Camila's Comeback!

You are doing great!! I hope your symptoms improve!

Try to have juice on you all the time - so you don't get hungry. I did all the juicing the day before & stored the juice in bottles in the fridge (they keep up to 48 hrs) - so i was not having a glass of juice for breakfast, one for lunch etc...but I had it next to me & i was sipping it when I felt like it. For every glass of juice I had a glass of water.

I haven't had solid food yet - a bowl of berries is sitting on the counter though :D I am still on my lemon water.

Have a good day! Happy juicing!
 
Cory - Thanks! It has been interesting but I am glad I am doing it.

Sunflower - Thank you, I really appreciate that!

Justina - Ahhh solid food! So jealous hahaha. Yeah, I try having juice around me at all times, work is a bit difficult for that but then I don't struggle with hunger at work. Hmph! Oh well. Enjoy your berries!


Last night was really difficult. Mostly because I was with the bf who made a delicious dinner for himself. He felt bad and was going to not bother but I told him this is my decision and I have to have the willpower to stick with this. After he finished eating though...my food cravings went away. I've become really in touch with food cravings vs actual hunger. I never saw the difference as plainly as I do now...so I count that as a plus for juice fasting!

I am officially halfway done! And officially 15lbs down!

This morning...I feel sort of amazing. I am only down .5lbs to 148 (the scale kept wavering between 147/147.5/148...so hopefully that means I am close!) but I honestly cannot remember the last time I felt this 'light'...and I don't mean 'light' from lack of calories/energy...my energy is great! But my body just feels great. Empty. I love it! So far I am down 3lbs from last week's weigh-in...which is crazy to me! And obviously not something to do/expect every week. Ha. I could totally see doing a 5-7 day fast every few months though. I am really pleased with the results!

I'll probably take it pretty easy this weekend. A friend already invited us to brunch on Saturday...at our favorite brunch place (they have tons of organic, locally grown food)...booo! Maybe I will go next week as a treat.

Now I just have to get through work today. Hope you all have a great weekend ahead!
 
Hey i just have to reply. this is one of the biggest discoveries that come out of juicing : the huge difference between hunger & cravings!!! wow! i mean wow! it's crazy. Eating & psychology is just so close...good for food companies that market food by saying how tasty (and cheap) it is!!
I m glad you are doing well & your weight is shifting!! Congrats!!

Have a good day at work!
 
Justina - That is honestly the biggest thing I am taking away from this. The realization has been radical for me. I'll get into it below, but this entire time I have only been craving healthy, nutritious food. However, I have not made it the 5 days, lol. I get into that below. But thank you for being an inspiration this entire time. You are amazing and I am in awe of you for doing the entire 5 days!

:cry:

Well. I did not make it. I completed 3 days and now I am about to break the fast with broth. I could lie and make up some excuse as to why I had to stop...but the truth is, I was just done. I had hit my limit. I'm not sure what it was. Last night I had really violent dreams about gaining tons of weight back. I dwelled on those thoughts a lot today, and realized that I was actually afraid to start eating again because I feared my dreams may come true. It was truly bizarre. Going on felt somehow destructive, torturous. I'v never experienced something like that.

At first, I felt like an utter failure since I originally planned to do 5 days. I didn't want to admit it to you guys here; I felt really lame and weak. However, I realize now there is nothing to be ashamed about. This was my first fasting attempt...and heck I made it three days! I've learned a lot and this will definitely not be my last fast. Before, my entire approach to fasting had been "No way could I go without food for more than a day," but I did it. Now I want to really study fasting and the different types even more. I am fascinated.

I can honestly see myself doing 3-day fasts pretty regularly...even once a month. I really like that length of time. It was not as 'hard' as I thought it would be...but it was definitely not easy. I've really examined how I approach food and cravings. The neatest part, I think, is that...when I began the fast, it was because I was so irritated with myself for wanting burgers and pizza. I did not know what else to do. The entire time I was on the fast, I only craved weirdly, super healthy food. It's like my brain had reset to thinking the right way about food. I've collected lots of healthy recipe ideas over the last few days and cannot wait to try them out. I hope this 'reset' mindset lasts. I really feel like I am thinking differently.

