Obese Raw Foodists May '08

[ManyLittles]

Welcome to the May edition of Obese Raw Foodists. Jump right in! Anyone who is or used to be obese can find friends and tons of understanding and support right here, from those who have been there. Join us as we send all those unhealthy, SAD-laden fat cells packing! :D

[pamparred]

I'm back and back in this group. Been away a while so hi to everyone both new and old. Lets focus on releasing those fat cells held prisoner in our bodies and sending them to someone who needs them. :D

[ManyLittles]

I fixed my scale. Turns out the batteries were bad. So my starting number for this past Tuesday, April 28,2008 is.....ugh....269.4. The frustrating thing was I stayed 269 for two days. My fault. Had a cooked dinner and diet soda Wednesday night, and also some cooked food Tuesday. I was probably half raw those days. Yesterday was better, only a few bites of the kids' food. Today should be better. I want to do the 30 day challenge and stay pure...and we're totally broke and have hardly any cooked food in the house anyway. LOL. The good news is that I'm down to 267.4 now. I'm looking forward to the scale being my friend again.

By the way, my husband started off at 269 too. And he just HAD to tell me that a few days ago he was less than that. So for a few days he was LESS than me!! :mad: Then he goes on to remind me that he'll be less than me for a while, because he'll lose weight faster...but that I had a lot more to lose, so eventually I'll be less than him again. Eventually. Gee,thanks, I can do without THAT kind of a pep talk! Sheesh. :rolleyes:

SuBu: ditto on everything you said. I'm sooooo tired of "finding" the fifteen or so pounds over and over. I'm really trying to do some positive thinking and some visualizing (not in a new agey way, I'm not into that, just kind of rehearsing my life in my mind, that sort of thing) and I am going to be successful this time. But the important thing is that we never give up,right? This isn't Weight Watchers, people,this "diet" is a lifestyle that will revolutionize our lives!

Anyway, SuBu, I'm so glad you and everyone else is back..No wonder April was quiet around here...half of us were at McDonalds!:eek:

Oceanee, welcome back. And to the member who lost 13 pounds (forgive me, I'm totally blanking on your name and I'm not on that screen anymore) congratulations! Won't it be great when you are beyond sexy, along with the rest of us? People will be so confused when they come to this thread a year or so from now and see avatar pics of mostly skinny people. LOL

I am totally dedicated to doing a 30 day challenge. If someone wants to do seven day challenges,we can do that too. I'm also up for a week by week exercise challenge. I'm not even bothering to join the 30 day challenge thread...everyone posts their day, no one responds (at least not to me) and the thread is horrifically long. I'm happy just staying here, with my buddies!:)

Okay girls, let's do this thing...100% raw for May all the way!!! Are you with me?!

[DST_DIVA33]

Last weighin is 208...that was a while ago... been bingeing on SAD foods lately so its probably higher. I am so ready to release this weight, but its really hard. I would like to do the 7 day challenge with you all. So hopefully I can stick to it. If i don't think of the whole 30days. I need to take it one second at a time..:eek: I love raw foods but its my emotional state that is holding me back.
But I can do it! I will do it!


1st Goal weight: 178pds
2nd Goal weight: 158
Final Goal weight: 125

[carolg]

Life,
That's awesome. What are you doing? 13 pounds is way great! I have been actively going to the gym since end of Aug. and have just given up my trainer temporarily--cost thing. It's been a slow loss. 31 pounds, but for past think 8 weeks it's been like a pound or so. In last week it was ONE OUNCE. I can use some tips. I don't do many nuts. Tons of salads. Don't do pates. Don't dehydrate. No coconut meat. So I'm surviving and my trainer thinks I am not eating enough protein for weight loss. I work out 6 days week for close to 2 hours give and take with some talking time too.

Thanks. Tips welcome from all the pros--that's everyone! i have 18 to THROW AWAY!

carolg....No haven't done coconut oil yet. Are you?

