Ok it was cod fish, but still, the fish cakes came out great and the 3-bean salad was the perfect accompaniment for dinner last night (and yes, that is a zucchini flower as a garnish fresh from the garden).

Today is day 12. I see that MANY people tuned in to see the first weigh in results. Thank you all for checking back. Yes, the weight is coming off. But there is really more to the story. Clothes just fit better. I definitely have a ton of energy, and I really feel great. I had a so-so weekend. It was the first time I cheated since I started. It was bizarre, because as I was eating the crap I always ate before, it just didn’t do it for me. While it was good, it didn’t really hit the spot.

Since I started this journey, I have heard from many, many naysayers. To put your mind at ease, my doctor gave the green light on the program with only 1 question which was easily answered. So to those of you who think a cleanse can’t be healthy, and there’s no way someone can sustain, wait for the before and after pics 😉

Message me for any recipes to try or to find out more about the cleanse.

The weigh in actually took place yesterday. I just had a busy day and didn’t get the post done in time. So here is what has been going on…

I did 2 consecutive deep cleanses in a row – glutton for punishment or sly like a fox? You decide 🙂

That was actually not really bad. I even had band practice on Thursday night and at that point was finishing up my last cleanse day. I thought that was going to be a nightmare. I wound up more energetic than anyone else in the band. I was a bit shocked by that. 

Oh yeah, the results…

I lost 7.5 pounds and I can say it was pretty much 7.5 pounds of fat. I lost 2 inches off my waist. I thought I would have muscle loss too, but actually did not at all. My legs are pretty lean and muscular and they stayed within 1/4″ of where they were before I started, and I gained 1/4″ on my biceps. Not bad for a bit over a week.

I did, however, have my first cheat day on Friday night. Yes, I am human too. Cousins were in from Florida and we went to a great restaurant in Brooklyn. I did not overdo it, but I was definitely not perfect by any stretch and I definitely had a few cocktails. All in all, I am goal weight + 20 as of this morning. I may get there after just one month of this, which would be a bit nuts.

A funny thing happened this morning. When I woke up and showered I went to get dressed, which I assume is what most people do after they shower. Out of curiosity, I grabbed a pair of shorts that I bought before I started this journey. They were tight when I bought them, but I kept them around (with the tag on) figuring if I dropped a few pounds I could get them on comfortably. Well, I put them on and not only did they fit, but I actually needed a belt?!?! Seriously, that is NOT what I was expecting.

Today is the first actual cleanse day. No dinner for me tonight, just the cleanse schedule of drinks and snacks that accompany the program. My first weigh in is on Friday, but I have a sense that the weight will be down. I am not expecting huge numbers, but I can tell by the way that my clothes are starting to sit that it is inches and not so much weight, which I am fine with. I was talking to my friend Matt today and was explaining that it seems to really target fat, again which I am fine with. 

As far as the cleansing day is concerned, I must admit I was super nervous about this. Although I said I would jump in – both feet – into this program, this part made me wonder. Honestly, not bad at all. It’s about 1pm as I type this and there are no negative effects whatsoever. None. I actually feel great, not starving or weak, and I sorta feel like my body is adjusting to this program nicely. I have told friends about it. Of course they are skeptical, but that’s fine. The one comment I get from people all the time is “yeah, but what happens when you stop this and go back to normal life? Won’t you put all the weight back on?” Obviously people don’t get it. It is a lifestyle change, not a quick beach diet. And besides, what diet can you go off of completely and keep weight off? If you put weight on because you were unhealthy, when you go back to the unhealthy ways you will inevitably put weight back on. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Atkins, Dukan, same issue with all of them. Why is that ok but on this diet it isn’t? The reality is that this is about getting healthy. That’s the real goal, not just dropping a few pounds for the summer.

The cookbook idea on Kickstarter (click here) is starting to get some traction and a little celeb attention (yes, I am gushing). Check it out and let me know if you want to try a recipe or 2!

I’ll update you with the progress on Friday!

Great. I had my first weekend of the big cleanse and it was totally fine. I was a bit concerned that with all the down time and hanging around it would be difficult. Not the case. We had some family over to watch the World Cup final and I was even making snacks for THEM to enjoy. I really didn’t even have the desire to partake. NO real hunger issues to speak of. A few moments of hunger here and there but then I would remember that I had my own snacks and would be fine. 

On Sunday we made a stellar meal – Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps with an almond butter dipping sauce – sorta spicy but in a good way! Everybody in attendance was absolutely thrilled with the meal. The food came out great and was so easy to create. The greatest thing to come out of this cleanse besides the major health benefit is that I am creating new ways to make foods that I have made for a long time. It is almost like a culinary rebirth, although I was never a world renowned chef or anything.

