The Research:
First we purchased a copy of the Master Cleanse book by Stanley Burroughs. We both agreed to read the book on the same night, to see exactly what we were getting ourselves into.

The book said, “Follow the diet for a minimum of 10 days or more – up to 40 and beyond may be safely followed for extremely serious cases.” I wasn’t sure what serious cases he was talking about but I knew one thing, I wasn’t Jesus…there was no way I was fasting for 40 days. Ten seemed like a perfect goal for me. Ali agreed.

The Experiment:
Next we read the list of ingredients necessary to make the drink:
2 Tbsp fresh Lemon (approximately a ½ lemon)
2 Tbsp genuine Organic Grade B maple syrup (not maple flavored sugar syrup and NOT HONEY)
1/10 Tsp Cayenne pepper (in capsule form)
10 oz. glass medium/hot water (you can use cold water if you prefer.)

Instructions:
Have 6 to 12 glasses of this mixture per day as needed. You can also drink water if you like.

To move things along there is also one more ingredient needed. Okay, here it comes you knew it couldn’t be this simple…You need to also purchase a laxative herbal tea (they recommend Smooth Move) – you will drink a tea every morning and every night. Takes effect 8-10 hours later…so as a warning BE NEAR A BATHROOM. If not you better haul a porto potty behind you.

The other option is to take the laxative tea at night, and a full quart of lukewarm water with two heaping spoonfuls of uniodized sea salt in the morning (regular salt will not work.) Now that sounds delicious.

No vitamin supplements are needed during the fast and if
you’re stomach feels upset at any time, drink peppermint tea. That’s it. That’s all you need for 10 days.

The book explained that the amounts of each ingredient are to be followed carefully and not substituted with anything else. Why? Because a cleansing diet, besides eliminating toxins from the body, also has to include proper material for building the body as the waste material is eliminated. The combination of the above ingredients does the trick. The lemons provide all the vitamins and minerals you need, the cayenne pepper keeps you filled with energy, and the maple syrup acts as a catalyst to help move the waste through your system.

From here on in, I’m going to tell you what happened in journal form…so you can live the wonders of this cleanse with me.

Master Cleanse Journal

Saturday, Dec. 16th, 2006 – Last day before diet starts
Tomorrow I start my ten day fast. Boy, this is going to be a test of my will power. I decided to purchase the ingredients at the local health food store instead of online. Bought chocolate Smooth Move thinking that it might have a better taste…okay really bought it because I think I could at least of some kind of chocolate during the holidays. Bought a gallon of organic grade B maple syrup…damn it’s expensive…$29 a bottle. Maybe I should have gotten the kit. Bought the lemons at the local market, they are cheaper there.

Tonight I’m going to pig out. This will be my one holiday dinner. Went out with some friends to a movie and Applebee’s - had the appetizers, and even ordered a chocolate Oreo cookie shake. I feel like a prisoner on death row before his last meal.

Let the game begin!

Sunday, Dec. 17th, 2006 – Walk
Start Date Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006
End Date, Wed. Dec 27th, 2006
Target to loose 10 pounds and a few inches.

Called Ali. Today we are both going to measure ourselves, record our weights and then tonight we are going to drink our first Smooth Move mixture.

Decided to get a jump-start on this cleanse by meeting my good friend fitness celebrity, John Basedow in Manhattan for a walk. As always our walks are more of a sojourn. We walked for 5 hours, from 39th and 8th to Spring Street.

Got home at 2 a.m. – Can’t prolong it any more. Take my first Smooth Move – it tastes nasty. The chocolate doesn’t taste like chocolate. I wait to see how this affects my stomach. Nothing happens. Not sure what I was expecting…maybe a volcanic explosion. I decide to go to sleep. I’m both nervous and excited. Nervous I’ll have an accident in the bed, excited to clean out my system and lose weight. Think maybe I should wear a Depends to bed. Decide I’ll see how it goes in the morning.

Monday, December 18, 2006 – Day 1 - AM workout
Feel nauseous. Went to bathroom like normal. No great elimination. Maybe I’m already clear? One only could hope. Did not take second Smooth Move. Feel a little guilty that already I am not following instructions. Weigh myself. Lost 1.5 pounds. Not sure if it’s from fitness John or bathroom John.

Did my AM weight workout tape compliments of my buddy John Basedow.

11:45 took first mixture drink…wow, cayenne pepper very hot!
Have a slight headache and my chest feels hot. Called Ali she felt the same way. Reread the portion. Saw only supposed to take 1/10th a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Took out a pill and saw that it measured ¼ tsp. Opps no wonder my chest as burning. We both made the same mistake and put the entire cayenne pepper capsule in. Doh! Only need to put 1/3 of the powder in the capsule in, since that equals 1/10 of a teaspoon.

