Continuing Weight Loss After The Cleanse

[melrohner]

I started the MC as a way to (hopefully) begin to change my eating habits. Having the people on this board for encouragement helped me make it through my first MC - 10 days! After the cleanse, I was really very sad to lose this resource, this little community. So I thought that maybe those of us who want to continue to lose weight could use a thread to post our general weight loss concerns, share ideas, etc. So, I hope to see some of you here!

Melissa

[diana]

Hi, Melrohner! Tomorrow (day 16) is my last day, although I want to do another cleanse at the end of February. I'm also interested in changing my eating habits for continued weight loss. This board was so much help with the cleanse, I would love to stay connected to it - what a great idea!

[lakehillgardens]

Hi, I love this idea too! I am still on the cleanse, day 15, and am not sure how long I'll go (tongue still pretty coated, though not as bad as it's been). I am hoping to really change things too. Last year I did the cleanse for the first time, and became vegan afterwards, this time I'd like to try raw...we'll see...they say the pounds just melt away!!!
One thing that may be of interest as far as losing stubborn fat deposits is essential oils. I've been massaging my stomach with a blend of oils mixed in organic sesame oil. Fennel and grapefruit are especially helpful for this purpose. You can usually get them in any heathfood store. The essential oils are expensive, but a little goes a long way. I put about 10 drops each in a 4 ounce bottle of 'carrier' oil, the choices are endless. You can use sesame, sweet almond, avocado, even olive oil.
Anyway, I thought it might help! Good Luck all! Lake

[jeffnj]

Great thread idea melrohner, I started the cleanse also with the idea that it would help me eliminate the stuff that makes me crave bad foods. I needed to lose about 100lbs, and this cleanse has already taken off 25. I want it to keep going after the return to food. I am on day 21 of MC 1, and I feel great. I am also planning my eating program for when I get off the cleanse(not sure when that will be yet). I was reading the MC book, and in the back are suggested menus and recipes. I was thinking of loosley following that plan. I am not ready to completely go raw food vegetarian. but I do want to stay away from beef, pork and poultry for now. I am thinking I will juice in the morning (fruit/veg), a salad for lunch, and some fish and veggies for dinner. I am also planning to avoid processed grains and stick with rye, buckwheat, and other healthier grains for my carbs. Anyone else planning their return to food? Would love to hear your thoughts and ideas. One thing I know for sure - I don't need as much food as I thought I did. I am living very happily on 600 calories a day or less on the cleanse.

[ladydi]

Hello all!

Great idea to have this thread melrohner. Thanks!

Lake - thanks for the 'recipe' for the oil rub for the tummy. That is one of my problem areas, along with my thighs. Would this work on them as well?

I am on my last day (16) of the cleanse (#5). The last cleanse I did was for 10 days in Oct./Nov. I was down to 128 and rebounded to 131 which I was able to maintain for awhile. I was eating fresh fruit during the day and a large salad of mixed fresh veggies, sliced black olives, chickpeas and 1 or 2 chopped hard cooked eggs for dinner with my own homemade dressings. I was doing well until middle/late Dec. when I started to eat badly (sweets, my own homemade goodies) and carbs (my own homemade whole wheat bread). I am pretty carb sensitive so I ended up at 140 lbs. when I started this cleanse on 1/9. I am now down to 127.5 lbs. and intend to go back to the fruits and salads as before, so this thread would be invaluable in helping to keep me 'honest'. Thanks again.

[fancy1]

Melrohner... what a wonderful Idea....
Although you can also check out the Raw Food Site on this BB... lots of good info there too..

[gattitta34]

Hi all,

Thks Melrohner for starting the thread.

I am still on the cleanse, day 18, hoping to get to 30, but ultimately want to continue with the weightloss after the cleanse.

I am not going to go completly raw, but want to eat more fish, fruit and veg. As well as cut out processed food, I was a TV dinner girl as i work long hours. I want to start cooking and eating healthy instead of taking the easy option.

x
gattitta

[Guest]

Hi everyone! Thank you for the great idea to continue progress after the cleanse! I have done cleanses before and it really helps to know that you can get through this - then you can get through almost anything! In terms of long-term weight loss, everyone knows how it is best not to eat after 6 pm. This in itself helps the body to cleanse before the next day and you loose pounds just by doing it, even if you allow yourself to indulge in something once in a while (a croissant or an organic ice-cream, etc.).
I can also add one good recipe: to help the elimination process do skin-brushing and then rub your body (when it is still dry, while standing in a bathtub) with a mix of olive oil and sea salt. This is the best exfoliator one can find and your skin feels like a baby's after this for a few days. Of course, wash everything away in the shower and try to repeat twice a week. It does wonders and helps the skin stay firm, as it is known that on weight-loss plans our skin looses elasticity and can get a bit wobbly, etc.
Hope this is useful and look forward to learning more about what everyone says - it's so beneficial to exchange opinions on the way to changing our lifestyles for good!

[Dreams]

Hi Everybody!

Thanks to melrohner for starting this incredible thread!

I am MC1/Day 16 and didn't initially intend for my MC experience to be about my weight. I have been told by a specialist I am standing on the doorstep to Diabetes and need to lose 50 lbs to try and avoid developing it. My only sister died of complications from Diabetes 3 yrs. ago and my brother already has it also! So I thought the MC would be a good way to begin to change my relationship with food so I can then explore a new way of cooking and eating. I have lost 11 lbs so far and am really concerned about gaining it back right away when I finish the cleanse.

This will be a great source of support as we all continue our jouneys into our weight loss and commit to the changes in our lifestyles that will be required to maintain our detoxed healthy bodies!

I intend to do the MC 3 times this first year for periods of 14 to 21 days and then hopefully twice a year for 10 days each time thereafter.

This will be so great to have the continuing support here! I have gotten really attached to the BB and all the wonderful people here!

Thanks again, melrohner! Great Idea! ~ Dreams ~

[devans00]

I finished my 13 day cleanse on January 13th, so I can give you about 12 days worth of post cleanse experience. Even though I am not going 100% raw, I did pick up some great points on the lifestyle from The Raw Food Detox Diet -- by Natalia Rose that have helped my clothes stay loose.

The book guides you on how to maximize your raw food intake during the day plus how to combine food types to encourage your body to get rid of what you eat as quickly as possible. By eating this way, your body can expend more energy on detoxing and getting rid of a lifetime of toxins. I love that the book is very realistic and reasonable about what you can expect from yourself. For a chocolate fan like me, I couldn't ask for anything better.

To sum up, my recommendation would be to read up on alternatives to the Standard American Diet. Either through books or websites. I recommend the ones described as guiding you through a transition to Raw, Vegan or Vegetarian, so you can ease into the new lifestyle. Most people cannot just flip a switch on a lifetime of eating habits. Reading material that expect you to be perfect in the new diet right away are setting you up for failure. Plus it's always good to read up on both the pros and cons of Raw, Vegan or Vegetarian so you can have a more informed opinion. Build on your personal experience from the Master Cleanse.