[SuBu]

Hello Friends~~I think the weekly challenge is a great idea. I am sometimes in need of a daily challenge! Weekends!! If you'd like something to think about that will help (it has me), take a look at Starfire's post on the MC thread. I think it was yesterday. She paints a hilarious picture that will embed itself on your mind and make you think twice when that SAD crap tempts you. It worked for me last night and I'm hoping it does for you too. Let me just say that my new mantra is POAP!!! Let me know what you think. I love it!

[SuBu]

Carolg--I've always heard that when you aren't losing weight, you are losing inches. Is that possible? That your body is playing "catch-up"?

[oceanee]

Hi everyone ~
Glad to see movement on this thread and I don't mean POAP ( my new mantra as well )!
I am doing a master cleanse to reset my body clock from falling prey to carbs and cow puss the past few months.So far, I feel better every day and especially as it costs little AND I have a break from thinking food ALL the time.
Manylittles~ Yeah baby let's send those SAD fat cells a packing elsewhere ! Good channeling of energy if we all think together !

Sleep well "fellow" raw chunkettes;) !
Oceanee

[carolg]

Su,
Yes, I am still losing inches but that is slowing down, but still happening so nothing to worry about. I still want to knock off those remaining pounds however. Body design is taking place for sure, but there are a few problem areas that are taking longer than I am patient for.

I will however say my stomach with C section done 33 years ago, up and down is firming up so that is good news.

I'm still interested in the protein talk my trainer says: up the protein and more pounds will come off.

Anyone know the right answer as I don't.

Thanks.

carolg

[1bigfamily]

I eliminated 25.5 pounds already! I am so excited. My iron is so good that my sister and my mom are reading a book on eating raw!! This is sooooo great. I love it. I was wondering today about how motivated I will feel when the weight loss slows down. I am just going to focus on what is happening today!!

[Rawmommie]

Hello! Would you have me? ;)

I've been overweight my entire life and raw has helped, but my metabolism is still superslow and I gain every winter. My avatar is last year this time and I was 190 (10 lbs less than I am now). Well, actually 11. I was 201 this morning. I've gone down about 5 pounds in the last few weeks, which is pretty good for me. Getting more active is helping.

My highest weight was 263 about 5 years ago. I really want to get low enough that even when winter comes and I gain a bit, I won't go over 200. My dream is to get to 150, but I haven't been that since I was in 7th grade! I'm 5' 10'' and luckily hold my weight well, but in order to really lose, I have to cut out my nuts and eat smaller portions, even eating raw.

Hopefully many of you that are just beginning your journey will be unlike me and more like the many many people who just see the weight melt off when they go raw! :)

[erialicia]

I am officially starting on Sunday. Tomorrow is my mothers 80th birthday party and the whole family is having lunch at my fav Mexican restaurant with lots of yummy stuff afterwards, so I know it will be too tempting.

So Saturday is my official official start date!

[pamparred]

Okay, I am in for the seven day challenge. Don't want to take a bigger step right now. Will start tomorrow with a day of green smoothies. Will give all the pertinent info tomorrow. Good luck everyone and lets release this excess padding!

[ManyLittles]

1bigfamily: 25 pounds in one month?!:eek: :eek: :eek: Wow, what are you doing? Tell me! Tell me! You're not even that big, to be losing that much so fast. I assumed you must be in the 400 range for that much loss, til I saw your signature. You must share!

[ManyLittles]

Welcome, Rawmommie!

Erialicia, good luck starting tomorrow. I assume this is your first time? Remember to drink lots of water, and just stuff your face with raw food all day. That will help prevent the cravings from taking over. Forget calories, just eat. In a day or two, you'll be less tempted, and you'll have all those good raw feelings kicking in.

Well, folks, I have to admit to having a cooked dinner Thursday night. The kids' dinner looked so good, and I was having a horrible night. Yes, emotional eating my friends. At least it was healthy. Of course, Mr. Scale didn't show any loss yesterday, no surprise. Friday was great. We're trying to see if we can afford to put the kids on raw. I think we can. I fed them raw food all day, and that made it sooooo much easier on me. That, plus the fact that there's nothing cooked left in the house that would be easy to make, lol. So I did great all day.

