Juicing Challenge challenges members of Mission Support Group

  • Published
  • By Maj. Erin Karl
  • 916th Public Affairs Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Fat, sick, and nearly dead. The phrase probably describes few in the military, but it's how documentary filmmaker Joe Cross described himself in 2009. The Australian businessman was 100 pounds overweight and suffering from an autoimmune disorder when he hired a film crew and traveled to the U.S. to undertake a 60-day juice fast. The results were so inspiring that 12 members of the 916th Mission Support Group decided to do a 12-day juice fast March 12 through 24.

The reasons for participating differed. Some did it to lose a few pounds; others wanted to detox their bodies or jump start a plateau.

"I started the challenge because I had hit a plateau in my work out routine," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Drake, 916th Force Support Squadron. "I thought that this would make me do something I have never thought of before."

The concept is simple. During the fast (or "reboot") participants drank fresh vegetable and fruit juices. No food. They could also drink water and herbal tea. Many people lost an average of a pound a day. They also reported an increase in energy and a lessening of aches and pains.

Col. James Hurley, commander of the mission support group, also participated along with his wife Maj. Nicole Hurley. Both have turned it into a complete lifestyle change.
"I was able to work out the whole time," said Hurley. "I felt great! Now I plan to keep it going in a modified way."

For some it was a bit of a struggle.  Drake began his fast not knowing his mother, a great cook, was going to drop by for a surprise visit from California. To accommodate his fast, his mother cooked all her specialties and froze them for later.

Another challenge was getting used to the taste. Although many members enjoyed the concoctions, Master Sgt. James Stallard experienced some growing pains.

"Taste, taste and taste. You really have to find that right combination for your taste buds to handle it," said Stallard. "I made the mistake of doing too much ginger root the first time. It tasted like I just drank whiskey straight up! My face got red and it burned going down. Yes, my wife got a good laugh out of that one. "

When the challenge was over, some found a way to celebrate.

"At noon on the final day, I met my dad, my wife and my daughter at The Brown Bag Café' because I was craving something a little different," said Maj. Dustin Pawluk. "I ordered an appetizer of fried pickles with a tangy horseradish dip, a grilled Ruben sandwich with sauerkraut and thousand island dressing, and a Pepsi ... I've been regretting that decision ever since. Almost immediately after lunch I was ready to go on another 10 day reboot!"

The movie that inspired the 12-day challenge is called Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead and can be streamed or rented from Netflix.

(Editor's note: Master Sgt. Jill Weissflog inspired the challenge by watching the documentary and completing a 60-day juice fast earlier this year. Weissflog lost 30 pounds and continues on a modified juicing program that helps her lose weight and excel at the fit to fight test)