This might be the most boring post, but I was thinking, how does juicing fit into my days now? How has it changed me and what I do? So here is my day, and thoughts about it.
Normally, I set my alarm for 6:30. I hate getting up in the mornings, no matter how much sleep I have had. I don't feel ready to go for a couple of hours after I get up. I don't want to talk to anyone either, which isn't that great since I work as a Level II Helpdesk support tech, and talk to people all day long! Juicing changed this in 3 major ways. After about 5-6 days, the energy kicked in and I started waking up before my alarm sometimes. I started sleeping better. I was full of energy and awake before I ever got to work. I even wake up early on the weekends now, so I can get more done.
Before work, I make both juices, and drink the breakfast one on the way. I have described how I keep my Mean Green fresh until lunch and it's always good. It's nice not to have to think about what I will have for lunch. No more fast food for breakfast. How has juicing effected my workday? Well, I don't get so sleepy in the afternoons that I can barely think. My mind seems clearer somehow. I don't get sleepy at all during the day which helps with driving home, too.
After work, I either do 30 minutes at the gym there, or come home. I let my dogs out and then do 30 minutes of something. At the gym, I have been doing however far I can go in 30 minutes on the treadmill, usually over 2 miles now, and sometimes I go a bit longer if I have time. At home, I have some yoga I do to warm up, just a little bit, because I don't know much about it. Then I do some aerobic activity, Hula Hooping is good, or dancing. I finish up by running in place on my little trampoline. Pre-juice...never would be doing this.
Next it's kitchen time. I have to feed the pups at 6:30. If I don't, they stare at me from the hall by the kitchen. I make their food every two weeks and freeze it. I started this months ago when I learned what harmful ingredients are in what I considered to be "good" dogfood. I must say that their coats are softer and they are playful like they were when they were much younger. Just goes to show you what proper nutrition can do. It's kind of like drinking juice.............. healthy for me.
Still in the kitchen, I either get my produce ready for the next day, or make my evening juice. What I really like to do, is make 2-3 days ahead of time. Not juice, just get the produce ready. That kind of gives me a little break during the week. Once that is all done, I take my dinner and sit down. I have to, because the pups think it's time to play. So I do that for a little while and drink my juice.
I spend about an hour or so writing this blog. Yes, I write it the night before, for the next day. I kind of wish I had done that a little differently, but can't change it now. I find that it's relaxing, and kind of winds me down from the day. Then, maybe a little TV or reading, and it's time for bed. It's very important to get plenty of rest. I tend to stay up too late, and have to watch the clock.
So that is my boring weekday. I planned it that way so I would have time to do what I need to do to be successful. No weekend trips to get ready for, no guests, (except g-kids), no events to speak of (except the Turkey Trot), one holiday that I didn't cook for, just taking care of me. What about the house, shopping, laundry? I do that on the weekends and it doesn't make me tired anymore. My days are very different now, and it's a good thing.
Peace out.............
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Day 50..............Looking good.....
Last night I had the best homemade macaroni and cheese I have ever had. It had bacon in it and 5 kinds of cheese. I like macaroni and cheese, but it's not one of my all time faves. However, this was so very yummy!!
And then, I woke up! Yep, my first food dream. I am surprised it took so long to have one. Why mac and cheese? Because that it what I saw last I guess. I probably need to lay off the food shows for awhile. I can think of other things I would rather have had, but juicers can't be choosers.
Still losing weight. Not fast and not very standard, usually no more than a half a pound, if that. I finally figured out why I couldn't tell any difference in my image for so long. I was losing all over. My shape was staying the same, but shrinking. I had thought that I would lose the weight where the most of it seems to be, in my big fat belly. Not so. I have the same shape, but I can tell that I am smaller. Not exactly what I was hoping for really. What that means is that I must keep up the exercising. And I have been, even though I don't have a race to train for anymore.
