I did it! I made it four days and I'm still going strong! Day four was better than the previous three days by leaps and bounds! The hunger pains are pretty much gone, although making meals for my family is still difficult. Really, it's just weird not to eat, it feels awkward to have to stop myself from grabbing a snack. Ya know, before, I would just eat when I was hungry without much thought...now I'm having to be conscious about everything...I have almost accidentally eaten several times. My kids are confused about why Mommy isn't eating with them and they think green juice is silly...Carson actually begs for drinks of it! LOL!
No side effects really, headache lingers a little, but nothing unbearable. I'm still getting the hiccups more than normal and peeing all day long, but that is to be expected with all the liquid I'm consuming. And the part you've all been waiting for - I weighed myself this morning (day 5) and I'm down 9 pounds! Yep, you heard me, NINE pounds in four days!! woo hoo! If that's not motivation to keep going, I don't know what is!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Aaaahhh, day three...so glad you're over!
Three days! So far, so good...sort of! LOL Meal times are still really hard, I made spaghetti and garlic toast for the kids tonight and that was really hard! mmmm....garlic! Seriously though, I am so proud of myself, I didn't even lick the sauce off my finger when I checked the temperature for the boys; I just grabbed a paper towel and wiped it off! It's so funny how I'm noticing all the little behaviors that I hadn't paid attention to before now. When I made the kids a pb&j, I would almost always eat their crust, or steal a bite of their cereal at breakfast time, or just grab a snack whenever I feel like it...that's been the hardest part and has made me see how easily all this extra weight came on! Not eating any food is really really hard, but every morning I wake up and think, "woo hoo! I made it another day!" And that feeling is so great, I can't wait to have it again tomorrow morning and the morning after that! It also helps that when I got on the scale this morning, I found that I had lost 6 pounds since the morning of day one! that is crazy! So I just looked at a calendar and realized that day 60 is April 2...wow, that seems really far away, doesn't it?! One day at a time!
One small side note - I've noticed that I have the hiccups A LOT lately! I don't know if it's related to the juicing or not, but I don't usually get them this often - we're talking like twice a day!
One small side note - I've noticed that I have the hiccups A LOT lately! I don't know if it's related to the juicing or not, but I don't usually get them this often - we're talking like twice a day!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Made it through day two...barely
Well I was doing awesome today until my daughter decided that pizza was her sleepover dinner of choice tonight. It's her birthday this weekend, so how could I say no? I didn't have any, but it was absolute torture! I decided to have fruit juice for breakfast rather than veggie juice because the idea of drinking cucumbers this morning was so unappealing! I know the fruit has more calories and sugar, but I'm okay with that! So breakfast was apple, pear, grape, strawberry, lemon juice and lunch and dinner were the same as yesterday with a couple minor tweaks for taste. I added another green apple and also added another half a lemon. Makes it much easier to drink! I still have a headache; it's gotten worse as the day has progressed. I have had to pee a TON today but luckily no other "purging" as it were. As soon as I can get the kids to bed, I am taking a hot bath and going to bed. I'm not as crabby as I was last night at this time, which could be because I drank my dinner a little later tonight, but I'm also not too chipper either!. Scott is out of town for the weekend which could make the next couple days harder because I have to feed the kids actual food while I drink my oh-so-tasty green juice! Anyway, that's about it...I made it through another day!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
End of day one
Well I made it through the first day of only juice and water...there were definitely some rough parts...I felt hungry most of the day and learned the hard way that too much ginger is NASTY! All those greens are making me super burpy and (because I said I'd be brutaly honest, here's some TMI) I did spend quite a bit of time in the restroom this morning. I have a headache - but I've had it for days, so I'm not sure that has anything to do with the fasting. I am really tired and feel physically weak, but I also didn't sleep long enough last night, so that could explain why I'm so sleepy...I think I'm going to bed early tonight so I don't have to deal with the next food craving until tomorrow. I expected all of this, but it doesn't make it any easier! I was making lunch for the boys today and it was SO hard not to snag a bite of their sandwiches! One craving at a time, one day at a time and I WILL power through this...I appreciate all the support, keep it coming!
