Today marks one week on the detox, and I am feeling fantastic!  I lost 4 lbs. last week, but beyond that my body feels so much more svelte!  Now I am not saying that you could bounce a quarter off of my a$$ yet, but a little less jiggle provides me with the motivation to stick to the program so that I can experience results in weeks two and three.

More Good Stuff:  I am feeling much more energetic.  Over the holidays, my energy level was at an all-time low because of all of the junk that I was eating. I am also noticing that some joint pain that I was having before the program has subsided.  Both my sinuses as well as my mind feel so much clearer.  I feel much less stressed.

Some Not-So-Good Stuff: I am experiencing some irritations in my skin- I have a few breakouts as well as itchy spots.  These are normal reactions as the toxins are leaving my body.

My cravings are really starting to subside.  Two weeks ago it would have been my own personal hell to watch my family eat this while I ate my  veggies… but on Friday night, that’s just what I did.

Mike by the way, has started a modified version of the cleanse.  He caved and ate a piece of leftover pizza on Saturday, and felt so much better… so we have decided to add just a few healthy carbs into his diet, but otherwise.. he is sticking to the program and is feeling great.

Last night I was dreaming of carbs.  Seriously- pizza, bread smothered with butter and pastas of all kinds.  But when I stood up this morning and my hubby said “You look skinny” I am able to put all of those carbs out of my mind.

I have been so humbled by the many notes and e-mails that I have received from all of you who are inspired by this challenge.  Some are following on the Standard Process plan with me, some are doing a modified version, and some are just gathering the stregnth to start a weight loss journey.  Either way- thank you.

I am not going to lie- this program takes commitment.  After walking in the door at 6:00 each night, I am generally spending an extra hour preparing our food.  Also, you have to go food shopping about every day or two, as organic food does not have a long shelf life… but then again, isn’t that normal?  In every other country in the world, people go to markets daily and buy their food.  Here, in America, we expect our produce to last a week in the fridge.  If your produce does last a week in the fridge, then you are ingesting a ton of preservatives and other chemicals along with your fruits and veggies.  My kids are receiving residual benefits from this plan as I see the value in organic food.  I used to debate whether organic milk was really worth paying twice as much as conventional milk, but after researching all of the hormones that they pump these cows with, I am convinced.

So, whether you are doing the full program, or a modified version, stick to it… we will all get through it together, and come out on the other side looking and feeling a whole lot better!