people who do cleansers/fasts...

[caramellady85]

which one(s) do you do?
how often?
what's the process?
how long do you do it for?

I've been thinking about doing on, I just can't decide which one.

[elle simple]

Hey girl! This may be TMI but....

For the last three years, I've done the Master Cleanser (http://www.curezone.com/cleanse/bowel/master_cleanse.asp) once/yr. Am getting ready to do it again in the end of March.

Anyone considering it, I highly recommend picking up the book (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0963926209/102-8109697-5001706?v=glance&n=283155) -- it is my bible when I am on the fast, esp the first couple times.

I'm gonna go on about it for a second cuz offthabooks was asking in another thread; intelsis has some info to add too I think...?

The Basics

The Master Cleanser is a 10-day liquid diet, where the main thing you take in -- besides lots and lots of water -- is a lemonaide concoction you make yourself w/fresh (organic) lemons, B grade maple syrup, red pepper and water (preferably filtered at least, not just 'plain' tap water, depending on water quality where you live).

Making sure you have quality (pure, organic) ingredients is really important b/c that is the only "food" your body is taking in, and the chemicals on those waxy, bright yellow lemons can make you sick. This I know from experience. The Costco-size bag o'lemons is certainly cheaper than organic, but seriously, I will never go that route again.

The author also recommends a laxative tea (http://www.tealand.com/SmoothMove.asp) and a "salt water wash" in combination to flush out your insides. The idea being to eliminate toxins from deep within, so you MUST expel them. This can be very intense, and I think it is important (esp w/the tea) to experiment with the strength of the tea (steeping the bag 5 minutes vs. 15 minutes made a huge difference for me). You do not want to be running to the bathroom all day b/c your intestines are spasming uncontrollably. It's awkward for one thing, and can be painful... that's when I lighten the strength of the lax tea. But you gotta do what works for you. And I must say, it is a TRIP when "stuff" is coming out of you after 5 days of not eating! Just thinking of all that fecal matter hanging out inside you full time... YUCK!!

Issues

They say it is a 10-day fast, but really, it is much, much longer. First you got all the mental preparation that goes into it. Reading, planning some days off (esp towards the end of the fast), pre-fast diet, getting prepared w/the ingredients etc. Then there are the 10 days themselves, then the post-fast which you wanna take really, really, really slowly (so hard to do!).

The last two times I did the fast, I had *major* pain that the author calls "cleansing episodes" which is basically toxins releasing from deep inside your body. And Lord knows I have a lot of toxins. The first time I had an episode, I went on a 9-mile hike on day 8 of the fast (okay maybe not the brightest move, but I did it w/o too much problem) and a few hours later experienced nausea, sweating, dry heaves and dizzyness, but they subsided in a couple hours.

The cleanse last year was marked by muscle pain in my back and legs that was so intense I could barely sleep, for maybe 6 or 7 days. Was horrible, but eventually subsided. I attribute these aches to the fact that I was not doing any stretching or working out beyond the occassional surf session.

This time, I am trying to avoid these crazy pains by getting myself on track early, diet-wise and fitness-wise. I'm doing this by cutting way back on alcohol (a major toxin for me) and making sure I have a regular yoga regimine in place. I hope this helps me! I'll also keep doing yoga during the fast, but any type of stretching would be beneficial.

I already eat a primarily vegetarian diet, so I wont have to make many changes there, but around the beginning of March, I'm going to set aside dairy and fish too, at least mostly, to prep myself for the fast. I have found the fast MUCH easier when you do a pre-fast diet that shrinks your stomach and starts the elimination process through natural means (fiber!).

Last notes (sorry to go on so long!)

The Master Cleanser is NOT a weight-loss program, tho it can help you correct poor dietary or other habits (smoking for example).

It has helped me step back from coffee, once I quit for a year, and tho I am on it again, I figure even taking a break for a while is a good thing. Processed food (including refined sugar) is another thing, that just doesnt appeal when first breaking the fast. You just become more focused on what you put inside you.

Despite the pain, I really look forward to my annual cleanse, and highly recommend the Master Cleanser if you are so inclined!

[elle simple]

BTW (heh) what fast/cleanse programs are you actually considering?

