Day 7 - One Week Down

Weight: 168.5

That's a 4.5 pound weight loss since Day 1, folks!!

I was hoping for a little more weight loss but for the first week, I guess this is pretty good.  I can definitely see the difference in the photos.  What do you think?

I do feel that I have more energy and Mom has commented several times that she thinks so, too.

I admit I have struggled everyday this week.  Being around others who eat in front of me is hard and oh so tempting!  My mom, bless her, eats before I get home so the temptation there is less.  This weekend, though, we'll have more people in the house and I know it will be a struggle to stay on the juicing.  But, I'm seeing the results and I REALLY want to make my goal so I'll keep at it.

Tomorrow, we're going to a farmer's market to see what we can find!  Can't wait!

Here's to my health.... and yours!!!

Dana - Day 6: Fear and Weakness

Weakness!

Today has been the most difficult so far.  I'm feeling very weak-willed.  It seems like everywhere I look there is food.  The people around me, on the radio, on the tv, driving home or just wherever.  At work, we have a lunch meeting on Wednesdays.  It was VERY difficult to sit there while everyone else was eating those delicious looking wraps stuffed with turkey, roast beef, cheese, tomatoes.... you get the picture.  And then, I come home and my wonderful mom has a pot of green beans cooking on the stove.  My stomach is rumbling just thinking about it.  I'm certainly aware that others around me have to eat - maybe I could just go around with nose plugs or something.

Fear!

I was thinking about this the other night.  It was a thought that came to me out of nowhere but that struck a chord with me.  I realized that I'm afraid of being hungry.  Or rather, I have this deep-seated fear of going without food or somehow not having access to food.  I wondered if that was possibly the reason that I have felt the need to eat, even when I'm not hungry.  I think making this lifestyle change is more than just changing my eating habits and choosing the right foods.  I think the majority of the change must be psychological.  It's about changing the way I think and feel about food.  I must come to terms with the fact that I don't NEED to snack or eat to feel better.  And I need to believe and understand that I won't starve between meals and that there will be a next meal.

I'm not sure where this fear originated from.  I didn't grow up being hungry.  In fact, my quite large and loving family always seems to have food around.  I admit that there have been times in the last few years when I have wondered if we (my husband and I) would be able to afford to buy groceries.  After being separated from the military with only 5 weeks notice and no job prospects, those things suddenly become serious concerns.  Even so, we have never gone without food.

So, today I struggle.  Mightily.  But, I'm not giving in yet.

Here's to my health... and yours!

Dana - Day 5

Weight:  170 lbs.  Another pound of fat down the drain!

So it's my first full day of complete juicing.  The past few days have leading me up to the complete juicing.  I definitely recommend doing it that way.  It has been less of a strain on me today than I thought it would be.

I had some hunger pangs just before 10am but I drank my mid-morning juice and was fine.  Then, hunger pangs again right at noon.  Lunch time.  Overall, though, the pangs are not bad and I'm able to make it through to my next juice with no problems.

The past couple of days I've had to discipline myself, though!  It's not easy when a co-worker comes in with a scrumptious smelling dish of pasta.  And there are cookies on the counter that are whispering my name.  But.... I have been strong!!  I resisted.  I keep telling myself I want to be thin more than I want the sugary, fattening food!  My will IS stronger than my cravings!!!

Dana - Day 4

Weight: 171 lbs.  2 pound loss since Day 1.

I wasn't going to weigh myself this morning but I couldn't stand not knowing!  I didn't expect anything, really.  But I was pleasantly surprised at a 2 pound weight loss just over the weekend.  It hasn't even been a week yet!!!!  Wooo Hoooo!!!!

The symptoms are here.  Not bad, but they're here.  I noticed this morning a bit of acne.  Ok, not a lot...just one, but still.  I'm usually pretty fortunate in that I don't break out much so I know this is part of the detoxing.  And I think I may have a hint of bad breath.  I find myself wanting to brush my teeth during the day.  I'll be popping breath mints for the time being.

I'm feeling fuller quicker.  Today for lunch was the Reboot salad and Green Detox Soup.  I almost couldn't finish it.  Same with my mid-morning juice (carrots and apples - which was refreshingly good!).  I had felt a couple of hunger pangs before drinking the juice but was satisfied afterwards until lunch.

I've been having solid food cravings here and there.  Not too bad, but they do come upon me.  I've resisted so far and the cravings seem to be getting less and less.  I'm happy about that because there's a lot of crackers and goodies in my mother's pantry!  And she keeps a stash of Heath bars in the kitchen drawer - those are my absolute FAVE!!!  But, I have resisted those, too.