Five stages of juice fasting detox
I copied this from www.juicefasting.org Sounds fun, right?? LOL
Stage 1 (Day 1 To Day 2)On the first day of fasting, the blood sugar level drops below 70 mg/dl. To restore the blood to the normal glucose level, liver glycogen is converted to glucose and released into the blood. This reserve is enough for half a day. The body then reduces the basal metabolic rate (BMR). The rate of internal chemical activity in resting tissue is lowered to conserve energy. The heart slows and blood pressure is reduced. Glycogen is pulled from the muscle causing some weakness. The first wave of cleansing is usually the worst. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, bad breath, glazed eyes and a heavily coated tongue are signs of the first stage of cleansing. Hunger can be the most intense in this period unless the enema is used which quickly assists the body into the fasting state by ending digestion in the colon.
Stage 2 (Day 3 To Day 7)Fats, composed of transformed fatty acids, are broken down to release glycerol from the gliceride molecules and are converted to glucose. The skin may become oily as rancid oils are purged from the body. People with problem-free skin may have a few days of pimples or even a boil. A pallid complexion is also a sign of waste in the blood. Ketones are formed by the incomplete oxidation of fats. It is suspected that the ketones in the blood suppress the appetite by affecting the food-satiety center in the hypothalamus. You may feel hungry for the first few days of the fast. This effect is temporary. The desire to eat will disappear. Lack of hunger may last 40 to 60 days, depending on whether you are on water or juice. The body embraces the fast and the digestive system is able to take a much-needed rest, focusing all of its energies on cleansing and healing. White blood cell and immune system activity increases. You may feel pain in your lungs. The cleansing organs and the lungs are in the process of being repaired. Periodically, the lymphatic system expels mucoid matter through the nose or throat. The volume excreted of this yellow-colored mucus can be shocking. The sinuses go through periods of being clogged, then will totally clear. The breath is still foul and the tongue coated. Within the intestine, the colon is being repaired and impacted feces on the intestinal wall start to loosen.
Stage 3 (Day 8 to Day 15)On the latter part of an extended fast, you can experience enhanced energy, clear-mindedness and feel better than you have felt since childhood. On the downside, old injuries may become irritated and painful. This is a result of the body’s increased ability to heal during fasting. If you had broken your arm 10 years before, there is scar tissue around the break. At the time of the break, the body’s ability to heal was directly related to lifestyle. If you lived on a junk-food diet, the body’s natural healing ability was compromised. During fasting, the body’s healing process is at optimum efficiency. As the body scours for dead or damaged tissue, the lymphocytes enter the older, damaged tissue secreting substances to dissolve the damaged cells. These substances irritate the nerves in the surrounding region and cause a reoccurrence of aches from previously injured areas that may have disappeared years earlier. The pain is good as the body is completing the healing process. The muscles may become tight and sore due to toxin irritation. The legs can be the worst affected, as toxins accumulate in the legs. Cankers are common in this stage due to the excessive bacteria in the mouth. Daily gargling with salt and water will prevent or heal cankers.
Stage 4 (Day 16 to Day 30)The body is completely adapted to the fasting process. There is more energy and clarity of mind. Cleansing periods can be short with many days of feeling good in between. There are days when the tongue is pink and the breath is fresh. The healing work of the organs is being completed. After the detoxification mechanisms have removed the causative agent or render it harmless, the body works at maximum capacity in tissue proliferation to replace damaged tissue. While a short fast will reduce the symptoms, a longer fast can completely heal. Homeostatic balance is at optimum levels. The lymphatic system is clean except for a rare discharge of mucus through the nose or throat. After day 20, the mind is affected. Heightened clarity and emotional balance are felt at this time. Memory and concentration improve.
