Get it? Get it? I smell a cliche…

So, I’m more than half way done with the detox I’m doing with The BodyLab. I feel pretty awesome. I get a little over-exerted at the end of workouts, but other than that, I feel fine. I worked two photo shoots for 303’s print issue (which I couldn’t be more thrilled about)–and for those of you who’ve never been on set for a day, eating healthy is quite a challenge. It’s usually pizza. My cohorts had some, but I stuck with the shake I made for myself (with the Ultra Clear medical food supplement) and the hard boiled eggs, fruit, dried fruit, chicken and roasted vegetables I packed. I literally packed a shake. It was weird. But, the dried fruit truly feels like a treat (and if you go off the deep end with it, you can’t do that much damage with apple slices).

When you’re in the heat of something painful–be it an exercise or something in life–and you know an amazing end will meet you (great body, great life, whatever), the only thing you can do is find some peace. So, that’s where I’m at with my detox. I’m at peace. Sugar, caffeine, cheese? They don’t exist. As far as food goes, I have become a no-person in many ways, while simultaneously saying yes to learning new things. Sara Peternell’s recipes are easy and delicious–so that’s been a huge help and exciting, too. And, I know if I wanted more ideas, she would just shout’em out. (She is the nutritionist who got me on this detox and she works–and works out–at The Lab.)

I hosted a dinner party on Day 8, amazingly, and while the guests

Keep calm and carry on. This is what my mental state is.

had to eat as healthy as me, I was able to buy and feed them bread and mozzarella cheese without feeling like I was going to cry because I couldn’t partake. In incredibly generous moment, I almost bought dessert for my guests, but I figured, their booze was the equivalent. I didn’t know if I could take it. I do miss wine, certainly, but it’s not like I’ve decided to never drink again or eat sugar or cheese again. That’s how a person doing a detox has to look at these things. And, hopefully, I’ll take a lot of these great habits with me into the next couple of weeks and for the rest of my life.

Days 7 & 8 Lows
-I had some issues with timing, and I felt like I couldn’t possibly eat more food, despite feeling incredibly hungry sometimes.
-I am extremely short-fused (but, most people wouldn’t notice a difference in me–it’s my insides that feel on the brink of rage).

Days 7 & 8 Highs
-I haven’t experienced many lows and I’m exiting what’s considered as the challenging part of the detox (although, any part can be challenging depending on your state of mind).
-Saying no to wine, sugar, bread and cigarettes in one day made me feel both powerful and resolute. I’m building trust back in myself.
-Found an amazing and easy recipe–balsamic reduction with shallots on top of caprese (and for vegans/temporary non-cheese eaters, sub mozzarella for cucumbers. I know, that doesn’t sound like a great compromise…but the reduction makes it awesome).
-Life is pretty normal and I have a hard time finding the “lows.”
-Fewer calories = less cardio.
-I’m down three pounds.

Laura Standley is the editor in chief of 303 Magazine. She’s been blogging about fitness since January 2011. To read her past blog posts, click here.