How long does it take to do a Master Cleanse?
The Master Cleanse, also known as the Lemonade Diet, is a popular detox and weight loss program that involves drinking a lemonade-based concoction for a period of 10 days or longer. With its stringent rules and drastic calorie restriction, many who try the Master Cleanse are curious about how long it actually takes to complete a round of the diet.
In this comprehensive guide, we will take a close look at the different stages of the Master Cleanse and provide timeframes for how long it takes to complete each phase. Whether you are considering undertaking this detox and want to know what to expect, or have already started and want to gauge your progress, this guide will outline the time commitment required for the Master Cleanse.
Overview of the Master Cleanse
The Master Cleanse is a liquid-only diet consisting of a lemonade drink taken 6-12 times per day. The lemonade is made from water, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. No other foods, supplements, or liquids are allowed during the cleanse phase. The exception is an occasional laxative tea or salt water flush.
The diet was created by Stanley Burroughs in the 1940s and outlined in his book, The Master Cleanser. Proponents of the cleanse believe it can detoxify the body, eliminate cravings, and promote weight loss.
The Master Cleanse is done in three phases:
- Ease-In: 3-7 days of gradually cutting out solid foods and caffeine prior to the lemonade cleanse
- Lemonade Cleanse: 10-40 days of the liquid-only diet
- Ease-Out: 3-7 days of gradually reintroducing solid foods after the cleanse
The total timeframe to complete the full Master Cleanse is typically 2-8 weeks, depending on the length of the lemonade cleanse phase.
Phase 1: The Ease-In Stage
The ease-in stage is designed to gently transition into the Master Cleanse by slowly cutting out certain foods and substances.
There is no fixed timeframe for the ease-in stage. The standard recommendation is 3-7 days, but it can be shortened to just 1-2 days or extended up to 2 weeks, depending on individual needs.
Here is an example 5 day ease-in schedule:
| Day | Diet |
|---|---|
| 1 | Normal diet but eliminate processed foods, dairy, and refined sugars |
| 2 | Fruits, vegetables, whole grains only |
| 3 | Orange juice and raw fruits and veggies only |
| 4 | Liquids only – fruit and vegetable juices, herbal tea, water |
| 5 | Only Master Cleanse lemonade drink |
The purpose of the ease-in is to gradually cut out caffeine, processed foods, dairy, meat, and solid foods to minimize withdrawal symptoms when starting the lemonade cleanse diet. Take as much time as needed in the ease-in stage to allow the body to adjust.
Phase 2: The Lemonade Cleanse
The lemonade cleanse phase is the heart of the Master Cleanse program. This is when you will drink 6-12 glasses of spicy lemonade made from lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and water daily and take in no other foods or beverages besides laxative tea and salt water flushes as needed.
The minimum timeframe for the lemonade cleanse is 10 days. However, Stanley Burroughs recommended staying on the cleanse for at least 10 days and up to 40 days for maximum detoxification and weight loss benefits.
Here is an overview of the timeframe goals for the lemonade cleanse phase:
| Timeframe | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 10 days | Minimum duration to see results |
| 20 days | Ideal for detoxification |
| 30-40 days | Maximum duration for weight loss |
Most people choose to stay on the lemonade cleanse for 10-15 days. Listen to your body and go for as long as you feel comfortable. Keep in mind you may need a longer cleanse to achieve your desired goals.
Phase 3: The Ease-Out Stage
After completing the lemonade cleanse phase, you must slowly reintroduce solid foods. Abruptly going back to your normal diet can shock the system. The ease-out stage transitions your body from a liquid diet back to normal eating.
Like the ease-in, the standard timeframe recommended for the ease-out is 3-7 days. But again, you may need more or less time depending on how long you did the cleanse and how your body reacts.
Here is a sample 5 day ease-out plan after a 10 day lemonade cleanse:
| Day | Diet |
|---|---|
| 1 | Only orange juice |
| 2 | Fruit juices, herbal tea, Master Cleanse lemonade |
| 3 | Orange juice, raw fruits and vegetables, vegetable soup |
| 4 | Vegetable juice, fruits, salads, nuts and seeds |
| 5 | Return to normal diet but avoid processed foods |
Go slowly with reintroducing foods and stop if you experience discomfort. Only add back one food group at a time. Your stomach will have shrunk so you will get full fast. Chew food thoroughly.
How Long Does It Take to Complete the Full Master Cleanse?
If you complete the full Master Cleanse program by doing the ease-in, lemonade cleanse, and ease-out phases, the total duration will be:
- Ease-In Stage: Minimum 3 days, up to 1-2 weeks
- Lemonade Cleanse Stage: Minimum 10 days, up to 40 days
- Ease-Out Stage: Minimum 3 days, up to 1 week
Therefore, the full Master Cleanse can take as little as 16 days or as long as 2 months from start to finish. The typical timeframe ranges from 2-6 weeks depending on your goals.
Here is an overview of the total time commitment for shorter and longer Master Cleanse programs:
| Cleanse Program | Total Duration |
|---|---|
| 10 day lemonade cleanse + 3 day ease-in/out | 16 days |
| 20 day lemonade cleanse + 1 week ease-in/out | 34 days |
| 40 day lemonade cleanse + 2 week ease-in/out | 66 days |
Expect to devote anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months to complete the Master Cleanse safely and effectively. Know that you can end your cleanse early if needed. Just be sure to ease-out properly.
Tips for Success
Completing the Master Cleanse is no easy feat. Here are some tips to help you successfully complete the full cleanse within your desired timeframe:
- Clear your schedule: Don’t plan a cleanse when you have lots of obligations or stressful events.
- Enlist support: Ask friends and family to encourage you through challenging moments.
- Keep supplies ready: Have ingredients for the lemonade on hand so you aren’t tempted to cheat.
- Stay busy: Distract yourself from food temptations by keeping occupied with work, hobbies, exercise.
- Listen to your body: Adjust the program if needed based on how you feel.
- Stay focused: Remind yourself regularly why you are doing this.
While it requires commitment and discipline, thousands have completed the Master Cleanse and experienced renewal of body, mind, and spirit. Stay focused on your health goals and know that you have the inner strength to succeed.
Conclusion
In summary, a full Master Cleanse program generally takes 2-8 weeks from start to finish when including the ease-in, lemonade cleanse, and ease-out phases. Most cleansers stay on the liquid-only lemonade diet for 10-15 days. Listen to your body, ease into and out of the program, and be prepared for a commitment of 16-60 days to complete the Master Cleanse safely while achieving your desired results.