I noticed something today (weightlifting/cardio)

[Ginger]

For the past few days I hadn't been eating my usual salads with lots of leafy greens & such. I had been making new desert recipes & eating out of my norm. When I worked out at the gym, I had such an off day! I couldn't hardly do my cardio but I did stick it out anyway. I just went much slower than usual! That was yesterday. Today I had part of a salad before I went & I was pretty much back to normal! Not 100% but pretty darn close! :D

[RawTruth]

So, you're saying that when you eat salads, you have good workouts. But, when you you don't, your workouts are not so great?

What else have you been eating that's different?

[Ginger]

Yeah, this is the first time I have eaten mostly deserts and dehydrated foods. I hadn't had a salad in a couple days, which I was having pretty much every day before that when I felt super human strong & had MUCH better endurance. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me that day until I reviewed my menu. I have always known that I am the type of person who needs mostly greens, but I have never experienced it like this until now! I am the kind of person who looooves green drinks & salads but I have to practically force myself to eat fruits. There are a few I eat pretty regularly but not like I eat my greens!

[VeganVixen]

I know salads are YUMMY! and you feel SO alive after :)

[RawTruth]

I have always known that I am the type of person who needs mostly greens, but I have never experienced it like this until now! I am the kind of person who looooves green drinks & salads

I love that you're so in touch with that. I think that we're all naturally like that, but just that some are more removed from knowing it than others. I don't feel right if I don't have at least one salad and a green smoothie each day, but I do still go on fruit "binges" now and then. And ... often do just fruit till noon (I'm stuck on the food combining thing) though I do have the green smoothie first thing in the a.m.

Have you been working out for quite a while? Are you lifting weights? I'm eager to find someone on here, other than Alissa, who's lifting.

[Ginger]

I used to lift back in jr high & high school and I am just now getting back into it. I signed up at the gym a couple months ago. I love it, always have! My goal is not to be huge, but to get pretty ripped! I'm keeping track of my workouts in my journal but it's just too much to write it all out so i'm keeping it simple by writing "today I did arms, chest, abs & cardo..."
So you, me & Alissa are the only ones??? Wow, I guess i just figured there would be more people here who liked weights! How often do you go? Or do you do them at home? I used to have one of those home gym type things a few years back. I miss it now! How long have you been doing it?

[sailaway]

Hi RawVeganMom
I am new here, my name is Robin. I am very out of shape now but I also use to do weights and marathons before my health failed. Now since I am feeling sooo much better I am ready to start again! I am also planning on doing the LA marathon in '06. It will be my first since 1998. How are your work outs compared to when you didn't eat raw?

[Ginger]

So far I have noticed way more endurance, & much quicker recovery time! I feel stronger but I wonder if that's more mental...

[StrawberryFields]

Hi there!

I too like to lift weights. Haven't in awhile, but am starting up again. I like free weights, how about you?

[squidly]

Hi guys

I lift weights too and have been (with periods off in between) for about 15 years. I am an instructor trained in Body Pump, Body Balance and RPM but only teach balance since having my daughter 2 years ago - just a time thing really as I teach for fun and also have another job as an environmental officer not to mention caring fo rmy daughter...........anyway off track here.

I have been increasing my raw for the last few months since finding Alissa and Jingee and have days of 100% but then eat hot chips, lentils or beans and have only just managed to give up my binging on chocolate for 10 days now - that one I am proud of - the giving it up that is. I do notice when 100% raw I seem to have a better workout but really I need to be consistent with my eating for a while to see the true impacts - will let you know as 100% for at least a month is my goal.

Right now it is late down her in Australia so ff to bed. I am pretty sore from yeserday's workout and am looking forward to stretching it out while teaching Body Balance tomorrow.

I may exercise alot but I would love to lose about 5% body fat - too much sugar binging all my life!!! Raw is helping me recover and I have made progress on the journey with alot more to come. Pleasure chatting with you all! :p

[theresaann]

I also have noticed much greater stamina and recovery, as well as MUCH greater flexibility, when I've been 100% raw, or even mostly raw, but all vegan, WHOLE foods. It's for real and here's why: because the body becomes more alkaline. We lose vitality, stamina, strength and flexibility when we are too acidic. The cells need a slightly alkaline medium for electrical potential to work accross cell membranes and within cells. And the acids created from muscle strain are buffered immediately from the alkalinity, resulting in less or no soreness, which is caused by lactic acid buildup in the tissues. Even my thinking is more "alkaline"-peaceful, balanced, easy. OUr brain is effected by acidity too with depressed, neurotic, anxious negative thinking. In the end, yes, it's about enzymes, but mostly pH. The enzymes WON'T WORK in an acidic pH environment. That's why there ARE less ideal ways to be raw-just being 100% isn't enough-it's how ALKALINE the diet is that matters.

Getting that and doing it are two different things. That's where "alkaline thinking" comes in!

[Carlene]

Theresa, I so belive in what you're saying, but lately I have been craving oranges, a fruit I usually don't like. I can't get enough of them. I'm doing weight machines at the gym three times a week and getting my cardio from walking a wash for an hour every day. Lately, I'm finding I think the wash will never end.

I am adding spinach and will be adding collards to my morning smoothie, but this will be new. I had to add frozen berries to get past the flavor (would like to keep them fresh, but the price!)

I have really noticed the difference since doing the weights. I feel stronger, and have been able to increase with time. Once my exercise is over for the day, I have enough stamina for the rest of the day (granted I sit on my butt programming and writing all day).

I believe exercise has truely benifited the results I have been getting with raw. And I believe raw has really increased the results I have been getting from exercise.

[StrawberryFields]

So Theresann, are you saying that there are things in the raw diet that can make you more acidic than alkaline? If so, what? I'm totally new to raw, so would be interested. I guess I need to search using the 'nana at the top of my screen. Just interested in hearing what you have to say though.