1:30 p.m. Take second drink. Cut the cayenne pepper in ½ and the same with syrup. Remembered the book said that if you want to lose more weight, take only one tablespoon of syrup instead of two. Of course I’m thinking so if I cut it out all together do I loose more…no, need it to push things along. So far my body is being stubborn.

3:00 p.m. took mixture in car, looks nasty. Sipping it as I drive, keeping my eye out for emergency bathroom stops if needed. Looking at some trees also just in case. Check to see if I have tissues in the car. Yes! Okay…I’m set. Feeling hungry. Called Ali, she is hungry too and has a slight headache. Have to fart, scared to. Decide I better wait till I’m near a bathroom. My instincts were correct.

7:10 p.m. Man I AM HUNGRY!!! It’s not even a full day! I have to have another delicious potion mix…day one is always the hardest they say. I’ll be happy when midnight comes.

11:30 p.m. Took my last mixture. Drank my nightly Smooth Move…man it tastes nasty. Whoever thought this tastes like chocolate better have their taste buds reexamined.

MIDNIGHT - Yeah, made it through a whole day without eating. A one-day fast. Let’s see how I do tomorrow at the holiday party.

Tuesday, Dec 19, 2006 –– Day 2 – AM workout
8:15 up for radio show. Drank some water. Weighed myself, lost ½ pound. Spoke to Ali to compare notes. She is feeling tons of energy. I’m tired.

I think it’s the chocolate Smooth Move that is making me nauseous.
That’s the only difference in what we are taking. She is taking the regular Smooth Move since she is allergic to chocolate. I will have to buy the other one.

Compared bathroom notes as only close friends can do. Mostly peeing, not any bowel movements, then again nothing's in me, except old decrepit food. Hopefully that will come out soon. Ali says she’s have spider web looking items coming out her butt. Then again, she’s an artist maybe is having some special insight into her stool that I am not.

Went to the Women in Publishing holiday party with two doses of mixture in hand. My friend, Nancy approached me with a bunch of her homemade brownies. I smelled them…this is a true test of my willpower--turning down favorite snacks. Nancy told me to take some home to Spencer.
Ahhhh. One thing having them at the party, another having them sitting in my refrigerator calling my name. I took them anyway.

Went out with a couple of friends after the party to eat…well, in a matter of speaking. Have no more of my mixture left. Bought a bottle of water. Nancy asked if I wanted to split the bottle. I held the water bottle to my chest and said, “Nancy this--is my dinner.” She laughed.

Ali came up to my place for a few days so we could enjoy this experiment together. We both had another mixture. Ali had an extra regular Smooth Move teabag with her. I tasted it. So much better.

We talked as most friends do till the wee hours of the morning.
Had one more drink at 2:30 a.m.
Bed at 3 a.m.

Wed. Dec 20th, 2006 –Day 3 - AM Workout
Woke up at 9:15 to do KJOY radio.
Drank the regular Smooth Move, felt fine.

Checked the scale, lost another pound. Ali checked. She lost another pound too. Now this is exciting. If it keeps up like this we will lost a pound a day.

Had a bowel movement… will not describe it to save embarrassment. But put it this way, all I could think of was George Carlin’s line, “Man something died inside.” Decided should not do this diet if my loved ones are too near.

Ali had a movement. Another room freshener needs to be put up.
She’s is really having some designer toxins come out of her body.
Can’t believe we are so fascinated with our bodily functions.

Ali joined me in my AM workout tape but then got a cramp in her leg and had to stop.

Ali and I are deviating in a few ways:
She is losing weight more rapidly and not exercising.
I’m losing less weight, but working out every day. I guess it’s the old muscle weighs more than fat routine.
She is taking Smooth Move in the morning and Night.
I was only taking it at night until today.
Ali lives at home alone, so she only has to prepare her drink.
I live with my son, so I cook dinner and am around food more.
Ali has much more energy than before.
I have the same high energy I’ve always had –which is high already.
Then again my body is never normal, I can get drunk on cranberry juice…so maybe this makes sense that we react different.

Ali noticing some drastic changes in her body.
Her varicose veins are much lighter.
Her skin is softer and her nails are harder.
Also this is the first time she ever came over my house and did not have to take a Benedryl because of her allergies to my cats.
Some major stuff happening to her.

We both can’t believe we haven’t eaten in three days.
Both of us now thinking that maybe we will go past the ten days and stay on this till New Years. We’re not hungry.
Food doesn’t’ have the same appeal. I can prepare food and almost not smell it. Drove Ali to train station in the afternoon.

