Juice fast day 9 – not so fine. I woke this morning feeling groggy with a mild headache. What gives? I didn’t feel so hot late last night, and whatever was bothering me must have followed me into this morning. It wasn’t anything big, but now that I’m used to waking up feeling like a million bucks, being groggy with a headache really stinks. Randy blames it on a forgoing the pizza reaction – whatever Randy. Like I’m some kind of pizza monster… He did say, though, that maybe something icky finally broke its way loose and was making me feel bad. Hmmm…?
Amy’s Juice Fast – Day 9
Morning check in:
- Body Fat – 14.9%
- Weight – 121.5 lbs - Lean 103.4 lbs – Fat 18.10 lbs
- BMI – 19.8
Nightly Assessment:
- Headaches – small one upon waking
- Sleep – Slept off and on through the night thanks to the baby
- Energy – low and groggy in the morning, feeling great again by lunch time
- Joint pain – Still no back pain or muscle aches
- Stamina – Pretty good considering feeling “off” in the morning
- Motivation – Questioning my motivation again, trying hard to stick it out until tomorrow night
- Hunger – It’s getting more manageable, tolerable until dinner time, then almost tolerable
I was more than a little hungry this morning too. Downing a few juices and getting busy helped. I needed to forget about the juice fast (only today and tomorrow left). We had a bunch of over ripe bananas, so I decided to experiment on different muffin and quick bread mixes. I made 2 batches of banana breads and 1 batch of muffins – anything to keep busy. Yes, even baking. Needless to say, I will soon be posting a really good, according to Randy, healthy whole wheat banana nut muffin with blueberries. I made a banana nut, blueberry, and strawberry bread, also according to Randy, very good – but in need of a little something. That one I will work on for later.
The baking helped me out a lot, but once I was done, I was instantly grumpy. I know there are only two days to go on this juice fast, but they are beginning to seem like the longest of days. I went straight to the garage to work out and blow off steam. My work out went well, but eventually the heat got to me. Working out in our garage at noon was more like working out in a hot oven = yuck. I came in heated, but my mood cooled off, so I consider the work out effective. It’s much easier to stick to my juice fast feeling positive. 
Speaking of working out, I am still so amazed that I have NO muscle soreness, stiffness, back pinching, etc… It is unbelievable. I’ve always had to rely on yoga to loosen tight muscles and prevent/relieve any pinching in my back. Those of you who have a previous injury and continue to exercise know what I’m talking about – how careful you have to be, constantly strengthening and stretching. Like I said a couple days ago, I worked out hard coming off a 2 week break and experienced no muscle soreness or pain even 2 days later. For me, this is awesome. I will still practice yoga, but I’m never going to quit drinking the fresh vegetable juices for this reason alone!
Even after this afternoon’s cookin hot work out, again here I’m sitting feeling pretty darn good – no pain, pinching, or even fatigue for that matter. I mentioned this to Randy, and he agreed that he had the same results when exercising on his juice fast. I wonder if I have to be drinking large amounts of juice like I am now to have such a benefit, or if having a couple glasses a day with a more plant based diet be enough. I guess only time will answer that question. Maybe, I will have to post a month from now to list what benefits remain. I think I will do that…
Dinner wasn’t so bad tonight. I did not make Randy cook. I did, however, make a big chicken taco salad for dinner – the last thing on the planet I’m craving – lol! That made dinner a whole lot more tolerable. Now, I just have to make it through the rest of tonight and then tomorrow…
I wish I could say like Randy that I didn’t want my juice fast to end, but… Yeah, I want it to end, lol… There are obvious benefits I’ve gained from it. That is for sure, and I’m very thankful for. But if I was asked if I would do it again, under similar circumstances, I’d say no thanks.
