Intro
I've never cleansed before. I've done Juice Til Dinner 4 days a week for a few weeks, but I've never taken on the challenge of a true cleanse. I tend to treat my body like a temple, but I can also be pretty hard on it too. I work like a machine and tend to overdo it. I intermittent fast (always have), I’ve tracked macros, I’ve pushed through tough workouts 7 days a week (and recently cut down to 4-5 per week)-but something recently was telling me I needed more than rest, I needed a reset.
Why I Did This Cleanse
I've been on burnout mode, running on autopilot for months on end. I wanted to cleanse my body and hoped that the light feeling cleansing would provide would allow for my mind to follow suit.
This cleanse came at the perfect time: I wanted to clear the fog, boost my energy, and reconnect with myself. Another great reason for me to start the cleanse at this time-I just got back from Paris a few days ago and struggle with a gluten allergy. I was exposed to gluten multiple days in a row and felt so sick there. I really wanted to detox my gut, I felt so energetically and physically drained.
With the 4 day superfood cleanse, I didn't really know what to expect, but I love a challenge. I've done a lot-75 hard (and successfully completed it), Project 60 and more. I promised myself I'd stay the course, even though I was slightly apprehensive.
Apprehensive At First
Food and diet trends are at an all time high right now. It's protein this, protein that. Which, in reality is a form of the "low fat/no carb" diet trends of the early 2000s. Everything comes back around, right?
I'll admit it, I'm the same way. Protein has been the most important macro for me over the past few years.
The emphasis we put on protein is almost crushing. I know people who all they do is focus on whether or not they got their 100-120 grams of protein in for the day. Protein intake has become more important than experiencing life itself.
So many people don't realize what they're even doing. Just listening blindly to influencers about their intake that aligns with their goals, meanwhile those listening don't know what their goals are.
What I Didn't Realize
I failed to consider that protein is also what's been exhausting me. It takes so much energy for the body to digest. So that sluggish, burnout feeling that I've been dying to find a solution for was as simple as taking a step back and cleansing.
I learned that during a cleanse, reducing heavy protein allows the body to redirect that energy toward cellular repair, detoxification, and healing. It gives the gut a break and frees up resources for deeper restoration that normal eating habits don’t always allow.
My Journal: No Holding Back
4 Day Superfood Cleanse
Day 1 – 8:00 PM
Started my first juice around 2 pm. I’m doing a 6.5 hour eating window, ending around 8:30. Just finished my last juice of the day. I feel energized, full, and satiated. I had a low impact strength workout + cardio, and I feel strong and focused, rather than weak like I usually do when I do fasted workouts. I wasn’t as drowsy as I normally am and even struggled to fall asleep for a short nap around 4 pm. My creative energy flowed today for the first time since I got back from Paris 6 days ago. Jet lag has had a grip on me, but this felt like a shift. As someone who intermittent fasts daily, it’s a challenge to down this much liquid in such a short window, but I also started late so that's on me. Either way I like the intensity. So excited for tomorrow.
Aesthetic check-in: I didn’t weigh myself (I’m at a low body weight, so weight loss isn't the goal), but my stomach is completely flat and my muscle definition is sharper.
Day 2 – 6:40 PM
Woke up with so much energy and zero fog. Got 8+ hours of sleep and slept like a baby. Energy was high all day, mentally and physically. Super productive in work and personal stuff. My eating window started around 12 today. Hunger kicked in around 4-5 pm but felt more like a habit than actual hunger. I was super full before that. The cravings hit, but I didn’t cave. I reminded myself I’m bigger than my thoughts. I want the satisfaction of completing this challenge. Not just physically, but mentally and spiritually. Not having to cook or time out meals gave me way more time to focus on my work and creative energy.
Aesthetic check-in: Skin looks extra glowy, no inflammation, stomach flat, muscles more defined than yesterday.
Day 3 – 9:00 PM
I feel like a new person. Clarity hit hard today...mentally, physically, energetically. Not just clean eating: clean energy. I felt strong (both physically and mentally), still not hungry, not weak, even during strength training. Everything feels like it's in total alignment. My thoughts are and were calm, my body wasn’t tense, my heart didn’t feel scattered. No monkey mind around food, no distractions. I’ve had so many creative thoughts flowing through, I couldn’t even keep track. It feels like something unlocked. It's an unbelievable feeling and experience.
Reflecting: The last few months, I’ve been trying to get this version of myself back. Focused, grounded, clear. Today I felt her.
Day 4 – 7:00 PM
I feel like I shed my skin and came back to myself.
The past 2–3 months I’ve been on autopilot. Struggling to stay present, overthinking, feeling off. My cortisol was at an all time high before this started. Now it feels like the lowest it’s been in well over a year. Today was quiet in the best way: mentally peaceful, spiritually aligned with the universe. I feel like I’m back. I feel connected to what I want again, and actually have the energy to go after it. This wasn’t just about food or cleansing/healing my gut. It was about proving to myself that I can actually reset from this burnout, stay disciplined, and actually feel good while doing it. It gave me a sense of self that I was missing-belief. I truly believe in myself again. It's a really beautiful and emotional experience that I believe everyone should experience at least once in their life.
Wrap-Up
Although totally optional, I chose to continue through Day 4 instead of doing a 3.5-day cleanse with dinner at the end and I’m so glad I did.
I had moments throughout the entirety of this cleanse where I wanted to eat solid food, but I knew it wasn’t real hunger, it was habitual. I’ve learned to identify the four types of hunger, and that helped me listen to my body better.
I’m so proud I stuck with it.
Aesthetic check-in: No inflammation. My face and stomach are tight, skin is glowy, smooth, and clear. I feel strong and nourished.
Bonus Benefits That I wasn't Expecting
Physically
- Energy spikes and a clean, level energy throughout the day without needing to rely on my espresso machine
- My body looks so much more lean
- My skin is radiant, smooth, and glowy
- The inflammation I didn't even know existed just disappeared
- My sleep improved drastically
Mentally & Spiritually
- My mental clarity was at an all time high, I felt so connected with myself and the environment around me
- I was able to approach moments of movement with so much more intention and appreciation for my ability to move my body
- Mindfulness and gratitude for the smallest things, I experienced so many beautiful moments
Final Thoughts
Overall, I'm so so so happy I did this. If you've never cleansed before or are also in need of a reset from the burnout we're all experiencing, this is your sign.
Personally, I hope to cleanse once a month at a minimum from here on out, because my biggest investment is myself.