Nighttime:
Okay, take the above back. Spencer and I sat down to watch a movie together. He had chicken wings, the smell made me very hungry. It’s the only food so far that made me want to leap over and grab it.
Didn’t realize I liked chicken wings so much. I think I’ll have chicken wings as soon as I get off this cleansing. In the meantime, I drank another concoction and my craving went away. Thank goodness, didn’t want a wing to do me in.

Thursday Dec 21, 2006 – Day 4- Walked / ran ½ hour in neighborhood
I’m now down 5 pounds and its only day four. Yippee!

Woke up with slight headache.
First rule in survival school, headaches are commonly caused from dehydration. If you are thirsty, you have already begun dehydration. Drank glass of water, headache went away. Checked urine it is clear.
There should never be yellow in your urine. If there is, that means you are dehydrated.

Ali and I compared notes. She was drinking about 6 glasses of mixture a day. I was drinking about 5 and a glass of water. We both agreed to up the ante.

Spencer cooked bacon and eggs this morning. Food no longer temps me. Well, let’s see if he cooks chicken wings what happens.

Went to the Bathroom couple of times – mucus and some tidbits from the rear.

Something must have hit home. All of a sudden having major bathroom emergencies.

Great, now I’m really hungry again, have a headache. Want to quit this cleansing. No way I’m staying past 10 days. Low energy.
I WANT TO EAT!!!!

Ali is having a grand ole time. She says she is feeling very spiritual being around food and not eating it. I’m thinking the only way I’ll feel spiritual about this is if I stayed on it for the 40 days…because then I’d see God.

Friday, Dec 22, 2006 – Day 5 –
Walked / ran ½ hour in neighborhood

Did a Connecticut radio show this morning at 8:45
At 9:30 took a Smooth Move – this one is a hundred times better.
Feeling great this morning.
Did my walk/run to get geared up for my four mile midnight run that I do every year in Central Park. I wonder if I can do four miles while on this cleansing. The book says if you feel faint take it easy.
I’m still doing my daily exercise routine. Wonder how much that makes a difference.

Ali and I talk; decide we will do this once a year.
We compared notes. I noticed for me it’s the hardest when I have to prepare food for others, but yet it’s weird it’s almost like I don’t smell the food anymore. Got a piece of cream cheese on my finger when I was making Spencer a bagel. I just stared at it. Should I lick it or not. Decided to be pure to the diet, no food to touch these lips in ten days.

Ali and I decided we should let our doctors know we were on this diet. Plus we both wanted to ask for blood tests after to see the changes.
I had taken a blood test a month before so it was pretty updated.

Ali’s doctor had studied in Russia for a while. She thought it was a great idea. She said in Europe they do cleansings all the time, at least twice a year. She thought it was great.

My family doctor said, “I don’t’ suggest you go on it.”
“Too late, I’m on day 5, not stopping now.”
“Okay, in that case, be safe. I can always count on you Fran to have something new that you’re trying.”

My doctor is more “old fashioned” great beside manner, the type that would still make house calls if they were in style.

My doctor set up the blood test. He said he was curious to see these results as well. He also wants to check in six months after I’m off this diet to see how things are then as well. Great, now I’m going to have to really watch my diet once I’m off this thing. I have to hold up my end of the bargain and not look like a fool. I guess those brownies are going to sit in there forever. (Actually Spencer has been helping out greatly in that department…he sits in front of me eats them with a big smile on his face and says, “Mom, they’re really not that good. I’m just getting them out of the way to help you.”)

Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006 – Day 6- No workout
Lost 8 ½ pounds so far.
Did not take Smooth Move in the morning because I have a three-hour drive to the Aquarium to pet the penguins (previous blog).
Still having some bowel movements – how is this possible!
Took water and two mixtures in the car. Thought it would hard at aquarium not being able to eat junk food. It was fine.
Can’t believe it’s been 6 days.
Made taco dinner for everyone…felt very detached from food.

Sunday, Dec. 24th. 2006 – Day 7- 145.5 no pill – AM workout
Drank Smooth Move. Waited till it took effect then drove my mom and Athena back to Queens.
Ali stopped by the Queens house.
We hadn’t seen each other in a few days. She looked great.
You could see in both our faces that we lost weight.
Ali is leaving in the morning for her trip to California. She has a wedding to go to next Friday there and is debating about coming off the diet or staying on it till New Years.
She spoke to the airlines three times about how she can bring the diet drink on the plane. They told her to pack it in small containers. One guy said she couldn’t bring it on the plane.
Her doctor told her the main thing was for her to make sure she stayed hydrated, that the air in the plane can dry you out.

Ali says friends that haven’t seen her in a week thought she had lipo suction, because the change was so drastic. She had to swear to them it was just the cleansing. They still wanted the name of the surgeon.

