This documentary shows a real life regular Australian guy named Joe who, at 140 kg or just over 300 pounds, was sick with an auto-immune disease and a strange re-occurance of rash and hives. At 40 years old and feeling fat, sick and nearly dead, he finally decided to take his health in his own hands.
Yes, Joe took responsibility for his own health and decided to completely change his diet and lifestyle!
Joe Cross before his detox
In 60 days, he lost over 80 pounds.
It is phenomenal to see the transformation!
And, even better, Joe continued to make changes when he finished his detox. He started exercising, ate salads and juices, and after another 70 days, he not only maintained the original weight loss but lost another 20 pounds.
He also managed to get off all medications – wow, now that is Mother Nature’s doctor at work for some real natural healing!
Joe Cross after - transformation!
At one point, he meets Phil who is over 400 pounds and has the same skin rash condition as him. Phil gets inspired and eventually does the 60-day juice fast himself. It’s really spectacular to see these normal people who were previously victims of fast food and prescription drugs and are now teaching people how to juice kale and apples! I love it!!
So, what about actually doing a 60-day juice fast yourself? Is it safe?
In the movie, both men get clearance from their doctors and also regular checkups during the fast. This is definitely a good idea, especially if you have never fasted before, are on any medications of any kind and especially if you are suffering from any medical conditions.
Was Joe constipated after his detox at all??
60 days is a long time to go without any bowel movements. The thing that Joe never mentions in the movie is whether or not he did enemas or colonics during his fast. Since he didn’t mention it, I doubt he did any. This does concern me, especially when I think of how toxic so many people are today and how they could easily lesson the effects of the detox reactions by doing a daily enema during their fast. I would also recommend certain herbs and supplements to support the body during the process.
Re-toxifying of Heavy Metals
The other issue that concerns me is that people doing a long fast with extreme weight loss can disrupt pockets of heavy metal accumulation in their body. Often times the body will safely store heavy metals in it’s fat cells. It’s a way for the body to try to protect itself from these toxic materials. If you have extreme weight loss in a short period of time, as the fat gets burned, the heavy metals have to move somewhere else…and they can potentially move into and do harm to the organs. In an Iridology reading, we can see if a person has the potential for heavy metal accumulation. It’s a good idea to get checked out, and to also consider doing a heavy metal detox as a follow-up to the juice fast. During the fast, it may also be a good idea to take zeolite as this is a natural chelator for heavy metals and toxins and can assist the body with the detox process.
I particularly like the Australian doctor in the film. He had some great quotes:
- Permanent results only come from permanent changes in diet and lifestyle.
- You don’t get permanently well unless you permanently change the way you live.
- Fasting can be used as a time where you re-train your taste buds. If it helps you with healthy eating thereafter, then it’s done it’s job.
- 61% of the American diet today comes from processed foods (predominantly oils, sugar & flour).
- 70% of the diseases that affect us now are caused by our life choices: how we exercise, if we smoke and what we eat.
- Total cost of a heart attack: $56,424 USD. Total cost of juicing for 1 month: $420.
completely unhealthy, unfair, abusive treatment of the human body
Becoming severely obese or fasting? Not honoring one’s body as a temple, a sacred space for the soul, in my opinion, is unfair and unhealthy to oneself.
The body is a wonderful machine. Better than the timing on a Porsche. I would suggest before anyone does this that they watch the CD the Human Body how it works it’s amazing and gives one a much better understanding of just how synchronized it is and why it needs nutrition like protein, fat and vitamins…….juicing only is like running a car on fumes……it will chug along then quit and probably have a carborator problem in the end ……God bless all of your hearts, kidneys, etc.
Nothing about what they did was unhealthy. They both got all the nutrients/protein/HEALTHY fats/vitamins that they needed during the fasting process. Both lost significant amounts of weight and have kept it off, even after the ‘reboot’ phase was done and they were back to eating whole food. After detoxifying, both felt amazing. Joe was monitored weekly by one of the top nutritionists in the country. If it was so unhealthy, why did his cholesterol, weight, and blood pressure go down so quickly. Why did the disease that had plagued him for years suddenly go into remission? How do you find any of this unhealthy?
By the way, it was a fantastic documentary, and I too have been inspired. I will be starting my juice fast in 2 weeks.
Its because some people will always have something bad to say when someone does good! The fact that he had doctors monitoring him at all times, and also monitoring the truck driver, speaks for itself! If people that went to school for 8+ years didnt think it was dangerous or unhealthy, than to me, that beats someone on a forum who has an opinion based on jealousy. No disrespect to any past or future comments that are on here, but I think the film and results speak for themselves. I agree 100% with you Teresa.
@Oscar – Type your comment here…
For sure, if anyone has health problems and on mediation, they should see a doctor to monitor. For sure, they had the results they expected and their health problems turned around. I start my 60 days next week!
@e march – You’re an idiot. First off, where does the phrase unfair even come into play? Unfair to who? You, cause you don’t have the willpower to do the same? Anyways, our bodies are meant to fast. That is why our bodies hold on to excess calories. Fasting has been a part of the human race for centuries. And how is consuming a bunch of fruit and veggies unhealthy? Bet it is better than consuming a bunch of fast food.
QUOTE: “■Total cost of a heart attack: $56,424 USD. Total cost of juicing for 1 month: $420.”
I would love to eat healthy and/or juice like these guys, but what about those of us who have to live on about $75 to $100 a month for groceries? Mac & Cheese is not my choice but my only option.
