

Like everyone else, I ate way too much during the holidays.
I had this thought in the back of my mind that once the New Year hit and I started my Kanye workout plan, I would be all good. I also knew I wouldn't be on the baked macaroni and sweet potato pie diet for days at a time. Still, we're getting further into the new year and my body is still crying for help.
My body told me in more ways than one I needed a major detox. I tried a few that I found on Pinterest, but nothing seemed to work. I was getting really discouraged as I realized my food was just not digesting properly. So, I went cold turkey (or I guess without turkey) and everything else except fruits and vegetables, for five days.
In a nutshell: my body was a victim of culture shock. It's not that I just ate so badly all the time. I never realized how much I needed to cleanse my body from certain foods that I did eat regularly. My experience during those five days was much different than I expected.
To be honest, I'm still not sure if this was the best way to go.
Day 1 & Day 2
The first day of my detox, which was a Friday, was proof that I needed one. I'm not quite sure how to put it into words, but let's just say I experienced immediate results. I was like, "If I keep at it, I'm about to lose five pounds in a week!" That didn't happen. Still, I can admit I was definitely feeling myself after Day 1. I started to think about embracing becoming a Vegan because I thought it was just that easy, especially since Day 2 was a breeze, too.
Day 3
While I was thankful I started at the top of the weekend and got the difficult days over with in the beginning, I started to feel the impact of this brief eating change that soon felt like forever on Day 3. I thought I had gotten into a nice rhythm the first couple of days and assumed I would coast for the rest of the week. Nope.
I had mixed vegetables for lunch that Sunday. Even though I was full at the time, anyone would know that's certainly not enough for a full day. I took a nap and woke up that evening STARVING. Like, dizzy, blurred vision and all. That's when it hit me that this isn't for the faint at heart.
Yes, I prepared the best I could. I stocked up on groceries because knowing myself, I was fully aware I couldn't do this on the fly, but there was nothing that could have prepared me for how I felt that night. Thankfully, I stuck to my fruits and vegetables menu but realized I needed some good protein that would stick to my stomach. I Googled, "What do Vegans eat for protein?" because this rookie had no clue what she was doing. After I found out that almonds were not a vegetable, mushrooms and asparagus became my best friends.
Day 4 & Day 5
Even though I felt better when I woke up on Day 4, I didn't work out like I normally do in the morning because I still felt a little weak. Clearly, my body was missing its protein so I tried to add even more into my regimen.
Interestingly enough, things took yet another unexpected turn for Day 5. I was back to my energetic self and even felt good enough to work out, but I realized my digestion issues had somehow resurfaced overnight because my mid-section seemed a little bigger. I stood on the scale and realized I had gained two pounds and was pretty much back where I started before I began this temporary diet cleanse.
I almost felt like it was all a waste.
Even though my body reacted so quickly to the cleanse during the first couple of days, I felt like the rest were unnecessary. I literally thought to myself, "I could've at least had a piece of fish and gotten these same results." I did a little more research and found that the best length of time to do the fruits and vegetables-only diet is for three days.
I would have to say the biggest lesson I learned is that there is a such thing as too much of a good thing; even when it comes to healthy foods. Yes, fruits and vegetables are the teacher's pets when it comes to the nutritional food groups, but they weren't enough to sustain me or even to keep my body cleaned out for longer than a couple of days.
Since then, instead of the temporary quick fix of a cleanse or a diet, I've decided to just embrace a healthier lifestyle altogether. I realized that I went from one extreme to another and I just needed a solid balance (and solid food). After this experience, I decided to cut out bread, sugar, pastas, and processed snacks.
It's certainly not as drastic as only fruits and vegetables, but I have a feeling my body will be thanking me much more for this lifestyle change in the end.
Have you ever tried a cleanse? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments down below.
- Fruit Flush Diet Plan Review: Detoxing With Fruit? ›
- Detoxing Guidelines: 16 Cleansing Foods ›
- The Fruit Flush Diet | Everyday Health ›
- The Best Fruits & Vegetables for Cleansing | LIVESTRONG.COM ›
- My 7-Day Fruit And Vegetable Cleanse, All in One Place | The Plant ... ›
- Plant-Based Whole Foods Diet: Cleanse Your System | 30-Day ... ›
- Food choices for a truly effective full body cleanse ›
- Will Eating Lots of Fruit and Vegetables Cleanse Your System ... ›
- Weekend Detox: Try This Healthy Vegetarian Cleanse - Vegetarian ... ›
- Urban Remedy: How To Do A Cleanse At Home ›
- How to Cleanse Your Body With Fresh Fruits and Vegetables ›
Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
Watch the full episode below:
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole
Calling All Lovers: October London, Tamar Braxton & Ro James Deliver A Soulful Serenade
If there was ever a night to pull out your best leather jacket, call up an old flame, and lean into your soft, sultry era, The October Nights: Calling All Lovers tour was it.
Presented by Black Promoters Collective, the show brought an evening of lush vocals, smooth grooves, and unapologetic grown-folks business to Atlanta—with Ro James, Tamar Braxton, and the man of the hour, October London, leading the charge. The energy? Sensual. The vibe? Intoxicating (literally and figuratively—more on that in a minute).
Ro James kicked off the night with his signature raspy vocals and a cool confidence that immediately set the tone. While “Permission” was the undeniable crowd favorite (with couples slow-dancing in their seats and people swaying with their phones in the air), he also dug deeper into his catalog, delivering seductive mid-tempos and moody ballads that reminded us he’s not a one-hit wonder—he’s a whole vibe.
Next up, Tamar Braxton took the stage with diva energy and vocal acrobatics that had the crowd on their feet. Her set was a perfect mix of emotion and edge—songs like “My Man,” “All the Way Home,” and “Love & War” hit every heartstring, but she didn’t stop there.
Tamar tapped into her earlier work, showing her full vocal range and reminding everyone that she’s one of the most powerful voices of her generation. Between tracks, she got personal with the audience, sharing laughs and stories like we were all cousins at the family reunion.
Oh—and in case you missed it: “Braxtons are coming back.” 👀 Consider that a soft launch if we’ve ever heard one.
Then came the velvet king himself: October London.
From the moment he stepped on stage, it felt like time slowed down. Backed by a silky live band and powerhouse background vocalists The Shindellas — Kaso, Stacy, and Tam, October’s set was pure R&B indulgence.
He opened with songs like “She Keeps Calling” and “Make Me Wanna,” blending retro soul with modern sensuality. Every note was intentional, every lyric soaked in emotion.
“Touch On Me” and “3rd Shift” had the crowd in a trance, while “Lovers Interlude” and “You Look Better” brought things to a tender, candlelit close.
And because this is October London we’re talking about—of course, he came with the charm. “If I come down there and sing with you,” he teased one woman in the front row, “you gon’ get pregnant.” The entire room screamed.
He also took a moment to introduce his newest venture—a signature whiskey that he’s currently promoting on tour. Smooth music, smooth vocals, smooth whiskey? A trifecta for the grown and sexy.
To top off the night, there was even a surprise pop-up from Tyrese, sending the crowd into full nostalgic overload.
By the end of the night, it was clear: this wasn’t just a concert—it was a love letter to R&B. The October Nights: Calling All Lovers tour captured the essence of grown-up intimacy, storytelling, and soul. No gimmicks. Just real voices, real feelings, and really good music.
If October London is the future of modern soul, we’re all in.
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Feature image by Geoffrey Clowes/ Shutterstock