Monday, Dec. 25th, 2006 – Day 8 –
REACH GOAL WEIGHT ON CHRISTMAS MORNING.
BEST PRESENT! AM Workout
I did it. I lost 10 pounds in only 8 days!
I am dancing on Christmas morning.

Continued the regular routine.
At one point in day dipped down to a 12-pound loss. But then my body decided, can’t get her too excited and bounced back up to the 10-pound weight loss mark.

Ali called; they took her drinks away from her on the plane.
Wow, I remember the photographer Paul who told me about this diet saying he was allowed to bring it on.

To substitute she drank peppermint tea for the 1st time during the diet and drank tons of water. She was feeling nauseous, but she is still debating about staying on it till New Years.

I’m feeling fine. Just want to eat real food again. Plus I think I need real food in me for the four mile, midnight run.

I was making a hamburger for Spencer and some ketchup got on my finger. I licked it without thinking and then quickly rinsed out my mouth as if I had ingested some toxic poison. I called Ali, okay that’s it…ten days is it for me.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006 – Day 9 –
Walk with Vanessa to end of road

I know I’m coming close to the end, so now I crave food. I could probably go more…but that’s it…I’ve had enough. Worked out hard today to prepare for the run.

Went to nail salon. The women there all said I looked great.
One lady, a real character said, “Oh yeah I went on that diet, except I decided to eat while I was doing it, oh and I also substituted Splenda instead of the maple syrup to cut down on the calories. I lost a pound. I don’t like following instructions!”

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 – Day 10 - END OF CLEANSE
Walk/jog to end of road

Still the same weight. I guess that’s what happens when you visualize a specific number- your body gets stuck there.

It’s 5:35 and I’ve only had three drinks. Have to up the ante.
Tomorrow I will take a blood test at Quest labs in the morning. Ali and I wanted to make this scientific.
Doctor asked for a CBC, BMP, Hepetitus function panel, TSH, T3, T4 etc. Mainly I want to see if my cholesterol level improved. It was high before the fast.

Thursday, Dec 28th, 2006 Day 11- COMING OFF DIET
The book was very specific in saying you must come off this fast slowly. You can’t just jam a ton of milky ways down your throat followed by an eggnog chaser. The first day off they say to just drink orange juice as it gets your stomach ready for real food.
A friend, Gary came over. Haven’t seen him in years, he said I looked great. We decided to take a two-hour hike in my back woods. I was having trouble keeping up. I guess two glasses of OJ in me is not enough to fuel a mountain climbing expedition.

Friday, Dec 29th, 2006 Day 12 –COMING OFF
I weighed myself – I lost 2 more pounds!
Drank orange juice all morning long as instructed.
Counting the hours till dinner when I’m allowed to have vegetable broth soup. Can’t wait to eat.

Some of my friends want to try this cleanse. The others think I’m nuts.

I decided to take a picture of me eating my first bite in 12 days.
See how happy I am. I even cheated a little and ate a few potatoes, carrots and celery. It felt fantastic.

Doc Forim called at 9 p.m. He said, “Your blood results are back, I know you were anxious to hear.”
“Lay it on me doc.”
“Fran your cholesterol is not only good, it’s Excellent!”
I was ecstatic.
“Send me a copy of this book, I’d like to see it.”

After I hung up, my stomach felt woozy. I wound up throwing up everything I ate. I guess it was too much excitement. Okay, okay, I ate the vegetables and I was only supposed to eat the broth. Damn, you can’t cheat on this thing.

I took a mint and drank some peppermint tea to settle my stomach. The book said go back on the cleanse if you’re body is not ready to eat. I started to worry, “Wow, what if I can never eat again.” Yeah, Capo like that’s gonna happen.

In a few hours I took a bite out of a spicy chicken wing, just for the hell of it. Guess what? It stayed down. I guess my body was saying, “You starved me for twelve days and all I get is chicken broth! Are you nuts? Where’s the beef?” (Okay so I settled for chicken.)

Aftermath:
As of this writing it's been 4 days since I’ve been off the cleanse. I lost a total of ten pounds and six and a ½ inches.
I’ve gained 1 pound back but they said gaining a few pounds back is to be expected. I did the four mile midnight New Year’s run and felt great.

I got a daily food regimen from John Basedow who ironically says the same thing as the cleansing book, “No man made products, regardless of cost, will ever successfully replace the perfection of God’s creation.” In other words, eat natural foods, in six small meals a day increments and you can’t go wrong. Oh yeah and your traditional eight glasses of water.

As for Ali, she stayed on the diet till New Years and plans to go back on it again in a month. I‘ll rejoin her next year.

We both agree though that this is as much a physical commitment as it is a mental one. So if you’re up to the challenge…Happy cleansing!

