Juicing for Weightloss, Improved Health, and to Nix Sugar

Posted: September 24, 2012

If you don't already know, I have lost 55 pounds this past year and it all started with juicing.  I watched the movie Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead and knew at that moment, that I had to try it. Life was too short to live perpetually unhappy.  15 days of commited eating/juicing didn't sound too terrible.  I took a chance, and it's the best decision I've ever made!  The movie calls juicing a "Reboot" because it reboots your eating habits, your lifestyle, and ultimately your body.

Why Juice?

Juicing is a great way to get extra nutrients and vitamins that you normally wouldn't because they are condensed/extracted.  A large pile of vegetables and fruits becomes one nutrient-loaded glass of juice.  And what I found is that by juicing, my cravings for sugar disappeared.  Poof. Gone. 

How do you get started?

I started with the 15 day "Classic Reboot" which is 5 days of fruits/veggies, followed by 5 days of just juicing, followed by 5 days of fruits/veggies.  I even did a second Reboot a few months later so that I could document it for the blog. Here's the links for the meal plans, shopping lists, and even costs for each part of the Reboot.

  1. Reboot Part 1: Fruits/Veggies  (Days 1 - 5)
  2. Reboot Part 2: JUICE ONLY   (Days 6 - 10)
  3. Reboot Part 3: Fruits/Veggies  (Days 11 - 15)

Reboot Tips/Encouragement:

My Juice Recipes:

  • and the list is growing weekly!!

Which juicer should you buy?

I can only speak from my personal experience.  I started with a CHEAP ($29.99) Black and Decker juicer from Walmart.  It worked ok, but wasn't great. After I convinced my thrifty hubby that this was not just a diet "fad" that I'd be trying then abandoning a week later, he bought me a Breville Juice Fountain, which I still use today.  I love it! It is a great juicer.  My only critique is that it's a tad small.  When I make double recipes (~40+ ounces) I usually have to empty the container once mid-juicing.  Amazon often has mine on sale for only $99!

In summary:

I think the best part about a "Reboot" is that it changes your habits.  You can finally get rid of those sugar cravings and start fueling your body with food that improves your health and works with your body instead of against it.  I started with just an 8 lbs. loss, but it gave me the hope that I could really change my life for good and started me down the right path to lose more.  Regular juicing, even just once or twice a week is a great way to get added nutrients and vitamins that you normally wouldn't get.  I highly recommend incorporating juicing into your life!

Before & After:

Before...I was often down, frustrated, and teary.  After...I am full of happiness and encouraging others to choose the happy healthy life too!

Questions:

  • Do you "juice"?
  • Have you seen the movie Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead?

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Comments

Submitted by Corrie Anne - September 24, 2012 - 2:37am

I actually think the reboot is a really good idea -- I'm sure it wouldn't hurt me a bit! And I definitely think juicing is a great way to get in some vegetables! So happy that it got you started on this path and that you are in this corner of the internet these days! :)

Submitted by Tosha @ Twenty-Five Plus - September 24, 2012 - 8:33am

I really good friend of mine is in the middle of a 60 day cleanse that is pure juicing. She has lost 40 pounds the first 20 days and is still losing at a stead 1.5 pounds per day! I envy her willpower - I think a once a week juice cleanse could be doable though - I will be saving this for all of your recipes and links :)

Submitted by Calee Himes - September 24, 2012 - 11:11am

I'm still waiting to save up for a vitamix, but I'm seriously going to do this when I do. I need a reboot after last weekend's food. don't read my blog on wednesday. you might gain 10 lbs just looking at the screen. I didn't eat much of the stuff but my body needs a detox!

Submitted by Darleen - September 24, 2012 - 12:16pm

I have watched Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead! It was very fascinating. I have juicing off and on and love it! I would love to continue juicing to incorporate more veggies in my diet. I LOVE you juicing recipes and cannot wait to try a few.

I've been looking into trying the 15 day reboot that you suggested. However, I have a few concerns about taking the reboot while still nursing. What is your take on that? The juicing is a detox . . . . would you suggest this for a nursing mama?

Submitted by Heather - September 27, 2012 - 2:59am

Just wanted to let you know that your Blog is adorable and I appreciate how candid you are in your sharing about emotions and the steps you have taken to change. Your tips and advice are helpful.
My goal is to lose 38 lbs of stubborn fat that snuck up on me over the past few years. Today is my second day of juicing and low and behold I weighed 2lbs less this morning. I'm sure it's water since I'm full of carbo's. But it's a move in the right direction on the scale. I'm thinking of doing the 60 day reboot with the addition of broth and red wine occasionaly.
I'll be checking in for tips along the way. Thanks and blessed be.

Submitted by Wendy - September 28, 2012 - 1:43pm

Really need to do more juicing now because I find I am more hungry now I am not on the plan, I need to really stick to veg based meals and more juicing, your recipes are a great help to offer variety, thank you.

Submitted by Autumn - November 14, 2012 - 3:55pm

My husband and I have been following your reboot, and we are currently on day 10! It's gone great, and I'm so glad I found your site. I've gotten a lot of questions from friends, so I typed up my own blog post and linked back to you. I hope that's ok. I so appreciate you sharing your journey. I've been very inspired by your story, and I'm excited about the changes I'm making, too! It was so great to find another Christian momma to follow along! You can find my post at: http://autumnrshea.blogspot.com/2012/11/were-juicing-and-no-i-dont-mean-...

