Juice Fast – Day 6

Still going! I’m surprised at myself, but it’s actually turning out to be much easier than I imagined.

I have to say that my energy level is definitely better than it was prior. My eating was probably a 7 out of 10 before, so it’s likely that the improvement in nutrition is a big reason for my clarity, energy, etc. I suspect that incorporating juice into a diet that’s 8 or 9 out of 10 would give me similar, long-lasting quality of life.

The number on the scale has dropped by 9.8 lbs, which is pretty exciting. That’s about 2 lbs per day. Not sure what to expect for the last half of the fast, but I would love to lose 5 more on this journey.

Unfortunately, day 10 of the fast happens to be Super Bowl, which is one of my usually bigger eating days. I’m not committing to anything – just like I never really “committed” to doing 10 days – but I’m just curious what choices I will instinctively make. If I do break the fast, I suspect that I will eat far less than I would normally – basically tastes of the different things I like. I suspect for some period of time after the fast, that I will savor food far more than I was doing prior. I hope I do.

Speaking of not committing, it comes to mind that not committing is exactly how I quit smoking about 12 years ago. I basically said to myself, very casually, I wonder how long I can go without a cigarette. 7-10 days later, I had the same pack in my pocket and decided I didn’t need it any more and through it out. From 10-20 cigarettes per day to 0, out of nothing but curiosity. Seems like there’s something within me that thrives off of this approach.

I do have one craving: steak. I’m surprised, because I have been practically addicted to Baja Fresh for probably around 10 years or so, eating there an average of 3+ times per week. But I can’t say that I’ve had any desire for it during this fast. Not that Baja Fresh is unhealthy – I think it relatively is – but it’s just interesting that I haven’t craved it strongly.

Juice Fast – Day 3

Woke up this morning sensing a different energy than I’m used to. I’m used to being groggy for at least 10-20 minutes, but this morning, I could sense a clarity of mind from the moment I sat up.

Also, was happy to see a lower number on the scale this morning.  7.5 lbs so far – in 2 days of juice fasting. That seems like a lot. I can’t imagine that was anything but waste and water. But it is still good to see the number going down so fast. I’m going to need to keep an eye on the weight after the fast is over, to see where I stabilize to.

Had probably the nastiest juice last night.. beets, carrots, tomatoes, celery, radishes, jalapeno, parsley. Added some apple and it was better, but still very hard to drink.

Had a great juice this morning.. pineapple, oranges, celery, cucumber. I could definitely start my day like that!

Oh, lastly, I’m sensing that my sinuses seem to be clearing up significantly. I’ve always known that I live day to day with some congestion, but haven’t had the discipline to take the nasal spray intended to relieve it so I’ve just lived with it. Now that it’s clear, or nearly clear, I’m wondering how I lived like that.. It makes me wonder whether there was something in what I was eating that I am allergic to and don’t know it. The only way I can think to find out is to re-introduce foods slowly after my fast so that I can determine whether any of the foods cause symptoms.

Also, I don’t know whether this is due to a lower energy level as I get used to the juice fast diet, but I sense that my mood is calming a bit. Things aren’t bothering me as quickly, and I’m being more focused and intentional – like my mind isn’t in constant hyperdrive mode. Like I said, it may be from a lower energy level, and it’s actually similar to what I experience when I have a cold, but it’s worth noting here. I don’t know whether I’d call my energy “lower”, per se, but definitely more relaxed.

Juice Fast – Day 1

Today I started what’s called a “juice fast”. 10 days of consuming nothing but fresh juice and water. Will I make it? They say it depends on why you’re doing it. So I’ve decided to write about the experience.

I feel there’s something wrong with how I think about food. I want [insert food here], and then end up feeling worse after eating it than I did before. The craving subsides, but my quality of life has diminished as payment.

I am not happy with my health level. I want to have energy at the end of the day for my kids. I want to stop yawning all the time. I don’t feel tired during the day, but I yawn for seemingly no reason. I want to feel alive, clear headed, able to focus. And I never want to have to take prescription medications, but my doctor warned me – some 6 months ago or something – that I’m headed in that direction. I don’t know if it was a scare tactic or something, but I just know that I do not feel the way that I know I could / should feel – the way I have felt before when I was in better shape.

On a spiritual level, I’ve always had a desire to fast.. I guess out of curiosity. My understanding is that spiritual fasting trains your mind to understand that the body doesn’t need what we learn (in error) it needs. If this is true, it makes complete sense to fast periodically throughout life to keep those habits at bay. This juice fast allows me to relearn about what sustenance my body needs, while still taking in sufficient nutrition.

So some friends recently turned my wife on to juicing. Then she and I saw the documentary movie Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead together. I had seen it before, and been inspired, but didn’t think it would fly in my house, and it was forgotten. I’ve been making playful fun of my wife’s interest, even though I knew it’s something I wanted to do/try deep down, but she insisted and persisted that she was interested in giving it a try. I’m so thankful for that, because I can now dive in and give the fast a try.

I’m fearful of two things: 1) not being able to finish the 10 days; 2) recognizing significant health benefits and then falling back into my old habits. These fears are why I’m journaling about this.

So today I had my first juice. Funny enough, juicing is actually fun. Cleaning it is not (I assume – my wife cleaned it for me – thank you!), but seeing the fruit get obliterated in 0.1 seconds is a bit gratifying – I don’t know why…

My first concoction was cucumber, carrots, apple, ginger root (what!) – I think that was it. What a feast – yeah right lol. I was actually surprised by the taste. I was expecting a 1 (out of 10) taste.  What I got was probably a 6.5 – definitely palatable, and I finished the whole thing without a single gag reflex!  BUT, I am expecting that the more I juice, my taste buds will begin to “reset” or something, which I think will produce juice cravings, or at least a stronger affinity to the flavors. Maybe that will happen – we’ll see.

I’m looking forward to experiencing how I feel on nothing but juice.  I’m expecting the first 3-4 days to be pretty rough, based on what I saw on the documentary. But the promise of how people felt on days 5+ appears to be worth it.

So, my first juice was at about 7:30 AM.  It’s now almost 9:30, and I’m starting to get hungry.  I’ll check in again later.