Written by: Joanne Beccarelli
If you are thinking about doing a fresh juice cleanse, then you have probably already read all the basics about juicing because there is advice everywhere. You know, juice 80% vegetables to 20% fruit to keep blood sugar in check, “juice the rainbow” for varied nutritional value, and so on.
What I’m sharing here are the “little secrets” that I share with my clients when we have already covered the ABC’s and I want them to have the best juice cleanse experience possible. It’s the insider info that makes the biggest difference and everyone forgets to talk about it! Whether you decide to do a short 3 day juice cleanse, a full week, or even a longer period (I personally did 50 days once!), these tips pave the way to a rewarding and successful cleanse to leave you feeling lighter, brighter and healthier than ever.
Secret #1: Plan to start your juice cleanse on a Thursday, never a Monday.
Although we are all conditioned to start a new routine on Mondays, doing this with a cleanse will set you up for a very rough week ahead. Most people hit the detox wall on or around day 3 of a juice fast. Typically, this is when headaches, brain fog, jitters, exhaustion and down right crankiness show up. This happens because for the first three days without solids, your body is still expecting a constant, ready supply of fuel (including fats) and it hasn’t yet figured out that fuel needs to be found elsewhere (like your reserves!). And while your body starts to push out built-up junk from previous unhealthy habits, your systems are a little out of balance, causing a lot of the symptoms that you feel. Since day 3 is such a challenge, make sure that it lands on a day that you have the time and flexibility to take it easy, crawl into bed and hunker down. You’ll be surprised how great you begin to feel by day 4 (if not sooner – remember, everyone is different)!
Secret #2: Transition into your juice cleanse week by weaning off caffeine, sugar, alcohol, processed foods, wheat and meat the week prior.
You’ll want to plan at least 3-7 days ahead before starting your juice cleanse to transition off of the above mentioned foods/drinks. If you don’t want a pounding withdrawal headache (verging on a migraine), weaning off of caffeine and sugar is a must. When I did this, I simply blended my coffee with decaffeinated over three days until I just stopped caffeine altogether. Plus, this is the time you are preparing your entire system to move towards the vegetables and fruit diet you will soon be consuming in liquid form. Depending on how much time you give yourself, use common sense how the transition unfolds with a goal to finish your prep week eating only vegetables and fruit. If the transition takes 2 weeks for you, that’s okay. Honor the space you’re in, knowing that it’s for the benefit of your beautiful body.
Secret #3: Forgo a ‘last hurrah’ the day (or days) before you start a cleanse.
Although it is tempting to indulge in all the things you will ‘live without’, these foods are exactly what you are trying to clean out through the cleanse you’ve committed to. Why step backwards before stepping forwards? Unless you want to spend a few days in bed feeling extra miserable, bingeing on burgers, pizza, chinese food, alcohol, or whatever your vice is, right before diving into a cleanse, sets you up for the most miserable few days you could have once you start. Skip the last minute indulgences – your body doesn’t need it and your mind surely needs to break free too. This is all about creating new, healthier habits and you’re so worth the effort.
Secret #4: Don’t make any major decisions in the evenings. Sleep on it and go from there.
The cleansing process takes your body and your mind through a physiological and a mental journey that changes day by day and you clean out the junk to make room for a healthier environment. You will likely feel foggy and cranky at first and it typically happens toward the end of the day. So, it just makes sense to not make any major decisions about your juice fast, especially about quitting, when you are in a weakened state. Save decision making for the mornings when you are refreshed, energized and ready to tackle the world.
Glenn was in an accident with a hockey puck that made it so his mouth had to be wired shut! While he was going through recovery he found that Organifi Protein sustained him in a healthy way where he was able to maintain his muscle mass while still be able to loose weight.
-Tragedy Turns to Opportunity, Weightloss and Holistic Health
Glenn was in an accident with a hockey puck that made it so his mouth had to be wired shut! While he was going through recovery he found that Organifi Protein sustained him in a healthy way where he was able to maintain his muscle mass while still be able to loose weight.
-Tragedy Turns to Opportunity, Weightloss and Holistic Health
