Hi from Western Kentucky

[Panga]

Hi all! I'm DJ, and I've been lurking and eating 50-75% raw for a few weeks now. I've been vegan since August of 2004. I'm having my first full raw day today-I've been so ready for this. Resistance from DH and cleansing have held me back. Not any more! Although heading into the weekend could be dicey ;-). Now I'll give my stats. I started at 336 pounds, and today I'm at 267.8. I've been stuck at 270 since November, so it's ironic that today I broke it. I'm trying a lot of monoeating because I need to shift my focus from cooking and food. My goal is 150. I'm an even 6 feet tall, so I think that's going to be fine. I've weighed 129 before, and that was too thin. I'd like to hit goal by this time next year. 120 pounds more. *takes deep breath* Anyway, thanks for your inspiration!

[yumyum]

Welcome to the forum, and it's great you are posting and taking part. The first day of 100 raw is always special. I remember wondering if I could do it, and if I would feel different or cave into cravings.

I can understand about trying to eat simpler, to avoid having to worry about raw "cooking". Worrying and having to try new stuff all the time, can wear on you. It did on me.

You can and will loose that weight, I'm sure of it. Once the health improves, it's more a question of "when", in my opinion.

All the best :)

[Panga]

Nice to hear from Scandinavia. My beloved sister lives just outside of Oslo, and one of the reasons I want to lose weight is to go see her again. It was so beautiful in Norway!

[yumyum]

Norway does look beautiful. I've never been there, though. I'm from Denmark.

I'm sure you can go to Norway and feel healthier as well as slimmer, once the raw food lifestyle gets to work it's wonders.

All the best. :)

[JinxieKat]

Hi fellow Kentuckian!!! *jumps up and down waving madly* Wow, another Kentucky person on here. That makes three of us that I know of. I work in Loonyville but live in Bardstown. I have friends out in Adair county, but that's about as far west as I know.

You have come so far and I know you can keep going. I do not in any way want to discourage you, I only wish to suggest that you may want to switch your focus from pounds lost to something else. Perhaps a benchmark activity, or a change in health, or even so many inches lost. The scale, as I'm sure you know, is such a fickle creature. I'm only 5'7" and I think that 150 would be an ideal weight for me. However I've never been slim, so to put a number on it is so random and, for me, defeating. I like to see the numbers go down on the scale, but when I start getting compliments about how my face looks thinner... Now that is success! But, you do know what is best for you so if numbers is your game, go for it!

But, Welcome!

Jinx

[fiddler]

Wishing you the very best in your journey into Raw!

If you just forget about the "weight" issue your body should start to heal and adjust to the proper weight. Focus on learning some "simple" healthy raw recipes early on so that you have some success. And, commit to eating raw fruits and vegetables (w/ some nuts and seeds sprinkled in there:-).

Anyway, that's what Alissa and most folks on this board recommend.

Sending you a great big Kentucky hello from Florence...

cheers,
Gil

[Panga]

I put my stats out there as quick snapshot introduction-those are stripes I've earned, and I wear them proudly. However, I've been cleansing and healing for 15 months now. Liver flushes, fasts, 100% vegan diet-I'm committed to health. I've got chronic knee problems that are driving me to lose the extra weight that I carry. I've already gained tremendous good health from my transition time. The biggies were leaving behing hypoglycemia, hormonal problems, high blood pressure, gall bladder and liver problems. I'm not going raw to lose the weight-I'm going raw because it's a natural transition to better health. Glad to be here, and I'm so glad that you are all focused on great health and support. I'm blessed to be corresponding with you.

Hi Y'all to my fellow Kentuckians!

[yumyum]

Oh, I see. I got it wrong with the weightloss then. So many people, including me, tend to think about that a lot. Sorry.

Fifteen months is a long time and it means you've been working on getting better health, for longer than me. :) You've already come a long way. I have gall bladder and liver issues too. I'm totally dark under my eyes, and I think that's why. I hope to make it clear up by healthy eating and positive thinking. (knock on wood.)

All the best :)

[Panga]

I only put the weight loss stats out, so you were very right to think that's where my focus is.

I'm happy to share my story, mistakes and all, and hope that we can help each other to great health and vitality!

[yumyum]

Thank you. :) I noticed you mentioned Hypoglycemia. I have realized that I tend to get a "sugar overdose" after having eaten fruit all morning and at lunch. Then I go round desperatly looking for something heavy to eat to feel okay again.

Can you suggest any good websites on the Glycemic Index or the whole sugar/greens balance? It would be great if you knew any like that.

All the best. :)

[Panga]

I have been aided greatly by a pH chart at http://www.trans4mind.com/nutrition/pH.html
That way, I never worry about the GI of foods, though before it was a bit of an obsession. If you eat 80% alkaline or above, it improves hypoglycemia immediately, though there is usually a healing crisis somewhere in there. As a disclaimer, I only use the chart on the website because I find it helpful, I don't know anything about the rest of the site. I also could not have come this far without Dr. Joel Fuhrman's insight. His book Eat To Live and his website www.diseaseproof.com are great resources. Let me know what you think of them!

[Panga]

I have realized that I tend to get a "sugar overdose" after having eaten fruit all morning and at lunch.

I don't eat fruit for lunch. I eat a large salad with marinated vegetables most days, but I think I'll start taking raw lasagna and siimilar items for lunches. I get people coming up to my desk every day to find out what I'm eating. (So much for monoeating ;-)

[LisaDS88]

Wow, there are more Kentuckians here than I thought. I'm in Louisville, KY.

[yumyum]

I read the PH balance page and the part about the blood was something I had not thought of. I think it is a good page. Thank you for the link.

On that page, they say that PH alkaline is most important, and then keeping a low GI is second most important, and getting Omega 3's etc is third. Together those should help us be healthy. I find the combination interesting and helpful. I know about the PH balance, but I haven't been implementing it, like I should. I will definatly try to live more by these principles, including the GI and Omega 3. There is so much to learn, and new raw food to try, that I've made many mistakes. I hope to get better at it now.

I should combine low fruit sugar intake with mostly alkaline foods, I think. At least for a while, until my sensitivity to fruit is no longer a problem.

I looked at Dr Furhmann's site and there are mainly comments from different people on health, and the debate pro/con the doctors book. I couldn't find any articles on GI right off bat. But thank you for the link. I may have searched the site wrong.

Thank you for taking time out to share the links. I appreciate it. This has helped me focus what I want to do, with my fructose problem. :)

(*lol* - on the mono eating - *chuckle*)

[JinxieKat]

We should get a potluck going guys, or does anyone know of anything going on in this area? I've poked around on the net without any luck finding anything so far. It could be alot of fun!

Jinx

[Panga]

raw potluck to me is in Carbondale, IL.