The Master Cleanse

[BlistexWorks]

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Out of curiosity, has anyone heard of or actually gone through the "Master Cleanse?" Today is my 5th day of the cleanse, and I've lost about 11.5 pounds since Friday. So far, I feel great! I still have enough energy to hit the gym, and have not craved any food since I started. Only 11 more days to go...

One of my goals before starting vet school was to get stronger, lose weight, and improve my health prior to school. I hope this will help me make better choices at the supermarket when buying foods, as there is a lot crap being sold and advertised heavily out there. Anyways, random (and pretty personal) thread, but I feel like my life is changing for the right direction as a result of the cleanse. The hard part will be continuing a healthy lifestyle after May 10!

More info here: http://therawfoodsite.com/mastercleanse.htm

 

[VAgirl]

I went to the website out of curiosity, but after 2 minutes of poking I couldn't find info on what it is. So what is it? What do you do?

I personally avoid that kind of stuff, but I'm curious to know specifics.

 

[GeeQued]

I haven't done "The Master Cleanse" but I did a 2 week liquids only diet (not my choice to do it but kinda a long story to get into) that has the same idea behind it of detoxing your system and since starting back on regular foods I've found I cant tolerate food very well. I only eat about 800 calories a day now and in the 4 weeks now I've lost around 20lbs but I'm at the gym nearly every day and running 1-3 miles every morning plus riding my horses 3x a week. Pretty much my meals consist of
Morning: an egg and sugar free pudding.
Lunch: Usually a salad with a protein source - dressing I use a sugar free/calorie free/glueten free dressing
Dinner: Some sort of solid protein (chicken, steak, etc) small salad, and a fruit

For liquids throughout the day I mainly drink water, there are also a few protein drinks as well and if I have a glass of milk or anything like that theres always a protein complex added to it.

My meal size is extremly small like 4 oz or equiv to 1/2 cup for the entire meal (this isn't by choice if I eat anymore I literally get sick)

 

[vnair2]

I also poked around the website. No offense, but it came off as a dieting cult. All hail Stanley Burroughs and the new messiah, Peter Glickman. I just wish they made any effort to justify the diet with science, instead of just using vague words like detoxification, spouting off testomonials, and then disregarding all the negative side effects as symptoms of the "detox" process.

Anyway. I am interest to see how it works for you. Keep us updated. Also, what was your diet like before? (vegetarian?). Are you going to transition to raw food as the website suggests?

 

[BR549]

I'm always cautious about any program that claims to "cleanse" your system. The cleansing inevitably reduces the beneficial bacteria in your colon. So sure, you're losing weight, but is that weight fat or bacteria? In the end you'll need to rebuild those bacteria back, so why get rid of them in the first place? It will be interesting, though, if you keep us updated. Good luck!

 

[Tine]

no offense but that whole thing sounds like spam. maybe you should go into advertising 😉

 

[Ninnerfish]

Isn't losing almost 12 pounds in less than a week too fast? I thought the maximum that was healthy was about a pound a day, but maybe I'm just thinking I heard that somewhere. Whatever, didn't mean to rain on your parade!

The "Master Cleanse" thing reminds me of the "Dual Action Cleanse" infomercials that come on really late. Has anybody else seen them? It's this really smarmy guy talking about a pill or something that makes you poo out 22 pounds of fecal material that everyone supposedly has in their colon.

 

[VAgirl]

Isn't losing almost 12 pounds in less than a week too fast? I thought the maximum that was healthy was about a pound a day, but maybe I'm just thinking I heard that somewhere. Whatever, didn't mean to rain on your parade!

The "Master Cleanse" thing reminds me of the "Dual Action Cleanse" infomercials that come on really late. Has anybody else seen them? It's this really smarmy guy talking about a pill or something that makes you poo out 22 pounds of fecal material that everyone supposedly has in their colon.

Yea, I think in human nutrition courses they talk about losing maybe 2 lbs a week to lose the right composition (i.e. fat, not just muscle). Any faster and you're either breaking down muscle or just losing water weight. So they say.

