Not that I would consider myself an expert at the Lemonade Cleanse, but through my experience I gained a better understanding of it.
My results - After 5 days in the mixture was repulsive and I would only intake water. The smell, taste, and appearance of the mixture brought a wave of nausea... yet the lack of food brought nothing but heaving. I lost a total of 9 pounds. For a 5 day "diet," I'd say success. For a 5 day cleanse, failure. Although I expected to loose a little weight, I never imagined I'd see my ribs and pelvic bones again. I could stand to lose a pound or 2, but not close to 10 pounds. (Imagine if I'd completed the 10 day challenge!) Aside from the weight loss, my overwhelming lack of energy was shocking. I believed the reports that claimed - high energy levels, normal productivity. Unfortunately, this was not my reaction to the Lemonade Cleanse. I will 'fess up and admit that this effect probably could/would have been reversed had I drank the full amounts of the mixture I was suppose to. But, I just couldn't.
Overall, I would recommend the Lemonade Cleanse for those interested in a crash diet. As for a healthy cleanse, to each his own. My reaction could be totally different from the next person (I truly believe this from the various blogs and sites I've read with recaps of other's experiences) but try it. It could become an annual cleanse to partake in - for you.
For questions concerning my Lemonade Cleanse experience, email me or comment below.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Day 5
The day I decided... I can't take it anymore.
I'm drained and physically wilting away. Exhaustion has overtaken the hunger and I'm practically a zombie. As much as it is killing me, the thought of quitting is too.
I began this cleanse with the idea of improving my health - at this point its detrimental. I'm consuming less than half of the required liquid, which is not allowing me to get the proper amounts of nutrients. The mixture (specifically, the cayenne pepper) is making me nauseous to the point that I'd rather consume water only. Unfortunately, the water is only keeping me hydrated.
Conclusion - I surrender.
I'm drained and physically wilting away. Exhaustion has overtaken the hunger and I'm practically a zombie. As much as it is killing me, the thought of quitting is too.
I began this cleanse with the idea of improving my health - at this point its detrimental. I'm consuming less than half of the required liquid, which is not allowing me to get the proper amounts of nutrients. The mixture (specifically, the cayenne pepper) is making me nauseous to the point that I'd rather consume water only. Unfortunately, the water is only keeping me hydrated.
Conclusion - I surrender.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Day 4
Well I made it to day 4! And it was absolutely terrible! Horribly, sharp stomach pains! Headache! Fever! Shakes! Dizziness! I seriously thought I was going to pass out before I got off of work! And I didn't think I was going to make it home!
Nothing feels better when you are in misery except SLEEP! So I took a 2 hour nap after getting home from work... it helped but I was still in an uncomfortable state.
Ultimate discovery... the "Lemonade diet" is coming to an end early! I am extremely happy that I have made it this long, but a slow progression back to solid foods is much needed!! I'll keep you updated on what I do!
Nothing feels better when you are in misery except SLEEP! So I took a 2 hour nap after getting home from work... it helped but I was still in an uncomfortable state.
Ultimate discovery... the "Lemonade diet" is coming to an end early! I am extremely happy that I have made it this long, but a slow progression back to solid foods is much needed!! I'll keep you updated on what I do!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Day 3
I'm falling behind!!! The combination of moving in and lack of food is making me crazy. Surprisingly, day 3 was better than both day 1 and 2! I did not experience any desire to consume food. Although, I had to attend a luncheon for work yesterday, and HAD to eat a few bites... aaaahhhh the agonizing pain it put me through was not worth lettuce. Especially considering I wasn't hungry to begin with and I am not a lettuce fan on a normal day!
I am excited to announce that my mom and dad will both be starting the cleanse too! I can't wait to hear how their experiences are!! And I have a co-worker that is anxious to start it too!
OH yea, at the beginning of this journey I was considering running/working-out during my time on the cleanse, but after hearing horror stories I decided against it. Fortunately, I have a mother that is great at reminding me that my rear is a bit saggy (new word!) and I am going to have massive thighs if I do not work-out!! Therefore, me working out during this stint is up for debate! Please voice your opinion on, me working-out or slacking for a week?
I am excited to announce that my mom and dad will both be starting the cleanse too! I can't wait to hear how their experiences are!! And I have a co-worker that is anxious to start it too!
OH yea, at the beginning of this journey I was considering running/working-out during my time on the cleanse, but after hearing horror stories I decided against it. Fortunately, I have a mother that is great at reminding me that my rear is a bit saggy (new word!) and I am going to have massive thighs if I do not work-out!! Therefore, me working out during this stint is up for debate! Please voice your opinion on, me working-out or slacking for a week?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Day 2
Aaaahhhh, started out so BAD!! Woke up with an excruciating headache, went to jump in the shower and realized I had an insane nose bleed that took 20 minutes to stop. I don't know if this cleanse is cleansing yet, but it sure is treating my body rough.
The day did improve. The "lemonade" mixture was better today, guess I am getting use to the taste. AND I only experienced hunger pains once today! In which I craved turnip greens and homemade mac'n cheese! (By the way, I am excited about eating both of those on day 13!)
As my day progressed, I discovered something interesting... My companions that AGREED to accompany me along this journey did NOT follow through. I was wondering why in my 2 day nightmare that I was sooo hungry and experiencing so many odd discomforts and yet Bethany nor Justin were blowing up my phone with complaints. It was then I realized I was the only crazy one following the Master Cleanse. So much for the support system idea (or you two being my #1 & #2, guess that means nothing to y'all)...
Funny story, Justin is currently in the process of watching all of the seasons of The Office. On the episode he watched tonight titled "Weight Loss" one of the girls was doing the "Lemonade Diet" and passed out cold. Hopefully, dramatic things like that will not be happening along my journey.
