The Master Cleanse? (lemonade diet) - Page 3

[cjr]

I don't think I could do the MC. I started a juice fast yesturday and so far it's going pretty well. I thought I would pipe in here for some support, if you don't mind?

I am going to try to do 30 days. I want to add a couple of days of water fasting, but we will see when the time comes. I was soooo hungry last night, but I worked through it. I drank tons of juice, mostly because I was so used to eating I didn't know what to do with myself. I woke up pretty refreshed. I'm not feeling ill or tired at all. I did the 6 weeks of Eat to Live where I eliminated dairy and ate a lot of raw fruits and vegetables, so I think I am well prepared for this.

Dh surprised me. He's actually being very supportive. Usually he tells me I'm a quack and laughs at me (in a loving way :LOL ).

The things I am trying to heal are bad mentral cycles (very heavy flow where my cycle last 1 day), very dry skin no matter how much water I drink, candida, my almost non existant libdo after 3 kids, foggy brain and bad memory, evening out my moods and temperments, perminent weight loss (a long life struggle with me no matter what I do).

I bought an inexpensive juicer and as per instructed I am drinking the juice straight from the extractor.

xenabyte - how long are you going to fast this time?

[TopazBlueMama]

You know what? My memory failed me--it wasn't the master cleanse that I did that I got really sick on, it was Dr Christopher's 3 day cleanse. ugh, I felt awful. I think I felt fine on the MC, but just quit after a few days for some reason. I feel better now about being drawn to try this one again now. And I know that I never gained back the weight that I lost last time I did it (at the time anyway, of course I've had another pregnancy since then!).

Anyway, I'm on day 3 and still feel great! I did the SWF this morning, then went to work out with some friends. I had plenty of energy, just needed a few bathroom breaks. We did 45 min cardio, then went to the mall later.

I just need to get through another evening. It's hard, cause your so used to thinking about dinner, making dinner, eating dinner. Tomorrow I've got a birthday party, so that will be a little hard-mostly just trying to avoid people asking why I'm not eating.

For those that are nursing, I would occasionally do a 24 hour fast (with my church) except I'd drink water. I did that after my baby was one and eating other foods. My supply stayed fine. I think it's good to do once in a while to help you get back on a more respectful relationship with food and your body. You realize all the bad habits you've had, and remember what real hunger feels like, and your more likey to appreciate healthier, simpler foods afterward.

I agree that periodic mono dieting, or eating fruit in the morning and veggies in the evening, with a little cooked foods if you want, is also a good cleansing diet. It is just a more slow detox process.
Like I was saying before, I'm in the mood for something more drastic right now. I want to flush those toxins and fat out now! I'm so impatient. I'm suprised I haven't experienced any bad detox symptoms though.
I am looking forward to getting back to my more NT diet though, with lots of fresh veggies from my garden this summer. But I needed this right now to give me a good boost and kickstart. I forgot how good it feels to feel so light! I'd been eating so bad lately with all my trips and stuff.

[TopazBlueMama]

Oh, cjr, I was going to ask you what juice fast you are doing, but I saw on your other thread that you're going to do something else now. I hope it works out for you. I'm suppost to start af any day now, so it will be interesting to see if this cleanse affects it.

I can't believe how good I've felt today...my dreaded day 3, too! I haven't really been very hungry at all. But, I just found out that we'll be going out of town next week, so I'll have to end earlier than the full 10 days. Oh well, even this little bit has been good for me. I'll definately do it again, at least next spring.

[xenabyte]

Hey, sorry, it's been hectic here, just got a chance to log on to check threads.

As far as 'when' it is ok to do a fast while (if at all) during breastfeeding, this is just a personal opinin.... Usually the 'canned, cyoa' response is to never do it, until they are fully weaned. That being said....

I am nursing my 14 month old just a few times a day, usually in morning upon his waking, at 'nap time' for a few minutes until he falls asleep, and then usually in the evening before he goes to bed. During the last fast, my milk seemed to flow just fine even up to day 7...he seemed to enjoy nursing even more, and even added in a few more 'sessions' to it. However, be aware, you will feel HUNGRY after nursing, so try to have a glass of lemonade before, during or immediately after to prevent snacking/cheating! Haha...

He's mostly eating solids and drinking herbal tea, water and 'non dairy' milks now, and if 'nursing' was more of his diet, then I wouldn't have done it. So I feel comfortable enough, with the added 'protection' of chlorella in my 'teas' and sprinkled in some of his foods, to do it, while he still nurses some.

