Master Cleanse Forum - Master Cleanser Lemonade Diet

Amii- I like the way you see things.
I like it a lot!!!!

I did it! I went through my closet and got my "skinny" jeans out. Guess what?! They fit!!
Okay. Okay. Okay. They are a little tight.
But the point is I was able to button and zip them up. Yay!!!!!
I was so excited that I packed up all my "big" clothes and plan on putting them away in storage until the Salvation Army comes to pick them up. I thought about getting rid of them now but think it would be more fun if I can get through some more big items before completely getting rid of them and buying almost a whole new wardrobe.
Hey, a girl can dream right?

A while back I hung one of my favorite dresses on the wall imagining the time when I'll fit into again. I got so excited when I fit into the other jeans that I almost tried it on. I had to stop myself because of an ugly image I have in my head.
I've had this dress with me for about 15 years. When I first bought and wore it, it fit perfectly. I have a picture of that time and I can't believe I was ever that small.
I also have a second picture taken a few years later when I'm about 20 lbs heavier. In this second picture, even though I was able to zip the dress up, it doesn't look the same. My fat is just oozing out of the seams. I really shouldn't have been wearing it. I'm really embarrased every time I look at this picture. I now refuse to look at it.
I told myself that I would hold the first image in my mind and not try the dress on until I reach my goal weight. This means the dress is going to be hanging on my wall all freakin year long, but I don't care. I don't want to put an image in my mind that in any way wavers from the one I want. I don't want to put myself in the position to feel horrible when I see how bad I look in my favorite dress.
And so hangs my beautiful dress on my bedroom wall where I stare at it everyday. I'm thinking I'll wash it a few times in preparation for when I can fit into it.
I don't care if I never have anywhere to wear it to! I'll wear it around the freakin house if need be!! But I WILL WEAR MY DRESS!!!!

On another note:
I'm finding it hard to believe that the scale says I weigh the same as I did when I ended my MC back in mid January, because my clothes all fit differently. For goodness sakes, I fit into my Skinny jeans!!! How does that work?? It puzzles me but I don't want the happiness to make me deviate from my plan. It can be easy for me to see a difference and think it's OK to eat whatever I want and as much as I want. MUST NOT LET THAT HAPPEN!!!!

What have I been doing?
Since my MC ended I have been Somersizing up till last week when I began calorie counting. I love Somersizing but it doesn't allow me to eat foods I like to indulge in like sweets and fast foods. I don't mind Calorie counting but I can't do it for too long because I start missing the food high in fat that I love like fried chicken, sour cream, butter, cheeses and so forth.
So switching back and forth seems like something that will help me keep a balance in my life.

A while back I took a nutrition class and was required to purchase a software that helps me keep track of my diet and activities. I input everything that I ate and drank down to the last ounce of water and I input my activities down to the last minute of sleep. It requires a lot of tracking and so I usually over estimate my calorie intake and under estimate my activity level. Just to keep me working hard. My original plan has been to eat about 1200-1700 calories a day and burn about 2000-2500 calories a day. Unfortunately, this past week I've been sick and haven't gotten any exercise. Haven't even been able to go for a stinkin walk because it's been raining. And now that the weather has cleared up I can't even breathe. I'm so annoyed!! I've been averaging about 2100 calories a day of food and drink, but haven't been burning as much as I want to because I've been in bed all weekend. I wonder if the body burns more calories when we're sick because it's fighting the illness, or less because we're being lazy?
I hope it gets easier to breathe tomorrow so I can get back to "trying" to be active.

How have I been active?
I've been trying to go for walks 5 days a week for at least 30 minutes. Sometimes twice a day depending on what time allows. According to the software, I burn more calories if I'm just going for a leisurely walk than walking and pushing the stroller. Unfortunately, the stroller has to come along.

On the other days I've been trying to go for long jogs/walks or doing an exercise video for an hour or so. My muscles have been really sore, but I like that because it makes me feel like I'm stronger and more toned, even if I'm not.
I've been trying to take the stairs when ever possible and doing other little things that burn more calories. When I can, I'll lay down and do some sit ups while watching TV. I especially like to do sit ups when I'm watching The Biggest Loser.
I've been trying to drink plenty of water and trying to get plenty of sleep.

