Plus some tips for an easier cleanse!

Date:   3/23/2005 8:04:51 PM ( 19 y ago)

It really does get better after day 3. That is what I've read and my friend who did the cleanse a while back told me that if I made it to day 4, it would be smooth sailing for the duration. I've read on the MC Forum that day 8 seems to be a little difficult for some, so I stand warned!

Day 8 of my cleanse just happens to fall on Easter. Am supposed to go visit J's family with him that afternoon. Luckily for me, I don't eat ham, or canned green beans which will make up most of the menu. The big question is whether I am going or not. I'll wait and see how I feel that day. If it's a rough day, I may just nap through it. Sundays are always good nap days anyway.

So, here is what I've learned about having a successful cleanse:

1) Before you start, write down your reasons for wanting to do the cleanse and review them every time your willpower seems ready to disappear.

2) Quit your food/drink addictions before the cleanse, especially
coffee. You don't want caffeine withdrawals in the middle of a cleanse.

3) Eat as cleanly as possible the week preceding your cleanse. It will make for an easier transition.

4) Have enough ingredients on hand. Food stores are the last place you want to be on a cleanse (although I did ok in them for some odd reason). If you run out of an ingredient mid cleanse, you are more likely to use that as an excuse not to finish than if you have everything you need right there.

5) Use the tea, but don't drink it too early in the evening (unless you like getting up in the midst of the night). I use Yogi "Get Regular" tea because it has the lowest dose of senna. Works like a charm.

5) Drink the SWF every morning. It really helps get all of the toxins out. If you don't do this, you won't release toxins and you may prolong detox/cleansing symptoms. If you use grey celtic sea salt it won't taste horrid. N.B.: The "transit time" on the first morning you drink the SWF will be shorter than subsequent mornings. This is because you still have food in your system. Beware and be near a toilet. After the first morning you should be near a toilet for around an hour to an hour and a half. You'll know after a couple of days what the time frame is for you.

6) Drink your lemonade. If you feel hunger, drink some more. This helped me more times than I can tell you. You will learn to distinquish between emotional and physical hunger. Both will pass.

7) Water water water. Keep yourself hydrated.

8) Start a blog. I would be lost without this one. If you don't want to do one online, just start a journal on your computer or buy a cool book to write in. I like having this online because I feel it keeps me accountable.

9) Exercise if you feel up to it. Take a walk or stretch, yoga, pilates, weights. Just don't expect to do your usual intensity. Working out made me feel 'normal.'

10) Do something nice for yourself that doesn't involve food. A massage, a sauna, a bath with candles, a manicure, a foot rub. Just anything nice that is relaxing is a real treat during this period.

11) Your sense of smell may become more enhanced. Mine did. I can smell food on people (else it may be wishful thinking), but I can tell you what someone had for lunch. I can also smell orange blossoms wafting across a grove on a warm breeze.

12) Do not torture yourself and think you can go out with friends while they eat You can't. It's just too awkward and tempting.

13) Be aware that there are scads of commercials on TV that show food. Stay away from the Food Channel.

14) Pat yourself on the back every day. You're doing something good for yourself.

Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary!!!

And one last tip/observation: From anecdotal evidence (talking with friends who have done the cleanse, or reading the MC forum), some people will feel very emotional (weepy, quick to cry) while others feel oddly up. Or one day you may feel up, the next you may feel down. It's all part of the cleanse!

 

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