How did you start?

[Dreeza]

Hi everyone, I am a 21 yr old college student, and I am intrigued by the raw diet. I am just not sure if I am ready for it. In theory it sounds great, but the more I start looking at recipes, the harder it is for me to start. I want to do it as a lifestyle change, and am hoping it will make me feel more energized...i dont really need to lose weight or anything.

I would love to get the following questions answered:

Would you recommend slowly incorporating raw foods into your diet? Or just making a huge switch?

Is there anything wrong with cheating every now and then? Or will your body become so accustomed to raw foods that cheating will just make you feel like crap?

What kind of differences did you notice (and how long have you been on the raw diet for)??

thanks!!

[StarFire]

I would love to get the following questions answered:

Would you recommend slowly incorporating raw foods into your diet? Or just making a huge switch?

Is there anything wrong with cheating every now and then? Or will your body become so accustomed to raw foods that cheating will just make you feel like crap?

What kind of differences did you notice (and how long have you been on the raw diet for)??

thanks!!

okay... well... every one is different so these are hard to answer... kinda depends on where you are - where you health is at etc... but I'll answer the best I can...

1. Personally I jumped in 100% ... its what worked for me. But only you can decide what would work for you and your lifestyle.
2. If you are 100% raw - you will experience amazing benefits. If you are a little bit raw you will enjoy a little bit of benefits. Some people - after being 100% raw for a time - do have some strong reactions, others do not! Now as far as cheating... that is totally your decision...
3. I have been raw since april 2007. The differences in my life are AMAZING... i've quit smoking, lost over 51 pounds so far, no more migraines, less neck pain, minimal back pain, no more heart palpatations, no more brain fog, emotional balance is wonderful, I'm happier, I laugh, I have more drive to follow my dreams, I having so much fun in life now! My dancing has improved (I dance the hula), my memory had improved vastly... I could go on and on... RAW FOODS BABY... they have blessed my life in so many ways!

good luck Dreeza.... I hope you give this lifestyle a chance to change your life!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/SmileyFaces.gif

[Yana]

Hi, Dreeza! i am also a college student and will be 21 December 22nd. Great to have you here!! Welcome!!

I completely agree with numbers 1 (same here) and 2 above, by the brilliant StarFire :)

3. I have been raw for 4 months now- a chipped tooth grew back, excruciating back pain has vanished, my strange knee troubles are improving, even as a heavy smoker I noticed I breathe slow and deep, my mood is stable and HAPPY, dramatically increased patience (i live in nyc and take the train and bus everywhere which gets very frustrating), i could go on and on, haha.

I urge you to give it a shot, whichever path you may take. Good luck and most importantly, have fun!!

[DavidZaneMason]

Dreeza:

-The above posts are great. YOU have to take responsibility....and analyze where you are VERY comfortable right now....and stretch from there (not tear!) at a pace that is right for you. Some folks have been preparing mentally and physically for years....and they appear to change 100% If YOU are ready for that....go for it. If not, be HONEST about what you ARE prepared to do on a day-to-day basis....what you are practically motivated to do. Nothing else really matters...does it? :)

I would love to get the following questions answered:


2) Not if YOU consciously set the 'cheat' days. And yes, as you eat healthier.....crap will generally make you feel like crap. The trick is to not WANT the crap! LOL.

3) Changes included more hair, better skin, more even keel physically, longer-acting energy, less muscle fatigue, etc.

-Congratulations on making such positive changes and inquiries! Power to you - and happy holidays to you and your loved ones.

-David Z. Mason

[EZ rider]

I also jumped in 100% all raw rather then try to straddle the fence which seems to keep SAD (Standard American Diet) cravings alive. I jumped in because raw makes sense to me in terms of health and money. Poor health can be expensive but I'm sure you already know that. If you don't just ask a few sick people, especially the terminally ill. Also I hate wasting money on dead foods. I want the foods I buy to nourish my body. Raw foods nourish the body, cooked dead foods don't. A google search should provide plenty of info about the effects of cooking on food nutrients. But the most important thing about raw foods that keeps me on course is the way it makes me feel. Before raw I felt like the energizer bunny near the end where it S L O W S down. Raw foods have corrected that by making me feel as if I have had new life breathed into me. I have noticed the colors getting brighter, the music sounding more interesting, and the foods tasting more brilliant. Along with this I feel like getting out of bed in the morning and doing activities. Its done that naturally without any drugs or stimulants just the foods you find in your grocery store produce department. But you and every other SAD eater should test drive it for yourself and make your own evaluation. Join the 30 day challenge and see for yourself. As for cheating if you "get" raw then you will understand that the only one your cheating is yourself because your cheating yourself of live, viable nutrients in the foods you eat.

[Dreeza]

thanks for all the great responses!! I think I have A LOT more research to do before I jump in 100%. For now I think I'll incorporate more raw foods as I go though. I made some delicious avocado gazpacho today! :)

[Im2Fruity]

Welcome!!! I love it when college students jump on board!
I'd say just make sure to stock up on plenty of raw foods, and take it as it comes! Go 100% if you can, but if you find it's too overwhelming, eaaaase into it!! As a college student myself, I find the lifestyle isn't difficult to do (in fact, its sheer bliss), except it's a bit socially isolating. I swear, College lifestyle and Raw lifestyle are oxymorons.
Best of luck to you!!