First we purchased a copy of the Master Cleanse book by Stanley Burroughs. We both agreed to read the book on the same night, to see exactly what we were getting ourselves into.

The book said, “Follow the diet for a minimum of 10 days or more – up to 40 and beyond may be safely followed for extremely serious cases.” I wasn’t sure what serious cases he was talking about but I knew one thing, I wasn’t Jesus…there was no way I was fasting for 40 days. Ten seemed like a perfect goal for me. Ali agreed.

The Experiment:
Next we read the list of ingredients necessary to make the drink:
2 Tbsp fresh Lemon (approximately a ½ lemon)
2 Tbsp genuine Organic Grade B maple syrup (not maple flavored sugar syrup and NOT HONEY)
1/10 Tsp Cayenne pepper (in capsule form)
10 oz. glass medium/hot water (you can use cold water if you prefer.)

Instructions:
Have 6 to 12 glasses of this mixture per day as needed. You can also drink water if you like.

To move things along there is also one more ingredient needed. Okay, here it comes you knew it couldn’t be this simple…You need to also purchase a laxative herbal tea (they recommend Smooth Move) – you will drink a tea every morning and every night. Takes effect 8-10 hours later…so as a warning BE NEAR A BATHROOM. If not you better haul a porto potty behind you.

The other option is to take the laxative tea at night, and a full quart of lukewarm water with two heaping spoonfuls of uniodized sea salt in the morning (regular salt will not work.) Now that sounds delicious.

No vitamin supplements are needed during the fast and if
you’re stomach feels upset at any time, drink peppermint tea. That’s it. That’s all you need for 10 days.

The book explained that the amounts of each ingredient are to be followed carefully and not substituted with anything else. Why? Because a cleansing diet, besides eliminating toxins from the body, also has to include proper material for building the body as the waste material is eliminated. The combination of the above ingredients does the trick. The lemons provide all the vitamins and minerals you need, the cayenne pepper keeps you filled with energy, and the maple syrup acts as a catalyst to help move the waste through your system.

From here on in, I’m going to tell you what happened in journal form…so you can live the wonders of this cleanse with me.

Master Cleanse Journal

Saturday, Dec. 16th, 2006 – Last day before diet starts
Tomorrow I start my ten day fast. Boy, this is going to be a test of my will power. I decided to purchase the ingredients at the local health food store instead of online. Bought chocolate Smooth Move thinking that it might have a better taste…okay really bought it because I think I could at least of some kind of chocolate during the holidays. Bought a gallon of organic grade B maple syrup…damn it’s expensive…$29 a bottle. Maybe I should have gotten the kit. Bought the lemons at the local market, they are cheaper there.

Tonight I’m going to pig out. This will be my one holiday dinner. Went out with some friends to a movie and Applebee’s - had the appetizers, and even ordered a chocolate Oreo cookie shake. I feel like a prisoner on death row before his last meal.

Let the game begin!

Sunday, Dec. 17th, 2006 – Walk
Start Date Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006
End Date, Wed. Dec 27th, 2006
Target to loose 10 pounds and a few inches.

Called Ali. Today we are both going to measure ourselves, record our weights and then tonight we are going to drink our first Smooth Move mixture.

Decided to get a jump-start on this cleanse by meeting my good friend fitness celebrity, John Basedow in Manhattan for a walk. As always our walks are more of a sojourn. We walked for 5 hours, from 39th and 8th to Spring Street.

Got home at 2 a.m. – Can’t prolong it any more. Take my first Smooth Move – it tastes nasty. The chocolate doesn’t taste like chocolate. I wait to see how this affects my stomach. Nothing happens. Not sure what I was expecting…maybe a volcanic explosion. I decide to go to sleep. I’m both nervous and excited. Nervous I’ll have an accident in the bed, excited to clean out my system and lose weight. Think maybe I should wear a Depends to bed. Decide I’ll see how it goes in the morning.

Monday, December 18, 2006 – Day 1 - AM workout
Feel nauseous. Went to bathroom like normal. No great elimination. Maybe I’m already clear? One only could hope. Did not take second Smooth Move. Feel a little guilty that already I am not following instructions. Weigh myself. Lost 1.5 pounds. Not sure if it’s from fitness John or bathroom John.

Did my AM weight workout tape compliments of my buddy John Basedow.

11:45 took first mixture drink…wow, cayenne pepper very hot!
Have a slight headache and my chest feels hot. Called Ali she felt the same way. Reread the portion. Saw only supposed to take 1/10th a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Took out a pill and saw that it measured ¼ tsp. Opps no wonder my chest as burning. We both made the same mistake and put the entire cayenne pepper capsule in. Doh! Only need to put 1/3 of the powder in the capsule in, since that equals 1/10 of a teaspoon.