 

[GeeQued]

Yeah I think like 2-4lbs a week is ideal. For me I'm still running right now about 3 miles a day (and praying I dont loose any muscle), riding my horses daily and hitting the gym 3 times a week for 2 hrs each time. I think I'm loosing so much just because I cant keep up the calories, I pretty much burn more than i eat at the moment but until I can tolerate more food I'm stuck I guess.

Once again this isn't necessairly by choice and no way would I recommend anyone try it

 

[robeezy08]

. I only eat about 800 calories a day now and in the 4 weeks now I've lost around 20lbs but I'm at the gym nearly every day and running 1-3 miles every morning plus riding my horses 3x a week. Pretty much my meals consist of
Morning: an egg and sugar free pudding.
Lunch: Usually a salad with a protein source - dressing I use a sugar free/calorie free/glueten free dressing
Dinner: Some sort of solid protein (chicken, steak, etc) small salad, and a fruit

Thought I'd chime in on this one since I love running...I don't know about colon cleansing but last year I started running and did my first half a few months ago. I started reading nutrition books specifically for runners and I think 800 calories a day is really restrictive. Now this depends on age, but most women (nonactive to mildly active) require ~1300 calories/day just to maintain a healthy metabolism. A runner on the other hand should typically add 100 calories for every mile you're running. Also, you should try and stretch out your meals a day, to where you're eating about 5 small meals a day. Then again, that's what I try to do. As always, consult your physician before starting any diet! 😀

 

[GeeQued]

Thought I'd chime in on this one since I love running...I don't know about colon cleansing but last year I started running and did my first half a few months ago. I started reading nutrition books specifically for runners and I think 800 calories a day is really restrictive. Now this depends on age, but most women (nonactive to mildly active) require ~1300 calories/day just to maintain a healthy metabolism. A runner on the other hand should typically add 100 calories for every mile you're running. Also, you should try and stretch out your meals a day, to where you're eating about 5 small meals a day. Then again, that's what I try to do. As always, consult your physician before starting any diet! 😀

My goal is to do a marathon by next summer I figure I'll run to school every morning. My sister just finished a relay one from Santa Barbara to Dana Point.

As far as my diet , well its not really a diet since I really can't handle anymore food, I tried just eating higher calorie food but it just makes me sick so that kinda defeats the purpose. I had surgery 5 weeks ago today to remove a cyst from my stomach lining which along with it came the surrounding stomach wall so I wasn't able (doctors orders) to eat anything but liquids for 2 weeks so on top of loosing that portion of the stomach (approx 3 in diameter) and then my stomach shrinking from not eating I just physcially can't handle anymore than what I eat. I see a nutritionist every 2 weeks to monitor it plus blood tests on 2,6, and 12 week basis to make sure everything is normal. In between meals I have protein drinks which brings my protein intake up to around 62 g a day.

 

[hopefulprevet]

If the master cleanse is working for you, well that is good. I was a nutrition major in college. My roommate did the master cleanse about once a year and I thought it was completely ridiculous. There are virtually NO nutrients provided by the diet, as maple syrup is basically just sugar. While losing 12 pounds is awesome, the amount of time is so short that it is definitely just water weight. It is definitely not something you can continue for a long period of time and still consider yourself healthy..it is basically along the lines of people who resort to colonoscopys to lose weight. I think the master cleanse is an easy way to lose weight very quickly, for an event or something, but I don't think it is a good way to jumpstart a new lifestyle. Eating healthy is surely a chore, but starting out by not eating and drinking lemon sugar cayenne water for 21? days, might just make you irritable. I'm sorry to be so negative. Living healthy(working out/eating right) is definitely a lifestyle change if you haven't been, but it CAN be done!...and will lead to sustained weight loss. My roommate used to get severe headaches from the diet and became very irritable. Glad that that hasn't happened to you..I wish you alot of luck...again..sorry to knock it all, I just don't believe in diets this extreme.

 

[robeezy08]

My goal is to do a marathon by next summer I figure I'll run to school every morning. My sister just finished a relay one from Santa Barbara to Dana Point.

