Day 23: Cheaters Never Win

So I cheated!  Big time.  But I’ve SO learned my lesson.  Day 21 started really well, then by noonish, my energy evaporated big time.  Then, later in the day, I had a weird cramp in my stomach, and I was craving salt, big time.  So that evening, I went to a restaurant, ordered some chicken soup, but only sipped the chicken broth.  I ordered this soup at an El Salvadorian restaurant, so they left chips, salsa, and tortillas on the table.  I drank the salsa juice as well.  So that went fine- chicken broth and salsa juice- I didn’t consider that cheating.  I drink chicken broth several times a week whenever I’m craving salt, and salsa is basically a bunch of tomatoes and other veggies- and I’m almost positive that it’s made fresh at that particular restaurant.

So when I left the restaurant, I was SO craving food.  Even though I was not physically hungry, I couldn’t get my mind off of my favorite food- pizza.  The chicken broth and salsa made me feel great, and I didn’t experience any cramps at all afterwards, so I thought- pizza would probably make me feel even better (even though I felt fine).  It’s funny, because we all have our demons.  With some people it’s liquor.  Others- cigarettes.  Still others- it’s shopping, drugs etc.  Carbs are my Achilles hill, my tragic flaw.  My name is ________________ and I’m a carboholic.

So I folded.  My mental hunger won and I went to my favorite pizza place for pizza.  I ordered a cheese pizza with olives and sausage.  This particular pizza joint prepares everything fresh and makes a killer pie.  And when I bit into a piping hot slice, it tasted like rubber.  It was so awful.  I couldn’t believe how different it tasted.  So then, because I knew it shouldn’t have tasted that way (and because I’m an addict), I figured if I ate even more, then it would eventually taste the way it should.  So I had I think about 4 or 5 slices (about half of a medium pizza).  Now normally, I could have easily eaten the entire pie with some chips and cookies too, but I just couldn’t get any more down.  Then I went to sleep.  Around 9pm ish.

Well, about 2am on Day 22, I awoke to the most horrible stomach cramps and pain.  It was really bad.  I had horrible gas, diarrhea.  It was really, really bad.  I had stomach cramps and felt lousy for all of Day 22.  I didn’t consume anything by mouth until about 4pm on Day 22- I had to drink some water and later that evening, I had orange juice. 

Needless to say- lesson learned.  Big time!  I will not cheat anymore.  It’s so not worth it.  And actually, I’m glad it did happen- because now, when I’m craving pizza, I can remember Days 21 & 22 and know that it’s not worth it.  Although now, I can’t stop thinking about Subway sandwiches.  Lol. 

So today, day 23, I’m having orange juice.  I just juiced the last of my 25lb bag that I bought a few days ago.  More later…

Day 21

So I’ve officially passed the half way point in my regiment and have been juice feasting for 20 complete days.  I started my juice feast weighing 323.4 lbs.  As of this morning, I weigh 302.0 Ibs, and have lost 21.4 pounds.  Of course this is fantastic, but it’s also been a little frustrating.  I’ve actually weighed 302 Ibs for the last seven days.  One would think that in the course of 7 days, that someone of my size who is consuming considerably fewer calories than normal would by default lose at least a pound or two over the course of seven days, which is actually a healthy weight loss.

I remember doing Atkins, and I think I’ve noticed a pattern.  Whenever I make any drastic dietary change, I lose a lot of weight in the beginning, and then around the three week mark, my weight loss completely stops for a week or two.  That’s usually the time when I’ve traditionally given up.  Well, this time, I won’t give up.  I have nineteen days left after today, and I will persevere!  In an effort to not become discouraged, I have decided that I won’t do any weigh-ins (even unofficial weigh-ins) until day 31 and day 41.  I have ten days until my next weigh-in and I hope to lose at least 3 Ibs- which I believe is definitely a reasonable expectation.  One pound at a time.

 My energy levels are fantastic.  I have a feeling that if I consume more veggies that I would feel even better.  I have experienced some sinus agitation and some related migraine issues, but it hasn’t been as bad as it usually is.  I’m actually quite excited to be beginning my exercise regiment, but I want to have my protein powder on hand before I start, and I also hope to have a more solid calcium routine down.

 I’m sure many of you are wondering what kind of supplements I’ve consuming.  The only supplement I take with any normalcy is Vitamin C in the powder form, and I have even been slacking on that.  I take no over the counter medication.

This morning I juiced apples and cucumber.  Yum.  My only criticism of this specific drink is that the apples make it very gritty, and I don’t particularly care for grit and foam.  More later…