It is my belief (I say that because this is what works for my body. I recognize this isn't true for everybody else. Each individual has to find what works for them.) that in order to get my metabolism revved up there are 4 very necessary things.
The first is plenty of water. Not just H2O, but juice and decaff tea and decaff coffee.
The second is plenty of sleep. I shoot for 8 hours a night.
The third is exercise. Even if walking is all I'm able to fit in.
The fourth and equally important is food. I believe my metabolism begins to slow down if I'm not eating enough.

I'm writing these things because it's very easy to forget at least one of them and I must not! I need all four of them if I intend to make it through this year the way that I have planned.
It's only March. There is still a lot of 2012 left.
The plan for this month is to lose 5 lbs.
Next month I'll either do the MC the first week and lose some weight,
or
Do a serious low calorie/high activity month to lose a minimum of 5 lbs.
Either way, by weigh in day May 1st I should be down to 145.
June 1st 140.
July 1st 140
August 1st 135----This is the first official goal. Even if I don't hit my other monthly goals, it is 135 by August Rain or Shine

Chrissy- YOU ROCK!!!
I'M sooo glad YOU'RE here!!!!

I'm still here. The past week has been tough. I got sick last week and am barely now starting to feel like health is just over the horizon.
It started with a scratchy throat on Sunday last week which turned into a cough, then cold, and finally I believe it's stuck with a Sinus Infection. I've been miserable! I'm so full of mucus I just can't breathe. It's so gross! I tried to spend the last weekend resting and recuperating at home but it was horrible because I couldn't breathe. I didn't sleep much because I couldn't breathe.
Last week was also raining and so I spent most of my time inside without getting any exercise.
This Monday I woke up and still felt gross, so I decided to change things up a bit and make a point of getting outside for walks as much as I could. I also read in an alternative health book that there are a few things I could try without having to go out and buy anything to make my sinuses better. One of them is to swallow a raw garlic clove everyday. eewww! Gross!!! But I did it! I'm not able to swallow the garlic whole, so I cut it up into bearable pieces. So far I think it's helping. I just want to breathe normal again.

Since I'm supposed to be calorie counting these weeks, I've been trying to keep the calories down.
Unfortunately, since I feel like caca I've been too lazy to keep track in my software, which is something I really hoped to accomplish because it helps me to just pull up a report and see what my averages have been and stuff. I had planned to do this until the 14th and weigh in on the 15th, but at this rate I'll probably just finish this month out and get back to Somersize April 1st.
I've also been drinking Lemonade which is my go to, to try and stay healthy. It's super yummy and the cayenne helps me breathe. I don't do it MC style, I just add it to my day. No tea or SWF.
But since I have been drinking it, this to me means that MCing in April is not gonna happen. I just can't drink the Lemonade for that long. It makes it yucky for when I'm actually MCing. So this means I will stick to my original date of late May for my MC.

This year so far has been a lot tougher than I had hoped. I mean, I knew losing weight is hard but other stuff has come up that just sucks and makes this harder than it should be. I begun the year with a sprained ankle which worked well for my MC in January because i like to lay low the whole time. But when I was done MCing and was getting ready to incorporate exercise into my life I couldn't walk.
Now that I've really been trying to keep moving forward, I get sick for the first time in well over a freakin year!! Why?! Why?! WHY??!!!!!
........................................................................................................................................................

I feel like I'm complaining a lot.
Could these things be a form of self-sabotage?
What am I doing to myself????
If I'm really serious about this being the year for change, then I have to learn to deal with challenges, right?
I have to push through the tough situations and keep my eye on the goal, right?

Uuggghhh, It is so easy for me to just dwell into the negative feeling and indulge. I tell myself,
"I'm sick. My body NEEDS food!!!!"
"I'll sleep better if my tummy is full and I'm sick so I need lots of sleep!"

You know what else is funny??
When I eat, for whatever reason, I don't have any problem breathing. That's the only friggin time that both my nostrils are taking IN air. How crazy is that??!! So of course, I use that as an excuse to eat, eat, and eat!!

I have to work harder. I still have a goal of 5 lbs by the end of this month. I still have TONS of clothes i can't fit into.

This week I realized that I have a little kind of mantra I've been using to keep me moving forward. It started as a way to make me feel better in the moment but now It seems to motivate me. Funny.
I remember at the beginning of the year, I was getting ready to go out somewhere and as I was leaving I looked at myself in the mirror and DID NOT like what i saw. So I said to myself,
"I'm not there yet, BUT I will be." And forced myself to smile at my reflection.
Now every time I see my reflection (or shadow) and I'm not happy with what I see, I say my little mantra and smile. After 2 months, it's actually not as hard to smile anymore.

