Raw athletes? Introduce yourself

[rawathlete]

from people who think raw food is a good idea, but barely eat any raw food, up to those who are 100% raw.

Also if you barely exercise at all, or if you are an olympic champion, I am just curious.

Your name?
How long have you been interested in raw food?
Your favorite exercise?
Your goals?
Any comments on raw food?


I'll go first

I am Patrick, Triathlon is my favorite, followed closely by soccer. I want to become nationally competitive in triathlon.
I am not even 50% raw yet probably, but I am increasing my raw intake steadily, I follow 80/10/10, and thrive diet by brendan brazier.

I like running outside, even if it's in the cold cus it is a million times better than a treadmill.

I have been vegan for 10 years, and interested in raw food for about a year.

[RawSar]

Hi Patrick
My name is Sarah, I've been about 90% raw vegan coming up to 2 years this spring. Up until yesterday I am 100%! I also follow a mostly 80/10/10 diet.
I haven't worked out much this winter but I'll be getting right back into it pretty soon.
I really enjoy the bikram yoga, and doing classes at the gym like spinning/cardio kick boxing/ step.. etc.
After seeing Christy's pics and reading a little bit about her my goal is to be pretty ripped!
I do prefer to run on a threadmill then outside... Is this a personal thing for you or are there reasons why running outside is actually better than on a threadmill?

[rawathlete]

I'll try to list as many reasons as I can think of that I prefer running outside to on a treadmill.

Treadmill requires the use of natural resources (electricity).
I get bored on a treadmill.
I read a study that said those who run outside as opposed to treadmill released more endorphins, and lost more weight than those who did the same distance/speed on a treadmill.
Treadmill is limited range of movement as opposed to running outside.
Running on treadmill you can zone out, running outside you plan your footsteps to avoid cracks, puddles ice, and you plan your path, etc. (more mental effort involved).
Treadmills are usually under fluorescent lights which IMO is bad for health.
Part of the reason I enjoy exercise is because I am getting back to one with the earth, so I like to do my exercise outdoors as much as possible.
I don't get many opportunities to exercise outside in the winter, but running outside is something that I can do, because you stay pretty warm.

I also do yoga :).
Nice to meet you Sarah.

[freshlight]

rawathlete, great post. I couldn't have said it better. Running outside is great, while doing the same thing indoors is not even half as enjoyable.
I jog since I'm 5 y. old :) Running raw is an amazing spiritual experience. It's beautiful.Especially now when it's so cold outside,-you feel nice and warm.
Have a good run!
Eva :)

[RawSar]

Nice to meet you too Patrick.
I would love to run outside but my body gets super sore after all over, I don't get that same sort of soreness when I jog on the treadmill. I'm hoping its because of the cold weather here.
You've just motivated me to want to give it another try in some warm weather. :)

What type of yoga do you do?

[katacykls]

r
Also if you barely exercise at all, or if you are an olympic champion, I am just curious.
Hello Patrick, my name is Karla I've been curious and now interested about raw foods for five years. It's taken me a while to learn about preparation, techniques, food combination,and appliances. Although, I've been pescatarian for seven years-switching to live a life of consuming mostly raw foods has been a drastic trial and experience adventure. My favorite exercise includes yoga, swimming, and cycling. My goals involving raw food are to improve my digestion thus increasing my energy and mood levels and to release about 20 pounds that have accumulated on my body due to poor digestion. What I love most about raw foods is the taste of having fresh food made by the earth. The ability to find or to have un-packaged pure living food has gives me more energy and a great feeling of connectedness to the universe and animals around me. What is 80/10/10 ?
Also, I used to commute 30 miles to and from school during one of my transitioning attempts and I noticed that sometimes I would feel really burnt out on raw food only-this maybe due to cleansing and detox? Have you felt low on energy on any of your all raw days ?
While running on cold days how do you deal with the cold sometimes oxygen styfling feeling in your chest ? Do you get those ?
I wish their was a way not to get those ? Thanks for sharing.

