Any sort of challenge or eating plan should be cleared with your doctor before committing.
JLo 10-Day Challenge:
This challenge lasts for 10 days and includes cutting out all forms of sugar, carbs, alcohol and caffeine.
No starchy vegetables, candy, baked goods, certain fruits, grains, condiments with sugar, sweeteners (even artificial sweeteners), dairy, soda, and alcohol. The deal breaker for many is no coffee.
For 10 days, the diet will consist of non-starchy vegetables including cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and spinach. Unsweetened teas and seltzers, nuts, seeds, sugar-free nut butter, meat, eggs, seafood, avocado, spices, and seasoning are also allowed.
Since Jennifer Lopez challenged Hoda from the Today Show. the challenge got some big-time media coverage. With all the buzz, she had a few celebrities join the challenge.
So what are the pros and cons of this trend?
Pros: It brings awareness to the amount of sugar you may be consuming on a daily basis.
Cons: The backlash can be wicked, setting up for a big binge. Not recommended if you have big binge tendencies, a background in eating disorders or struggling with dietary balance. If you are trying to find an eating style that you can live with, steer clear of drastic changes such as this challenge.
With my clients, elimination is replaced with food that is enjoyable. Neuroplasticity is the science of rewiring the brain with reactions and thoughts. This is key to good health and longevity.
A 10-day fast with JLo won’t help you there. Since I startd writing this blog, JLo has now come forward to tell us the REAL reason she did the 10-day challenge, “J.Lo said it was in preparation for her role in the upcoming film, Hustlers, in which she plays a stripper, per J.Lo. ‘I’m sure that the outfits are going to be —,’ she said, motioning to her body, implying that her wardrobe would be skimpy. ‘So I’m, like, getting ready for that’” (Bratskeir, “Jennifer Lopez Revealed…”).
Forming new, healthy habits take 30, 60, or 90 days, and even this falls short to qualify as a habit change. If you are looking for a lifestyle change, plan for a year and commit to real changes that stick.
To summarize, I don’t think this trend is worth the agony, and it only provides extremely short term results. THANK U, NEXT!
Celery Juice:
The “originator of the celery juice movement” is Anthony William, also known as the Medical Medium.
The trend, basically, is adding 16 oz of celery juice to your normal morning routine. That is a plus, adding something to what you already do. Like tacking another post-it note on a bulletin board, you are attaching another healthy habit onto another. I like this kind of challenge! Adding more veggies to your diet is almost always a good idea as the typical American diet is lacking in fresh veggies.
Why celery juice? Celery is packed with vitamins, minerals, and potassium. Most health claims attached to celery juice can be said for all vegetables, and there isn’t much harm to consuming it. Unlike a smoothie, celery juice isn’t loaded with sugar. With its natural form of salt, celery juice can be a component of a healthy diet.
Health Claims of Drinking Celery Juice:
▪️ anti-inflammatory,
▪️lowers blood pressure.
▪️thyroid cleansing*
▪️treats acne
▪️treats athlete-foot fungus
▪️liver detoxification*
▪️melts belly fat
▪️aids in weight loss
▪️boosts hydrochloric acid (HCL)
▪️gut-friendly
▪️improves digestion
▪️promotes a healthy brain
▪️reduces the risk of brain degenerative disease
▪️boosts the immune system
▪️increases energy
▪️purifies skin
▪️reduces bloating
▪️rich in fiber
*THYROID CLEANSING: According to Anthony William, “the mineral salts in celery help to fight and cleanse the body of the Epstein-Barr virus, particularly in the thyroid. Celery can also help to boost the production of important thyroid hormones in those with hypothyroidism” (William, “Health Benefits Of Celery Juice…”).
*LIVER DETOXIFICATION: “Celery’s detoxifying properties work to remove bad bacteria, fungi, mold, viruses and other toxins from the liver; the phytonutrients found in the green stalks also can have a protective effect” (William, “Health Benefits Of Celery Juice…”).
To be honest, I started off skeptical as I committed to drinking celery juice each morning. I am typically not a fan of juicing for nutritional needs or extreme fad dieting. Anything that feeds unhealthy and unrealistic lifestyles habits is concerning.
I am a big fan of eating real food and living a healthy-diet lifestyle. As a Personal Trainer, Certified Health Coach, and Fitness/Lifestyle Expert, I understand the need for some to crash, cleanse, or take drastic measures in attempts to lose weight and improve health. For me, with weight training and bodybuilding, I could not survive on a liquid diet alone.
