Why did you become *raw*?

[Shay]

With the health issues I'm facing right now, I think I just need to hear some of the 'why' behind everyone's choice to go raw.......the personal choice, not really the 'why raw is right'....more of what pushed you over the edge to try something so radical? (in today's, or really any day in recent history, society)
Was it a health crisis, weight issues.....
Thanks,

Shay

[Curtis]

Hi Shay,
Well for me, I am 47 now, many years ago God tryed to show me this is a better way to eat and live but I didn't listen. :) I was living in San Diego, CA at the time and came across Fit for Life by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond. Using that book I lost weight and gained amazing energy but did not stick with it.
As I have seen my parents grow older they have be dealing with the things society says are normal for "old age" and I decided recently I don't want to go that way. 6 months ago I started eating better and exercising weekly. Lost some weight and felt better but realized something was missing. Came across Alissa's web site thru another link and have been gradually changing my diet since then. :)
Curtis

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi Shay,

Here is the link to a thread that you may find helpful in learning others' reasons for going raw: http://rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96

My decision was motivated by prevention. Lots of diseases and health issues plague my family members and I want to break the cycle for myself and my children.

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Shay,

I'm still not all raw, but much closer to it than I was 4 or 5 years ago. You can read my story, with pictures at:

http://www.shazzie.com/raw/transformation/helen.shtml

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[tglasco4]

Hi Shay,

I was convinced many years ago by bible study that this was the way I was meant to eat. I about 15 or 16 years ago I came across the book Curtis mentioned by the Diamonds "Fit for Life". I followed the program for a couple of weeks and felt tremendous! But some of my church brethren looked down on the book because the Diamonds (at least not then) were not christians and they introduced some philosophies not in harmony with the bible. So I made the mistake of throwing out the baby with the bathwater. After many years of trying different things to reach optimum health I was introduced to a Raw foodist who came to a local church in my area and did a presentation which included raw foodism(August 2003). I was so excited, but all of my friends and family thought it was too radical. Plus, the man himself looked very thin and sickly (it was because he was just beginning and started detoxing) and many discouraged me saying the lifestyle wasnt healthy. But I felt God calling me to it. So I personally invited him back to my home church for another presentation this past April. He looked great. I found out that he was always thin (he is about six foot one and when before he went raw he only weighed 140lbs). He had dropped down to about 123lbs and when I saw him he was back up to 132lbs as he began to reach his ideal weight. He is 61 but he looked at least 15-20 years younger. His wife is 38 but one would have to ask to know of the great disparity in their ages. After that I decided to pray and go ahead at the end of April. My health has soared since then. By God's grace I will NEVER go back to cooked.

Peace and Blessings to you (with much success!) on your raw journey.

Todd

[tglasco4]

Helen, I must compliment you on your raw tranformation! What a change! You are a true inspiration. Keep it up!

Todd


Hi Shay,

I'm still not all raw, but much closer to it than I was 4 or 5 years ago. You can read my story, with pictures at:

http://www.shazzie.com/raw/transformation/helen.shtml

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Thanks Todd,

I'm really looking forward to the 30-day 100% RAW challenge, starting Nov. 1. I'm really getting geared up for this.

I have let my high raw diet slip. I really believe like some, that it's going to have to be 100%. Once I let cooked food in, it slowly starts to take over.

This past year I have gained 15-20 pounds. I have 18 hypo symptoms back :( with the headache, muscle and joint pain being the worse. Note: I am nowhere as bad as I was in my testimony, but if I don't make some changes, I'll be right back where I was.

Sooooo - I'm looking to feeling FANTASTIC in November and hope it's a real start to 100% RAW for me.

The lower raw intake has also affected my martial arts, which is an important ministry to me (Karate For Christ). I still compete and do demos, but I sure don't look clean and sharp. I know the 100% RAW will improve this area of my life too.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[lil]

Health issue for me. Of all the health problems I have had, the one that was driving me around the bend was non-stop hives and intense itching. I've tried everything to get rid of the problem. What amazes me most - if I eat 100% raw - I never have a hive or itch. As soon as I introduce anything cooked or processed the hives flare up.
So raw eating = no hives. :-)

[Wrecked Spark]

Hello lil,

Would you mind sharing a little more about the hives? That was the final thing that absolutely pushed me over the edge... I had seen doctors, specialists, dermatologists, allergists... you name it. Then I saw iridologists, homeopathists, naturopaths and finally... (the only thing that helped!!!) a nutritionist.

