So, I Tried a Juice Cleanse

Publicly Social is a blog and resource about being professional, and making sure you manage your professional image at and on all the places that matter most. So, where does a juice cleanse fit into this “professional image,” you may ask.
Well, as I have experienced, a juice cleanse is an experience that allows you to learn about your self-control, the strength of your mind, and your body. What it does to your body on the other hand, not such a “professional” experience and not one I will exploit here.

​I was talked into doing a juice cleanse by some people I work with, who spoke very highly of the experience so I thought, “Why not?” I decided to start with a one-day cleanse, as I figured it would allow me to get a first taste of what a cleanse is all about. Little did I know, what an experience it would be.

7:30 a.m. Wake up, not feeling too hungry and certainly feeling like I could chew anything this day threw at me…except for solid foods of course.
9:05 a.m. I go to pour my first of two or three cups of coffee for the day. Oops, that’s not allowed today.
9:15 a.m. Consume my first of six juices. This one was nutty and was very easy to swallow. After consumption, I feel full and satisfied. “This is going to be easy.”
10:15 a.m. Just another hour until I go to my next juice, the green one!
10:35 a.m. “Has it been an hour yet?”
11:30 a.m. Sip my second of six juices. Immediately it made me full and again, I feel like I could accomplish anything.
12:30 a.m. It’s lunch time and everyone around me is enjoying their solid food.  
1:05 p.m. The headache hit me like a train. “Is it the lack of solid food or the lack of coffee that’s making this a challenge?”
1:45 p.m. Time for the third of three juices. I feel satisfied and savor every sip. “If I drink it slowly, maybe I can stretch it out until it’s time for my next juice.”
1:59 p.m. Third juice gone.
3:00 p.m. Thinking it’s time to open the fourth juice, but realize once that’s gone, I only have two juices left for the day. It’s too early to only have three juices left.
5:00 p.m. Last juice of the “workday” is down the tubes. The end is so near!
7:00 p.m. It’s almost time for dinner
8:00 p.m. Drink my last of six juices, while everyone around me ate pizza. The self-control here is impressive.
10:30 p.m. Time to go to bed, so I can wake up and eat some solid foods!

​I woke up the next morning feeling refreshed, proud and confident. As I went about the “day after” I realized I was wanted to continue to eat healthy because of the challenge I overcame the day before. It was the reset my body needed, and it was only a one day cleanse. I can only imagine the impact and change a three or five day cleanse would have on my mind and body.

​So, I’m not a medical expert, or even a juice expert, but based on my experience, I can say that if you’re considering a juice cleanse, do your research and be sure you follow step-by-step what your juice bar is advising you to do. Drink all the water they suggest and be sure you’re not exercising if it is not recommended based on the number of calories included in your cleanse.

On a more basic level, I enjoy routines, and having things planned and prepped; another reason why this was a good experience for me. It was nice to have my “meals” prepped for the day and made it very simple and easy to grab my meals out of the fridge and get to drinkin’.  

On a more spiritual level, this experience made me realize that it is easy to feel like you can accomplish anything (get through the day) when you have everything (a juice in hand). The minute you don’t have everything at your fingertips (next juice is three hours away), it’s easy to doubt your ability and strength. It was important for me throughout the day to remember that I had the self-control to start and make it through each hour, and I had the ability to continue. Take these teachings into your professional and even your personal life. Life can become overwhelming, you may feel like you’re working and not getting results, and you may be ready to give up and go towards something easier, to chew, but the results at the end of the day are so much sweeter when you taste success, and achieve your goal! 
So if you’re considering a cleanse, I would absolutely recommend it. If you’re not sure how your body will handle it, start with a “one day,” and then go from there! If you’re experience is anything like mine, it will be a fabulous experience and opportunity for you to reset your mind and body.  



P.S. I would love to hear about your juice cleanse experience and how you applied what you learned into your everyday routine. Shoot me an email at publiclysocial@gmail.com to chat! ​

---