40+ Days of Juicing, Including a 5 Day Water Fast

Today is my 40th day of a juice fast and 57th day total of only fruits, vegetables, and a little coconut or flaxseed oil. During the 40 days, I also did a 5 day water fast. It feels strange and surreal, and yet I am probably only about half-way through.

Basically, I was so sick. I couldn’t stop eating, and I was about 180 pounds, which is more than 40 pounds overweight. I was swollen, my joints and whole body hurt, I was exhausted, my eyes burned and itched, and I was generally ill. I felt like I couldn’t take it anymore, but didn’t know how to stop eating (and at times, drinking). Through my whole life, food has been the only thing that has ever brought me consistent comfort. But, I felt like this was it, I had to give myself the chance to experience life. I needed something spiritual, something revelatory, something that would change me. And I am hoping that by getting myself to the point of actual health, and maintaining it for a period of time, that whatever joy there is in that state of being, will outweigh the comfort I get from food. That is my only hope.

So, I was in Greece, and I decided that the minute my plane landed in Tirana, Albania, that from that moment on, that was it, I was juicing. Well, I had some unplanned trouble initially finding a place to stay, so for the first few days, I bought juices from cafes and ate fruit, vegetables, seeds, and olive, flaxseed, or coconut oil. Then I began juicing. Then, I had to take a weekend trip to Ohrid, Macedonia, and again found myself in an unplanned situation of not being able to get enough pressed juice, so I ate fruit and vegetables again. So, after two weeks (exactly) of plants in solid, oil, and juice form, I began my juice-only fast (with a tiny few drops of oil here to keep all the organs active). Around day 25, I did a 5 day water only fast, which was extremely difficult as it coincided with me getting a chest virus leading to acute bronchitis. I began having some vegetable broth along with juicing to help heal. I believe now that climate is very important. When juicing, if you are in winter with a cold climate, vegetable broth can be very helpful in keeping the temperature of the body functioning optimally.

So, now day 40, and I am at least 25 pounds down, around 15-20 more pounds to go, and even more inflammation and healing needed. Unlike some of the other accounts I am seeing, 40 days has not been enough to heal me. Of course, I see loads of benefits – sleeping through the night, reduced inflammation, my eyes are much better, my joints and body aches are almost gone. There is still more to go though. Here’s to the next…..40?