If you are not prepared for what you'll experience when you do the Master Cleanse there's a good chance you'll fail. Typically lasting just 10 days, it's easy to see why people just "jump right in" to the Master Cleanse thinking it will be easy. It's not, I know from personal experience!

During your time on the Master Cleanse you are likely to experience hunger, aches, and irritability. Most people give up because of hunger. Putting solid food aside for a couple days and only drinking liquids is harder then most people think. Even though the cravings for whole foods can be difficult they do subside after a few days on the Master Cleanse.

So rule number 1 for finishing the Master Cleanse is getting past the third day. Instead of focusing on completing the entire 10 days from the onset of the cleanse just focus on getting past day 3. Breaking the Master Cleanse down into smaller milestones will be a big help.

Rule number 2 for finishing the Master Cleanse is dealing with aches and soreness. Headaches are one of the most common Master Cleanse side effects, but some people also get body aches.

To reduce aches you should drink a lot of water. It's also good to relax and not push your self too hard when you do the Master Cleanse. Exercising should be kept to light walking and stretching. Your body will be going through a rigorous cleansing process during the Master Cleanse, and won't be able to adequately recover from intense exercise during this time. Again, I know from personal experience. I originally ignored this rule and I was completely exhausted for several days after I went for a run one lunchtime.

Rule number 3 for finishing the Master Cleanse is overcoming irritability. This affects the people around you more then it does yourself, but it's something you need to be aware of before starting the Master Cleanse.

It's best to let the people around you know that you're going to be doing the Master Cleanse ahead of time so they can do their best to accommodate you. Also try to plan your Master Cleanse when you're not too busy. Most of us can't just take 10 days off to do the Master Cleanse, but you should try to avoid doing it when you're swamped at work, or have other stressful events going on in your life.

There's more to succeeding at the Master Cleanse then I can cover in this small article. If you are serious about trying the Master Cleanse and want to be one of the people who do make it through the whole 10 days the Master Cleanse Secrets book is the most complete guide available for helping you get through the Master Cleanse.

Thanks god! I've finally completed the last day of my 10 day Master Cleanse.

It's been a hell of a slog and a rollercoaster emotionally. I have found it very tough to deal with eating no solid food and that has been made worse by the god awful taste of some of the comp0nents of the Lemonade Diet.

I have a particular loathing of Psyllium Husk and Wheatgrass. I think I will also have a lifelong aversion to maple syrup! And to top it off a Gin & Tonic with a slice of lemon will never be quite so appealing again.

As far as the emotional side goes, as the 10 day Cleanse went on I found it harder and harder to cope with the normal day to day communication with my wife and 8 year old daughter (both of whom are also very pleased that I have completed the cleanse). Simple activities like going shopping, particularly visits to the supermarket were much more painful than usual. Whether driving or walking fast food joints seemed to be so much more noticeable (I have probably memorised the exact location of every Macdonalds and KFC within a 50 mile range).

Making my daughters breakfast each morning has been excruciatingly difficult.

Tiredness, as well as hunger have contributed to mood swings at times and my family have been very supportive during some quite difficult times.

I shall cover post diet stats in my next post as I am too knackered to do it now.

Would I do it again? Probably not exactly the same diet - simply because I cannot stand the thought of maple syrup. But I will be doing another Cleanse in about 3 months time. I'll review a few possibilities here and then let you know which one I'll go for. Any suggestions just let me know.

For now I just want to ease off the Master Cleanse and choose a more normal (but still effective) diet to try for the next few months. I will also be drawing up my excercise plan.

One more day to go - god am I looking forward to finishing this 10 day Master Cleanse. Despite the UniqueHoodia I have found today very hard. I feel exhausted and all I can think about is food.

I am also finding it very difficult to drink the lemonade. The distinctive taste of the maple syrup combined with cayenne pepper and lemons is now making me feel sick just to think of it - but I know I have to drink it. I am so looking forward to some real food.

I know I shall have to be careful coming off the Master Cleanse - it is not recommended that you dive straight back in to a 'normal' 3 meals a day diet immediately after a cleanse. I shall talk a bit more about how to ease yourself off the diet after my day 10 post tomorrow.

I shall also describe 2 or 3 alternatives to the Master Cleanse before I go on to consider which diet to move onto.

