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

[chepina]

WELCOME NEWBIES! I pray that the cleanse has been as emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually cleansing for you as it has for me!

A few helpful tips from a 1st timer wrapping up her 1st cleanse...

- BEWARE OF NAY-SAYERS -Don't let everyone in on what you're doing
- STAY FOCUSED - You may find daily devotionals or affirmations helpful tools
- DON'T OBSSESS OVER THE POUNDS - It's also known as the "Lemonade Diet" but the Master Cleanse is just that, a cleanse. Focus on the detoxing, not the scale.
- DO NOT DEVIATE FROM THE DIRECTIONS!!! - Whatever you do, DO NOT bother trying to modify the cleanse based on something you read or heard. To get optimal results follow the cleanse EXACTLY as SB wrote it. I call it God's perfect little elixir.

If your MC directions come from word of mouth, my advice is to read the Master Cleanse http://ifayomi.com/assets/TheMasterCleanse.pdf or Peter Glickman's book.
Though, I purchased PG's book prior to cleansing, I intentionally didn't read it until AFTER I made a few milestones in the cleanse. I personally didn't wanna let the info in the book (like what to expect on Days 2, 3 & 7) influence my symptoms. This may not be an issue for you so I recommend that you read his book for more detailed insight on the cleanse. Very helpful info!

I'm a 1st timer and did tons of research prior to the cleanse. But truthfully, the best advice I can give is that you trust yourself and trust the God-given ingredients in the cleanse and you'll do just fine.

BUENA SUERTE!

[Doctor Bunsen]

You might decide to go longer when you reach your goal.

I've been back and forth about going longer than 40 days. I want to stop because I missed out on a dinner with my classmates yesterday and I reached my goal weight today, but I want to keep going because I had a craving for pizza earlier today that tells me maybe I'm not done yet. I could also stand to lose another 5lbs I think. I still wouldn't be close to being underweight. I'll see tomorrow when I am on Day 40. Maybe I will do two more days like last time. Maybe I will do 5 or 10 depending on how I feel. I feel really good right now.

I feel like there's a certain fear of going past 40 days because the book gives that number. It's a psychological thing more than a physical thing. It's like "WTF I haven't eaten for 40 days" and I made the mistake of telling other people about it so they will get more worried the longer I go. I feel like I am going to miss being on the MC more than I miss food right now. I guess it has to end at some point though.

I am already thinking about when my next cleanse will be!

[chepina]

Hello again, Everyone! I have a quick ??? for those approaching the end of their cleanse. What type of diet do you all plan on embracing after the cleanse?

For example:
I have absolutely NO desire to adopt a vegan or raw food diet ( I LOVE LOVE LOVE FISH). However, I am well aware of the importance of incorporating more raw fruit and vegetables in one's diet. So after much research I plan on drastically modifying my intake of meat and dairy by embracing a more alkaline diet. It'll actually be a combination of the ALKALINE DIET /MACROBIOTIC DIET. Lots of whole grains, fruit and veggies and moderate meat intake.

They both embrace a lifestyle rather than a fad. More importantly, they focus on maintaining a balance (ACIDv.ALKALINE and YINv.YANG) with the body and therefore the life. Very simple concepts but very powerful stuff.

More info on the Alkaline Lifestyle:
http://www.energiseforlife.com/acid-...food-chart.pdf

More info on the Macrobiotic Lifestyle:
Macrobiotics:
http://www.wholistichealingresearch....Colbin-2-1.pdf

Anywho... I definitely plan on eating the occasional bacon cheeseburger but am definitely modifying my diet (limiting my meat and dairy intake) after seeing what a piss poor diet does to your colon & body. Anybody else with me? Just curious to see what everyone else is doing.

[Doctor Bunsen]

After this MC, I'm doing what helped me maintain my weight loss (30lbs) after my last long MC. I ate 100% raw vegan for two weeks and then just tried to eat healthy while counting calories and monitoring my weight. Since my last cleanse I have almost completely avoided certain "bad" foods like pizza, milk, candy, chocolate, soda, and frozen meats so I will continue to avoid those foods as much as possible. I think I will also use raw vegan protein instead of other protein supplements from now on.

[C Mack]

Random (possibly poltically incorrect - but meant in a respectful yet joking manner) response to those wondering about going longer than 40 days: If 40 day s fast was good enough for Jesus - it's probably good enough for us!

6 days post cleanse - I have lost another 2 pounds since "breaking" bringing me to a total of 9 pounds since cleanse day 1.

So good to hear of everyone success! To those just beginning - best of luck!

