Just wondering if anyone around here has done this type of detoxification and what you thought about it...I am looking to start it sometime in January for the recommended minimum of 10 days but was just wondering how anyone else did on this...

Sheyla

Hi Sheyla,

My Dh & I did the Master Cleanse a few months ago, but was only able to do it for 4 days. I lost about 10 lbs and felt great for the most part, but I just couldn't get over the fact that I MISSED the act of eating. I had a few unsettling experiences with the salt water flush, but other than that I did fine. My energy level was through the roof and was able to teach my fitness classes while doing the cleanse. However, I had to make sure that I drank my lemon ade right before and directly after the classes. I know I kept a journal during the MC and if you have anyother questions. Let me know.

I may try it again just to complete the 10 days. However my DH said he'll never do it again. :-(

__________________
Kelli (LCing since 01/01/03)
Restarted 02/09/04 @ 155.5

Thanks for the info...did you have any flu like symptoms in the beginning? Someone who was looking at doing this talked to a naturalist and they said that sometimes you'll get those symptoms...

Also, what kind of herbal laxative tea did you drink? People have told me they tried Smooth Move but it gave them cramps.

Did you find yourself craving the very things you were detoxifying from around the 3rd or even the 4th day?

And did you use the 2 Tbsp of Grade B or just 1 Tbsp? And did it awaken any hunger pangs?

Oh yeah...and what kind of unsettling experiences did you have with the salt flush - if you care to share?

I know I'll be able to handle the 10 days with no problem being that I already fast two days a week for spiritual reasons. But I've gone as long as a week before, too.

I'm not looking to lose weight though that might happen. I'm just looking to start the new year with a clean start - mind, body and soul.

Sheyla

Hi Sheyla,
Day 1 and 2 were difficult because I was hungry and dealing with withdrawals from caffeine. Day 3 was better and I had energy and felt like I could do the full 10 days, but I was missing the physical act of chewing and swallowing...weird...I know. I don't think I experience the "flu-like" symptoms. It may have been covered by the other head aches from the coffee withdrawal and food cravings.

I didn't use Smooth Move, but I did use the organic herbal laxative tea. It has a ncie pleasant taste. The brand is called Seelect. It seemed to work just fine on me and my husband.

As for maple syrup, I used the grade B and had to adjust the quanity. I originally used 2 Tbsp, but it seemed so sweet. So I went down to 1 tbsp. However, I was working out so much that I decided to up the syrup back to 2 Tbsp. Another thing I did that was keep the pulp in my lemonade. I know lots of cleansers that strained it out, but it gave me the illusion that I was actually having a meal.

I did get a few hunger pangs. Most of them were during the day. When that happens, just pour yourself another glass of lemonade. I premade mine every morning to last me throughout the day (6 to 10 glasses). I wasn't a waken to hunger pangs because during the cleanse, I slept VERY soundly.

Eek, the salt water flush...not a nice experience. I was told that is gets easier and better, but I only did it 3 times and that was enough for me. My DH did it once and swore he'd never do it again. Sheyla, please make sure you have at least 2 hours before going to work or running errands. It took about 30 - 45 minutes for the salt water to take effect and once it does...you'll be on the toilet for a while. I won't go into detail
I did notice that after completing the salt water mixture don't lay back down...like I did the first time. Try to keep moving. Everything moves along a bit faster. Oh yeah, I also drank mine cold and with a straw. It didn't taste as bad cold. However, you may find it easier when it is at room temp.

I may go the MC board and dig up my journal to see if there is anything else I can tell you. I'll let you know.

Kelli

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Kelli (LCing since 01/01/03)
Restarted 02/09/04 @ 155.5

Thanks for the info...a couple of more questions: I know it says to do the salt water flush first thing in the am before taking anything else...however, I work out first thing in the morning...I cannot work out with food in my stomach...so to stay hydrated, I'd be drinking water...would it be okay to do the salt water flush after my workout, or is it deemed necessary to do the salt water flush upon rising?

Also, how difficult was it for you to return to eating low carb after the 4 days? I've been told people that do the MC tend to find meat to have an impure and almost toxic smell...did that happen with you?

And did you get the white, fuzzy, coated tongue within those 4 days?

Sheyla

I think the reason the salt water flush is done first thing in the morning is because your stomach is empty and the salt water is used as another cleansing agent. You should be okay to do the salt water after your workout; however, that'll mean waiting longer before you can have your lemonade.

I guess I wasn't on the MC long enough to really get any kind of ill effects from returning to LC. The only thing I noticed was I could eat as much. Then again, I didn't push it.

Now as for the fuzzy, coated tongue...I brushed. I didn't care to see a white, fuzzy tongue. However, before brushing it off, I did notice it be more coated than normal.

The whole time I did the MC, I visited their site. www.therawfoodsite.com
You will find my posts there on my experiences while being on the MC. I had toyed with the idea of doing it again, but I'm not sure because my DH will not do it again.

Let me know when you start the MC.

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Kelli (LCing since 01/01/03)
Restarted 02/09/04 @ 155.5

Thanks for the link! I went and looked there and found some very valuable info and all...

I am planning on starting the MC on January 11th..I am taking this week to wean myself off of meat, eggs and dairy...actually, I started weaning myself off of those the day after Christmas...I am still doing a little bit of lc multigrain bread and some Roman Meal Flaxseed Hot Cereal...but on Friday, I will be switching over to nothing but veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds for 3 days to prepare myself for the MC, and I know I will be able to ease into it a little easier as well..I dropped the 6 lbs I put on the week before Christmas in 3 days just by eliminating the meat, eggs and dairy...hmm...I never thought that was possible...