It's been a long hard slog but it's nearly over. I can't say I've enjoyed my first ever cleansing diet (yet alone Master Cleanse) but I can see that it has made a difference.

I haven't felt as tired and hungry as I thought I would - that's not to say I haven't been tired and hungry - it's just that it is surprising what you can cope with if you have the right mindset (and a little help from UniqueHoodia!)

Still haven't researched what to do next but I will look at it over the next couple of days. If anyone has any advice or guidance it will be greatfully received.

On the final furlong now.

Today has been especially tough. I've been attending an offsite meeting and it's been really difficult to find gaps in the day to take the lemonade. Previously I've been able to sip the stuff all day but I don't really want to do that when we are in meetings. I had a large helping of lemonade before setting off and then another one (from a discretely hidden bottle) at lunchtime.

I managed to avoid eating anything by claiming a dodgy stomach (well those of you who saw it on a previous post know I'm not lying!) and I've been drinking water constantly.

Glad to get home - found today a bit tiring - I guess not having a constant supply of energy from the lemonade didn't help. Had another large lemonade as soon as I got in (plus the dreaded wheatgrass).

Too tired to research the next step (you know the follow on diet and exercise routine) maybe I'll get a chance tomorrow. Better get moving though as there are only thee more days of my Master Cleanse to go.

Feeling positive now, partly because there is not too much longer to go and partly because (although I haven't weighed again) I'm definately feeling slimmer.

Whoopee, just over the half way mark now. I'm really looking forward to getting to the end of this Lemonade Diet, it's been much harder than I thought so far and I still have 4 days to go.

One of the weirdest things (although common sense when you thing about it) is that I havn't been crapping through the eye of a needle for a day and half now. Although I could piss for the national squad and I guess that's where the flushing of all of the toxins is going on.

On that note (liquids that is, not pissing), it's really critical that you take in plenty of water on this diet to keep things flushing through. The lemonade is also mostly water but it does have a large helping of maple syrup in it - which for the first gallon or so was nice but now I can hardly bear the thought of it.

I wonder if one side effect of this cleanse will be to put me off sweet stuff for life; who knows. Unfortunately what I need is a diet that puts me off beer & cider - anyone got any suggestions?

Short post this one but I need to take another leak. Then I think I'll go and research some follow up diets and maybe some exercise routines.

If anyone has any Master Cleanse stories to tell, or any cleansing or diet stories for that matter feel free to share them.

A lie in today! I got up at 6.30 as my wife is doing the school run today. At least that meant that I didn't have to make breakfast for my daughter, which is becoming increasingly difficult as I get hungrier and hungrier. This Master Cleanse Diet is certainly intense.

I finally decided to give the UniqueHoodia a go today as I am feeling really hungry now. I'll let you know how that goes - hopefully it will help!

The other change I've made is to have a go at the laxative tea for my firts morning drink as I really do find the Psyllium Husk hard to stomach - it might not be so bad if you could sprinkle it on some cereal or maybe steak, eggs and fries (stop it!). Perhaps I'll write a post on the different forms of laxative tea available later today as it might help take my mind off this damn Lemonade Diet and the awful hunger pangs.

On a more positive note my energy levels are really high - I really thought that I would be more tired than I am. Don't get me wrong, I'm in no position to run a marathon (damn - isn't that a chocolate bar!) but I can function and think quite clearly - even if I am obsessed by food.

Only 6 more days of the Master Cleanse to go (omigod!) - hope I can make it (and more than that I hope it's all worth while).

First of all I would like to take a look at three laxative teas that you can get from Botanic Choice. If you want to pick some up just click on the links.

 Botanic Choice have been supplying health products for almost 100 years, which is impressive by anyone's standard. They specialise in providing fresh, natural products and they also have a reassuring 100% money back guarantee. Interestingly, they also offer a reward card so that if you buy regularly you can save money.

What are the benefits of Senna Leaf Tea?

• Cleanses gastrointestinal system
• Strengthens digestion
• Encourages healthy elimination

An Arabian name, Senna has a long history of use in ancient Egypt that reaches back 3500 years.  Senna was originally grown in the upper Nile region of Egypt, then brought to Europe in the Middle Ages. So revered was Senna leaf that the Egyptians reserved its use exclusively for members of the upper class. Today it is used worldwide for a range of digestive issues. The plant is a small shrub that grows about two feet high. Its stem is erect, smooth and light green, with long branches. Flowers are yellow and small, pods, oblong, about 2 inches long, each containing about six seeds.  