[rawathlete]

rawathlete, great post. I couldn't have said it better. Running outside is great, while doing the same thing indoors is not even half as enjoyable.
I jog since I'm 5 y. old :) Running raw is an amazing spiritual experience. It's beautiful.Especially now when it's so cold outside,-you feel nice and warm.
Have a good run!
Eva :)

Speaking of running raw, has everyone heard of Tim VanOrden? He's a raw runner, professional level I guess. Here is his website www.runningraw.com and here is a fun youtube video of him making a raw green smoothie. www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-stAb1Pkgg

[rawathlete]

Nice to meet you too Patrick.
I would love to run outside but my body gets super sore after all over, I don't get that same sort of soreness when I jog on the treadmill. I'm hoping its because of the cold weather here.
You've just motivated me to want to give it another try in some warm weather. :)

What type of yoga do you do?

If you get sore after jogging outside, I have a tip, just FYI that have worked for me. I saw a sports doctor about similar things, and he said to find out the maximum distance I can run outside without getting sore, and just do that distance, and you should slowly be able to extend that distance over weeks/months. But the key is to try to never actually get sore again, because that blocks the process of acclimating to running outside.

I am not sure what type of yoga I do! I got a beginners yoga dvd 4 months ago and do that 3 times a week, mostly beginner poses, and I do a sun salutation in the morning too.

[rawathlete]

r
Also if you barely exercise at all, or if you are an olympic champion, I am just curious.
Hello Patrick, my name is Karla I've been curious and now interested about raw foods for five years. It's taken me a while to learn about preparation, techniques, food combination,and appliances. Although, I've been pescatarian for seven years-switching to live a life of consuming mostly raw foods has been a drastic trial and experience adventure. My favorite exercise includes yoga, swimming, and cycling. My goals involving raw food are to improve my digestion thus increasing my energy and mood levels and to release about 20 pounds that have accumulated on my body due to poor digestion. What I love most about raw foods is the taste of having fresh food made by the earth. The ability to find or to have un-packaged pure living food has gives me more energy and a great feeling of connectedness to the universe and animals around me. What is 80/10/10 ?
Also, I used to commute 30 miles to and from school during one of my transitioning attempts and I noticed that sometimes I would feel really burnt out on raw food only-this maybe due to cleansing and detox? Have you felt low on energy on any of your all raw days ?
While running on cold days how do you deal with the cold sometimes oxygen styfling feeling in your chest ? Do you get those ?
I wish their was a way not to get those ? Thanks for sharing.

80/10/10 is a raw food "program" or something, and also a book by Douglas graham. the numbers refer to a diet that should be aiming for 80% calories from carbs, 10 % from fat, 10% from protein. It is a very fruit based program, and lower on nuts/seeds and fats.

I didn't do well on a 100% raw diet, mainly because of similar experience to what you described, I felt low on energy, and slightly ill after a few days, I am still not sure exactly how to overcome that, also I was constantly hungry, but most of these things I think are due to me not planning/ making enough effort, not a lack of a 100% raw diet being sufficient. I will plan more and try to increase my raw food % regularly.

Yes on cold days, I know the cold/stifling feeling in the chest that you are referring to. I found that the more regularly I run, the less often it happens, and it has all but disappeared now. I know many runners would also recommend breathing through your nose while running, but that is a little tricky to get the hang of, but I bet it would do the trick too.

Good luck!

[domestic goddess]

Hi there
I have been raw for a few years now, and after a 'healing crisis' I am back running. I am back up to 4 miles a day, shooting for 5-7. I am working towards getting into trail running and doing some ultras. I did my own ultra last year and ran/walked for 12 hours and felt great! I also cross country ski, and snowshoe with my kids.

[Defiance]

Hi Raw Athlete,

I am getting ready to compete in some figure competitions this year, and I am turning 40 next month. I am going to prove that raw food is the way to eternal youth! :p

I am about 90-95% raw, and have been for just over a year. It is a blessing in my life, and I am so thankful to have discovered this lifestyle.

Since I am trying to gain muscle for the physique competitions, I incorporate more fat in my diet, mainly from avocados and coconuts. As I get closer to the competition, I will go more low-fat to release body fat and get ripped.

Good luck to you in your triathlon. That is awesome!

