The Master Cleanse: My 40 Day Journey With No Food
“Feed the soul, let the body fast” -Unknown
About a week ago, my significant other brought to my attention a detox diet that lasts between 10 and 40 days. Since I have known her, she has always researched nutrition, supplements, and detox diets in particular. For anybody that doesn’t know, a detox diet is one that helps rid the body of toxins. The benefits of this type of diet could include weight loss, loss of food cravings, having much more energy, and the general feeling of feeling better. The detox system she recently came upon is called the “Master Cleanse.” It is also known as the “Lemonade Diet.” She got me to research the diet and asked me if I would do it with her. After a few days of soul searching, I believe this is the perfect time in my life to cleanse my body. This diet will allow me to change the way I see food and force me to reach deep into my spirituality in order to get through it.
About the “Master Cleanse”
The “Master Cleanse” has three different components to it. The first component is the sea salt flush. Basically, I will be drinking a quart of water each morning mixed with two teaspoons of non-iodized sea salt. This is suppose to help push the waste through my system. The second, and most important, part of the detox is the lemonade drink. This lemonade drink consists of two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon, two tablespoons of grade B organic maple syrup, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and eight ounces of purified water all mixed together. Basically, this does a few things for your body. First, the maple syrup provides your body with all of the nutrients it will need. The cayenne pepper helps break up any mucus inside the body and provides many of the B and C vitamins. This drink is suppose to keep me full. It will not, however, keep me from craving the foods I am detoxing. I will be able to drink this mix between 6-12 times per day (as I get hungry). The third part of the cleanse is the laxative tea. The tea is taken at night and basically helps get things going for the next day.
Why 40 Days With No Food?
There are a number of reasons as to why I have decided to do this. First, and foremost, are the GREAT health benefits I will receive. Right now, like 99% of Americans, I am addicted to food. If I do not eat food, I get cranky. Without it, I have terrible cravings. I also get headaches on occasion. My food addiction has also been the source of my weight gain. Two weeks ago, I weighed in at 210 pounds (The most I have weighed in my life). Today, like the past few days, I was at 196 pounds. My goal is to get down to 180 pounds by May 20th. However, I do not want you to think that weight loss is my sole goal, or even my main goal. Weight loss is a goal in my short term, yes, but the benefits from this cleanse are far greater than any weight I may lose.
The second reason I am doing this 40 day cleansing is because in 40 days I will be graduating from college. This cleansing process is symbolic of me cleansing myself in order to start my new life. Also, I have been on the journey of self-improvement for a few months now. I believe that me being able to stick to this for 40 days will be a great way to prove to myself that I AM going to change my life for the better.
Finally, the third reason I am doing this is to be able to focus on my spirituality. Over the past few years, I have not always been the best Catholic I can be. There have been many days where it has been all about me, and I have forgotten why I am even here. This 40 day journey will allow me to put my faith back where it belongs, with God. Personally, there is NO WAY I could go 40 days with no food by myself. I have tried juice fasts in the past but have never got past the second day.
Your Support
As with all goals I have posted on this website, I ask for your support. You being with me and giving me encouragement on my 40 day journey with no food will help me persevere through the worst of times. I have decided that I am going to do a video blog every night so not only will you know exactly what I am doing, but you will also be able to see how I change. I expect to go through highs and lows, and I am sure it will show on camera. The reason I am posting on You Tube and not here is because I am new to this website, and have not got it all figured out. You Tube is much easier for me to upload videos to. The link to my channel is located here.
Again, I ask for you to keep me in your thoughts over the next 40 days. These 40 days will be a true test to my faith. I hope to hear from all of you soon!
April 6th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Tad,
It’s worthwhile goal to test your faith and patience. I think you have character to pass though the test and count on me for the support.
I’ve tried to stay on liquid in the past and I’ve failed miserably due to lack of commitment and clearly defined purpose. I think by writing your goals clearly, you have begun on the right track. Good luck my friend. I will be there for support.
Shilpan
April 6th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Shilpan,
I really appreciate the support. You are a great friend to have. I will definitely need your support throughout!
Tad
April 7th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
WOW! Good Luck to you! I’m working on not eating meat during the week and eventually go to no meat at all. Man, it’s tough!
April 7th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Chris,
Thank you. Day 2,3, and 7 are suppose to be the toughest days. This is day 2 for me, and I am still hanging in there. Good luck in not eating meat…abstaining from food we “love” is very hard to do, but when you abstain for this week, it will make you a better person; both mind and body.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:41 am
[…] I am ceaselessly amazed at how much an athlete improves when he/she gets a coach who inspires a total transformation. I’ve seen a friend transforming from being an atheist to most spiritual person I’ve ever met in my life because a spiritual leader has lifted his soul to overcome all of his spiritual exasperation. I consider this process of external nurturing - “checking-in”. For health, it may be simply a friend with whom you check in each morning for five minutes to discuss your food and exercise from the day before. It may be a diary in which you write about what you eat including calories and how much time you spent exercising. My good friend, Tad, has excellent post on - The Master Cleanse: My 40 Day Journey With No Food. […]
April 9th, 2008 at 12:40 am
[…] personally recommend taking ten days to focus on YOUR life. Doing the “Master Cleanse” or some other form of detoxification is a great way to learn a lot about your inner self. Being […]
May 5th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Wow! I didn’t know there were so many components to a Master Cleanse. I thought it was just the maple syrup, lemon juice, cayenne pepper and water tonic. I will check out your video diary on You Tube to see how you progress.
I have also heard of sun gazers in India (I think), where some people get all of the nutrients they need from the sun and water. They gaze at the sun during sun rise and sunset. Make sure you get some sunshine every day!
Thank you for sharing your journey.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Good luck with this! I have all the stuff to do a cleanse…but I only got through one salt water flush in the morning….then I got hungry. I. Am. So. WEAK! I am already impressed you got further than that.