Joe Cross is an Australian entrepreneur, author, and filmmaker who is best known for his documentary Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. This 2010 film chronicles Joe’s personal 60-day juice fast and journey across America while speaking to people about their relationship with food. The film was very popular, bringing vegetable juicing into the mainstream and inspiring countless people to improve their health through juicing and diet changes.
Joe Cross’ 60-Day Juice Fast
At the start of his juice fast in May 2005, Joe Cross weighed 310 pounds and was suffering from an autoimmune disease. His goal was to regain his health through consuming nothing but freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices for 60 days. He traveled across America, talking to people he met along the way and spreading his message about the benefits of juicing.
During the 60 days, Joe juiced a wide variety of fruits and vegetables including apples, carrots, kale, spinach, celery, beets, and many more. He consumed around 5-7 pounds of produce each day, turning it into 2-3 quarts of juice. He abstained from solid foods and also gave up coffee and alcohol.
By the end of the 60 days, Joe had lost an incredible 82 pounds, dropping from 310 pounds down to 228 pounds. He provided daily weigh-ins on his blog to document his dramatic weight loss. Joe looked and felt like a new man, regaining his health and vitality through simple, raw fruits and vegetables.
Joe’s Weight Loss Results
Here is a summary of Joe Cross’ weight loss results during his 60-day juice fast:
| Day | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 310 |
| 15 | 295 |
| 30 | 275 |
| 45 | 252 |
| 60 | 228 |
As you can see from the table, Joe lost weight rapidly during the first 30 days, shedding 35 pounds to weigh in at 275 pounds on day 30. He continued losing steadily through day 60, when he reached his low weight of 228 pounds.
So in summary, Joe Cross lost 82 pounds in 60 days. Specifically looking at the first 30 days, he lost 35 pounds, going from 310 pounds down to 275 pounds.
Factors Behind Joe’s Rapid Weight Loss
There are several key factors that enabled Joe to lose weight so quickly during his juice fast:
- Low calorie intake – By only consuming juice made from produce, Joe’s daily calorie intake was very low, likely around 1,000 calories per day versus the 2,500+ he was used to.
- Nutrient density – The cold-pressed juices provided a dense influx of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and other nutrients to support his body.
- Low fat – With no animal products or oils, his diet was extremely low in fat during the fast.
- High volume – Drinking large volumes of vegetable juice provided satiation without high calories.
- Sugar balancing – Alternating low and higher glycemic index juices stabilized blood sugar.
- Alkalization – The vegetable-heavy juices alkalized his body’s pH level.
Together, these factors enabled Joe’s body to efficiently burn through excess fat for energy while being nourished by the juices. However, it’s important to note that this dramatic weight loss is not typical or recommended for most people without medical supervision.
Joe’s Diet After the Fast
Once Joe completed his 60-day juice fast, he transitioned back to eating solid foods again. However, his diet going forward looked quite different from his old unhealthy eating patterns. Here is a summary of Joe’s post-fast dietary changes:
- Continued daily juicing as part of a balanced diet
- Emphasized vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins
- Avoided processed foods, salt, oil, and sugar
- Drank mainly water and herbal tea instead of soda/coffee
- Practiced mindful eating by chewing food thoroughly and stopping when full
By sticking to this healthy regimen, Joe successfully kept the vast majority of the weight off. When he filmed his sequel movie Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead 2 in 2014, he had only gained back around 30 pounds from his lowest juice fast weight.
Joe’s Inspiring Journey
Joe Cross’ dramatic transformation through juicing demonstrates the power of whole, plant-based foods to restore health and vitality. While not everyone will experience the same rapid weight loss Joe did, his story serves as inspiration for many people seeking better health.
Here are some of the key lessons from Joe’s journey:
- Chronic diseases can often be managed and even reversed through diet and lifestyle changes
- Rebooting your system with a juice cleanse can provide renewed energy and clarity
- Making different food choices and developing new habits is challenging but worthwhile
- Community support makes a huge impact on staying motivated and committed
- Small steps add up over time – focus on progress rather than perfection
Joe Cross continues to be a passionate advocate for the benefits of juicing and plant-based nutrition. Through his films, books, and speaking engagements, he has inspired millions around the world to take control of their health. His story serves as a powerful reminder that, with motivation and persistence, we can all achieve transformative results.
