I started reading about juice cleanses a few months ago in my Runner's World magazine. Apparently, it's supposed to keep a runner's stomach a little more steady. Did you know that runners have naturally uneasy stomachs and problems keeping things moving? I found this out years ago when I couldn't figure out why I had a constant stomachache. Juicing is also supposed to help with energy, stamina, sore muscles, speed, and shin splints. It's a great way to clear up constipation and kick start a diet. Lately I'd had some problems with shin splints due to training on lots of different surfaces (sidewalk, road, treadmill, trail) and instead of rest and bananas like the normal person, I decided to do a juice cleanse. Also, I've been stressed since I lost my g-ma a few weeks ago to cancer, and this didn't help my stomach problems. I researched my butt off and finally found a cleanse that seemed to fit-- Juice Rx out of Chicago-- they deliver to your house, it's 3 days (the max I wanted to do) and I had a group-on. One morning while icing my shins after an 8-miler, I picked up my macbook pro, my debit card, and went for it. Here we go.
Day 1: Woke up at 4 a.m. Didn't look at the clock, just happily raced to the fridge to grab my first juice. I couldn't wait to try it (plus I had a late run the night before and was hungry at 4 a.m.) First up-- spicy lemonade. I can't lie...I was disappointed. Something about the cayenne in the lemonade just didn't sit well with me. I was a little nervous. After all, I'm not gonna drink something I hate for 3 days, not worth it. Luckily, the next 5 juices of the day were YUMMY. Even the green juice at dinnertime and especially the strawberries & cream cashew milk. That one tastes like a milkshake. More importantly, I was FULL all day and felt good-- energetic and my mind felt sharp. The only thing I missed was actually putting something in my mouth to actually chew. Kinda just weird to break that habit the first day. Skipped my run on day 1 since I read that you should cut back a little cardio when doing the cleanse. Slept great night #1.
Day 2: Woke up feeling energetic. Muscles felt loose, even my shins, which usually tend to be a little sore. Run went great. A little hungry after the run but fulfilled after the juice and forced myself to drink a little more water to keep full. I felt FOCUSED, which is awesome considering I'm a night nurse and half the time my brain is mush on my days working/off.
Day 3: Almost done! NO HUNGER at all first thing in the morning. my stomach felt better than it had in months. Skipped the spicy lemonade day 3 because I figured I'd rather be a little hungry than have to choke that one down again. However, around lunchtime even though I'd had my citrus juice by then, I felt hungry. I honestly think it was the missed breakfast juice- so I'd recommend drinking every single juice if you're gonna do the cleanse. They work together and if you miss one, it's like missing a piece to the puzzle and it just doesn't work as well.
Weighed myself before and after the cleanse and lost 5 lbs (all water weight plus clean intestines and I was just curious as to how much it would fluid shift). Energy level was great....mind/body focus awesome. Felt lighter and brighter was how I'd describe it. I will totally do another one, probably as soon as I can get my hands on another groupon (these cleanses aren't cheap). Worth it!
Cheers! http://www.juicerxcleanse.com/
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