Much love and well wishes.

Submitted by Irene - January 6, 2013 - 11:30am

I am inspired by your journey! I bought a juicer and made my first juice today, the pink kale, thanks for posting it! I am following your plan, and am determined to get healthy. Can I make up a juice the night before for work? With all the pulp I'd like to compost it, you should do a post on that!

Submitted by kelly - January 17, 2013 - 12:51am

When I was working full-time, I most certainly juiced the night before for work. I would juice around 8PM, have a small 8oz glass right then, give an 8oz glass to my hubby, and save 20oz in a big "Blender Bottle" for work the next day!!
Submitted by Lisa - January 8, 2013 - 6:34am

Hi there! I love your blog and found it after watching FS&ND a while ago, as I was looking for juicing recipes. My husband and I both wanted to give juicing a try, but after buying one and making a batch of juice, we were really discouraged at the amount of waste and the little bit of juice all those fruits and vegies produced. Maybe we got the wrong juicer? So, we are wondering if we should try a different one that makes less waste, or if making smoothies would be a better option....thoughts from you or your readers are greatly encouraged :) Blessings! Lisa

Submitted by kelly - January 17, 2013 - 12:49am

It's true, Lisa... there is a lot of pulp and most of it gets wasted...unless...you can use it to cook/bake with (sweeter fruit juices' pulp can be baked into muffins for extra fiber, veggie based juices can be added to spaghetti sauce or a salsa, etc), or you can compost it for your garden. I prefer the smoothness of pure juice (less thick), and all the extra packed nutrients vs. smoothies.
Submitted by Emmylou - January 12, 2013 - 10:56pm

My husband stumbled upon the movie Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead on Netflix about a week ago and it was a really interesting show. To do a reboot for 10 days wouldn't be that bad! My only problem is the cost. I am unemployed and have a hard time affording food for our family, so how do you afford the veggies and fruit for 10-15 days of juicing? Otherwise I would definitely be trying this!

Submitted by kelly - January 17, 2013 - 12:46am

Most of my Reboot plans (links above) come out to about $10 per day. If this is more than you normally spend, I'd say either do a shorter reboot, like this long-weekend version: http://www.nosugarsweetlife.com/content/long-weekend-reboot-introduction... or try to save up for a longer one. I also try to use what's "in season"... so feel free to make substitutions if certain items are too expensive.
Submitted by Rebecca - January 20, 2013 - 6:00pm

Hey, I just started my reboot today! So far so good! Someone showed me to your page for your recipes.. I must say they sound so good! I will def be trying some of them if I can.. I wanted to go into the paleo lifestyle after my juicing. Your story is inspiring! So glad I came to this page :)

Submitted by Jen - February 21, 2013 - 6:09pm

I just started looking into juicing and all of your recipes look great! Thanks for the information.

Submitted by Shannon - March 10, 2013 - 1:18pm

I currently don't have a juicer so.... when I want juice I blend everything in my blender and strain the juice via a net bag. A little time consuming, but until i can purchase a juicer it's working!!

Submitted by Shannon Sepulveda - April 10, 2013 - 1:37am

How many juices do I drink a day? I know Im suppose to have at least 72oz of fluid,but how much of this is juicing?
Im starting the reboot on Thursday,and am very excited. If I do the 30day reboot do I do 5days fruit/veg 25days juicing? Im so looking forward to getting started.
Thank you so much for this page I am so enjoying your story.

Submitted by kelly - April 19, 2013 - 8:47am

I drank three 20 ounces juices a day - at typical meal times, but sipped them throughout the day. My "breakfast" juice would often last 'til almost 11AM. Plus make sure to drink lots of water too. The quantity will most depend on your weight and body type. Try to be intuitive about it. If you are hungry, make another juice!
Submitted by Aliya - April 15, 2013 - 3:07pm

Hi there, its so amazing that simple decision can change your life.Your change of lifestyle is so inspiring.
I have 4 kids and recently diagnosed with prolapse disc (I have 3 disc prolapse) and hypertension ,I wanted to change my lifestyle so i can get rid of the drugs.I was surfing the web for good motivation and found your blog .
i want to follow your plan to get rid of excess weight as I'm overweight my ht 5'3" and my current weight is 165 pounds
I NEED TO LOOSE AT LEAST 20 POUNDS so that I can move without pain from the disc prolapse.need some navigation to plan and organize breakfast lunch and dinner could you please post the beginning of the 60 days plan with the menu from day one as I saw there is day 11 ,12 ......
hope to hear from you soon and keep up the good work it really inspires others.
thank you

Submitted by kelly - April 19, 2013 - 8:50am

I just did a 15 day reboot - with 5 days of juice only. Here's the start of the 15 day plan: http://noshandnourish.com/content/reboot-part-1-grocery-list-menu-cost
Submitted by Maggie - May 8, 2013 - 7:56pm

Hi! Great blog! Wondering if using frozen fruits and veggies would be just as effective, in order to keep cost down? I heard frozen fruits/vegs are just as high in vitamins and nutrients because they're "flash frozen at the peak of perfection" lol. Thoughts?

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