Full Disclosure - Day Six

This is how I started out 2008. I haven't posted this picture before because I felt so embarrassed by how I looked in tight fitting clothing (and believe me, this is one of the most flattering shots). On January 1st, when this photo was taken, I weighed in at 176 pounds. I am 5'7 and have a small frame, so this put me at approximately 50 pounds overweight. Hard to believe that a person who was actively embracing a raw food lifestyle could be carrying that load around, but I know I am not alone in this category. 2007 was a difficult year. We lost both of my husbands parents along with 2 other close relatives and there was lots of travel and regular bouts of eating cooked food which included meat, dairy and bread. Food of all kinds have always been a passion for me and in this picture, it shows.

So as the year began, I made the commitment to change several aspects of my life. Having left my profession of 15 years in late December, I was ready and positioned to embark on a journey that would take me in the direction of truly following my heart. There are many areas in which I have charted plans for change and growth, but needless to say, weight loss was a very real goal for me as I started 2008. With my newly empowered mindset, I tweaked my diet nicely and I went to the gym 4 - 5 days/week throughout January and February. Through those two factors alone, I was able to shed 11 pounds by March 1st.

Throughout this time, I started hearing about the global juice feast online, but I hardly gave it any attention. Something that radical wouldn't be anything that would work for me, not with my life and family, I thought. But then some of my closer online acquaintances started talking about it and the next thing I know I am starting to follow a few people's daily juice feasting blogs with fascination. Heidi at Raw Food Real World and Philip of Loving Raw were two of my biggest inspirations. Their juice feasts got me thinking...why not me? If they can embark on this journey and be successful why can't I? Then I downloaded Angela Stokes ebook, A Juice Feaster's Guide, and as I began reading of her experience with a successfully completed 92 day juice feast, something resonated inside me. I think I could really do this.

So, I made my decision on February 20th that I, too, would join in on the global juice feast. I began reading everything I could find. I researched and I educated myself about the pros and cons and I looked at every reason why I should not do it and I found the only thing that could possibly hold me back would be any limitations that I might try to put on myself. And at this season in my life, there are no REAL limitations that would keep me from moving forward with gusto and in full force! Now, here I am, six days in and I have this overwhelming sense of gratitude because I believe that this is the very thing that I need to be doing at this exact time in my life. It's a feeling of deep peace and contentment, like all is right with the world. What more could one ask for?

Before I finish up, here is what my day entailed:
water-MSM-lemon
Rooibos Tea
enema-dry skin brush-manicure-shower
1.5 qt. - cucumber, celery, dandelion greens, kale, red bell pepper, apple, pear, lemon, ginger
1 qt. - carrot, orange (diluted a bit w/ water)
1.5 qt. Liquid Salad (this was a really delicious savory juice & the name says it all)
- green leafy lettuce, purple romaine, radish, celery, carrot, green onion, cucumber,
cherry tomatoes, garlic, lemon, 1/2 tsp. Himalayan sea salt.

Until tomorrow.....