If you're interested in doing a full marathon, try something fun like the rock n roll marathons. They have them all over the country but I plan on doing the one in San Diego next year. Local rock bands are strategically placed throughout the course to try and distract you from the pain!
So have you done any smaller ones, like 5K? Huntington Beach 5K is an easy one, good for first timers as the course is flat...and you're next to the beach, yay! 😀

As far as my diet , well its not really a diet since I really can't handle anymore food, I tried just eating higher calorie food but it just makes me sick so that kinda defeats the purpose. I had surgery 5 weeks ago today to remove a cyst from my stomach lining which along with it came the surrounding stomach wall so I wasn't able (doctors orders) to eat anything but liquids for 2 weeks so on top of loosing that portion of the stomach (approx 3 in diameter) and then my stomach shrinking from not eating I just physcially can't handle anymore than what I eat. I see a nutritionist every 2 weeks to monitor it plus blood tests on 2,6, and 12 week basis to make sure everything is normal. In between meals I have protein drinks which brings my protein intake up to around 62 g a day.

OOooh ok I get it! thanks for clarifying.

 

[StayingHopeful]

If the master cleanse is working for you, well that is good. I was a nutrition major in college. My roommate did the master cleanse about once a year and I thought it was completely ridiculous.

What is the Master Cleanse diet? I don't understand what it is from the site.

 

[GeeQued]

If you're interested in doing a full marathon, try something fun like the rock n roll marathons. They have them all over the country but I plan on doing the one in San Diego next year. Local rock bands are strategically placed throughout the course to try and distract you from the pain!
So have you done any smaller ones, like 5K? Huntington Beach 5K is an easy one, good for first timers as the course is flat...and you're next to the beach, yay! 😀

I'll have to look into one of those, Im really excited about doing one but I know I have a long way from being fit and healthy enough to do one. Hopefully I'll be ready for one next year or at least a half. Ill just have to run the 3 mile bike path from where Ill be living to UC Davis every morning to keep in shape. 😀

 

[calioutlaw1a]

The Master Cleanse diet is a "detox program" that rids the body of "toxins" (eg heavy metals, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, etc).

All you need to know is that there is no evidence that the diet does anything but cause (unhealthy) weight loss.
If you are interested in losing weight, there are far better evidence-based programs (though these programs are not nearly as popular because they require long-term commitment and lifestyle changes).

 

[vnair2]

Long term commitment, screw that, im just going to drink lemonade for 3 weeks.

 

[hopefulvet21]

Long term commitment, screw that, im just going to drink lemonade for 3 weeks.

HAHAHA

 

[BlistexWorks]

So...just a little update! I ended up doing the Master Cleanse for only 11 days back in late April/early May. I lost a total of about 15 pounds, and gained back about 5 pounds in 2 weeks (as expected). However, it has completely changed the way that I live. Since the cleanse, I have felt so much more alert, energetic, and have been able to pull off several days of 12-hour shifts with little fatigue, while still working diligently on my animal science/animal nutrition courses. Not only that, but I've working out at the gym about 4-5 days per week (1.5-2.5 hours each session without injury) and eating much healthier! My body fat ratio has dropped nearly 10% in 2 months while building muscle and endurance. I've become an avid fan of spinning (indoor cycling) and hope to continue at least with that much (maybe an hour per day) when vet school starts next month.

I was very cautious about trying such an apparently silly concept of the Master Cleanse and I have never in my life tried any kind of dieting or fasting prior to this (I'm 23). A fellow vet tech at work was talking to me about it back in March and I had never heard of such a thing. I knew I needed to get my health (both mental and physical) back on track. My trouble was not really with my weight, but with the history of multifactorial conditions and predispositions such as high blood pressure in my family. I had been borderline "hypertension," and recently my values have consistently been around 115/62, completely different (in a good way!) from back in March.

By the way, I am not a vegan or a vegetarian (though I don't eat pork/shellfish and such) and have no connections with the people who invented or support these kinds of diets. I just wanted to try something that so many people had recommended. It worked for me and I am so happy in this regard. The Master Cleanse may not have any scientific support or peer-reviewed articles, but that in itself cannot discredit the benefits that I have experienced in the last few months.

 

[EqSci]

I have to say, I've had the same results just by eating healthier and exercising.... without any fad detox processes. You lost 15 in 11 days, then gained back 5 in two weeks. So a total of 10 pounds lost in 3-4 weeks. By eating healthy and exercising I've been losing about 2 pounds every week (sometimes more, sometimes less) after the initial 4 pounds the first week - which is the same amount that you lost. I've also read that 1-2 pounds per week is ideal.

