Hi everyone! I hope you are all having a fantastic week so far. We are so close to Friday! On Monday, I began a 3-day cleanse and let me tell you – it kicked my ass, but in a good way.

During the cleanse, I had 3 smoothies a day. I was also able to drink ONLY tea and water. It was a bitch, to say the least. AND, there are people out there who make it through 5 day cleanses and even people who fast for days on end! How do you guys do it? (Seriously, if you’ve done this – let know how you did it!)

It was a struggle, as I’m completely guilty of having a late night snack and not sticking to healthy eating. I also tend to reach for at least one soda a day and usually begin my days with a cup of coffee.

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This cleanse, although it was only a measly 3 days, really taught me a lot about myself and my body. I figured I would share with you, since a lot of people opt to do cleanses.

Day 1:

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I awoke that day fully rested and ready to take on the cleanse. To say I was overly arrogant would be an understatement. I had that “give em’ hell” attitude and I promised myself that it was only 3 days and that I shouldn’t complain about it. I was ready, or so I thought. (You see, I had been eating like absolute shit since Thanksgiving, so my body was used to sugar, grease and all that nasty, yet delicious stuff that’s bad for us).

Breakfast Smoothie #1:

• Raspberries
• Coconut Water
• 1/2 of an Orange
• 1/2 of a Mango
• 3 Mint Leaves

The smoothie turned out great. It was tasty and although I did yearn for the cup of coffee I was used to, it really wasn’t all that bad. After finishing breakfast smoothie #1, I had a cup of green tea with lemon.

My morning went smoothly. I didn’t feel anything but rejuvenated and ready to carpe diem.

I sat down at my desk and began writing, like usual. I believe I worked on a fictional piece I am writing along with a freelance article that was only about 800 or so words. I finished my work around noonish, only experiencing a couple of stomach growls.

Lunch Smoothie #1:

• a Handful of Spinach
• Coconut Water
• A cup of Strawberries
• A Kiwi
• 1/2 of Pineapple
• 3 Mint Leaves

Again, the smoothie wasn’t bad. It tasted pretty good but it took me a little longer to finish. (I’m not used to eating breakfast or lunch – a bad habit I was using the 3 day cleanse to break). I got it down. I read for a bit, cleaned up a bit and went back to my desk, (fully intending to do a small workout after I finished up some more work).

Well, the work was finished and I scurried into the living room to do my 25 minute workout. I struggled a bit, but nothing too terrible. It wasn’t until after that workout that I went to take a shower and felt very faint.

It may have been the heat, (I fainted in a sauna once in college). Anyhow, I made it but pulled a living meme and sat on my bed in a towel for around fifteen minutes. (Cliche, right?)

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I suppose I timed day 1 out poorly, as my “dinner smoothie” wouldn’t be until 4:30. Hunger was beginning to catch up with me. Writing, which is usually as natural to me as breathing, wasn’t working. My thoughts were mushing together and what I wrote came off as more of a scrambled rant than an actual piece of writing.

Dinner Smoothie #1:

• 3 Cups of Spinach
• Coconut Water
• 1/2 Avocado
• Some celery
• A Kiwi
• 1/2 Pineapple

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I was hungry as hell at this point so I smashed that smoothie, barely tasting the avocado (thankfully, because I really don’t like them). Completely unsatisfied, I looked at my fiance and said, “I can’t believe I’m doing this. It sucks so bad.”

He was, in part, doing the cleanse as well but has much more willpower than I do. He laughed and simply replied, “Hey, you’ve been saying you wanted to do this since Thanksgiving. It’s only the first day.”

Of course, he was right but I could feel my inner drama queen emerging as the day turned into night. The snacks I usually had were dancing through my head. The hunger monster was brewing but I was able to fight it off and go to bed WAY earlier than I usually do at around 11:30 that night.

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I had survived Day 1 with few issues.

Day 2:

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I woke up feeling normal, not hungry or tired which surprised me. I didn’t even curse at my alarm clock, (something I’m known to do at times). I had my morning smoothie, which was essentially the same as the one I had the first day, but I added a bit more raspberries. (I love raspberries).



On to my green tea and to my laptop I went, feeling perhaps a bit “off” but again, not too terrible. I got some work done, but not nearly enough. Focusing was becoming more difficult, even when I implemented my many “focus” tricks. It just wasn’t there.