[RawSar]

Since I am trying to gain muscle for the physique competitions, I incorporate more fat in my diet, mainly from avocados and coconuts. As I get closer to the competition, I will go more low-fat to release body fat and get ripped.


It could be because its 1:30am but this confuses me. I was wondering if you could explain a little more about this. :o

[Blazin'Jane]

[QUOTE=rawathlete;488176]from people who think raw food is a good idea, but barely eat any raw food, up to those who are 100% raw.

Also if you barely exercise at all, or if you are an olympic champion, I am just curious.

Your name?
How long have you been interested in raw food?
Your favorite exercise?
Your goals?
Any comments on raw food?

I am Jane and I have been very high raw for 2 years. I bike 2-3 times a week during the season (Apr-November--if we're lucky). I swim about 2000yards 2-3 times/week. I go to 2 yoga classss/week, and do more at home on my own with videos. I also do strength work: situps, crunches, pushups, and alot of stretching. I am 67years old, lost 37 lb.s the first 5 mos. raw, gained a ton of energy and eventually was able to get off 2 bp meds.
My goals are to stay just as fit as I can. I will do it raw. I think it's the best way to live!

[lamount03]

Hi I'm Laura.
I've been mostly raw since Oct. 2008
I am a triathlete
Half Ironman triathlon in July. Build strength and speed
I have found that I recover so much faster from long work outs when I am eating raw food and replenishing by body properly. (I read Brendan Brazier's book too).

[Lunar*Fey]

I'm Bristol
Sports/Excercise: Cross Country running is my favorite, followed closely by swimming
On a non-competetive level, I also enjoy hiking in the forest, dancing around the house, ice skating, yoga, stretching, bicycling outside

Interested in Raw: about 3 years

Goals: to find myself again, to become a good swimmer and improve my running, to gain true and pure health and overall wellness, to explore, live and learn with dilligence, joy, love, and holistic wellbeing. To re-nourish and mineralize my body for optimal functioning

I was 100% raw and that is the way I prefer to be. For over a year this lifestyle was interrupted and even my veganism was stripped away from me. This was horrible, but now I am at around 98% raw. I used to do 8-1-1 but I have increased fat to about 20% instead and am experiementing with that for now. I am only a teenager and my health has already been depleted so sometimes I worry and don't want to chance doing anything wrong. I want to become as super-athletic/fit and mentally/physically healthy as possible :)

[les]

Hi Patrick-
I'm Les, an Ironman triathlete and distance runner. And a chef. I got interested in raw foods about a year ago, and usually have between 70-90% a day. I have incorporated a daily green smoothie, raw buckwheat cereal, a big salad and alot of fruit into my daily diet. I am looking to improve my performances now that I am over the 40 YO mark. I've always eaten reasonably well.
Good luck with your training!

[rawathlete]

[QUOTE=rawathlete;488176]from people who think raw food is a good idea, but barely eat any raw food, up to those who are 100% raw.

Also if you barely exercise at all, or if you are an olympic champion, I am just curious.

Your name?
How long have you been interested in raw food?
Your favorite exercise?
Your goals?
Any comments on raw food?

I am Jane and I have been very high raw for 2 years. I bike 2-3 times a week during the season (Apr-November--if we're lucky). I swim about 2000yards 2-3 times/week. I go to 2 yoga classss/week, and do more at home on my own with videos. I also do strength work: situps, crunches, pushups, and alot of stretching. I am 67years old, lost 37 lb.s the first 5 mos. raw, gained a ton of energy and eventually was able to get off 2 bp meds.
My goals are to stay just as fit as I can. I will do it raw. I think it's the best way to live!

Wow Jane, awesome! I am proud of you! Where do you live? What do you do for a living? Just curoius.
I am glad you got off 2 bp meds and that you got tons of energy!

[rawathlete]

Hi I'm Laura.
I've been mostly raw since Oct. 2008
I am a triathlete
Half Ironman triathlon in July. Build strength and speed
I have found that I recover so much faster from long work outs when I am eating raw food and replenishing by body properly. (I read Brendan Brazier's book too).

