I bought my juicer 4 years ago. It was the same time I was able to significantly decrease my sugar intake and buy hook-line-and-sinker into Jorge Cruise and his Belly Fat Cure initiative. Much of what Jorge offers I still "buy into," but I am on a journey - not just spiritually in life, but physically, emotionally, relationally and any other way you can think of - and my journey of health/physical wellness now brings me a point where I want to attempt a long-term juice fast.
Back to the juicer. Since 2008, I have juice-fasted twice a year. These fasts have been 3-5 days and usually done in combination with some smoothies or salads. I used these fasting opportunities to jump start me back to a healthier diet, increased exercise, etc. In terms of refocusing me, these fasts were successful. However, I am expecting more from this fast. So here is my list of reasons and hopeful outcomes:
- I want to change my taste buds. Numerous writings and research done on long-term juice fasting shows this is a way to redefine the needs (or wants) of the body. We'll see.
- In April, I will mark my 4-year* anniversary of being on a daily 40mg dosage of Simvastatin (generic for Zocor) for high cholesterol. It is true some bodies - even of those who are vegetarian - naturally produce a higher amount of the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or "bad cholesterol." Is this me? Well, one way to find out! Juice fast... we'll see. However, this is one anniversary I would be happy not to mourn every year.
- I want fat loss. This is different than weight loss. I am really OKAY with my weight, if I was muscular. Since I have moved to Lafayette, my regular exercise time has completely died. I want this to change, but one thing at a time. We'll see.
- For many years, I have struggled with hypocrisy. So, in order for me to say, "Well, you should try...." I want to have tried it and have results - good or bad - to share with others as someone who has "been there and done that." In October of 2010 when I began No-Poo'ing (not using shampoo - or conditioner) some people jumped to the conclusion I was being "green" or being weird. Those are both by-products of such a lifestyle change, BUT my top 2 reasons for shifting to no-poo were: 1) it's cheap and 2) when people come to the church needing assistance for basic things (like shampoo), I can give them a large box of baking soda, a bottle of apple cider vinegar, 2 condiment-style bottles, instructions and say, "This will last you about 12 months." (and it cost... $3?) "...and, "yes, it's what I have used for 19 months now." So, I am trying to practice what I preach. Perhaps, this is where I should also give a pitch to our church's Health Ministry Team and all their work - including starting a Yoga class with a world-class instructor!
- I DO NOT WANT TO LOOK LIKE THE MAJORITY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S CHRISTIAN PREACHERS! I really need to stop questioning the prices of our denomination's insurance premiums...all I need to do is attend a gathering of United Methodist pastors in Indiana and look around... So, by putting this point - and my last point out there - this becomes "Accountability Grand Central Station" (and I need that).
Update on progress: Last Friday I woke up with something between a severe cold and the flu (I had some joint/muscle ache-ness which is why I question a touch of the flu) and since I had a flu shot, I know sometimes this just means you don't get AS SICK with the flu, should you "get it." At any rate, for 72 hours I ate raw fruits and juiced. It was earlier than expected, but I figured I would just take it as a launchpad and go from there. But then Sunday night it occurred to me that this could affect my baseline lab work, so I went out and had fettucini alfredo! (I was beginning to feel better -- fast, obviously.) Today I will continue with a juice replacement for most every meal/snack with the exception being some wonderful and delightful dish from Jethro's BBQ tonight!
Next post: my initial numbers, along with a little information on first steps.
*When I began taking Simvastatin, I was 30-years old. Within a few months, I broke out with significant acne on my face. This was not pleasing to me as I had paid big bucks in 1999-2000 to complete the Accutane regimen to finally solve my acne issues. Since I am the type of nut that believes I can solve MOST of my own medical problems without doctors, I did my research. I discovered acne could be a side effect of many statins. So, when I went in for a monthly blood test (while we adjusted the dosage), I asked my doctor about this acne. He didn't seem to know anything. I shared my acne past and said this appears to be in conjunction with the Simvastatin. "Well, I have never heard of that being a side effect, but I'll check." A month later, back for another blood test, he says, "Oh, I did look into acne situation and that can be a side effect of statins. (pause) I just haven't had a patient young enough taking cholesterol-lowering medication who could also be viable candidates for acne." "GREAT! I'm your first!" Of course, at that point, he did what doctors do: "So, I'm writing a prescription for..." I messed around with that about a week and then woke up to the horror that I was now caught in the medical cycle of taking a pill to solve a problem caused by another pill and said, "NO!" So, I stopped taking the acne medication and eventually my body self-adjusted to the Simvastatin and the acne went away.
