Detox Juicing

[DarcyInOregon]

I want to try a juicing program for up to 21 days in an effort to try to solve some niggling problems I am experiencing, such as water retention. However I can't figure out how to do a juicing program while I am cycling. I put in a lot of miles and a lot of hours each week on the bike, and I don't know how this juicing stuff will fuel my bike rides sufficiently.

Surely someone out there in TE land has done a juice program. How does it all work and specifically how does it function with distance cycling?

Darcy

[alpinerabbit]

MY humble opinion is: don't.
I hope I am not misinterpreting: juice-only for 21 days?

A diet of juice does not go along well with hard exercise.
Yes there are fasting/hiking programs around here even, and I think it's nuts.

I've tried one "juice week" and it messes with your body and psyche.
I am sure you can solve your water retention otherwise, or combine the juice program with light exercise but I don't think it is wise combining it with "distance cycling". And I believe you are into serious distance.

Just eat healthy stuff.

[RoadRaven]

I read your post out to the lads here, Darcy, and my partner says he is sure Stuart O'Grady does something like that. He thinks he's got an article in a mag somewhere and if he can find it, I'll post the details for you

[Zen]

I don't like it.
How will you get B12?
How will you get enough iron?
Eat food.

[DarcyInOregon]

I haven't read up on it enough yet. The theory is the juicing breaks down the cellular walls of the plants and releases a lot of enzymes and anti-oxidants into the juice that can then be digested by the body, and if there is enough quantity over enough days, the body will be detoxified. Otherwise, when eaten solid, most of the valuable stuff passes through the body's system without absorbsion.

I think it is combined with adding flax seed and such to some of the juices, so as to get the B vitamins. And one is supposed to eat a dinner high in vegetables and lean protein.

The purpose is to flush the toxins out of the liver so as to increase liver function. One theory is the reason why many women stop burning body fat, even with high cardio activity, is because too many toxins have accumulated in the liver, lymphatic system and emptied fat cells, and that many of the recent new toxins minic hormones, thus altering the way our body chemistry works.

It is something a person only does for the short-term. I just can't figure out how it is done while cycling, unless I wait for the dead of winter and there are three weeks of snow and howling wind. With cycling, I would not have sufficient calories to fuel my rides. I am not willing to cut back on my cycling.

If I were to try it in the dead of winter, when ironically the availability of fresh produce is at the lowest, I don't know if I could last 21 days. I imagine a lot of the juice concoctions taste horrible, and probably one is always hungry.

It is just an idea. Somebody out there must have tried it sometime and has an opinion.

Darcy

[alpinerabbit]

Sorry Darcy,

if your body needed help in removing any noxious substances, your kindeys or liver would be failing. You don't need "help". Juicing will not break down the cell walls of plants any better than chewing.

There's also no logic in the vegetable or plant matter removing anything along with its passage through your intestine.

Flax seed? that's gonna clean you out nice and good. Not a bad thing per se but has nothing to do with antioxidants or B vitamins, it's a simple (f)laxative (pun intended).

Look, there's nothing wrong with eating a diet high in (pureed hence more easily digestible) vegetable/fruit matter plus a limited amount of lean protein. It's going to make you feel "lighter", yet it is not a sustainable way of life.

Weight loss = (calories in - calories out) and keep it healthy. There's no rocket science behind it...?
You're not willing to cut on your cycling? then don't. But don't starve yourself.

Actually a lot of juice concoctions taste wonderfully, just don't make them the only thing you have all day....

Believe me I've tried the thing for a week and it was debilitating.

[mimitabby]

I can imagine a 24 hour juice fast... but weeks?

That's a very drastic diet and should not be attempted without the care of a doctor.

I'm not sure how drinking juice could help with water retention.
unless it's diuretic juice.

[velogirl]

I detox 2 or 3 times each year for 7-14 days at a time. I'm actually on day two of my summer/fall transition detox. But I don't exist just on juice. I've been detoxing for the past five or six years and they are a type of ritual for me and I feel renewed when I'm finished (but typically very tired in the process).

I use an OTC detox product along with a diet of lean protein and low glycemic carbs (in other words, white meats and lots of veggies). I miss the fruits/sugars the most! I also cut out all alcohol and caffeine. And I increase my water intake about 20-fold.

But, during a detox, I can't sustain long bouts of exercise. I try to be active each day and run or ride and lift weights, but I can't do anything longer than about 90 minutes.

There are lots of good books on detox diets -- just search amazon.com.

[DarcyInOregon]

Ok, I am convinced. I don't think it is a good idea for me if I don't have enough energy for my cycling. Thank you everyone for your input.

Another concern for me would be loss of muscle and bone density.

I've never done a fad diet in my life. I always eat heart healthy, and I have the good health to show that it is an appropriate choice for me. I just thought juicing for up to 3 weeks might be a way to get rid of the excess water I am carrying. I cut most of the sodium out of my bike drinks and food, and I've shed some of the excess water that way. I guess I will continue on with the same plan, and eventually it will come off.

I won't cut back on my cycling for any reason. Life is too short. Summers in Oregon are too short. Winter is just a breath away, and there I will be, clad in multiple layers of clothing, biking in the constant downpour and battling the incessant winter winds. I don't want to do anything to take away from the few good days of wonderful balmy bike weather left to me this year.

Darcy