Juice Fasting - 100+ Weight Loss Target
 

Hello Everyone!

I'm new here and would like to share the start of what I will be (hopefully) a lifelong journey to increased health and happiness.

Let me start by saying I'm not seeking any advice, nor want any negative advice regarding my choice of 'life journey'. I'm only here to record my experience in the hope it benefits and motivates others. I am a 48-year-old female who has been overweight the majority of my life. My highest when I was pregnant was 256.

I have made a promise to my son to do this for six weeks minimum, but hopefully longer. I would ideally like to go 100 days then onto vegan.

My plan will include 3-4 smoothies a day, 1-2 veggie smoothies a day. I also allow myself 2-3 cups of coffee a day, 1-2 with sugar and skim milk. I drink bottled water continuously throughout the day and always have a bottle to hand.

I began my life journey midday last Friday 30/08/13 weighing in at 243.25. This morning, 7 1/2 days later I weigh 230.125. I have lost 13.125 pounds.

The first 8 days: I feel mostly great, no hunger pangs and I've stopped salivating when thinking about food. The second night of sleep I felt like I slept like I had a fever, although I didn't and wasn't poorly. I have felt very positive and euphoric during the week. I have lived a normal week working, managing a family with the normal stresses and joys. I even allowed myself to go out with friends/mates last night and wasn't tempted by cheese and onion crisps/chips at midnight. I did have 250ml of white wine mixed with 750 ml of soda water over the course of the evening.

I'm happy to answer any questions, and would love to hear positive experiences. However, I repeat I've done a lot of research and reading, etc, I don't need to hear any negative feedback. Everyone is different, everyone has a different journey. I hope I will be able to inspire you to greatness! Happy Saturday! X x

Day 9 Quick Update
 

Forgot to mention, yes, you do go to the loo/bathroom a lot. I keep an eye on the colour of my urine to make sure it is very light and that I'm not getting dehydrated. I also take a chewable multi-vitamin in the morning. I think this is important.

Just for the girlies: I started my menstrual cycle today and have to say I forgot I was due to start. I've had no symptoms of PMS at all. No cramping, no bloating, no moodiness, no craving carbs or chocolate. Usually the day before my period I crave cheesy pasta or potatoes and chocolate. Have to say this is a nice side effect!

Hope everyone is having a great day!! Stick with whatever you are doing! You can do it! X x

U fit 2,
Congrats, I too am doing green smoothies for breakfast and lunch and a weight watchers frozen dinner in the evening. I started vegan 4 months ago, then added dairy so now a vegetarian. I feel more energetic and focused since I cut out all meat.
Just wanted to encourage you. Keep it up and God Bless

Day 10 Update
 

Chub2fit: thanks for the encouragement! We all need that. And your plan sounds good. Not sure I will stay vegan as I do like a bit of cheese. I also like the occasional piece of fish or chicken fajitas, so we'll see how it goes when the time comes but will definitely do vegan for as long as I've done the fast.

Day 10 Update: weighed 228.25 this morning so that's 15 pounds lost in 10 days so far. I don't plan on weighing everyday, but will post when I do.

Happy Monday and have a great week everyone!! X x

What type of exercise are you doing? What type of vegetables are you including in the smoothies? I'd really love to start on this diet as I'm a huge fan of smoothies to begin with and have never been a huge fan of meat.

Hi Corte! Nice to have you on this thread.

So, exercise: I've had some knee issues the past few weeks so not doing anything at the moment. Used to swim regularly and do dance classes. Will resume swimming when knee feels better. Any impact activities I am leaving until I am at a much lower weight. I feel exercise and continued monitoring of eating habits will be key in keeping the weight off eventually. I believe exercise makes you healthy but doesn't necessarily make you lose weight in itself. You need to decrease the energy consumed for this to happen.

To be honest, my calorie intake is similar to a VLCD (very low calorie diet), between 500-800 calories a day. I believe this is key to the success. I've been drinking a popular brand of smoothies packaged for children. I make my own veggie juices and mix up whatever's there, usually carrot, apple, kale, cucumber, and squeeze in a lot of lemon. Sometimes I add radish, broad beans, etc. I'm getting a new juicer, so hopefully it will be easier to juice the leafy stuff.

Needed a little motivation today, found an interesting medical journal article on total fasting from 1973. Gentleman lost 276 pounds in 382 days, went from 456 to 180. Five years later he was only at 196. There's some motivation for you. I have heard though that vlcd, fasting, etc, only works in the long term if you get to your ideal weight during the plan. And when I say ideal, I mean bmi of 19-25. Here is the link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...00315-0056.pdf

I'm not advocating total long-term fasting, this one was medically supervised. But when you think about gastric banding, as I did, it basically does the same thing, putting you into ketosis. Atkins/low-carb puts you into ketosis as well as vlcd. And when you are in ketosis you don't have hunger pangs. Gastric bands put you into ketosis through making you eat a vlcd diet, this is how they work.

