I felt pretty good today. I had quite a bit of energy and wasn't tempted to eat too much. That is until I made little Greek pita breads and hummus for my children's snack after their piano lesson. The hummus smelled so good, it was difficult to resist. I'll post some recipes of stuff I like and stuff that I make for my kids as I go.
My energy was really good and I went for a long walk (5 km) this evening. I felt a bit flagged out by the time I got to the last trail on my way home, but made it back okay. Maybe I need to take a bit of juice with me next time. I usually do a few shorter walks (around 2 km) a few times a day. The longer ones pose difficulties when I'm juice feasting as it's hard to make it there and back without stopping at a restroom. :)
I did some EFT on the pita and hummus cravings I was having and it helped a lot. I have to remember to do that when cravings strike. I'll probably have to do some more EFT to deal with other emotional links to food as we go. I'll keep you updated on that.
Okay, I'm off for another short walk with the hubby. See you tomorrow.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Day 1 of 60 Day Juice Feast
Today was pretty uneventful. I made a lot of watermelon juice (a watermelon gives you a lot of juice). I added some lemon and a pineapple. I also made a juice with honeydew, celery, cucumber, kale, pineapple, orange and apples. This is my favorite juice that I make most days.
I did pretty well with the juices, had lots of energy and wasn't physically hungry. My spinach salad was calling to me though in the evening. I went for a walk and ignored it until it stopped. I'm used to feeling a fullness in my stomach that the juice just doesn't give me. The juice is a light feeling that takes some getting used to.
I'll do one more post today for day 2 and I'll be up to date.
I did pretty well with the juices, had lots of energy and wasn't physically hungry. My spinach salad was calling to me though in the evening. I went for a walk and ignored it until it stopped. I'm used to feeling a fullness in my stomach that the juice just doesn't give me. The juice is a light feeling that takes some getting used to.
I'll do one more post today for day 2 and I'll be up to date.
Preparation
I'll keep this one short.
I wouldn't suggest anyone do this without first preparing for it mentally and physically. Also, if you are on medications you most certainly should consult your doctor before embarking on a juice feast. But anyone can benefit from adding juices to their life.
I have prepared my body for this experience by eliminating all meat, dairy and grains from my diet for a couple of month. I wouldn't suggest going from a typical omnivorous diet to juice feasting without any transition. You will just make it more painful. Detox symptoms aren't fun.
I've also been walking a lot--2 or 3 times a day for the past 11 weeks, so I feel fairly fit for my size. I intend to keep walking throughout the juice feasting, though I realize some days I'll have more energy than others and I intend to listen to my body.
I've practiced EFT for years now and I'm sure this will be a very helpful tool to help me deal with cravings and emotional issues. If you don't know about EFT, look it up. There are lots of instructive videos on youtube. It is quite easy to do and involves tapping on meridian points like you'd see in acupuncture while tuned into an emotional issue or physical discomfort. It moves energy through the body.
I will spend some time meditating each day and will practice some yoga 4 or 5 times a week.
My nutrition will consist of fresh fruit and vegetable juices and an herbal tea or two each day. I will post some before pictures when I get the hubby behind the camera tomorrow.
I wouldn't suggest anyone do this without first preparing for it mentally and physically. Also, if you are on medications you most certainly should consult your doctor before embarking on a juice feast. But anyone can benefit from adding juices to their life.
I have prepared my body for this experience by eliminating all meat, dairy and grains from my diet for a couple of month. I wouldn't suggest going from a typical omnivorous diet to juice feasting without any transition. You will just make it more painful. Detox symptoms aren't fun.
I've also been walking a lot--2 or 3 times a day for the past 11 weeks, so I feel fairly fit for my size. I intend to keep walking throughout the juice feasting, though I realize some days I'll have more energy than others and I intend to listen to my body.
I've practiced EFT for years now and I'm sure this will be a very helpful tool to help me deal with cravings and emotional issues. If you don't know about EFT, look it up. There are lots of instructive videos on youtube. It is quite easy to do and involves tapping on meridian points like you'd see in acupuncture while tuned into an emotional issue or physical discomfort. It moves energy through the body.
