Today is the final day of the two week transition period where my wife and I are gradually replacing all of our meals with Roboshakes. Tomorrow we'll start drinking them for all meals and stop eating traditional solid foods.
I haven't had enough free time to blog about the transition period on a daily basis, so here is a summary of what I've noticed so far:
Mild Detox / Withdrawal Effects
During the first phase of the transition period, when I was only drinking shakes for breakfast, I didn't notice any changes at all. This might be because I already drink protein shakes with fruits and leafy greens regularly (though not every day.) However, when I started also drinking shakes for lunch, I did start to notice some changes to my mood. I'd feel oscillating phases of crankiness, euphoria, calmness, restlessness, and even anger. Generally these waves of emotion didn't last more than a few minutes, so they were easy to deal with. After a few days the mood swings dissipated.
Increased Concentration
One very positive change that I've been noticing more and more every day is my increased ability to concentrate. The Internet has taken its toll on my attention span in the last decade or so, and I often find it hard to work long periods without having a strong urge to check news sites or Facebook. However, since starting Roboshake I've gradually been able to keep my focus going longer and longer without any desire for distractions. I honestly believe that the last two weeks has been one of the more productive spans of time I've had in the last few years.
Shopping in Bulk
One aspect of Roboshake that has required some adaptation is shopping for large amounts of raw ingredients in bulk. When I'm eating a normal diet, I might buy a container of raisins or peanuts, but I don't worry much about the specific amounts. Buying several kilograms of raisins or peanuts is a whole different story though. I have always taken a shopping list to the store, but with Roboshake I have to plan ahead much more and write down specific weights of ingredients ahead of time. Luckily, the Sprouts Farmers Market near my house sells everything I need in bulk, so I can buy exactly what I need.
Less Tired
For as long as I can remember, I've taken a nap after lunch. I get up fairly early, do the bulk of my work in the mornings, and usually work out, so I'm pretty drained by midday. Since switching to Roboshakes though, I've noticed that I'm not tired after drinking my lunch. In fact, I'm less sleepy in general. A few days ago I woke up at at 6:00am and went to sleep around midnight, without any naps in between. Normally, that would be impossible for me.
Vitamix
My longtime friend Abe was in town yesterday to visit his sister, and we decided to try making the Cantaloupe, Peanut, and Raisin Shake with her Vitamix blender. The results were fantastic! The shake is so much more smooth and drinkable than with my $30 Black & Decker. I'm still reluctant to shell out for the $400-$500 pricetag, but if I end up making it the full month and integrating the shakes into my everyday diet, I'll definitely consider at least getting a refurbished one.
Digestive Effects
Several of my more skeptical family members have asked if all the fruit I'm eating has caused digestive problems like diarrhea. Thankfully, the answer is no! I suspect that any potential problems would be caused by excess fiber, and Roboshake limits the total amount in each recipe. So thanks for everyone's concern, but everything is just fine in the bathroom :)
Ready to Go!
Tomorrow my wife and I will begin replacing 100% of our caloric intake with Roboshakes. I really don't know what to expect. I'm pretty strong-willed, but I've never tried an eating experiment of this duration. Especially not one that I designed myself. Time will tell if we can make it through the full month, but right now I'm feeling great and ready to go!
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