Peter Attia, M.D. Has a great blog that discusses ketosis and other weight loss issues. Ketosis, if you are not a diabetic, is not harmful according to info in his blog: http://eatingacademy.com/nutrition/is-ketosis-dangerous. Obviously, everyone is different and you must consult your doctor before undertaking any new health regime.

Have a great day!! X x

They say it's the little things in life: my new juicer arrived today from Germany and I have to say it is absolutely amazing! So worth the money. I used the same amount of veg and got three times the amount of juice. It should pay for itself in the next few months on a lower veg bill, at least that's the story I'm telling hubby-bubby tonight when he asks how much it cost.

Happy Juicing!! X x

Day 14 Update
 

Day 14 Update: weighed 226.5 this morning, start weight 243.25, total lost in 14 days is 16.75. I feel and look like I've lost weight especially from my tummy area. My clothes are starting to feel a little less tight. I feel very positive! Bring on the weekend!

Happy Friday Everyone!! X x

Congratulations!!!! I am struggling through my first week ever off counting my intake. I would love to add smoothies to my regime once I am comfortable with the first change. I love bacon too much to ever go vegetarian, I do eat uncured though.

u-fit-2, I am inspired by your journey! I too am in my 40s and so want to get this belly fat off me! I went on the smoothies and juicing back in April and have lost almost 30lbs, but had slacked off the smoothies the last couple of months. Getting ready to start them back up again as I was most successful then. I drink a lot of water and have included protein shakes in my diet now. A great documentary to watch is called "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead", you can find it on youtube or netflix. It is great and talks about two men's journey to weight loss and curing a particular health condition. Very inspiring!
Keep up the great work!

Mcallahan757: Thanks! Good luck on your journey! And who can resist bacon, cured or uncured but the past few years I've limited it to when we are on holiday/vacation.

Janetib: Super well done on the 30 pounds, that's really good! And yes, Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead is a great documentary. I watched it on YouTube before I got started. I think it's on YouTube in 8 parts. Highly recommended viewing, very inspirational. I think Joe Cross, the film-maker lost 100 and the other guy lost 200 pounds drinking 'mean green' juice. Here's the link to his website: Links removed

Have a great weekend! Think positive, take time for yourself even if its only a few minutes hiding in the bathroom from your family (joking... Sort of...)! X x

Just wanted to add: some people sort of work up to a juice fast, slowly eliminating things in the run up to doing it. I think this is probably a great idea, especially if you haven't done it before. I have fasted before, both complete and juice. The run up to my fast we were on holiday/vacation, were eating pizza, etc, so I went from regular eating straight into the juice fast. I was aware though that the first three days are the hardest, but well worth it coming out the other side.

So, was demoing the new juicer this morning to the family. They were well-impressed. The husband said, and I quote 'you could juice a pig in that!' I sometimes feel as though I am married to Homer Simpson... He then added, 'you could juice a porkchop.' And my son chimed in 'you could juice a donut!' Yes, the family is ever so supportive. (They have been, actually!)

Have a great Saturday! Hug your family! X x

Day 16 Update:
 

Day 16 Update: weighed 224.875 this morning, start weight 243.25, total lost 18.375 pounds. Feel good, days starting to feel like 'business as usual'.

Have a great Sunday! Put your feet up! X x

Day 17 Update
 

:DDay 17 Update: weighed 223.75 this morning, start weight 243.25, total lost in 17 days is 19.5 pounds. Went shopping yesterday and went down one trouser size from UK 22 to UK 20.

Happy Monday! x x

Day 19 Update
 

Day 19 Update: weighed 222 this morning, down from 243.25. Total weight lost so far = 21.25 pounds in 19 days. Yay! Feel great!

Happy Wednesday! X x

Omg congrat! I came on here to start a forum of my own I'm going to start my smoothie fast tomorrow! I don't think you know how encouraging it is to come on here and see someone succeeding at this! Congrats on the weight loss!
Quick question are you putting things like yogurt in your smoothies?

Hi! Great to have you on here!

So, no yogurt for me, but you need to do what will work for you.

