Clean Program // Week 1

I had been hearing about The Clean Program for awhile. When I saw friends preparing to start the cleanse for a second time, I was convinced that the results must be worth it.

Over the last few years, I completed a Whole 30 program, I tried a Ketogenic diet for awhile, and most recently I embarked on a mostly raw, vegan lifestyle. My mostly raw, vegan lifestyle has been the best thing that I’ve done in terms of diet and I plan to stick with it for the rest of my life. However, after the holidays, I really slipped away a lot and mostly turned into about-half-the-time at best. I’ve been in a slump in terms of health and my main purpose for the cleanse was to get back on track and reset my body.

The Clean Program has a few focuses. Each day you have 3 meals — a shake for breakfast, a Clean-approved lunch, and a shake for dinner. During the cleanse, you leave a 12-hour window between the last thing you eat or drink and the first you take in. This sends the body a signal to go into deep detox mode. Your body knows that from 8PM to 8AM, it’s time to clean house. You also take several supplements each day, at each meal.

It’s a simple and easy-to-follow program. Presently I am on Day 11. I’ve stuck to the program nearly exclusively, with the exception of the weekend where I went off track slightly and had one cheat meal and a few glasses of wine between Friday and Saturday night. I am not beating myself up over the slip-up and instead I am focused on completing the remainder of the program to the best of my ability.

With that said, I’ve already experienced a lot of good through the program. I am sleeping more deeply. I have more energy, although admittedly I am missing my daily caffeinated tea. I have lost 6 pounds. And I am less bloated. I’ve also started exercising a little bit again, after a long-hiatus.

To help me kick off the cleanse, I kept a little journal each morning on days two through five. You can read my entries below.

Day 2: Tuesday, January 16th

It’s 8:19 am on Tuesday morning, the second day of my 21-Day Clean Program. I feel good. I don’t feel hungry or lethargic or any of the negative/detox reactions that I have felt on cleanses previously. It’s very early so they may come yet. If I do feel any difference at this point, it is some additional mental clarity. I am not sure if it is an actual side effect or if the program is making me more mindful in general, but either way, I appreciate the increased mental clarity. I usually feel foggy in the mornings until I have a cup of caffeinated tea. But I’ve had no tea this morning and I woke up feeling very clear-headed and ready to begin the day and be productive.

Yesterday went well for the most part. I followed the program all day, except that I did eat a few spoonfuls of the homemade macaroni & cheese that I made the kids for dinner. In hindsight, I am disappointed that I did it, but I am not going to beat myself up. The more important matter is why did I do it? I think it was stress at the end of the day, I was exhausted and overwhelmed, knowing that I had yet to get through dinner and bath time and bedtime. I am certain that this cleanse will show me just how often I eat something unhealthy not because I am hungry but because I am stressed.

Once again, I am giving myself grace, but I am also going to be more aware going forward. I will likely be tempted to eat whatever the kids are eating for dinner again today, so I will be prepared this time by making myself a cup of lavender tea to sip on while I prepare and serve their dinner.

I also started the “7 Days of Calm” program on the Calm App this morning. It was a simple 3 minute meditation on breathing and focusing. I plan to do the exercise each morning. Mornings are always hectic with three little ones running around and my big to-do list looming; but I am confident taking this time each morning to get my mind right will pay off.

Day 3: Wednesday, January 17th

The remainder of yesterday went well. It’s surprising to me that I haven’t felt hungry yet. I am eating way less than usual. I wonder if it has to do with all of the nutrition packed into the Clean Program shakes and supplements. I have, however, started to have cravings, mostly for cheese & potatoes — my two biggest weaknesses.

I have also found that I am drinking a lot more than usual, which is a good thing. Since I am not constantly shoving food in my mouth I am really noticing when I am thirsty and staying hydrated. I have a little paper taped up by my water filter to keep track of how many glasses of water I am drinking each day, aiming for at least 8.

I blended this morning’s shake with half an avocado, a scoop of raw cacao, a handful of frozen blueberries, and a handful of raw cashews. It was so good, but now I am so full!

I’ve been weighing myself each morning, which is probably not the best idea, but the initial weight loss that always comes at the beginning of a cleanse is so motivating. A little over 3 pounds down in just a couple of days. Weight loss wasn’t my main reason for doing this cleanse — resetting my body and getting back on track with my mostly raw, vegan lifestyle was — but it’s a nice side effect for sure. 😉

Day 4: Thursday, January 18th

I lost another pound as of this morning. I am down 4.2 pounds in 4 days which is interesting but not uncommon for cleanses.

I had another good day yesterday with the exception of sneaking about 6 tater tots off of the kids dinner plates. What is it with me and the kids’ dinner!? It’s such a stressful point in the day for me when I am completely exhausted but still faced with all of the chores that I need to get done before bedtime. Once again, I am not going to beat myself up, upward & onward.

I am not experiencing many detox symptoms yet at all. Overall, I feel good, but not much different than usual. I am hoping to see an increase in energy soon. I’ve given up caffeine on the program and I am sorely missing my mid-afternoon tea fix. I’m slightly less bloated than usual, which is to be expected.

I was extremely tempted to have a glass of wine last night. I also have some social occasions coming up this weekend that will involve drinking. I am trying to figure out if I should stick strictly to the program or allow myself to have 1 or 2 drinks. I haven’t made up my mind yet. Pros and cons either way, I suppose. Although at the moment I am leaning toward staying strict. My willpower is about to take a big test. We’ll see.

Day 5: Friday, January 19th

Yesterday, I finally started to experience a new detox symptom, a change in my digestion. This is may be a little TMI, but it’s important to discuss digestive health, uncomfortable though it may be. I usually have a bowel movement once a day, in the morning. Even before the cleanse I ate a mostly vegetarian, high-fiber, high-raw content diet; so being regular and going once a day, in the morning, wasn’t an issue for me. However, since starting the cleanse, I find that I am going twice or even three times in a day.

Other than the digestive changes, I don’t have much else to report. I am down 5.6 pounds. I am also seeing a big difference in my face, I’m a lot less bloated than I was before and my face looks less tired. I also think that I am sleeping more deeply at night. However, I am also sleeping a little less because I have to get up to use the bathroom since I am drinking so much during the day.

I had my first social drinking temptation yesterday and I managed to stay true to the program. I’ll have a bigger temptation tomorrow, and I still haven’t decided how I will handle it. It’s a girl’s night with some ladies that I’ve been wanting to spend time with for, literally, years. I want to have fun and relax. Yet, I am determined and enjoying the cleanse. I don’t want to mess it up. Once again, time will tell!

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After Day 5, I stopped journaling as my entries were getting redundant. My detox symptoms have been fairly minimal because I already eat very clean. All of the things that I am eating on the cleanse are things that I already eat every day. However, the real benefits of the program are happening for me internally. With less energy dedicated to digesting and assimilating poor-quality foods, my body is redirecting its energy towards improving inner health. I am also experiencing a lot of “emotional symptoms” that I am not ready to speak on yet, as I am still processing them.

Today is my fourth day of Week 2 of my cleanse and I am excited to see my continued progress and to work though the next phases of this journey with strength and grace. I will update again soon. If you have any questions for me, leave them in the comments and I will address them in my next update.

If you are interested in trying out the program, use my referral link and you will get $50 off of your purchase.

Wishing you health & happiness–

Side note: This is not a sponsored post. I paid for this product and I have no affiliation with The Clean Program. Always consult your professional healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.