How Do You Take It? - One or two cups, hot or cold, daily or as needed.

Peach Tree Leaf Tea

Latin name: Prunus persica.

In addition to aiding the digestive process this is a very soothing herb. Peach Tree Leaf relaxes you and encourages the peaceful, restful sleep you need for to maintain well being.

How Do You Take It?

For Loose Tea: Place one teaspoon in cup of boiling water. Allow to steep 3-5 minutes. Strain, serve, and enjoy.  For Tea Bag: Place one tea bag in a cup of boiling water. Allow to steep 3-5 minutes.

 
SmartBomb.Com

SmartBomb.com is a strange name for a company but they offer some great deals on health foods and vitamins. I've chosen a couple of laxative teas for you to take a look at.

Good Earth Laxative Tea is a premium herbal tea formulated according to an authentic Swiss traditional recipe. Laxative Tea is a stimulant laxative.

Bekunis instant tea laxative: gives gentle overnight relief of constipation. It contains Natural Senna Fruit Extract. SmartBomb say that Bekunis works with your body's natural processes to relieve simple constipation whenever it occurs. It does this by gently stimulating the large bowel during the night to naturally induce smooth, comfortable elimination in the morning.
If you are anything like me (and perhaps you too are having a crack at the master cleanse) you may wish to consider one of these laxative teas as an alternative to Psyllium Husk or Sea Salt to aid your digestive process.

Wow day 3 already! I woke up this morning expecting to feel lousy (after all I've eaten nothing for 2 days now - that's a first for me) but actually I feel pretty good.

I feel much less bloated than I did at the start and I actually seem to have quite a bit more energy.

Making breakfast for my daughter was still tough though. Especially as I had a glass of water with Psyllium Husk (yuk!), a glass of lemonade (I'm really getting a bit fed up with the taste of this now) followed by a glass of water with wheatgrass (an even bigger yuk - but at least it's green).

Lunchtime - that's not funny - I do not class a glass of lemonade as lunch - but hey ho it certainly seems to be doing the trick.

One other positive side effect of the Master Cleanse that I have noticed is that my skin has started to clear up. I have, for some time now, suffered from a form of acne called Rosascea and, although I have tried many things to clear it up this is the first thing that has made any difference. To me this probably means as much as losing some weight!

It's nearly time to head off home now and I haven't found it quite so hard to stick to the diet today. I seem to be thinking less about food than I was yesterday. For the first time I actually think I might be able to see this lemonade diet through.

Tonight will be tough though as I am playing in a darts competition (sad I know - but hey I've been playing since I was 14 - that's a long time) and usually I have a few beers on a darts night. But not tonight, I am determined to stick to this.

Ok - just got back from darts -I won, by the way - I just seemed to have so much more focus and maybe laying off the beer helped a bit. I did find it very hard when my mates were swilling ale not to join in but somehow I managed it. This has to be the hardest bit so far.

Up bright (huh!) and early to get my daughter ready for school. Boy am I glad I made up today's batch of lemonade last night as I'm feeling a bit tired this morning. My daughter was very chatty this morning and it was quite hard for me to be responsive (what do you mean that's a man thing!)

7am - First glass of lemonade followed by another glass of water with some Psyllium Husk (yep - it's still disgusting).

Dropped my daughter off at school at 8am and somehow managed not to steal her school snacks - quite an achievement given how hungry I feel at the moment.

At least today's endless list of meetings kept me from thinking too much about food. Although it made it harder to slurp gallons of lemonade without getting some odd looks from my colleagues. I went for a run this lunch time with my friend John - big mistake; I had absolutely no energy and my friend left me for dust. I think I might have to give the strenuous exercise a miss during the rest of the Master Cleanse.

Had to leave work a bit early today to pick up the cat from the vet - I really could do without this today.

Got home and poured myself another lemonade followed by some wheatgrass ( boy that stuff is even more disgusting that the psyllium husk!). I'm actually feeling a bit more lively now. My head seems to be clearing and I no longer have the bloated feeling that has been a part of my life for so long.

Caught up on some work this evening which helped take my mind off the hunger, which to be honest has started to subside a bit.

I have a confession to make - I took a sneaky look on the scales - surprisingly I seem to have lost 6lbs already. Good news as I am feeling very hungry.