Monday, October 11, 2010

After The Master Cleanse - We Tally The Results

I'm winding down my first day after finishing the master cleanse. I went on the scale this morning and I'm down 11 lbs., a nice result. I forgot to measure my inches when I started so I don't know how many inches I lost. A pair of skinny jeans which did not zip up, slid on easily this morning so something did happen on that front.

I was able to have prayer time and alone time where I could look at the truths about who I am. I feel more present and able to appreciate the day. There are some friends I need to reach out to because being disconnected caused me to shut out some who didn't deserve it.

One thing you have to watch after completing a fast is the feeling of being afraid to eat again. Sometimes you look at that weight loss and you say, "hmmm, maybe I should keep going?"

If you want to continue to fast because you feel there are more toxins to get rid of or perhaps you do have a weight target in mind, then certainly continue until you have completed your goal. Where weight loss is concerned, when you start to eat normally again, if you were out of control before, that same behavior will put those lbs right back on and quicker than they came off.

But if you use a cleanse period as a way to make a lifestyle change or a period of attitude adjustment, then you can keep those lbs off and more. I don't crave fried foods anymore so I will limit my exposure to them, sorry french fries, you are gone.

Today after my meal I went on a two mile walk. It signaled to my body that eating time was over and gave me a clear break from grazing. When I get hungry again, I will eat and go for a walk after the end of the meal. I'll let you know in a couple of weeks how that works. Change Is Good.
Peace and blessings...

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Ten Victory Is Mine





First off - Thank the Lord, I'm done. I've learned that I still possess discipline, (even though I don't always exercise it) and that I have the integrity to finish what I start - even if it gets hard. I needed that victory so I thank God for it.

I also thank him for every word of encouragement that I received along the way, my family and most of my friends live far from me but you all showed up here on the blog and through Facebook and emails to encourage me, I guess I'm not alone out here in California.

I'm going to continue with my CLEAN detox and figure out the next step. If I could end the year a few pounds lighter that would be a blessing too. I'll post some pics after the detox is over.

Things I've noticed after the fast?

I don't have the ravenous feelings of hunger that I had before. I hope that translates into eating smaller portions when I do eat.
I don't have the cravings for fried foods I had before.
I want to be more aware of what I eat and the effect it will have on me and my productivity.
Drinking water is vital for life and health.
I will never be anorexic - I'm looking forward to eating again.
And finally, I need to walk every day. Period. When I feel like it and when I don't. For my metabolism, if I do not make exercise a part of every day, I am susceptible to gaining weight. I'm probably not the only one. Right now, walking is my exercise of choice and I am looking forward to make it lifestyle. And it starts today.

Here's to new beginnings. Who wants to do a cleanse or fast with me to start the new year? Peace and Blessings...

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Eight and Nine




Wow, Friday and Saturday just flew by and tomorrow Sunday will be my last day. Physically, my body has settled into the fast and I could go for another four days and do and complete a two week fast instead of ten days. But psychologically, I think I'm ready to end things tomorrow night and to move on to another detox (which includes food) to end out my second week. I'm going to do the detoxification plan recommended by Dr. Alejandro Junger. He is not a fan of the Master Cleanse because he says that it does not support the cleansing of the liver. He believes that you can detox easily and effectively while you continue to eat as long as you are cutting out the foods and other substances that interfere with the detoxification process. Make sure you check with your doctor before you start any detox. Also be sure to drink A LOT of water.

This menu plan for a seven-day elimination diet comes from the GOOP.COM website that I mentioned in the last blog. The posting includes instructions, menus and recipes for juices, smoothies and meals that will continue the detox process. I think it will be a good way to ease back in to eating solid foods again without stomach upset.

Dr. Junger's book about his cleanse comes out in paperback on December 28, 2010. It is called, CLEAN and it is another source for those of you seeking to do and cleanse, make a clean break from old habits and embrace a new way of living. I'm on my way to optimal health. I plan to explore other things too and increase in knowledge. We have such power as human beings and anything that we focus on and pay a lot of attention to will show increase in our lives.

Tomorrow will be my last blog about the Master Cleanse fast and I won't be posting every day after that. But it will represent only the beginning of my journey to optimal health. And everything that I try and vet that works, I will share with you.

Peace and Blessings...

Friday, October 8, 2010

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Seven, The Home Stretch



Day 7 - wow, it is certainly going by quickly! It is funny how you get in a zone after Day 4 and the mechanics of doing the cleanse get easier. It still is an exercise in discipline for me, make no mistake about it. Anyone who has had an addiction knows that after the physical cravings go, you have to deal with the mental cravings. And unlike other addictions, we do have to eat. Every day. So after this break I have some decisions to make about what I'm going to do now.

