New and Terrified = I have to change

[kitlynne]

Hi, I'm Kit. I'm 28, diabetic, and thanks to a major head injury and likely my recent life style I've fallen into epilepsy. Fallen can actually be taken literal

So here we go. Back at it again after only a year and a half off the band wagon where even when I was on it, I wasn't completely RAW. In that time, I've undone pretty much everything I accomplished.

From 140 to 200 lbs. My highest weight is 356 and I'm looking at myself everyday thinking if I don't do something.. I'll be there again.

From no medication to preparing to treat my diabetes with insulin.

From happy, healthy, full of energy to down right terrified and depressed. I feel like I've slowly began the process of actually killing myself with all the reversals that I've seen and with the arrival of seizures, I'm pretty much stuck and way too much home bound.

My body is so out of wack that I produced pro-lactin in great amounts and suddenly my body thought it was pregnant. Talk about frustration and embarrassing.

Working the overnights and on four twelve hour work weeks, I've found that since I rely on my boyfriend for transportation that more and more of my intake is coming out of a window every day.

I'm not even sure where to start with starting over. I know that if I don't that things are only going to get worse and I'm so over stimulated by the information out there that wasn't there only a few years ago.

I need to keep it simple. That much I know, and I want to move forward and do it right. Juicers, blenders, sprouting.. AHHHHHHH!!!!

I know that I need to eat raw ... but there's just soooo much to do ... I guess this is where I yield to everyone and their wisdom and ask for help.

Living healthy can't be as hard as it looks!

[carolg]

We'll encouraage you to the max, but now you want to make up your mind you are ready for the change even if you "fall" and we help pick you up. Today being on my Green Smoothie Challenge for a 14 day challenge I got my daily mailing from them. It's free. There was a diabetic freedom testimony. You can get that too.

Also, did epilepsy start as a result of any fall or blow to the head? If not, guess what??????? My husband got HEALED and FREE of epilepsy now 30+ years later, with drugs only 10 days while I was hunting for answers. We didin't know of a raw diet back then but we knew about being vegans and we did just that. Want that same freedom? If you can't go 100% start where you are at and aim higher. In your situation, which I see as crisis why not start at the top. I know with epilepsy you may also be limited to driving.

I can say: YOU CAN DO IT! I'm here to encourage you and cheer you on. Email me privately or post here, but if I don't see it here, then make sure you email me. I do reply and will also post here for the benefit of all to see. It's a sharing experience.

Oh, when my husband got diagnosed medically for epilepsy, I cleaned out the freezer/refrigerator and all animal products went!!!!!!! It didn't take a minute to ask: should my husband live in sickness or health. It was my decision for him as he was too sick to decide for himself, but he was willing to change however and I choose HEALTH and LIVING WELL! His brother a few years older calls himself an old man and has tons of health problems. He even acts back as an old man too!!! He speaks that way and lives up to his beliefs. The guy doesn't want to change so he chooses "his own premature death sentence."

Off to chiro. now.........

Carolg

[Dimond]

Welcome Kit! You realize things need to change & are willing to explore it and put in some effort-that's the most important. You're right in trying to keep it simple. The main appliance you may consider would be a good blender. If you can't afford a Vitamix or Blendtec, there are many others that people recommend. I did my years of raw by making very simple foods & sometimes supplementing them with prepared foods made by others. All of the recipes I've used take less than 5 min. You can find many on this forum, other raw websites and through books. Of course the simplest way of all is by just eating fruits & vegs as is. But if you don't enjoy that, you can make most meals blended (smoothies, soups, etc) or in salads. You can check out my recipe page link below for some ideas as well or email me. I'm sure many on here will give you tons of support. :)

[kitlynne]

Hi Carolg,

You made me cry a lot. =)

I've watched the reversing diabetes naturally video on you tube and want to do it.

Unfortunately, my epilepsy is the result of a traumatic head injury. Someone who used to be a significant part of my life decided to find out what was harder, my skull or a Louisville Slugger. Glad to say that while both broke, I shocked surprised and amazed the doctors and came out of it pretty well.

