I gave up all my vices – Coffee, Alcohol, Gluten, Sugar, Dairy And Meat for 21 days!  I did this because I wanted to lose weight and feel better.  I also needed to eat differently but I did not know where to begin.  A friend told me about Dr. Junger’s 21 day cleanse and I decided to give it a go.  I liked the idea that he was a Doctor and had written a cookbook called “Clean Eats” and I was curious to see if I had any food sensitivities.

Not eating after 8 at night I must admit was the hardest part along with omitting coffee and cheese.  I’m usually “not going by the rules” kind of person but I was curious to see what the results would be when I was finished.  Low and behold I was blown away with my experience.

Here’s what I learned:

1.  My Bloating went away.

For as long as I can remember I have always had a bloated stomach.  After 1 week I did not have a bloated stomach and my digestive tract felt cleaner and healthier.  After the 21 Day I re-introduced Gluten back into my diet and I became bloated and “gassy.”   That is proof in the pudding!

2.  At night I felt at ease and slept better.

Having a nursing background I have always known that the body needs rest and nourishment during the sleep cycle and the digestive tract needs a rest from breaking down food.  Having that 12 hour period without food was quiet time for my body and my body was not hyped up from caffeine, sugar or alcohol.  I also felt keeping a clean diet was effective of not having my system raise havoc.  I also woke up feeling like I had a good night’s rest.

3.  I pooped every day!

Need I say more.

4.  I became more conscious of what I put into my mouth!

It  forced me to be attentive to what I was buying and what nutritional value the food had.  You would be amazed what sources of food has protein in it.  It was also important to note how I felt after I ate certain foods.  I felt much lighter overall and my digestive tract did not have to work as hard.

5.  Brain fog went by the wayside.

My thoughts were clearer and I was less anxious.

6.  My mood was brighter and my Central Nervous System was more at ease.

I’m attributing my calmness to no sugar, caffeine and who knows no gluten and dairy.  I remember a week after I came off the cleanse I had a can of ginger ale and instantaneously I felt exhausted and my brain was in a fog.  The first week of the cleanse “I was fit to be tied” and after that I felt more even keeled.

7.  Put me on tract for a “better eating cycle”

I decided that my health was important to me and taking the time to investigate my eating choices was worth it to me.  After 21 days I was more mindful of what I put in my mouth and how my body reacted to the food.  IT was as if I broke an old habit and began a new one.   I was making conscious choices and stayed on an eating schedule.

8.  I became more Confident and looked better.

Doing something for myself and feeling healthier and lighter gave me a boost of confidence.  Friends would ask what have I done differently and wanted information about this cleanse.

9.  I loved my juices, smoothies and food choices!

The receipes are endless with this cleanse.

10.  You don’t need to sign up and do his protocol (unless you find it helpful).  I just got his information off line and did it on my own.

11.  Your worth it!

Proper nutrition is important for your well-being.

12.  Yes, you still can have dessert! 

I love desert  and that has always been the hardest part for me until I started experimenting with other options such as gluten free, whole foods and different replacements for sugar.

13.  When you make conscious choices your life always improves.

 

With love,  Anne

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Anne Lamantia