June of '91, I got the crazy notion to run a marathon and started training for it with a program printed in the paper every week. I had never done any running before. The first time I went out to do what the program said, I thought I was going to pass out or throw up or both. After 6 weeks, I began to notice some changes. My stomach got much firmer. I got lean. By the time of the race, six months later, I didn't have a 6-pack like guys get, but I did have those nice grooves defining my tummy muscles at the sides. I think it's because you are bouncing up and down as you run and the muscles have to get stronger to hold your poor guts in place. Walking is great exercise. I like it. But unless you are a bouncy walker, I am not sure if it will have the same effect on the muscles. So, since I really, really need to fix my shape, I will continue as best I can. Oh, I did run the whole way. Toward the end, it hurt more to walk than run. Four hours and twenty minutes, hard to imagine now.
At work yesterday, some guys were coming toward me and a hallway. I broke into a little run to beat them to the corner and down the hall. One of them said, "Hey....lookin good! What are you doing?" Naturally, I told them that I am..................
Juicing on!!!!
And then, I woke up! Yep, my first food dream. I am surprised it took so long to have one. Why mac and cheese? Because that it what I saw last I guess. I probably need to lay off the food shows for awhile. I can think of other things I would rather have had, but juicers can't be choosers.
Still losing weight. Not fast and not very standard, usually no more than a half a pound, if that. I finally figured out why I couldn't tell any difference in my image for so long. I was losing all over. My shape was staying the same, but shrinking. I had thought that I would lose the weight where the most of it seems to be, in my big fat belly. Not so. I have the same shape, but I can tell that I am smaller. Not exactly what I was hoping for really. What that means is that I must keep up the exercising. And I have been, even though I don't have a race to train for anymore.
June of '91, I got the crazy notion to run a marathon and started training for it with a program printed in the paper every week. I had never done any running before. The first time I went out to do what the program said, I thought I was going to pass out or throw up or both. After 6 weeks, I began to notice some changes. My stomach got much firmer. I got lean. By the time of the race, six months later, I didn't have a 6-pack like guys get, but I did have those nice grooves defining my tummy muscles at the sides. I think it's because you are bouncing up and down as you run and the muscles have to get stronger to hold your poor guts in place. Walking is great exercise. I like it. But unless you are a bouncy walker, I am not sure if it will have the same effect on the muscles. So, since I really, really need to fix my shape, I will continue as best I can. Oh, I did run the whole way. Toward the end, it hurt more to walk than run. Four hours and twenty minutes, hard to imagine now.
At work yesterday, some guys were coming toward me and a hallway. I broke into a little run to beat them to the corner and down the hall. One of them said, "Hey....lookin good! What are you doing?" Naturally, I told them that I am..................
Juicing on!!!!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Day 49..............or Week one of Two
Technically I have less than two weeks to go. Twelve days, counting today. As much as I have enjoyed doing this, I am looking forward to being finished. That feeling has grown as the days dwindle. I have been thinking about why. It's not because I want to eat food again, so much. I believe it's because I am growing tired of the routine. It is an easy enough one, to be sure. No dishes to wash, no meal planning because I have the same things all the time, shopping for the same things, is all just part of my life.......what I do. I could add some different juices, but I still like the ones I am having. I do love seeing my refrigerator stuffed full of produce. It must be how a squirrel feels about a stash of nuts. I love seeing it by the end of the week, growing empty because of what I have done. You get a feeling of accomplishment.
Being on a juice fast forces you to take better care of yourself. By eliminating the bad foods and taking in all the wonderful nutrients, you are going to get healthier. You have to plan it out and make your juice, or you won't have any nourishment. This takes some work, even though it is easy to do. My fear is that I am growing tired of taking care of myself. It's lazier not to. That is why convenience foods and fast food places exist. As easy as making the juice is, it's still easier to throw something in the microwave. Of course, I know what is good for me and what is not, and I have learned much along the way. My hope is that I will not fall into bad habits again. My hope is that 60 days is long enough to break those bad habits. I have no idea.
After I am finished, I have decided to keep writing this blog for awhile, as long as I can come up with things to write about. I am very curious as to what it will be like for the first few weeks of eating again. I think others might be too. Writing about my experiences will help keep me on track. Honesty is very important to me. There is no way that I would want to write about going to a fast food joint or eating a box of Mac and Cheese. Not now and hopefully, not ever. I do know that I will keep juicing. I don't want to lose the energy that it gives me. I also will keep hitting the treadmill, as I want to get into better shape. That is the fastest way to do it, at least for me. And, I am not really "Skinny Vic" yet. I'm getting there..................
