My One Year Raw Anniversary Today - A Recap

[Morn]

Today is my one year raw anniversary! Well how does one celebrate a year of raw? First thing to do is reflect on the last year’s events and accomplishments and give thanks to God who helped get me here! I know I could have never done this in my own strength so I give all of the thanks and the glory back to Him! I also give thanks to my mentor Alissa Cohen (as before her book I knew nothing about the raw lifestyle). So here’s my overall reflection - First thing I am down from a size 20 to a size 6! Yippee! I am totally ecstatic! That in itself is amazing! When I first started out I didn’t know if I could last 1 week let alone one year and the task seemed so overwhelming. I am down 90 pounds – not my goal of 100, but pretty darn close! My complexion has cleared up, I have BMs daily (vs. weekly), and I am happier, healthier, and feel like a kid again. I have more energy, don’t have to sleep as much (like the 10-12 hours I used to sleep a night), am not sweating like a pig all the time (in fact now I work out hard for 45 minutes and I am barley breaking a sweat at all). I am more active now than before. I can easily do many forms of exercise i.e. roller blading/skating, biking, swimming, rebounding, aerobics, etc. and I love it all! I actually wore shorts in the summer for the first time in forever and picked out a bathing suit that actually looked decent on me (which was a miracle). I was also able on my wedding anniversary to get in my wedding dress from 15 years ago and I just recently bought a size small in shirts again. It is amazing how wonderful and happy I feel. My joints aren’t hurting me anymore and I almost feel like a 20 year old again. Also my husband is thrilled and is attracted to me again and is so thankful and my marriage is on the upswing again.

So what have I learned this past year? Well how to prepare raw recipes, where to shop, how to like some things I never liked before i.e. avocados and broccoli. I learned about sprouting, dehydrating, juicing, etc. I have had my share of green smoothies this year and learned how to open up a young coconut easily. I have met a ton of new friends and have been challenged in the Raw & Exercise challenges and have found accountability and friendship (which has also been my lifeline). Not only do I feel better physically - but emotionally and mentally I am not depressed anymore and feel like a have a new lease on life. The thing I am happiest about is I feel like I am no longer in bondage to food anymore and I am released from my eating addictions. I feel as long as I eat raw foods and eat healthy I generally don’t over eat on raw food. I am not perfect at it but 100 times better than when I ate sad food. I feel like I have found myself again as a person. Someone who was lost and hiding under 90 lbs. Of flab. I realized I at one point disappeared as a person and now I am finally resurfacing after many unhappy years. My family is proud of me. My daughter used to be embarrassed to be by me and now I am a cool parent again that can wear hip clothing in the latest fashions. She is now larger than me and has a hard time keeping up with her old mom! Another cool thing is I lost my double chin and can actually look decent in photos again. I plan on taking a new photo with the family very soon as we don’t have any professional photos of our family since Ariana was 3 (as I hated the way I looked in photos, so I stopped taking them). We don’t have a family photo with Evelina my 5 year old at all. Eek! So I need to get it done really soon!

Well here are some new goals I have for next year.

To lose the last 10 pounds/more inches
To maintain my weight loss
To tighten and firm up and tone needed areas
To increase strength and flexibility
To drink more green smoothies
To get family photo done
To continue to exercise and add in weight training after my goal is reached
To continue to eat raw food for life
To work on my family and get them to eat healthier
To keep getting educated about the Raw Lifestyle
To stay Focused!

My Stats from last month to this month:

Down 2” inches from last month
Down 79 3/4” inches from start
Down 4 pound from last month
Down 90 pounds total
Current weight 140 pounds

[beppa66]

I'll say it again. WOW!!!
KUDOS Morn!

What a difference a year makes.

[River Mom]

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u215/krross2001/congratulations.gif


Size six....wow do you have before and after shots??
River Mom

[Morn]

I haven't taken my 12 month photos yet, but I am only down a few pounds from last month so there won't be much of a difference so you can look at my 11 month photos on my website (just click below in my signature). Hopefully we will get some time this next weekend to take a few pictures.