Stage 5 (Breaking the Fast)The sticky, toxic, mucoid coating on the intestinal wall is loose, and the first meal frees it from the intestinal wall. Toxins enter the blood through the colon. The gallbladder dumps its waste in a heavy discharge of bile. This can cause an instant bowel movement upon eating followed by intense diarrhea. If the symptoms are too uncomfortable, an enema will help.
Stage 1 (Day 1 To Day 2)On the first day of fasting, the blood sugar level drops below 70 mg/dl. To restore the blood to the normal glucose level, liver glycogen is converted to glucose and released into the blood. This reserve is enough for half a day. The body then reduces the basal metabolic rate (BMR). The rate of internal chemical activity in resting tissue is lowered to conserve energy. The heart slows and blood pressure is reduced. Glycogen is pulled from the muscle causing some weakness. The first wave of cleansing is usually the worst. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, bad breath, glazed eyes and a heavily coated tongue are signs of the first stage of cleansing. Hunger can be the most intense in this period unless the enema is used which quickly assists the body into the fasting state by ending digestion in the colon.
Stage 2 (Day 3 To Day 7)Fats, composed of transformed fatty acids, are broken down to release glycerol from the gliceride molecules and are converted to glucose. The skin may become oily as rancid oils are purged from the body. People with problem-free skin may have a few days of pimples or even a boil. A pallid complexion is also a sign of waste in the blood. Ketones are formed by the incomplete oxidation of fats. It is suspected that the ketones in the blood suppress the appetite by affecting the food-satiety center in the hypothalamus. You may feel hungry for the first few days of the fast. This effect is temporary. The desire to eat will disappear. Lack of hunger may last 40 to 60 days, depending on whether you are on water or juice. The body embraces the fast and the digestive system is able to take a much-needed rest, focusing all of its energies on cleansing and healing. White blood cell and immune system activity increases. You may feel pain in your lungs. The cleansing organs and the lungs are in the process of being repaired. Periodically, the lymphatic system expels mucoid matter through the nose or throat. The volume excreted of this yellow-colored mucus can be shocking. The sinuses go through periods of being clogged, then will totally clear. The breath is still foul and the tongue coated. Within the intestine, the colon is being repaired and impacted feces on the intestinal wall start to loosen.
Stage 3 (Day 8 to Day 15)On the latter part of an extended fast, you can experience enhanced energy, clear-mindedness and feel better than you have felt since childhood. On the downside, old injuries may become irritated and painful. This is a result of the body’s increased ability to heal during fasting. If you had broken your arm 10 years before, there is scar tissue around the break. At the time of the break, the body’s ability to heal was directly related to lifestyle. If you lived on a junk-food diet, the body’s natural healing ability was compromised. During fasting, the body’s healing process is at optimum efficiency. As the body scours for dead or damaged tissue, the lymphocytes enter the older, damaged tissue secreting substances to dissolve the damaged cells. These substances irritate the nerves in the surrounding region and cause a reoccurrence of aches from previously injured areas that may have disappeared years earlier. The pain is good as the body is completing the healing process. The muscles may become tight and sore due to toxin irritation. The legs can be the worst affected, as toxins accumulate in the legs. Cankers are common in this stage due to the excessive bacteria in the mouth. Daily gargling with salt and water will prevent or heal cankers.
Stage 4 (Day 16 to Day 30)The body is completely adapted to the fasting process. There is more energy and clarity of mind. Cleansing periods can be short with many days of feeling good in between. There are days when the tongue is pink and the breath is fresh. The healing work of the organs is being completed. After the detoxification mechanisms have removed the causative agent or render it harmless, the body works at maximum capacity in tissue proliferation to replace damaged tissue. While a short fast will reduce the symptoms, a longer fast can completely heal. Homeostatic balance is at optimum levels. The lymphatic system is clean except for a rare discharge of mucus through the nose or throat. After day 20, the mind is affected. Heightened clarity and emotional balance are felt at this time. Memory and concentration improve.
