Thoughts on a 5 day juice fast...

I'm on day 4 of a five day juice fast. I've done this before but not in this way. I have a juicer at home and like to make fresh juice but this time I'm purchasing my juices from the Ambrosia Juice Co. It cost me $150 for five days which sounds like a lot but I get 6 different juices each day, all made with optimum health benefits in mind, and, frankly, I could not make this much juice with all these different ingredients for less than $150! So, to me, it is a bargain.

It's also a kick start. Being a woman of a certain age, I have come to accept some things about myself. Things that I know I cannot change but I can make them better. I have always been fat. It's true. I was a 10lb. baby, much to my mother's lament. I was a chubby toddler, a porcine preschooler, and an enormous elementary school kid. In high school, I stood out by not only being the heaviest girl in school, I was also the tallest. I peaked at 6 feet tall in the 7th grade. I am a big person - no getting around it. Of course, my perception of my size back then is distorted by the remarks and snide comments made by total strangers. Incredible how the unkindness of strangers can cut to the quick and stay with you, isn't it? My friend Patty posted something on Facebook that said, "I wish I was as skinny as I was back in high school when I fat back in high school." (Or words to that effect.) It's true. I look at old photos of myself back then and the truth is I don't stick out as much as I thought I did. Sure, I'm bigger than  most but not the behemoth I let myself think I was. Over the years, I have come to accept myself and my curves. But I also know that there is a fine line between curves and flab and it is time to me to be more self conscious about the flab. Hence, the juice fast.

I know that for some a juice fast sounds pretty risky. Believe me, I did the research and this isn't the first time I've done this. Juicing actually gives you all the vitamins and nutrients you need, including fiber, for the entire week as it cleanses your system of the toxins, excess water, and other nasty stuff your body has been storing for far too long. You see, at my age, there are things I cannot control. Stuff just starts happening - parts are shutting down as others seems to be starting up! I can't say enough about the wonders of hot flashes or night sweats. Then there is the sudden growth of a hair where a hair has no right to be. Oh, let's not forget the traveling pimple. It just arrives and leaves at will in the strangest places. Yes,  other than going through puberty this age has been the biggest adventure. All of which I have no control over. What I can control is how I allow it all to affect me. I could sit back and just succumb to it's weirdness or I can work on those things that I know I have been neglecting; my weight.

So here's the run down -
These are the great juices I've been enjoying for the past 4 days.
Apple, lemon, ginger  and cayenne (LOVE THIS ONE!!)
Kale, celery, cucumber, green apple, ginger and lemon
Carrot, cucumber, celery and apple
Yam, carrot, apple, ginger, and cinnamon
Beets, apple, lime, and spirullina
Fennel, cucumber and apple
Beet, apple, lime and hemp
And then a smoothie - Almonds, banana, coconut, flax, oats, water, cinnamon, and allspice

Every day is a mix of 6 of those. And they are all delicious.
On Day One - I felt great. No hunger. Actually felt really satisfied at the end of the day.
Day Two - Still felt great but around midday I started to feel slightly hungry.
Day Three - Noticeable change in my body. I always have pain in my left knee since I was a kid. No pain. Suddenly I was able to get up and out of bed without a groan! Seriously! Face is starting to look slimmer. Feeling great but feeling a wee bit hungry until my 6th juice which was the very satisfying smoothie! Filled me right up! Also, I think I'm sleeping more soundly.
Day Four - I just went and picked up my juice for the next two days. Again, I feel like I slept soundly though I didn't sleep a lot at all. Went to bed late and got up early. I'm feeling good!

I anticipate the good feeling will last through Day Five. And I'm hoping the momentum I'm getting will help me make better food choices for myself from now on. This fasting is great and so easy for me that I may do this once a month from now on. Maybe not a 5 day fast but a weekend, once a month? I can do that!