New here - trying raw..again

[thepcgoddess]

Hi everyone,

I've been raw more off then on the last few years. I also seem to get discouraged, fall off the wagon until something prompts me to get back on the wagon again.

This time my prompting is just feeling really lousy. I'm 40 with 2 kids, a 12yr old and a 7month old. I'm always tired lately, have many aches and pains and have had a lot of trouble breathing, just to name a few symptoms.

I started back on raw Saturday, not 100% but about 85% or so. The last couple of days have been about 95%.

I felt the depression fog lift somewhat a couple of days ago which is a good sign. I really intend to make this a permanent lifestyle change this time. I've just never felt this bad before.

My fiancee' is of no support when it comes to this, he's a total meat eater and can eat like a horse and not gain a pound. I haven't even told him I've started because he's been out of town. He'll know when he gets back though. I think he's so critical of it because my sister was totally into raw eating and passed away from cancer but that's another story for another time. I still believe in the raw food lifestyle and I know it has helped many people.

My 2 hardest things to give up are coffee and cigarettes. I do drink decaf and smoke about 2-5 cigarettes per day on some days, other days I have none. It's more of a mind thing for me at this point. I've also suffered from an eating disorder in the past, Anorexia, Bulimia, binge eating, etc. I'm looking to gain freedom from this too. I believe I will this time. I'm a fighter and have been my whole life. Even when I've fallen, I've always gotten back up at some point.

I have Alyssa's book and DVD which I've been using some of the recipes and made my first smoothie tonite. It wasn't bad. I could just "feel" the energy coursing through me which was a wondeful feeling. Whipped up a batch for breakfast tomorrow.

Had my daughter take pictures of me tonight and I was just horrified at how fat I've let myself become. Geez, I still look pregnant.
Just looking to make some friends and gain and offer support here on this board.

Here's some links to pics of how I look right now:

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn286/thepcgoddess/profile%20weight%20pics/Me001.jpg
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn286/thepcgoddess/profile%20weight%20pics/Me004.jpg


Thanks all!

[spicyfull]

I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW.........Welcome to MY World.

[RawSinger]

Welcome! You've come to the right place and are on the right path!!

I understand where you're coming from. It's unbelievable what weight gain does to you. I gained 70 lbs during my first year of college and became completely run down. I am currently at the highest weight I've ever been at (which is 230 lbs). No amount of sleep makes me feel rested. I still don't have any energy to do anything. I'm only 20 years old. That's why I turned to raw. I've been on and off the wagon but I feel soooo good when I'm on (which is why it has to stay that way now). I was 100% raw for three weeks straight in the very beginning of my journey and I experienced such dramatic effects even in that short amount of time: I lost 10 lbs, gained control over my binge-eating, and felt my mood improve. This is truly the path to ULTIMATE health!

Best of luck to you! This is a great place to gain support!! :)

[Frugal Raw]

Welcome!! I wish you the best of rawesome health!

[jacsam]

It's greata to have you here.....I hope you find all that your looking for and need...WELCOME!!!

[Clover]

I feel yah! I lve to visit and read everyones encouraging stories but yours touched me because all to often I have been in your shoes. I know for me personnaly I tend to get bored so this time around I am buying a dehydraytor and really committing to trying new things. Keep that picture handy and everytime you feel like shoveling macaroni and cheese in your face (sorry I'm projecting:D ) remember how you felt afterward, this has helped me. I would rather have a headache from not eating SAD then feel fat, bloated and with a wet blanket over my head when I have. So keep it up and before you know it maybe even your boyfriend will have to admit that there are many health benefits, my husband who could eat a family size bag of potatoe chips/with dip in one seating NOW eats a bowl of sliced cucumbers instead:D :D :D Best wishes

[thepcgoddess]

Thanks everyone for the support.

I went my 1st day, probably ever, without drinking any coffee! I'm so excited about that. I did good all day today but tonight I don't know what happened to me. I still stayed raw but I was prepping/chopping all my veggies/fruits I bought and just kept eating a little here, a little there. It just all tasted so good to me. Then I made a carrot/raisin salad and had a bowel of that.

I feel like I kind of binged but I know it wasn't a true binge. Plus it was on healthy food, not junk which I am glad of. Also today, I actually craved and enjoyed every glass of water I drank. That's a first!

I made the mistake of talking to my fiancee about the smoothies I made last night. Won't do that again. Like I said before he is so against this. He has issues his own that he needs to resolve and I think that he see's me trying to improve is like shining a light on what he needs to improve.

Anyway, tomorrow starts another raw day, Going to try some new recipes.

[RawSinger]

thepcgoddess: keep up the great work!! Don't worry about eating a lot of raw food in the beginning. Your body needs time to adjust to this way of eating.

Your husband may change his mind about raw food when he sees all the positive changes that you will experience from raw. Just keep on shining brightly!