We Like It Raw - Notes on a 7 Day Cleanse
We are generally pretty healthy. By conservative estimates we exercise 4-5 times a week, eat probably 60% organic with the other 40% containing lots of low fat options. We try our best (of course our burrito love is no secret)(and that of the hooch as well). Still over the past 6 months age and time has caused some of our health habits to slip and we really wanted to get "back on the train". So we decided to go ultra-healthy and do a 7 day raw cleanse (including no alcohol - or wine in the raw case). We did the research and planned for the week after Memorial Day and Summercamp. Below is a short day-by-day break down and report on the cleanse.
Day 1 - Even though we didn't eat terrible at Summercamp, we spent 2 of the 3 days drinking for 15 hrs plus and on our return to Chicago we did have a couple less-than-healthy meals to recoup from the Fest. Still day 1 went pretty smoothly. Maybe it was hard for us to notice because we were fairly busy. We ran in the morning, had class at U of C in the afternoon and then went to the Cubs game at night. There was definitely some temptation at the game for a beer or maybe a post-game pub grub with the boys, but all and all besides a little late night temptation and slight mental adjustment, we seemed fine.
Day 2 - From the beginning, day 2 was not as easy. We woke up feeling drained, ate and never got the energy going. By afternoon we were listless and mentally-dead. We probably over-ate, but it wasn't enough. By night time it truly felt like we were on a lite-trip of some sort of drug. Our body was limp, mind unfocused and we even got the giggles a couple times for no reason. We went to bed feeling pretty crummy, hoping day 3 would go better.
Day 3 - Pretty much a repeat of Day 2. Took a nap even to try and boost the energy, but it did little to help. More of the same physical, mental and emotional withdrawal. Amazing that cutting out all the carbs, caffeine and chemicals from even a pretty healthy diet can mess with the mind and thoughts the way this was.
Day 4 - We started the day at Raw which is an excellent little raw food deli just to the west of the Loop. The food was simply amazing. From a bread substitute to an apple crisp to "meatballs" the blandness of the cleanse was gone for a meal. We also got some power bars to go and day 4 certainly was more positive all and all. There was still a slight lack of energy, but we seemed to have turned the corner.
Day 5 - The night before we had a horrible night sleep which was unlikely from the cleanse. But it was hard to gauge overall energy when not on a solid nights sleep. After a speaking engagement we had at Northwestern we took a nap and felt better the rest of the day. There was still a general lack of motivation which is probably tied more to the absence of caffeine.
Day 6 - Much more even day. Still not motivated to do much work, so we tried some cold Yerba Matte tea which gave a slight boost for exercise and another excursion to a restaurant with raw options - Karyn's on Green. Small, but good raw options including ice cream! Very nice place and overall healthy food and sleek vibe.
Day 7 - Feeling much better which could be attributed to an adjustment or mentally knowing its almost over. Drank Matte again today which helped. Will ease back into the "normal" diet tomorrow w/ a couple non-raw items.
Day 8 - Started morning with banana. About 1.5 hrs later had egg (organic)(organic is a big part of our diet normally). Felt fine. Ate hand full of nuts and worked out. Very unenergetic workout. Ate a salad before class. Very lethargic in class despite having tea (possibly from very hot weather). For dinner had handful of nacho chips, then small salad (with cooked onions), piece of turkey sausage and then for dessert a small bowl of nuts, with handful of Life cereal, Peanut Butter and coconut milk. This was the topper and sent our stomach into fits. Settled down and felt near normal later. Coming off cleanse very hard to plan and predict, so not surprised by any of the happenings.
Day 9 - Pretty much back to normal. Still only drinking tea and no alcohol (which we're going try and avoid until months end). No mood issues or physical limitations.
Summary - The biggest thing we took away from this 7-day raw cleanse is that our body is way to accustomed to processed foods (again this coming from an already healthy diet) and caffeine. To have the mental, physical and emotional issues we did says plenty. There didn't appear to be any weight lose, but after adjusting there is a different kind of lightness that one feels. The main advice we'd share for those preparing for a raw cleanse is to ready yourself for a 2-3 day adjustment period. We certainly will be doing another one soon, maybe a 3 day. Stay tuned.