[caramellady85]

BTW (heh) what fast/cleanse programs are you actually considering?
i'm not actually sure. I just remember a little about this one from back when wuta was on it.

thanks for the info though

[khalid a.k.a Genocide]

IMO fasting type programs don't really address the issue of cutting weight and then mainting the body fat off post-program. Its like a shock period that your will go through and once the program is over, most likely your body will go back to what it was prior to the program.

The human body tends to cope well with gradual changes rather than sudden abrupt changes. With that said, the chances you getting much out(result-wise) of a fasting (10 day or whatever that is) program are minimal.

I don't want to offend anyone here, but such programs are really just for the creator/auther to make money off of people without giving much substance to the people that buy into it. But, hey to each its own.

[caramellady85]

IMO fasting type programs don't really address the issue of cutting weight and then mainting the body fat off post-program. Its like a shock period that your will go through and once the program is over, most likely your body will go back to what it was prior to the program.
that's ok. my goal isn't weight/fat loss.

[offthabooks]

thank you for the info elle...VERY helpful.

I think I am going to pick up that book to learn the specifics. I'm def interested in doing it, maybe in the spring. I've never done a fast/cleanse before, so I think I could def benefit from it. I eat pretty healthy now...no red meat, limited dairy, limited caffiene, no alcohol.

I was talking to one of my co-workers about cleanses & she said she did a 3 day juice fast of apples, red beets & carrots. She said she expelled alot & felt much better afterwards (also said her skin broke out & then cleared up). Would 3 days actually be enough time to feel results tho? If I do it, I'd just try for the 10 days, even tho it sounds like there would be some discomfort involved.

and khalid...my goal would not be weight loss either.

[khalid a.k.a Genocide]

that's ok. my goal isn't weight/fat loss.


What is your goal in relation to fitness and exercising, if you don't mind the question?

[elle simple]

What is your goal in relation to fitness and exercising, if you don't mind the question?

are you asking about her personally, or fasting in general? Cuz I can go on :guilty: lol

[khalid a.k.a Genocide]

are you asking about her personally, or fasting in general? Cuz I can go on :guilty: lol


fasting in general.......which IMO is counterproductive.

[elle simple]

fasting in general.......which IMO is counterproductive.

counterproductive to what tho?

[elle simple]

I was talking to one of my co-workers about cleanses & she said she did a 3 day juice fast of apples, red beets & carrots. She said she expelled alot & felt much better afterwards (also said her skin broke out & then cleared up). Would 3 days actually be enough time to feel results tho? If I do it, I'd just try for the 10 days, even tho it sounds like there would be some discomfort involved.


That sounds similar to what they describe in Juice Fasting and Detoxification (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1878736655/qid=1137623175/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-8109697-5001706?n=507846&s=books&v=glance) which advocates fresh vegetable juices and broths and has guidelines for 1, 2, and 3 day fasts (I think... book's at home) The way the author puts it, if you fasted (and if you are drinking juice you are technically not 'fasting' but...) one day a week for a whole year, you'd have fasted for 52 days, which is great.

Personally, I tried this for about 1 week, and just found the mental energy wasnt there for me. Dunno bout how deeply you can detox on a one-day juice fast, but maybe for some people it does work. Breakouts are mos def a symptom of detox.

The other thing about this type of fast, is that I do not own a juicer, which is pretty crucial to getting the liquid out of a beet! Tho if you had a healthy juice-bar around, it wouldnt be so hard (I only have Jamba juice which isnt really doing it like that).

The book is inspiring tho, lots of recipes, and I would certainly have no qualms about drinking my nutrients and calories for a meal or a day.

[elle simple]

Some Benefits of Fasting

Purification
More energy
Rejuvenation
Better sleep
Revitalization
More relaxation
Rest for digestive organs
Better attitude
Clearer skin
More clarity, mentally and emotionally
Antiaging effects
Improved senses—vision, hearing, taste
Inspiration
Creativity
Reduction of allergies
New ideas
Weight loss
Clearer planning
Drug detoxification
Change of habits
Better resistance to disease
Diet changes
Spiritual awareness
Right use of will

that's from this first article, and here are more for anyone curious...

The Process and Benefits of Fasting
http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?ID=1996

Why fasting?
http://www.healingdaily.com/juicing-for-health/fasting.htm

FASTING For Health & Spirit
http://www.erowid.org/spirit/fasting/fasting.shtml

Detoxification
http://www.holisticmed.com/detox/detox.html

Eat Less, Live Longer! - this article might be speaking your language K tho its not about fasting per se
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/md27.htm

[offthabooks]

thanks again elle

I picked up that master cleanser book...quick read, & I'm def gonna do it...although I don't agree with everything the author said (we don't need to take vitamins, we get protein from the air), I am a true believer in the basic principles of detoxing...I just need to psych myself up for this cuz I know it's not gonna be easy...

