Multi-Day Mono-Juice Feasting – Healing Journey Day 6

Journal:
Guys/Gals, I made it! I honestly can’t believe I made it through 5 days without any type of food. Oh my goodness. I was so scared of doing this journey, not sure how I would be able to bypass situations where food would be all around me, or with my students even opening their food for them. But I did it and never even once even picked up a piece of food. I am so proud of how far I’ve made it on this journey.

Now last night, I did manage to sleep pretty much through the night, only waking up once instead of multiple times like the night before. And once again, I woke up feeling like a normal human being. The stomach pain was gone and I was able to get out of bed with no problems this morning! I went straight upstairs and got my first apple juice. 🙂 Yes, for 3 days I will be drinking apple juice. I have always found apple juice easy on my stomach so I figured this would be a great beginning juice for my body.

I, of course, was still a little worried about how my body would react to the apple juice. Though after the first few sips and only a very minor uncomfortable feeling from my stomach, I knew it was going to do down well. Oh how happy I was! The taste of apple juice was so amazing, although I noticed there was a slight off-taste. Come to find out, my tongue was covered in white. I had heard about this happening from dry and water fasters but had not noticed it until today. Yuck. Thankfully, it does come off with either scraping or rigorous tongue brushing. I have a cleaning at the dentist tomorrow and I can only imagine what they would have said to me with a tongue like that!

A question I have been asked is what is the difference between juice “fasting” and “juice feasting.” Juice fasting is where you are on a specified amount of juices (specific calories). Juice feasting is where you are still limited to only juice, but you do not have to stick with a certain caloric guideline. Now of course, you do not want to turn it into juice binging where you are over consuming more than your body wants, but if you know your body well, you should be able to tell when you are really hungry or not. I am choosing to juice feast because I do not believe in limiting calories. Yes, I just spent 5 days eliminating calories from my diet, but that was to fast. If you make a decision to fast, then you are usually doing it for a specific reason outside of weight loss such as for religious reasons or body healing. Since I am spanning the healing spectrum, mine was to experience the healing aspects though I was also intrigued through my walk in Christianity to partake in such a journey because God calls us to take care of our bodies and this journey is hopefully going to help me see how to get my body to be the best that it can be. Plus, as I mentioned in my introduction to this journey, it was also an experiment to see if we can erase the hold that food has on us. Yes, in the long run we depend on food to live; we have to. But instead of not being able to pass by food that is not good for us and simply having intense cravings or even those that can’t help but binge on food because they can’t seem to stop, that is another part of my journey. And so far, I am beating all of those typical situations and for that reason, this journey has been good.

So I managed to actually have a pretty good day at school. Though I seemed to have to talk to my class a little more than normal, one of my toughest students actually had one of his best days today so that alone was phenomenal. And how did the juice treat me? So good. I didn’t feel like falling asleep all the time; I actually did not plan my walks. I didn’t feel like sitting down all the time; I felt confident when I walked. I just felt so much better.

Do I still feel like eating food? You know, my thoughts towards food have decreased a lot. Sure, the nice croissant (I have a student that has been bringing croissants to school everyday) does sound nice, but just having some sweet, delicious, pure apple juice to sip on all day is absolutely amazing. My body can definitely tell that the energy is coming back.

Is my apple juice fresh pressed? Unfortunately no. In fact, the apple juice I have for today and tomorrow are not even organic. I did my best to find juices that were organic, but the price difference is astronomical. So you will see that most of my juices are organic, but today’s and tomorrow’s are not. The one qualification for my juices were that they had to only include one ingredient: the ingredient being whichever fruit whose juice I was drinking that day.

So, I’m going to hand out a TMI WARNING again because this next part is not so pretty. I will keep it to one paragraph. I don’t really enjoy sharing these parts because they can be considered “gross”, but incase someone does decide to embark on this journey or one similar, I want you to be prepared for things that can happen. If you read my day 5 entry, you will notice that I couldn’t “eliminate”. Well, to my horror/surprise, I don’t even have to try today. Lo’ and behold, it’s essentially a watery liquid. Yes, I know it’s graphic. It did go back to normal by the end of the day, but the first half of the day was the adjustment period. My stomach “gurgled” more than I think it has ever gurgled before with the adjustment of an “energy source” coming back into its system. It made today a little trickier since I’m obviously working but I managed to take a tiny break away from the classroom whenever I needed it so it worked out alright.

So after I came home, I actually did not feel tired at all! However, I did lay down to watch some YouTube again, and noticed the beginning of that awful acid reflux/heartburn feeling again. Thankfully, it didn’t really turn into anything.

