Spring Cleanse - Day 7

The days are rolling by so quickly. Today has been wonderful - I feel as though I've been walking on a cloud. No hunger to speak of, except when I got up this morning. The white tongue persists but nothing else of note. Today I was busy at the gallery and never once thought of food. The day is winding down now with just three days remaining. I'm grateful to everyone who has supported me through this blog and emails. It's great to read your encouragement.

Spring Cleanse - Day 6

I've reached a milestone of sorts, having made it successfully to day six! I've never fasted beyond five days before and I'm grateful that I've made it this far without too much difficulty. I was hungry when I first got up this morning but other than that it's been smooth so far.

Yesterday was tough. I was doing great early on but I physically overextended myself in the garden. I don't mean a little puttering around - I turned over the compost pile, laid some paving stones and transplanted some strawberries. After that I went to work in my studio but my head was pounding so hard I was useless. The lemonade lost its appeal and didn't do a thing for me at that point.

Needless to say I wasn't very productive with my artwork so I came home. Weak, hot, hungry and with head throbbing, the walk down a single flight of stairs and into my vehicle was a Herculean effort.

The instant I arrived home I fell onto the couch for an hour or so and all I could think of was papayas. I was so tempted to break the fast but the thought of not attaining a new threshold kept me going.

Finally feeling better I got up and took a shower, ending it with 40 seconds of ice cold water! Like a miracle, I was renewed. I slept like a baby and today I feel wonderful. I still have a white coating on my tongue which I brush two or three times a day, but that's about it so far. It should all be downhill from here!

Spring Cleanse - Day 5

Yesterday was an extremely productive day. I experienced fleeting moments of hunger but nothing to write home about. Aside from the white coating on my tongue - which is less today - there were no other detox symptoms that I noticed. Today I still feel great. I was ravenous for the first hour after getting up this morning but after drinking several glasses of lemonade I feel ready for the day.

I've successfully completed many, many 24-36 hour fasts but have never gone beyond five days. Once today is under my belt it will all be downhill, which is to say it should be a breeze considering how it's been nearly effortless so far. I have to attribute the ease of this fast to my past four months on a 100% raw diet, and the previous year or so on 80-100% raw, as well as all the shorter fasts I've done leading up to this one.

Before I get too cocky I should keep in mind that the serious cleansing may not have begun yet. As I approach the midpoint I wonder what old and entrenched toxins might be released in the second half of this ten-day fast. I also wonder whether such a potentially liberating experience will be unpleasant. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

Spring Cleanse - Day 4

Day 3 was a bit more challenging than the first two days, but still went very well. Here are the detox symptoms I experienced:
1. I had a dull headache on and off but it didn't persist and was easy to ignore.
2. At one point I felt irritable and impatient when I would normally be more grounded, but I got over it quickly.
3. I was also tired earlier in the evening but I'm not sure if that was due to the fast or because of my hectic schedule this week. I haven't been very active physically and I've cut back on my meditation because of my deadlines. I can't do it all, so I do my best. On one hand fasting has been very convenient because I'm so busy and I don't have to take meal breaks, but on the other hand having the luxury of time for light exercise and more rest would be ideal.
4. I developed a thick white coating on my tongue - a sure sign that toxins are being released - that required a few brushings to remove. This morning the coating was back.
5. For some reason I had a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep. Insomnia is not usually a problem for me - although it has been in the past.
6. Oddly enough I didn't get very hungry. There were a few tough moments, but the lemonade works like a charm. A gallon a day seems to be the right amount for me.

This morning I woke up feeling famished and I drank three tall glasses, one right after the other, and then felt fine. Right now I'm feeling great and have tons of energy. Aside from my usual morning activities with Vito and our four kitties I've worked in the garden - growing my own food is a definite priority; worked on a section of my book - another priority; written a press release - part of my gallery curatorial duties; finally made time for thirty minute sessions of both yoga and rebounding - couldn't put it off any longer; meditated for one hour - aahhhh, and am now getting ready to run a few errands and get to the studio to work on my art! No detox symptoms except for another white tongue. I'm very optimistic as I make my way through day 4.

Spring Cleanse - Day 3

Yesterday was as smooth as day 1, I'm happy to report. The evenings seem to be when I experience the most hunger, but last night it was easy to ignore. I even made nori rolls and sweet potatoe soup for my partner Vito, and I wasn't at all tempted to taste any of it. I've always loved to cook and even after going raw we continue to prepare some of our favorite dishes, making raw versions for myself. I no longer taste to see if the seasonings are right; instead, I trust my sense of smell as I take in the aromas. It works like a charm.

I believe the raw diet has helped me get through the first 2 days of this fast so effortlessly. That and the fact that I'm mentally prepared, although that hasn't always worked for me in the past.

So far I'm doing really well - no hunger at all this morning. The first three days of the fast are typically the toughest, so I'm not sure what to expect as the day progresses. I've been very busy without doing anything too strenuous and drinking a gallon of the lemonaide keeps me satiated. As soon as I feel hungry I drink a tall glass of it and I'm fine.

Today it will finally warm up to 74 degrees, so that should put an end to the chills I get from fasting. I may post again today if the fast becomes more difficult. Writing should help me tough it out. I remain possitive that today will go well.

Spring Cleanse - Day 2

Day 1 was not at all difficult. I was busy most of the day and consumed 1 gallon of the lemonaide to keep me going. My energy level was good and I didn't experience hunger until late in the evening - after a forty-five minute sauna session - but by that time I was ready for sleep anyway.

Today has been a breeze, but it's still early. I didn't exercise yesterday (except for a bit of gardening) and I haven't gotten around to it yet today. I usually do twenty minutes of yoga followed by twenty to thirty minutes on the rebounder several times a week depending on my schedule. I may do a condensed routine today. It's sunny and cool in Detroit, but not as cold as it was yesterday. I expect today to go as smoothly as day 1. We shall see.

Spring Cleanse

Today I begin my seasonal fast. I decided to forego the weekly fasts nearly four months ago when I transitioned to a 100% raw diet, but I may resume them next month. (The raw diet is going very well, but that's another story). My plan is to do the ten-day Master Cleanse, which I believe to be powerfully cleansing and somewhat pleasant, as fasts go. The longest I've gone is five days, and I now feel physically, psycologically and emotionally ready to go the distance. I also plan to blog about it daily, which should help me get through the toughest moments.

I've written about my residual "tumors" in past blogs and I may include images tomorrow and at the end of the fast for comparison. Without the work of digesting solid food, my body will spend the next ten days cleaning up waste, including these nodules. At least that's my hope.

The winter here in Detroit was bitterly cold and the spring has been very chilly, making fasting difficult. Today the weather is still very cool, but I don't want to put this off another day. So here I go. To read more about the benefits of fasting, click here to read my report:
Whole Body Detoxification (Part 2): Fasting