Master Cleanse: After Results

So it's nice to know a couple of people have followed my Master Cleanse posts. Two of the most frequently asked questions are"Does it work?" or "Have I managed to keep the weight off?" - Short answer YES! and YES!

Long answer: Since I started the Master Cleanse I weighted in at 138lbs and looked like this:

 After 2 1/2 weeks of the Master Cleanse I weighted in at 123lbs and looked like this:

Today I weight 120lbs and look like this:

 My measurements went from: (in inches)
Waist:34.5
Arms:10.5
Bust:36
Hips:36
Thighs: 19.5

To this:
Waist: 31
Arms:9.5
Bust:35
Hips:35.5
Thighs: 17.5

Which is awesome! Because my skinny jeans (size 26) are no longer my skinny jeans. They are now my regular size. New skinny jeans are size 23. It's super nice to know I don't have to throw out/give away my beautiful purple jeans. They are awesome :)

But it hasn't been all Peaches and Cream (that sounds so good now!!). A big misconception about the Cleanse is that it will make you loose weight fast (fact), without much effort (ehh...), and you will be able to just BE skinny as soon as you finish the cleanse(SUPER FALSE!!). Like any super fast weight loss programs, the Master Cleanse is more a jump-start to a healthier lifestyle. Even Stanley Burroughs states in his book that this is a gateway for meat-eaters into Vegetarianism. So keeping track of your food intake, making good healthy choices, and exercising on a regular basis are what keep the weight off... and then some.

I keep my cal intake set to 800 (on myfitnesspal.com) and you may think that's a crazy number, but in reality I end up eating between 1000-1200 cals a day. Seeing 800 is what keeps me on track and motivated to work off at least 200 cals on any given day that I eat 1000 cals. By the end of the day my net calorie intake should be between 800-1000. And that's about 45 minutes of running! Not that crazy anymore.

The food I eat is no longer Taco Bell (although on some weekends I allow myself to eat a 300 calorie burrito), but mostly fruits and vegetables. Here's an example of my meal on a regular day.

Breakfast: 
2 packets of Quaker Instant Oatmeal (260 calories and soooo filling!)
2 Tablespoons of my favorite French Vanilla creamer (70)
Lunch:
Cheese (About 1oz is 100 cals)
Apple (80)
2 Plums (70)
Green Tea (0!)
Banana (105)
Slice of bread (90)
Dinner: (I am Chilean so I eat traditional Chilean dinner, which is like a 2nd breakfast)
2 Slices of Toast (180)
Butter (35)
Ham (35)
Muenster Cheese (100)
1/4 of tomato (20)
Tea (0!!)

TOTAL CALORIE INTAKE-> 1,145
So I have to work off about 345 calories to be back at a net intake of 800.
And looking at that menu may seem like I spend a lot of time being hungry but fruits, vegetables and oatmeal make a big part of my day. They are filled with vitamins, nutrients, and fiber that are natural for my body to use. Not the fiber that comes in powders or whatnot. I almost never feel hungry, but when I do I don't refuse to eat a snack. My favorites are cucumber slices, apples, plums, strawberries, cherries, and grapes. Yogurt can be in the mix too but some of them are tricky because they take out a lot of calories and put in a whole lotta chemicals that your body doesn't use, hence few calories that your body DOES use. I usually go for a 1/2 cup of Greek strained yogurt (about 75 cals) topped with honey or fruits or a teaspoon of granola. Make it Yummy!
          

Overall, I'm pretty much happy with the way that I look and feel after shedding 18lbs. I don't have to spend money on brand new (bigger) clothes :D