My one year 100% raw testamonial....

[chilove]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to share my one year story with you
guys. I am coming up on my one year anniversary of
eating 100% high fruit/low fat raw without any slip
ups! I was about 80% raw for a year prior to that.
I am so proud of myself. I would never have
imagined a few years ago that I could do something
like this. I am so glad that I got as sick as I did so
that I can have the opportunity to feel how we are
really meant to feel!

My body has healed from fibromyalgia (extreme pain), chronic fatigue, IBS, hormonal imbalances, PMS, chronic bladder infections, yeast infections, dandruff, a suspicious looking skin growth (cancer?), depression, panic attacks and probably a few more things that I am forgetting. I was really falling apart after 36 years of eating a junk food vegan version of the SAD.

The changes that I've noticed are: much more energy,
more motivatation and enthusiasm for life, much better
moods, a deeper sense of spirituality, a greater
appreciation for nature and colors, more sensitivity
to chemicals, a greater appreciation of simple
flavors, dandruff has gone away, painful swollen
breasts every month around my period have gone away,
excessive underarm persperation has gone away, bad
breath and body odor has gone away, I've lost 60lbs
efffortlessly, I have no more pain from fibromyalgia
(unless I eat something less than ideal--even if it's
raw--something dehydrated for example), clearer, more
vibrant skin and eyes, whiter teeth. I feel very
optimistic about my future and actually look forward
to every day, which is new to me! :-)


I have noticed that you must keep making improvements
to your diet if you want to keep feeling great, or at
least my body has demanded it. It only wants the
best!! This is hard to accept sometimes when I
occasionaly want to eat less than ideal food (a complicated, badly combined recipe for example), but it's not that hard when you work on the emotional issues that are driving you to eat.

I want to encourage everyone to do this!!! The rewards
are so great and I promise you that if I can do it,
anyone can. As a former compulsive eater and self
acknowleded junk food addict, I am living proof that
anyone can change if you are motivated enough!! :-)

I've posted a pic in the photo section if you want to see what one year 100% raw looks like on me. I'm 36 years old.

Best to all,

Audrey

[dreamrawalwz]

That's so great! Congradulations. I'm going to show this to my mom. She suffers from fibromyalgia also. Could you provide a link to your picture post? I can't seem to find it.

[T-Net]

Hi Audrey,
I am so happy for you. Considering this is my 2nd day raw, it is refreshing to see your post. I would love to know how you did it.
Keep us informed.
And again congrats.

T-Net

[mindelicious]

Great job!! You look wonderful! Your skin is so smooth!! You look younger than I do & I'm early twenties!!
Here is Audrey for those that can't find it:
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=269

[Crystal Rose]

Congratulations, Audrey!
What a wonderful testimonial!!!
You are an inspiration and are going to inpsire many people to pursue this lifestyle, and how exciting for you. Keep up the good "work."

I Bless the day I discovered this path as well.
Thanks for sharing. :)
Vicki

[yeahbethany]

Audrey is an inspiration to us all! =)

[birdgherl]

Congratulations and thank you for the inspiration! I noticed that the healing when going raw is progressive. I started on 4.25 and have been off and on but mostly raw since then. Yesterday I started my period and was completely shocked as I am usually very sick and emotional (an understatement!) during PMS. It's a miracle, And each day, I feel better and better.

[PDMagnusen]

Audrey, that is such good news! I'm so happy for you!! :D :D

[Pailani]

Congratulations!

With all the positive changes you've seen, what was the difference between 80% and 100%? Were there some things that didn't happen until you committed to 100%?

[chilove]

Hi Pailani,

Good question! Yes, definitely going 100% raw made a big difference and then switching to a very simple (no salt or spices, no dehydrated, low fat, high fruit) raw diet made a big difference.

On 80% raw I felt MUCH better but still had some stomach distress, mainly gas and bloating. I still had headaches and muscle and joint pain from the fibro, the intensity depended on much cooked I was eating. I still felt somewhat depressed and anxious. Oh, I totally forgot to mention that I used to have panic attacks, I dont have them at all any more, I'll edit my original post and add that in! I was still tired a lot.

On 100% raw eating a high fat gourmet type diet I felt a lot better again, but still had yeast problems, low energy, painful breasts and hormonal imbalances, and horrible cravings for cooked foods. When I drastically lowered my fat intake the yeast, energy and hormonal problems went away. When I cut out salt and spices I almost completely quit craving cooked food at all. WHAT A BLESSING!!! I've heard other people report this happening too.

I now eat mostly fruit and tender greens (just lettuces really) with the occasional avocado. I find that nuts and seeds make me feel very tired and are difficult to digest. I try to eat mostly mono meals.

I hope that sharing what has worked for me will be an inspiration to others, I know that when I first started eating raw testamonials were so inspirational to me, I loved them.

Take care,

Audrey

[Linda1970]

Wow, what an amazing story! THanks for sharing, Audrey. It's so inspiring! You look so amazing, as if you were in your early 20's. Beautiful skin!

[Rawkinlocs]

Congrats Audrey!

Wow...a beautiful testimony and what I love most is how you allowed yourself to naturally gravitate to your current diet going from 80% raw, to 100% raw w/raw gourmet to 100% raw high-fruit/low-fat. That is what is slowly/gradually happening to me...just letting it flow the way my body wants to! :) Don't know how long before I'm completely there because there are still many raw dishes I just LOOOOVE...but some day...

