Cleansing Me

Hey guys!! I know I’ve been MIA, but a lot has been going on these past two weeks. As you can see … No more Master Cleanser for the rest of this year 2007.  I will do it for no more than 10 days every other season. So the last 10 days of Winter 2008 is when I’ll do the cleanse again.  Now it’s time to focus on losing weight on a restricted 1200-1600 calorie diet and an intense workout regimen that will help me get to my final weight range. 

I’ll be using the Fat Burning Diet by Jay Robb as a guide, tailoring it to a way of eating that I know I can stick with. 75%  of what I’ll eat will be raw veggies, fruits, nuts and grains and 25% will be something cooked or processed like boiled eggs, veggie burgers cheese and non-fat plain yogurt. I will  eat 3 meals a day allowing 4-6 hours in between each meal for proper digestion and 12 hours of fasting between dinner and breakfast the next day.  I’ll be rotating between Low-Carb and High-Carb Meals. I’ll also be using variations of the plan for days that need it, like today for instance I did the “Two Meals A Day” because I didn’t get a chance to eat something til after noon. I’m not using his suggested daily menu, I’m just choosing  from the list of food that I’m allowed to have to make meals that are more convenient for me at the moment and I’m avoiding the foods he says to avoid. My main goal is to eat more raw, less processed foods and stay with in the 1200-1600 calorie range. I will be doing a better job of blogging about this daily. I took my  before pictures today and well as my measurements and I’ll takes those every two weeks. So here are my stats for the day:

Weight: 327 lbs.   

Calories Needed (<– click to get calculator) to maintain my body weight with little to no exercise today.  Maintenance: 2,605 cal.  Fat Loss Range: 2,616 -2,616 cal.

” This calculator uses the Mifflin formula, which currently appears to be one of the most accurate predictive equations for both normal weight and obese individuals. The calculator predicts REE (Resting Energy Expenditure). Exercise levels are then factored in. Fat loss levels are calculated by subtracting 20% of daily calories. There is always a “rock bottom” value factored in - which is 8 calories per pound of body weight.” 

Calories Consumed: “Two Meals A Day” (no breakfast, high-carb lunch & dinner)

Lunch (high-carb): 130 calories 

1.6 oz. Kashi Go Lean Cereal Dry (130 cal.)

Dinner (high-carb): 1,092.1 calories

Trail Mix Spinach Salad, (984.5)

• 2 cups Organic Baby Spinach (10)
• 6 pieces Mrs. Mays Natural: Cran-Blueberry Crunch (172)
• 1/4 cup Berkley & Jensen raw shelled walnuts (200)
• 1/4 cup Berkley & Jensen raw whole almonds (170)
• 1/4 cup Berkley & Jensen raisins (130)
• 2 oz. Cracker Barrel Vermont White Cheddar Cheese (220)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Berkley & Jensen Balsamic w/olive oil dressing (82.5)

14 oz. Lemonade (2 Tbsp. each of fresh lemon juice and maple syrup) (107.6)

Total calories consumed for the day 1,222.1. Even though I didn’t workout at all today I should see a drop in weight when I get on the scale tomorrow morning, because mathematically speaking : 2,605 - 1,222.1 = 1,382.9 of calories cut out for the day.

Fat Burning Diet, Fitness, Food, My thoughts

Update for Sept. 13th

On Thursday I did my NWk/o late morning and it took me  approximately 27 mins. to walk the entire complex. I did the stair portion of the workout in 10 mins. I was even more anal about tracing the complex this day that I was on Wednesday

Fitness, MC Daily Log, My thoughts, You Tube Weekly Updates

Update for Aug. 31st-Sept. 9th

Hello, hello, hello …… So I have three more weeks to go!! Which I started yesterday Sept. 10th. I got off of it for a stupid, wack social occasion that was not worth even going, let alone getting off the cleanse for. Here’s my You Tube Update on that. I was suppose to be off for 24 hrs. which ended up being 10 days. But you live and you learn.