I can't wait for the raw benefits to kick in so I can get rid of this back and neck pain, ugh, it's gotten so bad. I felt so much better today on raw. I love raw.

[carolg]

It's been 8 months of exercising with trainer to get me to the 31 pounds so far. I actually was 31 off but wavering a pound here and there for past 2 months. So say 6 months to get this off. I do look very slim according to my eyes. Last night at the gym I wore a top that I had for a long time. I was shocked: it was massive and ugly big. It's now history and a raw. I was super surprised.

I have been doing weight training each time plus cardio. Since I pulled a muscle or something behind my knee or maybe my knee too I have been taking it easy walking the treadmill. Now someone said the eliptical is easier on knees so I'm switching to that vs. treadmill. I see the chiro. in two days so I'm sure the whole body needs a good adjustment especially that one side.

For back pains how about yoga? I have read such wonderful things about it. I do it myself at the gym. At home, no motivation, but a gym class several times a week.

Have to head to store now as nothing to put in a smoothie at all. I can't believe how much produce I went through this week, but hey I'm all about it.

Pam,
Did you have a smoothie today????????????

carolg

[Rawmommie]

Manylittles, we all slip up, just jump right back on and continue eating raw! :)

Scale is moving for me, ever so slightly. I saw 200 this morning, but I won't be jumping around celebrating until I see 199. Silly how important numbers can become for me. :rolleyes:

I'm eating really simple, it's what works for me. Lots of salad, some fruit, and no nuts.

[ManyLittles]

Rawmommie- Don't worry, I still consider that day I ate cooked a partial success...I was half-raw,right? I stayed all raw yesterday, and I will today too. Now that the kids are going raw, and my husband is helping with making their meals, I should do very well. Of course, he did go get them fast food for breakfast twice in a row now. :rolleyes: But at least I wasn't around when he did it.

I'm a little frustrated...only lost two tenths of a pound today...I was expecting two full pounds! :confused: Oh well. Maybe because I didn't get enough sleep. I've heard you need to get enough sleep to keep up weight loss,and I've noticed that myself.

[carolg]

How would you feel with a ONE OUNCE loss in ONE WEEK. Yikes! You may see my post as my trainer and some others believe I am not getting enough protein. I'm making sure my smoothies have hemp powder in them. A good bye to a few ounces is good bye!

carolg

[1bigfamily]

1bigfamily: 25 pounds in one month?!:eek: :eek: :eek: Wow, what are you doing? Tell me! Tell me! You're not even that big, to be losing that much so fast. I assumed you must be in the 400 range for that much loss, til I saw your signature. You must share!

I think the quick elimination is because I am nursing but I will share what I am doing anyways.;)

Almost every morning I eat veggie juice with ginger for breakast. The rest of the days vary alot. I try to eat fruit before most meals. I eat salads with a honey lemon ginger dressing, some raw veggies, and nuts or avocado almost daily. I eat corn chips with my salsa and guacamole on an almost daily basis (at least 4-5 days a week) but I load up each chip with topping so I get more veggie and fewer chips. I add lots of veggies to the guacamole too!! For dessert I eat chocolate chips or 70%+ chocolate bars. Ahandful of chips or a few pieces of the bar do me well when I want dessert. I have had a few slip ups in there back to cooked things but not too many. I really enjoy eating this way and I started it for health and to help my kids and I with ADD issues so everyone in the house isa eating at least 75% raw so the temptation is probably lower than it is for most people.

[Rawmommie]

How are all of you doing this weekend?!!!

I'm feeling good, the sun is out and I'll be getting out in the garden again today! :) Weight is down another pound, I'm 200 this morning...SO CLOSE. What is it about that 199 mark that is so elusive? :p

[ManyLittles]

Wow, Rawmommie...so close you can taste it, right? Your body knows you want to see that number. It is retaining water to mess with you. You'll probably get a big drop in a few days and go right past that 199. ;-)

I did well this weekend. No temptations. Went to a raw restaurant Saturday, that was nice. Experimented with new recipes last night. (yuck). Made salsa, that was good. I make Alissa's tomato salsa, but with less tomato. So with the fresh herbs, it looks half green, half red. I use two jalapenos, too.

