I started my latest Master Cleanse program last Thursday (1/13). I was so excited that I made it past Day 1 and into Day 2 (the hardest part for me - just to get started!) This past weekend I did everything I could think of to keep my mind off food - I walked my little chihuahua at least a mile both days, cleaned the entire apartment and tackled my very scary walk-in bedroom that was piled high from floor to ceiling. I even read throught about 500 job advertisements (without seeing anything even remotely interesting - sigh). I have told all my friends that the only way they can hang out with me for the next month and a half is if the activity has nothing to do with food or alcohol. So that basically eliminates socializing with my friends! But that's ok because when I started this Cleanse, I made it a time for me - to focus on the health of my body and the condition of my life. The 40 days of Heather.
It's amazing how letting yourself go and gaining weight is usually paired with the decline of other things going on in your life. The heavier I am, the more I realize how disorganized I've become in other aspects. My home and desk at the office tend to be in disarray. My bills pile up. I miss appointments and birthdays. I forget to pay bills and ruined my credit. I feel pretty confident that depression is the major culprit - I get into a really bad state of mind and it all goes to hell. But I can do better, so this weekend I took account of all the things that need "fixing". It's not so much a new year's resolution (because I never follow through with those), but just a list of everything I HAVE to get done in the next few months no matter what. I have dug myself into a big hole - financially and physically - and until I have climbed out, I can't start working on the bigger picture items.
Day 2 - Yay! I'm still in!
Well, last night I went to bed still on my Master Cleanse! I am very proud of myself because for me, getting through the end of day 1 and into day 2 is the HARDEST thing. I’m not sure if anyone else feels like this, but I fail a lot before the end of the first day because something “comes up” – celebrate someone’s birthday (not mine), happy hour with coworkers, dinner with a friend. Always something. I usually cave because I am not INVESTED at that point. It’s just the first day. A trial run. I can start tomorrow… Then something else comes up again the next day. Another ugly cycle – lack of dedication and commitment.
But yesterday was different. Because I am reporting my progress to you, I fought all instincts and ignored the lunch invites. I made it successfully through day one. Thank you keeping me honest and on track!
So now it is the end of day two. I kept myself busy all day long with work – didn’t think too much about food. Thank God there wasn’t anything yummy out for sampling. Overall it was a pretty non-eventful day.
Afternoon tea time!
Now that I am on The Cleanse, I have started to set up a routine to get through this, regimenting the times that I chug the detox juice and when I have tea breaks. Oh yeah, one thing that really helps me get through The Cleanse is the fact that I can drink tea. Flavored, decaffeinated organic herbal hot teas, not sweet tea or anything like that. Green tea, Chai, Cammomile, and Peppermint are great while you are on this. It breaks up the monotony of the lemon/syrup flavor and it’s another way to take in water, which you have to drink plenty of. Tea has been a saving grace for me.
Another tea that you SHOULD drink at least once a day during this program is “Smooth Move”. Yes, it is exactly what you think it is – a laxative. It’s super important to have fiber because you have to move the wastes and toxin out of your system. You really should read the section on the ingredients and supplements to take for The Cleanse. In the mornings I take phsyllium husk caplets and in the evenings when I get home I have the tea. That way it kicks in about the time I go to bed, and I don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night…
Enough about that topic…don’t want to share TMI, but obviously this is what The Cleanse is for, so anything that helps it along that is ok to use while you are on the detox is good info to have.
The day is over, and I’m out! Ready to get to bed and start all over tomorrow!
Day 1 - Here we go!
Friday 1/14
It’s official. I started The Master Cleanse today. Day 1. A little anti-climactic, but I am already feeling more positive about myself this morning – outlook and attitude = positive. J
In case you haven’t read my mini-novel detailing who I am, what I am doing, and why I am doing this, I will give you a brief summary. My name is Heather, and I came to Hollywood California 5 years ago for “the dream” – I want to be a singer/songwriter. Over the past 5 years, I have been beat up, chewed up and spit up by this town, but have landed in an ok, stable marketing job clinging to life and my sanity in this hellacious economy. My dream has been put aside to take care of basic needs. I’m sure I'm like most American’s right now – trying to cover bills and put food on the table without much left over for anything else. I eat cheap, and where I can, for free. I sit at a desk for 9-10 hours a day snacking on office candy and bagels (and any other homemade goods that thoughtful coworkers bring in – mmmmm sausage dip….), and stare at a computer screen. I drive at least 45 minutes each way to work, and by the time I get home at 7:30pm I’m exhausted. So I plop down in front of the TV and zone out until about 10:30 before I go bed. Wake up. Repeat.
This is a gigantic hamster wheel of my own making in some ways I suppose. I COULD eat better to a degree, I COULD walk or exercise at some point (although it would have to be before 6AM since I do not feel safe walking around my Hollywood neighborhood at night, in the dark…). I COULD get out of the house (and not watch TV) without spending much/any money. But I am not MOTIVATED to do anything. Depression can in and of itself zap all your energy and desire to even get off the couch. So now my waistline (and everything else) has expanded to the point that all my clothes are tight – even my fat clothes – and quite frankly I don’t have the cash to spend on more clothes when I will probably just outgrow them in the next month or so. So this rollercoaster needs to stop and I need to get my fat ass off the ride.
I have done The Master Cleanse several times before and have had great success. It really can jumpstart you into a new routine of healthy living! I know because I have done just that and lost around 25lbs in all. But food is an addiction as well…and I fell off the wagon, more than once. Because I know that this system works for me, I’m committing myself to 40 days of my own personal detox and rehab. And yes I plan on conducting a “sober living” so to speak after this is over, to teach myself how to eat properly and take care of my body.
So, Day 1. It’s off to a good start, since I made sure that I had a pretty big meal last night around 7:30 (absolutely no alcohol) so that when I woke up this morning I wouldn’t be starving or hungover. Being really hungry first thing makes Day 1 diffcult. But I made it through “breakfast” (aka first dose of “the juice” as I like to call it) and now its noon and time for lunch. It’s at this time I’ll go and chug my second helping of the juice, then go window shopping at the mall to plan out what I want to wear after my 40 days is over. Getting through the day isn’t too hard as long as I ignore the constant free food that is available at work. It’s the drive home that will start to kill me. That’s when I start planning what I am going to have for dinner. My drive tonight will be a major battle, but I have to stick with it and not cave, promising myself that I will “start tomorrow, for real.” I’ve done that a few times and after I eat that first night, the food I ate was never worth it with all the effort I had put in all day. I just have to keep this in mind until my head hits the pillow around 11pm this evening.
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