Why do we do that? Ok!! I really don’t even want to waste time thinking about the stupid decision I made. It’s in the past and I’m here NOW  handling my business!! Those past 10 days were a real eye opener!!! For 3 weeks I felt clean, clear and fresh. My skin was glowing and feeling smoother (naturally) as the days went by. When you see my vblog, you’ll see the difference in my skin and in 10 days actually 3 days that changed.

I got off the cleanse right, I did the OJ and still taking the herbal tea. I ate fruits, veggies, turkey salad, chicken salad, and even had pasta (whole wheat), w/organic tomato sauce. During the first 7 days I was fine with the exception of the constant sneezing, coughing, and nose blowing because of all the mucus getting back into my system.  Yes, I had dairy and the very next day all of that started happening.

The other huge thing was that last Friday I had some Mc D’s. What is it with Mc Donald’s? Is it Ronald that draws us in when we drive by? Or maybe it’s the red and yellow color pattern that has us in a trance! Oh no, I know what it is!! It’s those damn golden arches sending wave signals to our brains to turn left and go through the drive-thru and Super Size!!!

I think it’s a combination of all three. When I went to buy it, it wasn’t like I said, “Hmmm, I feel like having Mc Donald’s today. Let me go make a trip out there and buy some.” I basically went to go drop something off to my brother, who happens to work near a Mickie D’s establishment. I was driving out of the shopping center to head home and just turned right into the drive-thru lane to pick up a Double Cheese Burger Combo w/mayo (Yes, Mayo!). Oooh then I called myself being good because I got a regular fries and drink instead of the super-sized version. Why do we do that?

Anyway, that weekend I had a cluster of pimples forming on my face and they freakin’ hurt. The majority on my nose and right between my eyebrows on my forehead. I’ve never had an acne problem. I’ve had  one or two pimples but never like what I described above. I felt like I was ready to make a freakin’ ProActive  commercial, but of course it didn’t stop me from getting Chinese take out on Sunday, as my Last Supper Meal since I knew I would finally make myself get back on track and do the cleanse for the last 3 weeks of September!! So I order my favorite, 1 order of Crabmeat Wontons and the “Lunch Special” Sesame Chicken (comes w/fried rice and an eggroll). The good thing is that my stomach shrank so much that I have yet to finish any meal like I use to. I enjoyed as much of my last supper as I could and that night I took the herbal lax. tea to start off the last leg of my Master Cleanser Experience.

So I wake up Monday morning, with a massive headache. My head hurt so bad that it hurt to open my eyes. Good ol’ Ma Nature is here visiting too so that made my condition worse with the bloating, water retention and the other discomforts associated with that time of the month. In addition to starting the cleanse yesterday, I also began my new workout routine, which consists of my ”Neighborhood Workout” (walk around complex and stairs), Swimming 5-8  hours M-F, and doing my Turbo Jam DVDs Mon-Sat. Sunday will “rest day”. The other 6 days will be a combination of 2 or all 3 of the activities I’ve listed or some other form of exercise for at least 30 mins., depending on the day. You would think I was on the Biggest Loser or something (love the show BTW & pissed that I missed the season opener).

I know it’s a lot, but I’m trying to prove a point as well as challenge myself. I’ve blogged here and there about my experience and the changes I’ve noticed in my physical, mental, and emotional state. I have exercised in the previous months but like 3 times a week. A lot of people assume that they will be fatigued and weak because they are going through this fast. I’m going to prove to you that this notion is false.

Update Mon. Sept. 10th

As crappy as I was feeling Monday morning, I just stayed in bed and a few hours later I got up and ready to do my morning “Neighborhood Workout” (NWk/o). I recorded it and I’m trying to splice the clips together to upload it on You Tube.  I also recorded my starting weight so you’ll see that in the video as well as my starting measurements. The weight will be recorded daily and my measurements weekly. I also took a picture of my swollen calves and feet, as well as my nose and face sans make-up to show the hideous state it was in with all of those pimples. I slept most of the day to rid myself of the cramps (since I can’t take meds.). I drank the HL tea and my headaches became tolerable after my first elimination.

NWk./o took me 30 mins. in total to complete. 20 mins. for the walk around the complex and 10 mins. to do the 4 flights of stairs 3 times.  I stopped for a few mins. in between the walk and each round of steps to stretch.