1:30 p.m. Take second drink. Cut the cayenne pepper in ½ and the same with syrup. Remembered the book said that if you want to lose more weight, take only one tablespoon of syrup instead of two. Of course I’m thinking so if I cut it out all together do I loose more…no, need it to push things along. So far my body is being stubborn.

3:00 p.m. took mixture in car, looks nasty. Sipping it as I drive, keeping my eye out for emergency bathroom stops if needed. Looking at some trees also just in case. Check to see if I have tissues in the car. Yes! Okay…I’m set. Feeling hungry. Called Ali, she is hungry too and has a slight headache. Have to fart, scared to. Decide I better wait till I’m near a bathroom. My instincts were correct.

7:10 p.m. Man I AM HUNGRY!!! It’s not even a full day! I have to have another delicious potion mix…day one is always the hardest they say. I’ll be happy when midnight comes.

11:30 p.m. Took my last mixture. Drank my nightly Smooth Move…man it tastes nasty. Whoever thought this tastes like chocolate better have their taste buds reexamined.

MIDNIGHT - Yeah, made it through a whole day without eating. A one-day fast. Let’s see how I do tomorrow at the holiday party.

Tuesday, Dec 19, 2006 –– Day 2 – AM workout
8:15 up for radio show. Drank some water. Weighed myself, lost ½ pound. Spoke to Ali to compare notes. She is feeling tons of energy. I’m tired.

I think it’s the chocolate Smooth Move that is making me nauseous.
That’s the only difference in what we are taking. She is taking the regular Smooth Move since she is allergic to chocolate. I will have to buy the other one.

Compared bathroom notes as only close friends can do. Mostly peeing, not any bowel movements, then again nothing's in me, except old decrepit food. Hopefully that will come out soon. Ali says she’s have spider web looking items coming out her butt. Then again, she’s an artist maybe is having some special insight into her stool that I am not.

Went to the Women in Publishing holiday party with two doses of mixture in hand. My friend, Nancy approached me with a bunch of her homemade brownies. I smelled them…this is a true test of my willpower--turning down favorite snacks. Nancy told me to take some home to Spencer.
Ahhhh. One thing having them at the party, another having them sitting in my refrigerator calling my name. I took them anyway.

Went out with a couple of friends after the party to eat…well, in a matter of speaking. Have no more of my mixture left. Bought a bottle of water. Nancy asked if I wanted to split the bottle. I held the water bottle to my chest and said, “Nancy this--is my dinner.” She laughed.

Ali came up to my place for a few days so we could enjoy this experiment together. We both had another mixture. Ali had an extra regular Smooth Move teabag with her. I tasted it. So much better.

We talked as most friends do till the wee hours of the morning.
Had one more drink at 2:30 a.m.
Bed at 3 a.m.

Wed. Dec 20th, 2006 –Day 3 - AM Workout
Woke up at 9:15 to do KJOY radio.
Drank the regular Smooth Move, felt fine.

Checked the scale, lost another pound. Ali checked. She lost another pound too. Now this is exciting. If it keeps up like this we will lost a pound a day.

Had a bowel movement… will not describe it to save embarrassment. But put it this way, all I could think of was George Carlin’s line, “Man something died inside.” Decided should not do this diet if my loved ones are too near.

Ali had a movement. Another room freshener needs to be put up.
She’s is really having some designer toxins come out of her body.
Can’t believe we are so fascinated with our bodily functions.

Ali joined me in my AM workout tape but then got a cramp in her leg and had to stop.

Ali and I are deviating in a few ways:
She is losing weight more rapidly and not exercising.
I’m losing less weight, but working out every day. I guess it’s the old muscle weighs more than fat routine.
She is taking Smooth Move in the morning and Night.
I was only taking it at night until today.
Ali lives at home alone, so she only has to prepare her drink.
I live with my son, so I cook dinner and am around food more.
Ali has much more energy than before.
I have the same high energy I’ve always had –which is high already.
Then again my body is never normal, I can get drunk on cranberry juice…so maybe this makes sense that we react different.

Ali noticing some drastic changes in her body.
Her varicose veins are much lighter.
Her skin is softer and her nails are harder.
Also this is the first time she ever came over my house and did not have to take a Benedryl because of her allergies to my cats.
Some major stuff happening to her.

We both can’t believe we haven’t eaten in three days.
Both of us now thinking that maybe we will go past the ten days and stay on this till New Years. We’re not hungry.
Food doesn’t’ have the same appeal. I can prepare food and almost not smell it. Drove Ali to train station in the afternoon.