[kiropa]

Hi all,

Just thought I'd post an update -- day 8 and F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G. I cannot get warm, ugh!

Anyway, I feel pretty good. Yesterday was kind of tough, but I made it through. My weight loss is astounding 133 to 121 after 7 full days. I've been doing an hour of cardio every morning and maintaining my crazy busy hectic lifestyle -- so perhaps that's why. Regardless, I am thrilled. I am wearing pants that haven't fit for months.

I plan to break Monday ot Tuesday in prep for Thanksgiving. May go back on after the holiday weekend. My biggest challenge is social -- I have lunch with my boss every Thursday. Obviously, I made some excuse to cancel this week, my can't do that a lot...

Also -- so many holdiday activities coming up. Fortunately, the cleanse has made me feel back in control, so I believe that even when I return to eating, I will do just fine.

With Thanksgiving and all, I am thankful for cleansing. It really rebalances me and makes me a better me.

Congrats to all you longer-cleansers. Inspirational!!!!

Kim

[FaithD]

for those approaching the end of their cleanse. What type of diet do you all plan on embracing after the cleanse?
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I've done best when I've eaten fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds and more than anything I need to be aware of what I won't be eating. I am learning that I need to keep healthy food with me at all times so that I am not hungry when I go places with other people, and they offer me things that seem normal to them, like bagels, but that send me into an eating spiral. So, for me. lots of fruits and veggies and always having them on hand which means I need to go the store a lot.

Today is day 6 for me and I am concerned about the weekend coming up as I am leading an intense workshop both days, about ten hours per day, and dinner together is part of the program. I am going to bring my lemonade with me and drink it profusely but I am not sure I can deliver the kind of energy it takes without jacking myself up on coffee or something so I need to just say that I am worried. It is a bummer I didn't plan my cleanse to have ten free days but there are always things that get in the way so I figured it was better to just start and see what I could do. I am not ruling out making it, I am just not sure how I will get through it.

I am having pain in my knee this time which has never happened before. I am also not getting cold this time. My body is definitely doing tihngs for itself which feels great and I am so much ENJOYING the cleansing process and knowing I am doing it!! I am so proud of myself. Is anyone else experience joint pain?

So... I'll check back in Monday and let you know how I did. What I commit to not doing is going crazy if I do eat. And I will be back after the weekend for more. I need to keep this up for a while yet. If I make it that far, my day ten happens to be my birthday which is Tuesday and Thanksgiving is Thursday so my plan is to drink lemon inbetween all this stuff so that I don't mentally stop doing it. I know that physically it isn't correct and that I am corrupting the cleanse and will need to start my days over but what I need to do is mentally is stay on it mentally so that I don't quit in my mind and wait four months to get going again.

[C Mack]

Is anyone else experience joint pain?

Yes! Mainly in my knees. This has a tendency to come and go when not on the cleanse but it shows up more when cleansing for me. Also sometimes the random finger joint pain and elbow pain too - sucks getting older! Hope someday when I get my weight down and with regular cleansing it will go away entirely!

So... I'll check back in Monday and let you know how I did.....

We all do this for different reasons - but the bottom line I think for all probably is to be healthier and be in control of our eating. If this is what it takes for you (and you've been cleansing for a long time so I'm sure there is no need to explain anything to you!) then go for it. We'll be here when you get through the weekend either way My wish is that you are comfortable with all your choices! best of luck!

[C Mack]

Hello again, Everyone! I have a quick ??? for those approaching the end of their cleanse. What type of diet do you all plan on embracing after the cleanse?

Plan is to mainly go for more fruits and veggies on my plate. I don't feel I want to give up meat and fish and such... however I want to be careful to keep my choices leaner and not fried. The George Forman grill will be getting a work out! I also plan to add in more raw items - but as someone else pointed out - I'm in NE Ohio and it is COLD here! I need some new warm and toasty comfort foods to add the the recipe arsenal! I often wonder exactly how warm I can go and still have items considered raw.... There are massive amounts of recipes over on the raw food thread I would try (and have a few) but if I could warm more I'd eat more! is the magic number 160°F? I know that is generally considered a kill step for microbial growth in meats - is it the same for enzymes and such?

Plan for continued weight loss off the cleanse is to actually follow the weight watchers points plan to help me monitor the volume of food I intake. As I may have said before - apparently simply paying them $$ each month is not enough!

[Doctor Bunsen]

I'm finally on Day 40 and I am pretty sure this will be my last day. I need to return to the real world.

Here's my weight loss graph for the last six months if anyone is interested:



Link