Last week when I came up with this NWk./o plan and tried it out I did the whole thing in one swoop and was shocked and proud of myself because I wouldn’t have been able to do that a couple of months ago. Well, for three days after my calves were really sore and every time I moved them I got a mild charlie horse. So that’s why I stretched in between everything on the first day of the routine.**No Swimming today b/c Ma Nature is visiting, also No Turbo Jam today b/c the cramps were to unbearable.** Weight: 326.6 lbs

Update for Tues. Sept. 11th 

This morning it was raining a lot so, I did my NWk./o when I got in from work around 7:30 pm. Much better than yesterday because my cramps were tolerable. I did the walk in 20 mins. and the stairs (3 times in a row) in 10 mins. I stretched for 4 mins. before the stairs part and for 10 mins. after the entire workout. ** Still no Swimming today do to Ma Nature** 

I still have a headache but it’s not as bad as Monday’s. It seems to go away when I have my eliminations, but comes back through out the day. The blemishes are clearing up and they stop hurting. Sinus cavity feels a bit clearer that yesterday. I still have to blow my nose a lot. My breath is kicking, no matter what I do so I try not to talk too close to people today. The swelling in my calves and feet has gone down significantly. Weight: 323.0 lbs

Fitness, Food, MC Daily Log, My thoughts, Pictures, Women's Health, You Tube Weekly Updates

OMG!!! I can’t believe I’m actually at the 1/2 way point!! This has been an interesting experience. Well, I don’t feel any headaches right before eliminations. I just get this stomach churning feeling, you know like a little cramp right before. Still drinking between 4-6 glasses of the lemonade. My skin looks and feels absolutely great!! It’s soooooo soft all over. I’m drinking water as well, trying this “Smart Water” out. So far it tastes good. I still add a Tbsp of lemon juice and maple syrup to my herbal laxative tea and it just enhances the drinking experience.

I started swimming again on Monday and just trying to get a routine down that I can honestly stick to. I also notice that I’m swimming a bit faster than I did before. It’s probably because i’m not carrying as much as I did before. Classes began on Monday as well and so I started teaching Tuesday.  I’ll be working on that soon so that I can have it in place by Monday. Currently I am at 314.8 lbs. my weight has been fluctuating and coming off slower than before, but at least it’s coming off. That’s why I need to workout on a daily basis to assist in me losing more and building more muscle. I certainly hope that I’ll be under 300lbs. by the time I finish this cleanse. I took my measurements last Friday, so I’ll take them again tomorrow. That should give me a better idea of my progress.

One thing I’m trying to get use to is this heighten sense of smell. On Day 16 I went to Trader Joe’s to get my supply of Maple Syrup. OMG!! The scent of food just smacked me in the face like a little *itch. The produce smelled so good I could taste the strawberries and mangoes. Then they had the nerve to be giving out free samples of some yummy smelling chicken dish. I literally was going to stop the cleanse so that I could eat something. Never go to a grocery store on an empty stomach!! Like a fool I didn’t drink any of the lemonade before I left my home. I was there for an hour putting food in my cart and then turning around and putting them back. I was basically talking myself into getting off the cleanse for a day or two and then talking myself into staying on it like I promised. Well thank the Lord Almighty, I walked out of Trader Joe’s with three bottles of maple syrup and a case of Smart Water. The mind is a very powerful organ and at the end of the day you have to make the choice of what path you want to take, and that goes for anything in life. I know if I would have given in to my own persuasion I would be totally disappointed in myself for breaking this promise I made. Trader Joe’s ain’t going anywhere, so I can definitely wait. It’s funny how in the actual moment you feel like if you don’t have this right now it’s going to be extinct tomorrow. Anyways, I’ll continue to keep you posted and good luck on your journey.