Remember, improving your diet is a long term goal, not something that's going to change with no problems immediately after the MC. Changing food lifestyles is expensive. Expensive in both in food and supplies. If you go the clean slate route, you may get rid of perfectly serviceable food that you already bought & were going to eat. Unless you were already a chef or gourmet, you may need to buy cooking equipment (such as a food processor, more fruit bowls or a mandolin) and utensils (better knives) to support the new food diet.

As many people know, cheaper food tends to be the most toxic (example=McDonalds). So you have to readjust your expectations of what it costs to feed yourself. True, you could buy a fatty, processed muffin for $2 and be on your way. Or you can invest in your body's long term health and search out more wholesome, nutritional food that costs more and is more of a pain in the butt to get.

I still get minor versions of the Master Cleanse detox symptoms (random pimples, informative elmininations). It motivates me to keep going with the semi-Raw diet, even though my brain wants to claim I'm being deprived. Anyway, except for chocolate, I've lost my taste for a lot of the garbage I loved B4 the cleanse.

[lakehillgardens]

Well, I'm done too! I made it 15 days, I was hoping for more, but kept my mind open, so I'm proud of my accomplishment instead of disappointed that I didn't go longer. Yesterday was my OJ day, although I did eat a little.

I fully plan to go all raw...while I was on the MC, I surfed the web & bought a bunch of raw books. My favs so far..."12 steps to Raw Foods" by V. Boutenko is so inspiring, and the recipes in Renee Loux Underkoffler's "Living Cuisine" are amazing, not to mention all the raw food details for novices. If anyones interested in this journey and has children, I recommend getting Sergei (V's teenage son) Boutenko's book "Eating without Heating". I left it out, and my 12 year old son 'ate it up', and is totally into trying to be raw too. Which is completely opposite to his initial reaction when I said I wanted to go raw! ("Mom, are you trying to kill me?")

I'd be glad to talk more about any of the books, if there's an interest...I don't want to bore! :)

Ladydi...The oils will work anywhere, also keep some up by your nose for inhalation too! Juniper is another good one too.

Good Luck everyone in all your goals! Lake

[NrsJaneFzyWzy]

I completed a 12 day cleanse about 5 days ago. I too am hoping to lose weight. Lost 19 lbs during the cleanse. In order to start eating right I ordered whole, raw foods in a kit from the following website.
http://elysianfields.wholefoodfarmacy.com/2005
Not only is it convenient, it's very good. And if you join the website, you can buy at wholesale prices! They recommend a 13 day diet on the website.

[lakehillgardens]

The one thing I've noticed is my tendancy to not drink enough water! I stepped on the scale a couple days after the cleanse, and I was right back to my pre-cleanse weight...the next day I made sure I drank LOTS of water,and found I had lost quite a bit of that weight again. I know that your body 'holds on to' the water in it, if it is feeling dehydrated, and lets it flush out when you drink more...but this is the first time I witnessed it so dramatically.

My recommendation for continued weight loss...continue with lots of water! Good Luck all, Lake

[melrohner]

Hi everybody!

I've been off the cleanse for a bit over two weeks now, I think. I knew I wasn't ready to go vegetarian or raw, but I've been trying to add alot of fruits and veggies and cut down meat, especially red meat. I don't eat alot of red meat anyway, I usually eat alot of chicken. My whole life, I've had a horrible diet - I can relate to Gattitta, alot of frozen dinners and fast food. One thing I'm really trying to break myself of is the french fry habit:) Like Dreams, I'm really close to diabetes. I've been off soda for a while now, since every nurse, doctor, nutritionist, whatever that I've ever talked to has said that one of the worst things you can put in your body is a regular soda. It was really hard, but I'm completely on diet sodas now, mostly light ones like diet sprite or diet ginger ale, because darker colored sodas tend to give me urinary track infections. A bit too much information, I know, but after reading some of the MC stories on this board, I think its mild in comparison!

Anyway, I had lost 8 pounds on my 10-day cleanse. I haven't weighed myself yet, since I know you tend to gain alot back as soon as you start eating, and I wanted to give myself some time to get it back off. I didn't want to get on a scale, see the weight gained back, and be discouraged. I was going to weigh today, because it's been two weeks, but someone really smart told me not to weigh on a Monday, since most people tend to binge on the weekends:) So I'll weigh sometime mid-week. I'm a bit nervous, because I haven't been as strict on myself as I should be. But I've noticed my clothes seem looser, so hopefully that's a good sign.

I've also started walking four times a week. I know I need to step up the exercise, too. I'd like to find some sort of road race in the spring, to give myself a sort of exercise goal.

Okay, I think I've gone on long enough:) I'm so happy to see so many people posting here, I definitely think the support of so many people will be helpful for all of us. Everybody have a great week!

Bye!
Melissa

[jeffnj]

Hello Again. Day 27/MC1 I am planning for tomorrow to be my last day on the cleanse. I am ready to go back to food, and am very secure in the knowledge that I really do need alot less food than I thought. I am living happily on around 400-500 calories a day on the cleanse, and my goal to continue my weight loss, and get healthier is top of mind. My head is really in a good place, and my doctor agreed today for me to stay off of my medications pending a one month review of Blood pressure etc. My cholesterol is down to 147, and my triglycerides are at 83. I am down around 30 pounds in 27 days - Good numbers all. My blood pressure was on the high side today, but it's leveling off now that I am home from the gym. Anyway I will stay connected to this board, and specifically this thread as I continue toward my fitness and health goals. Hope to see all of you continuing to post. Cleanse on!

[wfwdtp]

Hello all. Thsi is my 9th day on the MC and I don't believe I've lost anything at all. True enough, I didn't start the clease with the primary focus on losing weight, but that sure would have been great. I haven't weighed myself, before or since, however, I've tried on several articles of clothing to determine any loss. Nada.

I will certainly be looking forward to joining this thread. I have about 30 pounds I would like to lose!

WFW

[Dreams]

Hello All!

Today is MC1/Day 26 for me and I'm down 17 lbs! This is a great start on what I need to lose, and I am very pleased. I had to have my thyroid gland removed in 1991 and have had absolutely no success in permanently reducing my weight since. I have had some limited experience with loss on a fad diet here and there. But always gained everything back of course, plus a few extra. And over the past few years, even the fad diets haven't worked! I don't believe in fad diets anyway, so I'm ok with all that now.

I want to change my entire lifestyle and eating patterns for good now. I want to eat to fuel my living. In the past, I have used food for many reasons other than to fuel my body! I am working on coming to terms with some of those reasons during this MC! I am so greatful for those amazing insights! This MC is a wonderful way to get in touch with ourselves. A lot of emotional stuff about food. Time to let go.

So I am ready to end my Cleanse sometime soon and am really concerned about gaining back what I've lost. I understand it is inevitable to regain a few pounds of weight right in the beginning, and I loved what someone else said about getting rid of your scale for a while. That way, you aren't tempted, or aren't able, to weigh yourself everyday. You won't actually see that few pounds come back right away and can then wait to weigh yourself until your into another round of losing again. I love that! I'm going to do that!

