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fiddler
08-31-2006, 10:56 AM
Folks,

Today marks my 1 year anniversary of being RAW!

Here's a few lessons I've learned during this time:
- It takes time to get acclimated to eating RAW.
- There are many paths to transitioning to a simple RAW diet.
- A simple low-fat raw vegan diet works best for me.
- If you can't make a meal of it, it probably isn't healthy for you
- Emotions play a huge part in sticking with RAW. Get a grip on your emotions and you'll increase your chances of success on RAW
- Other SAD eaters will tease/ridicule your diet; deep down they're probably just a bit jealous though of your success. Most folks will agree that fruits and vegetables are healthy yet they're completely boggled by the fact that someone could eat them exclusively.
- No other eating program even comes close to eating low-fat raw!
- Health problems can be reversed (for me it was gout, high-cholesterol)
- Each time you slip, you feel worse and worse and the slips become fewer and farther apart until you no longer desire the foods that caused the pain.
- Be careful with whom you share your RAW passion. Most people don't want to hear about it.
- Be careful watching TV. The majority of my slips came while I ate in front of the TV.
- Always eat when you're relaxed and emotionally stable. Don't ever eat if you're upset. And, try not to get upset. Always strive to have clear, positive thoughts.
- Set goals and write them down! Just the simple act of proper goal setting can accomplish so much. If you don't know how, get a book from the library.
- Don't just try to eat RAW. Choose the HEALTHIEST foods possible. For example, whole, fresh, ripe, raw, organic foods.
- Most RAW fooders eat too much fat and too many spices/stimulants. Try to wean off of these foods at your earliest convenience.
- Read/listen to many RAW food experts as often as possible to feed your mind. There are so many negative influences in our SAD world that we have to offset them with the TRUE knowledge that RAW low-fat vegan is best for us.
- Exercise daily. Stretch, lift weights, do cardio
- Be confident but humble.
- Smile and laugh often.
- Give love to everyone you know and meet.
- Pray/Meditate
- Rejoice in what life has to offer.

Anyway, hope some of the above tips help.

Looking back, I'm so glad I'm travelling the RAW journey and know in my heart that this path will continue to serve me well. There's no going back to any other eating habits because low-fat raw just feels so much better!

Thanks to many of you who have helped me along this path.

Wishing you well on your RAW journeys!

Cheers,
Fiddler

sport
08-31-2006, 11:02 AM
Well said and congrats on your year. I hope that all your years will be as fruitfull.

Linda1970
08-31-2006, 11:08 AM
Thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts. They are very useful, especially to newbies like me. I reallly really appreciate them.

Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary. It's a great accomplishment. :)

Graciebeliever
08-31-2006, 11:12 AM
So much gratz on your first year :)

You have gathered a lot of ideas and wisdom and I appreciate you passing it on.

I am finding some of your advice already being needed and happening to me.

I am 77 Days Raw today and I am looking forward to my first year :)

Thanks for your sharing!!

Sharon in Colorado
08-31-2006, 11:40 AM
Excellent, Fiddler! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and discoveries from your journey. I can see your strength and determination, and you have much wisdom to share.

And...STOP LEAVING! We like you here!

:)

Bingka
08-31-2006, 11:50 AM
Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. I am around day 15 and have already had slips. Although none in 8 days. I am going to make it 100% for all of September. I am luck that my Fiance' Nova is doing most of it with me.

Thanks for sharing

Ken

Denise Nicole
08-31-2006, 12:03 PM
Well written, thanks for sharing! I begin tomorrow on my 100% raw path, the next road in my journey to be the most perfect me I can be, as god intended. These tips will be helpful.

Congratualtions on your 1 year anniversary! I hope to be announcing mine this time in 2007. :)

TP
08-31-2006, 12:24 PM
congrats and thanks for sharing.. i am learning the lesson right now of too much fat.. at first i could eat as much as i wanted and was losing weight and feeling great.. in the last couple months i started eating more nuts and avocados out of convenience and craving and found that i gained weight and had less energy.. i am still eating them but have been trying to be more measured and things are turning back around..

Lay-Lay
08-31-2006, 02:16 PM
Amazing! Congrats on your 1 year anniversary!

daisyduke
08-31-2006, 02:23 PM
Congratulations rawfiddler! Way to go!

fiddler
08-31-2006, 03:40 PM
Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. I am around day 15 and have already had slips. Although none in 8 days. I am going to make it 100% for all of September. I am luck that my Fiance' Nova is doing most of it with me.Thanks everyone for the 'grats.