Also keep in mind that the general rule is that the quicker you lose it, the quicker you gain it back. For long-term weight loss and health, you want to change your lifestyle. Exercise and eat right without over indulging, and the pounds will come off by themselves. The scale should not ever be your sole focus. You're setting yourself up for failure, because when you get to your ideal weight you won't have the motivation to continue starving yourself and working out for 3 hours a day and you'll gain everything back. It's only a short-term fix.

My point is that eating healthy and exercising is the HEALTHY way to get in shape and lose weight, not surviving on sugar water for 2 weeks. Perhaps you get the same results on the scale, but you probably do a lot of damage to your body that you aren't even aware of.

On a side note, how the heck do you guys work out at the gym for TWO HOURS??? That's bordering on ridiculous, in my opinion. I lift for about 30 min, and sometimes I might do some cardio for 10 minutes before or after. But 30 min of lifting is more than enough if I don't want to completely fatigue my muscles. I'm just not understanding how one works out for 2 hours.

 

[twelvetigers]

Well, I still have my doubts in the "master cleanse", but I'm certainly glad you found something that works! You sound like you're on the road to studliness. Keep up the hard work. 🙂

Now if I could just convince myself to exercise... laaaazy! 🙄

 

[guppy73]

Now why did I ever think that opening this thread while eating breakfast would be a good idea?

 

[flyhi]

I have to say, I've had the same results just by eating healthier and exercising.... without any fad detox processes. You lost 15 in 11 days, then gained back 5 in two weeks. So a total of 10 pounds lost in 3-4 weeks. By eating healthy and exercising I've been losing about 2 pounds every week (sometimes more, sometimes less) after the initial 4 pounds the first week - which is the same amount that you lost. I've also read that 1-2 pounds per week is ideal.

Also keep in mind that the general rule is that the quicker you lose it, the quicker you gain it back. For long-term weight loss and health, you want to change your lifestyle. Exercise and eat right without over indulging, and the pounds will come off by themselves. The scale should not ever be your sole focus. You're setting yourself up for failure, because when you get to your ideal weight you won't have the motivation to continue starving yourself and working out for 3 hours a day and you'll gain everything back. It's only a short-term fix.

My point is that eating healthy and exercising is the HEALTHY way to get in shape and lose weight, not surviving on sugar water for 2 weeks. Perhaps you get the same results on the scale, but you probably do a lot of damage to your body that you aren't even aware of.

On a side note, how the heck do you guys work out at the gym for TWO HOURS??? That's bordering on ridiculous, in my opinion. I lift for about 30 min, and sometimes I might do some cardio for 10 minutes before or after. But 30 min of lifting is more than enough if I don't want to completely fatigue my muscles. I'm just not understanding how one works out for 2 hours.

I agree with EqSci wholeheartedly. It sounds as though the Master Cleanse was a way with which to get a quick fix that allowed for a lifestyle change in the end. I suppose if that's what it takes for some people, then i'm all for it.

Two hours at the gym is not difficult if: 1. this includes cardio and 2. you are an experienced lifter (more mature muscles require more sets and weight to grow). I do one hour of cardio 6 x's a week and my lifting will be 45-60 minutes depending on which bodypart(s) I am focusing on and how heavy I am training that day (bigger body parts - legs, back mean more sets and heavy days mean longer rest periods). I lift 4-6 x's a week. I have been lifting for over 20 years and am preparing for a bodybuilding show. I do not socialize at all and other than when i'm with my trainer, do not have a training partner. If i'm doing a lighter day and smaller body parts - just arms - I can do a very intense 30 minute workout that almost counts as cardio too 🙂.

I would agree that for most people 1 hour of weight training is a lot unless they are only training at the max 3 x's a week and trying to get every body part trained 1-2 x's per week.

I could write a book on the nutrition aspect . I currently eat 7 meals a day (to include 2-3 protein shakes with supplements). Regardless of what 'diet' anyone is on, moderation is still key and you still need a healthy balance of Proteins, Carbs and good Fats. You are what you eat. There is no magic potion or diet. If you want results, do cardio, weight training and watch very closely what you eat AND drink (Starbucks coffees are not all created equal).