Living in California I find that there are many people who are trying to live an organically clean lifestyle, people who are conscious about everything they put into and on their body for optimum health. To be honest, it is hard to wade through the information and to come up with what is right for you. I am blessed to live in an area where organic food is plentiful and reasonably priced most of the year. So as I learn to do better I can afford to do so as well. My energy levels have increased so I can also get back to my daily exercise to keep my limbs moving and active. An interesting website is goop.com which has lots of lifestyle information. It was started by Gwyneth Paltrow and the info is presented in a easy to read format with recipes, stories, lots to keep you busy. I also told you about the Curezone site, which is harder to wade through and there is also the Master Cleanse site if you just want to try the cleanse for yourself.

My cousin just told me about something called Asea which sounds interesting. Anyone out there have any more information about this product? One of my older sisters also told me about Isogenix cleansing and fat burning system. There is a lot of new science out there about the human body. Of course my battle is that after buying groceries and paying bills I don't have a lot of extra money for new products. So for me, I'm searching for the lifestyle changes that I can incorporate into my daily life that won't require me to get a new job to pay for them.

We are on the home stretch. I would like to do a liver flush after the 10 days and I am in the process of deciding which one to do. I suppose some may think that I must be self-absorbed to write about this and to think anyone would care about whether or not I eat in a world where many do not eat because they cannot. When it comes to my body this is a battle that I have been fighting for years. If you look at earlier entries you can see what I looked like when I was over 100 lbs heavier and still after all that good effort I am still overweight. My belief is that I will not die overweight and there will be others who will need to know what to do when genetics, life, circumstances or simple bad habits put you in a situation where you need to grab hold of yourself and save yourself. I will succeed and as I do I want to help as many others as I can, with a prayer, a positive word, a lifestyle change or a product that has changed me too. Peace, blessings and Happy Thanksgiving weekend to the Canadians out there.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Six




Well yesterday I finished Day Six of the Master Cleanse and I wanted to write about it but I fell asleep before I could. Now for many people that might not be a big thing but usually I am unable to get to sleep until about 2 am in the morning and I would have to take some kind of sleep aid if I wanted to sleep earlier in the evening. Last night that was not the case so maybe this is the start of something good. I just wish I knew what it was that I cleaned out of my system to make that happen.

One really great thing about doing a cleanse is that you have so much more free time to do productive things. This week I have been reading, writing, composing music and making plans for the next 90 days. I always like to use the last quarter of the year to assess where I am and to try to get rid of things that I do not want to take into the new year. I used to feel so bad during the last week of the year thinking about New Year's resolutions that did not come to pass and promises that were broken. For the last two years I switched it up and by doing an assessment now, I can make sure that December 31 is a final day of Thanksgiving for the year.

I've been reading the Curezone.com website about the Master Cleanse and many people on the site recommend a Liver Flush after completing the cleanse. I am going to have to read more about it for the next few days and I will let you know if I do one. I am finding that my physical cravings for different foods have faded and now it is just the visual or sensory carvings that one feels when you see or smell different foods. I'm staying away from the Food Network and the Cooking Channel this week.

Peace and Blessings...

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Five




Some people have asked me, "how can you go 5 days without eating? Don't you get bored?" Boredom could be an issue on this cleanse if you let it, because the stimulus of food is everywhere, on billboards, buses, TVs, magazines, online, so there are distractions everywhere. And let's not talk about how wonderful food can smell at times. Your sense of smell during a cleanse becomes so heightened and it can be overwhelming. This is why I decided not to accept any friend's invitations to socialize while on the fast.

I also wanted to post more info about the Grade B Maple syrup and the cayenne pepper, why do we use them as ingredients?

Grade B Maple Syrup
-Contains manganese, an antioxidant mineral which helps neutralize free-radicals. Just 2 teaspoons equals 22% of your daily value
- Provides energy with its high levels of B vitamins and amino acids (amino acids are the
building blocks of protein).
- It also contains zinc, which helps maintain a healthy immune system. Zinc is required by
hundreds of enzymes in your body for normal functioning.

Cayenne Pepper

- As the best blood circulation stimulant known, capsaicin (its active ingredient) stops
platelets from clumping together and therefore allows blood to flow more easily.
- It soothes the digestive tract and stimulates the flow of stomach secretions and saliva.
- It is considered a thermogenic, which raises metabolism and aids in weight loss.
That info was from The Master Cleanse website. It is a great source of information about the cleanse and resources, books, and a community of people who have either done the cleanse or are in the process of doing it.

I'm thankful for another day completed. I am not weighing my body throughout the cleanse because I'm not doing this for weight loss, I am doing it to clean out my mind and body. After I have finished the cleanse I am going to add a vegan diet (a couple days a week) to my life. This fast has reminded me that there are foods that make your body feel well and foods that make you feel sick.