I did get up and go to the gym, although I kind of wondered afterwards if I should have done the cardio or not. I did 30 minutes of easy stationary cycling. The reason being, remember that clenching of muscles feeling I described previously? I had that feeling bad tonight. The best way I can think to describe it is to imagine doing a crunch with all of your ab muscles straining, then someone punching you. But instead of being repetitious, it was a continuous state. Now that is a feeling for the books but one that I hope goes away soon. Yes, I did try bending backwards to stretch my abs and to see if my stomach muscles would pull, but they didn’t meaning they weren’t actually always engaged. For some reason that was just the feeling I was having.

For the first time all week, I actually felt tired. I tried to stay up past 11, but my eyes were fighting me. As much as I still wanted to do things, this actually made me happy because instead of me having to decide when I go to bed because I’m not “that tired”, my body actually was acting normal and demanded sleep. This I can appreciate.

Review of Symptoms:
Acne is worse and yet the same. The pimples are still more pale than before, but I have tiny bumps all over my face. I’m not appreciating it. But I have also heard of this happening as a detox byproduct. There is a reason why the saying goes: It will get worse before it gets better. My tongue was COVERED in a white substance. Again, this is something I’ve heard is associated with detox so tongue scraping is now something I have to do. I haven’t reported this in awhile, but my skin still stays red more easily than before. My hair is still less greasy than it normally would be by this point. Had more energy, feeling stronger. Internal “movement” was much easier today. Heartburn/acid reflux was only the most minimal while laying down this evening. I had a constant feeling of ab muscle clenching while a dull ache of a punch to the stomach at the same time that lasted throughout the evening. My body actually demanded sleep around 11:00 pm which is awesome!

Weight at the end of the day = 180.8 lbs (0 lbs down in 24 hours, total of 8 lbs down in 5 days)

Total Calories = 1811.2 (99% carbs, 1% protein, 0% fat)

Water Fasting – Healing Journey Day 4

Journal:
My stomach officially hurts. I did sleep better last night, waking up at 6:00 instead of 4:00 for which I’m grateful for. But I can’t deny that I feel my stomach so much today. Today marks 4 days without food, and only 2 days of drinking water. I have not had any issues drinking water right away this morning so my adjustment period was definitely yesterday.

**TMI Warning: I think my stomach pain may also be related to the need to use the washroom but the inability to do so for the past two days. I’m assuming that because my digestion has been shut down – essentially – for the past 4 days that it is causing the lack of movement. However, later in the day (towards the end of the day), I was finally able to have some elimination with the assistance of proper washroom posture. In case you are not aware, proper posture involves propping your feet on a stool or bench that allows your body to enter a 35 degree angle. Here is a great video to watch by a company that creates a stool specifically for this purpose:

https://youtu.be/pYcv6odWfTM

Some people have complained about headaches when doing any kind of fasting. Thankfully, I’m not a person who regularly gets headaches  and so I have not experienced any kind of headache.

I also think I have figured out what is going on with the temperature reactions in my body. My stomach is ON FIRE!! I can only assume this is from my body metabolizing my fat stores for food/energy. But the burning in my stomach is causing my limbs to become cold much more quickly. And when I turn the heat on, it amplifies the heat coming from my stomach making me way too warm. I’m not going to say the experience is miserable, but it’s definitely not my favourite. Either way, I managed to go to work this morning and somehow make it through the day.

How am I feeling about food right now? Oh my goodness… would I love to have anything; bread, vegan pizza (though not craving cheese of any kind), vegan croissants, baguettes, etc. Oddly enough, it’s mostly bread products but I’m almost thinking more than the taste, it is the texture of sinking my teeth into something soft and cushy. Texture often plays a big part in our food desires, and the thought of something so nice and cushy that almost melts in your mouth sounds absolutely amazing. But in reality, almost anything vegan would do. I’m starting to think about food more often, though it’s still fairly easy to bypass food, especially when the students are eating and microwaving their food, and the stash that is ever beside me on the floor. My NewsFeed on Facebook is also still full of people making different delicious vegan foods that look so appetizing, and yet somehow I’m still going strong. That being said, I am so looking forward to having lemon in my water tomorrow and especially to starting my juice feast on Thursday. I am currently just counting down the days to having some type of calories in my body. The time is actually going by fairly quickly though I look forward to feeling stronger again.

I did not go to the gym tonight. I didn’t make this decision based on energy stores, but simply because I don’t want to kill myself when I’m only in the middle of the work week. Work has been particularly stressful and unfortunately, the lack of calories in my body has caused my brain not to function at 100% capacity causing things to wear me out more than normal. Instead of being on my feet all day, I take more opportunities to sit down and I choose my walking trips a little more carefully. I also noticed that while I’m walking, I also feel almost like my legs are a little more jelly-like than normal. This is something I more than look forward to going away.

I drank approximately 3L today which is an improvement from yesterday’s 1.25-1.5L.

