Before and After...One Year Raw

[sigtau66]

Well, since today marks the 1 year anniversary in which I went raw I thought I'd post 2 pictures of before and after and talk a little about what changes I've seen. I'll start off by saying that I haven't been 100% raw since about March or so, but I'm really close. The non-raw stuff I eat (only occasionally, not as part of my normal diet) is mostly whole and organic, so not bad.

Before:

http://home.revealed.net/rhuarc/fat_me.jpg

I weighed 281 pounds on Jan. 1st, 2005.
I couldn't run a block without being out of breathe.
I couldn't walk more than 20 minutes without having pains in my ankles.
I ate almost exclusively processed foods, refined sugars, and other junk.
I didn't have anything medically wrong with me, but I was obviously headed for it.

After:

http://home.revealed.net/rhuarc/skinny_me.jpg

I weigh 188 pounds.
I now run anywhere from 2-3.5 miles 3-5 times a week. I completed a 5 mile run on Thanksgiving Day. I haven't been running the whole time. I ran for a month or 2 in the Spring, stopped in Summer, and started again in October when it got cool again.
I can do all of that without any of the previous pains I had when I would walk.
I eat almost exclusively whole, organic, raw foods.
I've had to re-outfit my work clothing twice because of weight loss. I'm getting close to a 3rd re-outfit.
Just a general feeling of well-being. Friends have commented that my attitude has changed over the last year.

In closing, I just want to thank everybody who has posted positive comments in the last year that encourages people to stick with this lifestyle. I do believe this is the best way to live your life and I try to promote that to anybody that asks me about it. For anybody that is questioning their resolve, just take it one day at a time. You don't change over night. Even after a year, I still have quite a ways to go in regards to living this lifestyle the way I want. I still struggle occasionally, but I don't let it stop me. It's just a road bump in my travels that I quickly go over.

[Rawkinlocs]

OH


MY


GOSH!

Look at you!! You look great and what a difference in a year! That is so great...ALL of your successes and accomplishments...very inspiring.

Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work!

(and might I add, you're quite a handsome guy (in both pics) - I'm not flirting...just making an observation! :)

[moonstar]

You look fabulous!

In your before picture, you look like nice, funny, and caring person. In the after photo, you look like all of these things with additional glow and vibrant energy! :)

[misslinda]

OH


MY


GOSH!

Look at you!! You look great and what a difference in a year! That is so great...ALL of your successes and accomplishments...very inspiring.

Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work!

(and might I add, you're quite a handsome guy (in both pics) - I'm not flirting...just making an observation! :)


OH

MY

GOSH

TOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rawkinlocs said it all :) ;)

[misslinda]

* Whistles *

Congrats Sigtau66.....would love to hear how your life has changed!!!! YOU JUST MADE RAW 2007 MEMORABLE. :)

[girlsmiley]

I 3rd that!

[tinystrawberry]

WOW those are the most inspiring raw pictures i've seen so far!

!!!!!!

[Indi]

:) :) :) :) :)

WOW!

You look amazing!!!!!!!
Im so pleased for you .....
Thanks for sharing

Inspirational!!

[trinity082482]

*Jaw drops*

:eek:

**Blinks**


**Blinks Again**


Where did you go?? :D
:eek: :eek:

[mongomango]

Wow! Congratulations on effecting such a healthful change for yourself. It's very inspiring for folks to see what a difference that can be made in a life, and we all appreciate your sharing of yourself in this manner.

WAY TO GO!

[everclear]

OH


MY


GOSH!

Look at you!! You look great and what a difference in a year! That is so great...ALL of your successes and accomplishments...very inspiring.

Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work!

(and might I add, you're quite a handsome guy (in both pics) - I'm not flirting...just making an observation! :)

I have to ditto Rawkinlocs! Wow!

[adrienne]

Thank you for posting.
What an amazing accomplishment.
You must feel so proud! I'm proud of you!!!
Your words and journey are very inspiring.
Have another wonderful healthy year!

[salsababy]

Wow! What a difference!!!

