The cleanse is going well and I am starting to see all the good things a cleanse can do. First off all I have suffered from acne since I was a teenager, in fact I can't remember the last time that I didn't have at least 1 pimple on my face. I have also always had red splotchy parts on my face and for the first time since I can remember my skin is clear and my face is bright with no red spots. For the first time, since I was about 13, I am going without make-up today and feeling great about it!!! My face has never, ever looked better. In fact my boyfriend even noticed it last night and this morning. I told him if this is how I look on the cleanse I'm going to have to do it every 3 months. lol.
I forgot to mention, most of my rash is gone! Yay! I still have the rash on my ears, but everywhere else it is gone :-)
I have also noticed a huge difference in my hair! Not only is it shinier, but it is has more volume and it is holding a style better. Plus I'm not shedding as much! But best of all . . . my hair still looks good day 2 of a hairstyle (this never happens for me). Normally day 2 my hair looks greasy near the scalp and I can only wear it up. I am now able to wear it down and it still look as good as it did the day before.
Random Tip: Although, until I started the cleanse I was frequently guilty of this myself.... you should only wash your hair every other day. Every stylist I have ever had has told me this and yelled at me when I was washing everyday. This cleanse has helped me be able to listen to my stylists and save my hair!
The Statistics
Intake - 6 servings
Hunger - None.
Cravings - None
Weight-loss - I didn't weigh myself today
Bowel Movements - More of the same. No change.
Side Effects - Rash
is gone, except on my ears. My hair looks better than ever and seems very healthy. My face is clear and bright!
Tongue Report - Tongue is still white
Mistakes - None today :-).
Goals - Go the full 40 days! :-) Try to space out my lemonades better, 1 every 2 hours instead of 2 servings at a time.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Day 10 - 3/23/2013
It's day 10! I can't believe it! When I started this cleanse I never thought that I was going to be able to last 10 whole days on this crazy cleanse, but I've made it! And now I know that I am going to go further!
I am a little frustrated though, because according to the scale I've actually gained about a pound. How is this possible? Well to google I went and I found this video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0wQKYSuCs8 which made me feel a little better, I guess I am not the only one. I also went on and watched more of her videos and saw that she lost a total of 9 pounds throughout her 10 day cleanse. I am hoping that tomorrow when I get on the scale I will see a better number!
The Statistics
Intake - 6 servings
Hunger - None.
Cravings - None
Weight-loss - gain 1 lb. Down 2.6 lb. since Day 6
Bowel Movements - More of the same. No change.
Side Effects - Rash behind ears, on chest, all over face and neck
Tongue Report - Tongue is still white
Mistakes - None today :-).
Goals - No change in goals
I am a little frustrated though, because according to the scale I've actually gained about a pound. How is this possible? Well to google I went and I found this video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0wQKYSuCs8 which made me feel a little better, I guess I am not the only one. I also went on and watched more of her videos and saw that she lost a total of 9 pounds throughout her 10 day cleanse. I am hoping that tomorrow when I get on the scale I will see a better number!
The Statistics
Intake - 6 servings
Hunger - None.
Cravings - None
Weight-loss - gain 1 lb. Down 2.6 lb. since Day 6
Bowel Movements - More of the same. No change.
Side Effects - Rash behind ears, on chest, all over face and neck
Tongue Report - Tongue is still white
Mistakes - None today :-).
Goals - No change in goals
Day 9 - 3/22/2013
Honestly I don't have much to write for day 9. It's really more of the same. I still have the rashes. I'm still not hungry. It's been a good day cleanse wise, other than being very irritable and moody.
The Statistics
Intake - 6 servings
Hunger - None.
Cravings - None
Weight-loss - 1.6 lb. Down 3.6 lb. since Day 5
Bowel Movements - More of the same. No change.
Side Effects - Rash behind ears, on chest, all over face and neck
Tongue Report - Tongue is still white
Mistakes - None today :-).
Goals - No change in goals
The Statistics
Intake - 6 servings
Hunger - None.
Cravings - None
Weight-loss - 1.6 lb. Down 3.6 lb. since Day 5
Bowel Movements - More of the same. No change.
Side Effects - Rash behind ears, on chest, all over face and neck
Tongue Report - Tongue is still white
Mistakes - None today :-).