Seeing that initial gain would probably blow my mind and I'm afraid I might make different food choices than if I didn't see it! Does that make any sense to anyone? I struggle. And unfortunately I turned out to be one of the few people that have real hunger for the entire length of their MC! So I am afraid I'll pig out! I don't want to un-do any of the many benefits I have gleaned from the Cleanse, including the weight loss, but I'm afraid if I saw a rapid re-gain of even just a few pounds, I might take the old attitude of "Oh well, I'll never succeed at losing, maybe I'll just go eat a plate of enchiladas and refried beans covered in cheese and stuff a chocolate cake in my face!" Don't want to do that. If I don't actually see it coming back, I could easier maintain the new attitude of "Time to eat. A nice fresh salad and some vegetable soup sounds good!"

Anyway, I'm still out here. Whittling away at my old self trying to uncover the real me. One step at a time. One small success after another.

Good luck everyone. ~ Dreams ~

[fancy1]

Way to go DREAMS....

One way to also help keep the weight off is to implement the probiotics into your daily routine...
they sure have helped me...
they curb your cravings for Salty and Sweet foods.... they truly are amazing....

Best of luck.... So glad you are doing so very well...

[FastBoySlow]

Nice going, Dreams. :)

I too am concerned about weight gain when I finish my (first) MC this coming Thursday - I am on Day 7 at the moment.

I intend continuing the detox "theme" by doing a regime promoted by Carol Vorderman (she is a TV presenter, here in the UK).

I have done it twice in the past and have lost 20lbs over 28 days each time.

Some details here :

http://www.weightlossadvisor.co.uk/carol_voderman_detox.html

However, for long term weight reduction (and keeping it down), I know that I shall need to change my life style. But easier said than done for carb loving carnivore like me. :(

[amber25]

Hello everyone,

I've been reading this board for quite some time now :)
It's been very helpful to find out about other peoples' experiences.

Im curious about your experiences with weight loss/gain after the cleanse. How many of you have continued to lose weight/gained some or all of it back?

I've gained some or all of the weight back (I've done 3 cleanses) after each cleanse.

What's interesting is that after each cleanse I find myself not wanting to eat a certain type of food: I've given up cheese, most dairy, coffee (something I've always loved) simply because I didnt want it anymore. Also with each cleanse I gain less weight back afterwards.

I know some weight gain is normal. However, im concerned that basically 'starving my body' causes it go to into the starvation mode and slows down my metabolism.

Anyway, I was just curious what your experiences have been in terms of keeping off the weight. And after finishing the cleanse - how much time went by before you started losing weight again.


Keep up the great work everyone :)))))

Amber

[jeffnj]

Hello again all: I have been off of the cleanse for about a week now(I was on for 28 days), and I have been very careful about my eating - trying to stay very low calorie (around 1000 calories per day). I have been eating a little fruit or some juice in the morning, a salad or veg soup that I made for lunch and some veggies and a little fish for dinner. I am drinking only Water and mint tea. I am staying away from dairy, poultry and meat for a while until I am closer to my goal weight. I have continued to lose wiehgt, although much more slowly then when on the cleanse. i am determined to watch my diet carefull;y to continue my wiehgt loss. My goal is about 100 pounds, and I am down 40 already..... Stay focused everyone, and watch out for the junk food.....

[FastBoySlow]

40lbs - that's great, jeffnj. :)

Like you, I have a lot of weight to shift.

Quite a bit of it is down to my "mouse potato" (like a couch potato but at a computer) life style.

I am on Day 10 of my first MC - which I am stopping today.

I have lost ~ 16lbs so far - it has to be an estimate because my scales only go up to 308lbs. :(

My overall goal is 150lbs - but I shall take that in stages to make it more manageable.

Keep up the good work, jeffnj.

[queensharon]

Great job on the weight loss guys! I'm on day 3 and have lost 5 pounds. I need to lose about 100 more (lost 30 last year with WW and have kept that off). I'm doing a 10 day this time, and I'll report in how much I lose along the way. I hope I keep it off when I'm done too... :D

[Guest]

My advice to everyone who wants to minimize the weight gain after the fast is to eat very lightly (possibly raw) for about a month after the fast. I like having lemonade for breakfast (and sometimes lunch) and then a big salad for dinner. If you crave junk food immediatly after the cleanse, you probably didn't go long enough. You should crave fresh raw vegetables and fruit. If you rush into eating sweets and fried foods, you will gain the weight back. Even if your portions are moderate.

I always gain about 4-5 pounds back after the cleanse, but if I remember to exercise and really watch my diet for at least a month after the cleanse, I can halt the gain there.

[Dreams]

Good Advice Erin!

I ended my first MC at 29 days. I lost 20 of the 50 lbs of extra weight I carry! A huge accomplishment for me, since I had my Thyroid removed in 1991. Weight loss has truly eluded me in the past, no matter what I tried.

Today is only Day 4, post Cleanse. And I have already gained back 3 lbs. I think! That is what showed on the scale this morning, anyway. I thought I would die!!

This is the thing, I was literally starving the entire 29 days I was doing the MC. Day 6 was the only exception. Not so bad that one day. But otherwise, I was truly hungry. I had some cravings also, but the hunger was very different than the cravings. I learned the difference between those two things while doing the MC. I really had never thought about it before.

So . . . on Day 24 my physical hunger spiked out of control and I literally had to fight it every second of my day. Even when waking up in the night to go pee, I was starving hungry! VERY DIFFICULT!! But I never caved. I never cheated even once. I should have ended then, I think, but I was determined to get full benefit of my detox on this cleanse. I had intended to break after 30 days, but after Day 29 I had to give in. I had to honor my body's cries for feeding!! It was obvious something serious was happening. So I broke with the juice and then broth and then the veggies in a divine soup according to Burrough's instructions.

I have no cravings for my old stand-bys now. Butter, Sugar, Caffeine, Red Meat and Cheese. My diet was riddled with them before. No desire now. None!!

But - I am devestated to say, and really a bit embarrassed, that yesterday I oven roasted some of the most beautiful fresh vegetables I have ever seen. Red peppers, sweet onions, zucchini and yellow squash, fresh sweet carrots, eggplant and sweet celery. I seasoned them with olive oil and sea salt, some fresh herbs. Delightful! Delicious! The problem was, I CONTINUALLY ate them the rest of the day!! EVERY time I went in the kitchen, or passed by there, I had more. It seemed like every time I sat down or went to do something else, I found myself heading back to the kitchen for more veggies. I am thrilled with the fact what I wanted to eat was not "bad" foods. But I am devestated by the fact I ate so much in one day, I ended up feeling ill and bloated and heavy again so soon after my MC. I am so completely down on myself for that.

And then to see the 3 lb. gain already! Disappointed, I am. In myself, not the MC or the fasting in any way.

