10 Things We Learned from Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead

A fitness documentary to get you moving

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead is a fascinating film that chronicles Joe Cross's personal mission to regain his health while traveling across America, juicer in tow, and inspiring others to do the same. Here's are 10 things we learned, which will hopefully inspire you to see the film.

1. While most people have a hard time doing the three days most juice cleanses recommend, Joe did 60 days of all green juice, so next time you think three is impossible...

2. You don't need to drive yourself crazy scheduling gym time, you can radically improve your health for the better simply by altering your diet.

3. Changes in diet can have way more of an impact than pills when it comes to treating a host of diseases.

4. Many health problems can be reversed with dietary changes.

5. The key is to make sustainable changes.

6. Juice cleansing can be a useful tool to reset your taste palette.

7. Make sure to consult a doctor if you have any medical conditions before going on a juice cleanse -- especially if you plan on doing it for more than one day.

8. In 60 days Cross managed to shed 90 pounds and alleviate the effects of an autoimmune disease... just 60 days!

9. Cross makes it a point to shop at local food markets, which we love because many people, sadly, can simply not afford to eat as many healthy foods as they wish because of price. If you buy locally and in-season prices drop dramatically.

10. What we loved most about this documentary is that it shows that when push comes to shove, the only person who can get you to change is you. Luckily if you're willing to do the work, miracles are truly possible.

So... What are you waiting for? Run out and buy yourself a juicer!

Dish with us: What's your take on juice cleanses?

For more by Amy Nebens and Jara Negrin, click here.

For more on personal health, click here.

 

Follow Amy Nebens and Jara Negrin on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PoshMom

Comments

[homer winslow]

11:00 AM on 05/24/2012

I have skipped over this film several times in favor of other documentaries, but after reading all the positive comments, I am watching it tonight.

[Nadine Rosin]

10:54 AM on 05/24/2012

I did a 92-day green juice fast in 2010. here are all the details: http://www.juicing-for-health.com/92-day-juice-feasting-interview.html

[Rachel Harold]

09:00 AM on 05/24/2012

Love this list! Especially the "reset taste palette"...so true! Juicing has been transformative for me. http://underjuiced.blogspot.com/

[Lynda LaFon]

06:47 AM on 05/24/2012

I finished a 60 day juice fast last week, lost 58 pounds and 5 out of 6 of my medications.

[John R Barker]

12:14 PM on 05/24/2012

Awesome Lynda!

[Dodgeyaussie]

04:08 AM on 05/24/2012

I found after i started juicing, i completely lost all cravings for fast food and candy...

[Renee Stolberg]

09:52 PM on 05/23/2012

Since the first time i've watched this docu about a year ago, i've seen it about 5 times! The story is amazing. A few months after i saw this, i got a job at a natural food store. Since then, i've lost 40 pounds, regained my health and i'm happy living! I recently completeed a 2 day juice fast, and in the past two weeks have been eating vegan. My body has never been happier!

[Anthony Caroto]

09:31 PM on 05/23/2012

Great movie... watched it on Hulu a couple of weeks ago. I've been juicing twice a day for a couple of months now and have lost 20+ lbs.

[Neil095]

07:21 PM on 05/23/2012

This was one of the most inspirational films I've ever seen. After watching it, I lost 20 lbs. It was easy, and I felt great! I still feel great and I still make at least one juice every day. I also exercise every day. Also you don't need a juicer. A blender works just as well, if not better. You can enjoy every part of the fruit or vegetable especially all the fiber if you use a blender. It's the easiest way to get more fruits and veggies in your diet!

My breakfast special:

1 organic apple
1 organic pear
1 bag of frozen organic berries of some sort
3 organic carrots
1 handful of organic spinach or 1 stalk of kale

Toss in the blender, then enjoy it! It's a lot and this tides me over for four hours till lunch.

[homer winslow]

10:59 AM on 05/24/2012

My wife and I have a blender smoothie every morning. Since the spinach has started growing like crazy we have been adding 10-15 leaves to each drink.

[Brian M Wamsley]

07:00 PM on 05/23/2012

Once you get passed the first few days, it gets easier. The foods you miss are all in your head

[Koolfish]

06:31 PM on 05/23/2012

An incredibly inspirational, yet non-preachy film. The world continues to be a better, healthier place because of this amazing film. Thank you Joe Cross!

[baronmerlot]

06:27 PM on 05/23/2012

I loved this film. As interesting as Joe Cross's story was, the film gets better when we meet Phil and see HIS story and transformation. Phil is closer to "everyman" than Joe is and more relatable.

I just saw it again (for the 3rd time) yesterday and am going to do my first juice cleanse starting tomorrow.

[Jessr3]

05:53 PM on 05/23/2012

I started cleansing a year ago and started with a ten day. Now I cleanse for five days every 3 months. I absolutely love it, feel the difference and have seen the difference in my body. I crave veggies and fruit so much now and if I stray even a little and make an unhealthy choice my body lets me know and I pay for it! Thanks, Joe for being so inspirational. My juicing tree is now up to 35 people I have personally inspired. Juice on!