Bad Habits Bite Back

Thursday November 3, 2005

I have an interesting story that isn't for the weak-bellied, virgin-eyes of men who can't handle discussions of female problems. I will say this... the cleanse sent relief for a problem that I thought may result in a major health crisis sometime in the near future. Within the next few days, I'm going to send that story to my female friends via e-mail. If I miss you, drop me a line and I'll make sure to forward...

But for today, I want to talk about what happens when a bad habit gets a foot in the door.

I hit a stressful period over the past 2 weeks. Take a personal injury, add some normal frustration, throw in a dash of family crisis, shake it in a bottle.... and you have my last 2 weeks.

I actually ate junk food two days in the last 2 weeks, and one of those days was yesterday. I didn't stop at the Twix after lunch, but I threw in an Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich and a small bag of Funyuns before bed. The result is amazing. Not only am I bloated today, but I feel icky and I was sneezing my head off all morning!

I am actually thankful for my body's quick rejection of bad habits. It gives me the energy to have a better day today. But it also reminds me of the potentially devestating effects that bad habits have over many years.

I do know one thing... One more totally unexpected problem this week might send me off the edge into a vat of liquid chocolate. Pass me a straw and get outa my way. :-)

The Tragic Aftermath

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

I must request a moment of silence for body fat... specifically the fat on my belly. You see, since the cleanse, I haven't been able to stomach any meat besides fish. I ate two eggs on the 3rd day after the cleanse and thought I would keel over. My tummy shrank, along with some other stuff. Body fat is dead. What a tragedy... NOT!

I am enjoying a life of fruit, veggies, grains, nuts, fish, and some cheese. Yes. ENJOYING. I don't miss meat a lick. As a result, I can look down while I'm driving and see my lap. Wow. Just as I was getting used to seeing stomach and knees... I can see LAP. The law should probably count lap-watching in the same category as "driving while talking on a cell phone," because a new lap is very distracting.

I still see some bad habits trying to surface, like too many refined carbs. But boy oh boy. The good habits are coming out of the woodwork.

• I keep clean (distilled, reverse osmosis, spring) water in the house... much more than I used to.
• I spend more time in the produce section of the market than the meat, snack, and bread sections put together.
• When I purchased prepared foods on my last Whole Foods trip... they were all veggie based. Corn cakes. Greens with garlic. Ummmm.
• I eat very few sweets now. I was no "sweet tooth" before, but I'm eating even less.
• I don't graze all day. I have no desire to visit the snack machine to fight the midday blahs.

I am totally annoyed that January is still 3 months away. I'm counting the time for my 20-day cleanse. As I told Scott today, I've become the Cleanse Evangelist!

The Day After: Attack of the Oranges

October 19, 2005

I would really like to thank all the oranges that gave their lives to sustain me today.

As most cleansers know, the day after a cleanse is all about the orange juice. It feels strange drinking something besides the lemonade. In fact, I have to dilute my juice. Too strong.

Mom treated to dinner at Ruby Tuesday's tonight. I went with the healthy onion soup (no cheese and no floating crouton). After a single shallow bowl, I was stuffed! I bit the tip off a french fry... and was unimpressed. I have no taste for it. If I ever return to a life of junky food... it will be about stress and habits... not taste.

I developed a pain in my left ankle today which got worse as the day progressed. I was limping by evening. I figure it's a cleanse symptom, but it's feeling like a real injury.

I had no problems with the soup, although it was likely made with a beef broth base. Didn't upset my stomach or anyting.

It amazes me that I can drink juice all day, eat a small serving of soup, and feel like I had a 4-course feast.

Screw 4 to 6 months... I'm doing this cleasne again in January!

More tomorrow.

Cleanse Day 10, Part II: The Finish Line

October 18, 2005

I'm still not sure whether I should laugh or cry. Besides accepting Jesus, this cleanse is the best choice I've ever made. As I look at my last bottle of lemonade, I wonder about life-off-the-cleanse. I notice I'm still eliminating some solid matter and wonder if I should add another day. Then I realize I don't have the ingredients, and I settle for the Finish Line.

Now here's a weird symptom that I keep forgetting to note: One tooth became sensitive somewhere around Day 5. No cavity. No nothing. But when I first touch that toothbrush and cold water to my mouth, that tooth sends off an alarm. It's almost like the sensitivity is near the gum of that tooth. Very unusual, and I'm interested to see if it disappears after the cleanse is over.

Notes to those thinking about the cleanse, or on the cleanse:

1. Don't settle for less than 10 days. I've read stories about people lasting fewer days for many reasons. Some are afraid. Some get bored with the lemonade although not hungry. This was my first cleanse and I was determined to last the minimum recommended 10 days. Based on my experience, 3 - 5 days is just a kick-start. The real benefits and increased elimination came after that.

2. Some experienced tiredness. I only experienced that when I wasn't drinking enough lemonade. It's amazing how the lemonade really packs enough "stuff" to live on.

Tomorrow, don't forget to visit the blog and read about the challenges of Life After the Cleanse.