Review of Symptoms:
Face has no changes. Not really any new acne, but still a lot of room for improvement. Stomach pain is more prevalent. Body feels weak though somehow continues to do everything I need it to do. Mentality is not as strong as it could be, though it does seem to be stronger when I’m not physically active and draining my body that way. Stomach almost felt a little bloated today which is an interesting thing to consider. Thoughts are going towards food more often and counting down the days to lemon water tomorrow and my juice feast starting Thursday. Still experiencing temperature extremes though for the most part, I have been very warm in my midsection (stomach on fire) and very cold in my limbs. Very minimal shaking in the morning today though very weak. I also experienced some – at least what feels like – heartburn or acid reflux in the later part of the evening. I am not sure why this is occurring, but this is also not a pleasant experience.

Weight at the end of the day = 182.6 lbs (down 2.8 lbs in 24 hours, down 6.2 lbs in 72 hours).

Total Calories = 0

Week 9 Day 6

As one can only imagine, I felt awful when I woke up today. After having so many dreams last night, I felt like I had lived several nights in one. But I got up, ate some breakfast, then took care of my babies, took a shower and got ready for my chiropractor and acupuncture appointments that I was really looking forward to today. After this week, I needed the relaxing and adjustment times. But that’s when the problem began.

My car would not start. I don’t think it was just that the temperature was almost -30 Celsius, but something that won’t even allow the motor to really turn over more than once. The biggest thing is that I remember my car doing this last winter, I just don’t remember how we fixed it. But what really stressed me is that I missed my appointments. I called in of course, but this week I could have really used those appointments, so I was very upset.

I came in, and decided that since my car wouldn’t work, I should at least try to finish my work. But to no avail. My eyes were burning, my body just in a hateful mode, and my head had the worst headache I’ve ever had. So really I had no choice but to try and keep sleeping it off.

But wouldn’t ya know, this would be the day my dogs would decide to be whiney. I walked them twice as much as normal, even though I felt terrible, and I was just miserable with my body begging me to sleep.

I eventually did sleep and went through several more dreams as my brain continued to try and filter through the last few days, and as much as I hoped I would get rid of the headache, it was still there when I was woken up by my husband coming home.

He took me out for supper, and he graciously took me to the gym, even though it was his designated day off. I powered through as much of my workout as possible, and had to quit half way through. My body wanted to workout so badly, but as much energy as my body had, my head pounded harder with each exercise I did. I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t stop, but I also knew how unhappy I’d be if I didn’t get at least something done. I hated it. My body was going through the exercises with ease, only being stopped by the pain in my head. I just want to workout!!!

So I’m back home now, and laying in bed with my pounding head. Medicine doesn’t seem to touch it. I will be back at the gym tomorrow. I need to workout. My body needs the energy release and is tired of being dormant, and sitting, and grading. But for tonight, sleep in on the agenda. Hopefully, I’ll finally feel like a normal person again.

Catching Up With Life

Hello everyone,

Since summer break has begun, I’ve done little but try and catch up on life! For me, that means house cleaning, and appointments, with no shortage of either.

I’m not going to bore you with house cleaning. I’m pretty sure everyone knows the drudgeries and all of house cleaning. What I’m going to focus on is the appointments I’ve been going to.

I wish I could train my dogs to do the housecleaning… just like kids doing chores?

It started on a Friday when I went to the Eye Doctor for an eye exam. I haven’t had an eye exam in YEARS. I figured it was time for a check-up, and also had a concern with my eyes going part-time blurry. It really is a curious thing where sometimes, generally when I’m tired, one eye will go blurry; never both at the same time. From being someone who has always had excellent vision, this highly concerned me. And so I went.

What I found out is that my eyesight is fine, but I have some “irregular cells” on the fronts of my eyes. What the doctor is assuming is that when my eyes are tired, they are not capable of adjusting the cells. Stress could also play a factor in this. But in leaving, he gave me a “minor optional prescription” for use only when my eyes get tired. Not necessary, but there if I need it. Oh boy. This was a little unsettling, but if the doctor himself has no real concerns, then I’ll consider myself fortunate once again and maybe look into the purchase of glasses when school starts because of course, that’s when my sleeplessness and stress come in.

Seriously though, they have some serious eye equipment!

The following week, on Monday, Tuesday and Friday I had my first ever chiropractor appointments. I honestly didn’t really have any concerns for this, but since I work out with heavy weights 6 days per week, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to get checked out. What I ended up learning (already have gone Tuesday this week and going back tomorrow) is that I have a spot where my ribs are tight to my spine thus causing this rib popping thing I experience every so often. I also learned that the reason my feet cramp is NOT what the physio told me (vitamin D and Calcium deficiency), but rather that my arches are falling. I was so happy to hear she knew EXACTLY what I was talking about before I even finished. She is the first doctor out of 3 to understand.

