Cleanses

[bmccasland]

Just steer clear of the three day beer and whiskey diet. This one I definitely know about.

Um Zen dear, was this in your misspent and misguided youth? And how is a 3 day drunk hangover?

[7rider]

Um Zen dear, was this in your misspent and misguided youth? And how is a 3 day drunk hangover?

I think this was last weekend!!!

[Velobambina]

My mom used to "cleanse" every Friday during Lent. The real-deal hardcore "mick" fasting--only water and coffee. We used to steer clear of her. She seemed to reach for the wooden spoon (paddle) more readily during Fridays in Lent.

Each to his/her own. Fasting/cleansing isn't for me. I won't get my cholesterol or blood tested because I refuse to fast. I need to eat regular or I turn into a Strega.

My idea of cleansing my system is eating no junk food for a couple days in a row. Happens only when I have the stomach flu.

[Pedal Wench]

Could anyone who's had success with a cleanse post what they've done, what they drink (just water, lemon juice, broth, whatever) so we'll know which plans might work and which to avoid? I've been looking at the Stanley Burroughs one.

[velogirl]

There's a great book I can recommend called "The Detox Diet." It's a bit misleading since the word "diet" implies weight loss. The book covered all types of detoxes (nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, red meat, sugars, etc). I think before anyone considers a detox, she really needs to think about her goals in doing so. This is not, in and of itself, a quick fix for weight loss.

I do not fast when I detox. I use an OTC supplement product to cleanse (Detox 7, Simple Greens, etc) and then I prescribe to a low glycemic eating plan (no fruits, only low-glycemic veggies, lean meats, no caffeine or alcohol). I usually end up restricting calories just because the foods I'm eating are not very calorie dense. And I drink a ton of water! It's almost impossible to do this when I'm riding long or hard, so there is a definitely a trade-off but I actually think the break a few times a year is good for me.

I started doing this in 2003 while I was working with a coach who really believed in the benefits of detox. If for no other reason than psychological, it makes me feel clean and fresh and healthy. My docs are fine with it as well.

Then again, a 3-day beer diet makes me feel something too!

[OakLeaf]

There were just a few stories in the news recently about how mainstream medicine has recognized the benefits of regular fasting. LA Times, AP.

There are a lot of different ways to cleanse (modified fasting, fasting plus enemas, laxatives, fiber supplements, blood detox supplements, liver supporting supplements, chelation therapy, any combination of the above).

I haven't fasted in ages, but 3-5 day juice fasts always made me feel really good (and I was able to do long rides at an easy pace during fasts).

There's another thing to consider, and that's food allergies. Something like 80% of Americans are allergic and/or sensitive to common foods. So some of the benefit you feel from fasting may really be from avoiding certain foods, not all foods. IMO everyone should try an allergy challenge diet at some point in their adult life (which is almost more of a hassle than fasting, but well worth it if you do identify food allergens).

[Zen]

And how is a 3 day drunk hangover?