I also watched him for any 'detoxing' signs, and he seemed just fine, if not even more 'perky'...maybe the lemonade gave the milk a nice flavor that he liked?? His skin actually got even 'smoother' and nice feeling, since I was not ingesting any junk... he sometimes gets rashy around the knees, but I figured that was from playing on the rug...but it cleared up during my first fast and has not returned, though he still plays on the same carpeted areas... ??coincedence??

Anyway, I did three days, and then while nursing last night, I forgot to drink enough..and was 'starving'...then I offered to make 'raw dressing' (yes, the stuff from my post) for the DH's vegges...well, I liked the spoon without thinking...then that set off some major hunger pangs...so I ate a few spoon fuls...then I ate a piece of broccoli dipped in it...then I has 'SWF' like 'cleansing' for two hours afterwards. So it was a 'cheat' with some interesting results...

One, it tasted a heck of a lot nicer than a SWF, and basically had the same results! Haha, I'm sure that was not the intent of the 'MC' author, to substitute salad dressing for it, but wow, I didn't bloat, and am still loosing/holding. So here I am this morning (would have been day 4) having Day 1 hunger pangs....(/bonks self).

Technically, I should call it Day 1 again, and proceed to Day 10....I'm not sure if I will eat or drink anything else today...I'm tempted to do salad, but I've only had my lemonade so far...

I wasn't as prepared this time, and had stuff in the fridge that 'temps' me. I need to clean it all out! I shouldn't have made the dressing, but the ginger was starting to go bad and I didn't want to waste a huge chunk of ginger..I should have 'steeled' myself mentally and NOT licked the spoon

So, I'm tempted to start 'Day 1' on Monday, and 'clean out the fridge' this weekend....anyone want to start it on Monday??

Either way, I'm down to 154 and hips are at 39 inches (original weight before first fast was 164 and hips were 42 - 42.5) I SO would love being down in the 140s (a good weight for my height and musculary body)....I can't say enough about how smooth my skin, especially the thigh skin is now...and my upper arms (the backs, which are prone to keratosis pilaris (those little bumps) are smooth!!

As far as other fasts, here is what I heard, after reading about some other fasts, (and really, a fast is just giving up anything from one food, to all food, to just solid food for a day or more):

1. A 10 day water fast will accomplish the same thing, that it takes 30 days on a juice fast, though pure water fasts are HARD to do and you do need to make sure that is you have some severe medical problems, you consult your medical professional for advice before doing it. (There is that cyoa thing again, but really, if you have an existing, serious health concern, I would at least talk to a naturopath or someone in the health/medical profession)

2. A 'lemonade' fast (ie, the MC) is a half way between, a water and a juice fast, so in 10 days, you do have dramatic results, but less hard than pure water fasting. (It takes some willpower, but really is doable!)

3. You can do a combination of the two, by doing all fruit juices or all vegetable juices, with a day or two of pure water, then going back to 'juice'. This takes the edge off, and keeps the detox moving slower...

4. If you are having severe detox symptoms, then you can add in some avacado or banana to 'slow' it down, but keep the detox going...(not for the MC, if you want full MC results).

5. I agree, from 12 midnight, to 12 noon, you should have your fruits, as they are 'cleansing'. Then from 12 noon up to midnight, you have your vegetables, as they are 'restorative'.

6. Another way to do a fast is to have a 'mono fruit', ie, watermelon or berries for the first day, then pick another fruit for up to 3 days. This cleanses the body out. Then you drink all vegetable juices for 3 days, then you can eat light (salads and broths, like miso or vege broth soup) for last day, then resume a healthy eating pattern. This would be a fairly easy fast, as hunger should not be an issue, and detox should be lessoned. You can repeat this 'cycle' any time.

There are 'weekend' fasts where you do fruit all day Friday, vege juice all day Saturday, then Sunday you do fruit in morning up to noon, then vege soup broth for lunch, then dinner is a light salad and the soup with the vegetables in it. Monday eat as normal.

_______________________________________________
Ok, so I'm at that point where I could easily be talked into 'eating' today! I'm not as adamant about sticking to it this time! I think it's because before, I was wearing much TOO tight size 12 pants, and only ones that were cut a bit loose for the hips and should have been wearing my 14s..and I was REALLY motivated...

Now I've had to return some 12 pants and am wearing some size 10s today, that are loose already from only 3 days (even with my 'explosive' salad dressing cheat, HAHA)...SOO, I'm gonna need a new wardrobe soon! That being said, I'd love to be down to an 8 (which is really slim for my body type)...