[rawfigure]

Morn, what a Joy to read. I have watched your blog over the last year. Your Raw Testimony has to be one of the most powerful ones I have seen. Just wonderful. God Bless You. :D

[StarFire]

It truly has been not only an honor to be able to follow your journey Morn... it has been so inspiring. Please realize what a gift your journey has been to all of us... thank yu so much for sharing it!

continued blessing and success...

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/Congratulations-2.gif

[Blazin'Jane]

What a beautifully reflective piece you wrote, Morn. And I loved looking at your pictures. Congratulations on a great year! Keep up your good work!

[tanishamarshall]

Congratulations Morn on 1 year you look great, such an inspiration.. YOU GO GIRL!!!!!

[lore-ah]

Thanks for sharing your story. You look radiant! You also have the prettiest face at any weight!

[lodestar]

i loved the recap...you said it all when you said you were "free" from old food addictions.

we are soooo happy for you! xox

[TheAvocadess]

Youuuu LOOK MARVELOUS DAHLINK!!!! :D Wow, what a gorgeous transformation. Incredible. You are a shining beautiful example of what raw living foods do. Amazing! Congrats! {{{BIG HUG!}}}

You're gorgeous!!!

Love,
The Avocadess

[rawcanuck]

FANTASTIC.......What an inspiration you are to those of us just starting our journey

[River Mom]

OOOOHHHH I found your photos.....Nice to see you give glory to God!!!
Very Cool...

Did you ever eat any cooked food or did you go 100% from day one?

RM

[Lilly the Naiad]

I am so happy for you! It's amazing when people claim their lives back and shine right through as they were meant to all along! You're an inspiration to many!

[Lady Green Jeans]

Morn,

Thank you for sharing your inspiration and wonderful success. Truly awsome! The wonderful accomplishment never ends--so it was great seeing your 'going forward' goals on this wonderful journey. Many many thanks to you and to Alissa for bringing this great site for use to enjoy on our raw path.

Kathy

[dalimeindacoconut]

You have also lost about 20 years and look like you could pass for your early 20's in those last pix! All my meals and most of my snacks are raw...I just can't seem to kick that sugar addiction. I will just keep at it until I stop doing it. Read the part about the corn salad. Raw corn is my new all-time favorite vege, love it.

[Ireland]

Incredible Morn - what a testimony to what raw and living foods can do for you. God bless you in the coming year.

[D'vorah]

Bravo! You are such an inspiration!!!!!!

Deborah

[puzit19]

congratulation

wow !! rawk on !! that sounds wonderfull ^_^ :D

[PammieTaj]

Morn, you are inspiring to me. I think to myself, she was in my shoes last year, surely her challenges aren't any less than mine are? Thank you for posting here, and updating your progress for the rest of us.

[Dj 247]

Morn, you are a beautiful person! I really love reading your posts. What a journey you have had this year! I hope to follow in your footsteps. It is crazy to me how this has happened to you in such a short time. I bet you feel that way at times. Just think how many people you have inspired to eat better and be more healthy. You are my inspiration to be a better and more healthy person.

[Eva]

You have me in tears. :) No, really.

I have been watching your journey for the last 7 months or so, and I just think it's amazing what a transformation you've had.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with those of us who are trying to overcome our own bondages to food. It's so tough, but seeing others do it (especially someone with so much humility rather than the attitude that you succeeded because you are just "better")... is really encouraging. It is such a discouragement to fail sometimes, even little failures.

Thank you for using your experience to lift us up!!! :)

[Morn]

OOOOHHHH I found your photos.....Nice to see you give glory to God!!!
Very Cool...

Did you ever eat any cooked food or did you go 100% from day one?

RM

I tried (and I emphasize the word tried) to go 100% from day one by entering my first raw 30 day challenge. I did however make some mistakes as I didn't know certain things were not really raw that I had eaten like black olives. I also did one week straight and then slipped up with a small cinnamon donut. I however, am not 100% raw even now. I try to be (and stay very close to 100%) but I don't stress out about the little things or the situations I find myself in that I might not have control over. I eat 99% healthier than I did a year ago and I am fine with that. You can read my food journal and it will tell you what I ate the whole year. I also think I chose to eat a piece of fish on 2 different special occasions and slipped up on sad pizza a few times (my old sad favorite food). I never went into eating a raw food diet with the intention that it would be a lifestyle change but over time it grew on me and because I feel like I have self control for the first time in years now I know I must continue on the path of raw foods. I truely was in bondage to food before and it took away my life. I can't tell you how miserable I was and how my food addiction negatively affected so many areas of my life. So I know if I want to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle I will choose to continue down the raw path. For me it is a decision I choose to make not because I don't love SAD food but because I need to continue to die to my flesh and do what is best for me and now I actually crave good raw foods first. The other SAD food cravings I get occasionally are more of a mental thing and I must admit I am far from perfect. But my wins are getting more and more as I have fully embraced this lifestyle. More info than what you probably wanted but I hope this helps.

