2010: What day are you on and how are you doing?

[dollfacegreene]

Thanx so much. Emotionally, I'm feeling a lot better right now. So this day is in the bag. I talked to the HBU about going through the weekend and he was surprisingly supportive. (usually everyone in the family groans about me being on the MC - like it changes anything for them, I still make them dinner, I sit at the table with them - and I'm not a big old grump with them so they should just get over it )

I can't imagine how bored you must be of the LA by now - and sick and tired of the SWF! That's really the biggest hurdle for me - having to get up extra early to do the SWF and then not being confident about working out after that.. When I did my longest MC, I started having evil thoughts about just not doing the flush every day maybe just every other day is good enough... gee they need an "evil thoughts" smilie...

Awww, an evil thoughts smilie, that's a good idea. I am pretty tired of the lemonade and especially getting up so early and drinking the salt water. The last few days are the hardest this time. My evil thought keeps trying to tell me quit now and count the orange juice days. (insert evil thought smilie) NO WAY, it doesn't work like that. It seems like all I think about is spinach salad and fish tacos. It is all good though. I am loving the clean feeling inside; there is just nothing like it.

[dollfacegreene]

MC 11, day 37 of 40. Almost there.

As I breath a sign of relief and gratitude, I say to myself, NO MORE SALT WATER IN THREE DAYS. I think I am more excited about that than anything. LAMPCHOP, it is hard to get down sometimes and at times I can only get in about 30 ozs. When I try to push pass what my body is saying (mouth watering, stomach rejecting, brain not cooperating) I stop there. Better to get that much down and it stays vs forcing it all and it all comes up. It still works though. (even after I threw it up). Try drinking some plain water behind all you are able to get down, that helps. Eventually, you will have it down to a science and get all of it down, Hang in there.

I am happy to say I think the emotional breakthrough is over now and I am glad. I didn't cry once yesterday. YAAY! My husband told me he felt so much closer to me now, than ever before. (After 32 years together, that is awesome) I was not focusing on weight loss this time as much as the spiritual enlightenment of fasting, but I have lost a ton of inches and my clothes fit wayyy big on me now. I will share final results at the end. Sunday I am buying my veggies and starting my soup prep work. I can't wait. Hubby told me, he misses seeing my joy in the produce section at Sunflower Market. I act like a kid in a candy store. Now that is under normal conditions, guess how I will be on Sunday. Maybe I should have the store post a warning notice.

Whew, 40 days is a long time. It has been a great benefit, but I think this will be my last 40. I have done 30 days quite a few times, but that extra 10 days are really tough. So glad I did it at least once.

I pray everyone has a blessed day today. No matter where you are in your journey, stay focused on your goals and your WHY AM I DOING THIS. Success comes with a price, let's pay our dues. IT IS ALWAYS WORTH IT.

[dollfacegreene]

Good morning guys! Thanks so much for all the pre-cleanse advice yesterday - it really helps. I ended up dragging my butt out of bed at 4 to try the SWF - it was gross but certainly seemed to do its job! I got it down in 5-10 minutes and then was pretty much done about two hours later, and not a tummy gurgle since. I was absolutely ravenous after the flush but the lemonade got rid of that hunger better than I thought it would. I would still love to eat right now but I'm not physically that hungry - I guess that's the craving/hunger distinction!

A couple quick questions: is the weight/2 calculations for oz of water you need supposed to include the lemonade or is that just water in addition to the lemonade? I have had to drink a lot of extra water to manage the cayenne taste anyway (I readily admit I'm a spice wimp but I do think I over-cayenned my first batch this morning in my early morning haze) but wanted to check if it's really that much extra, or just total water including the lemonade.

Another one: is once a day more than occasional for mint tea? My office is freezing but I don't want to overdo it if that's too much.

And one more: anybody have any tricks for getting the cayenne down? I saw one person mention putting a bunch on the back of her tongue and then washing it down so that she wouldn't have to put any in the lemonade. Is something like that ok to do? If so, has anybody done it?

I hope you are all having a great day!

Emily, I am so glad you have the morning flush worked out. Awesome, Awesome. In answer to your questions.

1. Water intake is NOT INCLUDED and is separate from the lemonade, tea and salt water.

2. It should NOT be more that once a day. Although, you can take some fresh mint leaves and put in hot water and briefly steep it. That way you could have maybe 2 a day, it will be very weak but it will be hot.

3. You never want to put it in your mouth separate. You CAN alter the cayenne pepper to taste. Put a little less than 1/10 tsp per serving and experiment to see what works for you. Putting it on your tongue sounds like it can really cause some terrible discomfort in your mouth and stomach. The cayenne pepper is going to break down any mucus that is stored in your body, so it is important, but you can adjust to what you can tolerate. The lemon juice and water are the only things that can not be adjusted in measurement.

Emily you are in the mix now. Keep on trucking!!! I pray your day will be a wonderful one.

[dollfacegreene]

Hi Katlady,

I'm on day two of my cleanse and just figuring out the Board.

I'm not sleeping much, its 4:30 PST.

I was only able to drink about 26 oz of the SWF without throwing up. I hope that is enough.

I made it yesterday with hardly any cravings. I'm hoping day two isn't too rough.

I'm doing this for so many reasons . . . not even sure what they are at this point.

Please write if you can . . . I'm feeling pretty lonesome.