Fitness, Food, MC Daily Log, My thoughts

Yes, yes, yes!!! I have completed 2 full weeks and 1 day of the Master Cleanser! I have 3 more weeks and 6 days left to go. Thus far, this is the longest I’ve ever lasted on the cleanse. I’m looking forward to when it’s over. Do not think for one second I plan on living on this! The lemonade taste good but it’s not that damn good. After the come off stage I will be starting “The Fat Burning Diet”by Jay Robb, Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Fitness Trainer with over 20 years experience. The program is very good and balanced and I can’t wait to start it. I haven’t been hungry but I have an urge just to chew something. A friend said that I had an oral fixation which could be very true. This has been extremely hard to do and all I can say is I just have to take it has the days go by. Some days are smooth and others are really hard to get through, like today and I can’t turn to what I normall turn too for comfort because I can’t. So trying to deal with days like this have been difficult, but so far so good and I’m still on track. just 1 short month and I will have completed the detox portion of my journey successfully. I start swimming again on Monday when the pool re-opens and I’m excited about that. My weight has been going back and forth  the same pound so that’s been annoying me the past few days. I need to increase my water intake because I feel a bit dry if that makes any sense. My tongue looks a hot mess and my sense of smell is too much to handle right now. I will say this, my skin feels and looks so good. Completely soft and smooth and no more dry scalp issues. So, I’m 1/3 through the process and all is good. Take care and happy cleansing.

Fitness, Food, MC Daily Log, My thoughts

So on Friday, August 10th I finally started the Master Cleanser. I will be doing it for the last 6 weeks of summer to pretty much salvage my commitment to myself. My start weight on Friday was 344.0 lbs. Yeah I gained weight and I did tell myself that I wasn’t going to weigh myself until the end of the 6 weeks, but I couldn’t help myself  and have weighed in every morning like I did before. My present weight is 327.8 lbs. Seeing that significant drop in just four days made me realize that my lymphedema returned.

Last year, in a weeks time, my legs became swollen, they were hurting and had discoloration in the inner part of my calves. I went to the doctor to see what was wrong thinking it may have been caused by a spider bite or something. She diagnosed me with Lymphedema. (<– click for more information) Here’s a little bit from the site below.

What is lymphedema?

Lymphedema occurs when lymphatic fluid builds up in the soft tissues of your body, usually in an arm or leg. The lymphatic system consists of lymph vessels and lymph nodes that run through your body. Lymph vessels collect a fluid that is made up of protein, water, fats, and wastes from the cells of the body. Lymph vessels carry this fluid to your lymph nodes. Lymph nodes filter waste materials and foreign products, and then return the fluid to your blood. If your vessels or nodes become damaged or are missing, the lymph fluid cannot move freely through the system. The fluids can then build up and cause swelling in the affected arms or legs.

There are two types of lymphedema:

She basically gave me a water pill to get rid of it and in the first 3 days I dropped 20 lbs. and all the swelling and pain was gone. Then in came back about 3 weeks later.  I couldn’t go back to the doctor  because my school insurance expired and I didn’t renew it since I close to finishing my degree. So I went online looking for natural remedies to cure this problem and that’s when I found information about the Master Cleanser.  This woman had gout and edema and a friend of hers gave her the book and told her that would help her. She said both ailments were gone once she did the cleanse. So I got the book and needed ingredients hoping this would help my edema. After being on the cleanse for 7 days my edema was completely gone and the chronic sinus issues I was having dissolved as well. That was my very first experience with the Master Cleanser. Anyways, i gotta run. I have some work i need to finish, but i wanted to update you guys. I did a video on Friday when I started the MC again so check it out here MC Day 1 of 42 . I’ll catch you guys up later. Take care

MC Daily Log, My thoughts, Women's Health, You Tube Weekly Updates

Well I’m in NY!!! These past two weeks have been crazy but fun. Well, you all know I started the cleanse again on 7/22. That was the final week before my performance which was on 7/27 and 7/28. ( I’ll upload the video on You Tube when I get a copy of my performance). That week was crazy! Our rehearsal schedule every day was 2-10pm Sun- Wed. ,then we had a final dress rehearsal on Thurs. at 7pm, and then our performances was at 7:30 Fri. and Sat. nights.  Of course that’s the way it is in the business and everyone did an awesome job.