I had so hoped the Cleanse would reduce my tendancy to over eat! I really believed I would come off the MC not being ABLE to eat to much, like maybe my actual, stretched out stomach wouldn't be ABLE to hold so much any more after a long rest. Like maybe it would find its way back to being "as big as your fist", as they say, and I wouldn't be physically ABLE to eat such huge amounts of food any more. I actually don't know what the volume of food I ate yesterday was, because I never sat down and ate it as a meal. I never put anything on a plate where I could see what I had there. I just kept snacking and snacking and snacking as I walked around the house!! When it was time for dinner with the family, then I put some brown rice in a bowl and topped it some more of the veggies and finally ate something like a real person. But it was disturbing. I was so over fed by then, I can't imagine why I even ate anything at all. VERY STRANGE!! And talk about uncomfortable after dinner!! I felt like I was literally about to explode. Plus, something in the veggie mixture caused me to break out in a rash, I think. I ended up all red and blotchy and itching like crazy!! Very upsetting, the whole, ugly thing. !!!

It almost felt like my mind was driving me to eat and eat in response to having been so hungry for so long. Does that make sense to anyone? I am in better control today of all of this, but I can't help but feel the damage is done. I've already loaded up on too much at one time, by doing that yesterday. The one habit I so desperately wanted to break! !!!

So to the others out here trying to find their way back into healthy eating, be careful. Stay in control of your thoughts and continue to exercise that "mind over matter" attitude you used during your MC! Easy for me to say, right? HA!

Well, there it is. My confession of eating too much right away and gaining 3 lbs back in only 4 days! Don't let this be your story too. It really hurts, in more ways than one, I'm afraid. I am so sad today. So heartbroken. ~ Dreams ~

[sopheetsa]

dear Dreams!

If you could try your best NOT to beat yourself up-- (take it from someone for whom this is a daily struggle) it is the BEST thing you could possibly do! You have to THANK YOURSELF FOR COMING THIS FAR! You have to be as good to yourself as you would be to ANYONE OF US! LOVE yourself for all you've endured, and that you've KEPT ON TRYING & SMILING! I know that you've been trying to do the best you can, under very difficult circumstances! If you do cut yourself slack & go easy on YOU, then everything'll be easier. If you don't, you'll feel worse, and it won't help you (in my experience:)) anyway!

As for the 3 lb weight gain--keep in mind that just going from not eating to eating-- you're going to end up carrying food in your digestive tract (which before was virtually empty.) This is NOT the same as BODY WEIGHT GAIN!

I hope the rest of this does not intimidate you! (And always--take it EASY, one step at a time!http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/party/party-smiley-018.gif)

It is true-- that after fasting (and you've had to deal with this all along:(--all the harder!) the appetite will be elevated over an extended period of time. Unfortunately, this is why people often gain the weight back after fasting--the body RESISTS CHANGE! (="homeostasis" in biology) *For this reason, a succesful long term weight loss strategy would be built upon:
1. exercise 2. "mini-fasts" or periodic cleanses *3. a PLAN for mindful eating!

People on traditional diets have known the wisdom of cyclical fasting throughout the ages. For example--you can restrict certain foods on certain days of the week, or you could try juice fasting...occasionally-- once every week or two. *I know that you'll figure out a way that works for you!

Building exercise into your lifestyle helps in a number of ways because it:

1- *is an appetite suppressor
2- *releases "feel good" endorphins
3- *raises your metabolism which means that you're burning more calories/day!
4- *transforms fat into muscle. wheras fat is "dead weight" which does nothing, muscle is a metabolic "engine"-- it needs calories to run. the more of your body mass is in "lean" muscle & not dead toxin storing fat, the higher your metabolic rate!

Remember, you don't have to do this all at once, and it doesn't have to be a chore! It can be a time when you focus your energy, love, and attention on YOU! You don't have to go to the gym (although for some people taking a class helps-- and there are all kinds- from aerobics, to bicycle "spin", to "spiritual" yoga to DANCE!) *Walking is actually the best (full body) exercise! Don't know how convenenient that may be "Deep in the Heart of Texas"-- but hopefully-- you'll figure out what works best for you!

And remember: We're all http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/huepfen/jumping-smiley-024.gif rooting for youhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/party/party-smiley-047.gif ! KEEP US POSTED!

http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/liebe/love-smiley-009.giflovehttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/liebe/love-smiley-009.gif,

soph

[queensharon]

Erin, thanks for that information, that's very helpful. Unfortunately this time I will only be doing the 10 days, but on Feb. 25th I'm starting a 30-40 day one. I'm going to be REALLY careful at the wedding on the 18th and the week after, eating, and try to stay mainly raw with very few exceptions. I've lost sooo well I don't want to mess it up!!! ha thanks! :D

Dreams, those veggies sound delicious, but you sound like you did what I do. which is just absent-mindedly grab for food.. even healthy food.. just too dang much of it! ha good for you for noticing.. that's the first step :D 3 pounds isn't bad at all!!! that means you still have 17 off!!! that's awesome! Glad you're catching it quickly though, good for you :D I know how you feel with feeling bloated and having eaten too much.. oh boy do I know that feeling. I'm sorry you had it, but it was a great learning experience for you I'm sure. Now you know you have a bit more focus to do there, which is good. I, like you, am hoping that my cravings for bad foods are gone, and that I dont' reach for food as much.. for one thing I'm keeping all the food in the future in the kitchen. I know that may sound like a "duh" for some people ha but I used to keep bowls of fruit up here and sunfloer seeds and all kinds of stuff, and I'd grab for them continually.. so out of sight out of mind might help too, for me. Yes, to answer your question, I think your mind was still set on the old ways, and was trying to desperately force you to catch up on what you "missed" (haha) and it's going to take you to tell that voice to settle down.. not always easy, but necessary :/ Just tell that part of you that you appreciate how it used to control you, but that you are choosing differently now :D thanks for sharing all of that, it REALLY helps so much!!! You're a doll :D

Soph, GOOD POINT about the food being in the intestines and not really a weight gain, etc.. very good point! I agree with you that 3 pounds isn't bad at all. I love to work out and have tons of workout aerobic DVDs here, and I also do a Just My Size Yoga (for us fat women ha) it really helps to modify them a bit to get around our round bellies, etc. I love it.. I need to at least do that tonight, thanks for the reminder!!! I'm hoping to get back to the gym tomorrow with kevin and I'll start on the ellyptical and the treadmill (used to do 20 minutes of each and then do all the weight machines), and I'll start off slowly and see how it goes, and bring plenty of water with me. I will do one set of 10 reps on each weight machine and see how that goes too.. want to build into it gradually, but I really miss it and can't wait to get back!!! I love the tingling of the muscles and the tightness of how your body feels when you're done working out.. ahhhhhh :D

OH, and I guess this is the place I should shout this.. I'VE LOST 8.4 POUNDS IN 3 DAYS, WOO HOO!!! I went from 249.8 to 241.4 so far.. I'm psyched!!!! :D

[sopheetsa]

dear Dreams:

Just found (for reasons of my own current misery) this quote from Peter, and thought you might like to hear it:


Returning to a solid food diet is not necessarily going to make all the weight return. I lost over 20 pounds on a 20 day fast a year ago and I weigh slightly less now ;). The key was that I ate (and still do eat) a 95%+ raw vegetable, fruit, nuts and seeds diet. It's almost all solid food with only occasional juicing, but it's not the standard American meat and dairy cooked diet 8).

