6 pounds. Hoping I get to the more energy, mental clarity, better feeling soon!!!

[Fredzilla]

Baileysmama!
Thank you so much for the kind words!

Woke up today for Day 8 and feel so much better!

WHENEVER I CLEANSE I DO THE FOOD PORN THING TOO!
I cannot stop looking at Epicurious.com!

The last two cleanses I have been done with "eliminations" other than liquid by the 6th day. Today I still see stuff on the 8th day. (sorry)

Ive been the heaviest Ive ever been before this cleanse and have had the worst diet (eeeewww tons of red meat), so that may be the reason. I should probably go longer than ten days.

Alas, it is my birthday the first day post-cleanse, so Im probably gonna stop at 10.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, YOU HOT SEXY GORGEOUS CLEANSE-MONSTERS!!!

-Fredzilla

[megandoesthemc]

BaileysMama - I do the same thing! I keep making lists of food that I can buy after I'm done! I've saved like 25 recipes, it's strange but it helps. (I also go on grubhub.com (online food delivery) and pretend like I'm ordering. Then, I empty my cart!)

[Fredzilla]

night of Day 8.

Spent about 2 hours online researching recipes for a pumpkin carving party I wanna throw. HELP. I can't stop focusing on food. I went to Michael's craft store to get cupcake accessories. Halloween ones.

Then I went to Cost Plus World Market and bought Halloween pasta and 2 bottles of wine, the red is called Trick and the white is called Treat.

I may have smoked marijauna before that shopping trip. Shhh. (please don't hate me)

BUT I DIDNT EAT! just buying things.

now I want Doritos.

[Al2905]

Yeah, Day 9!

So far only 7lbs, but still good. Tomorrow will be my last day! Will be back in 2 weeks, see you then.
Good luck everyone on cleansing!

[megandoesthemc]

Good morning all - Day 21 for me!

Feeling good, a little tired today. Now that I've passed the halfway mark, it'll be easier for me (at least I'm hoping!) to do all 40 days. I sure am bored though. I'm coping by alternating lemon-lime mixes for my lemonade, making food shopping lists and trying on clothes that I haven't fit into in a while!

Work keeps me busy, but I find myself thinking about food A LOT. I'll push through though - 19 days to go!

Happy Cleansing,
Megan