So anyone want to start it on Sunday/Monday (May 1st/2nd)?

[tofumama]

Boy xenabyte, I am going to start stalking you...you are the health info queen! :LOL First kefir, now this...

Juts wanted to chime in here. First, about fasting/cleansing/detox while bf. You really need to be educated about what you are doing, and make the choice that is right for you. Some people can do this and bf just fine, some cannot. I know Dr.s would say DON'T DO IT, but...if you're like me, you don't listen to Dr.s much :LOL
That being said, my ds is almost 5mo. and ebf. I am starting with the 7 day MC and going from there to the E2L. I am on day 2 and like xenabyte my milk is fine, and ds is eating really well with no ill affects. He has some major food allergy issues resulting in skin rashes and his skin is perfectly clear right now. I did ease into this with a fairly strict 2 week diet so my 'detox' process may not be as harsh. I am taking the chlorella also, as well as drinking up to 16 oz veg juice/day. I really needed to do this, and we are doing some major dietary changes at our house due to a health scare with dh. Dh did a liver cleanse and lost 15 lbs in 10 days, and is now easing into the E2L off his fast. I am slowly transitioning the kids to more E2L type eating, as they love veggies and beans anyways. (we are vegetarian already) I think the key to doing anything while bf is you really have to know your own body and its limitations, as well as know your milk supply and your baby. I also have 20lbs to loose so I have some 'stores' to use also. So, I'm joinin' up with you fellow MCer's!

[xenabyte]

First, to original poster, sorry, your thread has been THOROUGHLY hijacked....But it's such a great topic for spring! If you like, we can start a new thread just titled 'Fasts' and then we can discuss and post results for any and all fasts. But this one seems to be doing just fine haah..Maybe we'll need a 'monthly fast thread' like the other monthly threads!


Hey tofumama! I have a question for YOU

I have info on doing liver cleanses (the Hulda Clark one, esp). I believe all the 'liver cleanse' fasts I've ever read, suggest doing a kidney and or parasite cleanse first, to maximize benefits. The parasite cleansing is always recommended before a liver cleanse (supposedly any live parasites in the body make cleansing the liver very difficult).

THIS is where I'm definitely not sure about doing it while BFing my youngest still. The liver cleanse should be ok (one day and nothing harmful ingested), but the pre-parasite cleanse is what worries me.

What did your DH decide to do, and which liver cleanse did he do? (I read several at www.curezone.com, another favorite site, but man, the pics can gross you out...)

Any 'live' stuff leaving is definitely an issue because of possible transferal to others living with you, but Hulda Clark suggests giving a diluted solution to kids, and spouse, and family pets and then thoroughly cleaning your house too (I ordered her book, 'The Cure for All Disease' to read more about making house cleaning suppies from non toxic chemicals). If I decided to do that, give all family members diluted tincture, I guess it could be done. The youngest is supposedly old enough (14 mo), from her chart info, to take a bit of her suggested 'tinctures' in juice or water. I'm wondering if ANY other moms have used or done this.

I'd just wait until he weans to do it, but I have been having pains in my upper back muscles and it's one of the signs that you need to do a liver detox, plus liver detoxes supposedly help you with allergies and congestion! But I'm nervous about doing the liver detox and not doing a parasite cleanse, but the parasite cleanse makes me 'get wiggy' when I think about it and having to make the rest of the family take the tinctures! hahah...viscious circle!

Another thing, she suggests 'zapping' the week before doing a liver flush, and doing the 'parasite cleanse' while zapping to be TOTALLY clear. The 'zapping' will supposedly kill any and all parasites and virus' and bacteria in most of the body, and the tinctures get deep down in your bowels, where the zapper might have trouble reaching. [BTW, I found a person that will make and send zappers for $10, they usuallly sell for close to $150 at 'high end' sites; he's a teen just trying to make a few extra bucks and knows electronics welll and how to read schematics. ] I made my own colloidal silver generator, but the schematic for a zapper looks a bit more complicated, and I didn't have the time to learn enough electronics to bother making one for myself, when he sells them for $10!

Does anyone have 'zapper' experience and good or bad to say? It's chem free and would be safe unless you are preggers or wearing a pace maker...

Well, those are my questions and some stuff I'm 'pondering' upon at the moment...