Wishing you all good things in the coming days! :)

soph

[amber25]

I agree - it all depends on what you eat after you stop the cleanse.

But if you think about it - in order to be thin and healthy, you HAVE TO maintain the right eating habits….. otherwise you will never keep off the weight…. And will just keep YO-YOing... there is no way around it especially if you lead mostly sedentary life

I think what’s great about this cleanse is that with each cleanse you transition more and more to a healthy, natural-food lifestyle. I found that I just don’t want to eat certain types of bad food ….. The difference from other diets is that when you force yourself not to eat those foods you become anxious, frustrated and obsesses…. But not WANTING TO do it is easy – you don’t think about it….

And the bottom line – it all comes down to calories burned vs. calories consumed… just no way around it…


I always gain some weight back but I find that the more I change my eating habits the less I gain…. It really is about transforming yourself to be a different person – and I think it may take several cleanses to finally “get it” (like it did for me)


Dreams,
Don’t get discouraged and keep up the great work – you should feel good about the fact that you are actually doing something to achieve your goal :)

[queensharon]

Amber, how many times have you done the cleanse, and how often? I'd like to do the cleanse, eat raw for a while, then do the cleanse again, and back and forth, until I lose the 100 pounds I'd like to lose. I've lost 9 pounds so far in 4 days, and am on Day 5 now, and am loving the whole experience. I'd love to know more, forgive me if you've posted this somewhere else, but I'm new and I'd love to know your history with it, thanks! :D

[jeffnj]

Hello fellow cleansers and weightloss seekers: I have been off of the fast since Jan 30th, and I am continuing to lose weight. I am reading all of your posts on this thread, and the shared knowledge and experience is very empowering. I have cointinued to eat very moderately since the cleanse, even while traveling on business twice during that time frame. Here's what I am doing: I am avoiding meat poultry and dairy for now, and am trying to stay with whole grains only for starches. I am using fruit or juice for the morning meal, a salad or Soup(made at home - no store bought soups- too much salt!!) I am focusing on eating vegetables and fruit as the main staple of my diet. I am having fish (generally steamed or poached for now) once a day and trying to keep the portions small about 4oz in a sitting. I have been drinking the occasional Jamba juice as a meal replacement. I only order the Vibrant C 16 oz which contains 210 calories(Ingredients: pineapple juice blend, freshly squeezed orange juice, frozen bananas, ice, vibrant C boost. ) as a morning meal. I am getting a juicer for home so I can make some of these things on my own and further control the quality of the ingredients. I am cooking home more and eating out less - trying to control my intake. The downside because of my schedule is that sometimes I end up eating later than I'd like because I have to prepare the food. If I feel I have eaten too much in a day, I just start the next day more determined to keep the intake low. I am noticing that I am not drinking enough water, and this is slowing my weightloss - so I am making a concerted effort to drink more. I use thin corn/rice cakes or rye crisps as my bread, and I will take beans and potatoes in small amounts escpecially in soups. Overall I am focused on using the time I spent shrinking my stomach(the organ - not the waistline) to my advantage in eating small healthful meals. My weightloss has slowed but continues. I am working out 3 or 4 times a week, trying to continue to burn extra calories.

Anyone else have ideas for healthful low calorie meals?

Keep focused on your goals, and remember - a temporary setback is not a reason to stop trying - it's a reason to try harder....

[jeffnj]

This thread started out with so much interest and excitement, and now it seems to be fizzling out! *For those of us who are weightloss minded, a place to discuss those issues, share triumps and failures, and to support each other in our ongoing efforts is a great idea, and from the posts *- it seemed like many others did as well...... *Come back weightloss seekers..... *I know you are out there lurking.... *

[OffBase]

Hey everyone...

I've been off the fast since January 16. It was my 4th cleanse in a year. I didn't do the cleanse specifically to lose weight, and found for the last 2 times that I basically hovered around what I consider to me my "ideal weight." Maybe I'd lose 2 or 3 pounds, but that's about it.

Since getting off the cleanse, things have been rough and I haven't been very careful with my eating. I've been feeling really tired and sluggish and I thought I may have put on a few pounds, so today I weighed myself.

*gulp*

Since getting off the cleanse on January 16, I have gained... almost 20 pounds. HOLY !@!!@$#@!#!!. :( :( :( :(

I feel so defeated. All my hard work all year seems to have been for nothing.

[jeffnj]

Hey offbase: I think the important thing is that you already have the keys to success. You have been able to - 4 times in a year - do something that many people wouldn't dream of - letting go of food for a period of time. With that in mind, build on that resolve, and apply it to your eating plan.

I think it's really important to set limits for yourself, and decide what is healthy and not healthy for you to eat. Once you've made that determination - then avoid the unhealthy choices the same way you resisted all food during the time you were on the cleanse. Harder and trickier - but do-able. One idea would be to cleanse once more, and have an eating plan ready for once you return to food.

It's not a failure - it's a detour.... Let it go and get back on your chosen path.

[OffBase]

jeffnj:
Thank you for your thoughtful and supportive comment!

I would love to do another Cleanse, but it feels like I would be turning to it now as a desperate "lose weight fast" solution. It would be for the wrong reasons.

Each time I've gone off the cleanse, I haven't been able to stick to any sort of eating plan, however well-intentioned. In the past, that hasn't really seemed to make too much of a difference, because I've basically been hovering within a few pounds of the same weight for a number of years and the most weight I've lost while fasting has been 7 pounds.

This time, I seem to have gained 20 lbs in 30 days. Not only is that demoralizing, it's kind of really freaking me out. I'm scared. :( I haven't weighed this 'much' in 15 years.

But, at the same time, I hear the wisdom in your words and I applaud your own efforts and success, on the cleanse, and after.

Onwards and upwards... thank you.

[jeffnj]

offbase: My thought on doing the cleanse again - even for a short time is to rid yourself of the "chemical" cravings for the stuff you are eating - the rest is really all mental.

I have probably gained and lost more weight in my life than your total body weight!!! It is only now that I feel like I am really in control for the first time in a very long time....

Anyway don't focus on the weightloss aspect of the cleanse think of it as a jumpstart toward a controlled eating plan... Good luck

[wfwdtp]

Hello eveyone, I posted the following on the Women's Thread, too:

"Hello LadyLemoners,

"Does anyone have any effective weight loss experience or advice for those of us in perimenopause (the transition from menses to menopause)?

