Intro by Britni

Hello!  I’m Britni.  Now that we have informal introductions out of the way, I thought I’d explain the gist of this blog.

Along with my partner, Angela (whom will introduce herself in the following post), we will begin a detoxifying diet for Lent starting tomorrow all the way until Easter.  We’ll get to the specifics later, but here’s a brief insight into why I’m doing this and why we have chosen to take this route to better health and why we have chosen to document it in this way.

Here’s a brief history into my health over the years and the current state of my health.  Overall, I’d say I’ve been very healthy.  Growing up I ate well and was scrawny because I played a lot.  Sports, running around the yard, etc.  I was always moving.  Once I quit most organized sports in high school, and started eating more junk, the weight started to tack on, but never to a terrible amount.  Post-high school, things got worse, though.  I ate more junk.  I didn’t have any physical activity really, and for the most part have worked sedentary jobs.  In 2009, I went on my lunch break and had a revelation that I needed to change things and there was no point in putting it off.  In October 2009, I was at my heaviest at 215 and it showed.  I was out of shape, and just flat out fat.  Because I worked for UNT Police and Parking, I had a gym at my disposal for free with good equipment.  That day, I worked out for an hour and a half…the first time I’d worked out since my freshman year of college.  I became addicted to working out.  I was working out for an hour and a half, 6 days a week and became a calorie Nazi.  I tried my best to keep my caloric intake below 1500 daily.  By the end of December, I was down to 165 and loved it.  I was able to lose 50 pounds while in my last semester of undergrad, taking 16 course hours and working 40 hours a week.  I felt unstoppable.

In the time since, I have slowly packed most of that weight back on.  Between March 2010 and August 2011, I worked out some, but never really regularly.  Most of 2010 I was back to eating unhealthy foods.  By July of 2011, I was back up to 190 lbs.  In August of 2011 I started working out regularly again.  For the most part I have been working out 4 to 5 times a week and have been eating relatively healthy as Ang and I don’t tend to eat a lot of processed foods.  Currently I weigh 199 lbs., which I largely attribute to muscle mass as my arms, thighs, and calves have become more muscular.  I still have a gut though, which is the source of most of my frustration with my body.

This juice fast is not necessarily for weight loss, though it will be a wonderful side effect.  The juice fast is so I will be detoxed, level headed, and have more energy.  Currently, I come home after work and I’m tired and just want to sit, eat dinner, and watch TV.  There’s more to life than that, and I need more energy.  I’m starting on my second bachelor’s degree in the Summer, so it’s time to get myself into a more active routine.

The purpose of this blog is to have some accountability and a plan.  We have tried to juice fast before without a plan and an audience and we made it one day.  Seriously.  Just the one.  The next morning we woke up cranky and just wanted bacon.  So we gave in and went to Denny’s.  This time, that will not be happening.  We will be held accountable for our actions and therefore hopefully stick to our rules since there is an audience.

Angela and I are following slightly different juice fasting rules due to our differing health conditions.  I’ll give you a run down on what you can expect on this blog daily, and what my rules for my juice fast are.

First off, the juice fast is from the beginning of Lent, February 22, all the way to Easter, April 8.  That’s a good long while.  I will be having juiced fruits and veggies and will be adding in some bee pollen and spirulina , a blue green algae that is about 60% protein.  I may also supplement a B-Complex vitamin.  Other than that, I can have herbal teas and lots of water.

The first 5’ish days are likely going to be terrible as this is when the body is releasing all of the toxins.  I’m expecting headaches and weakness and a loss of energy.  Needless to say, I will NOT be working out during this time.  However, after that, we should be smooth sailing.  My energy should be up and my mind should be clearer.  After about 20 days, cravings for foods (especially my craving for Coke) should start waning.  After a week in, I’m going to start working out again.

So my daily posts will basically have the same theme.  I’m going to weigh myself every night after dinner (juice) and let you know how I’m feeling and what kind of work out I’ve done.  I’ll also comment on my emotional state and any frustrations I may be having.  I will welcome encouragement, advice and criticism (of the constructive variety).

At the end of the juice fast, I will post a before and after shot of what my weight loss looks like.

So that’s that.  Now Ang will tell you what’s up with her.