The Master Cleanse Fast

I know that some of you who read this are going to think that I'm crazy, or that what I'm doing is unhealthy.  Here's a link to check out what I'm doing...
The Master Cleanse
The Master Cleanse consists of fresh squeezed lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper, along with as much water as you can possibly drink in a day.  You may also drink herbal tea.  Nothing else......no solid food, no juices....nothing.

Today is day 4.  Val and I started the cleanse on Wednesday.  Day one was a breeze.  I had no cravings for food, and felt sufficient energy all day long.  Day two was actually easier, with great energy and no cravings.  Day three was a bit of a hurdle.  At one point, I had a strong craving for eggs.  About an hour later, I was really craving a good BLT.  Other than that, I felt fine all day.  I'm having a cup of herbal tea this morning with organic maple syrup for breakfast.  I woke up with a mild craving for Eggs Benedict,  as Saturday is the day that Val and I normally go out to the Taos Diner for breakfast.

After the Bacchus-like over-indulgence of the holidays, I usually feel like I need a reset.  All the food and alcohol have packed on the pounds, and have turned me into an eating, imbibing machine.  It's a no-holds-barred kind of affair, with starchy, fatty, processed food....and then there's the parties.  So, to get things back to normal, I like to take 10 days or so to let my system get back to normal.

I can expect 2 more hurdle days before this is done.  Typically for me, days 5 and 7 are a bit tough.  But, once I have made it to day 9, I usually feel fantastic.  I'd compare it to a runner's high.  By then, my energy is very high, I have no cravings for food whatsoever, I'm able to think more clearly, my outlook is quite positive, and even my skin feels good!  Plus, I've lost a good portion of body fat in the process.   The way in which one ends this fast is critical.  Orange juice, then vegetable juices, then broth for at least three days before returning to solid food.
The upshot of returning to 'normal' food is that, by the time 10 days has passed,  a cup of broth tastes as good as the best meal I've ever eaten.

The hardest part of this kind of fast for me is making it past the toxins leaving my body.  I have gotten flu-like symptoms in the past when I have fasted.  When toxins leave our bodies, they can make us feel as ill as they did when they entered.  It's important to push past the feeling of getting sick and stay the course.  Once the bulk of the toxins have been eliminated, the feeling of well-being is almost euphoric.

I'll continue to let you know how this is progressing for me.  Please keep checking back, and of course, comments are always welcome.