"I am 14 days past a 10-day cleanse. Part of the reason I did the cleanse was to try to jump start some weight loss, but I only lost a couple of pounds.

"I am in perimenopause which means that my hormones are in flux, weight GAIN is easy and weight LOSS is difficult (due to a decrease in progesterone)! For the past 2 years, an extra 20 pounds have been impossible to lose! I do work out and exercise and am usually consistent with eating right. These measures always worked in the past, but in the past couple of years only keep me from gaining MORE, and are not enough to help me LOSE.

"My doctor has recommended exercising twice as much (morning and evening or twice as long in the morning), which I have tried before. This is effective, but much harder to keep consistent -- I simply can't keep up that schedule for very long with working, a teenage daughter, an elderly mother, and not to mention additional post-Katrina recovery responsibilities (we're displaced from New Orleans).

"Are there any foods, herbs, vitamins or other supplements or measures anyone has found effective for this? Any help, tips, or advice are appreciated!

WFW"

I admit that I am discouraged. I hate to even see myself in a mirror, I look so fat to myself and have to buy such big clothes. I want to lose AND KEEP OFF between 20-30 pounds and get back to an ideal weight by living a lifestyle that I can actually maintain. But this is beginning to seem impossible. Does anyone know if weight loss is easier AFTER menopause?

WFW

[Dreams]

Hello All!

Jeffnj - Way to go getting us all back into the conversation about continuing weight loss after the cleanse! I was one of those really excited about the thread at first and then just lurking after that! :)

You are doing so well in the changes you've made to the way you eat and in your attitude about it all!! YOU ARE AWESOME!

Offbase - I so feel for you right now!! I have been off the Cleanse for 11 days. I made it 29 days on my first Master Cleanse and lost 20 lbs during that time. I gained back 4 pounds in 4 days, eating only moderate amounts of fresh vegetables and fruits. I was SO disappointed at first. Then my guy hid the scale from me and I noticed there was no real change in the way my clothes were fitting. Didn't seem to be gaining any inches back right away.

Like a lot of us, I did not get into the Master Cleanse for a weight loss solution. I was after the deep tissue cleansing it offered. But I am 50 lbs overweight and standing on the edge of high blood pressure and diabetes right now. I got real attached to the weight loss right away. I think it is the one thing that drove me so far into my fasting. I don't think I would have gone past Day 24 if it weren't for the desire to lose more weight. Anyway, today I am unable to weigh myself at home still, but I just came from the doctor's office. His scale said I was 20 lbs lighter than 3 months ago! His scale said I went from 178 to 158. When I finished my MC, my scale said I weighed 150, so I don't know if I've gained 8 lbs back or if, as is usually the case, the doctor's scale is way different than what mine would be.

Anyway - I had really thought by the end of my MC I would have developed or designed a good, solid plan for eating. Something very different than before, and definately healthier and leaner and such. But somehow when I ended, I hadn't really prepared like I had wanted to. So I'm eating lots of fruit and vegetables for the most part. But I have added back in some other things that may not be so good.

Last night we went to celebrate a birthday with friends in a fabulous Mexican restaurant and I am literally in pain today from that one meal! I am bloated with gas and excess water and have pain in my back and abdomen. I feel totally constipated and very tired as well. I didn't really over indulge either. I put half of my food in a to go carton as soon as it was served. I ate only 5 or 6 chips with salsa before the meal, (a HUGE improvement over my previous 5 or 6 BASKETS of chips before the Cleanse). :) And I was really very carefull, (I thought), about what and how much I was eating. No more Mexican Food for me. I have learned something interesting about my body and my blood type and the foods I eat. Almost everything the Eat 4 your Type book says a Type O person should not eat was on my plate last night!! !!! And today I am truly able to feel the effects. No corn, no wheat, no dairy, no pinto beans, no avocado. These are a few of the things I am advised to avoid. And these are the things I ate last night anyway!! I can tell you it really hurts. In many ways. It hurts physically. But I think even more, it hurts my feelings that I did it at all. I mean, here we all are fasting and cleansing our bodies and ending up in a state of supreme health and energy. And then only 11 days later, I load my system full of all this heavy cheese and junk in the name of Mexican Food! What a shame!!

But like Jeffnj says, it's not a failure. Its a detour. ( I love that :) ) So back on track then. Today I am enjoying a few Texas Rio Grande Ruby Red Grapefruit, which are divine. No more heavy meals for awhile.

Good luck to every one. This is a great way for us to share our experiences, recipes, tips and tricks and such. Maybe hearing my story will keep somebody else from making a similar mistake. It really wasn't worth it. I honestly feel ill.

So onward then, towards our ultimate goals...~Dreams~

[Leah]

Hi Everyone,
I did pretty well on my last cleanse (MC4), and was planning on doing another soon but decided against it as I feel I'd be doing it for the wrong reasons. I've decided to take a 6 month (if i can!) hiatus....I guess I feel like I might be using it as too much of a crutch, and am worried about a yo-yo effect. ie - "that's okay, i can eat this, i'm going on the cleanse soon...." I always have good intentions coming off, especially this last time. A food diary helps A LOT it makes you much more conscious of what you are eating. My problem isn't overeating or even eating terrible foods, it's grazing, and eating when I'm not hungry - not quite emotional eating per se, more like eating out of boredom. And even if it's just carrots or strawberries that I'm munching on, it's still eating without purpose....anyways sorry there's my rant for the week. I haven't weighed myself in a while - plus I'm just finishing my period, not the best time to weigh myself....and who likes weighing themselves, really?! My measurements have stayed the same though....so maybe that's what i'll focus on. I've also always been really active, so....no more cleansing for me for a while.
Okay, back to reading this BORING journal article....
:)
Leah

[jeffnj]

hi all: My weightloss had plateau'd for a few days - but it seems to be moving - very slowly - downward again. I dropped another 2 pounds this week. I feel like I have been snacking more - however I am only eating thin corn cakes or carrots for snacks. I have been trying to get in as much vegetables as possible, and saving my 4 oz. of protein(fish only) for dinner. I have been making and eating alot of soups and salads, and overall my body is not craving junk foods. I am exercising alot 4 times / week. Anyway Keep going everyone! Watch out for the stuff that throws you off-course. I keep focused by looking for new ways to eat/prepare vegetables so I don't get bored. Good luck all!

[Aussie_Yank]

Hi everyone,

I just want to say that you're all doing a fantastic job in making the effort to look after yourself!

I don't post very often, but I do read the board when I can. I've been fasting a couple of times a year for a few years and have only discovered this board a few months ago. I did a 3 week fast in January (a combination MC/Juice fast) and have been off it for about a month now. I've only gained back about 2 lbs. since coming off the fast and hope to maintain my current weight.

Just to give you a brief overview of myself....

Around my 30th birthday (12 years ago) I saw a video about the foods we eat and how much fat, etc. most people ate in their diets. This inspired me and I immediately went out and bought a blender and started changing my lifestyle (making smoothies for breakfast, no more fast food, plenty of healthy snacks at hand). At the time I was about 175 lbs. Within 6 mos. I had lost 50 lbs and dropped about 4 sizes.