The day did improve. The "lemonade" mixture was better today, guess I am getting use to the taste. AND I only experienced hunger pains once today! In which I craved turnip greens and homemade mac'n cheese! (By the way, I am excited about eating both of those on day 13!)
As my day progressed, I discovered something interesting... My companions that AGREED to accompany me along this journey did NOT follow through. I was wondering why in my 2 day nightmare that I was sooo hungry and experiencing so many odd discomforts and yet Bethany nor Justin were blowing up my phone with complaints. It was then I realized I was the only crazy one following the Master Cleanse. So much for the support system idea (or you two being my #1 & #2, guess that means nothing to y'all)...
Funny story, Justin is currently in the process of watching all of the seasons of The Office. On the episode he watched tonight titled "Weight Loss" one of the girls was doing the "Lemonade Diet" and passed out cold. Hopefully, dramatic things like that will not be happening along my journey.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Day 1
Well the journey has begun...
First, the "lemonade" mixture DOES NOT taste anything like lemonade. The cayenne pepper makes the drink almost unbearable. Plus, 60+ ounces of fluid is a lot more than my body is use to, which is adding to the difficulty level.
Secondly, I am sooooo hungry!!
Third, it is not easy to squeeze that much fresh lemon/lime juice. (Especially with a cut on your finger.)
I was surprised at how easy it was, at first! Not a single hunger pain until about 2 pm this afternoon. Momentarily, I was hungry... but it passed. Then when I had to stop by the grocery store to pick up MORE lemons... it came back. Absolutely everything in the grocery store seemed appealing. I seriously felt like I could eat the lemons like apples at the time.
One of the websites said on the first couple of days you could munch on solid foods like blueberries, tuna, and spinach leaves... I swore up and down I wouldn't cave and munch on these things... BUT I caved. I had about 3 handfuls of blueberries about an hour ago. Lame, I know. But I am seriously trying really, really hard. I heard the first 2 days were the worst, so maybe I can survive. Besides, how much can blueberries satisfy this hunger? Not long, cause I'm still hungry!
With all of this said, I need major encouragement to help stick to this routine. If day 1 was this bad, I can't even imagine the misery of the next 9 days.
Did I mention how much I am craving a taco? and cheese dip? or maybe a cheeseburger?! This is pathetic......
First, the "lemonade" mixture DOES NOT taste anything like lemonade. The cayenne pepper makes the drink almost unbearable. Plus, 60+ ounces of fluid is a lot more than my body is use to, which is adding to the difficulty level.
Secondly, I am sooooo hungry!!
Third, it is not easy to squeeze that much fresh lemon/lime juice. (Especially with a cut on your finger.)
I was surprised at how easy it was, at first! Not a single hunger pain until about 2 pm this afternoon. Momentarily, I was hungry... but it passed. Then when I had to stop by the grocery store to pick up MORE lemons... it came back. Absolutely everything in the grocery store seemed appealing. I seriously felt like I could eat the lemons like apples at the time.
One of the websites said on the first couple of days you could munch on solid foods like blueberries, tuna, and spinach leaves... I swore up and down I wouldn't cave and munch on these things... BUT I caved. I had about 3 handfuls of blueberries about an hour ago. Lame, I know. But I am seriously trying really, really hard. I heard the first 2 days were the worst, so maybe I can survive. Besides, how much can blueberries satisfy this hunger? Not long, cause I'm still hungry!
With all of this said, I need major encouragement to help stick to this routine. If day 1 was this bad, I can't even imagine the misery of the next 9 days.
Did I mention how much I am craving a taco? and cheese dip? or maybe a cheeseburger?! This is pathetic......
About the cleanse...
I heard about The Master Cleanse by Stanley Burroughs through several health articles over the past year, which resulted in me researching it further. It has recently become popular among celebrities such as Beyonce Knowles, Oprah Winfrey, Demi Moore, and Ashton Kutcher (just to name a few.)
After reading up on the cleanse, developed in the 1940s to help rid stomach ulcers, the benefits out weighed the 10 day liquid day, so I decided to try it. (Benefits including a full body cleanse, high amounts of energy, better health, skin improvements, and lose unwanted fat. Plus, more!) The cleanse is based on Jesus' 40 day fast and can be completed in 10, 21, or 40 day increments. It entails drinking a "lemonade" mix which includes 2 tablespoons of organic lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of grade B maple syrup, 1/10 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper, and 10 ounces of water. You drink this mixture 6 to 12 times a day, with no solid foods. Sound tough?!
I have spent a great deal of the summer trying to convince a few friends to undergo the cleanse with me... it took ALL summer! Just last week at the beach with my family, I finally convinced Bethany, Daddy, and Justin that it was worth trying. We will all be recording our experiences on this blog. So if you think we are crazy now, keep reading... I'm sure it's going to be an experience worth reading/hearing about.
After reading up on the cleanse, developed in the 1940s to help rid stomach ulcers, the benefits out weighed the 10 day liquid day, so I decided to try it. (Benefits including a full body cleanse, high amounts of energy, better health, skin improvements, and lose unwanted fat. Plus, more!) The cleanse is based on Jesus' 40 day fast and can be completed in 10, 21, or 40 day increments. It entails drinking a "lemonade" mix which includes 2 tablespoons of organic lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of grade B maple syrup, 1/10 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper, and 10 ounces of water. You drink this mixture 6 to 12 times a day, with no solid foods. Sound tough?!
I have spent a great deal of the summer trying to convince a few friends to undergo the cleanse with me... it took ALL summer! Just last week at the beach with my family, I finally convinced Bethany, Daddy, and Justin that it was worth trying. We will all be recording our experiences on this blog. So if you think we are crazy now, keep reading... I'm sure it's going to be an experience worth reading/hearing about.
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