I wish I could type a SIGH in a manner that would convey the extreme relief and happiness I'm feeling about being done with this Master Cleanse. I technically shouldn't be eating until tomorrow morning, but I started later tonight on the orange juice (and some organic vegetable broth because I felt like my body could handle it, and so far it has), because reading the message board I realized that it may take me a few days to be able to adjust fully to eating some "normal" food, and I want to give myself a head start on getting back into the swing of things so that by this weekend when we're in Chicago at my in-laws' houses I won't risk not being able to enjoy the food. (TRANSLATION: If I can't eat the Christmas food I just might die from self-pity.)
When I had my first few sips of the orange juice tonight, I found myself fighting tears. Not sad ones, but I was just SO relieved, and fully happy with my ability to have actually done something like this, that it just came out that way. I felt a little silly, crying over orange juice (I mean, how rockin' cool is that? NOT VERY.), but oh well - it passed quickly and I shifted into extremely excited mode.
I promised to answer some questions and I will do that right after I tell you the things I learned while on this cleanse. I am by no means the Knowledge Queen of the Universe when it comes to this thing, but I can at least tell you what I got out of my experience. Here are some of my advice tidbits:
- This will require a lot of planning and forethought if you have to go into a regular job each day. Plan on getting up about 45 minutes earlier so that you can drink the Salt Water and give it about 30 minutes to work through your system. After that, at least in my experience, you should be okay until that night a few hours after you drink the tea.
- You MUST get sea salt that is not iodized. It makes a huge difference in taste and how it affects your body. Also, if you dissolve the salt in hot water first, it mixes fast; I also think that the more LUKEWARM the water is (mix hot and cool water), the better it tastes and the easier it is to drink. I know this seems counterintuitive, but trust me, the salt taste really is more prominent when the water is cold.
- I know some of you want to do this after the holidays in January, and if you do decide to do so I wish you the best. I will say, however, that I think this would be easier to do in the summer weather, when you don't feel as much like pigging out anyway, and you have more opportunities to go outside and get out in the air (and away from your cravings/emotional hangups). Also, there will be so much more fresh fruit available to you at the store when you are finished. Still, if you feel like you need to do this at a certain time, that's of course up to you. I would NEVER recommend anyone doing it right before Christmas like I just did, but I felt a vital need for it, and so I did.
- My skin really got balanced out during this cleanse. It's not oily or dry, and I feel like it got a lot softer as well. Bonus!
- I do suggest that you visit the Master Cleanse website first, and I also recommend that you do buy the book mentioned, just so you can get a better idea of what is ahead of you and prepare yourself better.
- I also suggest reading about how to break the cleanse. Some people rush into food and feel very sick or have bad cramps, so be careful. There are suggestions, mostly to start with orange juice, then move into veggie broth, simple salads, fruits and vegetables, etc. It's important to know about the possible effects of what you eat first, then listen to what your body is telling you.
- I feel so renewed in every way. My heart light and I broke through a mental barrier. I tested my strength in a powerful way and I won. That's a really awesome feeling. It was incredibly hard, but this was a good thing for me.
Now for some of the questions you've asked me.
Reader Asks: Do you think that someone who works away from home could do the Master Cleanse without spending excess amounts of times either in or near the bathroom?
Sarcomical Says: As I said above, I think it would require more planning, and obviously would not be as ideal as if you were able to at least begin on a long weekend and get used to how your body is reacting to the cleanse. For me, the mornings and evenings were the only times I would need to be close to a bathroom. I know some people have done it while working, but I think if you check that message board I referenced above, you can get some idea of people's experiences trying to do this while working.
Reader Asks: Right now i'm attempting to drink the quart of the internal salt cleanser drink, it's putrid, do you drink it daily? it's a lot four cups, c'mon.
Sarcomical Says: I would urge you to make sure you're using the right kind of salt. The first morning drinking it with the wrong sea salt was SO BAD, I had anxiety that night over having to do it again the next morning. I was ready to quit right there. Luckily, The Husband came to my rescue and said he didn't think I had the right stuff, and went and picked this up for me. It's what's recommended (again, reading the book and website will ensure you get the right ingredients for everything). Also, read what I wrote above about the temperature of the water. I also found two 32oz plastic containers, and used one for the Salt Water and one for the Lemon Drink (rinsing each day of course), which made it easier.
Reader Comments: i get confused when people say "aren't you only supposed to fast for a day or two at a time?" because a 2 day fast would hardly do any good as far as detoxing.
Sarcomical Says: I could not agree more, based on my experience. Day 1 is really just irritating, day 2 and 3 are TOUGH as your body is adjusting to not simply trying to digest the loads of food you normally eat, but to cleaning out toxins held in the body. Some people don't really dig that idea and find it kind of phooey, and that's cool. But I believe it, and if you do, the idea of needing to get past that point will make sense to you.
Reader Asks: You mentioned not putting on makeup - are you washing your hair and brushing your teeth? I was reading on some bulletin board that you should limit your intake of the products you use during this cleanse. People recommended only using natural toothpaste.
Sarcomical Says: Well, I only put on makeup when I had to go out (hey, I was feeling pretty ragged a few of those days!), and I admit, I couldn't handle not brushing my teeth regularly. I used something with baking soda, and if I had really planned ahead I might have gotten some Tom's of Maine toothpaste at least, but I don't think I could have just brushed with water or bar soap? as suggested. Believe me, you will feel the urge to brush your teeth! The Lemon Drink makes your teeth have that "fuzzy" feeling (ick!), and if you can do it the totally natural way, more power to you. I, alas, could not. Regarding washing the hair, I usually only wash mine about every three days or so anyway, so I was able to limit that easily.
Reader Asks: My concern about this cleanse is that I run and work out 1-2 hours a day. Would I still have the energy to do that?
Sarcomical Says: Oh my. Well, I kept reading about people who said they run several miles still while doing this. Let's put that in perspective. If you normally work out a lot and have that endurance built up, you will very possibly be able to still do at least some working out while doing this cleanse. Beforehand I had gotten to where my endurance was almost down to nil, so there was no way I could have done anything like that. Heck, Christmas shopping for 4 1/2 hours made me ready to lie down. However, it also really depends on how much your body is detoxing. Compared to some stories I read, my experience was pretty mild...but it can be even harder for some, with nausea and sweating, etc. for a few of the days. Once you get past a point, you definitely break through, but I would say plan on being prepared to take it easy. Then if your body feels okay, listen to that.