Stage 5 (Breaking the Fast)The sticky, toxic, mucoid coating on the intestinal wall is loose, and the first meal frees it from the intestinal wall. Toxins enter the blood through the colon. The gallbladder dumps its waste in a heavy discharge of bile. This can cause an instant bowel movement upon eating followed by intense diarrhea. If the symptoms are too uncomfortable, an enema will help.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
New direction
Hey all! It's been ages, I know, I'm a slacker! When I first started this blog, it was to chronicle my 365 project, but that kinda fizzled out...so when I decided to start a 60 day juice fast after watching Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead on Netflix, I figured what better way to keep me motivated and accountable than to blog about my experience, and be brutally honest with the world...right?! I bought a Jack LaLanne Power Juicer today and stocked up on the fruits and veggies I will need to get started. The recipe I'm using is the same one Joe used in the film: 6 Kale Leaves, 1 Cucumber, 4 Celery Stalks, 2 Green Apples, 1/2 Lemon and 1 piece of ginger. I will be drinking this four times each day and nothing else (except water) for 60 days. Oh dear God, what was I thinking? No, just kidding...I'm actually really pumped about this! I've been thinking and preparing and planning for about 6 weeks and I'm just ready to get started. I know there will be difficult days, but I'm ready for it and Scott is supporting me 100%! I had my doctor do a complete set of labs the other day so I could see the numbers pre-cleanse and compare them in 60 days. To be honest, they aren't that bad to begin with. My blood pressure is always in the normal range - around 120/80
Total Cholesterol: 187 (range: 0-199)
Triglyceride: 132 (range: 0-149)
HDL (the good stuff): 37 (range: 40-59)
LDL (the bad stuff): 124 (range: 0-99)
White blood cell count: 8.3 (range: 4-11)
Hct (red blood cells): 38 (female range: 35-46)
Hgb (hemoglobin): 13.1 (range: 11.6-15.5)
Platelet count: 202 (range: 150-400)
Blood Glucose: 73 (range: 65-114)
ALT (liver enzyme): 18 (range: 5-50)
I thought about sharing my starting weight and measurements with ya'll but then decided I'm just not that brave...after 60 days, I may tell you where I started, but not today. :)
I will say that I am about 100 pounds more than my "recommended" weight. I currently take Wellbutrin for mild depression and birth control for erratic menstral cycles and I hope to eliminate both of those drugs with this cleanse. I'm also hoping this will help my skin because for the last couple years I've had teenager-like acne and it's getting real old!
I quit smoking a week ago (1/31/12) and plan to start some sort of exercise routine in the near future.
So I guess that's it for now...Tomorrow I start this journey and I'll try to update every night with how I'm feeling, physically and mentally...wish me luck please!!
Total Cholesterol: 187 (range: 0-199)
Triglyceride: 132 (range: 0-149)
HDL (the good stuff): 37 (range: 40-59)
LDL (the bad stuff): 124 (range: 0-99)
White blood cell count: 8.3 (range: 4-11)
Hct (red blood cells): 38 (female range: 35-46)
Hgb (hemoglobin): 13.1 (range: 11.6-15.5)
Platelet count: 202 (range: 150-400)
Blood Glucose: 73 (range: 65-114)
ALT (liver enzyme): 18 (range: 5-50)
I thought about sharing my starting weight and measurements with ya'll but then decided I'm just not that brave...after 60 days, I may tell you where I started, but not today. :)
I will say that I am about 100 pounds more than my "recommended" weight. I currently take Wellbutrin for mild depression and birth control for erratic menstral cycles and I hope to eliminate both of those drugs with this cleanse. I'm also hoping this will help my skin because for the last couple years I've had teenager-like acne and it's getting real old!
I quit smoking a week ago (1/31/12) and plan to start some sort of exercise routine in the near future.
So I guess that's it for now...Tomorrow I start this journey and I'll try to update every night with how I'm feeling, physically and mentally...wish me luck please!!
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