[tofumama]

Xenabyte...Hmmm, I've never heard of 'zapping'.
As far as the liver cleanse, I haven't heard of the parasite cleanse first, I'm going to see if I can get some info on it though. The liver fast dh was on was based on 2 different books I read (The False Fat Diet, and Fat Flush) I also have a background in Holistic health/massage, fwiw. He went 2 weeks with unlimited, non-starchy veggies, 1c brown rice a day, warm lemon water first thing in the morning and 2l. of cran-water a day ( 6oz water with 2oz UNsweetened cranberry juice, you can get it at TJ's or Whole Foods) In addition to this, he did a coffee retention enema e/o day or you can go every 2 days. ABSOLUTELY no sugar, caffiene, salt, protien or starches other than the 1c rice. This gives the body a break while dumping the 'sludge'. The coffee enema serves 2 purposes: 1 reduces detox symptoms almost instantly and it draws toxins out of the liver into the GI tract where they can be 'flushed' out.

To answere your inquiry, I have never done any sort of cleanse that may result in 'die-off' like a candidia cleanse, etc while bf. For me I am a little leary of putting too many herbs in my system, plus where does all that stuff that was killed go? Can you get it to go strait to your GI to 'dump' it without it being absorbed along the way? I don't know, and can't find info on it so I haven't tried it. It does make sense to do that first, but I have had pretty good results with the previously mentioned diet. Although, who knows how much better it could be...

[WendyLouWho]

xenabyte...that curezone can be a raunchy place, huh? :LOL

I'm going back on MC today or tomorrow (brother and family is in town and might want to have breakfast today before they leave).

I am still nursing my 2.5 yo and see no problems from the MC. I plan to do a parasite and liver cleanse after she weans. As a former sushi-lover and a gardener that never wears gloves, I'm scared but determined to do the parasite cleanse; it makes me wiggy, too. Especially after reading on the parasite forum at curezone :

We ate out at a lovely Vietmanese restaurant this weekend and I gave in and ordered my favorite...traditional spring rolls. That night, I had shoulderblade pain Being veggie for 11 years and then following NT, I felt I was healthy. Obviously, my liver needs some help. I think all those years of partying in the artsy scene in Houston is catching up with me. I know I taxed my liver back then, but thought that eating healthy would make up for it. Obviously not.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about diet lately and after fasting on and off this past month, I've decided to go back to a macrobiotic lifestyle.

I of two minds about Clark. I do feel she is right on about many things, but I just can't wrap my head around that zapper. It just screams "gimmick!" to me.

[DarkHorseMama]

Yowza! That pepper will light you up!

Starting today (May 1st...good day to start anew) with my MC. Starting stats are 209 lbs : and a 40 inch waist on a 5'5" frame. My initial drink was POWERFULLY hot, so I may decrease the pepper a touch and add it to a shot glass. My stomach feels rather queasy at the moment, but we'll see how things progress today. I have peppermint tea to which I will add Sun chorella, Smooth Move tea and have my sea salt for the SWF to round out the supplements.

Making this post for accountability and support. I am shooting for a 5-day fast, but will go further if my body agrees with the cleansing. Nursing a 3.5 year old at bedtime and a 15 month old sporadically through day and night. Will add updates.

[xenabyte]

Originally Posted by DarkHorseMama

Yowza! That pepper will light you up!

Haha, yes it can! I had to start with 'just a sprinkle' on top, mixed in...then work my way up to even 1/10th tsp. But, getting it 'fresh' in the juice, not in a capsule is the best way to do it. It activates in the mouth and has additional benefits. Plus I've read some 'horror' stories about folks taking capsules that make it through the tummy, into the intestines, and then decide to 'melt' near the 'exit'....and talk about the 'fiery avenger'....makes montezuma's revenge look like a walk in the park on a cool spring day....

So, I had Vietnamese eggrolls yesterday (homemade) with Nuoc Cham and lots of fresh lettuces, sprouts carrots and such. So while it was a pretty healthy 'go off'....I still feel :

But Today is May 1 and I'm raring to start again today or tomorrow. I have used up all the things in the kitchen (made several meals for the guys for the week) and froze em yesterday. I should never have made Vietnamese spring rolls...they are tooooooo tempting! but :slurp

I noticed a 'Fasting Thread'. I'm heading over there to peek, to see if you all are there now haha

Good luck on the fast, I'm sending you 'happy thoughts!'.

[Cloverlove]

I used to go on juice fasts quite a bit and felt really great after day 3 or so. I tried MC several years ago and it just didn't work well for me. I think it was the maple syrup- it didn't feel very cleansing and I really felt like crap.

I know all the ingredients are supposed to work synergistically, but I felt *much* healthier when I stuck with fresh juice fasts.

