I made it! Today is the last full day of just juice for me. I have to say, with all honesty, that this has been easier than I ever thought it was going to be. I weighed myself last week and was down ten pounds. I weighed myself this morning and all total, in just ten days, I have lost 16 pounds! That's amazing! A coworker told me this morning that she could tell I've lost weight too and that felt so good. So, let me recap what I've learned in the last ten days.
1. I have more will power than I give myself credit for. In the past, I would give in to whatever urge or craving I was having and make some excuse for it. I know now that those excuses were weak and I can pass up food when I don't need it.
2. Needing food. That's the key phrase. I need food to live and I like food very much but I can be mindful of when I am truly hungry and eat when my body needs nourishment. I don't have to eat something because I'm bored.
3. When I eat, I can make it count. We are what we eat, that is true. And since that's true, I've learned it's important to eat what my body needs to be healthy. Since having only micronutrient juices, I've felt better than I have felt in a long, long time.
4. My body heals itself if it has what it needs to do so. With all of the nutrients I've been getting, I haven't had to take any Alleve for my arthritic knee or sore ankle. Over the past ten days, my knee hasn't hurt at all and my ankle, the one that I kept twisting and spraining, has gotten so much better.
5. The right stuff brings on incredible energy. All of these nutrients have given me a burst of energy that I haven't experienced before. I used to rely on caffiene to get me going. Now, a glass of nutrient packed juice gives me more energy that lasts longer than caffiene ever did!
6. Everything changes when I'm getting the right stuff. Okay, I've already discussed how it's affected my bowels but there have been other physical perks that I've noticed as well. As a woman, my cycle was very easy this month. No cramps, no pain. And coming from a woman who has always had cramps, pain, bloating and all over crabbiness - that says alot right there. Also, my skin is clearer, my hair is shinier, and my fingernails are stronger than ever! My mind is more alert - I don't have any foggy moments and feel like I'm able to think faster than before.
7. My clothes fit better. I have been able to get into clothes that previously were too tight to wear. I bought two new pair of jeans before I started this, both the same size. One fit me right away and the other I couldn't even get up past my hips. I'm wearing that last pair of jeans right now as I type this.
I know that juicing isn't for everyone. You have to like vegetables, for one, because veggies comprise the lion's share of what you get throughout the day. I happen to like them and enjoyed the Mean Green juice very much. I experimented with what I put it in and changed it to my taste but the basic ingredients remained the same. You also have to like a variety of fruit because that's the rest of what you get. I like fruit too and enjoyed concocting all manners of fruity juices. I know I can't do just juice forever. Today is my last full day of nothing but juice. Tomorrow I will have juice throughout the day and a full dinner.
I'm looking forward to that dinner! I want to have the taste of other foods that I just can't see putting into a juice. I've decided to have chicken, fresh asparagus and boiled potatoes for dinner. And I know I will love every single bite!
If you do decide to try juicing, even for part of your day, or just to get a good burst of vitamins and essential nutrients, make sure you have a really good juicer. You don't need an expensive one, just one that works fast and can make a lot of juice quickly without too much prep. Mine cost about $50 at Walmart and I have been very pleased with it. Also, if you're not sure of what to put in that juicer, there are loads of juice recipes on the internet but, really, don't be afraid to experiment with the things you like. If you like it, you'll be more likely to stick with it and that will make all the difference for you!
So, raise your glass (of juice)! This has been a great ten days!
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