13 days of detox: the Yin toxin fast

Several years ago, my acupuncturist gave me this Yin toxin fast because I couldn’t seem to shake the feeling of being sluggish. Those who knew me when I did it still talk about it; in 13 days I went from a chubby slug to super-energetic and dropped about 12 pounds (which stayed off for a long, long time). Since my surgery in May, I haven’t been able to shake the feeling of being sluggish, just not being able to find my energy. So I’m doing this again starting today.

I’m not a doctor. I’m not recommending this for everyone. I’m just sharing something that has worked for me in the past. And I’ll let you know if it works again. It’s a thirteen-day taper fast, in which you move slowly to detoxification from a “normal” diet and then back again. By “normal” diet, they mean a 100% unprocessed, vegan diet, not the “normal” diet that most of us eat.

Throughout the 13 days, there is no caffeine (OUCH, this is the hardest part by far), no sugar, nothing processed (no sour patch kids hahaha), no dairy (no YoMama goodness…boo), no alcohol (not that big a deal, except for my friend’s awesome birthday party), nothing refined or processed at all.

Day 1: beans, spices, fruits, grains, cooked vegetables, soups
Day 2: a little less of everything from day one
Day 3: very few spices, no beans
Day 4: less vegetables, more grains, no fruit
Day 5: few vegetables, mainly mixed grains
Days 6-8: one cup of organic brown rice 3 times a day
Day 9: few vegetables, mainly mixed grains
Day 10: more vegetables, grains
Day 11: very few spices, some fruit, no beans
Day 12: beans, fruits, grains, soups
Day 13: beans, spices, fruits, grains, vegetables, soups

If you try this, during days 6-8, you’ll pretty much be resting…no child care, no heavy exercise, no work, nothing. You’re letting your entire body including your digestive system rest, and it will thank you for it. This will mean it’s going to be difficult to impossible for me to attend 3 on 3 for Niebs this weekend which really bums me out, but I have to do something to feel better. Hopefully some of you will go for me. : ]

See you on the other side. Anything like this ever worked for you?

  • Gark

    sounds gassy. good luck.

    • Sue Spaight

      heh yeah maybe. I’m taking the 5th on that one. Thanks Bro.

  • Lindamfahr

    Good luck Susie ! Whatever works to find your energy….wish I had that much willpower….I tried the 17 day diet; kind of a carb cleanse and lasted 5 days and gained 3 pounds….boooo !!! I think mine is mostly mental though….it is amazing how your physical body really listens to your mind, even if you prefer it didn’t…..Good luck to you !!

    • Sue Spaight

      Thanks, Linda. It will be interesting to see what happens this time. My 42-year-old body definitely seems to be responding more slowly than my 30-something body did. Booooo. I’ll try to think positively.

  • http://bananza.tumblr.com/ Anne Munkwitz

    Looks like this requires some dedication. I hope you get the results you want! I’ve never tried anything like this but admire those who do. Good luck :)

    • Sue Spaight

      Thanks so much, Anne! Today is pretty hard – caffeine withdrawal – massive headache – so your encouragement really means a lot! Once I get through this part, it will be fine…

  • http://twitter.com/mamaier262 Michael Maier

    sounds great – don’t see how I can do this… =)

  • Lora

    Quitting caffeine is the worst. No wait, the worst is that I’ve gone through the withdrawal three times and then gone back to the stuff. Good luck on your quest for better energy. Sad and strange that in today’s world eating simply should seem so exotic.

    • Sue Spaight

      Lora, I am sure I will be right behind you on the back-on-coffee train. In spite of my honest belief yesterday that I never want to see another cup of coffee as long as I live…there’s something undeniably comforting about it. Maybe I’ll at least go half-caf, and limit to one cup a day. It IS strange and unfortunate that this way of eating isn’t “normal”. Even as I’m filling my face right now with delicious mixed rices and vegetables and fresh berries, and starting to feel better, I’m somehow jealous of the people across the street at Mo’s Irish Pub chowing down on burgers and fries. It makes no sense at all.