And after the MC, I will finally be moving back into a state of moderate carb vegetarian...so I know the MC will help prepare me for this phase as well...

I'll let you know how it's going when I start...

Sheyla

It sounds like a super plan. I know the MC works and I wish you well. I hope you'll decide to journal your experience. I may do it again, but I know it will be difficult w/o my DH. I don't know if I can handle watching him eat while I fast. :(

__________________
Kelli (LCing since 01/01/03)
Restarted 02/09/04 @ 155.5

Howdy, I have done the MC for 10 days in the past, didn't do the salt water because I was having the specified movements per day, it does say if you need help to use the laxative tea and salt water.... so....
When I started eating again, one of the foods I ate was watermelon, it helps pull all the stuff that is left in the bowels/intestines .... believe me when I saw the elimination of watermelon come thru, I knew I was clean.
I was thinking of doing a couple of days of this, but couldnt' find my book, tks for the link, didn't know there was one.
(I couldn't remember the how much of the maple syrup/lemon juice.)
because I was working while doing it I would take enough lemon juice/maple syrup/cayanne, to make a couple of quarts at work, that way when I was needing more, I just took one of my containers, and emptied it into a bottle of water and drank during the day/all day/... I enjoyed the taste of the lemonade, and had no problem drinking it. I don't remember having cravings I do remember feeling exhilarated, lots of energy, and felt like I could drink that lemonade forever..... kidding, I did miss chewing food, and would also leave the pulp in.
keep me posted on your progress, and maybe this weekend I will do a couple of days of cleansing....

__________________
http://www.youravon.com/cnorulak
carolyn in texas
started 8/11/03 327/268/177
5/20/08/ - 348
onward thru the fog

I will keep you posted...and I am planning on journaling my experience as well. So I'll let you know how it's going...I already feel great after tapering off of the meat, dairy and eggs...and since I ran out of lc multigrain bread yesterday, it looks like I will be going raw foods around 90% before Friday, but that's fine by me...I think I can already feel somewhat of a detoxification just from eliminating some of those foods...

I had some lemon and cayenne at the house today but no Grade B so decided to try the lemonade that way to see how it tasted. I can tolerate it but it makes me crave cold water. I am sure adding the Grade B will probably make it taste 100% better...and I've already got my grocery list for what I do need to go through with this...

And here is another link with more information about the MC...I thought it was very interesting...

http://www.andeveron.com/2003/The_Master_Cleanse.html

Carolyn, if you do a cleansing this weekend, please let me know how it's going!

Sheyla

I have to admit that I sorta miss the lemons. I also did the FF (Fat Flush) and that program also calls for lemon and warm water. I use to drink it like a hot beverage in place of my coffee and really enjoyed it. It helped me kick the coffee for a while and seemed to reallly aid in the flushing. With all this talk of cleansing is making me reconsider. I may try a mini cleanse. I'm not too sure. I'll try and decide before the end of the week.

__________________
Kelli (LCing since 01/01/03)
Restarted 02/09/04 @ 155.5

Well, I was almost 100% raw today but gave in to 2 Tbsp of the Carb Options PB...GRRRRRRRR...but I'll be 100% raw for the rest of the day and on through Monday before beginning the MC on Tuesday...

I did start trying the pure water with 2 Tbsp of lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne (I have yet to get the Grade B)...at first, the dirnk seemed to have a little bit of an objectionable taste to it...but once I was done, I wanted another one...I actually CRAVED another one...and it filled me up pretty quickly, too...so I think I'll be able to handle the MC for awhile...I noticed my sinuses clearning and my hearing getting better, too (my dh will probably be grateful for that part of it)

Even though I have the option not to work, I decided to go back to work so we can get ahead on some things...and well, if I get this job I was interviewed for yesterday, I decided I would continue with the MC - I just wouldn't do the salt water flush except on the weekends...so I'm going for it full force...

So I've cut out almost everything with the exception of veggies and a limited amount of fruit/nuts/seeds.

Sheyla

Sounds like you are gearing up for your cleanse, i am still trying to decide, I thought I would do it sat and sundays for a while, since i have such a hard time with weekends, might get my mind off of eating on weekends.
will check in next week and let you know if I did it.
c

__________________
http://www.youravon.com/cnorulak
carolyn in texas
started 8/11/03 327/268/177
5/20/08/ - 348
onward thru the fog

I ended up getting everything for the MC today, so I decided not to delay and will be starting it tomorrow...the sooner I start, the sooner it's over.

Maybe you can answer this question: I got the Grade B and put it in my lemonade drink (I've been drinking the lemonade w/o it) but find it too sweet in the drink. Well, what if, instead of doing that, I just would eat 1 Tbsp of the Grade B before each one of my drinks? I can tolerate the Grade B by itself but don't like the way it taste in the drink. That way, I'm still getting all my nutrients...do you think this would still work? I can't see why it wouldn't but would like an opinion from someone else who's been there and has done it...

Sheyla

I think you should be okay. From what I remember, the syrup is the ingredient that supplies your body with the needed nutrients and I don't think it would matter if you mixed it w/the lemonade or took it separate (my opinion)

__________________
Kelli (LCing since 01/01/03)
Restarted 02/09/04 @ 155.5