Namaste,
Sheryl

LAMPCHOP "you are not alone". Do you know that Michael Jackson song? One of my favorites. Hang in there friend. You are on day 2 and going strong. Have you figured out your WHY yet? How did you find out about the cleanse? What are your goals after the cleanse? I forgot how many days you were going for, how many? Because you are here now, tells me you have great dedication. Welcome to the family. No way you can be lonesome now. Head up, chest out, shoulders back, eyes forward, lemonade in hand and SMILE ON YOUR FACE; today is going to BLESSED.

[Ursa]

I'm glad we're all coming out of the saltwater closet about some of our incomplete guzzling. I had a light day booked for work but yesterday was so exhausting that I'm still tired today from it. I wish I was capable of napping but no matter how I try, I just never fall asleep in the daytime unless I'm quite sick.

katlady, I am starting to think some batches of the herbal tea, same brand, are stronger than others. I drink mine from bed.

emilylgw, I do indeed drink that much water and don't count the lemonade as part of it. I did that at first when I made my first attempt at a cleanse. It didn't work but now I know better. I'm never sure about the mint tea. I haven't had any this cleanse. I have only had it during one or two cleanses and it was only a once or twice thing at that. You get used to the cayenne. Start gradually and work your way up to having the suggested amount.

dollfacegreene, I totally remember having the evil thoughts during my first cleanse thinking that maybe I'd start the juice on day 10 and count that as part of it. I did not give in to my warped ideas and am glad I stuck it out.

[Bubbles_erin]

well ladies and gents, its a full blown cold now. My body feels weak and my nose is congested, but no more sore throat. I feel horrible, but I will keep trucking on. I added more cayanne to my lemonade hoping that that would help clear out my sinuses. Ugh! I hate being sick and then to be sick while doing a cleanse..ughhh!!! I had thoughts earlier today about quiting just because I am sick, but I will keep trucking on the best I can. I skipped the swf today just cause I didn't want to add to my pain I hope tonight I get a better night sleep than last night and that helps work its way out of my system. Day 5 today. I can make it!

[dollfacegreene]

well ladies and gents, its a full blown cold now. My body feels weak and my nose is congested, but no more sore throat. I feel horrible, but I will keep trucking on. I added more cayanne to my lemonade hoping that that would help clear out my sinuses. Ugh! I hate being sick and then to be sick while doing a cleanse..ughhh!!! I had thoughts earlier today about quiting just because I am sick, but I will keep trucking on the best I can. I skipped the swf today just cause I didn't want to add to my pain I hope tonight I get a better night sleep than last night and that helps work its way out of my system. Day 5 today. I can make it!

Hang in there Bubbles. It will work itself all the way out of you. I am glad you are not quitting at a critical point in your cleanse. You can make it!! Those baby turkeys are counting on you. Ursa suggested a neti pot, I have never used it before. Maybe that will help. Hope you feel better and have a peaceful sleep tonight.

[Ursa]

I just finished my last lemonade and am making my daughter some tortellini for her dinner. I feel pretty good. I feel confident about tomorrow being the last day. I wasn't entirely sure of length but 10 really feels like the right time for this one. I am officially out of limes. That means I will be ending my cleanse on pure lemonade since I still have plenty of lemons.

Bubbles_erin, I hope you feel better soon. Did you at least have the tea this morning? Elimination is so important during this especially if you are not feeling well. If you can't deal with the swf tomorrow either please do have the tea. You don't want all those toxins getting kicked up in your system and staying in it making you that much more miserable.
BTW, I was really sick on day 2 of this cleanse. I even developed a fever but that feels like it was a million years ago since I feel so good now.

Hi dollfacegreene, I hope all is going well with you!

[dollfacegreene]

I had a total scare today. I could not stomach the lemonade today. Every time I took a drink, I thought I was going to throw up. The taste was awful, I was afraid I was going to have to quit before my time. I mean it was so awful, I had to pour it out. I made another batch, THANK GOD!!, it tasted better. I was so scared I would have to quit 3 days from my goal line. It must have been a bad lemon or lime(I had mixed the two). Emergency diverted. I am so relieved I just had to share. Have a great rest of the day everyone.

Ursa I hope you feel better. I have to take a nap everyday. You can turn baseball on the tv and that will knock you out for an hour or so. My husband loves all sports and when he turns it on, I go right to sleep.

[cuckoo]

Hi Everyone--well, yesterday was day 10 for me, and all of a sudden I realized, I don't know how to finish this thing (lemonade? tea? SWF the next morning?) I had kind of assumed that I should just drink my lemonade and then I would be done, but then I started thinking about still needing to flush (these thoughts, by the way, were going on while I was already in bed). I eventually got up and drank the tea, but I had already promised myself I was done with the SWF, so I didn't put myself through that today.

I had my orange juice (confession--I ate two sections of orange as well) and I am making vegetable broth for my soup tomorrow (it smells heavenly). I feel good that I made it, but I also have a sneaking suspicion that my body could have used longer, so maybe next time (NEXT TIME??? did I say that???)

Ursa--you're almost done as well. It was really nice going through this with you and thanks for all of the advice and encouragement.

emilylgw--glad today was a good day--keep it up, it's worth it.

bubbles--sorry you don't feel well, but you are half way (that was a big milestone for me)

lambchop--don't be discouraged, and you are right that this board is a big help. I didn't have many people to talk about the cleanse with (I think I was afraid of telling people in case I failed), so having this board to ask questions was wonderful.

dollfacegreene--you do not cease to amaze me with all of the obstacles you have overcome; your strength and determination is fierce. I honestly don't know how you have gone this long. For me, eating seems so long ago, and it's only been 11 days! I will check back here on Tuesday. Best wishes, and thanks.