Master Cleanse- Going for 14 Days

I realise that from my first experience with the Master Cleanse, after 10 days I still did not feel totally satisfied that my dtox was finished. It was for this reason that I decided to give it another go, and also ween in more gently back into food. After fasting for 10 days, I gained the weight back very quickly because I was eating major meals in large portions. I just missed food so much and went a bit overboard. This taxed my digestion and my metabolism freaked out at me. I really understand the importance of healthy eating and also moderate and gentle easing into foods.
With Andy arriving in 5 days, I would like to take this time to focus on a strict juice and vegitarian diet, and not introduce any animal products until at least next weekend.

The recap of my cleanse was quite different and not nearly as violent as my first cleansing experience. I think part of the reason is that these cleanses are only a few months apart. But the MC did still kick my ass and target other parts of my body in a way that I did not expect. I decided to go for 14 days to see if there would be any extra benefits, and indeed there are. The detox does move through cycles. I will do this again next time, but my new goal will be to try for 20 days, because even now on my 14th day, I do not feel that the detox is done. I could easily do another 3-5 days.

Day 1-3: The usual clearout of recent waste in the colon. The caffeine headache was worse this time and constant. I did not sleep well at all during this period.

Day 3-5: Horrible and unrelentless aches in my lower back from my kidneys. It literally felt like my organs were throbbing with pain. No massage could soothe it. It wasn't my muscles, it was my actual organs hurting. These were the most horrible for me.

Day 6-10: smooth sailing. I had a couple of BM's per day, all normal stuff, nothing too out of the ordinary. Tongue is still white in the mornings. Back to the gym, energy back.

Day 11-14: Major changes in the BM. Hot and acidic. Also, very dark brown, almost black stool that was quite gluey. I have looked this up and it's apparently Mucoid Plaque. It's really disgusting, and I'm suprised to see it come at this point of the cleanse. Also, there is a lot of oil in the toilet, totally separated from the water, a film on the surface. I can only imagine this is fat? I don't know but it is horribly disgusting. I have also had gas, which I have not encountered at all until the 11th day. Very very strange.

The good news is that I do feel a hell of a lot better. My starting weight was 126 lbs/ 56kg. My weight this morning is 112 lbs/52kg. That is super light for my height, but I STILL have fat deposited around my hips thighs and belly. Yes, actual fat. I reckon I would lose another 5-8 lbs on the MC to shed that which would bring me near to 100 pounds! I have not weighed that since I was 14. When I next fast I wonder if my weight could reach so low. Even for me that sounds scary.

I have read that when your cleanse is done your weight normalises and your tongue is pink. On the 14th day I'm still droping weight and my tongue is pinker but i still am brushing it once in the day. I definitely need to detox longer, but the fasting will end now. I'm really shocked at how much I have cleared this time and how different the experience has been.

I love the Master Cleanse. It is easy because it only takes preparing in the morning and then you're set for the day. Easing in is the hardest part because you have to then start preparing everything clean. It must all be organic, healthy and fresh or your body totally freaks out. I've gone to restaurants and 3 bbq's whilst on this cleanse over the last 2 wks. It was bloody hard, but worth it. My skin is good and I am happy to see that I still have good muscle tone and strength. Also, my mood swings have totally calmed down. I feel more zen. I do totally recommend this cleanse to people who suffer from digestive issues, skin issues, or are generally stressed alot. Cleansing through fasting provides such a powerful and rapid effect. It is definitely hard on the body the first few days, be under no illusion. But for the health and well-being of oneself, it is crucial to do it. The benefits tremendously outweigh having to go without food for a bit.

I still love candy and treats. I just came home from a baby shower with the most fantastic spread of my favorite pastas, cookies, chicken , caesar salad and satayed salmon. Yep it was pretty hard, but i've endured and have stayed true to the cause. I believe in living and progression. I want a body and mind that is progressing and for me, this is how I do it. I am not a hard core fanatical who will not touch unhealthy foods but I do understand the benefits and consequences so it has made me more aware. Being aware is the key thing, it keeps us in line. Now I have a reason and I understand my body better. I listen when it's responding to something I've done. Cleansing is exciting because you feel new again.