And for you to be a whole year at eating the more simple diet is excellent! I know you feel great! :D

[Pailani]

I sense that I may be heading that way, too. Thanks for posting your experience, it's very encouraging to read!

[Guydiane]

That is so awesome I am so glad for you! What a story keep up the great work.

[Finding Me]

Congrats!! That's so wonderful to hear! Thank you for sharing with all of us!! :D

[TP]

Congrats! You have such amazingly clear eyes and skin! what a testimony! Thanks for sharing.

[misslinda]

Chilove, YOU are phenomenal~! What inspiration you are to many of us........ :)

[madmel]

Chilove,

your story is a real inspiration, thank you for sharing!

All the best,
madmel

[rawpriestess]

CONGRATULATIONS, I can't wait to be able to say that,

YOU RAWK!!!

[Mical]

I loved this testamonial. You're right, we newbies thrive on this stuff. I'm about 2 weeks raw (from KFC binges to raw) and don't "know" a single raw person, so I sometimes doubt this will work (though mostly trusting that it will, because it makes sense!)

I've read that raw helps fybromyalgia, but have you heard of it helping with other joint pain? I've had multiple knee surgeries and now have hip bursitis and back pain that is not responding to stretching, exercise and chiropractors anymore.

I loved your photo also. You have amazing eyes (but they were probably amazing before going raw, huh?). You look peaceful. I'm greedy though. Any chances of a before shot?

[rawfigure]

Thanks so much for sharing & the encouraging post. It is so amazing ! And you look amazing too.

I have been thinking I need to do this type diet but I have procrastinated doing it, jumping in !

I have been "mostly" Raw for 9 months and have seen so many positive changes. But like you state before being 100 % fruit and low fat, I still have a few cravings and slip ups,( mostly crave sweet Chocolate and not carob or cacao beans raw recipes, the real stuff !) And still a few digestive issues (uh nuts here), so I have been thinking I need to go Fruit (tender greens) and lowfat. I am struggling to drop 5 measley pds and it is not going away on my Veggie, Fruit and Nut, seeds diet even running 20-25 miles a week for last 6 weeks.

I have been concerned about eating so much fruit, less veggies, and the low fat..so your Post motivated me. I am going to do it. Its TIME. THANKS !!

[Nenyath]

What an inspirational post, I am so happy for you! It's good to know that I can do it too then! I'll take you word for it, that if you can, everyone can.. It is always nice to find encouragement like this though!

All the best for each new exciting day!

Fly forever free..

[gatorgrrl]

Many congrats!

I have heard of doing low fat on Raw, but why do you feel this was needed and do you do different to consider yourself as doing a lowfat raw diet?

I am just curious.

I eat a single avocado a day and I may or may not have a few nuts or seeds everyday. I have 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil every other day. Am I lowfat or high fat.

[chilove]

Hi guys,

THANKS SO MUCH for all the compliments and congratulations! It means a lot to me!

I'm rushing off to work so I will try to quickly answer all the questions that I recieved, sorry I don't remember all your names.

Yes, I think raw will help all kinds of joint pain, any pain or disease at all is just toxicity, in my opinion, and when you get of your bodys way and give it the natural conditions it needs (whole fresh fruits and tender greens, some nuts and seeds, plenty of rest, sunshine, joyful movement, etc) it will heal all conditions to the best of its ability.

I'll look for a before pic, but honestly I wasn't feeling that good about myself and didn't let many pics be taken and didn't really want to keep any that were. I have one pic but it needs to be scanned and I don't have a scanner, but I've been meaning to do so I can submit my story to Living Nutrition magazines and maybe a few raw websites so I can inspire people.

My eyes were very pretty when I was younger but got very dull in my late twenties and early thirties. The green color got very dull and washed out and the "whites" of my eyes were a really unhealthy looking greyish/yellow color due to years of smoking, junk food and diet coke I'm sure. Now they are back to their original color and somewhat "sparklier" (as someone put it) and I'm getting tons of compliments on them again! That makes me so happy! :-)

I don't want to start a low fat vs high fat discussion here, we've had plenty of them here and they can get pretty contentious. :-) I support everyone in finding and staying on whatever program works for them. If anyone wants to email me privately I'd be happy to share my thoughts on what I think is our natural diet and the healthiest way to be raw though. My email is chilove88@hotmail.com. Actually anyone can email me about anything they want.

Hopefully I will inspire some people to keep on trying and not give up!!! I really mean it, If I can do this, ANYONE can!!! :-) I hate to hear about and think about people suffering so needlessly. We can be perfectly healthy and happy!! It is our natural state. All we have to do is take care of our bodies properly.

Take care,

Audrey

[Shan]

What an inspiration!!!... especially to those of us who are just starting out and wonder if we'll ever get to a YEAR. FANTASTIC!!!!

[Rainbow]

Thanks for sharing your experience on raw! Very encouraging..
I have commited to go for 100% raw and I surely know this is the best path to go!!
May I contact you through email?
With highest blessing and wish you enjoy all your wonderful journey on raw.

[chilove]

Hi there,

Thanks! Yes, you can. Email me at chilove88@hotmail.com :-)

Audrey