Troubleshooting: Master Cleanse

[Amii]

I'm a huge advocate of the master cleanse because I get great results even after a few days. However I am ashamed to say that I quit my master cleanse last week on day 6 because the hunger pains were just NOT going away. I ate for just over a day. Then on the Monday I got back on track, began again.. today was day 5 and I stopped at night because, again, the hunger was making me so uncomfortable, like a burning just under my ribs.

Most people on hearing this will say things like "well what is it that you're chewing because that will keep you hungry" or "that means there's still pulp in the lemonade" or "you're confusing cravings with hunger" but the truth is I am a very clued-up cleanser, despite never having made it past day 8 because this problem never fails to strike. Over the 4 years I've known and loved the master cleanse, hunger pangs have always struck around day 4 and will just NOT be quashed by more lemonade or water.

What I'm saying is, I am definitely not making any basic mistakes. I strain the lemonade. I drink as much as I can stomach, and never less than the minimum. I put enough cayenne and maple syrup in. I'm not chewing anything whatsoever. I am drinking around 4 litres of water a day.

What I have noticed is that the hunger gets more apparent directly after consuming the lemonade, oddly enough. It's calmer first thing on waking. It gets more subdued the longer I go without drinking anything, although I do still feel very empty.

I'm not just being a whinger about this because I haven't given in to cravings and am perserving with the mild headaches (and am doing at least one form of laxative per day and having no trouble with that). If the hunger was mild and occasional then I could cope but it's not. It begins AFTER the hardest first few days are over and is constant and distracting. It keeps me awake for hours, distracts me from my studies and makes me miserable because I have NEVER read of this happening to anyone else who wasn't making one of the basic mistakes. I feel like I will never be able to fully cleanse unless I really stick it out and burn through the 10-20 days of constant hunger.

I have tried posting about this but everyone so far assumes I am a newbie who is screwing up somehow when that's just not the case.

I'd really like your advice, if you'd be willing to give it. I really hope someone can help me :heart

PS. I also want to add that I don't think this is "true" hunger because it hasn't even been a collective 10 days, nor is my tongue pink. Moreover, I am not even wanting to eat food whilst cleansing. I keep some in my room so when I ease out I do it properly but I don't even notice it's there. I have no particular cravings and don't dream about food this time around. If you offered me an apple or salad, I would say no thanks. But I assume this isn't a craving because I always thought cravings were a desire for food, not an actual deep hunger sensation?

PPS. Since eating 2 meals tonight, I am still hungry. And I had a pretty small stomach to begin with.

[MysticTree]

maybe you are clean enough? I guess that would be a lovely solution but otherwise I can't help. If your body says eat then surely eating is what you need to do.

I have heard of people having allergies to both citrus (my sister and nephew to name two) and cayenne. Could it be that you actually can't stomach cayenne?

Georgina

[janem]

Amii - I am impressed with what you have already accomplished!! Go you! I have no idea the validity of this statement so pardon if it seems ignorant but I recently read that our body can not distinguish between food and liquid when we are hungry? Could it bee that at these times you need a heavier juice? Could the cleansing be causing you gas bubbles? Just a few thoughts. You seem to have the mind over matter part down - I wish I could say the same!! Great job!

[BlackKat]

I am on day 3 of the cleanse. I've done this a few times before. I notice I do get hunger pangs when I don't seem to be drinking enough of the lemonade. But you said you are definitely getting enough in? Everyone does require a different amount though, and maybe you just need more maple syrup to give you the calories. Since you are pretty healthy already. Personally I seem to have a harder time with the mental fogginess and overall "head exhaustion". Although it's completely different than being light headed. I have not been dizzy once.

When the hunger attacks, I just have another drink. I don't even count. I just keep drinking. Obviously you don't want to get water logged and get sick from that. But, I have heard a lot of stories about certain people just needing more syrup to keep them going. The times I've added more I've felt more satified as far as hunger, but my weight loss def. slows down, and it's hard for me to drink such a strong sweet drink. haha.

I think that as long as you arent feel like you are going to pass out, or have a mental/physical break down I'd keep pushing. Hunger feels aren't going to kill you, and remember like you said this cleanse gives you great results. It's not going to be comfortable and like a breeze for everyone. Even though we wish it was that way. I mean some people say after the first few days they are on a high.. so much energy, clear thoughts, no hunger, etc. etc. Just keep in mind that maybe you just aren't going to ever feel AMAZING and full while doing the cleanse. Keep your mind on the end result.

Don't know if this helps but I think you're great for trying, and you seem like a strong person.

[LightrayMN]

So I just wanted to time in as a novice. I started my 1st MC six days ago and for me, the hunger hit me on day two. Day three was really about a desire to eat in my brain. Now it's possible for you it is different, but I'm wondering if you aren't feeling the growling in your stomach and thinking it's a desire to eat.

Every time I drink the lemonade, my stomach started gurgling and growling, but I'm not hungry, I'm detoxing. So is there a chance that is what is happening. You honestly shouldn't be hungry. What is your starting weight? Maybe you need to up your calories from 1200. to 1500. I upped mine because I am nursing once a day.

[LightrayMN]

You maybe having pain in your stomach because it is healing, unwinding, or breaking some yuck free.

[BlackKat]

You maybe having pain in your stomach because it is healing, unwinding, or breaking some yuck free.

I think this could be very true because if you are doing the cleanse properly you shouldn't have to worry about getting enough nutrients/calories. It's designed to keep you going, and cleanse your system.

I think that most of my "hunger" during this cleanse is my system detoxing and my digestive organs doing all the cleaning. It's different than when I experience real hunger... getting irritable/light headed/dizzy, etc.

[Gab]

Just my two cents worth... like a few others have said it could be the cayenne. I can handle jalepenos, jamaican peppers and the list goes on. BUT cayenne absolutely kills my stomach. It starts a bit uncomfortable and if I keep taking it by about day 3 to 4 I HAVE to stop because it gets so uncomfortable and painful. :backsout: