Hello All

[Jalapenopope]

My name is John Paul. I am 33 soon to be 34 and I've never been sadder, sicker, or more alone. There is a real peppy fella I bet you are all saying. I go to work and otherwise I'm in my apt. eating. I've eaten my way to 367 pounds. I suffer from panic attacks and for some sick reason I think eating calms me. Plus I'm just addicted. No exuses I lack will power and don't stick to anything. So as I sit here ready to go raw. I'm worried that once again I'll end up walking away. However, the stakes are higher now. My doctor wants me to have a gastric bypass. I can't believe I'm facing surgery because I can't control my eating.
I could use some friends. I got the book and the dvd...I'll do some shopping tonight and I plan on being raw tommorrow.
JP

[sweetgoddess]

John Paul. First a big, warm welcome to you. I am glad you introduced yourself.
You sound like you are in a very serious place. I can feel a lot behind your words. I am glad you have the book and dvd, and that you found this forum.
It could be a big turning point for you if you want it to be.
It isnt easy I have discovered dealing with a food addiction, but it is amazing the discoveries made along the way and the difference raw foods make so quickly. I dont suppose though that it is easy having surgery or feeling like you are right now. And you can change that.
We will befriend you here and support you as you reclaim your power, your health and your love for your life....right alongside us as we do the same.
YOU can do this JP!!

I look forward to sharing your journey with you new friend, if you would like to share it.
Much warmth and blessings~

[VeganVixen]

John Paul. First a big, warm welcome to you. I am glad you introduced yourself.
You sound like you are in a very serious place. I can feel a lot behind your words. I am glad you have the book and dvd, and that you found this forum.
It could be a big turning point for you if you want it to be.
It isnt easy I have discovered dealing with a food addiction, but it is amazing the discoveries made along the way and the difference raw foods make so quickly. I dont suppose though that it is easy having surgery or feeling like you are right now. And you can change that.
We will befriend you here and support you as you reclaim your power, your health and your love for your life....right alongside us as we do the same.
YOU can do this JP!!

I look forward to sharing your journey with you new friend, if you would like to share it.
Much warmth and blessings~

Ditto,Ditto,Ditto!!!

welcome! Going raw is unlike any other way of eating ! :) Eat raw ,stay Raw ,and reap the benefits! :D

[Sweet lips]

John Paul,

Welcome - this breaks my heart because I understand this so well. This is a place where we will hold your hand, wipe your tears and love you up. Use the private message function to talk to anyone who you are drawn too and I am available also.

For years - I suffered from depression, low self esteem, and trauma - this past year being raw has helped me release alot of these evil things. I am learning to look in the mirror and tell myself - dang girl, you look real good! I look within and remind myself - that I were not suppose to be here, God would not have allowed it. Addictions - many of us have had them, and may still have them, but you know what - we are raw food, recovering from food that does not agree with us, and trying to be healthy board.

So John Paul - I like they way that sounds- what do you want to know? Also our resident success story male is Todd -(you may have been told that already) - contact him - he will be with you every step of the way.

Smile, you are your best friend - you may not know that yet, but you are! ;)

[Jalapenopope]

I remeber my father told me once that when he was in a terrible place in life, a kind soul gave him directions on how to get out of the jam he faced....and he said it took him a long tome to realize that person had been there too. It made him sad all over again. But he respected that person for not turning their back on someone in need even though it meant reliving agony. I thank you for not turning your back on me and posting such a kind reply on my first day.

[sjpersonal]

Hi John Paul

Welcome!! You have come to the right place for support and friends. There are sooo many amazingly kind people in this group. I have just recently started this journey and have found a new family here that supports and motivates me. They are also funny as "H". So again, welcome.

Bye
Sondra

[VeganMomee]

I too have eaten my way to obesity. Wow, that is the first time I have called myself obese! Believe it or not I am Vegan, I recently had a baby, [my 4th] and I ate and ate and ate during that time...[it was a very stressful time, I went through a bad depression and was even on meds for it], any how my depression is under control and I am happier now, but I am left with a body I no longer recognize! I am 200 pounds and have NEVER been this big in my life.
I am going raw not only to lose weight, but also to feel *cleaner* inside. I know my health is out of wack, because I ate a lot of junk during my ppregnancy. I really need to get back on track. Today is my first day Raw, and I am looking forward to seeing how I feel on day 30!

[RawTruth]

Dear John Paul,

I already responded to another of your posts before reading this one, but I wanted to officially welcome you here.

You are not alone -- don't forget that -- even though you may feel that you are. The reality is different from feelings. Even though you may think we're strangers, we're all one ... all of us. It was no accident that you got Alissa's book and she just happens to have this forum. This is where you're meant to be.

I'm so glad you're here instead of undergoing surgery.

As SweetLips said, be sure to take advantage of the Private Message function to contact any of us personally, should you wish to do so. (In case you're not sure how to do that, the easiest way is to just click on the person's name in their post and the you'll see a drop-down menu where you can send them a PM or an email message. To retrieve any PMs you might receive, go to the "Home section -- under the oranges up at the top of the page -- and there'll be a box on the right that'll tell you if you have any PMs.)

You are most warmly welcomed here, JP!!

[VeganVixen]

I thought that this would help you guys ~ One day I just started writing for insperation ,here goes!



here are some raw-sperational reasons to eat raw!!!!


1 BECAUSE biscuits and eggs don’t wear well tomorrow!

2 RAW = HAPPY AND HAPPY DOES NOT = SAD

3 Natures flavors are so great that no person can duplicate!

4 take a bite out of life, literally !

5 raw is not a diet - I repeat its not a DIE -et, It’s a LIVE-et!

6 toxins can LITERALLY eat you from the inside out! Raw food is without yucky sad toxins....

7 You say you feel like eating chips now? How will you FEEL tomorrow. Its ONLY a day away........

8 you can wonder what it would have been like to eat those chips instead of berries -then thank god you didn’t -cause I suspect you would feel terrible

9 because life is not in a skin ,an egg shell or a wrapper.....

10 BECAUSE every meal is a question (do you want body failure or body success ,do you want to feel good or bad, do you want to be healthy or not??? HAPPY OR SAD)


BECAUSE EVERY MEAL IS A QUESTION-WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER?

[Alissa]

John-Paul,
Welcome to the boards. This is what this place is all about. Look at all the support and love flowing your way!

No one ever goes it alone, we all need people to inspire, uplift and remind us of how wonderful we are and to help move us along on our path. I think from the responses you got you can see that you have found that here.

We are all cheering for you and watching your process. Your not alone anymore... so no excuses! :D

[Jalapenopope]

You are right no more exuses......I can't believe you replied even....
I tell you this there are some amazing folks on here...they all want to help me avoid surgery........I am weak though....I know you all say read a book or eat another apple...but remeber I wont pretend that is easy....I will say this though....
Oh who am I kidding...I cheated today....I'm already having to start over....probably some odds book somewhere that says...he has a 1-100,000 chance why waste your time....
I had a giant salad and instead traveled 3 blocks to my dads house (he is 145 pounds for some reason) and I ate and drank coke...and now I feel like crap...I do this all the time I knew I shouldn't have even put myself out here.....
I'm not crying the blues I'm saying why waste your time...Yes I'm right back on the horse and feeling guilty as hell....

[VeganVixen]

get back on that horse ,it will take you on an incredible ride ;)

[Jalapenopope]

Thank you...I figured you all would be way to mad to post to me...
I am really having trouble feeling filled up......

[VeganVixen]

mad ,HA -yeah right! we are all too raw for that!lol ,anyways its a HUGE step that you are being honest! A LOT of us slip up ,then we just support each other till were back on track ,you wont find us mad ,because we have ALL been in your position :)

[angelandarose]

When new to the raw journey stock up on your favorite fruits and veggies and when you feel empty EAT... EAT EAT EAT. Banana's are a good fill me up food, so are mango's. Mix them for a smoothie. ;-)

Don't worry about eating to much to begin with that will level out soon enough. I went out and bought me a brand new cooler to take with me to work or when I leave the house for very long. I stock it FULL of yummy raw things to eat. Right now a good crunchy snack for me is sprouted split peas with a sprinkle of Braggs on it. On my most hungry days I eat every 2 hours if not sooner. As much weight as you have got to loose I promise you that right now you can't over eat raw foods. You body is crying out for the vitamins and minerals in these good foods so fill up on them!