Something else I've consciously started to say just this week, after I recognized the other saying, is
"I'm Full! I'm Full! I'm Full! I'm Full! I'm Full!"
A few times I've switched it up and tried,
"Thank you for the food. I've had enough, I'm full."

I've been trying to say this one any time food comes into my mind, any time I'm about to eat, when I'm eating, and before bed. Basically, I'm saying it to myself ALL DAY.

I recognize I need to start working on portion control. I can't keep stuffing my face like I do. So the "I'm Full" saying is something I'm making a point of really listening to. I'm either full or satisfied with small amounts, I DON'T need to over eat!

I think I'm in a good place. I'm really trying to be in a good place. Okay, Okay. I'm really trying to remember what it's like to be in a good place.
The one good thing about being sick. Really, THE ONLY good thing is,
Nothing else matters if I don't have my health.
I guess sometimes I get caught up in my own bs and forget what's really important. I forget how to keep things in perspective.
My family and I are healthy. The rest is gravy.
try to
Maybe I've been really forgetting that and that is why these things are happening to me?
I'll admit, after 6 weeks of not being able to walk normal without pain, I took to walking (with the stroller ) like it was the most amazing thing in the whole world. And now, when I'm out walking, I try to smell the fresh air, feel the wind and sun on my skin, hear the beautiful birds, and see the wonderful colors outside as we welcome spring. I love it!
Hahahahahaha
I love this writing down stuff thing, I've had a realization right here, right now.

It was horrible spraining my ankle, but I'm so much stronger now because of it(and I don't just mean physically). I don't know if I would be able to appreciate my walks and jogs as much as I do right now if it hadn't happened.
Wow, talk about a blessing in disguise.

Okay, I'll stop now and leave off with this good feeling I'm feeling.

Oh my gosh!!! This year, that I chose for change, is really fighting back!!
I begun the year with a sprained ankle.
That meant zero exercise for the first 6 weeks. (I tried to do sit-ups whenever possible. Not enough though.)
I had 2, count them, two great weeks of exercise and feeling well, then I got sick for another 2 weeks.
And that brings me to today. I'm finally feeling better. i can't believe how much it sucks to have a sinus infection! I've had bad head colds before but nothing like this. I seriously couldn't breathe all day and freakin night. I was drinking water like a fish, lemonade like an MCer, swallowing raw garlic like an anti-vampire, and drinking Vitamin C supplements like a fisherman.
Nothing.
Finally this week I decided to get some "drugs" and bought some cheap store brand Phenylephrine. A full day and a half of that and I CAN BREATHE. Amazing!

Needless to say, I did not get exercise like I should have and ate more than I should have.
Now, this whole week it has been raining and so my daily walks have not happened.
I weighed myself yesterday (the 15th) and i hadn't lost a single lb. Grrrrrrr. That is not good for my 5 lbs weight loss goal for this month.
Seriously!!! I'm doing my best and the universe is totally trying to sabotage me.
...............................................................................................................................................
Okay, those are my excuses and I'm sticking to them............................................................... .

Now as to what I intend to do about it.

Yesterday when I saw that I was still 155, part of me was not surprised at all considering I didn't decrease my caloric intake very much at all, and another part of me was just upset. Sad. Disappointed in myself. Ready to throw in the towel and say screw it all.
I didn't. Instead I forced myself to count my calories for the whole day and make an exercise plan for indoors.

It was very difficult, I wont lie. I consumed my minimum of about 1200 calories and I felt hungry practically the whole day. My average and normal while maintaining is about 2100 calories. That's almost 1000 calories less, so I see why I would feel hungry, but I can't help but think it might also be all in my head.
Unfortunately, when I get hungry I also get a little nauseas and a little heartburn. So yesterday I was trying desperately to stay calm and focused. And now I'm really proud of myself for having made it through the day. Kinda like I feel when I finish my first MC day.
Today I woke up feeling lighter, also like when MCing, and decided to weigh myself. Guess what?!!!!
I weigh 153!!!! Wooohooo!!!! I don't care if it's water, fat, waste, or whatever. I'LL TAKE IT!!!

As for exercise, I decided to get some exercise videos and actually try them.
Did you know the public library has exercise DVDs? I didn't, but I do now. I went last night and picked up one of "The Biggest Loser's" exercise DVDs with Bob.
I'm planning to give it a try this evening. I'm also thinking of going outside for a jog and walk even if it's raining. Not if it's pouring, but if it's only sprinkling or raining intermittently, then I'm stepping out!