Food is medicine. Eat whole food whenever possible.
Diet is powerful. With a personalized diet, you can reduce body fat, increase muscle, reduce inflammation, and address your specific health profile. Just like a fitness training program, there is not a one-size-fits-all diet plan. Need a little extra help getting your diet right based on your health and fitness goals? Hire a pro HERE.
So what are the pros and cons of this trend?
Pros: Celery juice is a top anti-inflammatory food. This high water content vegetable is a good way to stay hydrated. I recommend eating a high water content diet (aka eat your water} as hydration is good for digestion and skin. Celery is readily available, although my neighborhood Ralphs was sold out of it on my last trip to the store. I use a Nutri-bullet and a nut bag to make it super easy to cleanup. ORDER HERE. (Scroll down to the Kitchen Gadgets & Appliances sections).
Cons: It takes 5-10 minutes in the morning to clean, clean, blend, and clean the juicer. You may experience acne breakouts and frequent urination. Mild eructation occurs in some as well.
Healthy routines first thing in the morning create motivation to carry you through the rest of the day. Here are my tips if you are going to give the juice a try:
DO use organic
DO use the pulp for baking or making celery crisp
DO keep it fresh
DO drink on an empty stomach
DO clean celery thoroughly before consuming
DOES balance ph levels
DOES contain Concentrated Phytonutrients
DON’T make ahead as it changes the cellular structure, therefore, limiting the benefits
DON’T mix with other juices
Here’s to my bodybuilders: Research shows that when celery juice is consumed as a pre-workout drink, it can increase circulation, promote endurance, and enhance strength training with its natural substance content. Talk about a natural pre-workout drink!
For this trend, I say I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED! But so far, I’ve had more energy for my workouts. I’ve skipped my afternoon 10-minute power naps on occasion. I don’t have such a strong urge to drink a second cup of coffee. I’ve had an acne breakout (which is very unusual). And yes, I have found myself peeing often. Bloated initially
Scraping
I came across scraping when I experienced a shoulder injury from weight training. I have tried cupping for various treatments, but scraping was new for me.
Scraping is also known as the Gua Sha technique. This centuries old method of scraping muscle tissue to stimulate blood flow and to promote healing has helped my shoulder injury. The pain relief is noticeable and lasts for hours.
Another name for scraping is the Graston Technique® (GT) as it involves rubbing the skin’s surface to help break up energy, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
So what are the pros and cons of this trend?
Pros: Scraping treats everything from perimenopause symptoms, cold, headaches, lung problems, fevers, inflammation, scar tissue, cellulite, adhesions, stiffness, poor circulation, frozen shoulder, golfers elbow, and weak immune system. You can do it on yourself depending on what body part you are treating. It is less costly than major medical treatments. Scraping speeds up muscle recovery.
Cons: It hurts. Bruising can occur. There are not enough studies on this method for specific treatments.
Do not use if you bleed easily or are on blood thinner medications,
Do not use if you have deep vein thrombosis
Do not use if you have medical conditions of the skin or veins
Do not use with a pacemaker or internal defibrillator
If you are considering scraping, it may help with pain relief. It is recommended that this method is administered by a trained physical therapist.
A 2014 study found that “Gua Sha improved the range of movement and reduced pain in people who used computers frequently compared with a control group that had no treatment” (“Journal of Medical Technology and Physical Therapy”).
In a 2017 study, “weightlifters who had Gua Sha felt that lifting weights took less effort after treatment. This could suggest that the treatment speeds up muscle recovery” (“Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine”).
Takeaway: From my experience, a scraper is a great tool for the gym bag. Purchase a scraper HERE. (Scroll down to the Wellness section). I will continue to use this treatment. Keep you posted!
Sources used in this blog:
Thyroid Cleansing & Liver Detoxification of Celery Juice
Kathy Dolan, ACE Fitness Pro, Health Coach, Personal Trainer, Yoga Instructor, is a self-employed business owner. Kathy Dolan is a master trainer with years of experience with the secrets to real results! You will find her teaching and training on the Class It Up Virtual Studio and writing health and fitness programs for clients of all ages. She enjoys spending time with her three kids whether it’s in the mountains or on the seashore.