After the Master Cleanse: Retrospections and instructions

So, my official post-cleanse weight is. . . 158.5. That means I dropped 12.5 lbs in 12 days, which is three pounds shy of the amount of weight I dropped in, roughly, 120 days on Nutrisystem. That is absolute craziness. Now, to see if I can keep it off.

I expect some initial gain, just because of introducing actual calories into my body. I will try not to freak out about this. According to proponents of the raw food diet, you will continue to lose weight until you reach your natural, intended weight.

So, obviously I am ecstatic with the weight loss results. As for health results, I feel great. My skin is smoother, my gall bladder feels great (though I haven’t given it anything to be upset about yet), I feel very balanced and in a great disposition, my stomach has flattened noticeably and my energy level is exceptional. I probably could have stood to continue on the cleanse a few more days, but I’m not too worried about that since I will continue to detox through eating raw foods.

All in all, if someone were to ask me if this is a cleanse I recommend, I would say yes, without reservation. However, it IS difficult, both mentally and physically, and you do need immense will power and strong resolve. I recommend prayer, but if you’re not into that, then something to distract you from food and thoughts of food is important. Try having a toddler. That also worked for me.

I definitely learned how to handle hunger in a whole new way and was surprised how well my body functioned on no food and minimal calories. I would also make it clear how awful the SWF component is, but I think it is absolutely essential. Without it, you are not really getting all that loosened stuff out of your system. So, it’s just one of those things that sucks, but you do it cause you know it’s good for you. Like eating your broccoli (though I personally LOVE broccoli).

So, here is the exact regimen I used, for anyone who might be interested in replicating my cleanse. I based my cleanse on a variety of sources, grounded in the original book by Stanley Burroughs, titled, “The Master Cleanser.”

I decided not to do an ease-in, but if you feel like you need it, then you should do the following:

Day 1 on ease-in—Raw fruits and vegetables
Day 2 on ease-in—Raw fruit and vegetable juices
Day 3 on ease-in—Fresh squeezed OJ, diluted with water and with Grade B maple syrup. Drink 2 liters. 16 ounces of OJ mixed with 16 ounces of purified water and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup comprises 1 liter. Drink two of these over the course of the day, and lots of water, of course.

On the evening of Day 3, you should drink a cup of laxative tea. I used Yogi’s “Get Regular” and liked the flavor and the result. It was mild, but did its work.

Day 1 of Master Cleanse (MC)—Start the day with a SWF (salt water flush). This consists of drinking 32 ounces of water mixed with 2 teaspoons of sea salt (I used Celtic Sea Salt). The water should be room temperature; cold water makes the experience that much more intolerable. Guzzle it down as fast as you can, and try not to think of how awful it is.

After you have gotten it down, work on preparing your lemonade. I tried to juice all my lemon juice for the day so I wouldn’t have to clean my juicer more than once. This is the recipe: 14 tablespoons of fresh-squeezed organic lemon juice, 14 tablespoons of organic Grade B maple syrup (you really should try to get Grade B, as it has much more of the nutrients you need than Grade A) and ½ teaspoon of organic cayenne pepper. Divide this recipe between two 32 ounce water bottles and fill the rest with purified water (so, 7 of lemon, 7 of maple syrup and ¼ of pepper and rest water for each bottle). Personally, I only made up one lemonade at a time (though I saved the lemon juice for the next batch in the refrigerator) because the longer the cayenne pepper sits around, the spicier your lemonade will be. Drink your lemonade throughout the day as you have any urge for food whatsoever. Wash it down with several gulps of water.

Always end the night with a cup of laxative tea.

Day 2 – 10 of MC—Repeat steps of Day 1.

Day 1 - 3 of ease-out—Reverse the ease-in. So on the first day, you start with the OJ. Then, you move on to fruit/veggie juices. Then, you move on to raw fruits and veggies. You can continue to drink the laxative tea at night as it helps to move things along.

This is the regimen I followed exactly. Not once did I forgo the SWF or not get it all down (except for the last day when I accidentally upchucked the last swig of it). I believe if you follow this to the letter, you WILL have success.

I would highly recommend doing the cleanse with a buddy. I tried this, but my buddy didn’t even make it one day before cheating with some sugar cookies. The problem was that she looked at the cleanse as a “diet.” It isn’t a diet and if you treat it that way, you are flirting with disappointment. Yes, you will lose weight. But, being focused on the necessity of cleaning out your body is what keeps you from indulging on whatever temptation might be lurking. At least, that’s what worked for me. Remember, your will-power is only as strong as the meaning behind what you’re doing. If you’re doing the cleanse merely for weight loss, then you are more likely to give it up to find an easier diet, which you will convince yourself you will try instead, even though you probably won't. If you are doing the cleanse to rid your body of toxins and waste, then you are more likely to stick with it cause you know that to cheat will ruin any progress you’ve made and put you back to square one on the cleansing board. It would be like trying to spring clean your house while there is a frat kegger going on in it . . . very counter-productive.

But buddy or buddy-less, you can do it! Your brain is an amazing organ of power and control. Use it and be marveled at how much you rock!