$100 a month?? Wow, that sure is difficult. That’s $25 per week. I can easily afford a raw food diet on $75-$100 per week. In fact, I find it fun to spend $10 or less a day on my food, and still enjoy an abundance of health! I often shop at farmers markets and local fruit and veggie shops where the prices are much cheaper than supermarkets. I don’t but a lot of nuts or seeds and I make all my own salad dressings. I never spend money eating out and I do not spend money on alcohol, cigarettes, take-away food, make-up, designer clothes, iphones or anything like that. My food is my investment for health and for feeling energetic, joyful and excited to be alive!
HI Alison,
I was in the same situation as you are now. I had literally 5-10 dollars weekly for food and tried to eat very healthy. What I did was start my own garden, look to neighbors to see if i could help tend their gardens in exchange for fresh vegies and I did this all the while going to college full time and worked 3 part time jobs. To this day i will always have a garden, even if it’s only a flower pot of lettuce and herbs. Also, i went around town ( and still do) looking for fruit trees and pick my food (ask first) or exchange with the people if you have some fruit to exchange. luckily at college, the friendly people let me eat and take home every night what was left from the salad bar so I could eat as well. To this day I thank them daily in thought. this went on for about 4 years and now I help those in need whenever I can. you can and will find a way to do this,
best wishes, Trinka
Speak with one of your community gardens…I’m sure someone can spare seeds and a plot. Be prepared to have your ears ringing of garden information and yes clearly I am guilty of this. You can easily grow this food for a 5-6 months with $100. You can even use the money saved to invest back in the garden and try growing through the winter. This will be my first winter garden and the price of kale is rising.
Oh and if you are in Milwaukee, WI call the Victory Garden Initiative and tell them you are looking for Treetrunk’s, the chicken, mom. I will share some awesome seeds with you. One of the gardens has produced over 700lbs of food to date. After the fast come by and collect some eggs.
I am eager to try this fast after the holidays. This is my new year’s resolution.
my husband and i have been on day 2 of juicing, and have lost 3lbs a piece,
i have noticed allot more energy, and better skin already.
I definitely want to try a juice fast! Does anyone happen to know anyone else who has completed an extended juice fast (30-60 days)? I think it would be great to hear other success stories.
I have been a modified version of Joe’s plan in that I have a Vitamix and I’m making green smoothies. Victoria Boutenko has written several books about green smoothies and has testimonials from people who have gained vibrant health from them. The Vitamix retains all the fiber where juicing spits it all out. And the Vitamix is a snap to rinse out.
I have been losing a pound a day since starting and feel wonderful.
Either way, juicing or blending, greens are so full of health.
I am on day 3 of my juice fast and I have already lost 9 lbs! I would suggest anyone that does this fast to take an herbal laxative or enema, it really helps you feel a lot better fast.
I was thinking about the bowel movement thing…In the movie actually the female that goes on the fast..says to stick close to a bathroom..cuz you will “go” a lot!! She even states that she thought she was cleaned out..but was wrong! So I was wondering what part of the movie does Joe say he wasn’t having bowel movements? Just because its liquid, and its micronutrients, I still think some sort of bowel movement would occur. I have done a lot of research and I am almost ready to try it out myself..The inspiration is that even if you cant do the whole 60 days..even just replacing a meal or two a day..or have a few days a week..the options are limitless with juicing! I plan on giving my kids fresh juice rather than store bought just so they can get all their fruit and veggies in just a couple of glasses..
As far as I recall, Joe did not mention anything about bowel movements or enemas or colonics during his fast. And I think this was his first detox he ever did. I’ve been doing fasting and detox for 15 years and have done countless cleanses, and have also assisted many others during their programs. Believe me, you will not be going to the toilet on your own after about 6 days unless you are taking extra herbal laxatives, and that is not a good idea to do unless being guided with support. With the level of toxicity an overweight person may have today, it is my professional opinion that doing a daily enema (at a minimum) should be incorporated into any long detox.
The comments everyone make about what about the poor can’t afford veggies is wrong to say! At one time ago the veggies were considered a poor mans food just like fish. The fish was free from the ocean and veggies come from the ground growing wild! Learn your history. And as for this detox drink of mixing veggies and only veggies,learn about your body and what veggies give back to your health!
You people have no clue how you age faster and even die faster because of bad eating! Ya ya you , say at least I am enjoy my food ! Guess what” you say that now ‘ but lets see if you mean it when your really sick and ready to die! When people make comment know your facts!
@ Jenna don’t mean to sound rude but many people who try this are unhealthy because of their habits. habits that are taught young. Don’t give your children juices but make more of their every day meals closer and closer to 50% fresh veggies and fruit. obviously that’ll take time and isn’t always easy but when they learn now, they can make healthier choices when they grow up
Any new success stories? my husband and i are planning on doing a 10-day detox to try it out like the lady did on the show.
I am on day 6 of a smoothie/ veggie soup / raw salad diet. Its vegan. I feel great. Im gonna stay on this as long as possible. Im also back in the gym and work full time. Im very happy ive done do well. I would like to be a high raw vegan. I also make whole fruit dairy free ice cream. My vitamix is my helper, i dont juice. I need my fiber. Good luck!
Maybe you could grow your own veggies – even if you don’t have a garden you could grow them in pots.
Thanks for the great article Jennifer!
I saw this documentary and was very inspired. I own a green star juicer and use it 4 or 5 times a week. I am not sure about the minerals during a detox, but am willing to give this a go. Any change in the right direction over time is a lot better than doing nothing, right?
I will resume blogging at http://www.howtostartlifeover.com and anyone who wants to check in or comment about switching to a whole foods, plant based diet is welcome ( I need to get more active and have a belly to get rid of for sure).
I am curious as to how i will fell and how it will affect other areas of my life.
Wish me luck and thanks again for the article.