So I'm done. Yessiree, I am finished with my lemon cleanse. I think it went pretty well (and fairly quickly). I feel better physically and feel like I have more mental discipline. This morning I was delighted to have a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of coffee (!). I went to the grocery store and stocked up on delicious and nutritious food (and much of it on manager special ). I found a ton of whole-wheat tortillas on sale sooo I purchased a bunch of burrito foods – including some fresh cilantro – wonderful! I have to be careful not to eat tooooo much, though, even if it's healthy.

I have my final results of my weight loss over the ten day period. With a strictly restricted diet and regular exercise, this will continue a downward trend. My goal is to be at 195 by the time school starts (5 weeks), and I'll create a new plan from there.

 

        

So I'm in the middle of the eighth day of my lemon cleanse thing and I'm feeling pretty good. Up until Friday (the halfway point), I was feeling lethargic, didn't have much energy, and found myself sleeping longer than normal. Today, though, I feel terrific – I slept a bit less and was able to get out for a jog. Nike+ says…

Two weeks ago when I went out for a jog, I couldn't run more than 15 minutes before I was exhausted and needed a break to walk. Today I was able to run the entire half hour, even stepping up the speed at the end. I certainly pounded the lemonade when I got back and my legs were a bit wobbly, but I felt pretty good. This is not up to the level of five-mile runs I was doing back when I was marathon training, but it's a great leap towards that goal.

Speaking of that, I have decided that I won't be running in the Columbus Marathon this year, despite previous aspirations to do so. After looking at my schedule for the fall, I just do not have enough time or energy to properly train for a marathon – between classes, working, and marching band, I am going to have a FULL autumn. I will continue to run for exercise and for conditioning, though, just not the extended runs a marathon requires.

It's hard to believe I am almost done with this cleanse. I have considered continuing for more days after the tenth (Wednesday), but I am actually quite eager to start eating solid foods again – in particular a bowl of brown rice, broccoli & cauliflower, cubed grilled chicken, and steamed shrimp sounds amazing right now. Ah, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Yesterday I was visiting my parents' house and my youngest brother was taking chocolate chip pecan brownies out of the oven shortly after I arrived…unnngh. And Saturday I made cupcakes with a friend's young daughter and they smelled absolutely wonderful, and the rest of my friends were eating their Subway, Chipotle, and fried chicken. Man, I was tempted a bit to cheat, but I know that the end results are worth the abstention. That is probably the biggest piece of advice I can give to someone considering the lemon cleanse – keep your goals in the front of your mind (write them down, even)nand remember what you are working towards.

        

Today is one beautiful day – blue sky, fluffy white clouds, bright sunshine. It's too bad I have to spend most of my day indoors :/ I thought I would comment on the lemon cleanse activity. Today is the fourth day and I am feeling much better now. For the first two days I really wanted to quit but now things are looking up. In fact, tomorrow will be the halfway point already! In case you are wondering about doing this for yourself, here is the weight loss I have experienced so far.

I am not hungry at all and actually I have more time to do things because I am not spending time making and eating meals. One of the drawbacks to this process is one becomes acutely aware of just how much of a social event eating can be. If you think about it, when you are making plans with your friends, quite often it involves food – either cooking a meal or grabbing a bite to eat, or just going out for ice cream (which, as I found last night, is not as fun when you are the only one not eating ice cream L). I find myself kind of hiding out these ten days, working on my personal goals.

On that note, some people would consider this a fast, and it certainly could be used as one. I, however, am not thinking of it as such. Although one year for Lent I decided to do a lemon cleanse (46 days!). I continued the lemon cleanse for three weeks, and then I decided to try a juice fast instead. Well, that didn't work out so well because the lemon cleanse is proven to provide enough subsistence to function normally but I did not have a proper program for juicing and started to feel weak. I don't know if I would do that again, but I am keeping it as an option. In case you are thinking of it, Lent starts on March 6 and Easter is on April 24 (yes I just looked that up).

        

 

Well I have decided to revisit an old friend – I'm partaking of the Master Cleanse (or colloquially known as the "lemon cleanse"). You can read a synopsis of the program here. I've tried to do this ten-day process about once a year – to varying degrees of success. The last time I tried to do this was the beginning of Autumn quarter last year, but I gave up after only a day and a half or so. Strangely enough, that's the point at which I am currently, and am definitely feeling like going back to real food. However, given my current physical state, I'm not surprised – it is quite a transition for my body to switch over to a meager 650 calories a day from large portions and salty, sugary, fatty processed food. I have read that as the body begins burning for energy (instead of carbohydrates), a person gets very tired since it is harder to break down and utilize the fats.

