The master cleanse

[NicoleDaboin]

I know there has been a lot of discussion about this already, but I'm thinking of starting the master cleanse.

I started 100% raw on February 19th and it has been amazing. I love it! I lost 10 lbs and was 100% for quite a few weeks. Then.... my mother-in-law came to visit and she cooked alllll weekend. I love her so much, even though she does not approve of the raw food diet, so I ate her food as a way of showing her that I appreciate her and so I wouldn't hurt her feelings. I ate small portions and was fine. I thought. Before that weekend I was not having any cravings and could easily turn down ANY cooked food (even chocolate and dessert, my very favorite). Now I have been cheating so much because it is now so easy to give into temptation. I have already gained back about three pounds. I am discouraged at the moment, because I don't know if I can get back on track like I was when I first started.

I've come across the master cleanse and think it might be a good option for me, but I have a few questions.

I'm guessing pure maple syrup isn't raw because ppl on the raw diet use honey or agave nectar. However, the author of the master cleanse book is highly against honey!! I was shocked! I didn't know anyone thought honey was bad. So I haven't decided what I will sweeten with. I might use a combination of all three for variety.

I want to do it, I guess I just have reservations...

[Solace]

Why do you feel its a good choice for you ?http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=25944&highlight=I+WORRY+ABOUT+THOSE+ON+HERE+DOING+THE+MC

[StarFire]

Aloha! I went on the MC and it was great - it helped me to stop smoking with very little detox symptoms dragging on like nicotine addictions can. I did find raw maple syrup at the health food store. Perhaps it's actually not raw and I didn't know about it? Not sure. It definitely tasted different than store bought maple syrup -- cuz I HATE maple syrup - but found the raw to be delicious!

Either way - that small amount of maple syrup - I wasn't about to stress over it. The benefits of going on the MC were great!

[Damzlfly]

I am going to do the cleanse while I am off work recovering from Carpal Tunnel surgery next month. I figure I'll have 6 weeks on my hands lol. The nutrients that are found in the maple syrup, can they be found elsewhere? Being vegan, I don't eat honey, and maple syrup is heated...which leaves agave? Or should I suck it up and eat the syrup?

[Elizabeth]

I have done the MC and felt that I benefited from it. I used the maple syrup and also use it in my raw food. I do not mind having some condiment sized portions of some "cooked" things if they help me stay with my Raw food program. I found grade "C" maple syrup for 3.60 or so a pound at a local hfs here. Very mapley and even more minerals than "B."

This summer I imagine I will do a version of the MC as it gets warmer and I am mainly thirsty..lol... fresh limeade or lemonade will hit the spot. :p

[Damzlfly]

OK the cleanse will start Sunday morning...I have to do it, my body is screaming for it. I would start now but I have food I need to eat first ;)

I am reading the book and they are advocating the salt water flush daily. I have been hearing conflicting things about this. Should I/Shouldn't I? I am going to go until my tongue turns pink, however long that takes (but hopefully no more than 18 days b/c I'm going to Vegas and need a few days to break the fast)

Starfire and Elizabeth...did you do the flush every day? How bad really was it?

Wish me luck, I've never done anything like this before...I'm a little nervous but excited at the same time...

[Elizabeth]

OK the cleanse will start Sunday morning...I have to do it, my body is screaming for it. I would start now but I have food I need to eat first ;)

I am reading the book and they are advocating the salt water flush daily. I have been hearing conflicting things about this. Should I/Shouldn't I? I am going to go until my tongue turns pink, however long that takes (but hopefully no more than 18 days b/c I'm going to Vegas and need a few days to break the fast)

Starfire and Elizabeth...did you do the flush every day? How bad really was it?

Wish me luck, I've never done anything like this before...I'm a little nervous but excited at the same time...

Hi Damzlfly ... :) I did not do the salt flushes..used herbal or other means.. :p

You will do GREAT!!! You will feel all light and ready for summer..:D As soon as it warms up again I am going to go into fasting mode too...


Have a Beautiful Day!!!

[IdahoSunflower]

I did the Master Cleanse with my husband. I lasted 5 days - he 7. I became so weak I couldn't do my job as a baggage handler and my husband had a work related accident causing several tens of thousands of $$$. He says he may not have been at his best preformance because of lack of nutrition. We followed the diet to a t and drank lots of water and the "lemonade". I also did a body comp test with a bio impedance machine. I lost a total of 7 pds in 5 days. Yeah?!? According to the body comps it was 9 pds of muscle and I gained 2 pounds of fat and I was not dehydrated...
There are much better ways of doing a colon cleanse and some that will help you lose fat not muscle...
I know there are die hard Master Cleanse folks and all I can say is that I am not one of them.