let there be cake

Well, my detox is finally over. Well, actually it finished last Tuesday. I succumbed to the temptations of my brother's gf's birthday cake - a beautiful creamy concoction with chocolate custard and lashings of cream. I half expected to go into spasms with the sugar overload, but instead I merely enjoyed it immensely :)

After that, I had my first bit of meat the next day and it all went a bit downhill from there.

I spent last weekend in Leeds - a place that I haven't visited before. My primary reason for going there was to see Wolves in the Walls, a wonderful musical written by my hero Neil Gaiman. By sheer coincidence my boyfriend's home team were playing that day and so off I went to my first football game ever. I have to admit that I enjoyed it - certainly it is much more interesting than watching it on TV. There is a great atmosphere and cameraderie involved - particularly this one gent in front of me who shouted all sorts of abuse at the linesman. Leeds won. Miraculously :)

Walking on water

I went to see this rather interesting art installation today at Dilston Grove

It's called Bridge. I read about it on some website and decided that it would be worth a look. The artist has created an artificial kind of lake inside this old church - and filled it with black black water. He has also created a bridge which consists of a small platform - when you stand on one step, another rises up to become the next step. You follow these steps to the centre of the lake and it feels kind of weird because you are entirely surrounded by water, standing on this tiny step. I was pretty apprehensive about it, especially since you have to sign a risk assessment form before you go in :)
Having said that, it was pretty cool.

One down, three to go (weeks that is)

Woohoo! I have survived my first week of detox!
Today marked day 8 of my programme and I have to say that I am rather pleased. I'm feeling pretty good - and even though I haven't been following the stupid 'affirmations' or 10 mins relaxation bits, I still feel pretty relaxed. Some of this is probably attributed to the fact that I haven't been to work since Wednesday, and the session in the gym on Friday also helped. It was great to have a good workout followed by a good soak in the jacuzzi.

The good things so far about being on my detox programme:

• I don't feel so bloated


• I am finally drinking enough water


• I feel healthy


• I enjoy the 'selfishness' of the programme. ie its all about me


• I've learnt to be creative in the kitchen to make the same fish/veg/rice combination interesting


• I've tried some new things


• No hangovers!

And the bad:

• Haven't noticed it yet but it's going to be a drag on my social life not being able to drink


• It's impossible to eat out!


• Cold showers = BAD


• Even in my creativity I am still eating fish/veg/rice every day!


• I miss cakes. And croissants and pain au chocolat


• Cooking every single night of the week goes against my natural laziness


• I have to pee all the time

Am on another two day course tomorrow. Another lean lunch for me no doubt :(

Emergence

It was a bit of a struggle today to follow my detox. I had to go on a training course - the first of four days actually - and the lunch was provided. Not being able to eat meat, I had a lovely lunch of boiled white rice (emergencies only of course), vegetables and salad. I had to forego the apple tart and eat fruit salad (but avoiding the oranges).

It's day 5 of my detox - it's going to be a tough one to see this through I think. The other night I went to see Russell Brand in Shepherds Bush - it was going to be too late to cook so I went out to eat. Everything is off the menu except for a salad with no dressing. *sigh* At least I'll save money by not being able to eat out except for sushi. And even that isn't the same since I'm not allowed soy sauce.....

I have to say that I have felt some small differences. On the third day, as I was walking home I realised that I felt lighter somehow - particularly around my stomach. I don't think I've lost weight really, but I just feel like I'm emptier inside. The worst thing so far is that with all the drinking of water, I am constantly peeing. This I am not used to.

I also felt the first cravings for caffeine today. Sitting in a very dull training room listening to someone drone on about team management, having only had some 4+ hours sleep (my own fault for sitting up reading so late), by the time we hit the first coffee break I was dying for some tea or coffee. And biscuits. Noooooooo :(( The herbal tea and apple I opted for just didn't hit the mark. *double sigh*

Roll on November.

Takeoff

It is nearing the end of Detox Day One.

I did sort of go for a trial run yesterday, having been rudely awakened at 8am by builders outside my house, I got up at 9.30 and went for a test detox shower. After washing in hot water, I turned the temperature to cold and waited for the shock. It didn't happen. We don't have a power shower - and the temperature sort of went from hot to slightly less hot to just over lukewarm.

This morning I executed Plan B :) Whilst running the hot shower, I filled a plastic basin full of cold water. When I finished washing, I braced myself and emptied the basic over myself. Eeek! Whilst I wouldn't necessarily have called it invigorating, it certainly woke me up.

I think that I ate more today than I normally eat. I had breakfast, lunch, dinner and lots of fruit and nut snacks. I have this feeling that by the end of my detox I am going to really hate nuts. I have already discovered that I don't have much of a taste for brown rice. Still, I am quite pleased as today has gone quite well. It's easy if you are at home anyway.

My biggest struggle today was when I decided to out shopping. I sauntered through Selfridges Food Hall and that was quite painful. Past all the chocolates, the cakes, the sausages and pies. All these things that I love and wanted to try but cannot have. I went to buy a drink and realised that all I am really allowed to drink is water. I have had countless cups of water and honey today - and visited the toilet more times in one day than I normally do in a week :)

Tomorrow is going to be tough. First day of work - plus I am on early support! I usually keep my energy levels up with caffeine....

Abort!

Tomorrow I was supposed to start my 30 day detox. Unfortunately, Friday being the busy day that it is, plus actually having returned to the gym after several weeks of absence, I have come to realise that I have no detox-friendly food at home save a few bags of nuts.

I have thus decided to start on Sunday and spend tomorrow planning my daily menus and shopping for food. Perhaps I will go for a detox day simulation tomorrow morning, starting with a cold shower :))

Prelude to a chrysalis

It's a beautiful morning in London. It was still nighttime when I left for work this morning and somehow out of the darkness, the sun has emerged like a beautiful butterfly.

I used to have these daydreams when I was in University - usually in my microprocessor lectures as these were impossible to concentrate on. Anyway, I used to fantasise about going into hiding for a month and metamorphosing into a thing of beauty - a brand new shiny me. I am about to turn that fantasy into reality (no, I am not going for plastic surgery) - on Saturday I plan to start my 30 day detox.

Ever since I watched this horrible movie called Dumplings I have felt a little bit paranoid and mostly self-conscious about the way that I treat my body. Nearing the latter part of my 27th year, I can no longer rely on my youthful invulnerability. These last few years of binge drinking (aka socialising at work), late nights and eating out has taken it's toll. The stresses of my job and personal life have also taken their toll.

I have only been back a week from my relaxing holiday in bella Italy, where I had a daily siesta and glass of Chianti - and now the cold, the darkness is settling in for the winter and I feel in need of a pick me up already.

I have 2 leaving drinks to attend this week and then, for a month, I will not have alcohol, meat, sugar or salt. I will somehow subject myself to a cold shower in the morning, daily body brushing and lots of exercise. No caffeine. No extravagant meals out. Exfoliation. And all voluntary. Have I gone mad?!

And yet I am kind of looking forward to it - this challenge of mine. My book Detox Yourself tells me that I will feel amazing afterwards. I will feel more energised, and lean. I will sleep better. My insides will be shiny and new. I guess after 27 years, it's surely time for an MOT? :)

This morning I decided against having a healthy porridge for breakfast and opted for sausage, beans and egg instead. Hey, detox starts on Saturday - might as well enjoy the last few days of indulgent eating :))