Juice on!!!!
Being on a juice fast forces you to take better care of yourself. By eliminating the bad foods and taking in all the wonderful nutrients, you are going to get healthier. You have to plan it out and make your juice, or you won't have any nourishment. This takes some work, even though it is easy to do. My fear is that I am growing tired of taking care of myself. It's lazier not to. That is why convenience foods and fast food places exist. As easy as making the juice is, it's still easier to throw something in the microwave. Of course, I know what is good for me and what is not, and I have learned much along the way. My hope is that I will not fall into bad habits again. My hope is that 60 days is long enough to break those bad habits. I have no idea.
After I am finished, I have decided to keep writing this blog for awhile, as long as I can come up with things to write about. I am very curious as to what it will be like for the first few weeks of eating again. I think others might be too. Writing about my experiences will help keep me on track. Honesty is very important to me. There is no way that I would want to write about going to a fast food joint or eating a box of Mac and Cheese. Not now and hopefully, not ever. I do know that I will keep juicing. I don't want to lose the energy that it gives me. I also will keep hitting the treadmill, as I want to get into better shape. That is the fastest way to do it, at least for me. And, I am not really "Skinny Vic" yet. I'm getting there..................
Juice on!!!!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Day 48................Family
Anyone trying to do a juice fast has it two or three times as hard as I do, if they have family that they have to cook for everyday. I have a great respect for anyone able to do it. Not only do you have to make something that your family will eat, but then you have to make your own juice too. What an effort! The food you make is probably what your family likes, and you do too, or you would have never made it for them in the first place. Then there's the temptation to finish up that last bite they left or the last spoonful of something in the pan, instead of throwing it away. It ain't easy!
I love breakfast. Not at breakfast time so much, but love the bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, grits, biscuits and gravy...........I better stop right there. I love the way it smells, too. It's easier to just enjoy the way food smells when you aren't making it yourself, I found out. I made breakfast for dinner last night. Not for me. I did not cave. Again, I'm not being strong at this point, it's fear. But, I was strong in the beginning, so that counts for something.
Having family around these past couple of days, that I had to cook for, opened my eyes to how hard it can be for some people and how lucky I have been. I am sure that it helps a great deal to have the support of your family. These little ones did not try to entice me to eat as they have in the past. They understand what I am trying to do and that is important. The youngest even mimicked the ooo's and ahh's I make when I drink my juice sometimes, while drinking his Porange juice. He said, "Ah, I needed that.' So, we are getting there.
Hang in there and believe that it is worth the effort in the end, not only for you, but for those lives you touch along the way.
I love breakfast. Not at breakfast time so much, but love the bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, grits, biscuits and gravy...........I better stop right there. I love the way it smells, too. It's easier to just enjoy the way food smells when you aren't making it yourself, I found out. I made breakfast for dinner last night. Not for me. I did not cave. Again, I'm not being strong at this point, it's fear. But, I was strong in the beginning, so that counts for something.
Having family around these past couple of days, that I had to cook for, opened my eyes to how hard it can be for some people and how lucky I have been. I am sure that it helps a great deal to have the support of your family. These little ones did not try to entice me to eat as they have in the past. They understand what I am trying to do and that is important. The youngest even mimicked the ooo's and ahh's I make when I drink my juice sometimes, while drinking his Porange juice. He said, "Ah, I needed that.' So, we are getting there.
Hang in there and believe that it is worth the effort in the end, not only for you, but for those lives you touch along the way.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Day 47....time for a change
Yesterday morning, I skipped my morning juice. I did drink some water, but I was in too much of a hurry to take the time to make the juice. No, I wasn't out shopping the Black Friday deals. I shop online mostly. But, I never used to eat breakfast until recently. I just wasn't hungry until a while after getting up. Anyway, I did not miss it. I felt fine, had great energy and wasn't dying of starvation by lunch. Soooooo, I think that for the next 2 weeks, I am going to cut back on the morning juice or skip it altogether.
