A friend has been singing the praises of detoxing and cleansing for the better part of a year. He even gave me his old vegetable and fruit juicer, along with a list of supplements he swears by. Every time I saw him, I had another excuse why I'd not yet tried his suggestion.
The whole idea of having to "detoxify" I must admit, was foreign to me. Furthermore, the concept that my colon was full of sludge and toxins I just cannot find any scientific evidence to support. My doctor said that just was "pure nonsense."
I had promised my friend that I would try it, though. So I did.
Guided by the book, 21 Pounds in 21 Days: The Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox, by Roni DeLuz and James Hester (Collins), I set out last weekend to do a 7-day "cleanse." I absolutely was not interested in the full 21-day fast, especially with Christmas and New Years coming up.
So last Friday I began. It's a program of liquid supplements, fresh juices, cleansing capsules, lots of water and tea, and absolutely no chewing. Chewing supposedly starts the digestive process and sidetracks the detox.
I have to admit, I wasn't ever hungry per se, but I did experience an unrelenting headache. I did have a sort-of "empty" feeling all the time. Most difficult was going out to dinner with visiting family members and only eating clear broth and drinking tea while they munched away on a fabulous Italian feast! I also fasted at a party for friends getting married, and actually avoided frois gras, and Italian meatballs.
Although I had good intentions, I just couldn't make it past the 3-day mark. On the evening of the 3rd day, I was just ravenous and knew in my bones and soul that it had to end. So I broke it with a tiny piece of bread.
Happily, though, the next morning I had lost 7 pounds. Since then, this week, I've had terrific amounts of renewed energy and feel really great. The strong antioxidant supplement, and the powdered super-concentrated greens I think are very good for me.
I will probably try this again in the New Year, although my family might prefer I didn't. I don't think I was such a nice, happy go-lucky guy while detoxing!
To Detox or Not?
Friday December 19, 2008
Filed Under: Diet, Dr. Norris, Dr. Norris Chumley, Dr. Norris Chumley Satisfied Life, Health, Health Support, Weight Loss, Wellness
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About Dr. Norris Chumley Satisfied Life
Dr. Norris J. Chumley is a doctor of theology and the arts, and has lost 160 pounds and maintained it over 16 years with God's help. The author/host of "The Joy of Weight Loss: a Spiritual Guide to Easy Fitness," and many TV programs and DVD's, including "Spiritual Guide to Weight Loss" and "30 Days to Spiritual Well Being," Dr. Norris also does private consultations, leads workshops and lectures nationally. He has been a featured Beliefnet daily columnist and contributing editor for many years.
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"No single approach to weight loss works for everyone. We urge you to consult with your physician before making any significant changes in your eating habits or physical activities to ensure that what you propose for yourself is nutritionally, mentally and physically sound, safe, and healthy. Copyright © 2008, by Magnetic Arts, LLC, all rights reserved."
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Uh-huh.
Your liver has expended its glycogen. Glycogen is bound to water, so when you start eating again, boom, back comes the water weight.
I'm curious as to how much it made you go to the bathroom because I would love to try it but I really don'y like going to the bathrom at work any suggestions?
I cannot vouch high enough for the benefits of fasting.
Fasting has been used for thousands of years to address health and spiritual matters. Only in the past 100 years has it been used to address weight and that's due to the increase in processed foods and meats we eat in industrialized nations.
For the record, it does seem to be more challenging to fast during the winter for reasons like your body will get colder and there aren't the wonderful variety of fresh fruits and vegs to choose from if you are on a juice fast.
Also, the 3-day mark is the sweet spot. It seems to be hardest the first 72 hours and then after that it's pretty much clear sailing.
Headaches, etc. are normal as the body has lots of toxins to dispose of. Simply put, the average person spends 1/3 of their energy each day just on digesting. If someone is fasting, that frees up so much energy to go towards detoxing!
In my opinion, no supplements are needed. The human body is the most intelligent creation on Earth. If you allow your body to properly fast, it will immediately go after the "high octane" fuel which is fat and toxic cells. Most people can fast up to 30 days.
Personally, my longest juice fast was 30 days (done in October) and my longest water fast has been 11 days.
On the juice fast, I never felt better in my life - amazingly high energy, clear thinking, easy sleep and needed less of it, and dropped 30 pounds.
Water fasting - the first one I was lethargic, the second one very high energy, the third one the energy levels were pleasantly level the entire time.
10 days on water can do the same detox work as 30 days on juice.
I've not been to a "doctor" in more than a decade and have not had prescription medications in more than 20 years. I am NOT a vegan or even vegetarian; however, I do choose to eat as close to the source as possible. I also believe that as the Earth is 70% water and the human body is 70% water, it only makes sense to continue the balance of having a diet based on 70% water (lots of fruits / vegs).
Fasting is a wonderful restorative process and if you can make it past the 3 day mark, you should be doing well. Juice fasting is a great way to start!
Fasting is good for your body on occasion to simply restore and rest the digestive system, but probably is not the best way to lose weight. When you start a fast, your body will go crazy detoxing and you will have a terrible headache for a few days, you may even feel like vomiting. But after a few days your body will adjust and renew itself. You will lose some weight but it will be water weight only. As soon as you start to eat again, the weight will return.
In order to lose weight and keep it off, a sensible low calorie eating plan coupled with regular exercise is still the best way to lose weight slowly and gradually which is the safest way. Extreme diets or fasting is dangerous and should not be attempted unless a doctor is supervising. All in all it takes patience and perserverance to lose weight, there is no quick fixes other than surgery and even that is not alwasy 100% effective.
Some detox diets just aren't the same as others. Some of my favorites are very simple, like the master cleanse
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haddin
My favorite recipes for detox diets.
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