Day 7: Off to a good start

I started the actual juice fast yesterday, and it was tough.  I felt hungry and irritable during the first half of the day but better by the end.  I decided to eat an egg and some of my hubby's lentil soup, and felt much better.  Definitely craving protein!!  I'm supposed to add a scoop of protein powder but forgot, so that may have been the reason for the cravings and crabbiness.  I've thought about going vegetarian and can definitely attest to how much better I feel eating a plant-based diet the last week--even my back is better (but maybe that's due to losing 9 pounds? Less pressure on my back?)--and I'm beginning to read more about the abhorrent manner that animals are taken care of on farms.  California finally phased in a law to prohibit cages so small that animals can't lay down or turn around.  It took 5 years to phase it in.  Why so long and why would it even be needed?  How can anyone decide that inhumane conditions are acceptable for a living being?  I don't get it.  I do need protein, though, as yesterday clearly pointed out.  I may go vegetarian or buy meat from locations that treat their animals humanely (anyone see Portlandia where they go visit the farm to make sure their animals are treated well and end up staying for 5 years at the "compound"? That would be me).  Not eating animals wouldn't be enough though; it feels like it would be more helpful to insist on better conditions as a consumer.  Something to think about.

Today is the second day of the complete juice fast.  So far I feel fine.  The kids are back to school so it's just me and my juicer hanging out.  I don't go back to teaching for two more weeks, so my plan to is focus completely on my health the next two weeks and then figure out shortcuts for when I go back to work.  I'm at Sprouts everyday for cucumbers, kale, and apples, so I'm not sure I'm saving any money, but it's not going towards Starbucks, so I probably am.  Randy cooked the last few days while he was off, but I'm going to have to learn to juggle cooking food for others and my juicing.  The girls are slowly trying the juices and even took one to school with them today.  They see how happy I am, how radiant my skin is becoming, and they're willing to give it a try.  That's all I can ask.

Day 5: Last Food Day

We had company for the last two days, which I thought would be challenging, but my brother and sister-in-law were very supportive of what I'm trying to do.  The hardest part was getting the juice made because there were clearly better things to do than chop veggies.  My husband mentioned my skin was clearer (he's right!) and my oldest mentioned that I seemed happier.  I've lost almost 8 pounds and feel in control of my life--so yeah, I'm happy.  There are times life gets in the way and I can't get to making the drinks in time and I get shaky and find it hard to concentrate.  When I first make the juice/soup/smoothie, I feel completely satisfied, but I need something 2 hours later.  I've been trying to drink more water, which has surprisingly helped (I'm going to the bathroom every half hour anyway, so why not?).  Why is it so easy to start something healthy, feel great, but then stop doing it?   My brother mentioned that they juiced for 6 months and then stopped because it became tedious.    I know in the past that even making a salad seemed like too much work, but now it's a part of my day.  I want to find a way to keep it in my daily routine and not lose the momentum that's begun.  My new juicer came today and it's SOOO fast and actually fun to use, so hopefully that will help.  My rings getting looser help as well.  My goal is to wear my wedding ring again--I had to use another ring about 20 pounds ago and while I love the new ring (from Randy's aunt, so it's a beautiful antique), it's not MY ring.  Putting that back on will be a huge victory in getting my life back.

I've lost my cravings for sweet things and carbs.  The bacon this morning was hard to resist--I actually had to leave the house--but I looked at the pasta that Randy made tonight and wasn't even tempted.  I also went back to working out and feel energized.   I wanted more after dinner, because I'm used to 2 or more servings of everything, but leaving the kitchen for awhile helped.

Tomorrow I leave solid foods behind and only do juice or smoothies, which will be interesting.  I've loved the recipes for the plant-based meals, so they'll be hard to leave behind.  I may do a dinner once in awhile, but I'm committed to a plant-based lifestyle for the next 30 days or more (32 pounds to go, although I fantasize losing another 10 pounds to reach my ideal weight.)  The weight is coming off quickly, but will eventually slow down, so I'm not sure how long it will take.  I'm committed, though, and feel I can do this.

Day 3-A New year

Happy New Year!  I'm down 6 pounds, which is a wonderful way to start the new year!  I've now backed away from the Obese category to nearly Severely Overweight.  I'll take it.  The weight is mainly what I gained over the holidays, but considering that weight stayed on the last two years, I'm happy.

I woke up irritable and hungry, but I think mainly because I slept in but hadn't eaten anything since 6 last night.  Juicing doesn't make for a quick breakfast either.  I should probably chop things up or even make the juice the night before to make the morning easier.  It's almost 11 and I've only eaten breakfast, so my body is pretty confused right now.  On the plus side, my oldest daughter and hubby joined me making smoothies this morning, which was fun.  It feels nice sharing healthier eating habits with them.  I made the Get Your Greens smoothie, which consists of celery, kale, apple, cucumber, and banana.  It wasn't sweet enough (tasted waaaay too green), so I added a little Stevia (natural sweetner).  Man, did that make a difference!!  I wanted more.  Is it crazy to say I'm looking forward to my next smoothie?  I'm feeling a little hungry, probably because by now I should've had a snack, so getting my body clock back on schedule will definitely help.