You may be wondering why someone like me would want to start the master cleanse program. For those of you who don't know the master cleanse was a program development by Stanley Burroughs in the 1950s and is seen by Wikipedia as perhaps having somewhat of a cult following. Despite his following and/or the controversy behind his practices, I am embarking on the master cleanse journey to see what 10 days of abstinence from solid food will do.
This all started when I ran into my friend Joshua* with his wife Teresa* at a salsa club a couple of months ago and thought I had seen a ghost. It was as though I saw a person from my past, someone I knew really well but had forgotten - pop back into my life. I have known Joshua for the past 7 years and during that time he had put on a little weight (as had I). This time was different, he looked like his former self by not only turning back the clock 7 years but his face glowed with radiance, his step was quick, and his energy high. "What have you done?", I exclaimed with surprise. "Master Cleanse", he said. At that was it, I knew I would be committed to this plan whatever it was.
Now let's go into my past a little bit so you can understand who I am. I am a person who is deeply interested in health and diet issues. This comes little out of an obsession to lose weight and more out of an interest in health, science, and how the body works - must be in my blood. My grandmother in her late 60's fasted for 20 days with only water in order to rid her body of disease as she called it. This came much to the dismay of my mother and her sister who constantly urged her to stop before she, dare I say "died".
Well my grandmother is in her late 80's and is still the single most vibrant women I know of that age group. Not to mention she drives laps around my husband and I pushing us to pure exhaustion. Now my mother. Well lets say I grew up in a household where sugar was not allowed and where one of my first positive food memories was "Tiger's Milk" which is now lovingly referred to as the "1st energy bar". Health food stores, and whole wheat breads slowly turned into sugar covered frost o's as my younger sister and brother were growing up. I guess she is a health nut that got lost.
Now to me again, I apologize for digressing. I don't like to read a lot but I do like to read health books, to name a few - The Maker's Diet, Suzanne Somers Eat Cheat and Melt Away the Fat, The Atkins Diet, and You are What you Eat. Each of these books has taught me valuable lessons and has helped me build a repertoire of new/good eating habits. So naturally, when given the chance to research something new I took it upon myself to read Lose Weight Have More Energy and Be Happier in 10 Days by Peter Glickman.
I was most intrigued by the concept of fasting since Jesus, the source of life and living water, fasted for 40 days. For spiritual reasons I had fasted in high school for 3 days and almost collapsed from exhaustion - or so I liked to tell myself in the proceeding years with hopes that it was impossible for me to do again.
Well fast forward to me in my 30's and things have changed. Within in the course of year, I went from a non-runner to running one 10k, 2 half-marathons and 1 marathon - all with the power of Christ and the ability to dedicate myself both mind, body and soul to a grueling sport. But with this physical strength I had allowed myself to eat whatever I wanted using sweets as treats for good behavior. I've read it is never good to treat yourself with food, because then you will start to find comfort and worth in the items that were intended to sustain you." You can only seperate, differientiate between what it is you want and what it is you need," quoting from Issac Blackman the illustrious Trinidadian singer.
So now maybe you have a little understanding why I have taken on this task. Women have three parts - mind, body, and spirit. My goals, failures, and accomplishments will span these areas. Listen loud. This is my testimonial.
*Names have been changed to shield the unsuspecting.
This all started when I ran into my friend Joshua* with his wife Teresa* at a salsa club a couple of months ago and thought I had seen a ghost. It was as though I saw a person from my past, someone I knew really well but had forgotten - pop back into my life. I have known Joshua for the past 7 years and during that time he had put on a little weight (as had I). This time was different, he looked like his former self by not only turning back the clock 7 years but his face glowed with radiance, his step was quick, and his energy high. "What have you done?", I exclaimed with surprise. "Master Cleanse", he said. At that was it, I knew I would be committed to this plan whatever it was.
Now let's go into my past a little bit so you can understand who I am. I am a person who is deeply interested in health and diet issues. This comes little out of an obsession to lose weight and more out of an interest in health, science, and how the body works - must be in my blood. My grandmother in her late 60's fasted for 20 days with only water in order to rid her body of disease as she called it. This came much to the dismay of my mother and her sister who constantly urged her to stop before she, dare I say "died".
Well my grandmother is in her late 80's and is still the single most vibrant women I know of that age group. Not to mention she drives laps around my husband and I pushing us to pure exhaustion. Now my mother. Well lets say I grew up in a household where sugar was not allowed and where one of my first positive food memories was "Tiger's Milk" which is now lovingly referred to as the "1st energy bar". Health food stores, and whole wheat breads slowly turned into sugar covered frost o's as my younger sister and brother were growing up. I guess she is a health nut that got lost.
Now to me again, I apologize for digressing. I don't like to read a lot but I do like to read health books, to name a few - The Maker's Diet, Suzanne Somers Eat Cheat and Melt Away the Fat, The Atkins Diet, and You are What you Eat. Each of these books has taught me valuable lessons and has helped me build a repertoire of new/good eating habits. So naturally, when given the chance to research something new I took it upon myself to read Lose Weight Have More Energy and Be Happier in 10 Days by Peter Glickman.
I was most intrigued by the concept of fasting since Jesus, the source of life and living water, fasted for 40 days. For spiritual reasons I had fasted in high school for 3 days and almost collapsed from exhaustion - or so I liked to tell myself in the proceeding years with hopes that it was impossible for me to do again.
Well fast forward to me in my 30's and things have changed. Within in the course of year, I went from a non-runner to running one 10k, 2 half-marathons and 1 marathon - all with the power of Christ and the ability to dedicate myself both mind, body and soul to a grueling sport. But with this physical strength I had allowed myself to eat whatever I wanted using sweets as treats for good behavior. I've read it is never good to treat yourself with food, because then you will start to find comfort and worth in the items that were intended to sustain you." You can only seperate, differientiate between what it is you want and what it is you need," quoting from Issac Blackman the illustrious Trinidadian singer.
So now maybe you have a little understanding why I have taken on this task. Women have three parts - mind, body, and spirit. My goals, failures, and accomplishments will span these areas. Listen loud. This is my testimonial.
*Names have been changed to shield the unsuspecting.
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