We can coordinate and give thoughts about a fast from here.  We can let the CMT post run unitl noon 1/17 first and then work to pick a time.

Preference for weekday or weekend?  Perhaps a Sunday Noon until Monday at 6:00 pm?

If I can drink some fruit juice I think I'll be all right. I don't know if I can do 36 hours, but I'm game.

I like starting on a Sunday.  What we did last time was everyone started at their own time, but we all started on the same day.  Some did 24 hours, some 48.  I think Nora may be the only one who has gone longer.  If we go for Sunday, I'd be game for either the 20th or 27th.  If we do it the 27th, I'll have to start at night.

I ate spaghetti tonight so I am ready for a fast, LOL...

Oh see I am a cheater!  I like to wake up on the first full day knowing that I already have 8-12 hours done with.  :)

I am game for Sunday as well (or any other day really!)  We have a kids birthday party to go to on Sunday so it will be easy for me to not eat as I will be distracted for a few hours.

I bought the things to make the Master Cleanse and I am looking forward to having SOMETHING to prepare!  LOL  This time I am going to aim for 36 hours as well.  I figure if my last meal is around 7 the night before, then I have one full day and then after sleeping that night I will be able to get up and have breakfast the next morning. 

I know how fabulous I felt on that third day though.  I may very well take it to that but I like to think that is a decision I will make on the morning of the second day. 

Good luck to everyone and I will keep checking in to see our plan!  :) 

PS (aka Just a bit of unasked for advice!)  ;)  It is a bit helpful to taper down on eating a few days before, makes it not such a shock to your body.  Also try to eat good things knowing that they are the last few things that your body is going to feed off of.  Like you probably don't want to go in or out of a fast with a Big Mac!  LOL 

L~ Are you going to have tea?  I can't decide if I want to deal with caffiene headaches this time or not.  I think with the 36 hour thing I may be able to hang but I really don't know yet!

I have to have caffeine, or I get a wicked migraine.

What is the Master Cleanse?

Also, if you can' make it the whole way through to your goal, don't fret.  The great thing about a fast is it has benefits for as long as you do it.  During one of our fasts I crashed really bad and had to abort.  I think the problem was I ate too much before I started.

I'm open to either date, 20 or 27, I have my kids this weekend but since I'm trying the Master Cleanse I can probably make food for them, not cheat, and still function.

I just stocked up on fruit and veggies for before and after.  Is 48 hours long enough to lead time?

http://www.falconblanco.com/health/cleansing/lemoncleanse.htm

http://mastercleansesecrets.com/step3.php

http://www.recipezaar.com/79145

The links above are some recipes I found for the master cleanse, I think on the other thread in CMT Kerry had posted it as well.  The one says that tea is an optional ingredient, maybe we could do caffiene tea? 

Yeah, I had to abort on one of mine as well.  Also due to eating too much before and other variables. 

ETA:  48 hours should be great for tapering off.  I think just being aware of how much you are eating and what it is should be good!

Let's see if we can start this Sunday.

I'm ready to start this Sunday.  I'm going to try to go the 36 hours.  Off to read the info in the links.

Sunday sounds great!  I'm game! 

I am looking forward to the Master Cleanse.  I have not tried it but heard many personal accounts from friends and read some great things online about it.  I couldn't find grade b maple syrup, I may swing by the health food store to see if they have any.  I guess it has more of the goodies than the a grade stuff.

Thank for getting this started, I had been thinking of it but just needed that inspiration you know?

~Nora

Store had 100% Maple Syrup sale so it must be destiny.

Just to add, though we all start Sunday, you can begin at the best time to fit family needs.

I thought it might be fun to share some stuff in here!  Y'all post yours too okay?  :) 

Topic 1~ Three reasons you decided to fast

Topic 2~ Three foods you wish you didn't LOVE

Topic 3~ Three foods you like and are good for you that you will try to eat more of after this fast

Topic 1:  ~ To cleanse my body ~ To regain control ~ Mental clarity

Topic 2: ~ Pizza ~ Chips and dip ~ Wine

Topic 3: ~ soy beans ~ water ~ organic veggies

Okay folks that was way harder than I thought!  Don't feel like you have to do that okay?  LOL 

Good luck to all!  I'll be checking in here to see how it is going.  I am looking forward to trying the Master Cleanse.  I have all my stuff lined up on the counter ready! 