Also, in the weirdest way...after the initial elation of breaking the 150s barrier...the number on the scale isn't as important to me. I don't know how to describe it. Seeing the scale lower this morning, and even lower again in the afternoon invoked really odd feelings from me...not that I'm not happy to see the number go down. It was like I'd regained control again. I may regain some or even all of the weight I lost on the fast. So be it. I feel free from that worry right now. I feel so focused on feeding my body with the most nutritious food ever and exercising to my content, that the number is almost a distant third. Don't get me wrong, I want to get to my goal, but it isn't such an emergent feeling anymore.

In my next juice fast attempt...I will probably focus more on green juices rather than fruit juices. The fruit juices were extremely difficult for me to drink...sooo sweet. Getting the entire glass down was a challenge. I am used to the green juices daily and really enjoyed the different kinds I tried.

So, it is over now, but the lessons will remain forever!

Camila
 
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I think you did great! Well done! I was thinking doing the juice fast for 3 days only - then I changed my mind.
I will do it again in the middle of May! &i am thinking to do only 3 days next time.
For fruit juices - I'd add some lemon or lime to make them taste less sweet!

Have a great weekend! x
 
Justina - Thank you :) I could barely eat anything anyways...the little bit of broth and veggies made me feel soo full. I don't know what it is with the fruit juices. I add lemon to every juice I make just because. They were still way too sweet for me. I think I just have to stick with green juices from now on. I dunno. Maybe my taste for them will develop eventually. I hope so! I've been thinking of when I might do this again. Three days feels about right. I've also been reading up on intermittent fasting...haha. I will send you a link I found thought-provoking. I am just all sorts of curious about all types/variations of fasting. Time to really do my research!
 
Well, green veggies are meant to be better for you anyway - no sugar. So good for you. I would worry about it much.
Plus you can always add apple to your veggie juices...or just eat fruit plain - nothing wrong with that!
I will check out your link!
 
Justina - So true! I feel like I cannot drink anymore juice right now...haha. I know I should continue, but I am taking a break for a bit.

Today has been really great. Did way over an hour outside, and got over 7 miles in which felt awesome. It was snowing here yesterday...and today it is bright and sunny. Go figure.

Been looking at some new recipes to try...hopefully in the coming week!

Anyways, that's about it to report today. Nothing too crazy.

Have a great Saturday, everyone.
 
I think it's good you quit when you did, if you were having thoughts like that Camilla. It's really easy to get obsessive with our habits, both with exercise and eating. We don't want healthy habits to become destructive ones.

Glad today was good!
 
Hey what kind of recipes are you looking for?
Well done on 7 miles outside! what did you do by the way?
I still didn't have time to check your links - probably today! I still haven't had juice yet since my juicing is over - I just dont feel like it either.
Have a nice Sunday!
 
Cory - Thanks! Yeah, it was really odd, actually! I've felt a little weird in the few days after stopping too. This experience won't hinder me from trying again, I just have to learn as I go, I guess!

Justina - Honestly, I am looking for recipes that I can share with my bf. It is so difficult...I may have mentioned before that he struggles to gain weight while I struggle to lose...lol. Grrr. He will eat healthy to an extent but when I start talking quinoa and seafood he freaks out. His idea of seafood is canned tuna (which of course I hate).We are thinking of moving in together next year so I'd really like to start trying some out...haha but I feel my attempts may be futile. He's also very much a 'guy'...into wings, pizza, burgers etc. I was thinking of trying to make a homemade pizza with a healthy spin. I dunno!


Well today is really interesting. My TOM is not supposed to be for another 2 weeks or so...but unlike last month, this month I am having all the symptoms. Headaches, bad bloating, soreness..ugh. So I don't even plan to weigh myself.

On the flip side...work seems like it will go alright this week. This weekend I have lots coming up...a birthday outing and a barbecue. I might make some of my quinoa black bean burgers to take over...who knows maybe other people will enjoy them!