[akmeg]

Hi All,
I'm the original poster and I've been sitting on the sidelines reading with interest! Heather, I don't think you guys have highjacked the thread, this discussion is exactly what I was looking for!

Anyways, I feel like I'm the MC drop out! You guys are doing great! I tried it for a day, as I had posted before. I had only posted at the end of my first day. That night I took the Herbal Laxative tea, and at 6 in the morning I was incredibly sick! I woke up just feeling like my bowels were going to explode! I had to run to the bathroom, and I was so sick and lightheaded, I passed out and fell off the toilet! I had to yell to dh to come and help me, and he brought me some crackers and I layed on the floor and ate one. Needless to say, I was freaked out! And so the next day I was feeling better, but my stomach even looked a little scary, kind of sunken in and it felt really weird too. So I did more lemonades that day but also slowly incorporated back in some rice and veggies. And since then I haven't tried it again.

I've thought maybe I could try it without the tea, that whole passing out thing kind of scared me! But actually since I did the one day cleanse about 2 weeks ago, my digestive system has really been working a lot better, and I haven't been as bloated. So i think I might just stick with gentler cleanses from now on because I know that works for me.

[TopazBlueMama]

Oh no! That sounds awful! I'm glad you've been "working" a little better now though. Yeah, it sounds like you might want to start a little slower with a more cleansing diet first. There seems to have been quite a few different suggestions lately! Good luck!

[cortsmommy]

I only lasted two days and was too embarrassed to admit it so thats why I'm just now confessing. :hiding

[captain optimism]

I'm editing most of my posts on this thread but I think I should leave up the stuff about the risk of gallstones, though the research is inconclusive.

People who do crash diets increase their risks of developing gallstones: http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/g/gall...iskfactors.htm

In short, the likelihood of a person developing symptomatic gallstones during or shortly after rapid weight loss is about 4 to 6 percent. This estimate is based on reviewing just a few clinical studies, however, and is not conclusive.1

Researchers believe dieting may cause a shift in the balance of bile salts and cholesterol in the gallbladder. The cholesterol level is increased and the amount of bile salts is decreased. Going for long periods without eating (skipping breakfast, for example), a common practice among dieters, also may decrease gallbladder contractions. If the gallbladder does not contract often enough to empty out the bile, gallstones may form.

[xenabyte]

Hey! Nothing to be ashamed of! I made it past my birthday, then 'cheated' the next day while mindlessly licking a spoon of 'salad dressing' and then it made me hungry, and I ate some broccoli!

Then I decided since I'd done that the night before, to eat some of the vietnamese eggrolls I made Saturday....(while trying to use of stuff that would go 'bad' I cooked a bunch of stuff...the eggroll smell 'did me in'. That was stupid planning on my part!

This second cleanse wasn't as well planned as the first one. The first one I really wanted to do it. This time, I had stuff in the house I know I should get rid of, and it was a 'last minute decision' to start it, since my sinus were starting to get clogged up from a 'bite' of vanilla ice cream I had a week ago at a birthday party!

I started again Sunday, (May 1) so today is Day 2 (Monday). I have frozen or got rid of stuff and the Dh is going to help. I still need to get to the store for more 'maple syrup', though. I only have enough left to get through today!

The Dh's Birthday is May 10th, so I might only do 7 days, and then two days to 'come off easy with oJ and other juices' then be able to have birthday dinner with spouse. We'll see. If he doesn't want to go out to eat, then I might shoot for the full 10 days, plus two days of 'slowly coming off it'.

REALLY, and this the 'crazy side' of me talking...I kinda wanted to do a 21 day fast. But with the toddler kinda nursing still, I figure that's just crazy talk....a '14 day' would be nice....

I also have found the simplest and easiest 'gall bladder / liver flush. and no 'pre parasite' cleanse needed (ergo, no worries with having a youngster still BFing occasionally). I can post it if any are interested. You can do it supposedly 'anytime' and no need for 'fasting' for long periods of time before hand.

Well, off to check on the kids, they being TOO quiet!

[WendyLouWho]

Originally Posted by captain optimism

I am finding this thread kind of shocking. I am over my initial ambivalence and now feel REALLY skeptical. First, I don't get how this is a detoxification. It really seems like a crash diet.

It's all in how you approach the fast. Sadly, there are a LOT of people who use this cleanse to lose weight. There is even a whole forum dedicated to it. All they will accomplish is fast weight loss, lowered metabolism and then more weight gain.