I know that food, stress and lights work together for my triggers, but I am very glad to hear that your husband kicked it to the curb. I'm just shy of two months seizure free as I've started making the changes I need to be healthier.. but I don't feel like it's enough.

Thanks for saying people here will help pick me up when I fall. Needed to hear that. =)

[Ilse W.]

Isn't life wonderful? WE HAVE CHOICES! If we pick the wrong way, we get to stop and change our mind and choose again. You are in a perfect place: ON THE WAY UP!:D And what a fantastic place to come for help. We'll all be here pulling for you. I'm no expert on RAW, but I'll chime in when you have a question. If you need a shoulder to cry on when you make a false step, we'll be here. If you need an occasional kick in the rear, I'll accommodate you :D. Ready? Baby steps. Green smoothies, salads, juice. It's really easy. Stick to the simple stuff at first. Work through detox symptoms. Once you get past the first few weeks, you'll have so much energy that you'll find the time to experiment with recipes. First things first, though. Plus, I don't know what you do for a living, but night time is a bad time to be working, if you want to be healthy :(.

[kitlynne]

Gilmore Girl,

5 minute recipes sounds like heaven right now. =)

[kitlynne]

Emma - I'm thinking baby steps though sometimes it's hard not to just dive right in face first. =)

Thanks for the reminder. Keep it simple..!! Baby steps! I can do it.. woot more of that can do...

[jacsam]

You mentioned I don't even know where to start over again.....pop Alissa's DVD in and watch it....you'll quickly remember how to make some delicious, quick recipes and you'll get enthused about raw foods again. Next, read Alissa's book and just DO IT!!! It sounds like your ready. Good Luck!

[Frugal Raw]

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

[Veganforlife]

Welcome! You've come to a healing place. A place to learn, listen, and become well. You CAN do this. We are all on this circle of life called Earth to help one another and reach out and offer advise and (((hugs))).

Do you have Alissa's book and DVDs? I strongly suggest getting them, as they are THE best out there.

It's amazing how forgiving our bodies are and quickly forgiving.

There is a reason you've come here...there are NO coincidences in life...

[annavon]

Kitlynne: You've literally had some hard knocks. Now it is time to heal. Keeping it simple at first can be good, thats how I started. Do as much raw as you can. Juicing can be very healing. There are some good ones that are not super-expensive. I've heard good reports re: Jack LaLane Juicer. Do what you can. At first I aimed for 85% when I came back to raw. Now, I am going the 30 day challange and its great to be 100%.

You are in good company, many of us are hear because of health issues. There are lots of success stories of healing too. I wish you the best.

[StarFire]

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/ththliloandstitchhug.gif ...First of all... ((( GREAT BIG HUGS!! )))

secondly ... Aloha and Welcome to RFT! I am so glad that you are here... I really understand when you say -- information overload. That's where I was a year ago -- sitting in front of my computer - crying and frazzled and just didn't know what to do or where to turn...
and by the grace of God - ended up finding Alissa's forum...

The EASIEST and simplest way to start ... that will help you immensely ... get Alissa's book and her DVD... watch the DVD -- and you will see how simple Alissa truly makes everything...

and next... simply follow the 30 day plan Alissa has laid out in her book... the food is fantastic - it's fun to prepare - easy and quick and really helps when you are not sure where to start. I was so overwhelmed.... being able to follow Alissa's plan was like a 'no-brainer'.... yet I knew the food was healthy and RAW and helping me greatly.

It allowed me to simply concentrate on taking in healthy food... that was my step one. I think doing that gave me a 'foundation' from which to start my journey. During that first 30 days - I read a lot here on the forum, and just applied myself to eating only what was on Alissa's menu... my mind began to clear and my life began to change...