Goals - No change in goals
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Day 8 - 3/21/2013
It's been a day! And I've come to the realization that I put other people in front of my own well being and wants. Let me explain. I agreed to do something for my boyfriend this morning, so that he could sleep after his 12 hour shift, which meant I couldn't do the salt water flush when I woke up. I knew I'd be on the move and not near a bathroom, so I decided I would do it after.
I had to pick up something from a friend for my boyfriend. No problem so far. Except that changed when my friend asked me to go to McDonald's and pick him up a Caramel Frappe on my way to them. C'mon man! He knew i was doing the cleanse, in fact he had researched it a couple months ago and almost did it himself but decided not to because he didn't think he would be able to not eat for at least 10 days. But instead of speaking up and saying no I did it! I am happy to report I stayed strong even though caramel frappes are one of my favs!! :-)
One hurdle successfully jumped.
Now it was time to go home and do the salt water flush. Slight problem my boyfriend was on the way, unexpectedly, and I know that I was going to be on and off the toilet for about an hour and a half. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my time with him before he went back to work. So I decided to hold off once again. But by the time he left it was 4 o'clock I hadn't done the flush nor had I had any lemonades. My stomach was growling at me so I opted for the lemonade. I quickly downed 3 servings, and made 3 more serving after I picked my son up (slightly after 6 p.m.).
I eventually did the salt water flush at 10:30... I had to wait until my stomach was empty.
What have I learned today? I need to speak up and stop doing things for other people that will derail me and my progress. I needed to tell my friend no to the McDonald's. I needed to woman up and do the flush even though the boyfriend was coming over. I am more important than anything else and my health is most important. Throughout my 31 years I have always worried about everyone else's wants and needs in front of mine, even people I didn't really care for, and it's time for a change! It is time to put me first! (Well, first after my little redhead!)
The Rash it's still here! I had a minor burning sensation throughout the day today, but nothing too bad. I'm ready to get my face, neck, ears, and chest back to normal. Check out these pictures of my rash.
The Statistics
Intake - 6 servings
Hunger - None to the point that I didn't even have my first lemonade until 4. No bueno... I should have drank it much earlier!
Cravings - McDonald's Breakfast Burrito. Weird because 1. I hate McDonald's and 2. I've never had one before
Weight-loss - 1 lb. Down 2 lb. since Day 5
Bowel Movements - More of the same. No change.
Side Effects - Rash behind ears, on chest, all over face and neck
Tongue Report - Tongue is still white
Mistakes - I didn't do my morning salt water flush.
Goals - No change in goals
I had to pick up something from a friend for my boyfriend. No problem so far. Except that changed when my friend asked me to go to McDonald's and pick him up a Caramel Frappe on my way to them. C'mon man! He knew i was doing the cleanse, in fact he had researched it a couple months ago and almost did it himself but decided not to because he didn't think he would be able to not eat for at least 10 days. But instead of speaking up and saying no I did it! I am happy to report I stayed strong even though caramel frappes are one of my favs!! :-)
One hurdle successfully jumped.
Now it was time to go home and do the salt water flush. Slight problem my boyfriend was on the way, unexpectedly, and I know that I was going to be on and off the toilet for about an hour and a half. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my time with him before he went back to work. So I decided to hold off once again. But by the time he left it was 4 o'clock I hadn't done the flush nor had I had any lemonades. My stomach was growling at me so I opted for the lemonade. I quickly downed 3 servings, and made 3 more serving after I picked my son up (slightly after 6 p.m.).
I eventually did the salt water flush at 10:30... I had to wait until my stomach was empty.
What have I learned today? I need to speak up and stop doing things for other people that will derail me and my progress. I needed to tell my friend no to the McDonald's. I needed to woman up and do the flush even though the boyfriend was coming over. I am more important than anything else and my health is most important. Throughout my 31 years I have always worried about everyone else's wants and needs in front of mine, even people I didn't really care for, and it's time for a change! It is time to put me first! (Well, first after my little redhead!)
The Rash it's still here! I had a minor burning sensation throughout the day today, but nothing too bad. I'm ready to get my face, neck, ears, and chest back to normal. Check out these pictures of my rash.The Statistics
Intake - 6 servings
Hunger - None to the point that I didn't even have my first lemonade until 4. No bueno... I should have drank it much earlier!
