I'm just finishing a 7 day water fast. It's been phenomenal! I've generally kept fairly quiet, and taken most of the week off work (I love my husband for covering for me). My activity has been some walks on the beach and the occasional swim in the ocean (which I'd consider an aid to cleansing).

Believe it or not I've lost 18.26 pounds (that's 8.3 kg) in the last 7 days. That brings my total weight loss on raw foods to 68 pounds (31 kg). That's unusual even for me. I think my body was really ready to let go. One factor that massively speeded up my cleanse is the deep tissue massage I went for. She worked DEEPLY on the back of my legs, buttocks, back and shoulders. And when I say deep I really mean deep. This was not a relaxing massage. Although I got quite a high coming out from the pain! She said she found numerous areas that had pockets of lymph that weren't draining properly, and worked extra on those to get them to drain. My legs look totally different the next day - very sleek and smooth (and they've kept it even days later). There definintely has to be something to this deep tissue massage! I highly recommend it! I stepped on the scale the next morning and found I'd lost 5 pounds overnight, which I guess is thanks to having my lymph so well cleaned out! I've decided to gift myself with a deep tissue massage for each 5 lg that I lose.

Last night at the end of day 6 suddenly my right ankle got VERY VERY sore. It lasted for a few hours and then went away. The neat thing is the last time I fasted I had similar aches in 3 other areas I had past injuries in, but not this one. It's so amazing to think of your body healing old injuries.  I've been 100% on this fast. Lots of water, but no lemon, no juices, no supplement, no vitamins. Just water. And it's been so easy.

My skin has gone crystal clear, my skin is so smooth, and I really do feel wonderful! I've pampered my husband Piers like crazy, while he continues work on our website  making him all kinds of delicious raw meals (spiralized zucchini with pistachio pesto, 5 seed crackers with avocado dip, fruit salad with mango and strawberries and more). He's loving it. And through all this preping food I've remained 100% committed to my fast.  Funny thing is that my internal cleanse seems to be matched with a need to clean up our house! Oh how the mind works!

I think part of this fast was showing myself that I could make and keep commitments. Other times I've done juice cleanses I've had a little more trouble sticking to them.  However it's been a totally different experience this time that I love!! I know I'm doing something fabulous for my body, and reaffirming my true desire to be raw.  

I'm also fitting into clothes that I bought months ago (too small at the time) which is very exciting. I have a new pair of pants hanging on the bathroom door to be tried on every few days that almost fit. They're a size 14, and I started a year or so ago at a size 24. I have 37 pounds (16.9 kg) to go to reach my goal weight. I should be there in a few months! I'm so excited!!! And when I reach it I'm going on a $1000 clothes shopping spree!! YAHHHH!!!

I wanted to share my enthusiasm and say hello! I’m going to be stopping by a lot more often now!

Take care,
Sheryl

Hi Joss,

I've been in the habbit of buying the occasional piece of clothing I love and trying it on regularly. It's been great seeing them too big, then just right, then big enough to give away. I'm still on my journey and am loving it!

Harley was just sharing that he's found the more simple and raw he goes the more he wants to rid his house of clutter (extra clothes etc) - I can definitely see the correlation.

We had a talk last night about food materialism and materialism in general. Maybe when we simplify our food and go more to nature (instead of having to buy everything prepared) it teaches us some fundamental core rules about being able to satisfy ourselves without spending loads of money. It's certainly true for us.

Definitely 'food for thought'!
Sheryl