Health

Detox Diaries: My One-Day Detox

A McDonald's-eating detox-newbie goes on her first cleanse. Can she do it? Will she change her fast food-eating ways? Find out

by Sharon J. Yi

8 of 11

And things take a turn for the worse ... Deadweight. That's the first thing I think when I try to get out of my bed the morning after my Miracle Juice fast day. Each step I take is a conscious decision to expend energy. I take a shower but trying to wash my hair leaves me breathless; bending over to wash my legs is exhausting. By the time I get out of the shower, I feel nauseated and queasy, so I decide I have to eat something. I'm shaking as I walk down the stairs, holding on to the wall and railing. I have scrambled eggs and water for breakfast and feel better, but the thought of walking back up the stairs drains me so much that I sit on the couch for 10 minutes. Once I make it up the stairs, my body chills come back.

While Gittleman says the initial experience of the one-day fast can be "somewhat uncomfortable," my experience is a lot more extreme. She offers an explanation: "You were drained of electrolytes because of the consistent diarrhea, so you were just depleted by that point," she tells me. "Quite honestly, not everybody should be doing the one-day fast." If you're on medication that requires food as a buffer, have problems with your kidney or liver, have blood sugar difficulties, or have mental health issues, Gittleman recommends skipping the fast day, which can clearly be traumatic for some people (myself included).

SEE NEXT PAGE: The results are in

EDITORS' BEST OF

12 Best Acne Products for Your Clearest Skin Yet

11 Best Tinted Moisturizers for Easy, On-the-Go Coverage

leave a comment

Older comments

REALLY loving this! I used to be a caffeine addict, but I switched to water in the school where I teach because it has no A/C and is hot year 'round (the heating is very intense and dry in the winter). I realized that I became "addicted" to water and can't really handle caffeine the way I used to; I like that.

by GigiSD Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 01:21PM Report as inappropriate

I appreciate the honest assessment.

by purple9a Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 05:53AM Report as inappropriate

I wanna try it... Sounds good!

by Zeaundra Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 09:21AM Report as inappropriate

This was great info, I was just looking into detoxing especially after all the crap I've ate during the Holidays!!!

by MizzPink Friday, January 4, 2013 at 07:17AM Report as inappropriate

Interesting article. I've been thinking about doing a detox, maybe now is the time!

by WiccanLady Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 04:16PM Report as inappropriate

I couldn't do it, I'd take death if I can't have my caffeine intake!

by yestfl Monday, November 19, 2012 at 01:53PM Report as inappropriate

That is so terrifying, but your detox is probably the only one I've read so far that I feel capable of doing.

by schien Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 05:37PM Report as inappropriate

I have begun a serious diet - I will add a Detox into it soon. I still stop for a fast food but no later than 3pm. Actually my life have been a continual diet.

by Janann Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 07:29PM Report as inappropriate

Interesting & well written. And definitely educational.

by tallredamanda Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 11:36AM Report as inappropriate

Thank you so much for this! You had to deal with a little torture! This sounds like a good detox, but I am one of the people who needs something with my medication (thank you for mentioning that by the way) but the pre-tox sounds interesting!

by powerwoman033 Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 02:41PM Report as inappropriate