You know that feeling when you're so bloated that you can't button your jeans? Or maybe you feel so heavy and sluggish that all you want to do is lay down and be a couch potato? It could be that you've been on an overindulgent junk food binge and you feel like it's time to reset your body back into a healthy mode. If you are experiencing any of these scenarios then it may be the perfect time to begin a juice cleanse.

People cleanse for many reasons, but I have found it to be the most effective way to combat bloating, fatigue or even just to give me a good kick in the pants to get my healthy habits back on track. There's a lot of debate on whether juice cleanses are effective and healthy, but I personally find it to be the best way to get my body back to a healthy state after I've fallen off the wagon.

According to Pressed Juicery, completing the 3-Day Cleanse can have the following positive impacts on your health:

Encourages a healthy balance of flora in your belly
Helps reduce cell damage
Positive impact on over all well-being
Less stress on your heart
Helps digestion
Weight loss
Pressed Juicery drinks are rich in antioxidant activity
Read more about the Pressed Juicery 3-Day Cleanse benefits

Why choose Pressed Juicery?

I chose Pressed Juicery over all the other juicing brands on the market because of the high quality ingredients and customizable options for a cleanse. I always build my cleanse with the juices and waters with the lowest amount of sugar (look for the red dot on the menu). I also like that their products are cold pressed to preserve the nutrients of the fruits and vegetables. The process of cold pressing uses an hydraulic press that pushes thousands of pounds onto fresh fruits and vegetables to extract vitamins, minerals and enzymes with minimal oxidation and without heat. This process creates a more pure juice. Most juice you buy on the market has been pasteurized to kill the possible bacteria but unfortunately this also kills many of the good things we want. Being that Pressed Juicery drinks are not pasteurized, you must drink them within 3 days of purchasing because they are very perishable.

I also highly recommend adding the waters to your cleanse. The chlorophyll water boasts many health benefits including high antioxidants, reduces fatigue and digestive issues along with fighting hunger cravings.* Aloe Water has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with constipation, heartburn and improve your overall digestion.** Adding these to your cleanse will maximize the health benefits and get you more positive results.

Diary of a 3-Day Cleanse

Day 1 of a Juice Cleanse

I have been waiting for the right time to start this cleanse for months and it’s finally here. Success with a juicing cleanse is all in the timing and state of mind. I feel motivated and excited for the challenge and I know that I will need all the motivation I can muster. The benefits will be worth it in the end so I am determined to stay on track and do my best not to give in to temptation. I have found that the key to success is to stay occupied throughout the day so that you're not just sitting around thinking about food. You want to keep your activities light and make sure you're in a place with a restroom nearby (a lot of liquid = a lot of trips to the restroom).

I am confident that I will do well in the morning but the late afternoon and dinner time are my biggest challenge because that is when my hunger really sets in. I always have some cleansing approved snacks available if I really feel that I need it, but they are reserved only for extreme scenarios like nausea or light faintness (these rarely occur but it has happened to me in the past). If you do begin to feel these symptoms, just relax and lightly nibble on raw veggies, fruits or raw nuts. Don't go crazy eating snacks, just do it until the feeling passes. Get a good night's rest and mentally prepare for Day 2.

Day 2 of a Juice Cleanse

I woke up with a headache which is common with cleansing. If this happens to you don't panic, just drink up your first juice and wait for it to pass. If you are still feeling the headache in an hour, eat some fruit or raw veggies and take an over-the-counter pain killer (don't take it on a completely empty stomach because that could make you nauseas). Even after just cleansing for one day I am already beginning to feel lighter and the puffiness around my waistline has reduced. When I start to feel antsy and want to munch on something, I head outside for a walk. I feel like sunshine is often the best cure for many things and the munchies during a cleanse is no exception. As the evening comes I am feeling good and keeping my motivation high by reminding myself of my health goals. Again, I am early to bed because my body needs a good night's rest to recharge.

Day 3 of a Juice Cleanse

I'm back in the office today and I have my bag full of juice in hand. I actually find that being at work on a cleanse can be helpful because I am always busy and distracted. I am determined to finish strong and I look forward to the feeling of accomplishment. One thing to keep in mind is that the post cleanse actions are just an important as your actions during the cleanse. The worst thing you could do is go crazy eating junk food and ruin all your hard work. When you start eating solid foods again, ease yourself into it gently and make smart choices. Your diet should consists of a lot of greens, lean proteins and small amounts of whole grains. Stock up your fridge with healthy meals options before your cleanse is over so that you're ready to hit the ground running on Day 4. If you make the effort to keep the healthy motivation going, you can keep off some of pounds you lost and continue the flow of high energy.

Tips for Cleansing Like a Pro

Prep the week before. Eat small meals and make healthy food choices. Binge eating junk food beforehand will make it much harder to get through the full 3 days.
Realize that when you are struggling, it's all in your head. The juices have enough calories to get you through the day but you are just accustomed to feeling full. During the cleanse you will always have a light feeling of hunger which is fine, use your mind to tell yourself you're doing great and you want to stay on track.
Plan your days ahead of time so that you've got everything you need to be set up for success. Know where you're going to be and make sure your juices and a restroom are close by. Always keep your juices in a refrigerator as they are highly perishable.
When you're struggling to stay on track, find healthy distractions besides food. Go for a walk, talk to a friend or read an article. Don't let yourself get into a pity party slump, get your mid off food and the feeling will pass.
For the ladies, if you have a certain time of the month when your appetite spikes due to hormone fluxes then try to choose a time when your appetite will naturally be low. It can be hard to fight with mother nature when those chocolate cravings hit.

Now that you're prepared with all the info you need, it's time to put words into action and get started! Leave a comment below and tell us all about your success stories with juice cleaning.

*according to the Global Healing Center

**according to Livestrong