Bingka, I have this feeling that if you eat RAW for one to two months you'll see amazing results. As much as possible, eat as many whole, fresh, ripe, raw, organic fruits. The simpler you keep it, the easier it is in so many ways. Be sure to exercise each day too. That should help drive you to your goals. And, be sure to get plenty of food(i.e. calories) so that the cravings don't kick up as much. For me, bananas do the trick. Whenever I feel a bad craving its probably because I hadn't eaten that much. So, when this happens I grab about 7-8 bananas and quickly blend 'em into a smoothie. That usually does the trick for me.

Sharon, I like it here too. Its just sometimes I get busy or need a break from the forums. I'll try to visit more often :)

Seasiren, you're beautiful! Go for it!

Daisyduke, Lay-Lay, TP, Gracie, Linda1970, Sport -- thanks for the 'grats!

Rawkinlocs
08-31-2006, 03:43 PM
Congrats on your 1-year Gil!!!

That's great and yes, you have "graduated"...I remember when you first started posting here and used to be interested in the recipes and then one day you were advocating more simple eating. That's so interesting how we make those transitions...sometimes without even realizing it! :)

Lay-Lay
08-31-2006, 03:45 PM
Gil, do you have a before and after photo posted somewhere?

my_sunshine
08-31-2006, 03:45 PM
Congrats!!!! :)

fiddler
08-31-2006, 03:52 PM
Gil, do you have a before and after photo posted somewhere?
I don't have a current photo. There's a before/after photo dated March 2006 on my website (in my signature) here -->
http://www.rawfiddler.com/ (http://www.rawfiddler.com/?page_id=5)

That is, if you click the link or go to my site under My RAW Story (before/after) you'll see the picture. Not nearly as exciting as some of the other before/afters on this site :)

The pictures don't really show how much better I feel though. But, you can get an idea. I'm still a work-in-progress and will continue in this regard for the long haul.

Cheers,
Fiddler

Lay-Lay
08-31-2006, 03:55 PM
Oh thanks, I guess that would have been the smart place to have looked before I posted. I will check it out, thanks!

rawfigure
08-31-2006, 03:56 PM
very well written. Congrats on a YEAR RAW that Rawks ! :D

misslinda
08-31-2006, 03:59 PM
You're the BEST Fiddle! I'm so glad that we have someone to learn from and find inspiration!

CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL YOUR RAW ENDEAVORS.............* Cheers * to all those better health changes.


*bows down*

:)

smasty
08-31-2006, 04:04 PM
Great post!

fiddler
08-31-2006, 04:18 PM
Congrats on your 1-year Gil!!!

That's great and yes, you have "graduated"...I remember when you first started posting here and used to be interested in the recipes and then one day you were advocating more simple eating. That's so interesting how we make those transitions...sometimes without even realizing it! :)Thanks Rawkinlocs! You're so right. I believe some videos/audios from Doug Graham really influenced me to the simpler approach. Then, other sources I investigated also pointed to a simpler approach, including Alissa in her book via some of the testimonies. Besides, I just got plum tired of having to spend all that time preparing and cleaning just to make a meal. Also, through experience I just found that simple foods worked for me. I'm sure we've all experienced this same kind of thing. For example, eating dehydrated foods make us thirsty? Eating recipes with salt makes us thirsty? Eating poorly combined foods makes our stomachs ache or gives us gas? Eating lots of nuts makes us thirsty and lethargic? Yadda Yadda Yadda...

Cheers and Rawk on,
Fiddler

DavidZaneMason
08-31-2006, 04:59 PM
Excellent posts & sharing Fiddler! I certainly agree with every darn one!

-David Mason

Nini
08-31-2006, 05:21 PM
Congratulations, rawfiddler!

shakti17
08-31-2006, 05:22 PM
yay! congrats and thanks for sharing. you are an inspiration!

Crystal Rose
09-01-2006, 01:39 PM
That was beautiful, Fiddler -- THANK YOU.
And Congratulations on your one-year anniversary.

:) :) :)

Crystal Rose

Raw Jewelrylady
09-01-2006, 08:16 PM
Megga Congrats on the one year mark of your Raw journey. Thanks for sharing all the great advise. :)

Lana

spicyfull
09-01-2006, 10:54 PM
You have done an Amazing thing and I Congratulate you for it. I know that this Anniversary is just the first of many.

I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW.............

fiddler
09-02-2006, 12:08 PM
Thanks everyone for the support!

August 31st will always be a special day for me from now on -- my RAW birthday if you will :)

Cheers to all!
Fiddler

cayako
09-02-2006, 12:37 PM
thanks for the reflections! i can really start to understand this way of life as it's reinforced by other's experiences.