Peace and Blessings...

Monday, October 4, 2010

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Four

Today was a much better day. I'm glad I made it this far because each time I've fasted I've had people tell me, "I could never do that", or I'll support you while I make an sandwich, lol". I'm not saying that I do not find it to be a challenge but I can tell you for me and my own personal metabolism, this works. I've also heard from others who have similar stories.

The main point is that a cleanse or a fast is a highly personal experience. There are buttons inside you that others may not know about that only a fast can expose. That is why many people who are at a change point in their life, who seek direction for their 'next' have found a fast or a cleanse to be a great way to clear the mind from the task of daily foraging for food to concentrate on their inner self and the quiet voice of God within.

My favorite Bible passage is Isaiah 43 and it is one that I have claimed as my own. I place my own name in it where others are mentioned. So for me it starts like this:

Isaiah 43

1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, Dede,
he who formed you,Dede:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; Dede, you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, Dede,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

from the Bible Gateway

I like to meditate on a God who is with me through the task of living a purpose-filled life. I thank God for another day and I will now breathe and be thankful that I made it through another day. Thank you so much for sharing it with me.

Peace and blessings.

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Three



Today was just as awful as I thought it would be but not so bad that I had to quit. At this point in the cleanse it seems that the toxins built up in your body come out from various places and that is uncomfortable. But I also noticed my sense of smell was more acute and my memory and thought process seemed a bit better. Also, perhaps because I stabilized my vitamin supplement regiment my mood was up and my sense of humor was intact.

My dog was not as happy because there were no meals being made(with all the accompanying smells) and no food to beg for so his life has been curtailed as well. I'm looking forward to this next stage of the cleansing fast where your antenna to God is locked on full force and there is no static getting in the way of the still small voice inside you that guides you to the next step. I also thank God that I am still in charge of my flesh and when my body needs to be brought into submission, I have the discipline to start and the common sense to stop at the right time. Thank God for one more day.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Two

Whew! I made it through Day Two. It is the end of the day and I am winding down. I did boil the distilled water with raw peeled ginger root. It added another kick start to the drink (along with the cayenne pepper) and I found it to be a refreshing drink which I enjoyed drinking. So yeah! I prepared my drink for tomorrow with both the ginger and two cups of mint tea that I made from the distilled water and fresh mint leaves. I tried it out and it tasted really good. What I don't know is the effect that will have on the cleansing process. But it does make this something I can drink for a long term. And I have 8 more days to go so that is a good thing.

Unfortunately though I feel like crap but my body is definitely responding to this break from crazy food. I've had a real craving for fried foods in the last few months so I hope this fast breaks that cycle and I can eat more a more raw, vegan diet. I still love a good steak but if I felt better I could learn to live without it. There are so many great fresh choices in Southern California so I do have options and I love to prepare different things. Right now, I'm going to sign off because this would be the time I had a late night snack with my dog and that is not happening tonight. So pray for me on Day Three which will start in just a few hours...

Friday, October 1, 2010

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day One

Usually this day is not the most physically challenging, that credit usually goes to Day Three, but this day is usually the most mentally challenging. It is so easy to go "My bad, did I say cleanse, I meant to say pig out, and then proceed to eat everything in the cupboard. But I know that because I am blogging about this, then my failure will live forever on the internet and future generations will know that I lacked the commitment to do something really good for my body. And I am no punk, so here we go. I stuck to the Agave Nectar for the lemonade drink and today for some reason it tastes better and it goes down easier. I had my herbal tea this morning and I enjoyed the warmth of it as I sat thru a rare thunder and lightning storm in Los Angeles.

I think I will have to have more tea later in the day to keep warm. I'm also going to get a new book to read so I don't pass these initial days thinking about all the food I will not be eating. During one cleanse I watched the Food Network for 10 hours straight and fed and tortured myself with those visuals of everything I was trying not to eat. Instead today I will reflect on why I want to be successful with this and what the ultimate benefits will be. I remember how clear my mind was after 15 days of one successful fast and how the ideas flowed. My energy levels were up my skin looked amazing. I want that again so this is worth it and so am I.

Thankful Thought:
I am thankful for family and friends who are as close as family. I am thankful that troubled times do not last forever and after every season of pain and doubt comes a season of joy. I thank God for showing me how great the younger generations are and the new way they have of thinking and processing their world. I am thankful for who I am on this day, and I see myself as part of God's great creation. Many of you read these blogs as an email or FB note and send your comments as such, but I would appreciate if you stopped by the page to give a shout-out sometimes too. Peace and Blessings.