Just a short postscript to the day before I toddle off for an early night. I’m exhausted from watching a very long but extremely exciting (no, really, it was) cycling Tour Of Flanders! Just in case you’re wondering, Peter Sagan triumphed after a long solo run-in and to celebrate, did one of his trademark cycling wheelies! My husband said, ‘I wish I could do that!’ to which I replied, ‘Don’t even think about it!’ He just had his first bike ride today after 9 months recovering from a bike accident and he wants to start doing stunts! To cap it all, our son texted he would show him how the next time he’s up.
But I didn’t start this to chat about cycling – honestly, I didn’t – although while we’re on subject, it’s a great form of exercise while doing the juice challenge.
No, I had a final thought about prepping for the juice challenge, which is that if you’re hoping to lose some weight, weigh yourself first thing in the morning before you begin and then put away the scales until Day 7! Ask your partner or someone else close to you to hide them if necessary!
Now I know you’re shouting at me ‘Day 7!! This is supposed to be a 5 day fast, not 7!’ Well, technically it is, BUT…
It is psychologically useful to look beyond the 5 days because you may be a little disappointed if you weigh yourself on the fifth day. Yes, you will have lost some weight, but if you wait until the seventh day, you may have lost another couple of pounds.
This is for 2 reasons: the first is that it isn’t so much what you’ve eaten that day that shows up on the scales, but what you’ve eaten for the past couple of days. So on day 6 and 7 you should still be benefiting from juicing on days 4 and 5. Also, since you won’t be jumping straight back in to ‘normal’ eating on days 6 and 7 but still juicing and adding in salads and vegetables, you will carry on losing a little weight.
I know you will find this difficult. Everyone wants to jump on the scales every morning, you’ve all heard of the fast weightloss that juicing creates and you want to see it with your own eyes. But trust me, the impact will be greater if you delay gratification
PLUS:
The emphasis of a juice challenge is on improving your overall health, improving your lifestyle, changing your relationship with food, not just on losing weight. Use the time to focus on that, to reflect on your lifestyle, how you can reduce any stress, make changes to your food shopping habits, meditate. Be good to yourself, don’t be testing yourself by jumping on the scales at every opportunity.
By far the best way to judge your progress is your shape: take your measurements before you begin and again a week later. If you’re exercising as well as juicing, this is where you’ll see the difference. Remember, muscle weighs more than fat so the scales may not tell you the whole story.
One last thought: you are doing a good thing. There is no pass or failure involved. There aren’t a certain number of pounds you have to lose or it hasn’t worked! Have fun, enjoy the challenge. Look forward to a healthier you.
The Secret
That’s it. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read these posts. I hope they have been of some help. Have a good sleep and enjoy your first juices!
Copyright: Chris McGowan
pearsnotparsnipsdotcom 