Raw vs. Cooked Pregnancy - Check out the MAGIC!

[sherahtaylor]

Here's a raw testimony if there ever was one!

I still can't believe the difference JUST changing my diet from SAD to Raw has made - I haven't really exercised much at all to speak of this pregnancy so I know it's just the way I've been eating. I've had five full-term pregnancies, and every time without exception I would gain 42-50lbs plus experience a myriad of awful symptoms that are considered "normal" for pregnancies (see below).

I have always been weight-conscious but it is SO discouraging to "diet" and exercise during pregnancy because you really don't see any results. With normal diets, that is. Plus, I always got so sick that I couldn't keep up with any kind of diet in the first three months, and by then I always gained 15lbs anyway. So I was always kind of relieved during pregnancy that the pressure to lose weight was gone and I could eat HOWEVER I wanted - meaning Taco Bell, lots of Blizzards, grilled cheese, whatever.

So I found raw in August of 2006, and was about 95% raw until February when I got pregnant again - I have stayed 95% raw since then. By then I weighed 134lbs which I hadn't seen that number in years. So far I've gained just 18lbs - and am 35 weeks pregnant. These pictures tell it all - you can just see the energy vs. the tiredness on SAD. I'm so thrilled to be able to break the vicious cycle of gaining 50lbs, then working SO hard to lose it with Body for Life or SouthBeach, only to get pregnant again and gain it back.

BEST of all, I have had little to no morning sickness in the first trimester (we're talking couch-ridden, throwing up alot normally!), no heartburn, no backaches, I sleep soundly & wake up refreshed (before I always sighed and took it for granted that I slept tossing & turning for most of the middle & last trimester), no acne or dull/losing hair, no tired and heavy feet, enough energy to get through the day with five kids ages 8 & under, keep up the housework, run errands, whatever. I feel, well, bouncy! LOL. :D And I love being pregnant and being able to wear all the cute clothes and actually have that cute little belly instead of feeling like a whale. COMPLETE opposite of all five previous pregnancies.

Definitely doing the HAPPY DANCE!!!!!!!!!

http://home.comcast.net/~sherahtaylor/before.after.collage.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~sherahtaylor/before.after.collage2.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~sherahtaylor/before.after.collage3.jpg

[Dakini]

Wow, Sherah, you're looking great! And what a great thing to do for your child too!

[dalimeindacoconut]

Isn't Sherah a Superhero? You are now officially 'SheRaw The Superhero! I cannot believe the difference. It's huge, no pun intended. You are absolutely radiating health. Thankx for those fantastic pix and watch, you'll have twins this time!

[ren]

Boy I can't wait to have a raw pregnancy... or a pregnancy at all :-) You'd like the DVD Birth As We Know It. I have it and love it.

[blaqberry]

You look wonderful! So radiant... My husband walked over after he heard my "wow" haha. We were both impressed :)

[sherahtaylor]

Ren........wow, I am so excited to get that DVD!! Thank you for introducing it to me - I plan to buy it next week after we get paid. This pregnancy I am totally into the natural birth and plan to do a midwife-assisted waterbirth using hypnotherapy to work with the pain. All five of my previous births were done in a hospital setting with a normal OB, and an epidural. I was always afraid of the pain and while the nurses and such were nice, I feared and couldn't wait until the baby was just OUT. Like get the whole unpleasant thing over with.

This time around - I am so excited to experience a raw birth (thank you Jinjee for introducing me to that aspect!!) naturally, letting my body do what it was made to do...something as natural as breathing or going to the bathroom that needs no interference from me. (if all goes well) I am not afraid at all, rather looking forward to it very much - not dreading it.

[shine72]

Sherah - WHAT an amazing difference. You look so much healthier now. All glowy instead of pale/pasty. And this delivery should be SO much easier since your body doesn't have all the added stress of a cooked food diet! Congrats girlie!:D

[tvillemom]

Sherah, you look absolutely amazing!! You are positively glowing....and the energy is very evident!! I can tell...having had 3 babies myself, how tired you looked in the other pics..and how energized you look in this pregnancy!

Congrats...I'll be praying for a safe, pleasant delivery for you this go around....keep us posted!!


Wendi

[trinity082482]

OW! You look hott!! Your Hubby must not be able to keep his hands of you!! What a difference :D You look like a very happy pregnant woman. :p

[ren]

I discovered a good benefit of living in a small town. The nurses are more open to alternative birth practices and the nurse I interviewed said she read Conscious Conception. She's going for her midwife specialty and water birthing. I am planning way ahead because I think a baby is more important than a wedding. I planned for that a year in advance!

[ladypeace82]

wow wow wow wow.
you look so young, vibrant, heatlhy, happy, awake, excited, and gorgeous! like the 18 or 19 year old prego mommies I see around.

[sherahtaylor]

wow wow wow wow.
you look so young, vibrant, heatlhy, happy, awake, excited, and gorgeous! like the 18 or 19 year old prego mommies I see around.

LOL that is exactly what I was wistfully wishing for when I first got pregnant....but I had no idea how it would turn out. I mean, for all I knew - my body just naturally gained 50lbs no matter what I did. It's like a dream come true for me - we plan to have more children (no specific plan, just know this probably won't be our last) and although I enjoy the children, I just dreaded the pregnancies. It's such a power knowing you can CHANGE your DNA practically with this diet!! I don't have to get FAT!!!!:D :p :) ;)

It's been a very fun experiment, despite the concerned friends & family...but that doesn't really bother me because hello?!! Which is better - SAD granola w/milk and bran muffins every morning or a green smoothie stuffed with fresh greens, fresh fruit, and superfoods? Hmmmmmm.......

[Aleesha Sattva]

wow. you look amazing! so bright, shining actually - congrats on finding the RAW lifestyle for you and your baby!

[Allie]

wow you are absolutely glowing, and very pretty! what a great testimonial!

[Essensual]

I can't wait to hear the testimony about how healthy baby #6 is in comparison to the previous 5. I nursed my first child longer than any other (2 others). She had the least amount of illness of the 3. Can imagine the difference between a child developing on a raw food diet as opposed to a child development on a cooked food diet. I imagine the differences would be phenomenal. I mean considering that most illness is cumulative, this child has had the most optimal start IMHO. Keep us posted!:D

[aililiu]

you. look. GORGEOUS.

please, keep us updated!

[Cinnamon]

You look just amazing! Absolutely so very healthy, your face has that raw glow from raw foods and from your pregnancy!!

Thank you so much for posting these pictures and congrats on your upcoming new little addition to your family and your continued success. I also gained 50 lbs. with my pregnancy (28 years ago) and still can't believe I did gain so much. But on SAD it is easy to happen.

[snowdrop]

aahhhh MAAAAZ zing!!!!!
wonderful!
i am so happy for you!
how were you able to stick to the raw with 'cravings'
family pushing you to eat sad
dr's with their set standards of eating sad
etc?

my sweet dil is trying for a baby right now
and she did try raw for a brief period to lose weight
but didn't 'like' the raw menus as described in alissa's book
she said that it bothered her tummy.
she was raised the south with all the traditional
southern cooking.

i would love to see her enjoy her pregnancy as much as you did
but do not want to alienate her by harping on the benefits
of raw. i love her dearly.

congrats on your success!

:)
-snow

[solongng00dnite]

so amazing. congratulations. good luck. wow!!!!!!!!!!!:D

[Blazin'Jane]

You look wonderful!!

[RawHeaven]

Sherah, you're absolutely beautiful and I'm sure your growing baby is doing the happy dance too! How lucky s/he is to have you for a mom, with your knowledge, coming into this world. Wow.