It is said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I know you should have something to jumpstart your metabolism. I would like to take in less calories down the home stretch. In the past, I only ate when hungry and that seemed to work well for me. Now, I am really never hungry. I am not sure if this is a good idea or not. I do want to make sure I get enough nutrition. Will do a little test for a few days and let you know what happens.
Today will not be a good day to start. I have the two little meat and potato eaters staying with me for the weekend. Both are looking forward to "Wapple" and "Porange" juice. It's a small victory. Wapple is watermelon and apple. Porange is pineapple and oranges. Both delicious. The older one even recognized my kale and they both like going shopping for all the produce. They ask lots of questions, too.
I just have to share this one g-ma story. The six year old made a Thanksgiving placemat in school. She listed a few things she was thankful for. Naturally, "Nana" was on the list! Also, on the list was Joe Cross, spelled Joy, but we knew who she meant. Looks like Joe's movie meant something to her, even though she only watched part of it. I know that she is happy that I am thinner and feeling so much better. I think that is pretty cool. I wonder what Joe would think about that?
I have juice to make! Later juicers.........................
It is said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I know you should have something to jumpstart your metabolism. I would like to take in less calories down the home stretch. In the past, I only ate when hungry and that seemed to work well for me. Now, I am really never hungry. I am not sure if this is a good idea or not. I do want to make sure I get enough nutrition. Will do a little test for a few days and let you know what happens.
Today will not be a good day to start. I have the two little meat and potato eaters staying with me for the weekend. Both are looking forward to "Wapple" and "Porange" juice. It's a small victory. Wapple is watermelon and apple. Porange is pineapple and oranges. Both delicious. The older one even recognized my kale and they both like going shopping for all the produce. They ask lots of questions, too.
I just have to share this one g-ma story. The six year old made a Thanksgiving placemat in school. She listed a few things she was thankful for. Naturally, "Nana" was on the list! Also, on the list was Joe Cross, spelled Joy, but we knew who she meant. Looks like Joe's movie meant something to her, even though she only watched part of it. I know that she is happy that I am thinner and feeling so much better. I think that is pretty cool. I wonder what Joe would think about that?
I have juice to make! Later juicers.........................
Friday, November 25, 2011
Day 46..........about yesterday
One of the cool things about wearing a costume is that people will talk to you. I guess that's cool. It gave me a chance to tell some more people about juicing and Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. I was on the Dart rail, riding home after the race, pretty frozen too. When the talk turned to T-day dinner, I naturally had to explain why I would be having juice, right?
Due to the cold weather, I changed my plans and went over to my daughter's house, juicer and produce in tow. I took my own advice and enjoyed their dinner from the wonderful smells. It was great, and so was my juice. I'm so glad I went. I certainly hope you all enjoyed your day too.
Now then, do you want to see some pictures?.............................Sure you do!!!
That's all I have for now....busy day ahead again! Juice on and juice well!!!
Due to the cold weather, I changed my plans and went over to my daughter's house, juicer and produce in tow. I took my own advice and enjoyed their dinner from the wonderful smells. It was great, and so was my juice. I'm so glad I went. I certainly hope you all enjoyed your day too.
Now then, do you want to see some pictures?.............................Sure you do!!!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Day 45.........Race day and Happy Thanksgiving!!
It certainly is going to be a big day today for lots of people. There will be many challenges, lots of good food, lots of good juice, I hope, too. I don't see any reason not to enjoy the food, even if you aren't eating it. When I first started, I made people let me smell their food. Sometimes, if the wind was blowing right, the smells from one of my favorite restaurants would blow through my backyard. Instead of trying to get away from it, I embraced it and just filled up with those delicious smells. They say that without a sense of smell, taste goes way down. I don't know about that, but I do know that smells have no calories and are Free! I don't have to eat it to enjoy it.
There is plenty of advice out there for social gatherings. Maybe it's too late today, but being prepared is important. Have your juice or juicer with you. Drink plenty of juice and water so you are full. If you do decide to eat, try to be smart about it. If you have been juicing for a while, also, be careful what you eat. You don't want to make yourself sick. If it were me, I think I would be scared to eat much of anything except for some steamed broccoli or a bit of sweet potato. Being scared to eat is sure different from being a brave strong individual. Today, though, I am not a chicken, I will do my run dressed as a Turkey!