I think all in all I am getting a bit 'diet-fatigued'...just seems like so much effort. And frustrating. We are getting dinner with a friend tonight and the bf suggests we go get Chinese food... :mad: then tells me how good the fried rice is at the place :mad:...when I tell him I won't get that because, as he knows, I am trying to eat healthy...he claims he didn't know because I didn't say anything today about eating healthy. Ugh. As if it is something I do when I'm in the mood...

Oh well...Happy Monday!
 
Hey Camila - I could give you a few recipes if you want.
He might like some of the things my husband loved (even before he became more of health freak than i am)
As for you struggling with the diet thing - getting bored, socially inconvenient. well don't worry about it. Give yourself a cheat day!! Say Friday or Saturday - and then "correct" the eating the next - balance it with a fresh juice or extra exercises!
We are human :D We need rest days.
I hope you have a good day!
 
I think all in all I am getting a bit 'diet-fatigued'...just seems like so much effort.

Yup. I've been here all week. I'm still going through the motions, but not going that extra mile for about 4 days now. I'm not gaining, but I'm not losing either. However, I did get in a bike cardio at 1 a.m. last night (guilt got the better of me) and then awoke and did a 45 minute yoga routine at 7 am. Maybe I'm getting back on that friggin' horse. Hang in there, Camila. You're a beast (that's a good thing in my book... :D).
 
Thanks you guys so much. Sorry I've been MIA....I just kinda needed to say F the diet for a few days. I'm still here though! And I think I have new motivation.

I'm at work at the moment...so I will go into more detail tonight...but I will e starting a new phase tomorrow...experimenting with y first *actual* diet. Usually, I steer very clear if them because most seem unrealistic and "fad-like" to me.

But I've found one that actually has piqued my curiosity so I figure what the heck. Ill give it a go. Ill post more about it later once I'm home from work! And catch up on diaries!
 
Justina - I would love any recipes! Haha! I am trying to start a binder of healthy choices and to develop some filing/organizational system so that finding recipes on a whim is easy. Especially when it comes to the bf. He is sooo resistant to change, especially when it comes to food. Absolutely stubborn. However, I (accidentally) got him to only buy organic oranges from now on...he had a taste of one and I think it changed his life or something...haha.

Don - Thanks! It is helpful to know that I'm not the only one in a funk right now. It is like this odd state of suspension where I'm not doing any major damage to my diet, but at the same time I'm not giving my body the nutrition and exercise it needs. Hmph!

Sunflower - I agree! Sometimes a break is great for perspective.


Soo yes. I've bought into the propaganda. I let the high-gloss pages get to me. I...am attempting a diet! :ack2:

Have any of you ever felt like you need a really good dose of discipline? Like you want to hand over control to someone else for the time being? That's where I am at right now. My mind and body feel fried. My current habits no longer do it for me. I'm talking myself out of healthy choices and forgetting the 'bigger picture'.

In comes the propaganda...in the form of Bob Harper. I'm sure some of you have seen the Biggest Loser on TV. I actually don't watch it. I've always thought that the premise of the show and the results were completely crazy and unrealistic. I only ever saw online the before and after pictures of contestants...impressive, but I scoffed them off thinking they were all destined to gain all of the weight back.

But for some reason...his new book spoke to me today. Lol. Seriously. I bought into it, I rationalized it again and again in my head. I won't link to anything...but it was released really recently I think. Plus...the book itself is very captivating. I hate the gimmicky title (Jumpstart to Skinny) but love the stuff inside.

At first it sounds absolutely bat sh*t crazy. Maybe it is...but I am game to try. Basically, it's 800 calories/day (1200) for men. I know, the first time I read that, I laughed. And laughed again.

I come to find out it is actually 800 calories + unlimited vegetables from a provided list. Plus, low-intensity cardio every morning (like a walk...right up my alley), short at-home exercise routines, espresso!, tons of water, 40-40-20 breakdown, no complex carbs after breakfast, no fruit during 3rd week, fish oil, multivitamins, etc...