Cravings - McDonald's Breakfast Burrito. Weird because 1. I hate McDonald's and 2. I've never had one before
Weight-loss - 1 lb. Down 2 lb. since Day 5
Bowel Movements - More of the same. No change.
Side Effects - Rash behind ears, on chest, all over face and neck
Tongue Report - Tongue is still white
Mistakes - I didn't do my morning salt water flush.
Goals - No change in goals
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Day 7 - 3/20/2013
I can't believe it's been a week! Has it been easy? No. Hard? I don't know if I would call it that either. All I know is if I can last a week only on lemonade..... so can you!!!
My cravings are heavy today. Not really craving anything just solid food really. Watching live TV is still torture due to all the commercials about food. In fact just a few minutes ago I found myself wanting Red Lobster because of a commercial. They are advertising Lobster Feast right now, and although I don't even like lobster I found myself drooling at the commercial. And to make matters worse I'm not really a Red Lobster fan, but I was ready to get in the car and go.
Oh solid food.... how I miss you.
Enough about food though. The cleanse is going well, minus the rash. Yesterday I mentioned it briefly but I didn't really give you details. And seeing that is why I created this blog to share my experience for those of you thinking about doing the cleanse or already doing the cleanse and are trying to see if their experience is normal, I am going to show you some a not so flattering pictures of my face and my rash.
Make-up covers it pretty well, but if you get really close it is still noticeable. Other than being U-G-L-Y it is not to bothersome. The most annoying part of this rash is the way it feels. I hate touching my face or my ears right now and I avoid it all costs.
But is it normal??? Well as soon as I realized I was developing a rash, which by the way I started noticing late in the day during day 5, I did some research. According to my research it is pretty normal, it is supposed to be the toxins from your body being released from your skin.
Here is a few things I found on Rashes during the Master Cleanse:
1. "The rashes that might transpire in your body are normal effect as well as other side effects like weight loss. The condition is not alarming because it is the result of eliminating the toxins from your body. The rashes are the toxins that come out your body because of the detoxification process. You should not be alarmed by this." Source: http://diet.weightlosssuccessnow.com/2010/10/master-cleanse-can-cause-rashes/
2. "The Master Cleanse and other detox diets may give you bad breath, diarrhea, nausea, lethargy, itchy skin and acne, according to the Daily Record. These are supposed to be healthy signs, indicators that toxins are leaving your body. And, when your skin clears, it should stay clear" Source: Livestrong
3. I also found a forum where many people posted about having the rashes you can find it here : http://themastercleanse.com/forum/showthread.php?69-Is-a-skin-rash-a-possible-symptom
4. And finally I have been using the different pages of this website as one of my go-to sources the link will take you directly to the page about side effects where it mentions that skin rashes are pretty normal. TheMasterCleanse.org
So it turns out it's pretty normal! Okay well now that I've settled that.... go away rash!!!!!
The Statistics
Intake - 6 servings
Hunger - None
Cravings - Lobster (and I don't even like lobster) dang commercials!
Exercise - None :-(
Weight-loss - No change. Down 1 lb. since Day 5
Bowel Movements - More of the same. No change.
Side Effects - Rash behind ears, on chest, all over face and neck
Tongue Report - Tongue is still white
Mistakes - None. I was good today :-)
Goals - No change in goals
My cravings are heavy today. Not really craving anything just solid food really. Watching live TV is still torture due to all the commercials about food. In fact just a few minutes ago I found myself wanting Red Lobster because of a commercial. They are advertising Lobster Feast right now, and although I don't even like lobster I found myself drooling at the commercial. And to make matters worse I'm not really a Red Lobster fan, but I was ready to get in the car and go.
Oh solid food.... how I miss you.
Enough about food though. The cleanse is going well, minus the rash. Yesterday I mentioned it briefly but I didn't really give you details. And seeing that is why I created this blog to share my experience for those of you thinking about doing the cleanse or already doing the cleanse and are trying to see if their experience is normal, I am going to show you some a not so flattering pictures of my face and my rash.
Make-up covers it pretty well, but if you get really close it is still noticeable. Other than being U-G-L-Y it is not to bothersome. The most annoying part of this rash is the way it feels. I hate touching my face or my ears right now and I avoid it all costs.