OH!  I finally found grade b maple syrup, $10.99!  WTF!  I mean I suppose it is worth it but the micronutrients in my grade a better step up because I am not (granted I know I will not be eating therefore saving money) going to spend $10.99 for a tiny bottle of syrup.  ;)

Good Morning.

Starting the fast at noon but I need to make b'fast for the kids.  They want bacon and eggs.  I found a bit of caffeine free herbal tea and half a grapefruit for me as the last things before beginning. 

I'm fasting:  cleaning toxins from body; practice discipline of controlling what I eat; to combine with yoga and pilates to help improve mental and physical well being.

I'm trying to control and eliminate sugar cravings.  Pizza is very tough to manage.

I hope to try more the more unusual healthy foods to expand my possible food choices.  I want to stay away from processed foods, so convenient in the sort run but so unhealthy over time.  That is why I need discipline to control the cravings and convenience.

Did you know a can of tune is 2.5 servings, and a box of macaroni and cheese 3 servings?

If you ate a box of mac and cheese that would about 75% of your allowbale daily calories.

Good Morning Kerry!

Sounds like you are off to a good start. 

I have had one of the MC drinks and I really like it.  it is sweet and spicy and has a good kick to it.  When I had finished that drink I filled the same "dirty" glass with hot water and actually liked that even better than the official one! 

One slightly unusual food that I LOVE is edamame with a few drops of Bragg's liquid aminos on them.  They are just shelled soybeans and you should be able to find them in the freezer section (also fresh but our store just doesn't carry them).  I just heat them up in a bit of water then drain the water out and drop the Bragg's on there and it is a really good filling snack.  To me they are kind of a cross between avocado and lima bean as far as taste goes.

I want to add peas to your tuna and mac up there and make a casserole!  ;)   Yum! 

Hi everyone!

 I'm eating dinner tonight with the family, then starting mine. This is the first time I've officaly fasted, (other than for blood tests) so I have mixed feelings. The longest I've ever gone with out eating anything, was a week, but that was when I was on drugs. As I said in the thread on CMT, I've often found myself having not eatin all day, but I usually realise it because I have the onset of  a migraine or the shakes.

Reading what all of you are doing, I'm kind of ashamed. You all are doing this for the right reasons, I'm mainly just doing it because I haven't and want to see if I can. I've often wondered how people do it, and if it really works to help with the mind though. I'm going to try and do 36 hours, will do more on less depending on how my body handles it. I'm also hoping that maybe this will motivate me.

Things I love that I wish I didnt are potatoes, cheese, and alcohol.

Foods I love that I'm going to try and eat more - more fruits. I've always loved fruits and veggies, but in the winter I eat so few because they aren't fresh and are very expensive in the stores. I'm going to start brining things like mangos, kiwis and all veggies back in.

I was going to post this on CMT but think I might do it here. . . It's a ? and a vent so you can stop reading now if you don't want to hear it lol.

I've been wanting to loose weight pretty much my whole life, I grew up with my mom yo-yo dieting, and that is the norm for me. Now that I'm an adult I know that's not healthy but I can't seem to keep myself motivated to do what I need to do. For the most part we eat pretty healthy, my thing is working out. I am not one that does good on my own, but we can't afford a gym membership, let alone a trainer. I used to walk alot and that did wonders for me, but my hubby stops doing it with me after the second week so I slowly stop doing it. I've a treadmill that I just can't seem to use (It's boring to me) and I recently got a yoga DVD I love, but I can't do it with the kids are around. Nap time I clean, bed time I clean spend that itme unwinding, then I get up when they do. I know they are all excuses though. My mom finally lost a lot of weight when I was older and she's always said she just woke up one morning and got tired of looking at herself, and just did it. Well I am def tired of looking at myself. The person I am on the inside doesn't seem to match the outside me, but I just can't do it. I'm scared that I'm just used to being this way and won't ever do anything about it. I'm sick of clothes not fitting right, of hurting all over, and of being out of breath when I play with my son. I'm in my early 20s and sometimes feel that I'm in my 50s. My mentality is the same as well. I've always felt and acted older than I realy am, and I just think my body feels like my mind does. I'm worried that I'm my own worst enemy sometimes. Hubby is blessed with a good metabolism so he doesn't have to worry about working out or anything, and the one time he got really heavy he easily lost it so he doesn't understand how I feel.

