At wits end now.......

[itsallabout_d]

First of all , just let me give you a bit of background about myself so you know why I am at my wits end here...

Year 2000 decided to quit smoking (biggest challenge of my life) I hated not being able to breathe when I reached the top of my stairs. Put on 60 pounds here but I quit smoking so that was the first step to improving myself.

Year 2001, started a NO JUNK FOOD diet only. Starting improving what I ate and started exercising on a regular basis and dropped those 60 lbs in 5 months.

Continued to work out and exercise and eat healthier (but cooked all foods yes)

Became obessed with weight training, protein powders, diet supplements, creatine, diet pills, fat burners etc, etc.

Year 2003, had a major accident resulting in a torn leg muscle which further developed a SEVERE DVT in left leg almost resulting in loss of life and loss of leg. AFter a year of many different drugs, diet being thrown off wack and exercise plan shot out the window, severe depression set in.

Been trying to get myself back on track ever since. Still suffering with phylbitis (leg swelling) I now am lactose intolerant and possibly suffering other ailments now too, including being tested for slight wheat or gluten allergies now... my whole digestive system really does not like me now.

I am the heaviest I have been now in three years, since my obsessive weight regime but my diet too has caused so many of my issues. I am tired of having issues with just about everything I eat to the point of severe pains and discomfort on a daily basis. It is embarrassing and preventing me from even attending yoga as much as I would like.....

I have just started researching raw foods after stumbling across a pamphet at a food show in my home town this past weekend and stumbling across this site....
I havent made a commitment to this yet, but on here reading, researching and investigating it further....

I am soooo raw to knowing anything, I just must keep reading first. I am so tired of trying so many different things to this point and nothing working for me yet... I hate to sound so pessimistic but unfortunately I am...(and embarrased to be so too)

Thanks for listening to me ramble and I hope to learn so much off here..
Thanks

[StudentforLife]

Welcome to the forum! Everyone here is very supportive and will answer any questions you may have about raw. Becoming a raw foodist is the best thing that has happened to me. I did a lot of research before I felt confident enough to jump in. Once I did take the plunge I realized that it was a lot easier than I expected. Raw food is about freedom. Good luck!

[Apasaraw]

I'm very glad you stumbled into this place!

You don't need to make a committment and no one will pressure you. Happy lurking and learning! I am gluten intolerant/celiac...if you have questions I'm always happy to share if you have questions...

Just add one serving of fresh veg or fruit and enjoy...and see where it takes ya.

:)

[RawInTheCity]

Welcome and glad you are here! I hear you on having a leg injury. I have one too. Ironically, I thought it was one of the worst things in the world that could have EVER of happened to me ( My partner and I went to Mexico for her 50th -Bday... we were only there for "four" hours and I slipped and fell tearing the menescus in my knee, fracturing my foot and spraining my ankle and knee as well. Yeah, can you imagine....all on one leg too! yikes! :eek: . ) Anyway, this accident really changed my life. I am still not walking well. The pain medication made me crazy, I couldn't take it and I couldn't not take it- I was and still am at times in so much pain- I started to eat even more food because I was so down about what had happened, and I just really finally hit a bottom with my food. What I'd been eating and the way it was making me feel inside and manifesting on my outsides, was really becoming unbearable.I happened to see Alissa on a show one night when I couldn't sleep and found my way here. A fluke .. maybe.. but I think it is exactly where I am supposed to be.

I am so incredibly happy and grateful to be raw. I have good days and bad, but luckily the food doesn't call to me and I am clear thinking enough to be able to sit still and try and listen to what it is I need. Today it happened to be rest ( I am really tired), and taking care of myself. Normally, if I felt tired or restless I would just eat my old SAD diet and feel even worse when I came crashing down off of all the sugar.

What seems to be working for me: I take it all a day at a time, a meal at a time and sometimes a feeling at a time. I am feeling so lucky to have found this way of eating. I live in NYC and there are tons of raw and Vegan restauraunts to eat at. I pass a few everyday. I never-ever noticed them, until now. It's as if I have a new pair of glasses and I am seeing so many things for the first time.

Anyway, this is a really great place to come for support and to hear like minded people! :)

Diane

[Veganforlife]

Welcome! I had to read this post because I was at my wit's end about 7 months ago. I'm 53, have had migraines my entire life, ever since I can remember. I have been Vegan for 2 years, prior to that Vegetarian for 26. About 6 years ago was diagnosed w/a dead thyroid.
Since going raw - not one migraine and thyroid is now functioning properly, which has my tyroid specialist scratching his head. I go back tomorrow and hope he lowers even further my meds, which in 7 months have been lowered in half twice. I'm pretty sure he will.
You will find answers here. You will find friends here. You will find what you are looking for here.
There's a reason you stumbled here. There are no coincidences in life.
Yay for you!!! :D
Welcome to the RAW world baby!!!

[spicyfull]

This is a Journey, so just take it ONE STEP AT A TIME, just keep it SIMPLE, thus not becoming overwhelmed...........

I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW....Welcome to MY World...........

[itsallabout_d]

I have been reading and what a vast amount of knowledge on this site, this is incredible.

I will take this one step at a time. I introduced my significant other to this site last night and we sat here and read for a good few hours.

We discussed testing a recipe or two for starters. Get a feel for it. Kick our shoes around a little, so off to the recipe section I go for now, with alot more reading to go yet...

Thanks everyone who has posted on here and made comments. Cheers

[rawpriestess]

Welcome welcome welcome