Almost there!

So today is day 51 of my 60 day Reboot Juice Fast.  I am finally in single digits for days left.  I am currently down 29.3 pounds so far on the cleanse.

Here is a picture of me a year ago exactly.  I have to share my whole story, my effort to lose weight began back in May, 2012.  I had reached a desperate point in my journey to find a way to loose weight.  I had tried Weight Watchers, NutriSystem, low-carb, and protein shake fasts in the past.  I always regained the weight plus some.  I was blessed with a supportive family that bolstered my self esteem as a child.  As I gained weight in adulthood my self esteem was never impacted.  I marched through life feeling strong and powerful and beautiful.  I always said if I had poor self esteem I may have tried harder to loose weight in the past!  After regaining weight and hitting my highest weight AGAIN, I started to research the Lap Band surgery. I attended a local seminar with my sister put on by a surgeon.  There I heard from women who said they couldn't imagine living without their Lap Band now.  So many inspiring before and after pictures were shown that by the end of the session I was scheduling my appointment to meet with the surgeon and move forward.  Again I took my sister and went in for a preliminary evaluation.  By the time I left the office I had all of my pre-surgery appointments scheduled and would be slotted for surgery within 8 weeks.  My sister and I left with our heads spinning.  I never saw the doctor, I was briefed by his nurse practitioner.  It was so simple, I was in and out and approved for the procedure before I knew it.

Over the next few days my sister and I took a few long walks and talked about it. There was never a mention of risks. As we started to research risks we became overwhelmed.  After our experience of being shuttled speedily through the approval and evaluation process like it was no big deal; comparing that to the  risks and complications people experienced, we determined this option wasn't for me.

I felt even more discouraged than before now!  The solution, though risky, was no longer going to ensure I did this thing...and loose the weight for good this time.  I experienced a sense of loss and bewilderment.  What was I going to do now?!  Rather than focus on the negative I started to empower myself to fight through this challenge.  I didn't know exactly how I would do it I just had to start.  I quietly and steadily started to focus on eating more fresh vegetables, less meat, and moving more.  This weight wasn't going to change my opinion of myself. I AM strong, powerful, and beautiful!  I have my youth and my health...for now, and I am going to beat this thing this time!

Focusing on calorie counting and moving more helped me lose 16.5 pounds in the three months leading up to the Juice Fast. I was slowly coming down from my highest weight with long road ahead of me.  This is when I had lunch with my best friend and her father and learned about the Juice Fast.  Now I am down a combined 45.8 pounds from my highest weight and over halfway to my overall goal of loosing a total of 80 pounds. 

Not all of us have such a significant amount of weight to lose or have traveled the journey of trying what feels like EVERYTHING to lose it.  At least most of us can admit that our eating habits and our relationship with food is something we aren't exactly proud of.  Maybe you feel like your immune system is lacking and you don't want to get your annual cold or flu.  Whatever motivates you to seek a higher level of health; know there is a community of supporters here to depend on.  No one stands alone in this effort.  I have been incredibly inspired by all of your encouragement.  I felt like these 60 days would never end but that I couldn't let you all down.  On the more challenging days it was stubbornness alone that kept me going.  Some people called it determination but to me I felt a stubborn drive to not be disappointed again.

As my first 60 Juice Fast is coming close to it's close; I am more motivated than ever to strive for my ultimate goal.  Let's keep it moving and continue to share in this community of positivity rather than letting the world outside distract us from our goals.