Is Clean Really Better?

Summer is here and many women are looking for the quick fix to get bikini ready. With this, the popularity of the cleanse is sweeping the nation. From The Master Cleanse, to the SkinnyGirl Cleanse, a variety of juice cleanses, and many, many more, it's no wonder we might turn to one of these to shed those last couple of pounds.

With the abundance of cleanses they each claim relatively similar effects while having slightly different procedures. In the end, they all say they can help you lose weight and have better health. The scary truth is that most health care professionals do not find cleanses a healthy way to lose weight.

Marissa Lippert, a registered dietitian, says that most people who turn to cleanses do not see long term weight loss, rather it is just a quick drop of weight that is added back on once you begin eating normally again. Cher Pastore, R.D., agrees that cleanses are not a way to lose weight for the long term. She, along with M.D. Susan Blum, say that a short one-three day cleanse can be ok, but anything longer than that is not necessary and can be harmful (2011).

According to an article in USA Today many dietitians do not believe in or condone any sort of cleanse (Hellmich, 2009). It was stated that most are deficient in necessary nutrients and proteins. It seems that a cleanse can actually do more harm than help. Salmon (2010) discusses the trend of cleanses and a doctor’s point of view. The author says that there are times when people in certain fields of work or those who have particular medical conditions may benefit from a cleanse. 

However, it is reiterated that we have many organs that are in charge of detoxing our bodies without our help.

So if you're going to dive into the world of cleanses, make sure you do your research and think about the results you are looking for. If it's long term weight loss a gym membership might be a better way to spend your money.

Are juice cleanses really healthy? Why some wellness experts worry. (2011). http://www.wellandgoodnyc.com/2011/03/09/are-juice-cleanses-really-healthy-why-some-wellness-experts-worry/#

Hellmich, N. (2009). ‘Cleansing’ diets lure celebs, but not health experts. USA Today, retrieved on November 7, 2011, from http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2009-03-24-cleanse-diet_N.htm

Salmon, S.B. (2010). Deconstructing Detox Treatments: Myth or Health Restorative? Environmental Nutrition, 33(1), 1-6.

Running to End Domestic Violence Quest

Check out our new guest blogger Mariya Taher. She'll be writing blogs about her running and fundraising journey while keeping us informed on domestic violence. Look out for her future blogs!

Seventy-eight miles. 411,840 feet. 4,942,080 inches. That’s the distance I’ll be covering during the SIX half marathons that I’ll be running between June 3, 2012 through December 2, 2012.

7,800 calories burned. 17 In & Out Cheeseburgers served animal style consumed to counteract this calorie burn. Or maybe I’ll just stick to eating 34 pieces of chocolate cake with white frosting and sprinkles to make up this loss in weight.


The End Result. Undergoing both an intense physical and mental challenge by running 6 Half Marathons all in the name of raising money for an agency dear to my heart, Women Organized to Make Abuse Non-Existent (WOMAN, Inc.). WOMAN, Inc. was founded in 1978, and for the last thirty-four years they have provided essential services for domestic violence survivors throughout the Bay Area.


The Races:

• Jun. 3, 2012: San Diego, CA — Rock ‘n’ Roll Series - COMPLETED!

       

• Sept.  22, 2012 Denver, CO — Rock ‘n’ Roll Series
• Oct.  7, 2012: San Jose, CA — Rock ‘n’ Roll Series
• Oct.  14, 2012 - San Francisco, CA — Nike Women’s
• Oct.  28, 2012 Los Angeles, CA — Rock ‘n’ Roll Series
• Dec.  2, 2012 Las Vegas, NV — Rock ‘n’ Roll Series

So, I am writing to ask my friends and family to sponsor me in undertaking this challenge. I have two ambitious goals – first to beat my personal record of running a half marathon by atleast 1 minute in each of the 6 races and second to help me raise $5000 for WOMAN, Inc. All donations will directly benefit the agency and are, of course, tax deductible. Plus, don’t you want me to eat all those hamburgers and pieces of chocolate cake guilt free?!

Raising money for this agency holds special importance for me as I work for WOMAN, Inc. and as many of you know, I have made it my life’s passion to work towards ending violence against women. Domestic Violence affects more people than you might imagine with one out of every four women experiencing it at some point in their lifetime.  This form of violence does not discriminate and occurs among people of all races, ages, socio-economic classes, religious affiliations, sexual orientations, occupations, education backgrounds, meaning the likelihood of this situation happening to you or a loved one of yours is all too real. A statement that I am sad to say holds true for me as too many special people in my life have had to undergo this heart-breaking situation.

WOMAN, Inc. is an agency working to make the end of domestic violence a reality, but as the need outdoes the supply, this agency urgently needs our financial help to continue services for this vulnerable population.  Please join me in supporting this very important cause by considering a sponsorship in my Running to End DV quest!

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION

SUGGESTED SPONSOR RATES PER MILE

I ______________ will make a per mile donation of $ ____________ for up to ____________ miles.

            _{Donor Name}

(Table below gives donation amounts based on the number of miles and number of races sponsored)

# of Runs	Miles	$1 per mile donation	$2 per mile donation	$5 per mile donation
Six runs	78 miles	$78	$156	$390
Five runs	65 miles	$65	$130	$325
Four runs	52 miles	$52	$104	$260
Three runs	39 miles	$39	$78	$195
Two runs	26 miles	$26	$52	$130
One run	13 miles	$13	$26	$65

OR

I will make a flat donation of $ ____________ to support WOMAN, Inc. services.

SUGGESTED FLAT RATE DONATIONS

• $1,000 to help provide approximately 75 hours of support line services to survivors of domestic violence!

• $750 to help provide approximately 25 people one-on-one therapy services!
• $500 to help WOMAN, Inc. sit with close to 30 mono-lingual Spanish speaking survivors, looking to end the abuse in their homes.
• $100 to help train volunteers to become agents of social change in the community!

• $50 to help provide groceries to 3 clients!
• $25 to help advocate for survivors’ rights at 3 different community meetings!

• $10 to help provide essential needs such as food and BART tickets to clients in need!

TO SPONSOR: Click on the DONATE NOW (http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise?fcid=200917) button to make a secure credit card donation:

OR

If you wish to mail a check instead, please make all checks out to the WOMAN, Inc. and mail it to

WOMAN, Inc.,

Attention: Running to End DV

333 Valencia Suite 450,

San Francisco, CA 94103