A little scary juicy,
Amy
P.S. You can find the rest of the entries here… Amy’s Juice Fast Journal
P.P.S Amy started a post with some of our favorite concoctions if you’re interested… Juice Fast Recipes
P.P.P.S If you have questions about choosing produce and proper storage check out our Farmer’s Market guide. I’m going to be updating it as I go along
So I was feeling desperate on this, my first day of an ALL DAY (no cheating even with healthy foods) juice fast when I in an act of utter desperation (and an attempt to distract myself) Googled “I’m on a juice fast and I want pizza!!!” Guess who’s site was the first to pop up??? And we even share the same name
THANK YOU for posting about your experience! I’m getting ready to read the rest of your posts and get some recipes from you while I decide if I’m going to do this for 5 or 10 day.
Lesson learned…
Smart you for making something you AREN’T craving. I should NOT have gotten pizza for my girls dinner
All the best, the ‘other’ amy
Amy! Who woo, found your doppleganger ey? This is funny…
I wish you the best of luck- I did make pizza one night, it wasn’t too horrible, lol… Keep me posted and feel free to vent here anytime, Amy
Oh thanks Lisa, I appreciate that
So glad you enjoy the “tiger juice” and I will look for the book on amazon.
60 days does seem a bit daunting doesn’t it? lol… But you never know, you may wake up tomorrow and feel differently.. ? Hmmm.. only time will tell…
Oh and Lisa – Randy is just weird – lol! Ok, no he’s not. He truly does crave the green juices though, and I’m still making batches for him each day. He really wants to do the fast again, and now he’s thinking about 30 days. He did enjoy the last half of his fast though. Me – not so much
I guess it just depends on the person. Not everything can be the same for everybody..
Good luck, and give your hubby a pat on the back for stickin by you. Good man!
Amy,
I totally agree with Deborah, it’s been great to watch you going through this and knowing what to expect. This is day #6 for my husband Dan and I, and we plan on going the whole 10 days. I was hoping to do 60 days like the documentary, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen now. I can’t see how Randy craved juices after this, I told my husband I would be so happy never to see a juice again!
We’re hoping to come down off this gradually, and start with maybe soup broths and working our way back to solid foods, but keeping the juices in at least for our nightly meal. Our hardest time of day is at night and afterwards, so if we can stick to juice only for dinner and afterwards, we’ll probably be able to maintain.
This has been quite an experience, and I have to admit, if I didn’t have my husband with me helping me and drinking everything I had to drink, I probably would have quit days ago! Oh, before I forget, a book that’s helped me a lot before and during this fast, I’d highly recommend it is “Juice Fasting and Detoxification” by Steve Meyerowitz.
BTW, we tried your Flaming Red Tiger today for breakfast and it was very good!
Lisa
Hi Amy,
I appreciate your honesty when you said “no thanks” to doing a 10 day juice fast again. It made me laugh. I committed myself to 5 days (planning to succeed). and am on day 5. I am lucky that I’m not cooking for a family and my husband was able to manage dinners during these 5 days. He has joined me with a tall glass of juice or smoothie for a few meals. It was good to follow behind you while you fasted as it gave me a heads up about what to expect.
I do admit that I almost caved last night when my daughter, grandson and husband were enjoying smoked ribs – a special that the meat market prepares only on Saturdays. I even set a plate for myself at the table! My husband was so sweet though, he bought an extra rack for when I am not on juice only.
I know there are greater benefits to be received if I continue for another 5 days. I haven’t decided. I’m taking one day at a time.
Thanks for your recipes. I can tell that you are a seasoned cook and I’m sure it must have been hard with a passion for cooking to stick to your commitment. Good job!
Thanks so much Deborah,
It hasn’t been easy sticking to the fast and cooking. I do love cooking in the kitchen, but now all I want to do is find the easiest way to make dinner possible! lol….
I really wanted to say, “Oh I love juice fasting, it’s great, and I’ll do it again and again!” But… I’d of felt bad ya know? I think if I had more motivating reasons other than curiosity and increased energy, I’d be more into it. That’s a guess too though
I will say, though, that I do think people will benefit from it. And, it’s been a great addition to our home. I’m definitely going to keep drinking juice. I’ll just be doing it along side my plate.
Good luck to you! And thanks again for such kind words.