I woke panicking that I'd overslept.
It was 3am and three hours before my alarm was due to go off. I managed to get back to sleep, but there was no doubt that when the alarm went off the nervous anticipation would return. This was to be no ordinary day.
![](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5d01ed7f24000051178b20af.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
I'd made the decision a while ago, but today was the day I took action.
The nerves really kicked in when I sat down in the briefing. We were in a small room that reminded me of the mess rooms from my days working on building sites. It was basic, but functional. The biggest difference was a big TV that was showing a video of what I was about to experience. Seeing the man in the video hang his legs out of the plane it all suddenly became real.
![](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5d01ed7f2100009518ec4468.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
The thing is, this reminds me of my juicing journey.
I remember when I first made the decision to see a nutritionist back in 2009. I felt the same nervous anticipation sitting outside her home with my food diary. I was committed and on the edge of a major change in my life.
As I dropped out of the plane, at around 13,000 feet, the free-fall was rapid. For the first 30 seconds or so I was travelling through the sky at approximately 120 miles an hour, then as the parachute was deployed everything instantly slowed down. In fact, I actually went back up a little, before a controlled, slow decent.
![](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5d01ed80240000300f8b20b1.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
Rapid progress to begin with
Another similarity with my weight loss journey - rapid progress to begin with, and then things slowed down. Actually, after an initial big drop, my weight went back up. Then, as with the skydive, there was a slower, but controlled decent until I reached my target.
I had no idea how slow it would feel once the parachute was open. I felt like I would just hover in the sky forever. I was descending, but the progress was so slow it was hard to notice. It was so relaxing and peaceful though. I decided I was simply enjoy the view.
If you are on a journey to reclaim your health, then remember this: If you are making progress (no matter how slow it may seem) you will get there. Sure, you may get blown off course once in a while. Your weight may temporality go up on it's way down. Don't panic. This is a NORMAL part of the journey. My advice is simple - relax and enjoy the view.
![](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5d01ed802500006813e19ba1.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
Images courtesy of the author
Originally posted at naturaljuicejunkie.com