I will spend some time meditating each day and will practice some yoga 4 or 5 times a week.
My nutrition will consist of fresh fruit and vegetable juices and an herbal tea or two each day. I will post some before pictures when I get the hubby behind the camera tomorrow.
Introduction and Background
This is the blog that I'm starting for my 60 day juice feast. I will be drinking freshly extracted juices of fruits and vegetables for the next 60 days and avoiding all solid foods.
Why? I did a shorter, 14 day fast a couple of months ago and lost 25 lbs. Since then, I've been drinking juices and eating spinach salads as well as some fruits and dates and the odd raw food vegan meal. But I've plateaued and cannot seem to drop the extra 60 lbs that are still hanging around.
So, I've decided to kick it up a notch and commit to doing just juice for 60 days and I thought that blogging every day would help me to stay committed to my goal. I started yesterday and will catch you up with my progress in another post. That puts my 60 days at Saturday July 28th for the last day of my juice feast.
I also thought that an honest look at the juice feasting process would help others who are on the same path or thinking of starting. I'm aware that it won't be all smooth sailing. I have many years of emotional eating connections to sever and I'm going to miss my spinach salad for sure.
I'll give you just a bit of background here. I've eaten a typical unhealthy diet my whole life and I'm 41 this year. I didn't realize how unhealthy meat, dairy and grains were to the body. I won't go into the particulars that I've discovered here. If people are interested, I will share what I've learned. But I imagine that those who are here are like minded and already understand these things.
Back in Mid March, I cut all meat, dairy and grains out of my diet. I did a short juice feast and continued to eat a raw, vegan diet since that time. In April, my husband decided to join me and I took my kids off of all processed foods, white sugar, meat and dairy (though they are still eating a little cheese). I've noticed a huge difference in my children. They are generally more agreeable, more confident and happier--and they don't fight as much. As a homeschooling mother of 4 kids aged 7 to 13, that's a big selling point.
After 11 weeks on raw fruits and veggies I still have a few complaints which I'm hoping this juice feast will correct.
Why? I did a shorter, 14 day fast a couple of months ago and lost 25 lbs. Since then, I've been drinking juices and eating spinach salads as well as some fruits and dates and the odd raw food vegan meal. But I've plateaued and cannot seem to drop the extra 60 lbs that are still hanging around.
So, I've decided to kick it up a notch and commit to doing just juice for 60 days and I thought that blogging every day would help me to stay committed to my goal. I started yesterday and will catch you up with my progress in another post. That puts my 60 days at Saturday July 28th for the last day of my juice feast.
I also thought that an honest look at the juice feasting process would help others who are on the same path or thinking of starting. I'm aware that it won't be all smooth sailing. I have many years of emotional eating connections to sever and I'm going to miss my spinach salad for sure.
I'll give you just a bit of background here. I've eaten a typical unhealthy diet my whole life and I'm 41 this year. I didn't realize how unhealthy meat, dairy and grains were to the body. I won't go into the particulars that I've discovered here. If people are interested, I will share what I've learned. But I imagine that those who are here are like minded and already understand these things.
Back in Mid March, I cut all meat, dairy and grains out of my diet. I did a short juice feast and continued to eat a raw, vegan diet since that time. In April, my husband decided to join me and I took my kids off of all processed foods, white sugar, meat and dairy (though they are still eating a little cheese). I've noticed a huge difference in my children. They are generally more agreeable, more confident and happier--and they don't fight as much. As a homeschooling mother of 4 kids aged 7 to 13, that's a big selling point.
After 11 weeks on raw fruits and veggies I still have a few complaints which I'm hoping this juice feast will correct.
- My blood pressure has come down quite a bit. I stopped taking my meds and it's still a bit high, though. I'd like to see it in the normal range. I'll test it tomorrow and track my results.
- Sinus congestion. This is something I've suffered with my whole life and I know now it's from milk and dairy products as well as suppressing the symptoms with medication. I know it will take time to correct, but am hoping that I see an improvement in 60 days.
- Foot pain--I've had terrible cramps in the bottoms of my feet--sometimes to the point that it is difficult to walk.
- Weight loss--I'm hoping to lose most of those 60 lbs by the end of the feast.
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