Why would I put myself through this torture? After training for the Columbus Marathon in 2008, I have definitely let myself slide and have gained quite a bit of weight (and it's not muscle!). It's time I get back to the discipline I had back then. After deciding to train for the marathon, over the course of about two and a half months, I lost about 50 pounds – going from 250 down to 200. I started with a lemon cleanse, which lost about 15 pounds, and then proceeded to lose about 4 pounds a week after that. How? Exercise and diet. I was exercising about an hour every day – my training program for the Columbus Marathon provided a base and then I added in some cardio exercises and weight training on my off days. I also by limited myself to a 1200-calorie balanced diet, using the software from Calorie King to plan and keep track of the grams of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats – I highly recommend it.

Keep in mind this was all before I started taking classes – I spent a lot of time working on my health and not so much time working on anything else. Trying to give time to classes, homework, practicing, my job, spiritual life, exercise, and nutrition wasn't working and certain things were left out. I found myself so busy I was eating convenience foods (not usually nutritious) and lots of them. Oh, and let's not forget trying all kinds of new beers…! (While I have enjoyed trying now foods and drinks, it really is time for me to get back to a healthy lifestyle. I'll post up my recipes and reviews later on, though!) This school year I am resolving to give the proper amount of time to my activities and lead a balanced life.

I'll also post the results of my Master Cleanse so others can have a resource if they should choose to participate one day!

        

Sounds like I'm dropping the ball here!  Well, today I am making the time to get stuff done. 

I am at Starbucks this morning — I have been in between apartments lately and where I am staying has NO coffee (maybe some decaf, but that doesn't count, right?)  Venti Morning Blend, no room for cream (fill it to the top!) and I'm set to go for a while.

Coffee Tip: Do not leave a wooden swizzle stick in your coffee because it will make the coffee taste like a wooden swizzle stick.

Quick mention:  I was thinking yesterday afternoon and this morning about the fingernails on my left hand and how kind of annoying it is to have to keep trimming them.  I play a cello and a guitar, and the fingernails on my left hand need to be super short because otherwise they make it harder to press down the strings to make notes.  I was trying to open a can of Mountain Dew and had to get help... "Do you need them that short?" she asked. Yes, unfortunately, I do.  The right hand doesn't matter so much, but for someone who has a strong draw towards symmetry, that hand must also be trimmed.

By the way, I saw that Starbucks has a new keychain-sized card, just like those keychain-sized credit cards, and it's so cute!

Last night I watched the most recent episode of True Blood.  I wasn't so sure about that show at first, but now I just can't get enough.  Thanks to my friends who converted me.  Speaking of television, I just realized how many good summer shows are on — They are only usually 12 episodes or so, but that's just long enough to make it through summer re-runs.  Then there are other 12-episode shows that take their place throughout the rest of the year, so it never stops.  Mad Men, True Blood, Weeds, Dexter.  I think only "regular" TV show I still like to watch is The Office (and that's a good 20-some episodes).  I wonder what other shows are on that I haven't discovered?

School is getting ready to start up soon - and by soon I mean not for another five weeks.  So never mind - it's not soon at all!  Even still, it's getting closer.  I move in to my new apartment on campus sometime towards the beginning of September, and I am stoked to be living so close to classes and such... no more 30-40 minute commutes at 7:30am.  Although, I do have a 7:30am class this quarter (I know *gag*) but now I can roll out of bed and get to class.  "No one's brass lips are on before noon," I have heard it said.  That being said, I am very excited to learn how to play brass instruments - and also enthused that by taking the class the doors are opened to taking private lessons in the brass instrument(s) I most like.  I am such a huge nerd, but you know what?  I could learn forever.

I discovered today that the jeans I am wearing has(have?) a huge fifth pocket. HUGE!  Like, fit-my-whole-iPod-in-it huge.  My whole iPod.  Classic. 160GB.  The big momma.  Yea I was excited to discover that.


Video here if it does not show up above...

Well I am out of coffee so I suppose it's time to go.  I could get a free refil (love my Starbucks card), but honestly, who really needs 40 ounces of 'bucks brew.  I would have heart palpitations for the next six hours...

