Are you tired of being chained to your medications? Are you tired of feeling bad all the time? Me too. Last week I made one of the best decisions of my life. I made myself sit down and watch the documentary "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead" on Netflix. (Don't have Netflix, no problem, it's on Youtube-here is the link Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead ) It has changed my life and the way I look and feel about food. Here is a synopsis from their website:

100 pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease, Joe Cross is at the end of his rope and the end of his hope. In the mirror he saw a 310lb man whose gut was bigger than a beach ball and a path laid out before him that wouldn't end well— with one foot already in the grave, the other wasn't far behind. FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD is an inspiring film that chronicles Joe's personal mission to regain his health.

With doctors and conventional medicines unable to help long- term, Joe turns to the only option left, the body's ability to heal itself. He trades in the junk food and hits the road with juicer and generator in tow, vowing only to drink fresh fruit and vegetable juice for the next 60 days. Across 3,000 miles Joe has one goal in mind: To get off his pills and achieve a balanced lifestyle.

While talking to more than 500 Americans about food, health and longevity, it's at a truck stop in Arizona where Joe meets a truck driver who suffers from the same rare condition. Phil Staples is morbidly obese weighing in at 429 lbs; a cheeseburger away from a heart-attack. As Joe is recovering his health, Phil begins his own epic journey to get well.

What emerges is nothing short of amazing – an inspiring tale of healing and human connection.
Part road trip, part self-help manifesto, FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD defies the traditional documentary format to present an unconventional and uplifting story of two men from different worlds who each realize that the only person who can save them is themselves."

 

Since I married (almost 3 years ago), I have put on 50 pounds. I know, what the what! I have tried many different "diets", working out, I even went vegetarian for 6 months but it didn't help either. It might be my love of all things chocolate that side railed me (no meat in chocolate!). Here is where I'm at- I'm tired all the time, I don't feel good and none of my clothes fit. A friend mentioned this documentary to me a few weeks back and I'm so glad I took the time to watch it. It has given me hope that I can take back control of my health. At this point the weight loss is secondary, it's more about feeling good and being healthy.

So, here is what I've been doing. Last week, my husband (who is a dear and is doing this with me even though he only has a few pounds to lose) and I started adding juice to our diets. We began by doing a juice for breakfast and making healthier choices for lunch and dinner. I also started doing beginners yoga each morning and walking a mile in the afternoon. Gradually we built up to replacing two meals a day with juice. Today, we started our 10 day juice fast where we replace every meal with juice. I know what you're thinking-that will never fill me up! But you could not be more wrong, my morning juice consists of two apples, an orange, a pear, 2 carrots and a cucumber. Sometimes I add a grapefruit or kiwi or strawberries. I mix it up. Look at all that food! I am getting the vitamins and nutrients from all that! And it does fill you up-trust me. And the energy-wowsa! I haven't had coffee in over a week and you know how much I love my coffee! I, in no way, think this complete juice fast is going to be easy, but my health is worth it.

I hope you will take the time to watch this documentary. Here are some pics of what a delicious fruit or veggie juice look like.

Mean Green
Mean Green/Facebook
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Juice
Juice/Facebook
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If you would like to read more about it and see inspiration success stories visit Joe's website: Reboot with Joe

Eventually I'll post before and after pictures.  Let me know if you are going to do it too.

Here's to our health!

Kendra

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