I agree with what R. said although I might add that I thought you were good looking in both photos (not fliritng, just a personal observation peoples). But your second photo is awesome, I am showing this to my brother to inspire him.

BTW- My 2 cats have those same antler ears!! Although yours looked happier to wear them then mine. :p

[PeachyMama]

WOW!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! A newbie like me needs some inspiration every now and then, and you are indeed an inspiration!

Congratulations on all of your changes!

[raw-siobhan]

To quote my favorite dead person: "HOLY CRAP!!!"

You have changed so much! Thank you so much for the inspiration!

BTW, your cat has changed a smidge, too!

[lodestar]

ok, i was just scrolling down and when I saw your before and after photo I actually said out loud...

oh,

my

heck!

that's before i even had a chance to read posts from all of the friends!

i have been following your journal so i was aware of the progress you have been making, but the photo is amazing.

and, it's true, you are a handsome fellow!

thank you for being a raw inspiration for all of us.

[Bethanie]

WOW A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU LOOK GREAT.
THANK YOU FOR INSPIRING US ALL.
Sometimes we forget that there are great benefits to be had and seen as your picture shows when you eat more raw than cooked.
Thank you again.
B.

[Bridle]

Looks like you now look like the person your dog believes you to be - FABULOUS

[JennaBoBenna]

Amazing!!! How awesome :) :D

[PDMagnusen]

Wow, what an accomplishment! Good for you! You look amazing!

[luna99]

thank you so much for posting these photos... today is my first day raw and it's a complete inspiration for me to see them! what a difference! I'll admit that a little part of me is skeptical as to whether I will experience all these great benefits from the raw lifestyle.. but your post makes me a believer!

[Naiad]

WOOHOO! Congrats!!!

When I see before and after pics like these, especially when done via a change to healthy organic and raw foods, it's like seeing a person's true identity that has emerged from a prison of processed foods.

You look lighter AND enlightened in the second photo!!! :D

[chilove]

WOW!!! You look awesome!!! Congratulations!!!! Way to go!!! You should be very proud of yourself. :-)

Happy New Year!

Audrey

[heatherjoy]

that's awesome!

what an inspriation you are.

i am sitting here tonight craving junk foods, just praying that i fall asleep without binging (today is my third day binge-free - a huge accomplishment for me), so it was good to read your story.

best of everything in the year to come,
heatherjoy

[FirstGarden]

Hi

Great post. Would you care to share what you were eating, i.e. what foods would you typically eat day to day, including approx what percentage of high concentrates (low water content foods) like nuts, seeds and dried fruits? That would be interesting to know.

[rawwannabe]

Apparently, a picture is worth MORE than a thousand words!

You should be quite proud of your accomplishment.

[GoingtoRAW]

OH MY SIGTAU66...you look young in the before pic but you look about 20 yrs. younger in the after. What an inspiration you are. Congratulations! I just started the one year challenge today and I was just sitting here munching on some nuts and drinking a green drink and unfortunately thinking about how good something warm would taste. As soon as I saw your pic all thoughts of warm food went away. THANK YOU. Keep up the great work! :D :D ;) :rolleyes: :p

p.s. I would also like to know what other changes other than physical changes you have noticed.

[Conscious Midwife]

:cool: :D CONGRATS :D :cool:

[maraw]

Wow!

Wow!

WOW!

I had to keep scrolling back and forth. It's like you're a whole new person! How encouraging and inspiring. Thank you SO much for sharing your pictures and your story. You are a very handsome and radiant picture of health!

[maryonherway]

OMG!! It really is hard to believe it's the same person in both pictures! I'm so impressed and inspired - I know someday I'll have before & afters worth sharing and in the interim I'll have you and the others on this board to keep me going. Thanks for sharing your story!

[berrymarymac]

You Look Amazing!!!!!!!

[sigtau66]

Wow. Thanks for all the positive replies. Wasn't expecting quite the response I've gotten. :) Thank you all.

