My 5-Day Juice Cleanse
I was out of control. My clothes weren’t fitting. The quarantine weight hit me hard. My mind was muddy. And my sense of discipline was gone. So it was time to do something about it. On Sunday, March 21st, I started a 5-day juice cleanse that I hoped would help put me back in check and reset my mind and body. And boy did it ever.
To see my cleanse in action, check my DETOX highlight here.
How was it?
All in all, it was okay! Day one was full of optimism and excitement. Day two was all about fortifying my mind and keeping calm (because MAN I wanted to eat). Day three was a complete struggle. My stomach was making weird noises all day. But not need-to-run-to-the-bathroom type noises. I feel like my system was in overdrive and the veggies and fruits were really doing their thing. I was also sad that the day was taking so long to end. My husband said I was hangry and he’s probably right. Day four felt really good. The thoughts of hunger went away completely. My energy was high and I was happy. And day five was full of feelings of success. Again, high energy and ready to conquer the world!
What juices did you use and what did they taste like?
I went with Jugo Boss and overall they were pretty good! Their detox consists of 6 drinks and 1 ginger shot. To see the ingredients in each, check my DETOX highlight.
The first two juices tasted like celery. Just a clean bunch of celery.
The second juice is mixed with a bunch of things, but I couldn’t tell. I just tasted celery. After the first two, all the other juices went uphill from there (meaning they got better)!
The third juice has pineapples and apples in it so that one felt refreshing… very similar to what I would make at home for myself.
The fourth juice was made with carrots, beets and some other things. It was my first time trying beets and I did not mind them at all.
The fifth juice is dessert in a bottle. The almond, vanilla bean, cinnamon and agave concoction tastes like a clean cinabon. That was the highlight of the day.
And finally, juice six… I can’t put my finger on the taste but I knew that the activated charcoal concoction was designed to extract toxins while sleeping. Again, not a bad taste at all.
Oh, I can’t forget about the ginger shot! Whew chile. That thing was potent but bomb! It has cayenne pepper in it so you know!
What did you do when you got hungry?
The first day, I hit a wall around 4pm, so I got a salad that contained all the raw ingredients that were in the juices and nothing more. My salad was made up of kale, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. I really wanted to add some small diced sweet potatoes but since they were cooked, I passed. It’s important to stay away from dairy so if you need to eat a salad, no caesar and ranch dressings! For the other days, I ate a small serving size of lightly salted peanuts.
Did you find yourself able to keep pace with the 6 juices or did you fall behind?
I kept pace. Anytime I had the urge to eat something, it was time for another juice. I didn’t really time the juices out in specific intervals either. I didn’t want to be on the clock like that. I just decided to be on juice 3 sometime around lunch and juice 5 around dinner time.
Is there anything I should be aware of if I try a cleanse?
Yes, you’re going to pee A LOT. Even at night if you don’t drink all your juices early enough. Your stomach is GOING to make noises. Day 3 is hard. Weigh yourself every morning right when you get up. It helps to see the progress. Your stomach is going to feel empty. It gets really flat, which is a bonus. Your energy will increase over time.
Did you see any immediate benefits?
Yes! Here’s a list!
I lost 8 pounds
My monthly cycle was easier to manage
My skin was clear
My pee was 100% clear
I gained more energy as time went on
I was really bloated before I started. Bloating was eradicated.
I slept better
What did you eat to break your fast?
One slice of avocado toast.
One part of my brain was screaming to “eat it all!!!!” Particularly the brownies that have been sitting in my pantry waiting to be baked. But the other part of my brain wanted to be careful to not shock the mess out of my system. Post fast, there are some foods that are difficult for your body to digest, leading to bloating and discomfort. So I did some research and discovered smoothies, dried fruits, vegetables, soups and fermented foods (unsweet yogurts) along with foods that contain healthy fats like eggs and avocado are best. So
Avoid foods that are especially high in fat, sugar, or even fiber. And DEFINITELY avoid burgers, cakes and soda.
Once you’re tolerating gentler foods, add in other healthy foods — like whole grains, beans, vegetables, nuts, seeds, meat, poultry, and fish — and return to eating normally.
Would you do it again?
Absolutely. If I get out of control again with my eating habits, it’s nice to know I have a card in my back pocket that I know I can use. I might do a 3 day instead of a 5 day though. Overall, I liked the challenge and welcome it again when I’m in the right frame of mind.
My team members over at The Jealous Vegan did a juice cleanse way back when. Click here to read their reactions.