The Master Cleanse I completed has truly inspired me to take better care of myself, (which is entirely different than just thinking about it). From what I eat to where I park, I am trying to see opportunities for me to take care of me where before I only saw chores and exhaustion. I am tracking my water intake, and trying to get up to an ounce for every 2 pounds I weigh, (failing more days than not), but hopeful that the warm weather will help boost that one up. I'm also finding reasons to walk everyday. I'm supposed to take 12,000 steps a day, (and by supposed to I mean I know I read it somewhere, a long time ago in a land far away, and it still seems like a good idea), and back when I was working this was no problem. I never had a desk job. I used to walk to and from work, and I'd be on my feet most of the day, so 12,000 steps was a piece of cake! Now, 12,000 steps seems like a marathon. On days where I get some time away from the kidlets, I can do it, and I enjoy it. But on days when I have them from dawn til dawn, its just hard to squeeze it in. I've been walking to the library or the park, which gets me 3,000 round trip. Not enough. I went the long way home today, hoping I could bulk it up some before nap time, but boy was that rough. Take the sit n stand stroller, (22lbs), the 3 year old, (38 lbs), the almost 2 year old, (27 lbs), plus snacks, water, diapers and such, (easily 15 lbs), and then put us out on the sidewalk today, and you've got me pushing 100+ lbs in front of me under an oppressive 102 degree sun. Then of course there's the sidewalk that INSISTS on leaning to the side, dragging the stroller towards the street against my ever failing attempts to stay on said leaning sidewalk. Ugh. But I was motivated. I still when the long way home. I needed to know how many steps I could squeeze out of this ritual. Alas, I get home, and the pedometer had magically reset itself 112 steps ago! As my son would say... maybe we can try again tomorrow.
There are so many small ways for me to increase my steps when I don't have kids with me, (parking far away from my destination, an evening stroll through town, taking the stairs), but I need some suggestions for upping the ante when I do have the little buggers with me, which is most of the time! Right now, we are trying to take a walk everyday, but they don't last long enough for me to get even halfway. I am also always up and down the stairs all day long with arms full of laundry, toys, children, the potty, etc, so I have decided that I should always try for two trips where I would normally squeeze it into one. Other than that, I am out of ideas. Any suggestions?
I suppose I should also continue to wear the pedometer while inside the house, as right now I am not counting all those trips up and down the stairs...
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Mission Completed : 10 Day Master Cleanse
I do not reccomend planning a master cleanse so that any of your cleansing days fall on a holiday! My 10th day was Easter Sunday. I suppose it was good for me. I proved to myself that I can resist the blueberry pie I slaved over... but was that really necessary?
In any case, I did 10 days. My tounge was nearly clear and pink by the end, and I felt pretty good. I decided it was a good place to stop. It was not until the 10th day that I actually began to miss food. Plus, it had totally revitalized me for experimental cooking. I was burnt out with all the cooking that I have to do, but now I am looking foward to trying some new things.
I did not follow the instructions for breaking the cleanse explicitly. I listened to my body, and there have been no ill effects thus far. I cannot even begin to explain how much better I feel! I think spiritually, I could have gone longer. But I plan on doing this quarterly, and sometimes, when I jump in... I jump in a little too deep and burn out faster than I would like, so I decided my first cleanse would stop here. In three months, I'll be doing it again, and maybe I go 15 or 20. Only time will tell...
In any case, I did 10 days. My tounge was nearly clear and pink by the end, and I felt pretty good. I decided it was a good place to stop. It was not until the 10th day that I actually began to miss food. Plus, it had totally revitalized me for experimental cooking. I was burnt out with all the cooking that I have to do, but now I am looking foward to trying some new things.
I did not follow the instructions for breaking the cleanse explicitly. I listened to my body, and there have been no ill effects thus far. I cannot even begin to explain how much better I feel! I think spiritually, I could have gone longer. But I plan on doing this quarterly, and sometimes, when I jump in... I jump in a little too deep and burn out faster than I would like, so I decided my first cleanse would stop here. In three months, I'll be doing it again, and maybe I go 15 or 20. Only time will tell...
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Master Cleanse, Day 7
Ugh. Today is Day 7, and yes, it is the worst day thus far. It's still not as bad as everyone made it out to be, but I am starting to wonder if giving birth to two giants naturally, and having them both in cloth diapers, has somehow prepared me for the extra "ugh" factor of Day 7. Or maybe its my tolerance for discomfort and grossness that has allowed me to do these things. I dunno. I just know I feel not-so-good today, but not so bad that I wanna quit either. I know this cruddy, crappy, (punny), feeling means that the cleanse is working. Hopefully, this means the peace and serenity are on their way. Bring it! Bring me peace! PLEASE!!!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Master Cleanse, Days 4-6
Today is Day 6. I am definitely doing this right and I was definitely detoxing this morning. It wasn't all that bad, but I was uncomfortable for an hour or two. Day 7 is supposed to be a heavy detox effect day, so if I can manage that with two kids in diapers, then I think I might be able to go on indefinitely. I just want to make sure I get the diapers washed before Day 7 starts!
I could totally do without this renewed sense of smell. My sense of smell has always been pretty bad, except during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The further into weaning we get, the worse my sense of smell gets. I have always blamed the stem cells. Now I can blame the cleanse. Many people have complained about being out in public on this cleanse and smelling nothing but halitosis everywhere they went. I now understand how revolting this really is, as I am living it!