I had a huge Master Cleanser reality check that week. Most of you who are on it or have done it can relate. So, I start the cleanse that Sunday and had to get off that Monday due to frequent eliminations. Everyone is different and must always do what’s best for them. I’m so glad I did that because jetting the the restroom in the middle of rehearsing at any given moment would have been completely embarrassing and disruptive to the rehearsal schedule for everyone involved, especially when they are not aware of what you are doing. I was able to work around it on Mon. but I knew  I wouldn’t be able to the rest of the week.

I told you about a friend of mine who started the cleanse on the 7/21. We talked often of course because she was asking a lot of questions and sharing her experience. She completely agreed it was the right move to stop it when I did. Well, she did it for the 10 days and as come off the cleanse successfully. Her start weight was 164 lbs. and I think on Day 9 she was down to 157 lbs.  When I get back home I’ll find out what her total weight lose is, but 7 lbs. is not bad at all. She had some very interesting observations, which most of you will find helpful (especially mothers).

• First of all, she said she didn’t feel any discomfort such as headaches or backaches.
• She was worried at one point because she was eliminating only once a day, which was usually the big one in the morning after the SW flush.
• A huge MC awareness for her as a first time mother of a 2 yr. old was she noticed that she was eating a lot when she wasn’t hungry. Meaning nibbling here or there when preparing food for her husband and son. Of course being on the cleanse she couldn’t do that. Also the other  habit that I think most mother’s develop: “The Mommie’s Diet“- eating everything that your child didn’t finish because you don’t want to waste the food.
• She was never hungry on the cleanse and she could only drink about 4 glasses of the lemonade because she was full. Day three of the come off she was eating fruits and veggies but noticed that she was feeling hungry often. I told her to add fiber  and some protein powder into her smoothies.
• She also said she had lots of energy. She continued to work out every morning and was still able to keep up with her son.

As I stated at the beginning, I am currently in N.Y. My cousin got married yesterday in a garden at Central Park.  I haven’t seen him in years and the wedding was absolutely beautiful. I leave to go back home early tomorrow morning. “The Master Cleanser Reloaded” will officially begin tomorrow morning as well as my Boot Camp. Tomorrow when I return I’ll post my Boot Camp plan, can’t do it now because I’m not on my computer. Enjoy the rest of the day.

MC Daily Log, My thoughts

Long time no write…. and I apologize!!! Hopefully I’m forgiven…. A lot has been going on and I’m really trying to focus on ME and what I need to do for ME. I know that may sound selfish, but I can only rely on myself to take care of me. I should start from the beginning because it’s been a little over two weeks!!

First of all, I did a You Tube video update two weeks ago and wasn’t able to upload it then.  I did complete the last 10 days of June successfully and decided to come off the cleanse on July 1st.  I got off of the cleanse the right way and didn’t experience any discomfort or pain. Why did I decide to not continue? Fear!! Now that I look back on my decision, I realize that I was afraid. I am afraid!!! The weight was coming off too fast, that it scared me. People were noticing the difference and commenting. Yes, it feels great to get the compliments, but a lot of thoughts ran through my mind..  like ” Geez what did they think of me before, or they probably said this about me last yr.” etc… I haven’t share with too many people (that know me) what I’m doing because I just didn’t want to deal with their words and thoughts on my plan. Unfortunately, I do a very good job sometimes of beating myself down that I don’t need any help.

So what have I been doing these past two weeks you ask?  What I normally do when I don’t want to deal with a situation! Focus my attention on other things. I have a performance on the 27th and 28th of this month and I have been focusing on that. I need to be completely memorized by rehearsal today and we’ve been working on staging. So I have about 10 days until my performance. I have also been exercising regularly, but not as often as I want. I’ve been doing about 3-4 hours a week. One thing that has been frustrating is I haven’t been able to weigh myself because my scale needs a new battery. I’ve looked everywhere and haven’t been able to find it. A friend of mine suggested that I go to Sears or a Clock store.. So, I’m going to do that today. I  know I’ve gained some weight back, I just want to know how much. 