Dropped 3.4 pounds. Yay! Waiting for the good stuff to kick in...get rid of that back pain, you know. Hasn't happened yet. Haven't gone into detox yet, but I've used some cooked salad dressing, so that might be why.

Anyway, hope you all had a radically raw weekend, too!

[Cherrango]

Hi everyone! I guess in my own time I've been working my way back to checking in here again....it's been a hard few months, with my position on raw being firmly "off the wagon", so I've been neglectful of self AND embarrased to even post in here....but no more! I'm back in, ALL in. manylittles....your weight that you list now is very reflective of mine, hope you don't mind the comparison....! I know now that I really need to accept any help and encouragement others in here are willing to offer, and I hope I can be of some value for you when I post, as well. I think it is well to remember, all we can do is try. Which I, for one, plan to do! ;)

[oceanee]

Cherrango~Don't ever be embarrassed to post here. I must say I have been in your situation more than once. We are all here with the common goal to get healthy, release toxins and fat cells ! This site has been an enormous help to me when I am feeling a voice from the other side in my head taunting me to forget my goals and vision.

Just had to say Hi to everyone ~ I am still on the master cleanse and it is starting to feel like I am resetting my body clock.

Best to all ~
Oceanee

[ManyLittles]

Hi everyone! How are you all doing? I've had a couple of cooked meals...I guess I'm struggling a bit. It seems like I'm not losing weight very well this time. But I'm still hanging in there. Last night my husband and I spent a couple of hours washing fruit and chopping up veggies for the week. We actually enjoyed it and we got a chance to talk a lot too. And the nice thing is, he said that he couldn't believe how tiring it was just to cut up veggies, and now he understands why I hate it so much! We got a ton done. I even juiced a whole bunch of lemons, carrots, and celery--a job I always put off.

Having all those veggies prepared ahead is going to be so helpful for this week. He did a great job. And it's nice to know he appreciates how much work it is.

He got me a rebounder for Mother's Day. It's a cheapie from walmart, and I told him it won't last because I'm over the weight limit for it, but he said if I like using it he'll get me a good one when we have the money. I've heard good things about the Needak. Does anyone know of other good brands? Particularly one that you are able to buy replacement parts for.

Boy, bouncing on a rebounder is a LOT harder than it looks. My calves killed after less than a minute! And Revvell was right...you need to strap down the girls, or it hurts! And (embarrassingly enough) your stomach, too, if it overhangs. Ugh.

(He kids love the rebounder, too, and it's a great way to wear them out, lol.

I notice that desserts are really turning me off--the cooked ones. Even when I cheat, I don't care for dessert. I threw away a brownie sundae yesterday because it was just waaaay too rich. Progress?

[ManyLittles]

Where is everyone?

Well, I'm still plugging away. Not doing too great, but eating raw every day. (Not mentioning the...ahem...cooked...dinners.:o )

Anyway, I found this video on youtube from HSN. It's the Urban Rebounder they sell. It comes with those stretchy cords and 10 workouts on dvd for $99, and they take 3 payments. But the neat thing is that they demonstrate some exercises for beginners that help with your abs (yes we do have them...there under there somewhere!), like sitting on the edge of the rebounder and bouncing, or doing semi-crunches while holding onto the stabilizer bar.

Now, if you're my size, crunches are out of the question...in fact, once you lay down, it's a workout just to get up off the floor! I tried a few of these exercises, and they aren't bad! I admit I can't do many yet, but hey, baby steps. Also there are rebounder workout clips all over youtube, which is nice, because it's hard to find places to buy rebounder workout dvd's without buying the rebounder, too.

Oh, and the Urban Rebounder holds 300 pounds, which is nice. So much workout equipment is only up to 250. I'm going to ask my husband if I can get the urban rebounder, and save the cheapie I have for the kids or sell it on craigslist.

