The final count down

This is week four, focusing on cleansing the lungs, blood and skin. The rituals are becoming a routine. I guess it is true what they say, it takes 28 days to develop a habit. I'm still pondering what parts of this program I will incorporate into my everyday life. I would like to continue the eating component of this program however not as strict. I will try to avoid refined sugar, as that is my weakness.
I can't believe this month has gone by so fast. I remember how daunting this whole concept seemed back at the beginning of the month. I have so much more energy. It is really amazing. I only cheated once so far, not that I intend to cheat anymore. On Friday we went to the Weezer concert and hadn't eaten. I was stuck eating a cheese pizza. Oh, and I also had a small glass of red wine with a friend who was visiting from out of town. Technically that's cheating twice.

Phase 3

Okay, so I'm not following all the requirements for phase 3 to the letter, not that I have followed every instruction impeccably through out this whole fast. Let me say that the tea for this phase is borderline vile. I can really only talk myself in to taking one cup a day, instead of the prescribed 3. However, the milk thistle seed cap I am taking includes turmeric and dandelion, which are two of the ingredients from the tea. I feel like I am getting my "needs" met elsewhere. Also, I bought some liquid lecithin, because I couldn't find it in a vegetarian capsule. I have never seen lecithin before. The lecithin is thick and oily, it doesn't mix well in liquid, which is the only way I would be able to stomach it. In doing more research, it appears that this can be used to create a non-stick coating for your pans. Anyway, I took the lecithin the first day in my morning psyllium, pectin, green supplement drink. It was difficult to gag down. I haven't tried it again since and I haven't had time to go to Henry's to find a replacement. Oh, well.



In better news, I got some new running shoes. I actually tried them last night on my run. What a difference. I actually felt supported. I love these shoes, New Balance 1223. They are on the endangered list. New Balance is replacing them with the 1224, which reviews say are not as good. I may try to order another pair of 1223s to have on hand when these new ones wear out. My feet are fickle and it is hard to find shoes that work for me.

As if my life wasn't busy enough...

I am spending way too much time preparing food, teas, supplements, etc. I am not able to get anything else done. All my time seems to be consumed with prepping meals. When not preparing food, I am shopping for it, and then trying to figure out how to fit all this produce into my fridge. If for nothing else, I will be glad to be finished with this plan in order to get back some of my free time. I plan to keep eating healthy, when all this is over, so where will I find the balance? I'm not sure.

Tomorrow begins phase 3, liver and gall bladder. The tea for this portion seems gnarly. It has dandelion, turmeric and ginger root. (It is supposed to have chicory, but I couldn't find it) This tea needs to come to a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes. I made the batch for tomorrow, and yikes, does it seem like it will be tough to swallow.

This week, I plan to continue with my running plan and also add a strength training element. I am impressed with myself for finishing a full week of my running program, now lets hope for as much success with week 2. I'm just trying to focus on the runs as a vital part of my schedule, like eating and sleeping.

Phase 2

I started phase 2 on Monday. This week targets the lymphatic system. The only thing really different than phase 1, is the tea blend. I had a headache most of the day on Monday. I'm not sure if it is because a new area was being focused on or if it was a coincidence. The week has been going well. I was able to get out and run on Monday. That was difficult since it has been a while. I haven't been able to get out again this week, I have been too busy. I plan to go running this evening when I get home from work. I am following the "couch potato to 5k" plan from Cool Running. It's a slow build up, with a combination walking and running. By the end of the 6 weeks, I should be able to run a 5k again.

I think I am getting used to the routine. I still don't enjoy the psyllium/pectin drink every morning, although I am enjoying going number 2 everyday. I am averaging one poop a day. I guess that is better than normal.

I am trying to pre-plan for next week. There are some more supplements that I need to buy. I am going to order them on iherb.com, because they tend to be cheaper than Henry's and the shipping is really fast.

A little self discovery

This fall, I have been interpreting freshman football at the high school. Let's just say that the whole culture of the sport is not really my thing. I find some of the mentality a bit "boy's club" and some of the attitude slightly misogynistic. I, however, am learning new things and expanding my range of experiences. For the most part, I am enjoying it. One of the coaches however, is a yeller, especially during the game. He tends to yell at all the kids, including "my" student, J. which I then get to interpret. I have to say that when J. is out on the field playing, I get a pit in my stomach hoping that he does everything to the liking of the coach. This, of course, is an impossible task, because coach is not easily pleased. I think J. gets yelled at or yelled about at least twice a game. It's not just J. who is yelled at, it's anyone who is playing and anyone on the sidelines who isn't "good enough" to play. The yelling happens through out the whole game. I just want to run away as soon as it starts. Last night, we had a game and lost, big time. Coach wasn't happy. On my way home, I started craving some sweet baked goods and/or some wine. I of course can't satisfy those cravings if I am to remain faithful to this detox. I started to ask myself why I was so eager to consume these forbidden things. I realized that I was so stressed out about the experience of the game, that I wanted some comfort. As soon as I made this connection, the cravings went away.



I have never considered myself a stress eater. Which seems to be a fact that I have been able to be in denial about because my adult life hasn't been very stressful and therefore I haven't put on that much weight. However, looking back on a time in my adult life that was particularly stressful, I managed to gain 20 pounds. (10 of which I was able to lose). We had moved, I started a new job and we were becoming landlords. I, of course could blame the gain on the new birth control pill I had been taking. With in the past month, I have put on 10lbs. After assessing the month, I realized that I have been experiencing a great amount of stress. I was put in a new position at work, with more responsibility which I didn't want in the first place and on top of that I have been dealing with the crazy coach almost daily. It occurred to me that if I continue on this path , I'll be one of those women who wakes up one day, 250lbs and stunned as to how it all happened.



My mom has always had a weight problem. While I was growing up, she was a yeller, which I hated. It made me feel nervous and on edge. In reflection, I have come to realize that when my mom would eat sweet delicious things, she was calm and seemed to me happy, which made me happy. These were usually foods that we would partake in together. Ice cream time was an especially wonderful time. It usually took place in the evenings while the whole family watched t.v. Those times were nice, quiet and peaceful. To this day, ice cream is one of my favorite comfort foods. I don't think I'm taking too big of a leap in concluding that I associate delicious desserts with comfort and relief.

Number two

I'm in Phase 1 of this detox, which focuses on the intestines and the kidneys. Every morning I must drink that strange concoction of psyllium husks and pectin (one of the hardest parts of this program), which I am assuming is meant to help push it all through. Quite frankly, I was expecting a little more poop action. I am definitely not the most regular person in the world. I am a one or less per day kind of person. The break down so far, day 1; nothing, day 2; 1 time, day 3; 2 times, today, so far, nada. Yesterday, after my second "event", I started to get my hopes up, but then today, nothing, yet. I do continue with the psyllium and pectin for the remainder of the detox, so maybe it will "pick-up". Until then, I have resorted to adding some colon cleanse, which has worked for me in the past when I feel I need some extra help in the bowl department.

One thing I haven't been able to successfully empliment, is the exercise component, which could be part of the pooping issue. I want to start running again, but it has been way too hot, still. I thought it was Fall? If I am unable to run, I need to do something indoors.

Side effects

I have to say, the side effects are very minor. I have had some headaches in the afternoons, nothing too serious. Admittedly, I was consuming large amounts of sugar and some caffeine, not to mention wine and beer. I expect the transition to fully happen soon. One nice result, is my face looks smoother and brighter. My pores are looking tighter and smaller. I can only assume this is from eating such a whole food diet. Not bad after only 2 full days. I can't wait to see what happens by the end of 28 days.