The Great Experiment
I decided last week to do The Master Cleanse, aka The Lemonade Diet, aka the Maple Syrup Diet. I've seen it recommended to keep a journal, so here it is.
I'll start what I hope to accomplish with the Master Cleanse:
1. Weight loss of at least 10 lbs, though 15 would be better. I think I could even handle 20. It took me until I was 26 to gain the "freshman 10," but now I'm ready to be rid of it. Extra weight doesn't suit me. I'm actually hoping that I'll drop down to about 105 or so, so when I start eating solid food again I can inch it back up to 110. 110 is a good weight for me.
2. Increase my muscle to fat mass ratio and edge it more towards lean. The Master Cleanse will take some muscle tissue in addition to fat, I have no illusions about that. However, I have a rather thick subcutaneous fat layer for someone of my size, and I would LOVE to cut through it so the muscles underneath are visible. I intend to take up weight lifting again once I'm through the cleanse, and if the subcutaneous layer is diminished, new muscle will be much more prominant.
3. To improve my energy level. Although I listed appearance issues first, this goal and the next are what I'm after as much, if not more. I keep reading about people whose energy levels skyrocket during and after the cleanse. They feel better, wake easier, sleep more soundly, and overall feel more content. I'm hoping the same will happen to me.
4. Change my diet. My diet SUCKS! I eat the SAD (Standard American Diet) big time, and I've become concerned about the amount of poisons I'm putting into my body. I want to live healthfully 100+ years if I can, but to do that I've GOT to start taking better care of myself, and that includes learning to like my veggies. I've also read about a lot of people who found themselves naturally craving fruits and veggies after the cleanse, so hopefully 10-20 days of fasting will help me overcome my picky eater tendencies!
Tonight is the night before, so I've started with the herbal laxative tea as per the regimen. No, er, effect yet, though I hope it won't distress my sleep too much. I've got all my supplies for about two days, though I discovered that I'll need to pick up WAY more grade B maple syrup. That stuff is expensive, eek! I definitely intend to go 10 days, thought my goal is 20. We'll see if I survive even a few days without Diet Dr Pepper or chocolate cake. =)
My stats, which I will report every other day, as of the night before are as follows. Keep in mind that I hate a HUGE meal, mainly to get rid of stuff in the frig before it spoiled:
Waist: 27"
Hips: 36"
Upper thigh: 20.5"
Weight: 122
Energy level (1-10): 5
I'll start what I hope to accomplish with the Master Cleanse:
1. Weight loss of at least 10 lbs, though 15 would be better. I think I could even handle 20. It took me until I was 26 to gain the "freshman 10," but now I'm ready to be rid of it. Extra weight doesn't suit me. I'm actually hoping that I'll drop down to about 105 or so, so when I start eating solid food again I can inch it back up to 110. 110 is a good weight for me.
2. Increase my muscle to fat mass ratio and edge it more towards lean. The Master Cleanse will take some muscle tissue in addition to fat, I have no illusions about that. However, I have a rather thick subcutaneous fat layer for someone of my size, and I would LOVE to cut through it so the muscles underneath are visible. I intend to take up weight lifting again once I'm through the cleanse, and if the subcutaneous layer is diminished, new muscle will be much more prominant.
3. To improve my energy level. Although I listed appearance issues first, this goal and the next are what I'm after as much, if not more. I keep reading about people whose energy levels skyrocket during and after the cleanse. They feel better, wake easier, sleep more soundly, and overall feel more content. I'm hoping the same will happen to me.
4. Change my diet. My diet SUCKS! I eat the SAD (Standard American Diet) big time, and I've become concerned about the amount of poisons I'm putting into my body. I want to live healthfully 100+ years if I can, but to do that I've GOT to start taking better care of myself, and that includes learning to like my veggies. I've also read about a lot of people who found themselves naturally craving fruits and veggies after the cleanse, so hopefully 10-20 days of fasting will help me overcome my picky eater tendencies!
Tonight is the night before, so I've started with the herbal laxative tea as per the regimen. No, er, effect yet, though I hope it won't distress my sleep too much. I've got all my supplies for about two days, though I discovered that I'll need to pick up WAY more grade B maple syrup. That stuff is expensive, eek! I definitely intend to go 10 days, thought my goal is 20. We'll see if I survive even a few days without Diet Dr Pepper or chocolate cake. =)
My stats, which I will report every other day, as of the night before are as follows. Keep in mind that I hate a HUGE meal, mainly to get rid of stuff in the frig before it spoiled:
Waist: 27"
Hips: 36"
Upper thigh: 20.5"
Weight: 122
Energy level (1-10): 5