Fat, Sick, and Not Dead Yet
by Douglas Biagini
It’s almost been one year since I discovered juicing, I was alone on a month long business trip to San Francisco. I lived my entire life in the midwest and being out of Chicago during the winter was great. I had some time to myself and decided to watch Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. It was after this movie I had my “a-ha” moment.
Now, I should mention that I have some knowledge of the human body, I have been a paramedic for over 15 years and work in cardiology. Day in, and day out seeing people’s cardiac rhythms. People with sick hearts, some that probably lived and ate the American diet, others who were just unlucky at the gene pool.
I wasn’t unlucky at the gene pool, unless you consider parent’s who lived off of junk food. My first job was at McDonalds, I was heavy most of my life and an Uncle would joke that I would sell one hamburger and eat two. No one wants to be fat.
Years later, I did eventually lose most of the weight. I became a firefighter/paramedic. I gained knowledge of the human body. At this point, I truly knew what my unhealthy eating was doing inside of me. And the weight came back as I aged.
After watching the documentary, I saw myself for what I was, a 43 year old guy who was over 100lbs his ideal healthy weight. I had dodged a lot of bullets. I had no major health known health issues…but for how long?
From January 5, 2012 to March 5, 2012 I did a 60 day juice fast. I lost 65 lbs. and was completely cleansed. I began to exercise as more weight came off. My energy increased, and my skin became radiant. My juice became my liquid sunshine. I kept that weight off this year. I have more weight I want to lose, and I think another juice fast will be occurring. I am now very aware to what I am putting into my body. I wish I could write this and tell you during the past year, I didn’t have a Big Mac. I have, but I haven’t had probably over 100 of them like the previous year. I know that the body can be fueled and fueled well on micro nutrients from juicing.
Juicing is tough at the beginning, the detoxifying of the human body that has been subject to a life time of processed foods can be brutal. Day one was no big deal, day two I felt like I was coming down with the flu, day three I had severe flu like symptoms. Day four was the worst, I was so sick, I just wanted to stay in bed. Day 5 I turned the corner and by day 10. I was fully fueled. I was beginning to live again.
My only advice to other is know that you have to expect the detox to be hard. You will probably be ill at times. Understand that this is temporary, but plan for it. Try to eat more healthy before you go straight into juicing. I didn’t do this, now before I even do a little cleanse, I eat better before going to straight juice.
reading this made me feel better. I’m on my 3rd day and feel kinda sick like you mentioned. Mind over matter is what i’m thinking. any current update?
I watched “Fat, Sick And Nearly Dead” and was amazed at the results they got from juicing, but I wonder about the health risks of living solely off juice for an extended period of time like that. You don’t mention supplementing your juicing with protein or any other type of nutrition that the body needs, so I’m assuming juicing is all you did.
Congratulations on the results, and good luck with future cleanses. I recently started juicing, but only juice every other day or so, and, even then, only once per day, but it feels and tastes good when I do.
You say you watched the video Ray, surely you saw Phil at the end. He juiced for a long time so did Joe. Their health improved drastically, not the reverse.
Good to know. I’m on day 3 and I’m feeling sick n weak. Day 1 was easy.
I was wondering about juicing v. blending…I bought a Vitamix over a year ago. I have been using it mainly for smoothies for the kids. However, just this morning, I made my first Green Smoothie ala Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. I don’t want to buy a juicer…will I have success (30 to lose) with my Vitamix? Thank you for responding.
Hi Amy,
I’ve been “blending” myself because I can’t afford to buy a juicer…graduated RN school in December and still no job so I’m living most frugally haha. I have a Smoothie Breeze blender I bought at Big Lots a few years ago and it works fantastic. I would recommend drinking a lot of water especially if you’re not used to taking in such high fiber amounts. And you should have success using your Vitamix; remember your body is going to digest what you put into it. The idea behind juicing/blending is that you are taking in large amounts of veggies and fruits versus heavy starches, chemicals, preservatives and synthetics. Good Luck!
Hi Ray, In reference to the protein worry,..read what carey wrote in her blog page on this site. It shows you how much more protein you get from juicing than from any big, juicy, steak or chicken. It will surprise you and help you to decide to be a ‘juicey’ person.
lol
Hi Guys
Yes Saw the movie and it did give me a wake up call at 46 yrs old
I was 121 KG 3 days ago when i started the Mean Green Juicing and yes have felt very tired with head aches later in day but other than that not too bad.
I have in effect went from Red Wine to Mean Green , I have been drinking a minimum of a bottle of red a day for a number of years and have noticed the weight gradually going up from 90-95 KGS ( my ideal weight ) to 121kg’s. I dont eat alot of junk food and no sugar in my diet but when i eat i do eat alot more than I should . I am 190cm so feel 95KG would be a good weight for me .
I hope to drop 26 Kgs in 3-4 months which is a big ask but lets see how we go ,
Another note for people with heartburn /reflux , I have been on prescription medication for this for years and could never go 24 hours without a tablet , I havent had a tablet now in 2 days and no signs of heartburn /reflux .