How long did Joe Cross fast?
Juice fasting has become an increasingly popular way to detoxify the body and promote weight loss. One of the most well-known proponents of juice fasting is Australian entrepreneur Joe Cross, who documented his own 60-day juice fast in the award-winning documentary “Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead.”
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Joe Cross’ fasting regimen to understand how long he fasted and what insights he gained from his experience.
Joe Cross’ 60-Day Juice Fast
In 2010, at age 40, Joe Cross weighed 310 pounds and suffered from an autoimmune disease called chronic urticaria. He decided to embark on a 60-day juice fast to regain his health.
Cross traveled across the United States, documenting his fast while meeting citizens suffering from diet-related diseases. He inspired many people he met along the way to join him in juice fasting.
By the end of his 60-day juice fast, Cross had lost 82 pounds and completely resolved his urticaria symptoms. The chart below summarizes his weight loss during the fast:
| Day | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 310 |
| 15 | 287 |
| 30 | 265 |
| 45 | 240 |
| 60 | 228 |
As you can see, Cross lost weight rapidly during the first 30 days of his fast, after which his weight loss tapered off. By day 60, he had reached his goal weight of 228 pounds.
What Joe Cross’s Fasting Regimen Looked Like
During his fast, Cross consumed only fresh fruit and vegetable juices that he prepared himself using a juicing machine. He completely abstained from solid food.
Cross usually consumed around six 16-ounce juices per day. He made sure to include a wide variety of produce in his juices for nutritional diversity. Some of his staple juicing ingredients included apples, celery, kale, spinach, carrots, beets, and ginger.
Here is an example of what a typical day of juice fasting looked like for Joe Cross:
| Time | Juice |
|---|---|
| 8 AM | Beet, Carrot, Apple |
| 10 AM | Spinach, Cucumber, Celery, Lemon |
| 12 PM | Kale, Cucumber, Apple, Ginger |
| 3 PM | Carrot, Orange, Turmeric |
| 6 PM | Tomato, Celery, Basil |
| 8 PM | Apple, Beet, Lemon |
Drinking six juices spaced evenly throughout the day kept his energy and nutrients levels steady.
Other Rules Joe Cross Followed
In addition to only drinking homemade juices, Cross set a few other important ground rules during his fast:
- He abstained from caffeine, alcohol, and other stimulants.
- He drank 8-10 glasses of filtered water per day in addition to juices.
- He got moderate exercise like walking every day.
- He avoided stressful situations and got adequate rest.
These additional guidelines helped support Cross’ body and mind during such a prolonged period of food abstinence.
Joe Cross’ Inspiration
Joe Cross drew inspiration for his 60-day juice fast from fellow juicing enthusiast Phil Staples. In 2004, Cross met Staples, who claimed he had cured his own autoimmune disease through prolonged juice fasting.
Intrigued, Cross began researching juice fasting and decided to try it for himself to cure his urticaria. He was astounded by the dramatic effects on his weight and health. This success inspired Cross to document his journey and share it with others.
Joe Cross’ Motivation
In interviews, Joe Cross has revealed his primary motivations for undergoing such an extreme regimen like a 60-day juice fast:
- Health: Cross wanted to find a natural cure for the crippling autoimmune illness he had suffered from for years.
- Weight loss: He hoped to get back down to his college weight of 228 pounds.
- Overall wellness: He aimed to detoxify his body, flood it with nutrients, and establish healthier habits.
The promise of renewed health gave Cross the discipline to stick to his juice fasting plan despite extreme hunger and cravings in the initial stages.
Benefits Joe Cross Experienced
In addition to complete remission of his urticaria symptoms and major weight loss, Cross experienced numerous other benefits from his 60-day juice fast, including:
- Resolved arthritis pain
- Disappearance of mold allergy
- Clearer skin
- Growth of healthy new hair and nails
- Reduced cholesterol
- Improved mental clarity and energy
- Feeling of inner calmness and self-control
By flooding his body with nutrients and removing inflammatory foods, Cross gave his body a chance to heal from years of dietary damage. He became convinced that food truly is medicine.
Joe Cross’ Inspiration to Others
Joe Cross went on to produce “Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead” to inspire others struggling with obesity and illness. The documentary was a surprise hit, grossing over $30 million worldwide.
Many viewers were motivated to try juicing or juice fasting themselves after seeing Cross’ incredible transformation. Even a short 3-day juice fast can provide cleansing and renewed vitality for some people.
However, attempting an extended fast like Joe Cross completed brings risks. Consult a doctor before fasting for longer than 24 hours.
Joe Cross Today
It’s been over a decade since Joe Cross completed his transformative 60-day juice fast in 2010. So how is Joe doing today in 2023?
By all accounts, Cross has maintained his major health improvements and kept off most of the weight he lost during his fast. He points to key lifestyle changes like eating more whole plant foods and exercising daily.
Cross continues sharing his juice fasting message through sequels to his original documentary, public speaking, and social media. He looks remarkably youthful and vibrant for his 50+ years.
While Cross admits he’s no longer as strict about juicing and fasting, he still incorporates both into his routine. He does occasional juice-only “reboots” when he feels his body needs cleansing.
Conclusion
Joe Cross’ 60-day juice fast was a dramatic demonstration of fasting’s potential to transform health. By consuming only fresh fruit and vegetable juices for two months, Cross lost 82 pounds, resolved multiple chronic diseases, and gained a new lease on life.
Over a decade later, Cross continues reaping the long-term benefits from the improved diet and lifestyle habits he established after his fast. While most people may not wish to undergo a fast as extreme as Cross’, his story provides inspiration to take small steps toward improved wellness.