Here's the url for the youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LIDlXtbFUw

[Frugal Raw]

Hi! ManyLittles, that is a cool video and a great deal:)

I've been on a hiatus this month, with the hubster being home convalescing. I unfortunately have to put him on a bus back to base on Monday morning. I'll be going back to my much simpler life/fare after he goes back. This whole month has been wheels off and anything goes with him home. It's been wonderful, but I am anxious to get back to high raw:) Unfortunately too, I lost my last chewing surface on my lower jaw this past week. My childhood dentist overfilled my teeth, and they have crumbled, cracked, and broken over the years. I have never had and don't now have the financial ability to have anything done about it.

On the up-side, I've got a lot of things in the works for myself and my future, that I have written about in my blog. Very exciting times, stepping into the shoes I've wanted to for years. I've always hit brick walls in years past - but this time feels different. I think some of those brick walls may have happened because I wasn't living where I needed/wanted to be - I didn't want to throw down roots there, and basically, this road will require doing so. Another underlying cause was the requirement to work jobs to pay the bills and take care of my kids all alone. I felt trapped in a world that I wanted no part of - Corporate America. That too is no longer an issue for me - as I can now start all over and become what I have wanted to be for so long - a healer...and when the opportunities present themselves, a counselor.

Life is rawesome!

[Catladyintown]

Hello all I just saw this thread today. Must have been blind.:o But wanted to say hello. It will be weird and exciting to be a normal weight. I have always been obese when I was 10 yrs old I was 200lb that was 35 years ago. Will just want to say hi.:)

[ManyLittles]

Oops! I just realized that I overlooked Cherrango and Oceanee's posts, thinking no one was around. How did I miss those? :p LOL...sorry!

Cherrango...I don't mind the comparison at all. That's what this thread is here for, so we don't feel like we're the only fat people on here! I'm glad you're back. :) That's what makes this so different. We keep coming back because we know it's not really about the weight...it's about what is right, and what is healthy.

Oceanee...tell us how the MC goes. I'd like to do that, but it's soooo expensive. Plus I don't want to use the maple syrup. I'm considering doing a juice fast, but I can't even seem to get up the guts to stick to a green smoothie feast!

Frugal Raw: that's terrible...I wonder if that's what's happening with my teeth. Ugh, embarassing, I hate them. Sounds like you should try a green smoothie feast too. And yes, that video is cool. My husband just ordered me one last night. :D Ten days til it gets here!!

I found so many videos online that teach rebounding. A lot are not suitable for tubbies like me, who are so far beyond "out of shape" that just getting out the rebounder is exercise! However, I did find several that were good, and just a tiny bouncing movement is still good for you. We have to start somewhere! And I'm finding doing crunches, leg lifts, etc. are actually possible (modified) on the rebounder. I tested doing a crunch on the floor. I couldn't even technically do one on the floor. I did several on the rebounder. It was fun, too. Okay, not the crunches, but the actual bouncing exercises were, expecially to music. I never thought exercise could be fun!

I worked out fifteen minutes or so, which is saying a lot since the stuff like crunches was exhausting for me, and I've gotten so out of shape since this last baby...oh, it's just really BAD! :o I wanted to do more last night, but didn't want to be bed-bound today, lol.

Oh, and I discovered that you should really use the rebounder in socks and shoes. I've read that you can go barefoot, but at least for me, that's a bad idea. Probably all that weight on my poor unsupported foot arches is too much. I can only do a minute or two without shoes, but a lot longer with shoes. I also switch to very mild bouncing or walking movements when I get tired or too weak to continue an exercise, just so I can keep pushing myself until I'm ready to do more. I'll let everyone know how I like the Urban Rebounder when I get it.

P.S. Hi Catlady, welcome!

[Frugal Raw]

I did a month-long fast/feast in April - and I am so sick of smoothies, I haven't gone near my blender since! LOL!!! For now I am relegated to chewing with my front teeth, and staying away from things that are really hard.

