Leigh is a good, no GREAT family friend. When she told me that her and a few work colleagues were going to try the Clean Program together (which is a great idea-having someone to hold you accountable and understand what you’re going through is so important when trying something new!) I asked her to write a review and take notes as to how she felt each day so I could share it on here, fortunately she did! If you haven’t read the CLEAN book I highly recommend it (along with many other eye opening, jaw dropping-health food books).
So here it is…Leigh’s journey through the Clean Program.
The “Clean Program” was designed by Dr. Junger, MD. He explains how toxins enter our bodies through the food we eat, the air we breathe and the products we put on our bodies. Our body traps these toxins in a thick layer of mucus then stores them in order to eliminate later. When we sleep, the body spends about 8 hours digesting our food, and then the next 4 hours removing these jailed toxins. Because of modern day processed foods, chemicals, environmental damage and lack of sleep, our bodies are over-toxined. Dr. Junger suggests spending 21 days eating an easily digestible non irritating alkaline diet (think newborn baby), and fasting 12 hours from dinner to breakfast to greatly aid in our body’s natural detox process. Also, after the 21 days, he recommends adding food back one item at a time to identify any adverse reactions, such as finding out if dairy is responsible for all your acne and bloating or if you have sensitivity to wheat products (possibly Celiac Disease). Again, just like introducing food to a newborn there is some common sense here!
I first learned about Dr. Junger’s “Clean Program” from Gwyneth Paltrow’s web site www.goop.com. She had enough information and recipes on her site, that I bought a juicer and tried my own detox. After one week I lost a lot of bad cravings and added a few fabulous recipes to my collection.
I decided to dig deeper and I purchased and read “Clean” by Dr. Junger. It was an eye opener and I highly recommend reading it. I decided that I would go the easier route this time and I purchased the “Clean Detox Kit” and committed to a program that consisted of supplements, shakes and only one solid meal for lunch for the next 21 days. Here are my daily comments:
Day 0: I was a little shocked to see all the pill bottles (5) and big containers for the shakes (4).
Day 1: I took my first supplement on an empty stomach as per the instructions. I can’t take ANYTHING on an empty stomach without feeling nauseous, but I felt surprisingly fine. I made my first shake for breakfast – it was NOT good! I made it with Rice Milk and some ice. I was a bit disappointed. I choked down my 4 breakfast supplements. Before I knew it, it was lunch time. Where did the time go? I wasn’t even that hungry for lunch. My lunch was derived from the list of “acceptable foods”. I made enough the night before for lunch for the week. I sautéed (all organic) broccoli, carrots and celery in sesame seed oil with sea salt and pepper and put it over brown rice. It was a very yummy meal. Before I knew it, and without much thought of being hungry it was 5pm. I decided that having a freezing cold shake at home while my boyfriend ate a delicious hot meal was too much to handle. I told him I would be a little late and to heat up a bowl of chili. I made a shake and headed to Wegmans for some organic frozen wild blueberries. I was home by 7pm and wasn’t craving anything! I was able to pack my boyfriends lunch and not secretly down any food. I surprised myself!
Day 2: I added the blueberries to the shakes and the taste greatly improved. I am disappointed in a strange way that this program is too easy! I’m thankful that I had a yoga class after work and didn’t have to face dinner at home.
Day 3: I was hungry for that shake this morning! I put in a few extra blueberries and ice and chewed and chewed on that for a good hour. Before I knew it, it was lunch time. I was ready for it and it was yummy! At 5 I made my dinner shake and headed to Swiss Chalet to pick up dinner for my sister and her family (she just had a baby). I held the baby while everyone ate. I was really fine.
Day 4: I was a tad bit concerned about what Dr. Junger considers “the key to success” regular bowel movements. He stresses that “the bowels are where most of the toxins will be eliminated from so it is very important to empty your bowels frequently and abundantly”. Dr. Junger says to NOT let a day go by without at least one bowel movement. One I can manage, but it was kind of stressing me out! I picked up some Swiss Kriss this morning… I’m going to give it a try.
Day 4: I’ve never taken a laxative until yesterday. Swiss Kriss was extremely gentle and seemed to give me a little more “frequency and abundance” that I was looking for. Yippee.
Day 5: My first Saturday wasn’t too bad. Up early, made a shake and headed to yoga class. Then off to Wegmans. I decided to have a shake for lunch and went to dinner that night. Not too bad, had a chicken and veggie stir-fry on rice – of course none of it was organic and the rice was white!
Day 6: I took a shake in the car with me on our way to BREAKFAST! Something my boyfriend and I do every Sunday. I ordered a hot tea and sat and chatted, and I was FINE!
Day 7: I had the freezing cold shake for breakfast, and an enjoyable lunch of chicken, rice and veggies. I had a shake on my way home from work. Then things started getting really miserable. I had a HOT bowl of homemade chicken and rice soup that night. L
Day 8: I lost 4 pounds and I have to say that my skin is looking pretty good! I wore a pair of jeans to work that one week ago I couldn’t do up. This sounds like a wonderful report BUT somehow I left work WITHOUT my dinner shake or supplements, so I had soup for dinner. L Just DO the shakes, TAKE the supplements, and THEN do a little cheating if you MUST. Once the shake and supplements are down, cheating is much less likely.
Day 9: The hunger is not there but the longing for warm fresh bread and butter is overwhelming.
Day 10: Hungry? Negative. Satisfied? Negative. Grumpy? Affirmative.
Day 11: I look good! Skin looks good, face is less puffy, and my jeans fit.
Day 12: Helpful tip. Do this program in the summer!!
Day 13: Is it over yet?
Day 14: There is little desire for shakes at this point and I find myself waiting longer and longer to make them. When I make them I’m using half scoops.
Day 15: I’ve been thinking (now that I have so much extra time on my hands with NOT EATING!!) HOW many toxins were lingering in my body when I started? How many will I get rid of in these 3 weeks? Will I be clean as a new born? Why 21 days?
Day 16: Where’s the beef?
Day 17: I’m not a happy camper!
Day 18: Almost done!
Day 19: Yes I know I’m a cry baby – but I love food!
Day 20: I’ve lost a total of 5 stubborn lbs. J
Day 21: I’m done!
Final thoughts:
After reading clean, and going through the Clean Detox Program a few things will “stick” with me:
I will juice more! (My favorite juice: Kale, pear, apple, ginger, lemon, celery)
I will greatly reduce my intake of dairy (I am a big fan of “So Delicious” Coconut Milk)
I will incorporate more meals that are organic, alkaline, and easy for my body to digest.
I will incorporate more raw food into my diet.
Most importantly I will do my best to give my body 12 hours every night to do its thing.
My final recommendation: split the book and the product with 3 friends. Do the “cleanse” for 7 days each. To extend beyond the 7 days, you can have approved juices and soups as a replacement for the shakes. Supplements can be purchased separately.
Thank you Leigh!!!
If you’re interested in information on the Clean Program, click here! Come back and share your story:)