Here is a few things I found on Rashes during the Master Cleanse:
1. "The rashes that might transpire in your body are normal effect as well as other side effects like weight loss. The condition is not alarming because it is the result of eliminating the toxins from your body. The rashes are the toxins that come out your body because of the detoxification process. You should not be alarmed by this." Source: http://diet.weightlosssuccessnow.com/2010/10/master-cleanse-can-cause-rashes/
2. "The Master Cleanse and other detox diets may give you bad breath, diarrhea, nausea, lethargy, itchy skin and acne, according to the Daily Record. These are supposed to be healthy signs, indicators that toxins are leaving your body. And, when your skin clears, it should stay clear" Source: Livestrong
3. I also found a forum where many people posted about having the rashes you can find it here : http://themastercleanse.com/forum/showthread.php?69-Is-a-skin-rash-a-possible-symptom
4. And finally I have been using the different pages of this website as one of my go-to sources the link will take you directly to the page about side effects where it mentions that skin rashes are pretty normal. TheMasterCleanse.org
So it turns out it's pretty normal! Okay well now that I've settled that.... go away rash!!!!!
The Statistics
Intake - 6 servings
Hunger - None
Cravings - Lobster (and I don't even like lobster) dang commercials!
Exercise - None :-(
Weight-loss - No change. Down 1 lb. since Day 5
Bowel Movements - More of the same. No change.
Side Effects - Rash behind ears, on chest, all over face and neck
Tongue Report - Tongue is still white
Mistakes - None. I was good today :-)
Goals - No change in goals
Day 6 - 3/19/2013
Today in one word was HARD. I never realized how much food was in my life. Commercials on TV, School Events, Movies, and Dating. I realized today that food is everywhere! I mean everywhere. Let me explain....
First off all I wasn't hungry at all today but the cravings were getting to me.
I started my day with my daily salt water flush. I've now found that if I pour a glass of about 10 oz. I can down that glass pretty easily, if I stand up. Then I wait a minute or two and re-pour until all 32 oz are gone. And I know it sounds crazy but standing up helps for some reason. Whatever works, right? (I have included the recipe for the flush at the bottom of this post).
I used the time waiting for the Flush to work to get ready for my date with my boyfriend. Since he is a police officer who works nights and I am working from home right now we try to spend time together during the day on his days off, while our kids are at school. Anyways, usually when I go down to his house we go out to lunch, well that was out, so we decided for the movies. I thought it would be easily to go to the movies and not have to fight cravings. Boy was I wrong. I never realized how much it would take to walk by the concessions stand and not get popcorn. Man that was hard! But once I made it past the concessions stand the commercials before the previews were also torture. Twizzlers, M&Ms, and more. Oh gosh! I'm glad my boyfriend is supportive and didn't get anything either! I may not have been able to resist.
Well I made it through the movies still following the cleanse! :-)
But then came my son's Art Show at the local High School. Everything was great there, the art was beautiful! I was so proud of my son. And then bam! It hit me.... TEMPTATION! I started noticing there were people walking around with snacks. And then naturally so did my son, and who was I to deny my skinny, healthy son a snack. After all, he was one of only a few Kindergarteners showcased. So we got in line for the snack table. And we waited. And we waited. The longer we waited the more I looked at the table. Cookies, cake, brownies, fruits, veggies, soda, candy, crackers, and my favorite cheese! I kid you not I wanted to grab a plate, fill it up, and find a quiet place to devourer it. I guess that's what happens when you haven't eaten solid food in 6 days. Thank goodness my parents came with me, I looked at my mom and said "can you do this? This is too much for me." And my mom came to the rescue! Thank you mom dukes!
I thought once I was home for the night it would be a lot easier, boy was I wrong! While watching Dance Moms, don't judge me, it seemed like every other commercial was about food. I found myself wanting to eat anything, it didn't matter. I had to turn the TV off eventually cause I was going to crack. I spent the rest of the night avoiding the kitchen and the TV...... but I made it through!
The Statistics
Intake - 6 servings
Hunger - None
Cravings - Oh Boy! Everything and anything.
Exercise - None :-( (Although technically they say you shouldn't exercise much while on the cleanse I still feel like I should've done something)
Weight-loss - Down 1 lb.
Bowel Movements - More of the same. No change.
