I cannot help but be inspired by the excitement of another. If someone speaks with visible enthusiasm, I find myself immediately engaged! As long as their is excitement in their voice, I will listen. One of the things that makes me happiest in life is listening to someone, anyone, speak with passion about a hobby or interest in life. I love the sparkle and zeal that is seen in the eyes of someone who is committed and inspired. It is incredibly contagious.
Recently, I found myself listening to a woman who spoke with great passion about juice fasting. I had revealed to her that I often suffer from bloating when returning home from my travels and she said she had the "perfect solution". A cleansing program that involved drinking only a lemonade mix for days. Yikes! I would have never even considered had it not been for her excitement. And so, I thought, why not?
I felt a little strange walking up to the check out counter in the grocery store with only lemons, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper in my basket. With sheepish eyes, I avoided looking at the customers around me. When the clerk asked me how I was doing, I replied with enthusiasm that I was doing great. It was the beginning of day one.
Three days later I was exhausted and irritable. I had tried to live my "normal" life by attending work out classes and working normal hours. Obviously my social life was affected as I couldn't meet friends for coffee, drinks, or dinner. This was definitely the hardest part of the fast for me as food is so closely tied to socializing. The same grocery clerk from three days prior certainly didn't find my interaction with her nearly as cheery on day three. My body felt weak and my mind was not as clear.
Although the original fast requires a ten day commitment, I gave it three solid days. Three days was enough. I have to admit that I felt better by day four, but perhaps that was because I knew food was in my near future.
I will never again participate in the lemonade fast. Did it relieve my bloating? Absolutely! However, that is what I would expect to have happen when not eating for days. Was I happy to have tried it? Absolutely! I never regret trying new things and learning more about myself along the way.
If I do a juice fast again, it would be one involving delicious smoothies like those made by the wonderful Mexican woman in the photograph below. Delicious!
Recently, I found myself listening to a woman who spoke with great passion about juice fasting. I had revealed to her that I often suffer from bloating when returning home from my travels and she said she had the "perfect solution". A cleansing program that involved drinking only a lemonade mix for days. Yikes! I would have never even considered had it not been for her excitement. And so, I thought, why not?
I felt a little strange walking up to the check out counter in the grocery store with only lemons, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper in my basket. With sheepish eyes, I avoided looking at the customers around me. When the clerk asked me how I was doing, I replied with enthusiasm that I was doing great. It was the beginning of day one.
Three days later I was exhausted and irritable. I had tried to live my "normal" life by attending work out classes and working normal hours. Obviously my social life was affected as I couldn't meet friends for coffee, drinks, or dinner. This was definitely the hardest part of the fast for me as food is so closely tied to socializing. The same grocery clerk from three days prior certainly didn't find my interaction with her nearly as cheery on day three. My body felt weak and my mind was not as clear.
Although the original fast requires a ten day commitment, I gave it three solid days. Three days was enough. I have to admit that I felt better by day four, but perhaps that was because I knew food was in my near future.
I will never again participate in the lemonade fast. Did it relieve my bloating? Absolutely! However, that is what I would expect to have happen when not eating for days. Was I happy to have tried it? Absolutely! I never regret trying new things and learning more about myself along the way.
If I do a juice fast again, it would be one involving delicious smoothies like those made by the wonderful Mexican woman in the photograph below. Delicious!