Here's another interesting aside...I have found that my body doesn't like fats. I can only tolerate them in low amounts in a meal, and not each meal each day - which is a good thing, I think. If I go overboard and have too much, I feel like I have a big rock in my stomach, and I am miserable for hours. It was my hubster that figured out the connection. This started years ago on cooked, whenever I'd have tex-mex out of the house, and indulge with avos, cheese, and sour cream all together in the meal. I would also have a similar reaction if I ate just a large portion of guacamole and fried chips. For a while I thought it was that I couldn't tolerate the avos. Now I know, it's fats that my body has issues with processing. I think the easiest on me are olives, and I never eat many of those all at one sitting. Glad we figured that one out!!

My main source of exercise right now is the garden. Still pulling plantain roots - hoping to get a lot more knocked out today:) I'm planning on tilling the plot this weekend, and planting on Sunday before the hubster leaves for MO...sort of an old-fashioned victory garden!

[carolg]

Frugal Raw,
Isn't it amazing how expensive these darn teeth are? Or should I say the dental outrageous costs? Thank God I had dental plan that covered most of my challenges this year. I worked at the Pit from Hell Corporate America job and 6 months bought me dental freedom. Still super expensive. It's a whole story in itself.

==
fats:
I know of another person behind scenes saying "fats" are causing her health challenges so she is doing 80/10/10 that Doug Graham recommends. I'm not familiar with that so may google or others talk here.

==
All,
So proud of your progresses. For me it's nothing compared to where you all are and have come, but still each on his/her own journey. Just feel the freedom to come out and share here unconditionally. We call thise thread "obese" but for me I don't fall under those terms but get inspired by you all here.

Catlady:
Interesting about your weight challenge as young as 10 but today you are in charge. Congrat!

=
Enjoy the rest of the day everyone. Plans to do yoga tonight and I must post this lady's DVD that she sells. She's fabulous and my teacher. Of course gotta get strength and cardio after that. Last night was able to run for a few minutes, and then walk rest--both on treadmill. Felt like super woman flying through the air but on my feet with great Nike running shoes that have gel.

carolg

[Catladyintown]

Thank you ManyLittles for the welcome. I know Carolg I believe the last time I was at a normal weight is when I was around 6.:( By the time I was 7 I started to gain weight. By 10 I was already morbidly Obese.

[ManyLittles]

Hey, I just came up with a recipe for Coco-Orange Brownies. Mmmm-MM!

Coco-Orange Brownies (http://rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?p=422290#post422290)

[Frugal Raw]

WOW!! Orange and chocolate are beautiful together!! I like also that you added coconut, and used cashews as your base:D well done!!

[ManyLittles]

Thanks, frugal raw. I just made it again last night (and I'm out of cacao now, waaaaaah!) and made it with brazil nuts and almonds. Good, but not near as good as with cashews. The orange flavor didn't come through as well. Since they were unsoaked, they were also unpeeled, and I'm guessing the peels from them didn't help. Still good, though.

[Frugal Raw]

Try combining with lemon or key lime instead of orange some time!! It's rarely seen, but oh-so-good! Definitely stick with the cashews for those, tho - you'll need the subtlety for the flavors to shine through.

We rented a tiller yesterday for my veggie garden, and even with gloves on, my hands are a mess. They ache terribly and are pretty cut up with blisters. I also have one blood blister from trying to start the @%$$#! thing. It's gas-powered and starts like an old lawn mower. I have it until Tuesday morning. Hoping to finish the plots tomorrow. Hubby will be taping my hands for me to hopefully get me through. I've got about 1/3 of one plot and all of a smaller 2nd one to get done. wish me luck!!

[Catladyintown]

Frugal Raw I sympathize with you. I used a heavy duty tiller before and honestly you won't be feeling the pain until your done tilling. Than the muscle aches start to set in. My only advice is try to do stretching because it is like a total work out for you shoulders and back.:( Keeps us updated on your garden please.:) I love hearing how people vegetable gardens are doing.

[shakemeupjudy]

Hi all!
I just discovered the Raw Foods lifestyle this week and have been learning and getting more familiar and informed via posts and great lit such as Mattye's e-book.
Thanks Mattye! Great tips and recipes for those of us on a limited income.