Ok so this is not me, but look at the way the chiropractor is handling her neck. It may look scary, but this is honestly my FAVOURITE part. I look forward to getting my neck adjusted every time!

The good news about the chiropractor is that she’s simply amazing and explains everything to you. She is so skilled and understanding, and gave me the great news that I’m really not as bad as she would have thought I would been having never been to a chiropractor before and working out like I do. This was great news! The unfortunate part is I can no longer wear sandals in the summer unless I can find pairs with high arches, and I’m looking to getting custom orthotics to do what is best for my feet. Another new thing to get used to.

This was basically sad news for me. I look forward to wearing mine all year and it’s causing some problems for my feet. 😦

On Wednesday of last week, I finally went and got my hair done. It had been a year and my hair was REALLY needing an upgrade. So I got more blonde, got a big trim and side bangs back. A nice treat during the week.

On Thursday of last week, I had my first ever massage! Now this experience was two-fold. Yes, there were parts like you’ve seen where the people seem relaxed, but let me tell you, there are parts where she finds even the smallest of knots in your body and then it gets painful and she works them out. I felt amazing afterwards and I know it’s probably essential for your body, especially for someone who needs their mobility for working out, but I can guarantee my massage therapist will find anything and everything that’s wrong. The other good part of this is that she’s working on my flexibility with me as well. Love my new massage therapist!

Working out the tightness I had in my legs hurt at first but felt good afterwards.

This past Sunday, I finally got over myself and went to the dentist. It has been 3 years since my last dental visit, and I knew I had to go. I hate cleanings. I always have. My family genetically do not have the greatest teeth to begin with. My mother has to take pills 2 days before and up to her dental appointments, and my dad’s family is notorious for breaking teeth, so I spent quite a bit of time at the dentist office as a child. Aside from the pain of parts of the cleaning, it wasn’t horrible. But I did find out that I had 2 small cavities, will be recommended for Invisalign (only for my bottom teeth) and also for whitening (which I’ve wanted for awhile). I ended up going back today (Thursday) for my cavities and will be going back in a couple weeks for my Invisalign consultation. But the dentist I had work on me today was simply AMAZING. Loved her to death! In fact, probably either the best or tied for the best dentist I’ve ever had.

Haha. Nah, my dentist was much nicer than this.

Monday was finally a break. No appointments, got to stay home and sleep, clean, and stay with my pups.

Tuesday was back to the chiropractor, and I will be going again tomorrow. I also had a meeting with a woman about Organo Gold coffee which lead me to look through the mall I had met her at, and ended up getting my toenails and fingernails done at the nail salon. 🙂

Wednesday was an odd day for me. Our car needed new tires DESPERATELY and I had a customer waiting on their Organo Gold order, and this was the only day I could deliver, which meant the tires had to go on THAT DAY. So we quickly made arrangements for new tires (I had forgotten how much they cost!!!), and wouldn’t you know the tires were late transferring from the warehouse to the garage, which meant I ended up leaving town late, had horrible traffic, and thought I would be late to pick up my husband, but instead he ended up working extremely late so even though it was a rush of a day, it all ended up just fine.

Today I returned to the dentist and the freezing kind of took me out of the rest of my day. Lots of rest and recovery.

Tomorrow morning, I will be going to my first non-accident related physiotherapy session to work hard on my flexibility issues. I’m hoping one day I’m actually be able to touch my toes with my legs straight, and sit properly at a 90 degree angle; something that is so simple for many people, but something I’ve never been able to do. I really hate being this inflexible, and it seems that no matter how much stretching I do, it doesn’t help. So I’m hoping we can figure out what’s going on and she’ll be able to tell me what to do to fix it.

Now, even though I’ve had appointments everyday for the past 2+ weeks, I have to take a 2-week break as I fly on Sunday to visit my family for a couple weeks.

When I return, I will be back into the swing of things. I already have booked a massage, a doctor’s appointment (family doctor), my Invisalign consultation probably with a quick follow-up appointment for installation, and of course customer deliveries with OG products. Before I leave, I will also have book chiropractor appointments, physio appointments, looking to order my glasses, and probably look at Facial Laser Surgery (to get rid of some of this scarring from acne throughout my teen years).

What an EXPENSIVE summer! I am SO THANKFUL for health benefits as they have already covered huge amounts of my dental bills and will be refunding quite a bit of the others. I don’t think I would have even been able to do this without that help. I am so thankful to my job for that aspect for sure.

If I have any advice to give you, it’s this. If you have something wrong, don’t wait. Don’t let things go because you’ll learn a lot about yourself, a lot about how to help yourself be your best.