When your body isn't using its energy to digest food, it can use that energy for healing. The simple fact that while I was on a previous 5 day fast, my ganglion cyst started to dissolve (it's almost gone now and I'm hopeful it will dissappear during this fast) and my running injury from last year finally cleared up solidify my belief in the healing power of fasting.

[xenabyte]

OH, I just saw Capt's post. (one, please re-read my stuff, before you make claims that I did OJ for two weeks. It plainly says two days. Plus, I think I mention my sinus' as being my chief reason for starting, and re-starting this cleanse)

I didn't do OJ for a week, but that's besides the point...

I did a MC for 7 days (lemonade and SWF),
then TWO DAYS of OJ (with pulp) to get the digestive system going again,
then followed the next few weeks by eating a Vegan, Raw diet.

I cheated with some 'ice cream' a week ago, and it got my sinus' clogged again (while everyone is fighting colds, I just got clogged sinus). This is usually just a detox symptom, but it is my 'weak spot'. I mention this specifically in a previous post.

There are plenty of minerals, vitamins and carbs to sustain someone doing it for the suggested 10 days.

Thousands of folks have done the MC. I have been reading hundreds of testimonials on people that have done if for up to 40 days!

Anyway, it worked for me. Yes I lost alot with the MC, but I was able to keep the weight off, (some might say keep the toxins out, and ergo gaining back the weight) by doing basically the vegan, raw foods diet in between the last fast, and this second one. Not by 'not eating' for three weeks...

The MC did clear out my sinus, my skin looks the best yet, and my digestive tract feels wonderfully 'empty' and now I can 'eliminate' several times a day, and my entire body feels great. I am doing it again, because of the sinus stuff, from the ice cream, as I obviously have more 'junk' to cleanse out.

But hey, penicillin is life saving for some, and life threatening for others. This is just my experience. It worked for me, so I guess lemonade is 'good' to my body.

Also, if someone gets really cranky doing any kind of fasting or diet, they might be hypo glycemic or diabetic. This should be diagnosed by a doctor before doing any fasting or weight loss diets (of any kind), in general.

[xenabyte]

Here is another reason I think it works to 'detox' your body.

When you eat, you are utilizing the body's stores of 'enzymes' to digest what you eat, especially if you are eating cooked foods. This takes up alot of the body's resources.

By 'fasting' for a few days to a week (or the 10 day suggestion), you allow your body's digestive enzymes and digestive system a 'break'. This allows your body to create enzymes that 'tear out', 'heal' and 'repair' damaged tissues and organs from years of 'abuse'.

The 'stores' for all your bodys enzymes are the same, your body just creates 'on the spot' what you need. Usually it is too busy trying to create enzymes to help digest your food, to get around to doing other important bodily functions.

If someone feels weak with the MC, they need to either drink more lemonade or do a pre-detoxing diet, to help with the 'detoxing' effect. The MC is a 'hard and fast' detox. I would suggest that those that are 'light headed' drink more lemonade and/or eat a mashed banana or avacado once or twice a day. Or just try another fast, like a 'juice fast'.

Or, if a fast is 'too scary' then do a 'raw' fruit and vege diet for a few weeks. This would work beautifully, and allow the body to slowly detox the build up of years of intestinal abuse.

Most sites recommed doing a 'gallbladder/liver' flush as well, to make sure everything is cleaned. Just read some of the stuff that these people flush from the liver/gallbladder, even if they don't have 'stones' according to their doc (via xrays), they get up to 200 varying sized gallstones out! Go read www.curezone.com and look at some of the pics.

The reason I posted my starting and ending stats, is because if this was just a crash diet, I would have regained the weight back or the 'sizes'. I think some people do regain it back, but usually it is because of going back to bad eating habits. This 'fast' helps break habits (like eating mindlessly).

I would suggest adding in a healthy medium chain oil, like virgin coconut oil, once you are eating normal again, to help get the metabolism going again, or slowly increasing your portions until your body is not in 'starvation mode'. But that just makes common sense.

[captain optimism]

I am editing most of my posts in this but I want to leave in the links to the nutritional information about the lemonade.

A ounce of lemon juice is 8 calories, here's a breakdown from that nice pyramid diagram site:

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-001-02s01hu.html

a tablespoon of maple syrup is 53 calories, here are the rest of the nutrients:

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-001-02s04bm.html

According to this cleanse proponent:

http://yestheyrefake.net/lemonade_di...se_journal.htm

you would be consuming 708 calories a day of lemonade. (Unfortunately I don't know if a tablespoon=one ounce lemon juice. maybe it's 800 calories/day.)