 

[susiewaits]

After years of dieting, a year of an eating disorder, and 6 years thereafter this is what I have decided

1. cutting out any kind of food entirely is unnecessary and unhealthy. Your body tells you what it wants. When you have a craving, for the most part there is a reason. IE. my best friend in college ate protein protein and more protein. ever since she was little she had done that (its just what her body told her to eat). She always thought it was weird that she never desired breads. Turns out she has a digestive condition that turns VERY serious when she ingests too much wheat and other products. All along her cravings were telling her to avoid the stuff.

Even allow junk food. If you cut out junk food completely you will have cravings, why not endulge in one piece of chocolate. (i have no junk food in my pantries except for a bag of lindt milk chocolates, and when the mood strikes I will eat one) this is much better than eating a large candy bar in one sitting when you can no longer deny your craving.

in summary of that..eat what you want, just watch your portions. The problem with eating out (especially in the US) is the size of the portions, you do not need to eat the entire oversized burger people! Endulge every once in a while.

2. work out on a regular basis. Even if you arent losing weight, you will feel better about yourself. Don't say you dont have time! Its not too hard to find an extra hour (though it may cost you a little something).

3. your body most likely has what i call a happy weight which is like a 20 pound range. If you are working out less and eating a little crappier your going to float to the top. if you work hard and eat heatlhy youll float towards the bottom. If you go starve yourself, or engourge yourself and sit on the couch yes you will go out of the happy range.

Be happy, eat what you like in moderation, work out, and accept your body for what it is.

Cleansing is crap, just wait until you start eating normal again...that will be fun..not

 

[CowVet]

I know quite a few people who have tried the master cleanse and all have said they felt better after doing it. Personally, I think all the good feeling is mental. I'm sure if you had somebody drink a placebo for two weeks they would say the same things as those that follow The Master Cleanse.

My point is if you're trying to feel healthier before going off the vet school then get in the habit of following the proven methods - a healthy balanced diet and exercise. The stressful, time-consuming nature of vet school can lead to some pretty unhealthy habits and The Master Cleanse isn't going to help prevent that.

 

[Pointer1330]

I'm glad you found something that worked for you. That being said, it makes me cringe when I see people that are supposed to have a sound scientific knowledge base follow fad diets like this. I hate to tell you that you are feeling much better due to being at the gym 4-5 days a week and eating healthier. Maybe some more coursework in nutrition and physiology would be in order. Great job on leading a healthier lifestyle though.

 

[toothpixie]

After looking at many sites on this cleanse, and my curiosity piqued, i sent myself off to a Borders Books to read the book on this. I didn't wanna buy; just looking to poke some holes to satisfy the needs of my cocky scientific and logical mind. 😛 (And a number of my patients who vehemently swear by it, and nag me about it constantly.) I hate drawing a blank each time they bring it up, and stubbornly telling them I don't recommend fad diets.

Well, I read some of the Glickman book, and came away surprised. Its main purpose is for de-toxing from the Standard American Diet, and the weight loss is understandably a side-effect, if lemonade is all you're drinking! I try to remember that there are always two sides to every story, and i was letting my preconceived notions due to years of studying all that is "scientific" and "normal" get in the way.

I, too, cringe at "quackery". This is why I wanted to find out more. Browse the Glickman book (specifically pages 12-15) if you're interested. Apparently the Master Cleanse itself has been around since 1976. It's recommended to be done a minimum of 10 days, to a maximum of FORTY days! And the salt water flush has been around even longer, apparently, a Yoga practice. Religious fasting is common in India, where they feel they have a "spiritual cleansing" by doing so.

It must take tremendous inner strength to perform such fasts. To me, I could see it opening doors to the development of an eventual eating disorder if one gets too attached to the weight loss aspect, or develops food phobias-- thinking food is dirty.

As we all know, Moderation is key when undertaking anything, of course. Even things that are good for us-- exercise for instance, is dangerous in excess.

Anyone who even has the time to look into this, please let me know what you think. I'm trying to poke holes in all this, but darnit, it's starting to make me wonder...!

 

[natalieises]

The cleansing diets always sound like a good way to get back on track and flush your system, but honestly ask any health professional or trainer. These diets are insane.