What other changes I've noticed? I eat less, but am never hungry like I used to think I was on bad food. More energy. I'm tired less, even when I don't get enough sleep. My outlook on life has changed somewhat. Other than that, I honestly don't know. I just feel better about myself and life in general. :D

As for stuff I ate, just read through my journal. I kept pretty good track for about 4-5 months of what I ate. ;) I wouldn't say it was ideal, but it got the job done and may help some of you just starting out.

Once again, thank you all!

[Sharon in Colorado]

Fantastic! Good job! Congratulations! :)

[moonstone523]

http://home.revealed.net/rhuarc/skinny_me.jpg



WOW WOW WOW.

You are hot to trot now!!! Look at that jaw. That was the first thing I noticed. It was hidden in the before photo, and lookey now! You are stunning.

I bet you feel like a new you!!! CONGRATS.

WOW WOW WOW.

[Autumn]

What an incredible transformation!!! Congratulations!!! :D

[Shmoopie]

You look awesome!

It's great to see a man's before and after photos. We usually see the women - who all look absolutely beautiful - but these pictures sure could serve to inspire the men out there who might need it.

Thanks for sharing! and keep it up! Congratulations!

[Alba]

Whoooooooooooot!
Congrats !!!!
The girls must be all over you (or guys - who am I to judge?) :)
Anyway, you look wonderful - no wait - you look HOT!
Love alba

[Angelic Light]

WOW that is amazing! You look great!

[Nenyath]

Wow, what a butterfly! Your's is one of the most dramatic transformations I have yet seen! For a moment there I even wondered if it was not a picture of two different persons :p Thank you for sharing this and inspiring us so!

Fly forever free..

[Ariannah]

WOW
Very inspiring!!

[Moonstone]

I love seeing before and after pictures, thank you for sharing. I am so glad you were successful in what you wished to do.

[dewraw]

I know you keep hearing this, but my mouth is literally open and you look great, you look like a different person. Your skin is glowing. You are really an inspiration, I've been intimidated by trying to go thru with this, but i'm going to put 100% effort into it.

[cheri]

What an inspiration. Thanks for sharing the photos. You look incredible!!!!!

[greenfeline]

Congratulations! You sound and look like you are doing so great!!

[Vann167]

I'm in awe. Thank you so much for sharing because seeing others' accomplishments really inspires me to stick with it. It definitely helps people still going through detox!!

[vgloveforlife]

What an incredible transformation!!

[lil fairy z girl]

wow, brilliant. what an inspiration :)

best wishes
sal
~*~*~*~*

[Ireland]

Hey, you could be the new poster "child" for raw!

What an incredible accomplishment and I'm sure you're proud of yourself!

Thanks so much for sharing your success. :)

[konmai]

SO HANDSOME!!! Are you single??? :D

[finallyfree]

:) Thank you for sharing this with all of us - you look AMAZING!! I am still struggling to get raw, so pictures and stories like this are such an inspiration. I think men sometimes think this eating lifestyle is more for women and that they could never live this way - well you have blown that idea right out of the water!!!

Good for you...keep up the good work!!!

We are all so proud of you...make sure you do something really special to reward yourself for making such huge changes.

Finallyfree.

[Light of an Angel]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey!

You look fabulous!

Oh and that is so cool about you running! Congrats on completing the 5 mile run!

Such an inspiration you are!

[rawrobert]

I am often reading posting of ladies - having been raised by only women it is no surprise they are more enlightened gentle creatures. I will admit I was happy to see a posting from a "dude" or man - handsome one to boot. Thanks for the inspiration.

I just started raw not too long ago and have been nervous I would not see the changes. I am only about 15 pounds overweight but still feel tired, lathargic, and negative about my body. I am happy to see another man out there actively takes this on - it seems amazing.

I'd love to know what you ate daily - a sample day or two. I find myself attracted to more of the fatty foods: Olive oil, avocado, nut milks, and nut pastes more than just greens. I do eat two salads a day but also eat Lara bars once or twice a day.

If you are willing, I'd love to know the success.