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After my lunch smoothie, some lemon ginger tea and a very intense self pep talk, I was in full struggle mode. I attempted a light workout and every part of my body felt heavier and harder to move. I stopped halfway through and collapsed on the couch for a “power nap” that turned into almost 2 hours! (yikes!)

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Dinner Smoothie #2:

• 2 Handfuls of Spinach
• A cup of Strawberries
• A 1/2 cup of Raspberries
• 1/3 cup of Avocado
• Coconut Water
• 4 Mint Leaves
• 1/2 Kiwi

I massacred that smoothie and was left feeling almost too full. The cleanse was doing one thing I wanted it to for certain: my stomach was shrinking. Before, I never would’ve felt full after that but, the feeling didn’t last long. I was weak, but I was consuming a lot more water, (something I intend to do A LOT more of this year).

I hit the pillow and was out. No insomnia, just pure tiredness. I slept like the dead. 

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Day 3:

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Well, I woke up, again feeling rested but the hunger was there so I quickly made my last breakfast smoothie of my 3 day cleanse and chugged it. (Mindful eating wasn’t on my mind like it should’ve been).

I could feel how weak I was but I noticed something else. My skin looked brighter. My complexion appeared better. Aside from the hunger and weakness, I truly did feel better.

I should note that during this 3 day period, I still took ALL my vitamins. (I needed every bit of nutrients I could get).

I won’t sugarcoat it. Day 3 was a struggle. I had a Doctor’s appointment that day. Sluggishly, I got dressed. I was pretty dazed on the way there, like time was just moving around me while I was standing still, (dramatic, I know. But, true.)

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I saw my doctor and my blood pressure was 118/75. Probably the best it’s ever been, (I have severe anxiety and my blood pressure usually jumps when I go into any doctor’s office).

It was a good visit. Everything was great, including my heart. She didn’t even want to take blood, (something that she does about every 5 months, to monitor my vitamin D levels). We even discussed a pretty big step that I’ll share when the time comes.

After getting my prescriptions filled, it was time to hit up the grocery store to follow through with my healthy meal planning, (when I could finally have solid food again). Well, I almost fainted in Wal-Mart. It’s to be expected, (I hate that freaking store and firmly believe that it’s an utter Hell hole).

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Anyway, I made it home for my final smoothie. I was tired. My body felt like it was in starvation mode. (Again, I’m kind of dramatic). I was “Hangry” as it’s said and my mood was pretty shitty. I was snappy. I was ready for Wednesday to be OVER. I wanted to freaking eat again!

Every little thing was pissing me off. So, I had some lemon ginger tea and headed to bed. I read about 8 chapters of the book I’m reading on my Kindle and finally fell asleep. My dreams were vivid and strange. I awoke several times that night.

But – It was OVER. I’d made it. 

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What I learned from my 3-Day Cleanse:

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I woke up today and felt supreme joy as I brewed my coffee. For the first time in years, I had breakfast, (something I’ve been wanting do daily for a LONG time). It was just a small bowl of cereal but it was amazing. FINALLY – actual food!

So, what did I learn from my 3-day Cleanse?

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• First off, I learned that my “late night snack” craving was just that – a craving. I didn’t need it. I’ll still probably indulge, but only with healthy foods. (Tomatoes will likely be my main choice).
• I learned that I am stronger than those food cravings. I eat out of boredom A LOT. It’s habit, and it’s one I need to break.
• NEVER take food for granted again. EVEN healthy food that isn’t necessarily something I want to eat, but rather something that I SHOULD be eating.
• I’m a lot tougher than I give myself credit for but I can be a real asshole when I’m cranky and I really, really need to work on that.
• Health > the gratification of “good tasting” food 
• Healthy food CAN taste good too! It’s just a matter of adding the right healthy ingredients.

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What Differences I noticed TODAY, after my 3-day Cleanse:

• After having breakfast, I feel so much more energized. I’m more motivated. Maybe it’s because I completed the cleanse and am proud or it could be an effect of the cleanse itself. Who knows? I’m just glad.
• My skin looks better! Seriously, my pores appear smaller and the breakouts I had been experiencing on my jawline are gone 🙂
• I have a stronger urge to eat healthier and be healthier overall.
• I crushed my workout without complaining about it in my head while I did it. (Something I usually always do).
• I feel better, overall.

So, was it worth it? Yes. It was worth it. Did it suck? Yup.

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One of my New Year’s Resolutions got crossed off today and that felt great 🙂

Have you ever done a cleanse? How did you do it and did you notice any benefits? Let me know in the comments 🙂

Stay healthy, you lovely nerds <3