Dana - Day 3

Breakfast on Day 3.  It's a green smoothie.  I wasn't as thrilled about this recipe as some of the others I've had but it wasn't terrible.  I'm finding that I'm not as hungry between "meals".  I had to make myself drink my mid-morning juice.

Below is my mid-morning juice - Green Lemonade.  Also not my favorite but still palatable.  It tasted like... well, green lemonade.

Here's what went in to the green lemonade.  Kale, celery, green apple, spinach, and one lemon.

So far, I'm not having any major symptoms.  I'm so thankful for that!  I do have some but they are fairly mild.  Up to this point, though, I've been able to eat some simple salads so I'm wondering if the solid food, light though it is, prevents or lessens the symptoms.  I expected to feel horrible by today but I really don't.  I know I'm detoxing, though, because I'm peeing constantly!  (Is that too much info?)  I was a little dizzy earlier today but it passed quickly.  

I'm following Joe Cross's Week 1 menu to the T.  There have been some recipes I absolutely loved and some I didn't care for.  I'm giving it time, though, because I expect my taste buds need to change and get used to not having fat in my diet.  

Tonight, I'll be planning for my work day tomorrow and preparing what I need for breakfast and lunch ahead of time.  Many of the recipes I've been making are double batches so I'm able to save half for another meal.  Joe has really thought this out well!  

I just had squash and apple soup and sauteed greens with garlic for lunch.  Feeling satisfied.  I'm even watching a cooking show on HGTV.  No hunger pangs.  

On to tomorrow.....

Here's to my health.... and yours!!!!

Dana - Day 2

I woke up this morning with a headache.  I really wanted to sleep in today as it's a Saturday.  And I did...until about 8:45 when I couldn't stand it anymore.  I was determined to stay in bed till 9am but my body had other ideas!

Today is green juice day.  Check it out!

This is what went in to making the juice.

2 bartlett pears, 6 celery stalks, 2 cucumbers, 6 handfuls of kale.

Here's to my health... and yours!!!

Dana - Day 1

Weight: 173.00

Look at that - I haven't really been trying and I've already lost a pound and a half!  Woo Hoo!!

So, today is Day One..... Here's a rundown.

7am:  Breakfast.  Berry and Apple Bake.  Finished it at work by 8:30am.

10:00am:  I'm a little hungry.  Experiencing some stomach rumblings.  Drank my first juice - Carrot, Apple, and Ginger.  It's not bad but takes some getting used to.  It's slightly sweet from the apples.  I'm not sure I like the ginger in it.  I may try it without.  I have to remember to drink water! 

10:51am:  Headache, but slight.  I'm at work so it could be a stress headach.  I think it's too early for symptoms.

11:00am:  It took me an hour to drink the juice.  I think my taste buds need to change.  I'm not a huge fan of carrots anyway.  But really, the juice isn't bad. 

11:37am:  I had a strong urge to snack.  I have some cajun mix in my desk drawer.  Must remove that temptation!  I drank water instead.

12:00pm:  Starving!!  Ate my Reboot salad and "fries."  Still have a slight headache.

1:54pm:  Still feeling satisfied from lunch.  I'm drinking water to keep my stomach full.  So far, so good!

2:41pm:  snacking urge.  Still have a headache.  Time for ibuprofen.  I still don't think the real detoxing has started yet though.

2:59pm:  Hungry!!  Time for mid-afternoon juice.  .....sprinting to the kitchen!!

3:38pm:  hunger pangs went away.  Feeling full again and still have 1/2 my juice left.  

5:00pm:  not feeling too bad, but have to go pee....again.  It's been about every thirty minutes!  Hopefully that's the fat melting away.

7:39pm:  dinner was delish!  It was the kale and avocado salad from the Reboot menu.  I'll be having that again once I'm past the fasting phase.

Time to relax...

The Day Before

So, it's the night before I officially start my juicing journey.  I bought a fridge full of fresh fruits and veggies.  And let me tell you... it's FULL!!  

Tomorrow is Day 1.  I'll post my menu tomorrow but here's a sneak peak of what I'll be having.  

For the juicing:  6 carrots, 4 apples, and a piece of ginger root.  

It looks refreshing, doesn't it?

The end result of the juicing.... Yum!  

The menu calls for sweet potato and carrot "fries"...  this is only for the first day.  Of course, these are baked, NOT fried!

Wish me luck!  

Here's to my health - and yours!!