Thanks,
Robert

[Petals]

What an accomplishment. You look like a completley different person, and I am sure you must feel like one too as you wrote about.

[faith4u]

Congratulations! You look fantastic. I'll bet you feel even better than you look.

So, do you think it is easier now than in the beginning? What are your long term raw goals?

Does your wife eat all raw too?

[sigtau66]

rawrobert: I still am drawn to the "high fat" raw foods like nuts and avocados. Nuts are still a HUGE part of my diet, which is something I do want to change. I've started working on that by eliminating the variety of nuts I eat until I'm now down to just almonds and brazil nuts. Both of which I'll probably always eat for different reasons, but I hope to diminish the quantity over time. Also, check out my journal. I kept good track of my daily food intake for the first 3-4 months.

As for knowing my "success," I'd say the biggest factor is having a supporting wife. She doesn't eat as high of a percentage (she's still 80%+ raw) of raw as I do, but the non-raw she eats is out of my sight. When we go grocery shopping it's only raw foods that are bought. She doesn't ask to go out to eat. She doesn't cook food at home. She assists in making dishes when we want to eat something complex. :) So, she really helps in maintaining this lifestyle.

The other big thing I think that helped me out is by not starting out by trying to eat raw dishes that mimic non-raw. A lot of people will say that you'll start out eating complex things but over time will morph into eating simple things. I started out eating simple things and have continued to this day. Sure, I fix some dishes sometimes, but the majority of my diet is fresh, whole fruit, blended salads, and raw nuts. For example, the local raw foods teacher had a holiday dinner a few weeks into December. She made (all of it mock) turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and veggie dip. She also had a veggie tray and salad w/raw dressing. When I went up for seconds, I just went for the veggies and the lettuce. Sure, the other stuff was good, but to me the fresh veggies and lettuce were the most appetizing food there.

I think a lot of people try to start out by mimicing now-raw dishes and get disappointed when their raw mimic dish doesn't taste, look, feel, and/or satisfy like the non-raw dish used to. I stayed away from that. :)

faith4u: I think it's much easier now. I'm not nearly as tempted as I was at the beginning. It's easy for me to look at cooked food that I used to eat and just laugh at what it would do to me long term. That's the biggest thing that helps me resist those foods now. I KNOW what they could do to me if I continued to eat them.

My long term goal is to maintain this lifestyle. I honestly didn't set out to lose weight. Weight loss was a result of trying to be healthier. I always joked that I'd be dead by the time I was 30 because of a heart attack. I decided it wasn't a funny joke the closer I got to 30. :) So, long term I just want to be as happy and healthy as possible while eating a diet of fresh, whole, organic, raw foods.

[Raine]

Congratulations! What inspired you to loose the weight?

[Mira Sheri]

That is nothing short of amazing! What a sense of accomplishment you must feel when your friends just pass you by in the street - surely if they haven't seen you for a while they won't recognise you!

I just went 100% on NYE, and during the time building up to this point and the few days since, just like you said, I prefer simple meals. My KitKat addiction (and I DO mean addiction) is gone, and I have had no cravings for any type of food. I eat as varied as I can, but apart from the smoothies and the evening salads, it's pretty much mono meals.

I live in England but am going home to Norway in mid July for my sister's wedding - how great would it be if all my friends and family didn't recognise me! :cool: So thanks for the post - it is SUCH an inspiration, and I will print out the photos and hang them on my wall (just hope the hubby won't mind ;) )!

[IamLoved]

Hey!

My grandma has that exact same bird clock!

Did you trade in your cat for a dog?


You look really great. It is so wonderful that your wife is so supportive of what you are doing. It really helps when you can do it together and you don't have to battle food craving sitting right in front of you.

Way to go on your success!

[faith4u]

You are doing a fantastic job and have a great attitude about it!

[veeg]

Your story is inspirational!!!

Great job!!!

[blueberrygirl]

BRAVO! :D

Keep going!