To re-cap: I have 3-4 small 88 calorie smoothies a day from a known popular brand. I then juice up some veg and sometimes apples and lemon. I have 1-3 10oz glasses of this. I also have 2-3 cups of coffee, 2 with skim milk and sugar. Idrink loads of bottled water. I keep the calories between 500-800 which keeps my body in ketosis (see earlier posts) which means I don't have hunger pangs and my body burns fat. I feel great, better than I have in years! I don't feel weak or like I am missing out on food. I make meals for my family, I work, I have stresses and joys throughout the week, but so far, so good. My after fast plan is to go vegan for the same number of days I have fasted. Obviously, everyone is different. This is working for me, for now. Please consult your doctor before embarking on a new health regime. And if you are diabetic especially.

Good Luck!! X x

Day 21 Update
 

Day 21 Update: weighed 221.25 this morning, start weight 243.25, total weight lost in 21 days = 22 pounds.:D

Have a bit of a cold right now but not to do with the diet. I have been in close contact with people with colds, and I haven't been as vigilant gelling my hands. Have to say I think I would feel a lot worse with this cold if not for the juices. I did two glasses of pure orange yesterday followed by a tomato, red bell pepper, lemon, garlic, salt, black pepper and Italian seasoning. Don't really like tomato juice, but this was nice, like an Italian dinner. Plus all the Vitamin C has gotta help this cold.

Bring on a quiet weekend! X x

Day 24 Update: weighed 221.125. Home with chest cold. Need some motivation. Think I'm retaining water from broth I ate for my cold on Fri.

Bring on Friday! X x

Day 25 Update: 219.375. Almost 24 pounds lost in 25 days.

Your story is really motivating me to lose weight even more. I will try several ways aside from smoothie but of course natural ways, the safer.

I am into green smoothies and have been drinking it for some time. I LOVE the results. I've noticed that I lose some weight and I have so much energy that I'm up late and up early.

juice is very is good diet for weight loss

new
 

very good topc and thank you for it

3 weeks since juicer purchase
 

I'll share too! I love my new juicer. I picked up a Cuisinart CJE 1000 on Amazon (it was the best price) after shopping around a few weeks. Though I'm not doing a full fast (YET) I'm juicing to replace each evening meal and am working on eating well and making better choices.

I began weight training 3 times per week and doing daily intervals on the treadmill 4 weeks ago. The juicing was added the 2nd week. My first week I lost 1.5 lbs (which was better than none, since I'm building lean tissue.) Since adding the juice though, cutting back on alcohol, etc. I'm losing quicker - down now down 11.5 pounds and a total of 10 inches so far. I know it's all fat lost, which is awesome.

Picture 46 sticks of butter. That's what's gone from my person after 4 weeks. People talk about how expensive it is to juice. I'm actually spending less on groceries, since I only need to hit the produce department with my list, grab a few other necessaries and I'm out of there! Spending less at the liquor store too, since I no longer have a glass of wine or two at dinner and limit my martini consumption to one or two on the weekends.) Martinis are my vice - I'm actually having them less but enjoying them more!

It's all good here. I'm well on my way to my goal: 34.5 lbs to go and I'll be running a 5k on Mothers Day. I'll be the fast mom in the cute shorts. :cool:

thank you for sharing a very interesting experience, very inspiring to me on a diet with vegetable juice and fruit, good work :)

i am only following the green diet plan and running/jogging. want to know about your exact meal plan

The benefits of drinking fruit and vegetable smoothies
Every now and then you start to listen to the voice in the back of your thoughts...the one that reminds you that you are getting older and you need to take better care of yourself...this voice...for me...talks a lot about eating greens, eating fruit...and drinking water (but I already wrote that hub about water)...anyway eating greens has always been a challenge for me...my plate always seems to pass by the vegetables when dinner time comes...I used to eat more fruit when I was younger...not so much these days until I decided to do something about it...my mom...once again...stepped in with a wonderful gift of the Montel Williams HealthMaster...she'd been raving about the product for some time...she believes that it is a better choice to the regular juicer because it makes smoothies with the vegetables and fruits combined and it does not extract the pulp...she...like so many people believe that the pulp is just as important as the juice...its fibrous nature is important to the digestive system...so I did some research and came across a few sites that agreed with my mom...I decided to start making and drinking the smoothies...well to my surprise I got right into it and I've been drinking the stuff since...which is about the same time I started this new road to a healthier life...I've been drinking way more water and exercising again...all in all the smoothies have helped my energy level and one of the most important differences I have found for myself is less tenderness in the gums...hmmmmmmm....that definitely isn't something I read...I didn't try some recipe for it...it happened organically while I was experimenting with the basic recipes...finally I mixed one that I truly enjoy and find it tasty and healing!

Great Journey

Congrats dear! I think it will be better for me and others also. I am also struggling with 1st week of journey.

the best
 

you must to do more efforts if you can't

the
 

you must to do more effort if you can