[casperlynn]

Congratulations, Morn! http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g144/la-flak/confetti.gif

What an incredible year you have had! I am so happy for you! Thank you for sharing your journey and for inspiring so many of us. :D

[tvillemom]

Morn!!!!

I am sooooo proud of you!!!

I am so thankful to "know" you!

You have inspired me to keep at 100% raw.....for life. I want you to know, that reading your blog, I have watched you transform!!! I now have the attitude that if you can do it, I can do it!! I decided at the beginning of the September challenge, when I found out that it was YOUR 1 year raw anniversary month, and being that both of our WEDDING ANNIVERARY'S are in August, there were just so many coincidences...I can also make my 1 year anniversary for raw be NEXT September!!(next August will also be my 15th wedding anniversary!) I'll keep you in mind, when I THINK I want to snack on a non-raw "food"! Maybe next year I will fit into my wedding gown, or maybe it will be too big;)

Thank you again for your inspiration! I am going to get pics posted onto my blog also...maybe I can be an inspiration for someone else!

Blessings to you,
Wendi

[ChaiLife]

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w175/obxkitty/congratulations.jpg

MORN, I am so very proud of you! I have shared your blog with several people because it is just so wonderful. I appreciate your honesty about 100% too. I look forward to seeing what the next year holds for you. :D

Blessings and shalom to you as you continue raw.

Kelly

[veeg]

A beautiful, wonderful post!

You are inspiring for us newbies!

[soulstar]

Dear Morn,



Congratulations!

You have touched so many lives and I personally have been inspired by being able to share your journey via your website and here on RFT.

What an amazing journey you have been on, and with so much faith, strength and persistence. May you continue to be blessed with all that you require to stay on this wonderful journey of living a healthy, vibrant life.

You are absolutely beautiful in every way!!

PS
Thank you so very much for emailing me the summer corn salad recipe. I loved it so much that I lived on it for over a week. I just bought another dozen ears, and look forward to indulging in the most delectable salad ever!

[SuziS]

Congratulations Morn! I always find your website so inspirational! You look incredible! Let me know if you need a photographer to take those family pics for you!

[Nurse in the Raw]

Morn.....I have to say that when I feel like cheating I visit your blog and am reminded of the possibilities that are inside of me, that are yet to be realized. Your obedience to YHWH makes the angels rejoice and the enemy shudder to think that you can no longer be held in bondage to food again. What a great testimony your life is to those who are on the same road, battling the same demons. Keep up the good work. YHWH is going to use you in the lives of so many of his handmaidens.

[Morn]

Wow again thanks to all! I am humbled and feel blessed by having so many wonderful raw friends out here! We all inspire one another don't we really! I wish I could respond to each and every person as each one of you have deeply touched me by your response. I am actually tearing up right now as I type this! I pray that God will bless each and everyone of your raw journeys. We all can do this together! You guys are my inspiration each one of you who is trying to get healthier and really live this lifestyle. Man I can't wait to celebrate with each and everyone of you as you accomplish your goals and dreams as well. Just know you will get there - it is just a matter of time!:)

[Douglas]

Well one year out of many to go. I love your story and your pictures tell it all. I just know how good your feeling too. I am on the same path and this is my hangout. Some people I know think I am way out there. But that is ok with me. I keep hearing people having heart attacks and stroks and the big C, Cancer. If they were not so bull headed and would just try going raw for a month. Then they would feel so much better they would no there really is something good about this kind of eating. Well you just keep it up and you will get that last 10 lbs off too. Maybe your body is happy where it is at. I am very happy to be one of your raw food friends. Talk to you soon Doug in Calif......:eek: :cool: :)