[sigtau66]

I think we got our bird clock from my wife's grandparents. Unfortunately it does not chirp anymore. :(

No I did not trade in my cat for my dog. :) I had other pictures with my dog from my "fat" picture, but you could see the floor in them and our house was in a transition from carpet being taken out to hardwood floor. So it looked real bad. Hence, why the "fat" cat picture is shown. :D We actually have 3 cats and 1 dog. :eek: It's a real zoo in our house.

[Nini]

Incredible.

Thank you so much for sharing your accomplishment!

Nini

[RowanC]

Hot TAMALES! You look GREAT!

I'd love to see more of these... how inspirational!
Good JOB!

[RawNut]

Super!! Like someone else said, you had a strong, square jaw under there and probably didn't even know it.

What an inspiration you are! How tall are you?

Craig

[jaurequi]

Congratulations. Good for you :) Your life has just been extended by about 20 years, and those years, healthful ones.

I also want to know what spurred your venture -- health? weightloss? ?

Best,

[JinxieKat]

Absolutely Amazing!

You are so inspirational, thank you for posting that!

Jinx

[sigtau66]

I'm somewhere between 6' and 6'1".

What spurred me was to eat in a more healthful way. I'd been reading for quite a while the dangers of consuming foods prevalent in the American diet. Things like processed foods, refined sugars, the bad fats, dairy products, the russian roulette risk of eating beef, etc. It all really started at a website run by a guy named the Health Ranger. The website is: http://www.newstarget.com

From there, I somehow discovered Alissa's website and the rest is history. As I mentioned in a previous post, the weight loss was an added bonus as it was not what I originally set out to do. It was a beneficial side effect of wanting to eat healthy. So I just made the decision a few days before Christmas that I would start on January first cold turkey. I couldn't wait that long so I started a few days early to make sure I could really do it and it seemed easy to me and I've been doing it ever since, though not at the level I want to be at some day.

[rawpriestess]

WOW, you look so great.


congratulations on your wonderful transformation!!!

[kmik]

Wonderful to see a guy posting this! Fantastic, inspirational, moving, thank you thank you thank you for sharing with us!

[BeautifulSurprise]

WOW! If that's not inspiration I don't know what is! You look great, and the improvements in your health, amazing!

[shiva777]

Thanks for sharing that. I'm at 2 months raw and your photos are very inspiring!!!

~shiva
---------------
Circle of Healers: http://circleofhealers.com

[Bobbie]

WOAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

That is amazing! I wouldn't recognise you. I'd never know that was the same person. In the before picture you look like "the sort" of guy to have a rottweiler, drink lager and go to the football. In the after picture you look more like a gentleman with a great dane who speaks German and listens to opera music. Ridiculous how we judge people by their appearance, I feel ashamed!


You did actually look healthy in the first pic - your skin is so clear, and I agree you looked like a nice caring person. In the second picture you look peaceful, there's a sort of centredness and calm about you. You've got a knowing look in your eyes.

I couldn't get the pictures to load until today so I've been reading everybodys comments and they all said Oh My Gosh but even so I was still suprised by the change.

[Morn]

Congratulations - You look amazing! Almost a 100 pounds in a year's time - wow you are inspiring as I would like to lose 100 pounds in a year. I am a little over 3 months raw and have lost 37 pounds but hope by May to lose another 43 pounds. You should be proud of yourself and the accomplishments you have achieved in changing your life! Thank you for your post!

[sadrobr]

Hello Sigtau66,

congtatulations to keeping it up so long. You look great. But more important you look and are healthy. I'd like to know what beside your eating habits have changed. Did you drink alcohol before and what about now? What about coffein, nikotin etc? Did you reduce the intake?

Again, thanks for sharinf your storry and photographes. It's inspiring and it will help me to open the eyes of an overweighted close friend of mine.

Rene (Germany)

[rawfigure]

ditto ! WOW

[glcoop60]

Congrats on your new life.

As RawRobert said, it's good to hear a success story from a guy. I started Raw for health reasons and have received the added benefit of weight loss too.