I must admit I was a bit fanatical and wouldn't eat anything with more than 3 grams of fat per 100 grams. For exercise I walked for an hour (I was too embarassed to go to the gym). I read a lot of books (my most inspirational at the time was "Eat More, Weigh Less" by Dr. Dean Ornish) and cut out red meat.

When I moved to Australia 10 years ago it was hard to find "fat free" foods like I could in L.A. My weight did fluctuate quite a bit over the years, but not to my previous level. When I started fasting a few years ago I noticed several changes within my body and realized that it was something that I could benefit from by doing regularly.

About six months ago I went vegan (no more chicken, fish, dairy, etc) and have really noticed a change. I have gotten some great recipes from "fatfree.com" and have also gotten all of the MacDougall cookbooks as well as many others. I have been experimenting with new recipes (about 3 a week) for the last 6 months and am still going strong.

I can now fit into my old college levis (yes, I held on to them all these years...hoping that some day they would fit again :)) and am very happy with my current weight.

To me, it's about education. The more I read about diet and nutrition the more I want to have a healthy diet. The hardest part is dealing with other people who are not on the same wavelength. Aussies always have butter or margarine on their sandwiches and the good old Aussie BBQ is mostly steak and sausages, with lots of oil.

People nod and say they should eat healthier as they stuff another potato chip in their mouth, but until something drastic happens nobody wants to do anything. A lot of people have been commenting lately on how skinny I am now and want to know my secret. But as soon as I tell them that it's a lowfat vegan diet I think they tune out.

I went to a baby shower last weekend and there were about 6 plates of "snacks" on the table. One of fruit (which I could eat), but the rest were all cakes, biscuits, chips, etc.

Most of the time if I'm going to a dinner or BBQ I bring a side dish (which is then my main dish). I also bring my own snacks (vegies, rice crackers, homemade dips) which everyone can share in.

To give you an idea of my daily meals....
I usually have a "Lemonade" as my cuppa in the morning, then have a green smoothie for breakfast (occasionally I'll have toast if I'm still hungry - with hummus, avocado, refried beans or jam). I then cut up my snacks for the day to bring to work. This is usually a couple of pieces of fruit, a carrot, celery, radish, cucumber (whatever I happen to have in the fridge). If I have leftovers from dinner I'll bring that with me as well. I graze all day on these foods and make sure I've got plenty of food so that I won't be tempted to buy "other things". For dinner I try out one of my many lowfat recipes and make extra to freeze. That way on the nights I don't feel like cooking I can just take one out of the freezer. I bought a bunch of those plastic takeaway containers to freeze meals in.

Although my husband does eat meat, it's not often and he has to cook it himself. More often than not though he'll just eat what I cook and only have meat when we go out.

Sorry for the long post, I think I just got carried away. It's nearly 3am and I should be in bed, so good luck to everyone on their journey....I'm proud of all of you.

Cheers,
Aussie_Yank

[pinealoppe]

Hello;
I just recently found this site and I love it! I am only on day 2 of my MC and I plan to go for 14-21 days. I'm more concerned with continuing to loose after I break it. I don't plan on staying vegetarian forever however I will until I reach my goal weight. I was somewhat concerned with calorie intake afterwards and exercise regiems. For those of you who have continued to loose I was wondering how many cals you consume?
at what rate have you been loosing?
What is your exercise regieme?
Did you get loose skin?

[jeffnj]

Hello everyone - thanks for checking back in after the lull. I was away for a couple of days with no access, but I'm back tonight. Anyway - how is everyoine doing? Pinealope - I got your message, and saw your post - I responded to your email. Anybody have any successes this week? Anyone stray from the path? I have been eating a bit more - albeit fruits and veggies - the last couiple of days - I have been excercising alot and I have been a bit hungrier. But I am still getting full quite quickly, and trying not to overdo it - even with good stuff. I have been using a corn/multigrain thin "rice cake" product by a company called "ReaL Foods". These are called CORN THINS, and have only 23 calories per slice. They have several flavors are make a great snack... By the way - I have no relationship to the company -so this is not an advertisement - just mentioning something i like.

Hope to hear from you all soon.

Jeff

[Res]

Cool Thread. :)

Offbase, NOW I know what you were talking about. C'mon back and let's chat. *Hug*
You're not the only one who's put a few pounds back on *cough*... ::) The thing is this, get back on the horse http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/gen049.gif and come out Hacking and Slashing because you have to do something. This weight watching is lifelong for some of us. Sometimes we'll do well, sometimes we'll crash and burn. But then that's what your Lemonade Buddies are here for, to catch you when you fall. I know you're discouraged. You worked hard last cleanse and you know you can do it again. Identify what put the weight back on. It helps to either avoid it the next time or at least be aware of it. I'm with you. http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/love005.gif
Love you.

Thanks to everyone here for spreading the encouragement like manure...it helps things grow ya know. ;)

G'night http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/love051.gif
~Res

[OffBase]

Res, BABY!
I'm back, catching up on posts. :)

[Res]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D I knew you'd make it back! http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/bounce005.gif

I think I'm starting tomorrow! I'll catch up with you when you catch up on reading posts. ;)

*Smooch,
~Res

[FastBoySlow]

I ended my first MC 2 weeks ago.

I lost ~ 20lbs, which I was quite pleased about.

I was expecting to re-gain some of this, but was hoping that it could be kept to a minimum.

Anyway, the scales revealed that I had put on 4lbs in the past 2 weeks. So not too bad.

I have tried to improve my eating habits - with more fruit and vegetables. This has been through soups, juices and smoothies. I have bought a Juicer and Smoothie Maker in the past few weeks.

Also, I have only eaten meat twice (on separate days) since stopping the MC - this means 1 steak and 2 sausages for the month of February. :)

Plus fish (salmon, tuna and mackerel) on 4 occasions.

I have been taking a P&B shake first thing every morning. What a vile concoction! I can just about make it palatible by adding juice. I can only find the powdered Bentonite here in the UK, and find it impossible to mix properly. I tried it in the blender, and it turned out like jelly (= jello for US transaltion). :(

I have ordered some liquid Bentonite from the US so, hopefully my P&Bs will improve.

Any pointers for mixing powdered Bentonite gratefully received! :)

[kelsea823]

Hi FastBoySlow,

This is my first MC and I am on day 5, doing pretty well, but I was curious what P&B shakes are??

Thanks!

[Guest]

P&B shakes are probably the most disgusting "shakes" you will ever consume. They aren't actually part of the master cleanse, but some people add them and call it an Ultimate Cleanse. They are an additional means of purging the system, made of psyllium husks (the fiber they make Metamucil with) and bentonite clay. If you thought the salt water flush was bad, wait till you try these....

[kx414]

I don't know what I'm doing wrong, just know that I need some of you Masters to pass on some words of advice!