[The ADD]

Good stuff elle

[Jaysundotcom]

I fast, distilled water and grape juice/conventional Red grapes the first 5-7 days out of every month and water and a different juice every monday for 36 hours.

I feel great and think clearer.

Peace

[ladybaltimore]

Some Benefits of Fasting

Purification
More energy
Rejuvenation
Better sleep
Revitalization
More relaxation
Rest for digestive organs
Better attitude
Clearer skin
More clarity, mentally and emotionally
Antiaging effects
Improved senses—vision, hearing, taste
Inspiration
Creativity
Reduction of allergies
New ideas
Weight loss
Clearer planning
Drug detoxification
Change of habits
Better resistance to disease
Diet changes
Spiritual awareness
Right use of will

that's from this first article, and here are more for anyone curious...

The Process and Benefits of Fasting
http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?ID=1996

Why fasting?
http://www.healingdaily.com/juicing-for-health/fasting.htm

FASTING For Health & Spirit
http://www.erowid.org/spirit/fasting/fasting.shtml

Detoxification
http://www.holisticmed.com/detox/detox.html

Eat Less, Live Longer! - this article might be speaking your language K tho its not about fasting per se
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/md27.htm
Interesting stuff,, I was thinking about doing a fast/cleanse for some of those reasons listed,, I still believe that exercise is the best way to lose weight but I do think there are benefits to fasting,, thanks for the info.........

[offthabooks]

I'm on day 12 of the master cleanse right now...yea elle wasn't lying, it's intense...I feel really good tho...once I got past day 7, things have been alot easier...not sure how much longer imma go for...maybe to 15 days

[wutacutie]

the master cleanser does help u lose weight.. the author of the book (the little yellow one) says so.. he even goes as far as telling u how to lose weight doing the master cleanser (less maple syrup).. u just have to come off the cleanse correctly in order to keep it off.. cuz u gain back 5 lbs naturally when u start eating again but as long as u keep eating moderately healthy you keep it off.. my sis is living proof.. he lost like 20 lbs doing it and lost more when she came off..
i tried it but i didn't do it right..

master cleanser is great though.. my mind was so clear while i was doing it. felt like i was in the best mental shape ever... i felt like i saw and thought a lot more clearly.. and it helped my body too.. it was radiant afterwards.. like i literally glowed.. probably from all those damn lemons :blink:
damn.. now i want to do it again

[sexyDeirdre]

So this Master Clean is that good? Ari, it made ur skin glow?

Dang, the only thing Im scared of is how frequent u have to use the bathroom...

[wutacutie]

So this Master Clean is that good? Ari, it made ur skin glow?
Dang, the only thing Im scared of is how frequent u have to use the bathroom...
yea gurl. its good stuff.. i'm telling u- ppl notice.. like u just look extra radiant, extra clear.. extra alive.. and u feel that way too.. its just hard to stick to... temptation is a mother... and its no good to start the diet then stop in between cuz u can kill yourself.. its motivation to keep going after day 5 :laugh:

let's do it together starting sunday!

[7:30femmefatale]

liver cleanse, ya.

extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, epsom salts. i eat no fat the day of the cleanse, take the mixture throughout the afternoon/evening at different intervals, finish the epsom salts the next morning when i wake up, then resume normal eating.

i've seen a LOT of soft stones come out of my body when doing this. it's almost scary in a way.

[wutacutie]

liver cleanse, ya.
extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, epsom salts. i eat no fat the day of the cleanse, take the mixture throughout the afternoon/evening at different intervals, finish the epsom salts the next morning when i wake up, then resume normal eating.
i've seen a LOT of soft stones come out of my body when doing this. it's almost scary in a way.
how much of each ingredient do you put in the mixture?

swallowing oil :gag: i've already done that.. too many times.. i dunno if i could.. but i'm sure my liver would appreciate a cleanse
that mess must taste real nasty tho.. epsom salts :gag:

[The ADD]

I'm on day 12 of the master cleanse right now...yea elle wasn't lying, it's intense...I feel really good tho...once I got past day 7, things have been alot easier...not sure how much longer imma go for...maybe to 15 days

Damn, 15 days! Some folks be ready to take they life at 10.