Side Effects - Rash behind ears, on chest, all over face and neck. (From what I read this is due to toxins being released through the skin and it is pretty normal.) I was able to cover the rashes with make-up but my skin feels bumpy and is itchy at times.
Tongue Report - Tongue is still white
Mistakes - I had a couple of mints, a no-no during the cleanse, but I wanted to have fresh breath for my honey!
Goals - Same goals as before but also workout at least 3 times a week.
First off all I wasn't hungry at all today but the cravings were getting to me.
I started my day with my daily salt water flush. I've now found that if I pour a glass of about 10 oz. I can down that glass pretty easily, if I stand up. Then I wait a minute or two and re-pour until all 32 oz are gone. And I know it sounds crazy but standing up helps for some reason. Whatever works, right? (I have included the recipe for the flush at the bottom of this post).
I used the time waiting for the Flush to work to get ready for my date with my boyfriend. Since he is a police officer who works nights and I am working from home right now we try to spend time together during the day on his days off, while our kids are at school. Anyways, usually when I go down to his house we go out to lunch, well that was out, so we decided for the movies. I thought it would be easily to go to the movies and not have to fight cravings. Boy was I wrong. I never realized how much it would take to walk by the concessions stand and not get popcorn. Man that was hard! But once I made it past the concessions stand the commercials before the previews were also torture. Twizzlers, M&Ms, and more. Oh gosh! I'm glad my boyfriend is supportive and didn't get anything either! I may not have been able to resist.
Well I made it through the movies still following the cleanse! :-)
But then came my son's Art Show at the local High School. Everything was great there, the art was beautiful! I was so proud of my son. And then bam! It hit me.... TEMPTATION! I started noticing there were people walking around with snacks. And then naturally so did my son, and who was I to deny my skinny, healthy son a snack. After all, he was one of only a few Kindergarteners showcased. So we got in line for the snack table. And we waited. And we waited. The longer we waited the more I looked at the table. Cookies, cake, brownies, fruits, veggies, soda, candy, crackers, and my favorite cheese! I kid you not I wanted to grab a plate, fill it up, and find a quiet place to devourer it. I guess that's what happens when you haven't eaten solid food in 6 days. Thank goodness my parents came with me, I looked at my mom and said "can you do this? This is too much for me." And my mom came to the rescue! Thank you mom dukes!I thought once I was home for the night it would be a lot easier, boy was I wrong! While watching Dance Moms, don't judge me, it seemed like every other commercial was about food. I found myself wanting to eat anything, it didn't matter. I had to turn the TV off eventually cause I was going to crack. I spent the rest of the night avoiding the kitchen and the TV...... but I made it through!
The Statistics
Intake - 6 servings
Hunger - None
Cravings - Oh Boy! Everything and anything.
Exercise - None :-( (Although technically they say you shouldn't exercise much while on the cleanse I still feel like I should've done something)
Weight-loss - Down 1 lb.
Bowel Movements - More of the same. No change.
Side Effects - Rash behind ears, on chest, all over face and neck. (From what I read this is due to toxins being released through the skin and it is pretty normal.) I was able to cover the rashes with make-up but my skin feels bumpy and is itchy at times.
Tongue Report - Tongue is still white
Mistakes - I had a couple of mints, a no-no during the cleanse, but I wanted to have fresh breath for my honey!
Goals - Same goals as before but also workout at least 3 times a week.
My Tool Kit and Pricing
My Master Cleanse Tool Kit
Organic Grade B Pure Maple Syrup (1 Qt) - Whole Foods Market - $19.99
Filtered Water (1 Gallon) - Giant Food - $1.00
LaxaTea (20 tea bags) - Giant Food - $
Non-iodized Sea Salt (22 oz.) - Giant Food - $
Cayenne Pepper (1 oz.) - Giant Food - $
Lemons - Giant Food - 2lb bag- $3.99 or $0.66 each lemon
(the lemons priced at $0.66 each are juicier and get enough juice to make 2 servings from each lemon)
Tools:
Originally I was squeezing lemons, by hand, into a bowl and then measuring. I knew there had to be a better way so I went on Amazon and I found a lemon juicer that actually measures the juice for you. I love this little gadget! And it only cost me $5.07 when I bought it. The link below will get you to the right place :-)Jo!e Lemon Juicer
Disclaimer- You must rinse the juicer in between juicing each half of the lemon otherwise it get clogged
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