My plan:
For the rest of March I will continue a low calorie diet with some exercise to get to 150 by weigh in day April 1st. If I'm still feeling strong at that time I will continue through April and beginning May 1st go back to Somersize. I will Somersize until I begin my next MC sometime in the last weeks of May. After my MC, I will go back to Somersize for the rest of June. On weigh in day July 1st, I will see where to go from there.

As far as exercise, I plan to do something every day. Even if all I do is sit-ups in front of the TV.
Weather permitting I plan to walk a little every day and do some long jog/walks on Saturday or Sunday, or both.

Something else that gave me some push:
I heard from my friend yesterday. She was suppose to do the MC last month but didn't even begin. The reason? Her partner did some research on it after she told him she was going to try it, and he didn't like what he read. When she told me this all I could say was, "I understand. Do what is best for you guys. But I got to add; I'm in the best health ever (this was pre sinus infection) and I believe it's all thanks to the MC. I love it."

That's all I said but I was pissed!!! How can they see how many times I've done it and how much I rave about it and still choose to believe something they read online. AAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
I better move on before I get myself more worked up.
Anyways,
She's been trying to lose weight all year by seriously cutting back on her food and calories. She lost 10 lbs!
I'm so happy for her, but it reminds me that IT IS possible.....as long as you're willing to put in the work.
Whether it is diet, exercise, fast, MC, or whatever.
MUST.........DO............THE...........WORK.......

That's where I am mentally today.

It's really hard to have to think about this all day, every day, every week, every month, for a whole year. And then, it's about maintaining FOR LIFE. It can seem overwhelming to me when I see it like that.
Some times I don't even know how I've made to today. 2 and 1/2 months. And so many more to go.

This morning I had a piece of Ezequiel toast, and egg, a piece of Jenni-O bacon, and decaf coffee with Non-fat milk. All together about 215 calories.
This will last me for another half hour then I will need to eat something again.

Normally, If I really wanted eggs for breakfast, I would have about 3. Don't normally eat bacon but I do eat lots and lots of cheese and other stuff. Total my meal would be about 800 to 1000 calories and I wouldn't eat again until this afternoon. Sooo bad, I know.
I'm trying.

I've been thinking a lot about the MC and mentally preparing myself for my next one. I truly believe a huge part of completing the MC is mind over matter. I need to mentally get to a place where there is no giving in, giving up, or anything. The MC is freakin tough and one's mind must be in a strong mind set.
Anyways, I think it's a good time to explain why I don't do long cleanses anymore.

The longest cleanses I've ever done is one 21 days and another 28 days. I finished 21 days in May of 2010 and begun my 28 day in October of 2010. A little more than 5 months apart.
In November of 2010 about 21 days into my 28er, I went in for a physical. I spoke to my doctor about the MC and asked if they thought it was healthy. My doctor said that;
I need to make sure to stay hydrated. Don't over do it. and as long as I'm feeling very well there should be no problem.
While there I got some blood and urine tests done,
Needless to say(to my MC veterans ) all was great! My weight was on the overweight side and my BMI was 26, 27, or something but the doctor said it was fine. Apparently, I didn't look too overweight so she dismissed the BMI. My good and bad cholesterol were perfect! Sugar and Triglycerides were awesome! Iron=right where it should be. Blood pressure- enviable. Kidneys were functioning very well.
Except,
There was a lot of protein in my urine.
I read that since we're not getting a lot of protein while MCing, the body begins to use our muscles for protein source. I definitely saw that. My body was getting smaller and softer. At that time I used to try and get exercise while MCing, I don't know if that makes it worse. You can't build muscles without protein. At least that's how I understand it.
The doc didn't like that and had me go back a month later for a retest.
I went back after 3 weeks off the MC and at least one week of eating normal and my results were back to where they should be. No more excessive protein in urine.

