I have made it. I hope some of you have made it along with me. I finally completed the 10- Day Green Smoothie Cleanse and I am very happy with my results. I want to offset this commentary by stating that I did not start the cleanse with a die-hard goal to lose loads of physical weight. My first goal was to literally start feeling better. I wanted to eliminate the stress and toxins that I felt were embedded in my whole being.
The first three days were hard but not that hard. How? On the GSC you are allowed to eat! But the list is limited.Apples. Vegetables that have a crunch. Square Bars. Tuna. Boiled Eggs. Peanut Butter. Nuts & Seeds. Thats is it. This makes the cleanse a bit easier to follow through with. The hardship I experience was more so the FATIGUE! The fact that I starved my body of the usually starchy foods, white sugars and salt, I experienced an increase of "Please where is my bed!" To offset
this feeling of eat.pray and sleep, I kept myself busy. I visited the floral shop and purchased some vegetables and greens to plant. I also purchased some flowers that smell amazing and planted them right in the front of my house. A bonus is that they are perennials! I found myself giving a little bit more. For example, I cooked a meal for someone else to eat.
Why would you do that? Well I am vain. I will repeat I am vain. I. am. vain. I believe that I am capable of anything once I put my mind to it. I go as far as to be around people who are eating, going out with someone to Red Lobster's, cooking a full-fledge meal and still saying," Shapel you better not cheat yourself."
This mindset literally gets me through all my transformations.
I am a child of God. The Most High. Being crowned by Oshun also increases this idea of supreme self worth and infinite abilities. So it is this faith and belief in self that pushed me to get past the idea of a craving.
Did I mention I was also starting my menstrual cycle on the third day? Yessss. The third day I was a professional contortionist.I refused to take medicine and I refused to go and eat. I was going to get through this cleanse even if it was a double cleanse. I figured that the universe had whispered to me firmly that it was time for a cleanse and I was determined to heed and succeed with that imperative.
Listening. As a language teacher, I am sensitive to the fact that listening is not something we do very well. We suffer. Listening is so important. In relationships we suffer because we listen to only hear when we can respond. I am so guilty of doing this in the past. Now a days I catch myself mid-act and I interrupt myself and say, "Listen to understand." I think I'll come back to this topic late but the point I really wanted to begin was about listening to your body. I was on my cycle and I am working full-time in a middle school commuting to the South Bronx every weekday. On half of those weekdays I also commute to Manhattan where I attend evening classes for Graduate school per a Teaching Fellowship program. So we are talking about waking up at 5:00am and getting home around 10:00pm. Talk about another test when going through a cleanse! My body said it needed the peanut butter and the nuts. So guess what? I ate as much peanut butter and nuts as I wanted. Remembering that my goal was to feel good and to be gentle to my self and my body. Do not get that confuse to caving in to temptations. Because trust, I also had little pangs telling me to whip up a Veggie Burger just one time lol.
Days 4- Day 7 were critical. I maintain snacking on veggies, eggs (I've been semi-vegan lol I have eaten a few boiled eggs with no flare ups Thank the Lourde), and fruit. Let me pause, now you are not technically suppose to eat fruit on the Cleanse. However, my body craved citrus and oranges and grapefruits were my go to. I also ate an Asian pear one day it was scrumptious. Now let us get to self-talk. During this time, I had people in my life trying to break me. What do I mean by that? I ad situations and conversations that stressed me out. Because I allowed it. I allowed people to get to me. I allowed situations to get to me. At the time I would just be so fatigued by the end of the day and just plop in my bed excited to have made it to the next day. Getting proper rest is very important but falling asleep just to make it to your next landmark is not healthy. I gave myself good words and was my best cheerleader because I was doing this for me. And. I deserve the best.
Day 6 and Day 7 I decided to fully commit to changing my reactions to things and practice being present and aware of my surroundings. What better practice than practicing Gratitude? None. As I raced to the city to attend an orientation, I stopped and noticed these beautiful red tulips and looked at my Bible verse for the day.
Jude 1:20-21 "But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], pray in the Holy Spirit,21 and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ [which will bring you] to eternal life." God is Love. Complete and unconditional Love. These two things caused me to literally have a brighter day.
This spirit carried out into the last three days of my cleanse. I am sure annoyed some people and inspired them at the same time. Thanks be to the Good of the Universe. I mean I was really bouncing around. I was so PUMPED to finish and finish strong.
BUT...
Another test decided to try me on Day....10 at 12:51pm.
Seriously.
I went to the staff room and saw potatoes like the ones with sazon and peppers. I took the spoon and plopped two little pieces in my hand and put it in my mouth. It was so outer body. Immediately my spirit awaken to what I was doing and before I could chew and swallow I took the potatoes right out my mouth scrapping my tongue and threw them away. I rinsed my mouth with water and said,"Shapel you will not cheat on your self." True Story.
When I went home I drank my last smoothie for the cleanse and completed some work before dozing off like a boss and champion.
Today I am awake, proud, glowing and still treating myself like GOLD. Just like I use to. This time I will be even better! Optimal wellness and health is always a goal.
My final results are:
11.5 lbs down!
Better awareness
Heighten sensitivity
Clearer skin
Clarity
More goal-oriented
More optimistic
Less stressed
More energy in the mornings
More elasticity in joints
Full fast
Less aches in joints
More inspired
Focused more on God
Clothes fit better
Next Up 30 Days <3 ie: Green Smoothies for Life!
Peace and Blessings!