The best part is that every single day of the next three weeks is planned out. (He stresses that this is not a permanent diet...just...a jumpstart.) I am going to try and follow this as closely as possible...but beyond that I am going to track all of my expenses! Maybe at the end I'll compile some charts detailing that info.

Also...the meals all look delicious. He uses some of my favorite things...Tomorrow my day looks like this:

16 oz water
espresso
8 oz water
Bfast: Quinoa Rancheros
Lunch: Roasted Mixed Veggie & chicken salad

Espresso/tea
16oz water/soda water
1,000 mg fish oil
Dinner: Mexican Fiesta Fish
16 ounces water
1,000 mg fish oil
Optional tea before bed.
+As many veggies as I need to keep me full!

45 min walk

20 situps
15 air squats
10 push-ups
Repeat sequence for 20 min

I'll weigh in tomorrow and get this thing going! I am definitely up from 148 probably back to 150s...retaining sooo much water right now. TOM is coming.

Anyways, hopefully this goes off well!
 
Trusylver - Thank you! I appreciate that a lot!

So today went great. I started the day out at 152.5 (ugh)...but was pretty confident that a lot of that was water weight. TOM is riiiiiight around the corner and I seriously feel like I am retaining 5 lbs...it sucks. But I was down to 151 this afternoon so hopefully that trend continues.

So far...I love love love this diet. It may seem premature to say that after day 1, but I really cannot complain. I have not felt hungry at all at any point today. I've not had any cravings, either! And I am in a really positive mood, so...win! win!

I woke up at 4:45am, had my espresso and water, and did my 45 minutes of light cardio. Afterwards, the prescribed water/electrolyte replacement. Then, the exciting part...trying out meals from the meal plan!

Breakfast: Quinoa Rancheros

I was so surprised at how tasty this was! My biggest concern with this diet was fearing that the meals may be too "plain" for me. Not so!

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Basically this was just quinoa, egg whites, cooked spinach, and pico with a topping of avocado. Seriously...I will make this even when this "diet" was over. I was floored at how much food it was, and completely satisfied afterwards.

Snack: Mixed Veggies
Since the plan allows as many veggies as you want throughout the day (from a given list in the book), I took advantage of that and packed a generous mixture of Persian cucumbers, radishes, grape tomatoes, broccoli, and green beans. It was really awesome to be able to snack away all morning on this!

Lunch: Roasted Mixed Veggie and Chicken Salad

Honestly wasn't too excited about this. The dressing did not seem appealing to me at first (balsamic vinegar, EOO, fresh lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Well I was proven wrong, yet again! This was one of the most delicious, filling, and satisfying salads that I can honestly say I've ever had. It consists of 4 cups mixed greens (kale/spinach), 4oz chicken breast, apple, and roast veggies:

View attachment 20631

Seriously...this picture does not do the salad justice. It's SO good. Thick chicken/apple/dijon blend sooo well together.

The roast veggies consist of yellow squash, zucchini, red onion, basil, some EOO, and pepper. I made a large batch separately last night because the mix is used in a few recipes.

View attachment 20632

Dinner: Mexican Fiesta Fish

This diet and meal plan make me seem like such a good cook...haha! The actual recipe called for halibut or cod, but all I have is salmon...and it doesn't disappoint! I think I prepared the veggies 'wrong' (don't think I was supposed to chop them up so much...) broccoli, onion, mixed with some garlic, over spinach sauteed in EOO...but I actually think I prefer it this way! I don't really dislike broccoli...it is usually just not enticing to sit there and eat a big head of it....throwing it in the food processor makes it seem magical!

View attachment 20633

The best best best part is that all of the meals are SO easy and quick to prepare. I cooked three whole, nutritious meals today...full-time job and all. I could get used to this. If anyone wants a recipe just ask here or PM me...happy to share!

Sorry if some of the pics aren't great...from my phone so it does what it can do!


Also, there is another round of exercise I will do later on...I believe these are more Cross-Fit type moves!

Woohoo! I hope Day 2 is just as good!
 
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