I am so glad to meet a fellow raw - triathlete. Half ironman congrats! I hope to also do my first half in the upcoming season.
Have you read 80/10/10 by douglas graham? and you have checked out Tim VanOrden a raw runner?
What part of USA are you from?
What do you do for a living/with your free time?

[rawathlete]

Hi there
I have been raw for a few years now, and after a 'healing crisis' I am back running. I am back up to 4 miles a day, shooting for 5-7. I am working towards getting into trail running and doing some ultras. I did my own ultra last year and ran/walked for 12 hours and felt great! I also cross country ski, and snowshoe with my kids.

Good for you! I have never cross country skied before but it seems like something I would love. Trail running is the best.

Keep it up!

[rawathlete]

I'm Bristol
Sports/Excercise: Cross Country running is my favorite, followed closely by swimming
On a non-competetive level, I also enjoy hiking in the forest, dancing around the house, ice skating, yoga, stretching, bicycling outside

Interested in Raw: about 3 years

Goals: to find myself again, to become a good swimmer and improve my running, to gain true and pure health and overall wellness, to explore, live and learn with dilligence, joy, love, and holistic wellbeing. To re-nourish and mineralize my body for optimal functioning

I was 100% raw and that is the way I prefer to be. For over a year this lifestyle was interrupted and even my veganism was stripped away from me. This was horrible, but now I am at around 98% raw. I used to do 8-1-1 but I have increased fat to about 20% instead and am experiementing with that for now. I am only a teenager and my health has already been depleted so sometimes I worry and don't want to chance doing anything wrong. I want to become as super-athletic/fit and mentally/physically healthy as possible :)

Wow, you are pretty diligent! What part of the country are you from? Do you find it difficult to run during the winter? I am still trying to find out what exactly works best for me in terms of a raw diet.

[rawathlete]

Hi Patrick-
I'm Les, an Ironman triathlete and distance runner. And a chef. I got interested in raw foods about a year ago, and usually have between 70-90% a day. I have incorporated a daily green smoothie, raw buckwheat cereal, a big salad and alot of fruit into my daily diet. I am looking to improve my performances now that I am over the 40 YO mark. I've always eaten reasonably well.
Good luck with your training!

Your life sounds great.
I have been vegan for 9 years and have always tried to maintain a high % of whole foods, but just in the past 15 months I have become interested in raw foods. You are a chef at a traditional restaurant I assume.
You have done the ironman? you are my hero, I want to do it someday. I will hopefuly in 2010. Where are you from?

[Bananna]

Hi my name is Anna, I have been interested in raw food for several years now, and been actively transitioning for about 3 years. The last 10 days I have been 100%.
I used to be much more athletic, but for a decade straight I was pregnant and nursing which made it all very difficult. My babies are getting a bit older now, my youngest almost 4, and am going to start frequenting this section of RFT more often for inspiration. I mean, I am realizing really quickly that I can't just eat raw food, I Need to fold in exercise too. But I am on and off with it, I am also in university which saps a lot of my time.

I am interested in running although honestly I've never been highly fond of it. But I think I'm getting the right frame of mind for it now. I love sit-ups, squats, push-ups and other body weight exercises that are easy to do. I Love swimming, playing and dancing. I would like to get more into dance in about a year or so...right now I need activities that I can fold into a flexible schedule.

I have a question though, when do you run? It seems to me that most people run first thing in the morning, which I don't know how you do it...I can't function without a shower and proper hydration first...and by then, well...I'm busy :rolleyes: I was thinking an evening run would be better, as I can't take sun anywhere near high-noon, but would I run before or after supper? Or do I eat both before and after? And is there such a thing as a waterbottle belt or something? Do you listen to music, or do you listen to nature?

I Love Tim Van Orden...he'll likely be friends with you on facebook if you're into that.

[Maddy]

Hi

I am Maddy

I have played with short triathlons for 4 years now - made three attempts to transition to raw starting again now - maybe 30% now but that should increase.

