On the Juice: Day 14

Some people start the New Year off with a few poxy resolutions scribbled down somewhere only to be forgotten by February. Me? I'm went on a two-week juice fast.

Day 14: End of the line
Two weeks. 14 days. 336 hours. Sometime tomorrow morning, after I've woken up and fed my cats, the great odyssey of my New Year's fast will come to an end. For the first time in 2007, I will have a solid meal. For all intents and purposes, I've made it.

About the only predictable thing about this long trek through a land without food has been its utter unpredictability. So, not surprisingly, today was one of the toughest days of all. My husband and I went to the giant, industrial grocery store down the street this morning to stock up for the week. During the fast, I've been doing my shopping at organic markets and haven't strayed far from the produce section. Being left to wander in a place suffused with the thick smells of detergent and processed food and the subtle flickering of fluorescent lighting was almost too much for me. I became extremely dizzy and disoriented, a feeling that lasted a couple of hours after we'd left.

This was just one of many debilitating episodes of hypersensitivity that I've encountered during the fast. It's not that every sight or sound or smell will set me off, but occasionally one will sneak in and knock me on my ass. It's one of the many phenomena that anyone considering a lengthy fast should be aware of ahead of time.

In my research before I began the fast, I found a few lists of possible side effects and benefits. I can tell you now that none of them was entirely accurate. Most were vague, but exaggerated the good and down-played the bad. So in the interest of full disclosure, here is my quick running list of the many unpleasant sensations I've experienced in the past two weeks: hunger; boredom; insomnia; muscle weakness; dizziness; nausea; tingling in the extremities; bouts of extreme fatigue; flashes of hot and cold in the hands and feet; tunnel vision; constipation; dry mouth; paranoia; grumpiness; chills; tremors; runny nose; cough; pain in the eyes; extreme sensitivity to auditory and olfactory stimuli; faintness; heart palpitations; lingering muscle strains; and significant weight loss.

If this sounds like one of those pharmaceutical advertisements where the list of side effects seems to outweigh the list of benefits, just bear with me. Here is my running list of strangely wonderful experiences: sharper vision and sense of smell; increased sensitivity in the hands and feet; sinus clearness; increased ability to concentrate; increased productivity; euphoria; clear skin; increased flexibility; a general sense of well-being; lack of headaches; quicker reflexes and heightened responsiveness; wakefulness; sobriety; increased self-knowledge; mental clarity; and overall vitality.

On balance, I have enjoyed this experience immensely. And yes, despite everything, I would - and most likely will - do it again. I want to point out, though, for anyone considering a fast of their own, that there are truly shitty moments and, although the early days are the worst, they can happen anytime.

Thanks to everyone who has read my ramblings over the past 14 days. I appreciate all the support and hope you've had as much fun as I have. I also want to thank all my fast buddies - I wouldn't have made it without you!

Over the next few weeks I'll be posting Off the Juice, my occasional account of breaking a fast. Until then, I'll see you all in the lunch line!

Day 14 Hunger Level: Not much of a factor today; I was more preoccupied with the dizziness.

Day 14 Energy Level: Fluctuating from wiped out to buzzing.

Day 14 Physical Condition: Other than the dizziness, I felt pretty good.

Day 14 Mental State: Much better after Robbie Gould nailed that field goal.

Day 14 Juices:
#1: Grape, Mango, Spinach, Chard
#2: Purchased Odwalla Superfood Drink (full bottle)
#3: Purchased Synergy Kombucha Drink (quarter bottle)
#4: Apple, Carrot, Ginger
#5: Cucumber, Broccoli, Grape

Total amount: approx. 48 oz.

Previously:
* On The Juice: Day 1. If you can't beet it, juice it.
* On The Juice: Day 2. Fire in the glory hole!
* On The Juice: Day 3. Sipping point.
* On The Juice: Day 4. Brush with destiny.
* On The Juice: Day 5. Food for thought.
* On The Juice: Day 6. Dinner-free dinner party.
* On The Juice: Day 7. The longest chard.
* On The Juice: Day 8. The daily grind.
* On The Juice: Day 9. Driving force.
* On The Juice: Day 10. Sprout to get me.
* On The Juice: Day 11. Bottle rockets.
* On The Juice: Day 12. New World Order.
* On The Juice: Day 13. Here's looking at chew.