Anyway, sorry about the pitty party, anyone have any pointers on getting, and more importantly STAYING motivated, and on the better health train?

Starting after dinner is fine.  I'm testing myself and may try one week Cleanse in spring. 

Even if you struggle you can learn your habits.  Some of mine I might ask you.  Do you get bored and then go eat?  With the feeling of hunger is your first thought of something sweet or fatty to eat?  Are you stressed and food is a good temporary distraction that helps you feel in control?  For me, I could not do it well without lots of gym time.  I needed another way to burn stress and pick up my mood naturally to begin.

I'm down from 200 lbs to 185 lbs but have much better muscle tone so I likely gained muscle and lost fat.  The thought of shedding 10% of my bodyweight in totally unneeded fat is a great thought.  The gut is last to go and fasting can hopefully help me to start getting rid of that.

If you can learn good habits one at a time then it is easier to change.  The best way to lose weight is healthy permanent diet with some exercise and not just dieting.  I use a gym regularly and like that I see the same people week after week working at their health.  You'll find people may make fun at first but if you start looking good and getting in great shape that noise quiets very fast.

Sorry I can't joinn you guys this time - I'm sick.  I may fast next week if I am feeling better again.

The Master Cleanser is just like a sweetened lemonade.  It curbs the hunger and would certainly let you go a week of this fast.  For long fasts with cleanser, it appears some try a diffrent juice or supp some vitamins and minerals with drink.

One lemon is just over 2 Tbs for me.  And 1 Tbs of syrup is plenty.  I need to get better quality cayenne pepper.  The pepper is hardly noticeable for those thinking this may be gross.

Edited to add cleanser section.

Master Cleanser.

2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice. (liver food and body cleanser)

1-2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup (energy and colories) a natural sugar.  This is from 50 to 100 calories per glass.  A typical diet is 2,000 calories a day.  So this can still give you half your calories. 

Don't use honey, congesting for this use.

1/10 tsp cayenne pepper in 8-ounces (a small juice glass) of spring water. (clear blood eliminate toxins and mucus, warms body)

Drink liberally, 6-12 glasses a day.

Author used for 10 days.  Should work for day or day and a half.

It's 11am and I'm on hour 16 1/2, and just now starting to feel hungry, but I think with a glass of water I'll be okay. I was suprised out how badly I missed my morning glass of milk though!

I'm one of those that have to be doing something with my hands. I used to smoke and when I quit food was my go to thing (hand to mouth action helped me cut the habit) unfortunatly I can't cut the eating habit. Even if I get good things to put in my hands, its hard for me to stop eating once I've started. I think a chunk of it is that theres been often times I'll go for long periods with out eatings, so my mind says "eat until your full cause you don't know when you'll eat again".

 I don't usualy crave food, if I find I'm hungry I just go make whatever is easiest, but if I stop to think of what I want, I usualy want something spicy or sweet, but not like candy. I don't eat that kind of sweets. I like sweet fruits, papaya, mangos, kiwis that sort of thing. Food is really not so much the issue with me as the working out is.

Anyway I've got kids yelling at me! I'll check back later.

I eat a big breakfast with a good lunch and much smaller dinner so I am most hungry at this time of day.  It helps if not much good to eat around house.  Water is good, some drink a small amount of juice if struggling.  Probably 8oz glass. 

It is 30 hours from noon to six the next day.  My bad math, I said 36 hours.  Perhaps try at least typical 24 hours. 

I may try to go to tomorrow breakfast.  That will push time closer to 48 hours.  The Master Cleanse mix helps with about 3 hours of hunger for me.  I'm curious what all those drinks will do. 

For fasting try to keep it at a minimum.  For cleanse, it is about allowing your body time to purge toxins.  Not eating allows the body time to catch up with filtering and clearing your body of waste and toxins.

Edamame sounds interesting.  Looks like a chance to try a Japanese receipe.  I have been studying Japan a bit lately.

Well I did 26 hours--and this afternoon I have had terrible heartburn--but it is probably because I had coffee after having nothing but lemon water or green tea.  I just couldn't do the 36 hours.  Maybe next fast.

I was getting a mild headache but I think that is normal and temporary.

I will work at it again when I don't have the kids to watch and a weekend birthday party.