I am still into cooked foods, but totaly identify with the sentence that described the feeling of lethargy,feeling like I have arthritis,bloating and stiffness, etc.

I am a young and very energetic 59, but have ballooned up to my heaviest 235 lbs (today) with a body mass index of 38.
O-friggin-bese.(pardon me)
I am feeling the effect of these extra lbs and am tired, swollen and drag myself around all the time. My dr says I am in good health except for the weight. Ha!

So...sumpin's gotta change and it's gotta change NOW.

I believe Amazon should be delivering my Book (alissa's) tomorrow, but while I wait..:
how does one get started? Is there a cleansing drink I should mix up?
Is there a liquid fast I should go on to prepare for going Raw?
How Does one begin and where?

[Frugal Raw]

So glad you're enjoying my e-book:) On fasting/cleansing, you might want to hold off on that for a bit. Just going raw will more likely than not put you into a detox. Keeping it simple being that you're still doing cooked foods might be the gentlest way for you. Cleanses can intensify the detox experience. That said, some people do the master cleanse for a week to 10 days prior to going raw. The most important thing is to listen to your body - when you begin to crave solid foods, close out the fast. Going too far can send you into a binge. Hope that helps:) I'm worn out - I put the hubster on a bus back to the military base today, so I am emotionally strung out and really tired. I've been holing myself away this evening. Hope I wasn't too confusing...

[shakemeupjudy]

Not confusing at all, but very helpful.
Thanks.
Good thoughts and support are sent your way during this time of sending hubby to the base and trying to rest up.

[Frugal Raw]

wow...my hands still ache. I finished tilling on Sunday. I'm not liking this. It's a rainy morning out here, so I may have another day to rest my hands. I've tried Arnica gel, but the soreness and stiffness are still present. I also have a LOT of water retention going on right now, so I am sure that's not helping matters any. I've been very derelect in drinking adequate water for too long. Yesterday I barely drank 22 ounces. Not good. Going to start that process early this morning. I used to drink at least 5 of those 22 ounces glasses every day.

Time is moving at a crawl for me since Monday. I can't believe it is only Wednesday morning!

Better get started on my day and my water intake...hope y'all are all doing well!

[sfdreams]

I've been away for quite awhile, and haven't been 100%, but I am still striving to get back to 100%!!

I am currently in the hospital (one reason that I found the time to post!! --nothing but time here.) fighting cellulitis from my surgery in April. I just can't do anything easy!!:D

Even though I haven't been eating 100%, I try to eat quality vegan food (although I have had a few "junk food vegetarian" meals;) ), and I have not gained any of my weight back. I am holding steading at 260-270, which is the lowest I've been for over 25 years! So I am trying to stay happy, and remember why I did this in the first place--better health--and I know that I will prevail. I just need to work out the "logistics"--the preparation is what always trips me up. Mattye, I need to re-read your fabulous book to get re-inspired, and also go back to the basics (Alissa).

Mattye, re your teeth: Is there a dental school close to where you are? You can often get very reduced costs, or even free (especially if a student uses you for their exams). It's worth checking into. Indiana University Dental School, although the students do the work, they are closely supervised by the teachers, so the work is quality.

ManyLittles: Thanks for the great sounding recipe! I can't wait to try it out when I get sprung! You've made me interested in trying out rebounding--I've always been leery because I'm afraid that it will break due to my weight.

My biggest news is that I have agreed to be on a panel discussion of vegetarian lifestyles: They have a vegetarian, a vegan, and me-the Raw Vegan! I have to prepare a 5-10 talk on why I started eating this way, and how it has benefited me. We can share a dish to eat or bring in recipes. I'm excited and really scared at the same time. This is really stepping up in courage, and moving through my fear for me!! But it feels like a safe place (my church). This all came about because a month or so ago, one of the ministers gave his talk on the benefits (health, ecological, etc) of eating veg.

Glad to get caught up with all of you again. I will try to come back by on a more consistent basis. Maybe that will help me stay true to my goals.