The first several days I was good about keeping on track with what I ate but I see old habits creeping back. I’ve been getting this feeling that I should start the cleanse again and  not let fear of change alter my decision. Even though weight loss is one of my reasons for doing this cleanse, the main reason is to rid my body of all impurities. I think the reason why it’s getting easier to get back into eating the wrong foods again, is because my body still remembers them, if that makes any sense to anyone. I think I need to do it long enough so that those foods become completely foreign to my body. Also, I need to refocus my attention!! I think I’ll have a better chance at completing this task if I focus on ridding my body of impurities and not what’s on the scale. So if I redirect my energy and thoughts of living healthier and cleaner then I won’t dwell on how this physical change is affecting me. I’ve said this many times before and I’ll say it again…. the mental part of all of this, as you can see, is the most challenging for me. I’ve been able to deal with the salt water flushes, and the the lemonade, and even exercising regularly with no problem. It’s this mental battle within myself that’s getting on my last nerve, you know the kind where you have the devil version of you on one shoulder and the angel version of you on the other. It’s crazy, but that’s life. I’m working on a You Tube video I promise. It’s going to be a slide show of before pics and now pics.  Just to show you what to expect below you’ll see a picture of me at 382 lbs. during my birthday celebration last year in May and a picture of me close to 60 lbs. lighter on July 1st this year while I was taking my monthly pics during this journey.

I don’t know why the second pic has all that sparkly stuff on it but I’ll try to fix it when I get in later tonight. This just gives you an idea of the difference from me last year to me at the present moment. I have to go to rehearsal. So, I’ll write again later.  

MC Daily Log, My thoughts, Pictures

Soooo I’m surfing the net today to find healthy recipes for when I do start eating again and I came across this really cool website Good Earth Natural Foods (<- click). First and foremost I’m loving their Calorie Burner Calculator (<- click) better than Calories Per Hour because their results say that I burned 1,504.5 calories from my 75 min.  moderate 26 freestlye laps. But besides that, they have a great Reference Library (<- click) where you can:

• Research a health concern that is of interest to you.

• Find information on herbs.

• Find information on supplements.

• Search an index of remedies (drugs) by brand and product names.

• Research drug depletions.

• Read descriptions of alternative modalities, (treatment options).

You should definitely check out the Delicious Living (<- click) section, the have a lot of recipes, most with pictures ( I love pictures) and some very good articles about common health problems like allergies and solutions for them. Just check out the site and go through the different departments listed. Thought I’d share, enjoy!!

Fitness, Food, My thoughts

Today is definitely going to be a long, sleepy day!! My tummy hurts sooooooooo bad right now and it has nothing to do with the cleanse. I haven’t even done my SWF yet. My monthly visitor showed up this morning and has already overstayed her welcome!! Don’t get me wrong, I’m very grateful that I do have a monthly visitor! I will admit there were a couple of months when I was begging for her to pay me a visit. Jumped up and sang, “Glory, Hallelujah!” when she finally did! But geez, does it have to be so painful?

Ever since I was 10 I’ve been suffering the consequences of Eve’s infamous act. I mean, come on!! All of this suffering for an apple! I don’t even like apples that much. I’d probably go through this for two juicy, sweet, succulent mangoes, but not for no measly apple!! My visits have always been long, painful, heavy and extremely irregular.  My doctor put me on birth control a couple of years ago to regulate my cycle and I stopped taking it after a year because it was doing nothing for me. I also think it was the cause of an auto immune disease I ended up getting. Thankfully that’s gone now, but it wasn’t until last summer when I found relief for my menstrual woes. I was looking for a colon cleanser that was easy to take because trying to down a glass of psyllum husk before it foams up your throat was not cute at all!! So I went to my local health food store and came across an internal cleanse especially for women. It’s called Women’s Renew Internal Cleansing System made by Yerba Prima. It’s a blend of 35 herbs and fiber and it was amazing. I was just looking to cleanse my colon, but it was so much more than that.  I noticed that after I did the cleanse my monthly visits were 3 days long instead of 7, painless and light. More importantly it comes at the exact same time every month. I’ve recommended it to several friends and they all came back completely ecstatic. I would take it again, now that the cramping is back, but I can’t while I’m on the MC. I just hope that I have to suffer for 2 more days instead of 6.

Cleansing Products, My thoughts, Women's Health