Return to Vancouver

It's noon and I've been up since 2am this morning.  I pulled a 24 hour day and hoped that I would get some good rest when I tucked in at 11pm last night....but not a chance.  I was blinking in the middle of the night wishing it was already breakfast.  I watched episodes of LOST on my iPhone to pass the time and keep my mind off the depression of missing Andy.  

Yesterday was a surreal day, I felt like i was in a daze, like it was a dream and in reality none of it was actually happening.  When Andy and I parted at the airport it still didn't feel real, and although I wept through a few packs of tissues it just felt so strange that we would be apart. 

It's time I should be showered and dressed but since I'm home alone and my boxes aren't arriving today I have decided to crawl back into bed.  It's half 8 at night back in Bournemouth and right about now I'd be starting to cook dinner.  I only now just had a bowl of soup for lunch and hope to get the motivation to unpack my suitcase.  I haven't touched my bags since I arrived.  I have a sad case of blues.

It's always good to be home, and it feels good to have a place to rest.  I need it, I'm feeling run down from the last few weeks of moving.  I know once I'm over the jet lag I'll get into a routine.  At the moment, I honestly don't even know where to start.  I'm home bound at the moment, I dont' know where my house key is and I don't have my license back from the DVLA yet, let alone a car to drive around.  My brother is coming around this afternoon and I'm looking forward to some more company.  He just moved into his new place and him and Lisa have been in the same mode as me and AK.  Moving is big job, and getting it just right how you like it takes time.

Amy called me this morning and it was so lovely to catch up with her and share stories about life and what we experience.  I miss that in my friendships.  She and I have always had a special connection and it's great to hear her perspective on things.  It's brightened up my day as we've planned to see each other on Sunday and spend some time together after church.  I'm looking forward to church as well, it's been some time since i've been to a service.  Bethany is also in town so I think the 3 of us will be able to catch up together over the weekend.

I met an older lady on the plane who sat next to me, her name was Maryanne.  I think we were meant to sit next to each other, she was a real comfort as I was pretty sad when I left Gatwick.  She told me about her life, her marriage of 51 years, of her daughter dying of cancer at 38, of her own battle with cancer and operations, and how she loves life and takes each day with thanks and gratitude.  She told me she was Christian and that was the foundation of her joy.  She also told me that life may take away something from you, but will replace it with something else.  We shared some stories where this has happened, and she said to me that what I was going through right now would work out just fine.  

It's hard not being home with Andy, and continuing to set up the house there.  In my mind I am still thinking of all that needs to be done, my mental checklist in hand.  I haven't fully embraced being home(in van) yet, which is partly why i haven't unpacked.   I miss my life with him, our life.  It's weird to be home alone, not working, and with no plan at the moment.  I feel almost guilty for taking the time out while others carry out their responsibilities.

sigh.........

Before and After

Sometimes during the journey it's so hard to tell, but Before and After photos show you how far you've come and that it was worth it!

Stress and Fear- End of the Financial Year

As it's the end of the financial year for most companies, I have been witnessing levels of stress from people all around me. Many are falling sick, some are in horrible moods, and others are having trouble sleeping, eating, or eating too much. People are worried. Worried about the Global Financial Crisis....if they'll have a job, if their business will survive, if they can pay their rent, feed their kids, heat their homes. The tone of the country is not happy, and many look at the future wanting to be optimistic, but watch the world crumble around them. I felt it is a good time to touch on the topic of stress.

Stress

Definition: Stress is a biological term which refers to the consequences of the failure of a human or animal body to respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats to the organism, whether actual or imagined. It is "the autonomic response to environmental stimulus."

It includes a state of alarm and adrenaline production, short-term resistance as a coping mechanism, and exhaustion. It refers to the inability of a human or animal body to respond. Common stress symptoms include irritability, muscular tension, inability to concentrate and a variety of physical reactions, such as headaches and accelerated heart rate.

