The Master Cleanse/Lemonade diet

[teena]

Please post updates.

[SigmaChiCard]

Days 5-10 went great...I started doubling and tripling the amount of cayenne pepper once I got used to it...I actually had gotten to where I needed it. Afterwards, edging back into eating went great. It was funny how excited I got to eat the liquid from my veggie soup...not even the veggies.

Everyone who doesn't know anything about it tells me how bad it is for me....but I think it was a great experience....I felt clearer mentally....It was a good incentive to eat better....and i have...also, my digestive system functions a little better....the details I will not go into.

I highly rec it....not eating really isn't that hard....it was hard the first few hours but it was mostly because i was focused on how i wouldn't be able to eat thereafter. since then, i eat mostly organic, low sodium, high fiber, low fat food....and while it's expensive....it's less expensive than eating out so i'm really saving a fair amount of money.

cory

[lilbay77]

I will be starting this on Sunday, not to lose weight, (though I welcome the weight loss), but to clear my sytem of toxins. I'll be doing it for 14 days. I cant believe people last on this for 40 days!

ETA
I thought about getting a colonic, but I was told:

"Any kind of fast or cleanse is going to have more than one benefit. Getting your colon cleansed only treats one thing...your colon. A fast/cleanse helps to detox the entire body. It helps to clean the inner organs as well as the blood. Gets rid of waste in the colon as well as hardened waste in the joints, blood, etc. This give the body the opportunity to replace old cells with new regenerative cells. Additionally, a fast/cleanse also gives the inside of the body a chance to rest and recooperate. Not fasting/cleansing is like the engine of your car running forever without ever turning the engine off to give it a rest."

[REE1993]

Let me start off by saying that we are each entitled to do with our bodies as we please. This is not a judgment, just an observation and sharing of experience.

"Cleansing" your colon or body through a restricted calorie, restricted nutrient "diet" program is not necessary. You liver filters out toxins from your blood and organs. Your kidneys process and remove waste. Your colon and digestive system is where food products are digested and eliminated.

While many people may have used these programs without noticeable harm, there are several things to think about when entertaining the idea.

- restricting calories below 1200 per day (or below your basal caloric needs just to wake up and breathe) can cause your metabolism to slow down in response to a "starvation" reaction. When the body senses that calories are at a minimum, it will become more efficient at keeping weight on to protect vital organs. A few days may not screw up your metabolism, but longer periods of reduced caloric intake can and will.

- consuming large quantities of lemonaid or highly acidic foods/beverages can wreak havoc on your esophagus and stomach. You can suffer episodic and perhaps chronic problems with heartburn and gastric reflux.

- it is imperative to maintain nutrient levels, even if you are changing your dietary intake for a few days.

- taking laxatives and diuretics can mess up your electrolytes and potassium levels, causing fatigue, fainting, even heart failure.

- any weight loss will be mostly due to dehydration and thus will not permanent. Remember that to lose one pound, you must burn 3500 calories.

- if you have any health problems, please talk to your doctor first. Thyroid, endocrine, and cardiac issues can be exacerbated by extreme changes in your daily diet.

I am not a professional, but have much experience meeting with nutritionists and physicians. Please be careful.