Today is the start of my day 3 OFF of the cleanse, and I have already gained back three of my pounds ! I came off BY THE BOOK so I'm not sure why this is happening. It's very discouraging. I haven't had a BM since Sunday so I think I'm going to drink some of the smooth move tea to see if that helps at all. This is what I've had:

Saturday night (last day on the cleanse), I took my Triphala.

Sunday (day 1 off the cleanse), I took my acidopholous in the morning with a glass of diluted organic grapefruit juice and sipped very slowly. Later on I had a glass of diluted organic orange juice, sipped slowly. I ate a small organic orange at about 1pm. Then about 3:00 had another diluted glass of organic orange juice. About 6pm, had another small organic orange. I also drank lots of water in between all of this.

Monday, at about 8:30am I had a diluted glass of organic orange juice. About 9:40 I ate a small organic orange. At noon, had another glass of diluted organic orange juice; 2:00 had another orange. Made the vegie soup for dinner (was quite surprised with how yummy it was as my man and I just winged it). I did eat the veggies (green beans, celery, peas, carrots, tomatoes, red cabbage, potatoes and red kidney beans). And had 2 rye wafers. I also had a TON of water today *approximately 80oz.

Does this sound correct?? Would eating this light really make me gain back 3 lbs??? Please help!

Tonight I feel so bloated and I don't know why! So frustrating...

[belinda]

Hi WFWDTP
I just finished a 35 day cleanse, lost 27 lbs. I am eating 100% raw. I did eat 100% raw for 1 1/2 years, then quit raw for over a year . BIG MISTAKE! I gained 40 lbs. I now went from busting out of size 12 jeans to sies 8!! WOW. I love the cleanse. I have yo yo ed for years, but this gives me a program that WORKS!!
About peri menopause,I am through monopause myself. google" Doctor Lee Progesterone". He has died but promoted and did research on NATURAL Progesterone and others are carrying on with his discoveries.We need enough Progesterone to lose weight and many things. You will find exciting info to help you.
Don't give up. Just start over.There are many good books on raw eating. Just do not eat too many nuts but do eat some.
belinda

[Cristy]

If anyone is interested I read an awesome book, "Fit for Life, not Fat for Life" by Harvey Diamond and I think following his advice would go a LONG way in not only continuing the weight loss after the cleanse, but continuing the whole detox process every day in a simple to follow way, it is honestly one of the greatest books I have read and would be well worth a look.

[hvef8th]

I am on day 8 of my cleanse and have great results, I would love to continue reading information or experiences on continuing the great results I have had, I am on the site now looking for ways to break the fast correctly.
I'll be looking for good tips for continuing! Thanks;)

[Lia]

Well I am post cleanse for about 3 months now and I will start another one soon. But I have never live a raw life style an have been doing so since the end of the cleanse. I have continue to lose weight a little at a time and have now lost 42.5 lbs. I am going to try to contiune the raw life style as long as I can.

[mtmouse]

Impressive, Lia!

Join us in the Raw Food Lifestyle thread! Lots of us in the same boat (some more, some less) there!

[ICANDOIT!]

hey guys! i'm new to the master cleanse and the main aim for me is to lose weight...

i am just worried that whatever I lose on this detox, I will put on double in the few months after finishing...

Has anyone experienced this or have people experienced the opposite?

Thanks! :)

[mtmouse]

Hi there icandoit,

In general, the people who gain their weight back are the ones who go right back to doing the same thing they were doing before the cleanse. I don't know of anyone who has doubled their gain.

Lots of people have either continued losing or have maintained their losses (except for 3-5 pounds that's normal to put back on as your colon fills up again) by switching to a raw diet or at least adding many more raw foods into their meals. That gets easier with each cleanse, too. You don't have to be perfect after just one!

[jenntx]

Hey everyone I just finished 17 days..and lost 24lbs. I really need to continue the weight loss. So I drank 8oz of OJ for breakfast...the lemonade juice for lunch ..and snack was 8 baked veggie chips...lemonade again at 4pm because I was hungry and then dinner was a raw veggie soup I made with soybean.

I just drank the tea and feel totally full....but I'm terrified of getting on the scale and seeing the weight come back on. Logically, I know that if I completely change the way I eat and have less calories going in then I do going out I should continue a steady loss...but frankly..it was easy to not eat...no fuss..every other day 2lbs off.etc.

Part of me wants to stay on it forever...but then I don't want my body to go into starvation mode and then if I ever do decide to go off of it..and apple gets converted straight to fat.

Anyone else worried that even healthy eating will set them back?:confused:

[homeschoolmom]

Hi, I am now on day 12 and have lost 16 lbs. I can't see it in the mirror but that is what the scale says. My clothes are not as tight either. I am worried about gaining it back when I resume eating. I don't think I can go totally raw. We eat oatmeal and such. We do eat alot of legumes though and that is kind of healthy. I plan to eat mostly veggies and everything in small amounts. I am not sure how many more days I am going to continue the cleanse. I want to be done but I also want to see 25 lbs gone.

thats my story so far
Miriam

[staytonsmith]

Hi All,

Though clearing my bod of Lyme's Disease is my top priority, weight-loss is #2. I'm doing bio-identical hormone replacement for peri/menopause and recently blood work showed a thyroid imbalance - so I'm taking that too.

I have yo-yo'd for the last 17+ years. Losing, gaining and always a little more on the gain each time. I was good at 140 (I'm 5'8") and fit. I've passed 200 despite all attempts to the contrary. I can really identify with how getting on the scale and seeing a "bad" number is soooooo counter productive. A bad number used to set me off on a 3-5 day eating binge. Prior to starting the cleanse I craved and ate way too many Bloomin' Onions from Outback.

I'm on Day 6/MC1 and am under 190 lbs. I intend to stay on the cleanse for as long as I can... I'm enjoying the freedom from eating but also the time to reflect on why )and when) I eat - what triggers it, etc.

I'm also grateful that this thread exists here. As I've read the posts I'm reminded of what Peter says in the intro regarding the body's need for fat. Fat is the body's defense against toxins. The more toxins you have the more fat your body stores to protect itself. If you want the weight to stay off focus on quality foods, good water (not Desani or AquaFina or Deja Blue - stick with Evian) and organic wherever possible.

I have a 10th wedding anniversary coming up in November and I plan to gift my husband with the body he married ;)

[Minnetonka Maid]

Good for you! Hang in there, keep studying and planning for your return to solid foods. You are certainly on the right track. I am halfway (Day 6) through my 3rd cleanse in a year and a half and I am excited about all of the new foods I find to eat instead of the toxic old ones I spent the last 50 years consuming.

[blueberry001]

If my weight 400 lb how much lemonade do i drink a day?

[blueberry001]

why do you make it so hard to post on this board ?? not everyone is a PC expert..:(
I would just like to ask some questions.

[laurag]

Wondering if there are any significant additional benefits to staying on the Master Cleanser past the ten days other than weight loss?