Later, I want to find a pretty place to have my Mean Green and think about things. I am thankful for the sames things most people are. I am also thankful for the odd happenstances that fall into my life sometimes. Like how I found out about all this in the first place. Want me to tell the story?.......................Sure you do!!!
It's not a long one. I record and listen to a radio show on my phone. One evening, back in early Sept. I think it was, I was listening but not paying much attention. I did catch a part where the guys were talking about some documentary called Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. I did not hear everything that they said, so backed up the recording and wrote down the name. I have never heard them mention it again. Even though I record the show, I don't listen to all of it all the time. Plus, they didn't go on and on about it. I could have easily missed it. I don't think I would have heard about it, even now. I was not looking for a way to lose weight, not thinking about going on a diet. I was happy in my miserable ways. After about a week, I remembered it and decided to watch it. As many, many people have said, it changed my life. I saw it and thought that this is what I need to do, something radical. But I wasn't ready right away. I researched and let the idea roll around in my head. Finally, it was time to take action, and here I am, fixin to run in a crazy Turkey Trot! I never would have imagined that, for sure. Maybe I will live happily ever after, but regardless I will be healthier.
Be thankful for the small chances we get if we pay attention. It's so easy to miss an opportunity. I'm thankful for the stray comment that can help me, the fleeting idea I might get and grab on to making my life better. I'm thankful to be able to pass something I've learned along to help someone else. I'm thankful for people who take the time to pass along their wisdom to me, free for the taking. Shoot, the fact that we live in a day and age that allows us to get fresh produce that we couldn't grow is a big thing to be thankful for these days. There is plenty more and I will be thinking about it and wishing everyone the best day today!
Juice on and thanks for reading.....it means a lot to me!
There is plenty of advice out there for social gatherings. Maybe it's too late today, but being prepared is important. Have your juice or juicer with you. Drink plenty of juice and water so you are full. If you do decide to eat, try to be smart about it. If you have been juicing for a while, also, be careful what you eat. You don't want to make yourself sick. If it were me, I think I would be scared to eat much of anything except for some steamed broccoli or a bit of sweet potato. Being scared to eat is sure different from being a brave strong individual. Today, though, I am not a chicken, I will do my run dressed as a Turkey!
Later, I want to find a pretty place to have my Mean Green and think about things. I am thankful for the sames things most people are. I am also thankful for the odd happenstances that fall into my life sometimes. Like how I found out about all this in the first place. Want me to tell the story?.......................Sure you do!!!
It's not a long one. I record and listen to a radio show on my phone. One evening, back in early Sept. I think it was, I was listening but not paying much attention. I did catch a part where the guys were talking about some documentary called Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. I did not hear everything that they said, so backed up the recording and wrote down the name. I have never heard them mention it again. Even though I record the show, I don't listen to all of it all the time. Plus, they didn't go on and on about it. I could have easily missed it. I don't think I would have heard about it, even now. I was not looking for a way to lose weight, not thinking about going on a diet. I was happy in my miserable ways. After about a week, I remembered it and decided to watch it. As many, many people have said, it changed my life. I saw it and thought that this is what I need to do, something radical. But I wasn't ready right away. I researched and let the idea roll around in my head. Finally, it was time to take action, and here I am, fixin to run in a crazy Turkey Trot! I never would have imagined that, for sure. Maybe I will live happily ever after, but regardless I will be healthier.
Be thankful for the small chances we get if we pay attention. It's so easy to miss an opportunity. I'm thankful for the stray comment that can help me, the fleeting idea I might get and grab on to making my life better. I'm thankful to be able to pass something I've learned along to help someone else. I'm thankful for people who take the time to pass along their wisdom to me, free for the taking. Shoot, the fact that we live in a day and age that allows us to get fresh produce that we couldn't grow is a big thing to be thankful for these days. There is plenty more and I will be thinking about it and wishing everyone the best day today!
Juice on and thanks for reading.....it means a lot to me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)