Cheating

[Guest]

The eve of day 5 on the MC, I broke down around 10pm and ate a cup of cooked spinach, 2 plain shrimp, and a handful of dried cranberries. I immediately regretted this, but had such low energy and strong cravings that I couldn't help myself. I called my brother, who just completed the cleanse (he went 10 days) and he said it would probably be ok to continue and not give up. He also said my energy was so low because I wasn't consuming enough of the lemonade (I got sick of it and only have about a liter on day 5). So the morning of day 6, I had my salt water and have continued as if this minor indiscretion never occured. I can't help but wonder just how much eating that small bit of food has screwed up results. I'm not doing this for weight loss. I really just want to get cleaned out. Is it ok that I'm continuing? Is there no room for a small mistake?? Please someone....tell me everythings going to be ok!

[sopheetsa]

IT'S OK! IT'S OK!

you're allowed!

the idea is that eating during the Cleanse sets you back vis a vis-- your body's going into "fat-burning" mode.... which actually makes it HARDER, because you might experience MORE hunger. but there' s nothing terrible you've done, you're not taking away from the fact that you had 5 days of cleanse under your belt-- and if you continue-- EVEN MORE!

best of luck, try your best not to beat up on yourself-- this isn't EASY! :)

PS: I can't get down enough of the lemonade either, end up pouring out half of it everyday! you do what you can do, & live with the rest! :)

[mycroftxxx]

;D

during my second cleanse I cheated on the first day so I reset my cleanse to start on the morning of the day following...

My philosophy, its ok to cheat but there has to be some sort of consequence for your actions. ;D

lol :)
Go directly to day 1, do not pass go, do not collect $200

By the way, I'm always the thimble when I play Monopoly... GO THIMBLE!! WOOOO

[innerpilot]

There's no "cheating" if you're not in competition, with anyone, especially yourself. Since early childhood, we are taken from our homes and put into these schools where we are litterally brainwashed into "competing". Get higher than everybody else, get the highest grade, do better, beat everyone else etc..or "fit in" with everybody else, be accepted etc. etc. Unfortunately this has been translated into just about every aspect of life even as we grow older and it's nothing but a false construct, however real the consequences may seem at times. The Master Cleanse or any other cleanse, fast , diet etc., should be approached as a totally individual engagement. Yes, there are lots of support systems, but ultimately it is all about you. I have been fasting, doing cleanses for many years. It is a very serious undertaking, not a fad, a club, or any type of competitive event. I call it "silent surgery",
(except for the gas and occassional grunts). When you get to a point where you feel you must break the fast, then that is your point of critical difference. That's where you are at. Don't measure it according to where some else is or has been. Five days of cleasing is wonderful. One day is wonderful. You don't have to wait 30-40 days to have a spiritual experience. It is such an experience just making the decision to clean your body. You have every right to go at your own pace, in your own space. One of the beautiful lessons of the cleanse, or fast, is that it brings us stark naked to the realization of "I am here. Right here, right now." A very big step in any spiritual, intellectual, or psychological development. The man who started the well known Reiki healing used to say "Just for today I will Not worry.", " Just for today I will be kind" etc. etc. I think he had five such things he practiced. The point was to focus where you are at right now. Don't worry about 10 days from now or three days from now. Realize where you are at right now. If you are at a place where you determine you must eat, then that is where you are at. Success! You've reached your goal to be where you are truly at right now. Not where someone else is at. And when ever you want to continue the cleanse, you are free to do so. Enjoy it. Learn for you, every step. No guilt necessary what so ever.

[fancy1]

wonderful words Innerpilot.... thank you...

when I did my first cleanse my room mate/ boyfriend... asked me not to lose anymore weight... I have had that in the back of my mind nagging at me, bothering me...

Your words are refreshing and made me change my frame of mind....

For this I THANK YOU

[Dreams]

AWESOME POST, INNERPILOT!!

Keep it up, we all need to be encouraged this way!

I just finished my first MC about 10 days ago. My "goal" changed several times over the length of the Cleanse. First I set it at 21 days. Then on day 8 I definately changed it to 10 according to feeling so poorly. Day 9 I set it back to 21 days. Later I changed it to 28 days. Then to 30. Then to the dreaded "whenever my tongue turns pink again"!!

By Day 24 I was in some kind of trouble. I know now I should have ended then, but I pushed on towards my "goal". I don't feel good about doing that, by the way. I was ignoring some very strong signals from my body. A lesson learned.

I finally came to a place where I KNEW it was over on Day 29. Even though I was going for 30 days, I KNEW I could not to go even ONE more day. My body was quitting the Cleanse, and I made a new commitment to honor that in every way I could. I was there! At that place where I was! I really got it that day. It was like, it's time to end now, BECAUSE it's time to end now!! No other reason or explanation needed. Make any sense? It did to me, and it was awesome to make that breakthrough!! To make that distinction!! A very valuable one of my many amazing results of this first time fasting.

Part of the beauty of the Cleansing process for me was learning to honor my body, my self. It is an immense accomplishment for me, and I am so pleased!! I believe we all need to develop this inner ear of ours to really begin to "hear" what our body is telling us each day. To begin to "hear" what we need and when we need it.

Thanks for your wonderful words today. They are truly appreciated and will likely mean a great deal to everyone who reads them. Post again soon for us.
Glad to have you here!! ~ Dreams ~

[Res]

InnerPilot:

How refreshing was that? In a day and age when we're being pushed to "measure up" or "be as good as" or whatever (blech!) you nailed it with, "Be good to yourself". Geez we are so mean to ourselves. So, "Bravo" to your great words of wisdom. :)

Onward>>>>

Love to all,
~Res

[Guest]

InnerPilot -- THANK YOU!!! Life is good. I feel great! And this cleanse rocks!!!