Warning for the gentlemen readers: you might find this post contains a little too much information of the female type – read at your own risk!

For a few years now, I’ve followed the Britsh guru of juicing, Jason Vale (The book). Every year just after New Year, he encourages as many people as possible to do a week of juicing – where you drink only the fresh juice from a selection of veg (+ some fruits) , as part of a ‘reboot’ or ‘detox’, depending on what word you prefer! This year I did my juicing week 1 week after the dates proposed by Mr Vale as this fitted in better with what I was doing. I thought it might be interesting to keep a diary of how it went:

Day 1:

Good start, very motivated but (you knew there’d be a ‘but’) it turned out to be a much busier and colder day than I had anticipated. The menu for today had 5 juices in total plus some hot drinks. I’ve managed a few hot drinks but only 2 of the juices and I feel like I live in the kitchen already! I used to think the term ‘hangry’ i.e. hungry and angry, was BS but that was me tonight. My blood sugar level was all over over place (my own fault), which has already become a battle thanks to the gift of perimenopause. I’m going to go to bed earlier thatn usual as I’m so tired. Think I’ll make double batches tomorrow so at least I’ll have something to hand when I am making everyone elses food!

Day 2:

Well that was one of the worst nights sleep ever thanks to a horrific nightmare! I woke up exhaused as if I’d used all my energy actually fighting the demon thing in my dream. Weird.

Anyway, I had my lime in warm water to begin with instead of my coffee. It’s amazing how quickly you can become used to a change. I did manage an extra juice today and I did a ginger and apple ‘shot’ in the morning to help clear my sinuses. Thought I would need a nap but energy level improved as the day went on. Will try another early night and hope I sleep better, especially as I turned the mattress round today, gave it a hoover and changed all the covers.

Day 3:

Slept a little better but still not great. Wasn’t very hungry when I woke up so had my hot water and lime and made sure everyboday else was fed before I had my 1^st juice. Today was a treat as one of my favourites was on the menu. Got a lot of practical things done and home-schooling getting back into routine. Did get a walk in but didn’t fit in the new exercise routine yet. It’s 10.30pm as I write this and I am having a warm drink before bed. Managed about 3-3 ½ juices – I made them big and sipped them over a long time instead of making lots of small ones. My blender started leaking yesterday so now I’m using the blender that came with my mixer. I feel my energy levels are creeping up which I’m delighted about.

Day 4:

Today was much the same as yesterday. Still getting about 3 juices and making them last as long as I can as I’m really not finding the time to make 5 and don’t feel like I need that many.

Day 5:

I have done juicing weeks before and usually by now I’m on the juicing ‘high’ they talk about; loads of energy and feeling great. Now I did sleep great last night for the first time this week but my stress levels have been through the roof today. The house is in chaos, homeschool has been up and down and I have very little energy today – and my hoover broke down.

Day 6:

Good sleep thankfully and a better mood today. Got more decluttering done and some cleaning which has helped. Have enjoyed my juices today but will be glad when I can eat properly again!

Day 7:

I’ve kind of given up – I know, a day early but I’m being honest here. I have done juicing weeks before and enjoyed them this week didn’t go as well as them at all for a few reasons. Because of the extra fluid intake and hence, the extra toilet trips, I have found I’ve either been too scared to go anywhere or I’ve just about dehydrated myself if I needed to go somewhere which has defeated the purpose if this week entirely.

Conclusion:

• A cold Winter is not the ideal time for me to do a juicing fast
• You pee like a race-horse and the cold makes this worse
• As a result of this, I have skipped juices if I had to go out
• This is not the first time I’ve done this but this was the hardest – maybe because of the above and coinciding with the start of a new home-school term.
• I did lose a few pounds and have continued to have some juices so that must be good!
• A big difference between this time and others is that I didn’t read the book by Jason Vale which I usually do – this really helps to psyche you up for the week and encourages you along the way. Doing this cold, on my own was certainly not the ideal way to do this. I have done the 28 day juice cleanse before so I know I can do it better than this but that was in warmer weather when I had more time and daylight – I really think the weather played a bigger part this week than I realised at the time.

Would I recommend a juice week?

Actually, yes I would, on certain conditions.

1. I would really recommend if anyone wants to do this that they read the book first. Jason Vale is my ‘go to’ as his books are so easy to read and follow as they take you step by step through the process.
2. If you are more of an app person, Jason Vale does have ALL his juicing plans on apps too, I just haven’t used them as I don’t have a smart phone but I can definitely see how they would be a very useful tool.
3. Plan your juicing week for a time when you don’t forsee a lot of stress or at least won’t have an exceptionally busy week.
4. Take the weather into account.
5. If you are unsure, start with a 3 day juice and build up from there.
6. It would be great to do the week with someone else for support and encouragement.
7. Keep a diary – it really helps to see your progress or, as in my case, see what I would change next time.

So that was my week and the conclusions I came to because of it. I am glad I kept a little diary because I can really see the downfalls now which I couldn’t when I was in the middle of it. I do plan to do another week later in the year…when it’s warmer and we have a break in our home-schooling schedule!