I have the Brendan Brazier book and love it

Skint right now so race goals for this year - a half marathon in march that coincides with my 40th birthday

The Dragon Ride in June which is 180k around some interesting territory including a few tough climbs

A middle distance tri (half IM distance) in July and a long Course tri (full IM distance) at the end of August

[les]

Wow, you are pretty diligent! What part of the country are you from? Do you find it difficult to run during the winter? I am still trying to find out what exactly works best for me in terms of a raw diet.


Your life sounds great.
I have been vegan for 9 years and have always tried to maintain a high % of whole foods, but just in the past 15 months I have become interested in raw foods. You are a chef at a traditional restaurant I assume.
You have done the ironman? you are my hero, I want to do it someday. I will hopefuly in 2010. Where are you from?

I live in Las Vegas but had lived in Vermont for 12 years prior to June 2008. I have a consulting business for healthy eating. I owned a restaurant in Vermont for over a decade. Triathlon has been in my life since 2002!

[itstheeyes]

Hello all. I'm Jennifer. I've been vegetarian/vegan for eight years(a lot..alright, most of that time was admittedly "junk" food veg and vegan..lots of processed fake meats and fake dairy-began my journey for animal rights, not healthy eating, but have in recent years been changing my approach)and have been interested in raw foods for several years now, but am only recently really dedicating my energy to it.

I was really excited to see this thread and even a space dedicated to excercise in here. I play roller derby and work on my feet all day long so I've been nervous to take the plunge, wondering about energy and strength levels, but by reading everything on here, I'm more confident to go for it and expect It's really inspiring to read all of your successes.

My favorite "excercise" is skating and playing tons of roller derby. There are plenty of vegan roller derby women, but I haven't met anyone super interested in raw foods yet...still hopeful.
I've been upping my intake of raw foods for the past month, making green juices/smoothies and fruit and nut bars to snack on at work and before bouts. I'm probably about 50% raw right now, but it's day to day and I'm trying to get more consistent.
My February goal is to be consistently and comfortably 60 to 70% and if I reach that in good spirits then I hope to go up to 80-90% in March.

Talk to you all along the way!

[Defiance]

It could be because its 1:30am but this confuses me. I was wondering if you could explain a little more about this. :o


Sorry for a long delay in replying. I didn't see this!

I have found through experience that really low fat doesn't work well for me except in short periods of time. I admire the 80-10-10 diet and try to follow the principles most of the time, but I get really tired and drained after a while. I then need to up my fats a bit.

But to put on muscle, you still need calories, and the best way I have found to get enough of those calories and really fuel my body with sustained energy is through good plant fats. Avocados work great for me. I love to mix them with chocolate protein, a little honey, sometimes carob if it's handy, and enough water or almond milk to make a chocolate pudding. Yum! Muscle-building pudding! :D

Young coconuts are another source for me. I love the water, and the flesh is awesome because it is a source of Medium Chain Triglyerides (MCTs) which are fats that are utilized for energy, cannot be stored as bodyfat, and actually help burn current stored bodyfat. A tablespoon of coconut oil or butter will do the same thing, plus it's awesome for your complexion and skin tone. I also use it as a face cream at night.

It appears to be working for me. In my blog post last night, I shared how excited I was that I seem to have put on some quality muscle in my legs and rear end. I put on a pair of jeans I hadn't worn in a while because they would fall down on me, and yesterday they fit beautifully, because my bum will actually hold them up now. But my bodyfat is currently 8.5%, so I know it's not fat! I was so excited!

If I want to drop bodyfat fast, I go on a green smoothie cleanse without any of the fats. That works great for me. Again, I can only do it for a short period of time, but I love the results!

I hope that answers your question. Each person has to find what works for them. I am my own lab rat! ;)

[tkxii]

i'm new here, and to raw food diets in general. I've added tons of veggies to my diet, and as a result, eat less, and have about the same energy, it's been like 2 days tho.
i'm a jumper/sprinter, so i think i probbaly need more protein than a triathalete or a runner. So i do eat eggs, and meat, but not much dairy. i hope my performance doesn't decrease from this diet, most raw food athletes out there are endurance people, so we'll see, i'd say about 65% of my diet is raw, at a minimum

[RawSar]

Sorry for a long delay in replying. I didn't see this!
No worries. It made sense to me later. But thanks for clearing it up a little more for me! :)


It appears to be working for me. In my blog post last night, I shared how excited I was that I seem to have put on some quality muscle in my legs and rear end. I put on a pair of jeans I hadn't worn in a while because they would fall down on me, and yesterday they fit beautifully, because my bum will actually hold them up now. But my bodyfat is currently 8.5%, so I know it's not fat! I was so excited!