Nighttime:
Okay, take the above back. Spencer and I sat down to watch a movie together. He had chicken wings, the smell made me very hungry. It’s the only food so far that made me want to leap over and grab it.
Didn’t realize I liked chicken wings so much. I think I’ll have chicken wings as soon as I get off this cleansing. In the meantime, I drank another concoction and my craving went away. Thank goodness, didn’t want a wing to do me in.

Thursday Dec 21, 2006 – Day 4- Walked / ran ½ hour in neighborhood
I’m now down 5 pounds and its only day four. Yippee!

Woke up with slight headache.
First rule in survival school, headaches are commonly caused from dehydration. If you are thirsty, you have already begun dehydration. Drank glass of water, headache went away. Checked urine it is clear.
There should never be yellow in your urine. If there is, that means you are dehydrated.

Ali and I compared notes. She was drinking about 6 glasses of mixture a day. I was drinking about 5 and a glass of water. We both agreed to up the ante.

Spencer cooked bacon and eggs this morning. Food no longer temps me. Well, let’s see if he cooks chicken wings what happens.

Went to the Bathroom couple of times – mucus and some tidbits from the rear.

Something must have hit home. All of a sudden having major bathroom emergencies.

Great, now I’m really hungry again, have a headache. Want to quit this cleansing. No way I’m staying past 10 days. Low energy.
I WANT TO EAT!!!!

Ali is having a grand ole time. She says she is feeling very spiritual being around food and not eating it. I’m thinking the only way I’ll feel spiritual about this is if I stayed on it for the 40 days…because then I’d see God.

Friday, Dec 22, 2006 – Day 5 –
Walked / ran ½ hour in neighborhood

Did a Connecticut radio show this morning at 8:45
At 9:30 took a Smooth Move – this one is a hundred times better.
Feeling great this morning.
Did my walk/run to get geared up for my four mile midnight run that I do every year in Central Park. I wonder if I can do four miles while on this cleansing. The book says if you feel faint take it easy.
I’m still doing my daily exercise routine. Wonder how much that makes a difference.

Ali and I talk; decide we will do this once a year.
We compared notes. I noticed for me it’s the hardest when I have to prepare food for others, but yet it’s weird it’s almost like I don’t smell the food anymore. Got a piece of cream cheese on my finger when I was making Spencer a bagel. I just stared at it. Should I lick it or not. Decided to be pure to the diet, no food to touch these lips in ten days.

Ali and I decided we should let our doctors know we were on this diet. Plus we both wanted to ask for blood tests after to see the changes.
I had taken a blood test a month before so it was pretty updated.

Ali’s doctor had studied in Russia for a while. She thought it was a great idea. She said in Europe they do cleansings all the time, at least twice a year. She thought it was great.

My family doctor said, “I don’t’ suggest you go on it.”
“Too late, I’m on day 5, not stopping now.”
“Okay, in that case, be safe. I can always count on you Fran to have something new that you’re trying.”

My doctor is more “old fashioned” great beside manner, the type that would still make house calls if they were in style.

My doctor set up the blood test. He said he was curious to see these results as well. He also wants to check in six months after I’m off this diet to see how things are then as well. Great, now I’m going to have to really watch my diet once I’m off this thing. I have to hold up my end of the bargain and not look like a fool. I guess those brownies are going to sit in there forever. (Actually Spencer has been helping out greatly in that department…he sits in front of me eats them with a big smile on his face and says, “Mom, they’re really not that good. I’m just getting them out of the way to help you.”)

Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006 – Day 6- No workout
Lost 8 ½ pounds so far.
Did not take Smooth Move in the morning because I have a three-hour drive to the Aquarium to pet the penguins (previous blog).
Still having some bowel movements – how is this possible!
Took water and two mixtures in the car. Thought it would hard at aquarium not being able to eat junk food. It was fine.
Can’t believe it’s been 6 days.
Made taco dinner for everyone…felt very detached from food.

Sunday, Dec. 24th. 2006 – Day 7- 145.5 no pill – AM workout
Drank Smooth Move. Waited till it took effect then drove my mom and Athena back to Queens.
Ali stopped by the Queens house.
We hadn’t seen each other in a few days. She looked great.
You could see in both our faces that we lost weight.
Ali is leaving in the morning for her trip to California. She has a wedding to go to next Friday there and is debating about coming off the diet or staying on it till New Years.
She spoke to the airlines three times about how she can bring the diet drink on the plane. They told her to pack it in small containers. One guy said she couldn’t bring it on the plane.
Her doctor told her the main thing was for her to make sure she stayed hydrated, that the air in the plane can dry you out.

Ali says friends that haven’t seen her in a week thought she had lipo suction, because the change was so drastic. She had to swear to them it was just the cleansing. They still wanted the name of the surgeon.

