Day 60

 

Weight loss: None

Purified water with lime consumed:  8 cups

Juices:

·         Carrot, apple

·         Apple

·         Carrot, parsnip, celery, red pepper, endive, romaine lettuce, hot Jamaican pepper, 3 garlic cloves

 

Exercise: 20-minute walk

Other: Probiotics; 5T flax oil; 1T coconut oil; coffee enema; warm-water enema

 

Well, here it is: My last day of juice fasting!

 

I’m at a point where I can reflect on what I have learned in these two months.  There’s so much I have gleaned about myself and about the food and drug industries.  In advance, I must apologize for the length of this entry.

 

First of all, adequate rest is the most important element of the cleansing process.  There were many times I did not get enough sleep and this resulted in feeling run down, no weight loss (or experiencing weight GAIN), and lack of focus.  One’s body needs time to heal itself.  Whether I am juice fasting or not, I have to establish a strict routine that will include lots of rest.

 

I can’t do a water-only fast for any more than one day.  Any more than that and I begin to feel extremely nauseous and feverish.  The body starts dumping toxins at an accelerated rate and can be quite dangerous to the individual.

 

Support is another important factor.  Many people are quite sceptical of what they would deem to be a drastic “diet”.  If it weren’t for the amount of research I have done on juice fasting, I would have been inclined to agree with them.  However, it was my decision and I have had a great deal of support from Gary, my mom and the few people at my workplace that knew what I was going to do.  In the final analysis, it doesn’t matter what others think of my methods.  I am well satisfied with what I have discovered.

 

Don’t buy clothes unless you absolutely have to!  I am still altering clothing that I wore many pounds ago.  I am wearing a knee-length black skirt that was a size 24 and long when I bought it two years ago.  I had bought a pair of jeans almost three weeks ago and they are quite big now.  My mom says I should keep them “in case”.  In case of what?  I know my weight will stay within about 10 pounds of what I am now (185).

 

My allergies are truly gone.  There were a number of people on the bus and train today that were sniffling and stuffed up with hay fever.  I experienced none of these symptoms at all, though I found it hard to breathe a wee bit in my sleep until I boarded the bus; I gave in and took one puff of the inhaler (hated to do it).

 

My eczema seems to be clearing up.  I started using a natural soap specifically designed for it and it seems to be working well.  The probiotics will also help it along.

 

I have a greater appreciation for fruits and vegetables.  I tried new veggies (endive, Swiss chard, red chard, turnip) and would like to incorporate all but the turnip (can’t stand those!) into innovative salads and other great dishes.  The Food Network has also contributed to my Produce Education.  Other than the few trivia shows that talk about the junk food that’s unfortunately part of North American culture, I find each program full of great ways to make fruits and veggies exciting to use in everyday meals.

 

I have more drive and determination that I thought possible.  It is more than just willpower.  One of the things I say repeatedly to my clients is, “How much do you want to realize your passion in your career?  Prove it to me.”  I wanted better health.  It wanted it so much I was willing to go without solid food for two months.  I now have better health.  Going up any set of stairs is no longer an arduous task I dread.  I don’t have to worry my knees will give out at any moment.  As a result, I can handle other life situations with more confidence than I had previously demonstrated.

 

Processed foods, gluten, sugar and especially dairy products are my mortal enemies.

 

If I can’t pronounce an ingredient on a package, can, jar, or carton, or the ingredient doesn’t seem natural (including “natural flavours”), I won’t buy the product.  Those other ingredients are just fillers, preservatives, and sugars that are made in order to make foods last longer and can cause one to become addicted to the foods.  I have always wondered how a hamburger, which is conventionally made with ground beef, egg, and breadcrumbs, and maybe seasoned up to taste, can have such different smells and tastes from one fast-food establishment to another.  I believe there are other not-so-natural ingredients that are put into the food that will help the consumer differentiate the food from that which is served by a restaurant’s competitor, thus keeping the consumer coming back for more.

 

Gluten (found in wheat, flour, oats and most pasta) is a protein that is very hard for my system to break down and causes bloating.

 

Dairy products were the catalyst for my allergies and my asthma.  Shortly before starting this fast, when I eliminated the goat’s milk cheese and sheep’s milk cheese entirely, the asthma went away.

 

Lemons and limes are amazing sources of calcium.  My nail strength and whiteness can be contributed to my squeezing lemon or lime juice into my filtered water daily.  One doesn’t need to drink milk to get calcium.  Did you know humans are the only living creature that drinks milk beyond infancy?

 

Moderate exercise is awesome!  The days I overdid it are the days that I felt a bit lethargic afterward.  Walking is great, as is using the rebounder/mini trampoline.  They have contributed to my not having any hanging skin.

 

My hair and skin have greatly benefited from having flax and coconut oils daily.  Flax oil contains omega 3 fats which are essential for alleviating dryness and giving me a youthful look.  Organic cold-pressed extra-virgin coconut oil, though a saturated fat, is one of the good fats that aids in weight loss, increases metabolism and contributes to an excellent-looking complexion.

 

I’m now looking forward to having some solid food tomorrow (I already have two bananas at my desk – boy, I have missed having them!)  I’ll keep you posted!  But first, I have to get home and make the veggie drinks for Gary and me.  Will he have actually juice fasted today?  I’ll let you know.

 

*    *    *

 

Gary and I went to get groceries after work and after I did my warm-water enema.  For the most part, we managed to buy very healthy items.  The stuff that doesn’t quite make it was Gary’s choice and he will eat them (crackers, frozen juice from concentrate, frozen egg rolls).  It was very educational for both of us.

 

Speaking of education, Gary made yet another confession.  He ate a sandwich again today and had a bag of popcorn on the way home from work.  At least he has the benefit of having the juices and he enjoys them.  In his opinion, the more carrots that are put in the juice, the better it is.

 

My asthma flared up yet again.  Gary and I have come to the conclusion that it probably is the probiotic I just started taking since all was well in that department until yesterday.  Tomorrow I won’t take it; let’s see what happens from here.

 

I was so excited about making my lunch for tomorrow: berry salad, garden salad, homemade dressing, the carrot and celery sticks.  After doing that, I had my long-overdue coffee enema.  Man, this has become a late night.  I hope I can get up on time tomorrow.