6-Month Post-Fast Update (Before and After Pictures)

EDIT: Please read my Nearly 3 Years Later: 3 Broken Bones & 200+ Pounds - The Long-Term Effects of Juice Fasting update before considering juice fasting.  I hope that my experience will provide you with real-world information about long-term juicing.



Hi there!

It's been almost six months since I ended my last 40-day juice fast, so I figured I would stop by to let you all know how it's been going.

First, I started lifting weights - heavy weights.  I learned from reading New Rules of Lifting for Women that low weights/high reps doesn't work.  The more research I do, the more I learn that the only way to really burn fat on a consistent basis is to build muscle since it's the muscle that metabolizes the fat.  Sure there are many more variables and this is a blanket statement, but let me show you what has happened since ending the fast - especially since I have been promising you before and after pictures.

The first picture is of me in June of 2011. I think I was ~165-170lbs.

The second picture is one month or so after my fast.  I was ~145-150lbs.

The third picture is of me last month, mid-August 2012, which was about 5 months after the second picture was taken.  I was ~155lbs.  Yes, 10 pounds heavier!  But as you can see I am more toned and less squishy, though I wish those thighs would go away first.  

I have had some incredible (and hot) women take me under their wings and are guiding me through the weightlifting/ body building process.  No, I am not trying to bulk, but I am trying to build muscle, which leads to burning fat.  It also leads to bones that are more dense as well as a better heart not that there was anything wrong with my heart.  Also, I had to come to terms with the fact that getting the body that I really want will take a minimum of two years.  Yes, years.  It's like my friend's personal trainer told her when she asked how long it would take her to look like a Baywatch babe, "How long did it take you to get where you are now?"

One of the major things that I am learning is how to EAT.  It took a few weeks, but I am finally up to 2000 - 2200 calories a day with the right macros (30% protein, 30% fats, 40% carbs).  I recently purchased Schuler and Cosgrove's latest lifting book, The New Rules of Lifting for Abs.  Let me stop here and say it is not a book on how to get 6-pack abs.  Rather it is a book on the importance of strengthening your core while lifting.  This is super important for me since my physical therapist found that my leg injury was due to a weak core last year. 

The biggest success I have had is that I am no longer weighing myself daily.  With muscle weighing more than fat, it was really messing with my head.  Other benefits include being able to actually do push ups.  After my fast I could not do one.  I had no idea I was so weak.  Now, not only can I do them, but I can do them while my lower legs are on the swiss exercise ball.  And I just did 44 of those swiss ball push ups the other day! From 0 to 44.  Amazing.

Regarding hair loss, I had another round of it.  This is only the second time going through this process, but I suspect it is because this was the second 40-day fast that I did 100% correctly.  My hair just stopped falling out last week, and it was falling out for ~6 weeks.  It was not as horrible as the first time.  It will be interesting to see what happens next.

I have enjoyed receiving your feedback and insight.  For example, some have sent me new information about the kombucha teas that I didn't have while fasting.  Those posts were updated with the new information.  Thank you!

I am glad that I finished the fast, because once again it wiped the slate clean for me.  My head is clear and I feel great.  And now that I am lifting, I am stronger than ever.  

Day 38: Store-Bought Apple Cider vs. Fresh Juices Experience

EDIT: Please read my Nearly 3 Years Later: 3 Broken Bones & 200+ Pounds - The Long-Term Effects of Juice Fasting update before considering juice fasting.  I hope that my experience will provide you with real-world information about long-term juicing.



Stats:
Weight: 145.6
BMI: 33.8 %

The craziest thing happened yesterday.  So I am getting a tad lazy these last few days of the fast, and I bought a jug of apple cider from the store, which is pasteurized.  Right after I drank some of it, I had tummy rumblings and flatulation.  Here's what's so interesting: I juice apples all of the time, and nothing happens to me; I just go about my day and don't think twice about it.  Why is it so different?  Now when I think about it, I even remember having regular, store-bought, pasteurized apple juice in the past and having the same tummy issues.  But this doesn't happen with fresh apple juices that I make.  Something has to be so different that my body reacts violently to the store-bought, pasteurized juices but doesn't for the fresh juices.

So once again, fresh juices are the only way to go with a juice fast.  They truly are different from store-bought, pasteurized juices.

Last night we picked up a used Body Solid home gym set.  We found it on Craigslist.com and it was super cheap considering if we bought the same system new it would be about $5,000.  We paid a tiny fraction.  Hooray for Craigslist.com!

My significant other complained that when I was 128 pounds that I was too thin - almost boney.  So we agreed to get this so that I can tone up and hopefully won't be so gaunt looking.  He's really looking forward to using it as well.  This machine is HUGE, and I have no idea where we're going to put it.

I am super sleepy since we had to tear this thing down last night at the original owners' home and try to fit it into two vehicles last night.  We are surprised that we managed to get it all to fit!   Now the trick is going to be putting all back together. : /

Two more full days.  I think what I am looking forward to the most is some normalcy including sitting down with my significant other at the dinner table and just spending time with him over dinner.  I still walk pup, and that has been wonderful for me (and for pup - silly spoiled girl).