Fear

Definition: Fear is an emotional response to threats and danger. It is a basic survival mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of pain.

BUT- The one thing that causes us more stress than anything else is our imagination when we use it to anticipate the worst things that could possibly happen. The trouble is, the body can’t distinguish between an actual emergency / threat that’s here right now, and one which exists only in our minds. Whether the threat is real or imagined the body’s “fight or flight” response is triggered and a series of changes take place in our body.

FEAR = Fantasy Expressed As Reality

Adrenaline is released which gives us large amounts of short term energy to deal with the emergency, our senses are heightened and we react more quickly (including having a short fuse), our muscles tense, breathing becomes shallower and blood pressure rises - we are primed for action.
If that energy isn’t discharged then what you are left with is a state of tension which can have adverse mental and physical effects. The longer you live with that, the more potentially serious the consequences are - including such things as fatigue, high blood pressure, migraines, ulcers, chronic diarrhoea, and much else.

In modern society stress is considered normal, acceptable.
Fear is considered normal and acceptable that fear has so many clinical phobia names for itself!
Doctors come up with new names all the time.

Some stress is necessary, it drives us, keeps us on our toes.
Some fears are healthy, necessary for protection and common sense.

Take a time out and think about fears that are stressing you for no good reason. We have to wake up, be aware, take action and fight these negative influences that bombard us from every direction, the news, radio, tv, even film. Life does not have to be this way. It is not as bad as you "think."
You have the power to conquer your fear, your stress, and to heal your body.
We need to change our perspective. Me included.

Weekend in Hampshire

These are my mates, Morty, Melek, and Rupert....who all belong to my wonderful and dear friend Dilek. I had a really enjoyable weekend with her at her house in Hampshire. I don't get enough time with friends these days, but it was memorable and so precious. The weekend was lovely and sunny. The clocks changed too and we could feel Spring in the air. I love her so much, and her little schnauzer team!! I will certainly miss them all when I go back to Vancouver x. I also caught up on my book called Breakthrough, which I am totally in love with. In it, the book talks about the balance of our hormones, and what happens when we are out of balance. I am getting checked out when I return to Canada as I am now coming off BCP for the first time in 16 years. I'm on a mission to continue cleansing my body of chemicals and other nasties. We are bombarded by so much pollution in our air, water and food. What is normal these days really shouldn't be accepted as normal. If I die, I want to go out feeling as alive as I can. I never want to grow up, or grow old. Breakthrough medicine is defying the rules of aging. We no longer have to grow old and be sick, crazy, or unhealthy. I want to create a good life, a life I can be proud of, and a life full of vitality.

Change

I am going to run a series of before and after photos of the house. This is where all spare time and energy has gone, if it has not been for the flat or work or training. I am becoming a slightly better sport with DIY, and I am not sure if the bathrooms will be ready in time for move in, on Good Friday. I hope it will be a Good Friday. It is fast approaching and there is so much to do!

Lost Generation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA&feature=player_embedded

Setting up house

The heart of the house is the kitchen. Our house underwent a heart transplant over the weekend, and by the end of this week, the kitchen will finally be finished, electrics connected, and ready for culinary creations. I am so excited.

When Andy and I got back from Bath, we went straight to the house as the first big piece of furniture had arrived. Our sofa, in a million pieces with a one inch thick instruction manual on how to put it together. I took 45 minutes out to thoroughly read this thing before assembly. And it took us 5 hours to put it together. We started at 2:30 and did not finish until 8. It took complete teamwork, there is no way one person could do it on their own. Andy and I were buzzing from our weekend that we didn't even notice the time go by putting the sofa together. When it was finally assembled we both felt such a sense of accomplishment. I collapsed on the sofa to relax a moment to take it all in. Renovation projects are hard work, even if you are paying someone to do the work. But in the end, you look back and realise it's totally worth it. Our granny house has underegone major change. Welcome to the ultimate entertainment lounge.