New to this site? This is one of 4 posts on my 21 Day Standard Process Purification experience. If you haven’t already, be sure to read the first 3 posts of this series.

Now onto the juicy stuff!

I feel awesome. I have so much energy and I am the leanest I’ve been in 5 years; at least strongest and body fat percentage. This is a BIG deal. I don’t have the healthiest genes coming into 25 years of type 1 diabetes and just over 2 years with a low thyroid. Weight comes off like molasses, and after doing this program, it seems easy. I better be careful, I am going to be jinxed for saying that!

But I am now convinced. We need to have a liver tune-up annually if not every quarter. The liver really is our fat-burning organ, and after concluding this program, I now want to position a cleanse as a priority with my weight loss clients.

img_4301

Concluding Remarks:

  • MEASUREMENTS: So how much weight did I lose? Nearly 5 pounds! I was definitely pleased. While I weighed in on day 1 and 21, I also thought about doing tape measure measurements, but easily decided I didn’t want to get stuck on any numbers as I went about the program.  I wanted to 1) focus on gaining the most healthy as possible, 2) not weigh in during the program at all, and 3) use my appetite and listening skills to zero in on what my body was craving for food choices. If I were to hop on the scale daily, I would have let my dietitian brain take over and dictate my meals. Additionally, I started this program at one of my lowest weights in the last 2 years. Concluding the 3 weeks I was shocked to see I lost any additional weight. No doubt, I am pleased, but I am even happier with how healthy I feel. The only bad news? I really need to break up with coffee. In the meantime, green tea/matcha is doing the trick.
  • TOOLS: A few things I really valued during this cleanse, besides the obvious sweet potatoes, included:
    • A good blender. I am thankful I had a blender that could liquefy everything from beets, and carrots to spinach.
    • A food processor. I used this when I started making pancakes out of the SP protein powder for breakfast,
    • Coconut butter and coconut flakes – may be a bigger love, over sweet potatoes,
    • Bananas – they always made a smoothie better. I typically used half of a banana or 1/3 of one,
    • Avocados,
    • Raw pumpkin seeds,
    • Fresh herbs and ginger. I loved ginger in the smoothies,
    • The literature provided with the program includes the Guide the 1 Degree of Change Cookbook. While I did not obsessively use either, the list of allowed foods was important and I loved looking over recipes just to gather meal ideas.
    • Journaling. Regardless of what program I am doing, tracking how I feel and what I am doing is so powerful. Journaling allowed me to put more faith into the program, noticing the smallest changes, which I believe generated more results. This practice helped me capture the mind-body aspect of this protocol.
  • ADVICE: For anyone considering this 21-day program, you are in good hands. This cleanse is a real food-based program, with food-based supplements and herbs. I was never hungry and the cleanse targeted organ nourishment and support. I feel different and a better version of myself. Be sure to order your product well ahead of time and read the Guide and Cookbook front to back before beginning. This cleanse was honestly easy, but it was only easy because I went into each day having an idea of what foods I was going to put together for my meals and snacks. Batch cooking is key, and forgo the scale and measurements while conducting the detox, so you can use your true senses of what your body needs for fuel and repair. Shop smartly. I bought a lot of the ingredients from Thrive Market, and got wild seafood, protein and vegetables from bargain groceries. I did not have to go to expensive markets to do this program. All in all, no matter what cleanse people do/nutrition coaches recommend, they need to be recommended uniquely. Send me an email if you want help deciding.
  • MODIFICATIONS: This exact cleanse recommends no animal protein until day 11. I, however, would advise clients to do at least day 1-3 with no animal protein, and if able day 1-5. As for eggs, they are not advised, but if someone knows they are no sensitive to them, and will have less stress with the program, to go ahead and include them. The cleanse also suggests one can use quinoa and lentils, and I’d only use those if needed during the vegetarian phase. If able, I’d remove quinoa, lentils, and eggs entirely. Lastly, I would not limit fat. I suggest clients use their intuition and appetite in regulating fat intake.
  • DETOXING: In addition to removing many allergens from the diet (dairy. gluten, corn, soy, beans) I incorporated hot yoga, dry brushing, trampoline work and focused on fluids more than what was emphasized in the Guide. I also avoided quinoa.

Day 15 – Like last weekend we went out and stayed up late. With this, I woke with a roaring appetite. I made a pancake out of the cleanse protein powder. If you are curious about such recipes, download the free Standard Process app on your smartphone. In all, the pancake was just what I needed. My Sunday played out as expected.

Day 16 – Monday – feeling lean and mean. Workouts are great and my mind is clear.

Day 17 – Tuesday – I was headed back home from a visit at my sister’s with her and her 3 little boys and my mom. The day went fine, but we stopped at Chipotle for lunch. I abide by the rules with allowed foods but had the fajita vegetables on a salad with chicken. I should have gone with their pork because it is not cooked with soybean oil, and should have left out the fajita vegetables. They too are cooked in low-quality oil and I could feel it. I felt moody and had cravings. As soon as I got home from the long drive, I had a bowl of sweet potato wedges seasoned with coconut oil/butter and sea salt. I closed the night, grounding myself and attending a hot yoga session.

Day 18 – Woke determined to finish strong. I had a pancake I made from the SP protein powder, a shake for lunch, and a salad and turkey for dinner. Fish is recommended to be the first animal protein choice, but I went with what I had on hand as were are finishing up some items before we leave town again for Christmas. One really cool thing today – I felt like my workout was on fire. I pushed myself so hard and I was proud of how much weight I lifted and the level of intent I put into my exercise. I think I was smiling while I was running too. Maybe it was my food and re-focus on the program, and or I was in the Christmas spirit.

Day 19 – My mind is on the finish line, but also reviewing how I want to carry on after this program. I think I am going to move towards a paleo AIP diet, but I will mix in the SP protein powder for smoothies or pancakes and continue to eat a lower animal protein lunch. I think the way I adapted my lunch during this 21 days was the biggest needle pusher for a better physique and my energy.

Day 20 – A full day of last-minute Christmas shopping and enjoying the day and lunch with my mom for her birthday. I did have wine on our date, but I felt fine and I was sure to enjoy it without feeling guilty.

Day 21 – Christmas Eve! I feel great and cheers the cleanse for everything it gave me.

 

JANUARY CLEANSE – If you are interested in doing a cleanse in the New Year, Standard Process is kicking off their 21 Day Standard Process Purification program with a webinar on the 9th of January, and the diet/supplement regime starts on the 10th. Let me know if you need to order a kit, and I will get you what you need. Their cleanse has dairy free and a standard version (both ~ $235)

This program has a Guide and a full eBook (1 Degree of Change) with step-by-step meal plans and a free app you can download, which has tracking tools, shopping lists/list builder, and recipes from the meal plan.

A lot of information, but all of the above makes the program really easy to follow. Hope you have a healthy New Year and the entire 2017 in whatever way you choose to strive for your best health.

For people wanting to do this cleanse in January, be sure to reach out to me w/ interest.