Day Eight

I decided not to blog about Days 5-7 since they passed in a blur of pretty much the exact same side effects as the previous days, however, some of those side effects are reduced, and I have noticed some positive changes over the past day or two, including:

1. Skin - in general the skin on my face is clearer and brighter. I don't notice under eye circles as much (I have been sleeping better.)

2. Improved mood - I started eating a little more food - specifically a bit more carbohydrate (fruit, sweet potato, gluten free whole grain tortilla-wraps, lentil chips) which has taken care of my hunger problem, increased my energy and improved my overall mood. I went out to dinner with a group of friends on Saturday and I had a great time and laughed all night long, even though I didn't have a drop of alcohol! (We went to PF Changs, I had the ahi tuna salad and edamame. It is very difficult to eat at restaurants during the cleanse phase of this challenge, and I am sure some of the ingredients in the dressing on my salad were probably off limits. But I did the best that I could.)

3. Weight loss - I have lost 3-4 pounds in my estimation, although I haven't really been weighing myself or measuring. I just feel lighter, overall, and better about myself. I have more energy and feel more positive. The "cobwebs" are gone :-)

4. Heightened sense of smell and taste - It sounds strange, but my sense of taste has gone off the charts. I'm tasting much stronger flavors in things like basalmic vinegar, the mango salsa I made with dinner last night, and the carrot-lime-apple-ginger juice I had at breakfast on Saturday. Smells also seem to be stronger - all of a sudden my hairspray smells much sweeter (more sugary - from the alcohol and fragrances added) than usual.

5. Reduced sugar cravings - I'm not craving sugar throughout the day any longer! It's a Christmas miracle. I still crave it at night, but my husband and I agreed that's more out of habit - looking for something sweet to eat after dinner - than a craving. I believe increasing my carbohydrate intake (probably fruit in particular) has helped reduce my sugar cravings, or more specifically, chocolate - although on Saturday morning I woke up wanting a cinnamon roll!