Your's will too... but I so understand and can relate to your post... When you have soooo much to deal with - where do you start? Its scary, and overwhelming...

so - start simply -- just allow the menu in Alissa's book to help you thru the first 30 days... and let things unfold from there!

blessings to you...

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

[shashibala]

Welcome! You have been through so much. I wish you all that you need to heal and become healthy and happy!!

[Rrose]

Hi!

You will get there. You stick to eating to as close as possible to nature and you will get there. This will just take time. Just remember: if man made it, don't eat it. If God made it, eat it.:D

I hope you enjoy your stay on the raw food planet!!

[Emma-Liza]

I posted over on your blog, but you put your story here, so I wanted to respond. A baby step you could take today/tomorrow is the next drive-thru window you go to for food, order a garden salad. All the chain fast food places have them. If they're small, get two! Some tea and a dressing and you've got a start on a raw day! That's a significant change without altering your routine a bit.

Next regularly scheduled trip to the grocery, get your produce ripe and ready to eat. Don't be afraid to put it in the fridge. Avocados keep up to 2 weeks if they are just ripe --but not overripe-- when you put them in. Same goes for peaches, tomatoes, bananas, lemons & limes, pretty much everything. Buy mature heads of lettuce, which keep longer, instead of bags/boxes of baby greens. You can get a week's worth of food in one trip--I do it all the time. Another change without changing your routine.

Gilmore Girl is right--a blender is about all you need to get going. You can make smoothies, pates, dressings, and puddings in it.

When you can make just one change, you have a foundation and a motivation for the next one. You don't need to think about all of them, just the next one. So, pick one thing right now and go for it!

[kitlynne]

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone. Yesterday was a particularly rough day and I'm looking forward to the changes. As to Alissa's Book, I ordered this "morning". I can't wait for it t get here!

[RawHeaven]

Dear Kit,

I wish you well on your raw journey. Reading your words takes me back to a place I remember all too well and I know the despair you can fall into when you're healing your body of an illness and carrying extra weight on top of it. Raw does work and I know you're going to feel great and reach the health pinnacles you're moving towards. Don't forget to visualize yourself well. It can be hard at times to do this, but it makes a lot of difference to keep your thoughts positive. No doubt you already know how to do this.

Congratulations on beginning.

All the best,
Crystal

[HolyGuacamole]

I just want to offer you a hug and say this to you:
You can do this!

Best to you. <3

[Christiana]

Ohwow. You've really had it rough. But, as someone said, we have choices, and thank goodness for that!

Just for the sake of stating that recipes don't work for everyone...Ihaterawrecipes. And they hate me. Seriously. Yesterday, my first day ever 100% raw, following a 6 day water fast, I tried to make something, and it really didn't turn out well. It sucked, actually, and I threw it out. Y'see, I grew up on an acreage, and my mum had this gigantic garden full of....veggies!!!!!!! Therefore, since there was always more than enough to harvest for winter, my bro and I'd go out there almost everyday and fill ourselves up on fresh, unintentionally organic, yummy veggies. And because of that, I hatehatehate any fruits of veggies that are not in their natural state, shape, color, etc. So that means, no blended, shredded, juiced, etc, fruits 'n' veggies for me. Right now, I'm snacking on carrots and cukes (my fave veggies), and this morning at about 8 I had a red plum.

Nothing fancy for me, and I like it that way. The 2 whole raw dishes I made caused my throat to hurt, and that was not nice AT ALL. So, the moral of that novel is, recipes aren't the end all. There is nothing simpler than just eating a slice of melon for breakky, a yummy salad for lunch, and some more fruits or veggies and maybe nuts at dinner. :rolleyes: On the flip side, I think my family thinks I'm absolutely beserk.

So just listen to your body, and you'll be fine! -hugs- Good luck!!!

[freshlight]

Hey Kit,

be nice to yourself, you deserve it!

You will manage it because you realised what you need, but don't put yourself under such pressure.

Do it with love and enjoy each step of it.

I wish you perfect health: you are on your way there :)

All the best.

Take care,

Eva