Over the weekend I also tried my hand at homemade Hummus. Very easy to make, very delicious too. Super healthy and literally takes longer to work the blender than to put it all together. That will now be my go-to in the future. Today I am trying my hand at Greek style chicken burgers on Ezekiel rolls that I found at the supermarket. Pretty excited because I sorta miss having a sandwich and this scratches the itch. I am looking forward to how that bad boy is gonna taste.

Regarding the cleanse, I must say it is much easier than I anticipated. Are there times that it is tough? Of course. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. But what diet isn’t? Who cuts, lets say, carbs, completely out of their diet and says wow, that was easy. Nobody like me, that’s for sure. I have been drinking 3-4 cups of coffee a day and just kicking that alone makes me feel better. And no, I did not experience any headaches or anything like that, and you can ask my wife, I was a HEAVY coffee drinker. That surprised me too. I expected that to be terrible.

Still going strong, I haven’t had someone come up to me and tell me how I lost weight, blah blah, but I understand that this is a marathon and not a sprint. I am in it for the long haul.

If anyone wants any of the recipes featured here, I am looking for volunteers to make these dishes to make sure that the recipes are correct. Just send me a message and I will share with a few!

The only unfortunate thing about starting the cleanse today is that I had a show last night and was out pretty late…ok…VERY late (I play in a band called The Barley Brothers Band) so as I write this I am a bit blurry eyed. Oh well. I really don’t know the format of how I will do this, but I think I I may try a few things. I thought for today it seemed fitting to have a timeline, because if you are anything like me you are wondering what is going on through this process and things change from morning to afternoon and evening. Also, make sure you click follow on the right side of the page so you don’t miss out on any posts!

So, right now it is 8:03 AM. I weighed myself first thing in the morning and did all of my measuring to calculate this, that and the other thing. Again, I am not using numbers here, because in my opinion that doesn’t matter. It’s more how you look and feel. I am my goal weight +27lbs, so I will call this +27. Waist wise it’s not terrible, but it is goal +4 inches or +4″. I’ve done the morning routine as per the instructions that came with the packaging as well as the verbal instructions from my “coach”. So far taste-wise, not bad. I actually really like the taste of one of the items. The other one is fine, it’s just not my speed. Overall, so far so good.

11:04 – I just finished one of the snacks that they provided. Veggies, hard boiled egg whites and some other stuff is “allowed” too, but I am full tilt with this thing, so I had the snack bar. First, anything peanut-flavored is alright in my book. The bar was really good. To be honest, I only ate it because this was the time I was supposed to. I really didn’t have any hunger whatsoever.

1:00 PM – Just finished the afternoon routine. So far I feel fine. No issues whatsoever. I was nervous about kicking the coffee habit but nada so far. I just completed making a new project on kickstarter.com to help me fund the cookbook that I will create from doing this cleanse. You can find it on there by clicking HERE.  Speaking of the cookbook, I am heading out to the grocery store now to go get the items I will need for tonight’s dinner. Most of the ingredients haven’t harvested yet in the garden…

2:52 PM – I will say that it is a bit difficult sitting at the breakfast bar of my kitchen while the aromas are wafting above. The Bison Meatballs are working in the crock pot and I am chugging on. Unfortunately they are slow cooked so I can’t enjoy them for a while. But if it weren’t for the smell, I wouldn’t even think about it.

6:33 PM – I just finished eating dinner. The Bison Meatballs were fantastic. I can’t wait to make them again. The Ezekiel Garlic Toast Points were really good too, but I wasn’t really worried about those. Overall, a pretty terrific din din and the day is really flying by. I took a pic of the first homemade meal of the cleanse and it is:

Rosemary Bison Meatballs with Ezekiel Garlic Toast and Salad

If you want a sneak peek of the recipe book I will give out this recipe to try to the first 25 people that message me. I want volunteers to make this so I know it works for everybody. OK. Off to do the dishes. I’m still exhausted from the show last night so I have a feeling I will pass out early.

8:31 PM – The day is almost over. Kids are in bed. Dishes are done. Shark Tank is on. Life is good. The real question – how was the hunger? How was the first day of the cleanse? Honestly? Not a big deal. When dinner time was nearing I was definitely ready to eat. There is no doubt about that. BUT, I think for a first day and not really knowing how to work the system I’ll take it. I may try to have the big amazing meal at lunchtime tomorrow, just to see what the difference is. All in all, I would definitely say thumbs up so far.

I will see you at the next post – feel free to message with ANY questions – I am happy to answer! Now I am getting ready for bed because last night is definitely catching up to me…