Juicing for Weight Loss

In 2010, a documentary called Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead was released. This film is responsible for opening the eyes of millions worldwide to the healing power of food - specifically, how juicing can literally change your life. This piece follows the struggle and success of Joe Cross, who at the beginning of his journey was dying. Not only was Cross more than 100 lbs overweight, but he also had an autoimmune disease that left him stuck on conventional medications that just weren't helping.

By the end of the documentary, Cross not only regained his former health, but healed his autoimmune disease and was completely off all medications. Now, Cross's approach to juicing for weightloss and health was extreme since he did nothing but juicing and occasionally ate apples for 60 straight days. While he did see amazing results, it's important to keep in mind that not everyone should try it. The truth is, if you're trying to just lose weight, then juicing alone isn't the answer.

What Really Works

If you drink nothing but fresh juices for as long as 2 months you will absolutely lose weight, but it's widely recommended to not go this route. Not only is it unnecessary, but it can lead to serious nutrient deficiencies, especially if your diet isn't being closely monitored by a physician.

Juices shouldn't be treated as a meal replacement because it isn't a whole food source and important components like dietary fiber are missing. Juicing should instead be seen as a supplement to a proper diet designed for weight loss.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you're juicing to shed some weight:

Focus on Raw, Organic Vegetables and Fruits

Eating only organic produce can get expensive but try to at least buy only organic vegetables and fruits for your juices. Some fruits and vegetables, like leafy greens and apples, are more prone to absorbing toxins and pesticides so these should be high on your organic-only list. Always wash produce thoroughly before juicing, even if it's fresh from the local farmer's market.

Experiment with Different Recipes

It's easy to get stuck in a rut with the same juicing recipes. Make a concerted effort to try a different juice every day of the week, or at least alternate between your favorite recipe and a new one every other day. Try out vegetables or fruits you never have, experiment with flavors and try to add in some superfood supplements like wheatgrass or spirulina.

Begin a Regular Exercise Regimen

Even though diet is roughly 80% of your weight loss journey, exercise shouldn't be ignored if you're serious about dropping fat. Some easy guidelines include doing something active everyday that gets you sweating, and actually working out for roughly 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week. Small lifestyle changes like taking a 20 minutes walk everyday will make your weight drop more quickly as you replace fat with muscle.

Juicing can be an invaluable tool for weight loss. It is a powerful dietary supplement that offers an incredible number of different health benefits. If you've been struggling to lose weight or really want to complete reboot your lifestyle, invest in a good juicer and start enjoying a fresh juice on a daily basis. You'll soon start noticing you have more energy, improved mental clarity and overall feel like a new person. Keep this habit up and your body will be able to drop those extra pounds more easily.

Zoey is a part-time blogger and a full-time nurse. She is the founder and editor of juicingjournal.com an avenue for sharing her passion about juicing, plant-based diet and living a healthier lifestyle.

Main Photo Credit: George Rudy/shutterstock.com; Second Photo Credit: Dasha Petrenko/shutterstock.com; Third Photo Credit: Syda Productions/shutterstock.com