Thanks for the inspiration to stay with it. Go out and enjoy the new you. :)

[sweepea32]

Hi,

I am not able to open the link to your journal. Am I doing something wrong?
thanks for the help.


Mary

[sigtau66]

I'd like to know what beside your eating habits have changed. Did you drink alcohol before and what about now? What about coffein, nikotin etc? Did you reduce the intake?

I didn't drink alcohol or smoke before I went raw. Caffeine wasn't really a problem as even before I started I hadn't had any soda/pop for a few months before that.

I was fairly squeaky clean. :D

[ndpoohgirl]

I'm with everyone else,WOW! You look great! Congratulations!!

[Veganforlife]

I agree with everyone else. Um, just one question. Are you still for rent like your original shirt said? LOL!!! Just messin' wit 'cha!
You look MAHVALOUS dahlink!!!
*whisles and hoots*
Seriously, I give you a lot of credit. It's not easy, but your determination and willpower proves it CAN be done!
Congrads dude!!!

[sigtau66]

Yes, I'm still For Rent, though it's expensive. Also, on certain days, I'm For Sale. That's even more expensive. Almost to the point of being impossible to buy. ;) :eek:

[Veganforlife]

WHOA! Money is no object! Can I pay with raw food creations! LOL!

ROTFLMBO!

You look great and I know you feel great! It's amazing what raw does to us, isn't it? It "youngs" us!

Keep up the good work!
*cyper patting you on the back*

[auroral]

WOW! Congratulations! :)

[Missrawdiva]

You look like a totally different man! I am sure you feel that way too! You look wonderful! Your face is bright and your eyes are sparkeling!! Thanks for posting your pics. I luv seeing them, they are such an inspiration! Keep up the good work!!

[ka_yun]

:eek:
you're really hansome :D
I think u look so cute in the 1st place thou, I like sweet looking ppl, and bigger guys r not problem
(I like being carried around :) its fun, my husband can cus I'm so little and dont weight much)
but I also like healthy guys (no meat!... animals... poor animals :( )
I'm so insired to go all raw this year!
I've already messed up... big time >< :( , but its not over

[RamaLove]

YOU LOOK AMAZING!!!! Congratulations. You have come a long way and YES....do not let the small set backs get you down. You have done a wonderful job transforming your life and your relationship with food which is not a small task AT ALL.

You are an inspiration to me and I know to many other people here.

[Raspberry4]

You look great! But even better are the physical changes. From not being able to walk without losing breath to doing miles per day - what an accomplisment and a great reason for being raw. Congratulations on the physical and positive mental changes too! Thanks for posting - you are a great motivating force.

[tonytate42]

Dude you rock!

You are an inspiration.

Tony

[Lady Green Jeans]

I have to add my comments. Your "before" and "after" pictures are so inspiring. You look like a different person--your handsome self definately surfaced. Thank you for providing inspiration for all of us to stick with it!

Wish you continued good health and great happiness.

[Nectarine]

Phenomenal change, world class! You are to be commended :)

[Snownoir]

My goodness.... wow, and thank you!

Obviously very encouraging but I really appreciate what you said about the simple meals. I think that that will be what really keeps me going. I don't have a dehydrator and felt really bummed about that for a while, like I wouldn't be able to get the whole experience. But I keep forgetting that the whole expereince is eating raw food and letting our bodies heal themselves. So thank you for that reminder.

This started out as a 30 day challenge, but I really see this turning into a life change for me. You helped push me forward to that.

You look great! :D

[harpstruck]

Yeah, I agree with Rawkinlocs and everyone else. You look amazing and are a gorgeous man in the bargain. What an amazing fabulous transformation, and you must feel so well! Let's hear it for RAW!

[shine72]

I had looked at this thread before and thought WOW! Then today I read through your journal because your transformation was so amazing! Again WOW! You really are an inspiration for the rest of us who need to lose 100 lbs. I started Dec. 27, 2006 and I'm down 13 lbs. now. Keep on rawkin! You are amazing!

Sunshine :D