10 days at a time

Today, Hubby and I started a 30-day-juice-fast.

I know, I know, that sounds insane. I thought the exact same thing almost a year ago, when Hubby called me at work to tell me about this amazing video he just watched, and that he was going to do a 60-day fast (and you thought I was insane ;0} – it should be noted that he was under our doctor’s supervision – I insisted). I was skeptical. He asked me to at least watch Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. I did. I was still skeptical. You see, we have been on the weight-loss-roller-coaster together for years. We’ve done weight-loss clinics (national chains and a local  business), we’ve done meal replacement programs – shakes and bars…  we have lost and gained, and lost and gained… Hubby has lost again. I seem to be in holding pattern… of 40 extra pounds. The pictures below are of us at our heaviest… and me at my current weight (and yes, he knows I’m posting these ;0})

This is what Hubby looks like now. He ran a half-marathon just a few weeks back… It’s hard to put into words the changes I have seen in him. His energy level is amazing… and he radiates health… he is focused and determined. And let’s be clear here, I didn’t make it easy for him. There were days he would come home to a house filled with the smell of freshly baked bread… he would resist. I’d pick up pizza… he would resist. I’d meet friends for lunch or dinner… he would refrain. He is stronger than I am…

my goal – where I was 4 years ago

This 30-day fast will not be easy. Thirty seems like such a large number. But I am following the lead of a new friend, Anne, and breaking it into 10-day increments. Ten seems totally doable. Once completed, you just do it again… doesn’t seem so hard.

Here’s the other thing… my body has been calling out for this. I have been trying to figure out what void it is that I am trying to fill with all the food (let’s be honest here, rarely is it actually food… it is mostly, as Michael Pollan puts it, food-like-substances) that I put in my body. Then it dawned on me… the void I’m trying to fill are the nutrients my body is lacking. It has nothing to do with love, because I am loved. It is not because I am not valued, because I am valued by those in my life. It is about my body not having the nutrients it needs. My body has been preparing for a famine… storing extra calories… even though I have been feasting. The problem is that what I have been feasting on, is not what my body needed. It is time for me to value this body I have been given… to love and care for it. To provide it with what it needs… real food!

To some, juicing may seem like deprivation. True, I will not be going to any restaurants for the next 30 days, and I will have to take some precautions when going to parties and celebrations… and meal-breaks at work. But there is such a rush as my body absorbs the juice… We are not talking pre-packaged juice here. We are juicing fresh and raw fruits and vegetables every morning. There is nothing but nature in this glass! 

There is going to be some transition as my body rids itself of all the toxins (which really is what a processed food is!) I have been providing it… and it has graciously stored. I had a slight headache today, but then Hubby reminded me I just needed to have more juice. Headache was gone when he checked on me 30 minutes later. I’m so grateful he is here supporting and encouraging me. He has been excited about this and all the great changes it has brought into his life… he has been anxious for me to join him on this journey. Well here I am… I’ll be updating daily to BIG little BIG – life as I see it Facebook Page… if you want to follow me on this journey ;0}

photo credits: BIGlittleBIG Instagram

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