We just couldn't Master this 'cleansing' diet
3:27 AM Tue, Aug 04, 2009 | Permalink
Email
| Email this entry
 |
 |
Projo Fitness BlogInside & Out |
|
« Quick workouts are ticket to fame for these suburban moms | Main | Video: Taking on the Pan Mass Challenge »
I preach a lot about the fruitlessness of dieting -- when you feel deprived, you end up even more hungry and needy and well, miserable. That doesn't do well for your body image or keeping good habits. So why in the world did I give in to the prodding of my husband that we try together the oft-talked about Master Cleanse Diet? Well, let's just say that this isn't the first time his persuasive language has won the day: He got me to marry him, didn't he? The Master Cleanse is a "lemonade" diet that basically forces you to fast, thereby -- according to its hype -- getting you to cleanse your body of unwanted toxins. Weight loss is supposed to just be a side effect, but I can't imagine the celebrities like Beyonce who've endorsed it were just doing it for health reasons.
For each serving, the recipe calls for
which you are supposed to drink all day long, as hunger pains appear, for anywhere from 3 to 10 days. We lasted one day. Why? Let me count the ways:
Sure, you may say -- how can it work when you just give it 24 hours? Well, all of the effects folks talk about from Master Cleanse, including fast trips to the bathroom, never happened for us. We followed the recipe and instructions, but we just didn't feel "cleansed," at all! Besides that, I'm counting the fast as three days because we did the ease-in and ease-out phases before and after our day-long fast.
Sure, it was a mental game more than anything else. My husband and I cook for three other people in our house -- so just getting through mealtimes was tough. During the fast, I washed two cars and did about 90 loads of laundry to keep my mind off food. We also tried to exercise, but we were pretty listless riding our bikes -- to the grocery store (bad idea, I know, but we needed more lemons.) Then, my husband made the mistake of mentioning chicken wings -- one of my favorites, so I couldn't get the thought of them out of my head. What did I learn from all this? I'm going to stick to working out and trying to eat right. That is, after I hit the chicken wings.
Beyonce photo by the Associated Press; chicken wings are a Providence Journal photo / Sandor Bodo
CommentsLeave a comment |
New comments
New photos
Authors
New posts
Projo blogs
Archives
I stand guilty as charged. I did talk Pam into trying the master cleanse because I've never dieted before and wanted to feel energetic and young like Beyonce. Instead I felt listless and headachy.
I have to say, however, that the experience was enlightening. There's a huge difference between eating right and not eating at all. I can't image doing this for two weeks without having an automatic weapon pointed at me. Working or exercising or doing just about anything is out of the question.
As usual my wife was right -- dieting is miserable. And I think I owe her a nice healthy meal out in a restraurant that does not serve lemonaid.
Wes Cotter
Report Abuse
Dear Pam,
The lemonade diet is quite a challenge. Three weeks ago, my very health conscience and athletic girlfriend told me about her “master cleanse” diet, and gave my the book she used so I could start fasting. After carefully mapping out what days would be best to start my Master Cleanse diet, free of any major parties or cookouts, I began the fight against solid food, drinking my first glass of lemonade before 8am Tuesday morning. I admit the diet has been challenging at times, especially going to my friends house, passing on wine and appetizers, and having to suck down my liquid dinner while explaining to almost everyone why I was doing this seemingly insane diet.
I am on my 6th day of the diet, and I can see the benefits already. I wake up with energy, not craving food, or coffee (my biggest obstacle) and I am almost there! 6 more days and I begin the ease out process, and can start eating solid food again. This diet helped my to realize that I consume a lot of unhealthy food because I crave it, not because I am hungry or that I need it. I have passed on many meals during this process and have found a new sense of self control. The Master Cleanse diet is hard but rewarding, and I will definitely cleanse again!
-AS
Report Abuse
NO-ONE WILL LOSE WEIGHT UNLESS THEY WANT TO! Stop dieting; keep track of everything that you eat each day. Secret information will help you to get the body that you want. Each day keep your body properly hydrated with plain water and definitely limit your sodium intake. Keep mindless grazing to a minimum. Remember; eat to live, don’t live to eat! A daily regimen is needed by everyone and that regimen includes proper nourishment. Diets and diet aids do not help anyone! The only way to successfully lose weight and get the body that you deserve is by using secret information. This information is in the book Lose Weight Using Four Easy Steps which can be ordered through the website www.bbotw.com Everyone who has gotten a copy of these secrets has lost weight and become healthier.
Report Abuse
Been using the Dr Max Powers 15 Day Cleanse for 3 years now (about 3 x per year) and I am SO happy I discovered it on the internet. I had never been regular even as a child, but these pills work magic for me. I'm guaranteed results the next morning. No cramps or other problems, just good results.
In the past 3 days I have lost 6 pounds of waste. My appetite is down and I feel great. I'm taking 2 pills a day, 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening. There is no stomach cramping, although my stomach has made a couple of growling noises at me..giving me a warning that it is time to go to the bathroom..but other than that..no real problems
Looking forward to more waste (weight) loss...hip-hip-hooray!!! I definitely recommend them for women looking for a great cleanse to do!
Report Abuse
The Master Cleanse was established to give the body a clean start and help us eliminate food addictions as well as other kinds of addictions the body may have to keep us healthy. So if losing weight is your goal, then think of the master cleanser as a fresh start to eating healthy, and rest assured, eating better after the cleanse is much more easier than you could imagine.
--------------------
Doris Delmonte
lemonade diet
Report Abuse
It``s awesome article because the given tips are much helpful to losing weight .Really Cleanse Diet is a total body detoxification and slimming diet which can ultimately reshape your entire existence.thanks
--------------------
Fredrick.William
lemonade diet
Report Abuse
The Master Cleanse (and many other “detox diets”) is actually counterproductive. If you’re trying to get healthy, you’re shooting yourself in the foot because you’re getting rid of a key part of your immune system.
---------------------
adam.smith
"dofollow"
Report Abuse