[Leeney]

Probably the most important thing I’ve learned doing this juice feast is to trust myself. My body will let me know what it needs physically, emotionally and spiritually. My intuition has always been something I’m aware of, but often hesitant to act on. No more. With the clarity of thinking that comes from juice feasting I have learned to be lots more spontaneous and to act on the prompts I am given. So many wonderful things have happened as a result of this. Sometimes I feel like there is a constellation of helpfulness surrounding me, and I feel like I am attracting exactly what I need.




I got into this mainly because I feel an urge each springtime to do some kind of cleanse, and I did have some health and well-being concerns I hoped juicing would address, but oh, it’s so much more!




One of the prompts that I followed up on was to rejoin a spiritual group that I had belonged to years ago. I have been attending weekly and I know that this has added a dimension to my healing as well. It all comes together.




I thought it would have been harder




Weight down 11 pounds to 131.4

Waist down 2 inches to 29”

Hips down 1 inch to 37.5”

Body Fat down 2% to 22.3%

BMI down 2 to 20.5




Other physical results are that the arthritis pain in my hip is all but gone and I am off my anti-inflammatory. I am also off two antidepressants that I was on. One was specifically for sleep which is fine now. I had some bloodwork done this morning and will post those results when I get them.




One thing I noticed when I stopped juicing is that I slacked off on doing my breathing exercises, or meditation, or any of my usual morning rituals. I think the old ego might have thought that now that the juice feasting was over we could just fold up shop! And I did feel kind of let down. Juicing took up so much of my time and attention that I found myself asking, ok, what do I do for an encore?




Well, here are some further musings on my experience. I have learned that I can do something that is difficult and that I wasn't sure I could do. Actually I thought it would be harder than it was. I discovered that I could listen to my body and feel good about it, that I could be spontaneous and not have to plan out and try to control everything, and that I could improvise and be successful. Not only that, but I can open myself up to new opportunities. I learned that I had something to share and that people were interested and would listen to. I learned that support was all around me, there for the asking. This is huge for me since I am the original Lone Ranger and would have a hard time asking for water if I were on fire! I learned that my body is a marvel of healing, and that by cleaning up my food I could either eliminate or minimize chronic conditions.




Here's a biggie. I learned that my body's purpose is to communicate. That's it. The body is not who I am but it is a way of presenting my truth the the world. Like many of us, I have spent years, decades in my case, with low self esteem due in part to a negative body image. One of the things that happened during the juice feast is that it became clearer to me that my body is simply a vehicle to carry my inner message into the world and as such I want it to be as powerful and attractive as it can be. Kind of puts it in a whole different light for me. I feel like I revel in my body now. That's huge for me. That's something to look forward to. Like I can wake up in the morning as ask, what do we have to share today?




As far as what’s next for me. I still don’t know in terms of food. I do know that I like eating fruits and vegetables. I will slowly add seeds and some nuts. I may even add some cooked foods occasionally. I do know that I don’t want to blow this wonderful feeling that I have. I was so happy to celebrate with my friends at the old swimming hole. I felt like I had emerged a new person! A work in progress. I feel like I can apply myself to things that I used to think of as too hard or out of reach in some way and know that I do them. Just because. It feels like a certainty. There is a spiritual course of study that has been in and out of my life for years, and I think the time might be ripe for me to apply myself to following that path. In that way, I know I will be led to new ways to share my experience.

[MonicaC]

Leeney, Way to go girlfriend! That was probably one of the loveliest posts that I have read here. I am inspired by your insights and the adventure to try something new and the results are awe inspiring. It is a road to wellness and well being that you found and it gives me hope to everyone that reads your journey that it is possible. Thanks so much for sharing. This post was beautiful poetry to my ears. I am thankful for your generosity in sharing your tips, journey, and all the things that are working for you with us.
You rock Leeney!!! Love and Light and extra hugs to you. Bravo!!