I have a problem with all my jeans falling down on me! I have nothing there to help hold them up. I do lots of different squats but never feel the burn in my bum. Please do share one of your bum workouts!! :D

[G. Sera]

Im a runner- Im training for Marathon #18 and Ultra #2. I was fastest when I had been vegan for about 6-7 years- that was 10 years ago. With pregnancy and nursing I started eating dairy and meat for a few years. For the past year Ive been primarily vegan, incorporating as much raw as I can. THe last 4 days Ive been doing a green smoothie "fast" just fruit and veggies in the vita mix with water. Im planning on doing this for a week and seeing how my training goes. So far its fine. I ran 8 miles tuesday, 6 yeasterday and 12 today, all feeling fairly peppy. Worst thing is the cold-- I'm just tired of it! Im fine when running, but I get REALLY cold afterwards. I eventually want to morph into a juice fast, even if just for a few days, but I'll wait till I have a lower milage week planned. I am planning on finishing up a 60 mile week this week, including a 20 mile run on Saturday. I'll bring some dates and Gu for the run. I hope the dates will do the trick, but since it is a new thing, Im bringing the gu for security.

Im also training for a tri this summer-- maybe a few. I need a bike, though. I teach indoor group cycling and have never been outside really riding! I have an old (1991) mountain bike that I use for non-children transportation in milder weather. I began swinning with a masters group once a week. Shiela Taormina coaches it, or Lew Kidder sometimes, and Karen MacKeachie swims with us. They are nationally known competitive triathletes, so Im in good company. I am NOT a good swimmer by any stretch, but Im learning, and I get my heart rate up and the endorphins flowing.

I turn 40 in May, and it is one of the incentives to step up the training. I want to rock the masters circuit! Plus, my kids will all be in school next year so I'll have more time. My shorter term goals include getting the milage up to 75 and hold it there through the summer, running the Cleaveland Marathon on May 17(for fun, not much tapering,) and doing SheRocks all-women tri June 28.

So thanks for starting this topic! I really love talking about this stuff and nutrition and where they meet. Not many athletes think bagels and cream cheese are junk food.

Thanks!
G. Sera

[les]

from people who think raw food is a good idea, but barely eat any raw food, up to those who are 100% raw.

Also if you barely exercise at all, or if you are an olympic champion, I am just curious.

Your name?
How long have you been interested in raw food?
Your favorite exercise?
Your goals?
Any comments on raw food?


I'll go first

I am Patrick, Triathlon is my favorite, followed closely by soccer. I want to become nationally competitive in triathlon.
I am not even 50% raw yet probably, but I am increasing my raw intake steadily, I follow 80/10/10, and thrive diet by brendan brazier.

I like running outside, even if it's in the cold cus it is a million times better than a treadmill.

I have been vegan for 10 years, and interested in raw food for about a year.
Hi Patrick-
I'm Les
I'm an Ironman distance triathlete and compete at the national level. Race season starts (officially) in 2 weeks. Can't wait
I have been on this site for about 10 monthes and have had some raw days. This weeks, I am 6 days into raw and think I have figured out what it takes for an endurance athlete. On most days I just drink a green smoothie and eat a big salad. I do use Larabars and coconut water for fuel. I also have figured out the raw oatmeal thing. Caloric intake is no problem.

Good luck with raw and training
Les

[Pking]

Pking here. Only been doing raw for a little over a year. I love to run outdoors, play basketball, and also play competitive baseball in a local city league.

[lori ann]

Hello
I am Lori-I have been interested in raw food for about two years. I am not %100 raw, but I try to eat as much raw as possible. I also try to juice and drink a green smoothie everyday. As for exercise I enjoy running, rebounding, small weights at home and yoga either at home or at a studio in a small town near me.