Ending the Master Cleanse

Yesterday was day ten and it was mostly good. The whole city venture went all right (aside from rain, traffic and getting lost in Addision (wtf, Danielle, seriously?) on the way back). My interview went pretty well despite the fact that I rambled and couldn't remember my favorite bands in the beginning of it (serious forehead smacking on the drive home occurred), but nothing worth dwelling over. After drinking some water, I was more clear-headed. I was really cranky by the time I got home though, needing lemonade because I had crashed hard.

At any rate, I've decided to end at day ten as originally planned. I hemmed and hawed over it, but it boils down to the fact that I feel like I've gotten what I wanted out of this experience from a mental standpoint. Seriously, if I can abstain from eating anything for ten days then I ought to be strongwilled enough to avoid "edible foodlike substances" too (as Michael Pollan refers to processed foods). Although the physical cleansing wasn't exactly what I had been hoping for, there is no denying the fact that I did detox. Believe me.

As my first post-cleanse day, I did half a SWF, just because my stomach hurt (I think it's the tea). Today I will continue to drink the lemonade, but it will be in addition to orange juice. I need to go get some from the store soon. I may end up just buying oranges and juicing them. I've grown quite fond of the juicer. Tomorrow I can eat fruit and vegetable broth; the day after veggie soup. It's possible I may be going out to dinner for my dad's birthday on Saturday, and I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Just gotta stick with the In Defense of Food mantra: "eat food. not too much. mostly plants."

Day Nine - The End Is Near?

So obviously my previous post is a little intense and overly emotional. Last night prior to writing I had spent several hours trying to create a writing sample as requested by someone I have an interview with tomorrow. Too much brain power gone + MC woes = messy.

I just had a good conversation with a very encouraging friend who thinks I should keep going past 10 days if desired black expelation (not a word) does not occur tomorrow. Today hasn't been that difficult though. I feel like I could keep going. My energy levels are fine and staying on the Cleanse longer isn't that unreasonable.

I've just gotta listen to my body tomorrow. I have an internship interview in the city at 3 o'clock. I'm most likely going to drive because train times don't really mesh and I feel like I have more control when I drive. Depending on how I feel physically and mentally after having done that, in combination with how I feel Thursday morning when I wake up, will determine if I go longer.

I wish I had some buddies to talk to who have done the MC. Like... I've read about some seriously gross sounding stuff coming out and I wonder if I'm chasing a dream. I mean that sounds so pathetic(!) but seriously, I just want the maximum desired result from my diligence and commitment to this thing. I wonder if the things I read about don't happen to everyone...

I know some MCers have started following me on Twitter and thus presumably read this, so hit me up with a message on Twitter if you have some insight on the black solids and such. It'd be invaluable at this point.

Oh, and this lemonade, which I originally thought tasted great, officially no longer does. I'm bored with it. Give me some new flavor!

Day Eight - Waiting Game

Today wasn't bad like I had read about. I wonder if I will go through a second round of detox. It's not that I think I am truly cleansed or anything, but my tongue has started to become mostly pink again.

I feel like I'm straddling the fence right now about what to do if a second round of the cleanse doesn't begin before day 10. On the one hand, I want everything bad OUT. That was the whole point of this, and if I've come this far, then what's a few more days? On the other hand, I'm bored with drinking this stuff. I'm hungry. It's difficult to concentrate, and I tire easily. I signed up for this Master Cleanse support forum at some point today just to inquire about the process and some dude told me that I shouldn't expect to expel black solids in such a short amount of time. I mean.... who is that guy to tell me, I know. But at the same time it's just something to take into consideration. Maybe I won't cleanse as cleanly as I originally thought. It certainly doesn't mean I haven't been cleansing all week. Believe me, I have.

I'm starting work on Thursday and I'm not sure how it'll go. I've read about people exercising while on the cleanse, so it's not like I think I will pass out or anything, but it can be a lot of running around and stress. Also, to be around that much food and still fully be fasting sounds... miserable. At this point, I cannot imagine doing this for very much longer knowing I'm going to be physically touching baked potatoes and stuffing them with cheese, butter, bacon bits, sour cream and chives and then hand delivering it to someone with a smile on my face. The thought alone just made my stomach rumble. Shit you not. It's literally like dangling a t-bone in front of a dog and not letting her have it. It's going to be torture the first few day regardless though since I'm supposed to stick to juice the first day and fruits the second day. Ughhhh. I'm dreading it.

Clearly, 90 percent of what I'm going through right now is mental. Must find a way to power through the negativity. It would help if the sun would come out again.

Day Seven - Trucking Along, I Suppose

So it's officially been a week with no food! WOW. I feel it though, man. I'm hungry, and I feel like trying not to think about food is futile. So I'm trying best to just embrace it and have been sorta planning out healthy recipes and such. Ratatouille is definitely on the horizon. I think today part of it may be not putting enough maple syrup (calories) into my limeade. It tasted very citrus-y today even with extra dilution. I went to Trader Joe's today to buy more maple syrup. It was cheaper there than at Whole Foods.

I noticed today I've been more irritable and unable to concentrate. Even writing this is somewhat difficult. My mood today was also really hampered by others. Everyone in my house was grumpy and then a phone conversation with a friend consisted solely of me listening to him bitch. I think I'm a pretty good listener, but I could not handle it. I just found myself with very little compassion today. I hope that lessens tomorrow because no one likes a bitch.

I've heard that days 8 and 9 are rough like 3. Let's get this second round of intense detoxing under way, shall we?

Day Six - Just An Average Day

The only thing really worth mentioning is that I went on a reasonably long walk with my dog. It felt good, kinda wore me out, but nothing too bad.

Also, my skin is starting to look more radiant. That is excellent.

I really missing chewing though. I want to eat food. It's crazy to say I haven't eaten in six days and I still have my sanity. I want these alleged "mysterious black solids" to hurry up and get here. I don't wanna have to do this more than 10 days.