        

Good Love Is On The Way - John Mayer


Video here
Another version of the song here

I'm a lazy lover
Undercover
Wasting time
Then one day this summer
I changed my number
To cut my line

Good love is on the way
I been lonely but I know, I'll be ok
Good love is on the way

3 years broken hearted
But now her ghost is finally gone
I'm done with broken people
This is me
I'm working on (cause I know)

Good love is on the way
I've been lonely but I know, I'll be ok
Good love is on the way

Good to go for wherever I'm needed
Bags are packed and I'm
Down by the door
You can take all the tricks up my sleeve
I don't need them anymore

Good to go for wherever I'm needed
Bags are packed and I'm
Down by the door
You can take all the tricks up my sleeve
I don't need them anymore

Good love is on the way
I've been lonely, lonely, lonely, yeah
Good love is on the way
I've been lonely but I know I'll be ok
Good love is on the way
Oh, Good love is on the way, hey

        

Out of classes for the summer, and into…whatever. Actually, there hasn't been a whole lot going on. I have gotten plenty of time to practice my instruments, so that is good. I also have more time for exercising – I am in particular enjoying my new bicycle! The first time I took it out, though, I got hit by a car! It has made me more aware of my surroundings on a bike, though, and I am better because of it. I went on the Olentangy Trail yesterday, up north of 270 where it begins, and took it down to 161…altogether about 9-10 miles, so nothing spectacular as far as distance, but it is fun to explore!

Right now it's 90⁰ outside! I think it's the hottest day of the year, so far. Very nice. I see on the weather that it's supposed to thunderstorm later this afternoon. Hopefully that will get rid of some humidity (or might make it worse…). I'm spending the afternoon in my basement working…I'm almost done for the day, though. I have a meeting to go to tonight where I'm giving an instructional talk…then after going to play beach volleyball over on west campus. *Sigh* Time to get back to work.

        

Mama's Room - Under the Influence of Giants


Video here
Something's got my fill
And it won't get through my head
But there's something missing, something missing here.

Here I go again
React without a plan, oh
But there's something missing, something missing here.

Makin' love in mama's room
Takin' all I can from you
And when you go, go, go.
Go, go, go.

She's on high demand
I can try but nobody can, oh
But there's something missing, something missing here. Yeah

Lay right on the floor
I want to hear no more
But there's something missing, something missing here.

(x2)
Makin' love in mama's room
Takin' all I can from you
And when you go, go, go.
go, go, go.

Makin' love in
Makin' love in
in Mama's room

I can't sleep alone in Mama's room
I can't sleep alone in Mama's room, yeah

(x3)
Makin' love in mama's room
Takin' all I can from you
And when you go, go, go.
Go, go, go

        

Kate Voegele - Playing With My Heart

A little tough love
Never hurt nobody
Never saw this coming
This side of me
I know where you're goin'
With your sugar-laced talkin'
And it wasn't too hard to see

You think you got me
Right where you want me
You think you got the whole story
I think that a proper fair warning
Might serve you well
So I'm here to tell you

It's not too late
To do yourself a favor
And walk away
Though I know that's never been your nature
By the way, you've put yourself in danger cause you're
Playing with my heart
Playing with my heart
You're playing with my heart

Every good girl's got a real good reason
To believe in breaking
All the rules sometimes
And I'm that girl baby, you're that reason
And your scheming
Has caused me to cross the line

You lie but I'm a pretty good liar
You chose a game I can play better
You're bright, oh, but baby, I'm clever
So you might as well
Let me tell you

Chorus

For Heaven's sake, what are you thinking baby?
You won't catch what you've been chasing
Trust me when I say I can keep you running
But I'm not coming oh, I won't come around

        

Rufus Wainwright - Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk


Cigarettes and chocolate milk
These are just a couple of my cravings
Everything it seems I like's a little bit stronger
A little bit thicker, a little bit harmful for me

If I should buy jellybeans
Have to eat them all in just one sitting
Everything it seems I like's a little bit sweeter
A little bit fatter, a little bit harmful for me

And then there's those other things
Which for several reasons we wont mention
Everything about 'em is a little bit stranger, a little bit harder
A little bit deadly

It's not very smart
Tends to make one part
So brokenhearted

Sitting here remembering me
Always been a shoe made for the city
Go ahead accuse me of just singing about places
With scrappy boys faces have general run of the town

Playing with prodigal sons
Take a lot of sentimental Valiums
Cant expect the world to be your Raggedy Andy
While running on empty you little old doll with a frown

You got to keep in the game
Retaining mystique while facing forward
I suggest a reading of lesson in tightropes
Or surfing your high hopes or adios Kansas