I have fallen off the wagon many times in the 2 + months I have been doing this. Just get right back on with the next thing you put in your mouth... it's that easy. And don't beat yourself up for it, that is putting negative energy into yourself. Start appreciating the journey you are on right now this very minute and KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

Love,
Angie

[RawTruth]

I can't remember where I heard this -- maybe in Alissa's book -- but, when someone said that a banana just didn't fill them up, they were told "well, then eat 6 bananas!"

That's just soooo true, JP. Don't even worry about overeating on raw food. Eat when your body tells you to.

The simplest foods that make most people feel "filled up" are bananas, avocados, and nuts.

The prepared foods that fill me up are Alissa's Fudge Balls, raw almond butter spread on celery sticks, raw granola with hemp/sesame seed/banana "milk", dehydrated crackers & breads.

I'm like Angie; on my "hungry" days, I eat every two hours. My first month or so, every day was a "hungry" day!!

You're doing great, guy!!

[Jalapenopope]

When new to the raw journey stock up on your favorite fruits and veggies and when you feel empty EAT... EAT EAT EAT. Banana's are a good fill me up food, so are mango's. Mix them for a smoothie. ;-) Don't worry about eating to much to begin with that will level out soon enough. I went out and bought me a brand new cooler to take with me to work or when I leave the house for very long. I stock it FULL of yummy raw things to eat.

I bought a cooler and will be taking it to work with me today thank you for the message and tip!

JP

[JustusGSD]

Hi John Paul,
Welcome! I'm so glad you're here. :) Eating raw has made a huge difference for me in a fairly short period of time. It's an amazing journey this whole raw thing... the thing that's been hardest for me is dealing with the feelings/emotions that I used to stuff down with food. It's not something I'm used to doing and it tripped me up a lot when I first started to go raw. Don't give up when you stumble, just focus on getting up again as soon as you can. In the beginning don't worry about how much you're eating, just focus on eating raw.

Peace,
Sarah

[Jalapenopope]

Perfect timing ...hetre I am at work with a little baggy of raisins,sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dried apricots, all raw from organic section and I was feeling guilty...But you know Alissa is right, if it wasn't this it would be a large coke from cafe(i have water) and sour cream and onion chips) I have got to realize that you don't have to eat 1200 calories and 20 grams of fat to lose weight.
JP

[sweetgoddess]

Yeah JeanPaul....so glad to see you interacting with us. You are doing FABULOUSLY!
WHen I first went raw, I was glued to this forum and raw books most of the day, day in and out. It really helped me stay focused and work through things. Throw yourself in it...in all the knowledge, websites, books, journals experiences. It will help.

We're all here with you, cheering you on, our newest raw buddy.
Have a beautiful day dear man.
Hugs
~*~*~*~

[Jalapenopope]

The stakes are so high now and when I slipped up so fast...I realize I have to post and participate alot....So I am going too...I also will journal. I don't want to mess up again.
I'm having a little trouble concentrating today wonder if that is the diet change....
So far I've had 2 apples,2 bannanas,some nuts raisens dried apricot, and smoothie...lunch is going to be an organic sprout salad...

[sweetgoddess]

yes I felt a little bit spacey at the beginning too. My body wasnt used to such high nutrition and also was used to sugar and wheat on a daily basis. So hang in through the detox symptoms. They are a good thing-out with the old, in with the new!! Keep talking to us..we'll help you through!
Big hugs~!

[bellamausi]

Yeah JeanPaul....so glad to see you interacting with us. You are doing FABULOUSLY!
WHen I first went raw, I was glued to this forum and raw books most of the day, day in and out. It really helped me stay focused and work through things. Throw yourself in it...in all the knowledge, websites, books, journals experiences. It will help.


Hi JP,

A late, but very warm welcome to you!! I'm glad you found out about the raw and living food diet, before it was too late! And about what sweetgoddess said .... very important, to keep yourself motivated by interacting and reading raw articles and stuff! Also,

DON'T INDULGE YOUR SAD THOUGHTS!!!

That has been very helpful to me this time around. Don't torture yourself thinking about how good this or that SAD food would be right now. Stop the thought right there, busy yourself with looking for a new raw recipe, remind yourself why you want to stay raw and that you don't want food to ever control you again!!! Whatever works, just don't let yourself think about SAD food!

Keep at it! We are all in it together. I'm only on my 7th day raw, so if you need anything, just holler! I'll be glad to help in any way I can!
:)