[7:30femmefatale]

how much of each ingredient do you put in the mixture?
swallowing oil :gag: i've already done that.. too many times.. i dunno if i could.. but i'm sure my liver would appreciate a cleanse
that mess must taste real nasty tho.. epsom salts :gag:
1/2 cup of the oil

3 lemons juiced (or grapefruit works too, 1 large)

4 tablespoons of epsom salts

yes it's unpleasant but it goes away. some people get the runs a lil for a day or so when they do this, esp for the first time and their system is like shocked. oh and you don't mix it all together, at least you don't have to. you drink them all separately back-to-back like BAM BAM BAM, yuck, then it's over. :king:

[wutacutie]

1/2 cup of the oil
3 lemons juiced (or grapefruit works too, 1 large)
4 tablespoons of epsom salts
yes it's unpleasant but it goes away. some people get the runs a lil for a day or so when they do this, esp for the first time and their system is like shocked. oh and you don't mix it all together, at least you don't have to. you drink them all separately back-to-back like BAM BAM BAM, yuck, then it's over. :king:
u should se the look on my face right now
why drink them separately?
does it do something for the diet?
i'd rather just have one mess of nastiness at one time

[7:30femmefatale]

u should se the look on my face right now
why drink them separately?
does it do something for the diet?
i'd rather just have one mess of nastiness at one time
LOL.. it's not that bad, weenie!

depending on how icky your liver/gallbladder is, it can vastly improve your body's digestion. also increase energy, help w/ allergies, and other stuff too.

[sexyDeirdre]

Is this something I need to take a few days off? I cant have no runs and stuff at my job...I deal with interview clients alot...I cant be having the boo-boos the bathroom aint close enough:confused:

[wutacutie]

Is this something I need to take a few days off? I cant have no runs and stuff at my job...I deal with interview clients alot...I cant be having the boo-boos the bathroom aint close enough:confused:
it would be slightly purpose defeating but you don't have to do the laxative tea.. i only did the laxative tea for the first week cuz after a while you aren't seeing anything in the toilet besides- lemon water.. lol
if u take the laxative tea in the night time before u go to bed, u should be straight tho.. you'd go a few times in the middle of the night and then maybe once in the morning before u leave.. i use to drink the tea as soon as i got home from work.. cuz it takes like 3 hrs to work.. then it worked all night.. and the next day i was good to go.. maybe do it that way.

[sexyDeirdre]

it would be slightly purpose defeating but you don't have to do the laxative tea.. i only did the laxative tea for the first week cuz after a while you aren't seeing anything in the toilet besides- lemon water.. lol
if u take the laxative tea in the night time before u go to bed, u should be straight tho.. you'd go a few times in the middle of the night and then maybe once in the morning before u leave.. i use to drink the tea as soon as i got home from work.. cuz it takes like 3 hrs to work.. then it worked all night.. and the next day i was good to go.. maybe do it that way.

Ok cool..

Girl Im on a mission...m going to see my ex-boyfriend aka my love light:inlove: in August and I havent seen him in almost 2 yrs...I cant be half-steppin when I see him

[elle simple]

OTB did you say in the other thread that ur on DAY 20 of the master cleanse???

How is that? I am in awe of your discipline... you still working/working out? How you feeling? When you gonna break it??

[offthabooks]

OTB did you say in the other thread that ur on DAY 20 of the master cleanse???

How is that? I am in awe of your discipline... you still working/working out? How you feeling? When you gonna break it??
yep today is day 20...I'm planning on ending tomorrow...moving onto OJ/broth this weekend...

working over 80 hours every week still...I've chilled with my workouts...I'm not doing any cardio, just yoga/pilates & some light strength training stuff...I feel really good, sleeping like a baby, no asthma attacks/sinus problems (which was one of my main motivations for doing this), lots of energy, my skin looks great...I also feel really focused & have a strong sense of clarity...

so I'm feeling lots of benefits...like I said the first couple of days were rough, but after day 7 it's been much easier...I am looking forward to eating tho...

it's so much about mind control...willpower is an amazing thing & this cleanse definitely tests it.

[Seven One Three]

when they say "your skin clears up..."

What does that mean? Does that mean your skin turns a shade lighter on some michael jacksin ish?