I am finding it absolutely freeing to not have to worry about what to cook or feed myself. I spend so much time focused on food for my allergy kids, and consequently end up shoving whatever is around down my own throat in between taking care of everyone and everything else. When I do try to focus on keeping my own diet healthy, it can be a source of stress. Its a matter of balancing the time it takes to prepare something worth eating vs keeping the children from mauling each other vs just eating whatever is fast and easy.
Why do we so often put taking care of ourselves last on the list? I have long admired people who have no problems putting themselves first. That has gotta move up on my to do list.
Anyway, I am still waiting patiently for the peace and serenity to come. I know I should not expect it yet, but I do so need some!
I could totally do without this renewed sense of smell. My sense of smell has always been pretty bad, except during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The further into weaning we get, the worse my sense of smell gets. I have always blamed the stem cells. Now I can blame the cleanse. Many people have complained about being out in public on this cleanse and smelling nothing but halitosis everywhere they went. I now understand how revolting this really is, as I am living it!
I am finding it absolutely freeing to not have to worry about what to cook or feed myself. I spend so much time focused on food for my allergy kids, and consequently end up shoving whatever is around down my own throat in between taking care of everyone and everything else. When I do try to focus on keeping my own diet healthy, it can be a source of stress. Its a matter of balancing the time it takes to prepare something worth eating vs keeping the children from mauling each other vs just eating whatever is fast and easy.
Why do we so often put taking care of ourselves last on the list? I have long admired people who have no problems putting themselves first. That has gotta move up on my to do list.
Anyway, I am still waiting patiently for the peace and serenity to come. I know I should not expect it yet, but I do so need some!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Master Cleanse, Days 0-3
I have been searching for a way to naturally detoxify my system for a while now. My health issues have been getting worse, and basically I just feel bad all of the time. So I did some research, and decided on a Master Cleanse. I was supposed to start the day after my birthday, but life got sticky, (as it so often does), and I just was not ready. I rescheduled my start date for this past Friday, and wouldn't you know it, I wake up sick on Thursday! But there never really is an ideal time to do something like this, so I plodded ahead anyway. I felt like I had a really bad sinus infection, which is typical of me this time of year, and I wondered if the cleanse might make it better or worse? Only one sure fire way to find out...
So Day 0, which is really just nighttime prep for Day 1, I drank the specified tea. I was nervous, and expecting the worst. On Day 1, I was still sick, and feared I would not tolerate drinking the required 32 ounce salt water flush, but I managed to keep it down. It did take me over a half an hour to finish it tho!
I decided to start this way because Days 2 and 3 are suppose to be 2 of the worst 3 days and this way, I would have people around to help if need be. My mother was here, and I am sure she thinks I am crazy, but, as she put it, when I decide to do something, there is no stopping me.
So I made it to Day 2, which required I take the kids to a birthday party pretty far away, in a park. I was feeling pretty good on Day 1, but nervous about Day 2 being to much to handle. Turns out, it was pretty good. I felt OK, a little hungry, but not starving. I was tired, and decided to take the kids home before I became to tired to drive, (they were way overdue for a nap, but I often stay anyway, if they are still having fun). All in all, not too bad.
Today was Day 3, and I am running out of lemons and limes! We had another birthday party today, and a park play date, but I had my hubby to help out, and managed to sneak off to the store for some citrus while the kids were bouncing their little hearts out with Daddy. I'm still a little hungry, but not starving.
So far, I think this is really not as bad as people make it out to be. Of course, I fear saying that might doom me to a torturous Day 7, (the other most difficult day). I've had some wild dreams and night sweats, but I often have that when I am sick, so its hard to know what the cause is. I do have nearly unbearably itchy skin today, but I am certain my skin is starting to detox. Its incredible really... to see it working.
My mother says I have a high tolerance for pain and discomfort. That might be true, but so far, this really isn't so awful. Having said that... lets see if I can make it through Day 7!
So Day 0, which is really just nighttime prep for Day 1, I drank the specified tea. I was nervous, and expecting the worst. On Day 1, I was still sick, and feared I would not tolerate drinking the required 32 ounce salt water flush, but I managed to keep it down. It did take me over a half an hour to finish it tho!
I decided to start this way because Days 2 and 3 are suppose to be 2 of the worst 3 days and this way, I would have people around to help if need be. My mother was here, and I am sure she thinks I am crazy, but, as she put it, when I decide to do something, there is no stopping me.
So I made it to Day 2, which required I take the kids to a birthday party pretty far away, in a park. I was feeling pretty good on Day 1, but nervous about Day 2 being to much to handle. Turns out, it was pretty good. I felt OK, a little hungry, but not starving. I was tired, and decided to take the kids home before I became to tired to drive, (they were way overdue for a nap, but I often stay anyway, if they are still having fun). All in all, not too bad.
Today was Day 3, and I am running out of lemons and limes! We had another birthday party today, and a park play date, but I had my hubby to help out, and managed to sneak off to the store for some citrus while the kids were bouncing their little hearts out with Daddy. I'm still a little hungry, but not starving.
So far, I think this is really not as bad as people make it out to be. Of course, I fear saying that might doom me to a torturous Day 7, (the other most difficult day). I've had some wild dreams and night sweats, but I often have that when I am sick, so its hard to know what the cause is. I do have nearly unbearably itchy skin today, but I am certain my skin is starting to detox. Its incredible really... to see it working.
My mother says I have a high tolerance for pain and discomfort. That might be true, but so far, this really isn't so awful. Having said that... lets see if I can make it through Day 7!
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