Its not very smart
Tends to make one part
So brokenhearted

Still there's not a show on my back
Holes or a friendly intervention
I'm just a little bit heiress, a little bit Irish
A little bit tower of Pisa
Whenever I see ya
So please be kind if I'm a mess

Cigarettes and chocolate milk
Cigarettes and chocolate milk

        

Vanessa Carlton - Heroes & Thieves


When disaster it strikes on a daily basis
I'm looking for wisdom in all the wrong places
But still wanna laugh in disappointed faces
You can't help me I'm blinded by these

Heroes and thieves at my door
I can't seem to tell them apart anymore
Just when I've figured it out
Darling, it's you I'm without

Well, I'm stubborn and wrong but at least I know it
I keep moving along and hope I can get through this
But maybe this song is the best, I can do it
So I'm patiently waiting on these

Heroes and thieves at my door
I can't seem to tell them apart anymore
Just when I've figured it out
Darling, it's you, darling, it's you, oh darling, it's you

I'm without your comforting logic
Like these days are the ones I'll miss
And I see a solitude that I can't find without you

It seems like I'm getting closer somehow
A flicker of peace that I've finally found
Thank you for believing in me now
'Cause I do need it

Give me a year or two
I'll mend my ways and see these mistakes
And when I see the truth, darling, trust me
When I can't see I'll be coming back, I'll be coming back

'Cause there are heroes and thieves at my door
I can't seem to tell them apart anymore
Just when I've figured it out
Well, darling, it's you, my darling, it's you, oh darling, it's you I'm without.

        

        

Erin McCarley - Love, Save the Empty


Little girls don't know how to be sweet girls.
Mama didn't teach me.
Little boys don't know how to treat little girls.
Daddy didn't show me.

Face down, on top of your bed.
Oh why did I give it up to you?
Is this how I shoot myself up high,
Just high enough to get through?

Again, the false affection.
Again, we break down inside.
Love save the empty.
Love save the empty, and save me.

Sad boy, you stare up at the sky
When no one's looking back at you.
You wear your every last disguise;
You're flying, then you fall through.

Again, the false attention.
Again, you're breaking inside.
Love save the empty.
Love save the empty, save me.
Love save the empty.
Love save the empty.

Stars feel like knives,
They tell us why we're fighting.
Storm, wait outside.
Oh, love, hold us together.

Love, save the empty.
Love, save the empty.
Love, save the empty.
Love, save the empty, and save me.
And save me.

        

 

So I've been fasting the last week or so with my favorite method – the Master Cleanse (i.e. "The Lemon Cleanse) and so far it's been going great. I had been letting my nutrition go to pot (too much booze and too many sweets) and I needed to reset myself. I started a week ago and it's going pretty well! More energy, less sleep, faster thinking. Between the reduced calories and finally getting back to the gym, I've managed to lose a few pounds in the last week. I've done this many times in the past so for this go around, I'm not staying terribly strict to the plan and am nibbling on snacks here and there (hey, it's Spring Break and time to relax and enjoy!). So tonight I went to Kroger to get some chocolate, and saw there was some Camembert cheese on sale…so I had to get some Wheat Thins… délicieux. And some chocolate and peanut butter chips.

        

It's back!  Spring Break brings time to bring to you Song of the Day

Don't you worry, there my honey
We might not have any money
But we've got our love to pay the bills

Maybe i think you're cute and funny,
Maybe i wanna do what bunnies do with you,
If you know what i mean

Oh, let's get rich and buy our parents homes in the south of france
Let's get rich and give everybody nice sweaters
And teach them how to dance
Let's get rich and build our house on a mountain
Making everybody look like ants
From way up there, you and i, you and i, you and i,

Well you might be a bit confused
And you might be a little bit bruised
But baby how we spoon like no one else
So i will help you read those books
If you will soothe my worried looks
And we will put the lonesome on the shelf

Oh let`s get rich and buy our parents homes in the south of france
Let's get rich and give everybody nice sweaters
And teach them how to dance
Let's get rich and build our house on a mountain
Making everybody look like ants
From way up there you and i, you and i, you and i

Oh, let`s get rich and buy our parents homes in the south of france
Let's get rich and give everybody nice sweaters
And teach them how to dance
Let's get rich and build our house on a mountain
Making everybody look like ants
From way up there you and i, you and i, you and i

        

Like over-imbibing or Thanksgiving gluttony, pulling an all-nighter to write a 20 page paper I put off for ten weeks prompts the phrase "Never again...never again..."

Yet we know it's going to happen again, and we're going to like it.  Until we don't.  Until we do it again.  Again.