New to all this...

[Jann]

Okay, I'm new to all this and am trying my best to eat "raw" b/c of some of the testimonials I've read on the internet. I don't have to much to go on, so basically have been just eating organic fruit and veggies, for about a month now. I have lost about five pounds which is great, but don't seem to feel any different and am getting a little discouraged. I've ordered the book and DVD, and so am anxiously waiting for them. I have been soooo discouraged with my health, and when I started reading about raw foodism, I started feeling hope again. Is there anything else I could be doing or not doing?? Any suggestions? I also walk at 3.5 for two miles on the treadmill everyday. Jann.

[tracyinfo]

What are you eating? You mention organically grown fruits and vegetables, but, what else?

--Tracy

[DotfromOz]

It's also possible that your body needs more time to clear out toxins, so it will take you longer than others to feel great. Quite a lot depends upon how healthy you and your diet were before going raw, not to mention that everyone's body responds differently.

[Jann]

That's what I'm eating, raw fruits chopped up and mixed together for breakfast and a mixed veggie salad for lunch, and the same for supper if I'm still hungry. I'm trying to drink lots of water with lime or lemon, in between. It's getting pretty boring, and I am anxious to feel "good", and have this energy all the testimonies are talking about. About four years ago, I weighed 115 lbs. and gradually gained about 35 lbs. after the surgeon took out my gall bladder. I would love to lose that weight, and feel energetic like I used to. Jann. PS. Thankyou for replying!! I also do not seem to be having any detox symptom, which I find strange, b/c if I told you how my health has been in the last few years, you to would think there would be something going on after changing my diet so drastically. Usually, I would be eating a lot of breads and muffins, and I loved cookies with a big cup of tea. Hearty meals, you know, the meat potato and gravy thing with steamed veggies, and you think you've had a big nutritious meal.

[catherinethegreat]

Hi there - and welcome!

I know for me it took a long time for me to feel better because there were underlying issues ( illneses ) that I had no idea I was dealing with. So I went to see a homeopathic doc and found out that there was more going on. I didn't lose ANY weight in the beginning at all. It was very discouraging and I really can't say that I felt all that much better compared to others.
I had to start writing a list of ailments down or stuff that I felt was an issue ( ie: sluggishness or whatever ) and then write down new things that I noticed - sometimes this was very subtle. I also had to stop reading everyone's success stories and thinking that this would be me! I have my own healing to do and it is personal and this is not a pill you pop to feel better - since every one is so different.

I this Alissa's book and the DVD will help you alot withthe boredom. I get bored too with my meals as I tend to eat the same things every day. Her DVD is actually what kept me going after a lul I went through. I saw how easy it was and how many things I could make so fast that it made me jump up out of my seat and run to the kitchen to try them out!

Hopefully you will find new recipes that will make your heart sing and it will promote more experimenting in the kitchen.

Hope you feel better soon!

*catherine

[Jann]

Dear Catherinethegreat,
So, then did you just keep on till you noticed more happening? And eventually new things started taking place in your body? Another word, I should just keep the "raw diet" up, and eventually I'll notice more?
I am looking forward to getting Alissa's book and DVD, so I know a little more what I'm doing!! Jann.

[catherinethegreat]

yes - I had some great advice from people on this forum to just keep going and for me to put the scale away - because for me it truely wasn't about a quick fix ( although I was acting that way a lot of the time )
I really wanted life long results - and THAT truth - for me - helped me calm down and take it one day at a time - and one positive result at a time.

I also started to heal the ailments with homeopathic meds for a few weeks and that really helped me significantly.

I'm actually STILL dealing with something that STARTED AFTER I went 100% raw - I now am suffering great stiffness and pain in the joints - especially my ankles, and knees and wrists. I ahve no idea what that is about. But it does bother me that I am so much more healthy then ever before and am now feeling OTHER ailments that weren't there before. What is THAT about?!?!
I was told it's my candida. Who knows. But if a man I know can cure his thyroid cancer with a raw food diet and help from a doctor who prescribes a raw food diet and enzymes - then I'm willing to stick it out and see where I am at a year from now. What have I got to lose?
I did have a phone consultation with Alissa a week ago as well and that really helped me too. She has 18 years experience with this so her one on one advice and feedback was truly comforting - and helpful and she was able to shift my eating just slightly so that I could reap the benefits even more. I highly recommend that - and it's $75 - what a deal!!

*c

[DotfromOz]

Hmmm...after what you said about apparently eating ONLY veggies and fruits, I'm wondering if part of the problem is that you're not getting enough protein. You didn't mention nuts or seeds. Are you eating avocados and other hi-protein fruits and veggies? Are you getting enough to eat generally speaking?

Alissa mentions in her book that some people's metabolism becomes more effective if they eat several (even as many as 5-7) smaller meals spaced throughout the day rather than the usual 3 of larger amounts of food. That might be something to experiment with, too.

[Jann]

I've just started eating almonds, and sprinkling raw pumpkin seeds on my salads, I've also bought a product called Greenzone, sold by a company called Nature's Sunshine. The first ingredient in it is spirulina, I thought maybe that would help. I wonder just how much I'm absorbing. I probably just need to be patient, like Catherinethegreat encouraged me.
My Mother tells me that her doctor told her that it runs in her family for the females to not be able to absorb proteins, that is why the raw diet appealed to me, the raw veggie proteins are more easily digested, apparently. Jann.

[DotfromOz]

My Mother tells me that her doctor told her that it runs in her family for the females to not be able to absorb proteins, that is why the raw diet appealed to me, the raw veggie proteins are more easily digested, apparently. Jann.

Okay, all the more reason for you to consult with either Alissa, a naturopathic doctor or perhaps both, I'd say. As far as I know, digestion and absorption are two different processes. You may well be able to digest foods (which I think refers to the process of breaking the food down into substances that the body can then absorb) but can't absorb the proteins they contain, which essentially means you could be suffering from protein deficiency no matter what form of protein you're eating.

I would seriously consider getting a check-up on this if I were you and you still don't feel energetic and fantastic after making sure you're adding protein sources to what you eat regularly.

[Jann]

Sorry, I'm sure it was digestion that the doctor was talking to my Mother about. He said that she is missing the emyme that it takes to properly digest protein. And believe me, my Mother has health problems. I've gotten her interested in the raw food diet, and now both my Mother and My Father are into it. I am sooooo glad about that.