If you 're only just joining this conversation, you should first read about my introduction to Detox and Nutritional Cleanse, the Products I used and the Program I followed!
I am now on day 10 of my 11 day Cleanse. This means, I have completed 2 shake days, 2 cleanse days, 5 shake days and am now on the last 2 Cleanse days.
I'm guessing you have some questions! :) I will try and anticipate your questions and answer them here. If I have missed anything, just post your questions at the end of the blog and I will try and answer them for you.
Q. Have you lost any weight?
Although the program was never intended to be for weight loss, I know this is the question that will be asked most often. The answer is yes. I've lost about 5 lbs so far but I expect that this will be more like 7 lbs at the end of my final 2 day cleanse. I've lost far more in inches in terms of clothes fitting me better and I think I have probably dropped one dress size!
Q. Do I feel "cleansed"?
I have no idea what kind of impurities my body was storing before the program so I'm not sure what cleansing has been going on. Although I acknowledge that I was/am a bit overweight, I'd like to think that my system and balance was not too out of whack when I started the program so I won't make any claims of feeling new or rejuvenated. Some people claim increased energy levels. Anyone that knows me, I am rarely lacking in that department.
So, I suppose this is one of those things that benefits you on inside and its effects don't always readily manifest themselves on the outside. I will trust the scientists on their claims and hope that significant impurities have indeed been flushed from my system.
Q. Was the Program hard/difficult to follow?
No. The Program is clear and very structured. The instructions are simple and don't really disrupt your routine in any way. The extra coaching from Shruti (my sponsor from Detox Divas) is a huge bonus. She checked in on me every day (and several times a day during the first few days) to see how I was doing and if I had questions. That makes you accountable knowing that someone else is vested in your progress. It was also great to have someone to ask questions if things were unclear (like forgetting the Ionic Supreme one morning and being told it was ok to have it that evening but to try and maintain the morning routine etc.).
Q. What do the Products taste like?
I was surprised at how good the shakes are. They're creamy and quite satisfying. I even made my husband and my daughter have the shakes (although I added a banana to their vanilla shakes for more flavour). They loved it too. Previously, I would make them banana shakes with milk and 2 scoops of icecream and lots of sugar (yikes!). Now, they have a banana shake packed with protein and nutrients.
The Ionic Supreme (1-2 ozs every morning) is a bit intense and takes some getting used to but over time it's gotten more agreeable although I don't think I will ever get to a point where I will enjoy that. Then again, some parts of the program are not meant for enjoyment. You just take your swig and you're done with it. I remind myself of all the goodness that one ounce contains and it takes me less than 5 seconds to open the bottle, pour out an ounce and be done with it.
The pills (Accelerator and IsaFlush) are totally tasteless and non-offensive. It's like popping vitamin pills. No effort or discomfort there.
The IsaSnacks - I tried these mini snack chewy tablets on day 1 and that was it. It's not my thing. My friend Monica loves them. I would much rather munch on a celery or cucumber to satisfy a hunger craving. You will need to make up your own mind about them!
The want more energy juice sachet/powder. I LOVED these. My daily water intake was calculated at 2.5 litres and just adding one of these to my water bottle made my water consumption a breeze! definitely recommended!
The Cleanse for Life mix - I had the one in "berry flavour" and it was easy to mix and not offensive at all. It has a sweet after taste to it but you can just rinse that out with more water.
Q. What was the most difficult part of the program?
Day 3 (the first Cleanse Day) was probably the hardest one for me. I was experiencing serious coffee withdrawals that day. Without the usual morning shake, I was getting very hungry by mid-morning. I don't like the IsaSnack thingies so chewing them was not an option. I don't like chocolate so I had not ordered any of the IsaDelight chocolate bars or granola bars. By about 1 pm, I was surviving just on water and that didn't feel very good. Luckily, I reached out to Shruti who reminded me that I was allowed to eat unlimited amounts of organic spring mix (topped with lemon juice), I could slice cucumbers on it. So I did that. And for dinner, I had some more of that salad with a hard boiled egg and it was ok. But that was a tough day.
Day 2 of the cleanse was so much easier by contrast - even though it was identical to day 2 in terms of what I ate and drank. But, I knew what to expect and so I was better prepared.
One other thing that was not really difficult but was more inconvenient was the innumerable bathroom trips I had to make. Drinking 2.5 litres of water every day can do that to you. I could not even make a one hour minute trip from Toronto to Burlington without having to make a stop at a Timmies in Etobicoke or Mississauga to use the washroom. If we went to the movies, I HAD to find an aisle seat! My husband and daughter found all this very amusing.
Q. Now that the program is (almost) over, will you be returning to your usual diet?
Well, I am certainly looking forward to a glass of wine and a steak (at some point soon) but I'm pretty sure that I will be seeing some significant changes in my diet.
For one, I will continue to have the shakes - if not once a day - then certainly a few times a week.Same with the Ionic Supreme 1 oz dose.
Most importantly though, I know that my caffeine and diet coke consumption will be significantly reduced. Previously, I would have those just because they were around or easily available. They provide no real benefits to my body and I've just learned how much harm they caused with the toxin content.
Another change is the amount of water I drink. I know I will be drinking lots more water going forward. For instance, in a restaurant or even at home, I know I can transform a glass of plain water into a refreshing, delicious beverage with the Want more energy juice Crystals. That's an easy way for me to substitute coke with water. We all know that water is good for us and it does great things for the skin etc. but we still don't drink more (or even enough) of it. That will definitely change.
Lastly, I think the program has totally helped me appreciate and enjoy smaller portions of food. It's like my stomach has shrunk. I don't think I will be eating quite as much as I used to - not because I am starving myself but somehow I don't need the large portions.
This means I will be so much more sensible about the food I order at home or the meals I prepare at home for my family.
Q. So, what's the bottom line? Is the program worth doing?
The real question here should be "Are YOU worth it?". In the end, it's not about the program, it's about you. If you value your health and wellness goals then you owe it to yourself to find ways to keep your body noursihed and healthy. This program is non-invasive, uses products that are of top-notch quality and comes with pages of literature to educate you. Best of all, you get a coach that is invested in your success - whether it's just for eleven days or longer.
If the program appeals to you (and brings about changes that you're proud of - like it did for me), it graduates from being an ad-hoc program to being a part of your lifestyle.
In terms of the program's cost, there are ways to get the products at a fraction of their cost by using some of the referral techniques that Shruti can explain in more detail.
The way I see it, you're simply reallocation some of your existing costs towards a healthier lifestyle. What you spend on the program, you will result in savings in your grocery bills. You will save by making wise choices. And over time, you will save in the reduced prescription medicines and skin lotions and cosmetics because your health and beauty will radiate from within you.
That said, if you do feel inspired to join/try the program as a result of my story/blogs, I would appreciate it if you could mention this to Shruti at Detox Divas because that will earn me some referral credit which I can then apply towards my purchases of products.
And if you ever come home, feel free to ask me for a sample of the shakes. There's a permanent spot in my kitchen cabinets now for my Isagenix products and Blender!I'd be happy to be the one that gets you started on your own wellness journey.
All the best with your personal goals. Please do share your story/experience with me.
xx
Syerah
Thought I'd leave a comment on your blog as well! I'm a BIG fan of the Isagenix program and have been on the program for about 2 years now!
I'm actually doing the cleanse as we speak and i'm on day 5! Just completed my 2 shake days and 2 cleanse days...i'm feeling really great and have SO much energy! who would of thought, right?....I'm also noticing weight loss too...which is not bad at all! :) LOVE ISAGENIX!!
Posted by: Sabrina Farolan | November 25, 2011 at 05:23 PM