I'm the type that takes the ease out just as serious if not more than the actual MC. I've read horrible stories of people getting really sick or seriously constipated if they eat normal too soon. So since I begun this MC journey in 2009, I've eased out like a total pro.
After my 28 day MC, I eased out very slowly and even begun to take something and eat more yogurt to build up the good bacteria in my body. Just like I had read from so many other veteran MCers in several websites.
Unfortunately, about 4 weeks after ending my MC I got a yeast infection for the second time in my whole life. The first time I got one was when I was taking hormones and I also got some very "fun" hot flashes.
Anyways, I couldn't believe I had done all I thought and still got a yeast infection. I used the over the counter 7 day stuff and got things better. About 2 months later and about 3 months since my last MC, I did another short 10 day MC. I didn't really want to but my cousin saw my results and wanted to try it, but didn't want to do it alone. So I got talked into doing it and supporting her. BAD IDEA!
Almost immediately as I began to ease out......Another Yeast Infection!
I was beyond upset. I was livid!!! Mostly at myself. Some how I knew my body wasn't ready for another MC so soon, but I went along anyways.
This time I tried a 3 day dose of OTC meds and got back to business.
I continued to take supplements to get my good bacteria back and ate Activia yogurt almost every night.
I didn't MC for almost a whole year after that and haven't had a recurrence since.
I don't take the supplements anymore and only eat the yogurt once in a while mostly because I like the taste.

I like to think my body can have the good bacteria all by itself. I like to think that as long as I eat a well rounded diet and drink tons of water, my body will do what it needs to.

In addition to all the physical things that happened to me after my longer MC, I had some psychological stuff too.
I think I spent too much just drinking the Lemonade that when it was OK to eat again, I REALLY ate.
I just couldn't get enough. I went back to eating like the way I got fat in the first place. I gained back all my pre-MC weight, and gained back all the weight since the beginning. And that's how I got back to 165. I consider that my heaviest because I refuse to weigh myself if I feel heavier than that. My body really likes that weight. It seems to settle there. It's the bane of my existence. hehehe

So I spend most of 2011 making a plan for 2012. Not only a plan to lose and maintain all the weight, but a plan to do the MC in a way that is healthy for my body and my mind.

I have vowed to never do an MC for longer than 14 days straight, No more than 2 MCs per year, and to not gain all the weight back.

Hi Amii!
Thanks for stopping by, it gets lonely here sometimes.

Per week, really?
I'm gonna look into that. Very interesting.
Why did you decide to do it that way?
I'm assuming we're both following the 3500 calories per lb, right?
What was your thinking and planning behind a week instead of daily?

A teaspoon of real sugar is only 16 calories? Really?
That's awesome for your fruit salad!
I've done the sugar on fruit salad before, usually if it's not very sweet like strawberries can be sometimes, but I've always felt guilty about it. Like I ruined a perfectly good snack by adding sugar.

Stay away from fudge sticks!!! Bad! Bad! Bad! Especially 6 of them.

7000 for 7 days? You're planning to average about 1000 per day?
What's your planned output per day? week?

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I'm still here!!! I'm still here!!! I haven't given up on this journey!!!
Unfortunately, my Internet has not be as cooperative as I would like so I haven't been able to post or EVEN read others' posts.

What's going on with me?
Well, I didn't make it to 150 by April 1st like originally planned, but I made it by April 20th.
The next goal is to make it to 145 by May 1st. I don't know how well that's going to work, but I'm really going to try.

I've been watching what I eat and trying to keep the calories between 1200 and 1700. I've been exercising as much as time allows and doing little things to burn more calories, like parking far from doors and taking the stairs. I jogged 11 miles last Saturday morning and it was amazing. I felt amazing afterwards.

This journey is definitely not easy, and I wish I could come back to this site more often and read all the new people's experiences. Maybe I would have made my goals if I could have been reading and posting, but regardless I'm not done and I'm not giving up.

I got my firsts compliments this weekend. I wore a skirt and a tight, black blouse to a party and people actually called me skinny. I was so excited, because 15 lbs later is a lot but not enough to get me attention from those I see every day. But to those I only see once in while, the difference was obvious. Yay!

I'm still planning my next MC for the end of May. I can't wait!!!
My plan is to stop trying to lose weight starting May 1st. I will be working on getting more exercise, doing some weights, and eating to maintain, then when I complete my MC in June I hope to be down 10 lbs in 10 days.

I miss the back and forth with everyone. I wish I could spend more time reading everyone's posts, but my internet time is limited and I'm just leaving a quick update, but I WILL TRY.

Here's to the next 8 months left in 2012!!!

Today I'm doing well. I am still flying high from being called "skinny" this weekend. In the past a comment like that would make me feel like it is ok for me to eat whatever I want. Today I have been trying to change that thinking into something that will help me in this journey instead of hindering. I have been saying to myself,
They are calling me skinny now, wait till they see me in 4 weeks, or 8 weeks, oh my in 8 months when I reach my goal.
I am going to try and work hard this week to try and get into the 140s by Friday morning. Yay! 140s!!!! Ahh, I can not wait.