Monday, Dec. 25th, 2006 – Day 8 –
REACH GOAL WEIGHT ON CHRISTMAS MORNING.
BEST PRESENT! AM Workout
I did it. I lost 10 pounds in only 8 days!
I am dancing on Christmas morning.

Continued the regular routine.
At one point in day dipped down to a 12-pound loss. But then my body decided, can’t get her too excited and bounced back up to the 10-pound weight loss mark.

Ali called; they took her drinks away from her on the plane.
Wow, I remember the photographer Paul who told me about this diet saying he was allowed to bring it on.

To substitute she drank peppermint tea for the 1st time during the diet and drank tons of water. She was feeling nauseous, but she is still debating about staying on it till New Years.

I’m feeling fine. Just want to eat real food again. Plus I think I need real food in me for the four mile, midnight run.

I was making a hamburger for Spencer and some ketchup got on my finger. I licked it without thinking and then quickly rinsed out my mouth as if I had ingested some toxic poison. I called Ali, okay that’s it…ten days is it for me.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006 – Day 9 –
Walk with Vanessa to end of road

I know I’m coming close to the end, so now I crave food. I could probably go more…but that’s it…I’ve had enough. Worked out hard today to prepare for the run.

Went to nail salon. The women there all said I looked great.
One lady, a real character said, “Oh yeah I went on that diet, except I decided to eat while I was doing it, oh and I also substituted Splenda instead of the maple syrup to cut down on the calories. I lost a pound. I don’t like following instructions!”

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 – Day 10 - END OF CLEANSE
Walk/jog to end of road

Still the same weight. I guess that’s what happens when you visualize a specific number- your body gets stuck there.

It’s 5:35 and I’ve only had three drinks. Have to up the ante.
Tomorrow I will take a blood test at Quest labs in the morning. Ali and I wanted to make this scientific.
Doctor asked for a CBC, BMP, Hepetitus function panel, TSH, T3, T4 etc. Mainly I want to see if my cholesterol level improved. It was high before the fast.

Thursday, Dec 28th, 2006 Day 11- COMING OFF DIET
The book was very specific in saying you must come off this fast slowly. You can’t just jam a ton of milky ways down your throat followed by an eggnog chaser. The first day off they say to just drink orange juice as it gets your stomach ready for real food.
A friend, Gary came over. Haven’t seen him in years, he said I looked great. We decided to take a two-hour hike in my back woods. I was having trouble keeping up. I guess two glasses of OJ in me is not enough to fuel a mountain climbing expedition.

Friday, Dec 29th, 2006 Day 12 –COMING OFF
I weighed myself – I lost 2 more pounds!
Drank orange juice all morning long as instructed.
Counting the hours till dinner when I’m allowed to have vegetable broth soup. Can’t wait to eat.

Some of my friends want to try this cleanse. The others think I’m nuts.

I decided to take a picture of me eating my first bite in 12 days.
See how happy I am. I even cheated a little and ate a few potatoes, carrots and celery. It felt fantastic.

Doc Forim called at 9 p.m. He said, “Your blood results are back, I know you were anxious to hear.”
“Lay it on me doc.”
“Fran your cholesterol is not only good, it’s Excellent!”
I was ecstatic.
“Send me a copy of this book, I’d like to see it.”

After I hung up, my stomach felt woozy. I wound up throwing up everything I ate. I guess it was too much excitement. Okay, okay, I ate the vegetables and I was only supposed to eat the broth. Damn, you can’t cheat on this thing.

I took a mint and drank some peppermint tea to settle my stomach. The book said go back on the cleanse if you’re body is not ready to eat. I started to worry, “Wow, what if I can never eat again.” Yeah, Capo like that’s gonna happen.

In a few hours I took a bite out of a spicy chicken wing, just for the hell of it. Guess what? It stayed down. I guess my body was saying, “You starved me for twelve days and all I get is chicken broth! Are you nuts? Where’s the beef?” (Okay so I settled for chicken.)

Aftermath:
As of this writing it's been 4 days since I’ve been off the cleanse. I lost a total of ten pounds and six and a ½ inches.
I’ve gained 1 pound back but they said gaining a few pounds back is to be expected. I did the four mile midnight New Year’s run and felt great.

I got a daily food regimen from John Basedow who ironically says the same thing as the cleansing book, “No man made products, regardless of cost, will ever successfully replace the perfection of God’s creation.” In other words, eat natural foods, in six small meals a day increments and you can’t go wrong. Oh yeah and your traditional eight glasses of water.

As for Ali, she stayed on the diet till New Years and plans to go back on it again in a month. I‘ll rejoin her next year.

We both agree though that this is as much a physical commitment as it is a mental one. So if you’re up to the challenge…Happy cleansing!