I was always quite healthy, worked out tremendously, didn't eat a lot of junk (eh-hem... by mainstream standards), never ate sugary foods or drinks and generally minded my health... but the hives were so severe I had difficulty working through the INTENSE pain and itching and could not sleep for being woken up screaming. It was absolutely life-changing and consumed a year and a half of my life to try and find some answers. THe dermatologist told me there was nothing that I could do about it and to take a Reactine every day for the rest of my life. Honestly!!! Can you imagine?! I left her office in tears.

So this is the reason I decided to take control of my health in an intense and focused way. I would love to hear your story if you wouldn't mind sharing; noone I have ever known has been through this and so I find understanding difficult to come by.

Thanks!

Cheers,
Wrecked Spark

[flutterfly]

I have had bowel trouble since I was a kid. I know, I am full of it lol. This is the only way of eating that I feel better. I also use to suffer migraines often. Just being 50% for years has taken that away (except for fasting it seems). I am about 85% raw some days and 100% on others. My family all has a bad medical history, bless their hearts.
Also I have gone through a hysterectomy about 30 years ago and 18 years ago a double mastectomy. To have had all that at an early age meant that I had to find a healthier way of eating.

[FEELIN'GOOD]

Hi Shay,

For me it was a search to fight disease. My mom is also in poor health taking pills for everything, I mean everything! And she still suffers... I came across Alissa's website, and I just felt that she practiced what she preached and she made it so exciting! She made the food look palatable and she looks fantastic! After eating cooked food my whole life, and being raise in Louisiana (the land of the fried and home of the heart attack) I had a lot of internal cleaning to do! The next morning, I ate all raw! The day after that, my body buzzed all over! I was up at 4am with loads of energy, so much I had to jump on the tredmill to wear it off! Seriously, it was the most amazing feeling ever! It was like a sign to me that this was right... That feeling is what makes me want this everyday even more... of course detox comes in and you feel a little tired for a while, but that's just your body working so hard to clean up inside... after that is over, that feeling is apparently a part of you... how wonderful!

Try it and you won't go back, and if you do fall every now and then, your body will give you signals to tell you it's not cool... You really come in tune with yourself going RAW! It's exciting, and where can you go wrong? You are going to eat things as they are grown... full of everything that is good for you! Your taste buds will change and you taste every great part of what ever you eat... it's great!

Good luck on your journey!

[Shay]

Thanks, so great to hear everyone's stories. I appreciate the links too, I guess I'm not the only one who needs to know there are *others*

I've been raw 100%, 80%, 50% and the only time I wake up feeling great is at 100%. I KNOW that I KNOW that this is right for me.
I've been pointed in this direction for sometime, but the major turning point has been the insane amount of people I know getting very sick, cancer, heart problems etc, etc, etc. I just want to do whatever I can to prevent disease.

A big hurdle for me is that years ago I was hospitalized for an eating disorder and that of course scared my husband very much, his radar goes up whenever I'm on yet another diet. (metabolism, thyroid, fate, punishment for abusing my body as a young adult....has kept me 20 pounds overweight)
Soooooo after the *banana incident* he isn't at all supportive and I just needed to hear what I'm doing isn't insane. : )
Although I do need to eat more than one food at a stretch I suppose!

Shay

Oh, and for anyone who remembers my whining about giving up coffee, I am officially caffeine free...just an occasional herb tea, Yogi Tea Licorice mint specifically. yeah!!!!

[rawmom]

In late Feb. of '04 I was misdiagnosed with life threatening food allergies. To make a very long story short, it was happening with all types of foods and even after water. I was sent to a food allergy specialist who correctly diagnosed me with Severe Silent Acid Reflux. I was put on the "little purple pill" for a six week program and told to eat whatever I wanted. I did as I was told and only improved slightly in those 6 weeks. By the end of the 6th week, I began having side effects to the medicine (imagine that!!) I did an internet search for natural remedies for Acid Reflux and came across the aforementioned Fit For Life book. I began following the principles immediately and noticed immediate results. At the end of June, I decided to see what eating raw would be like - I actually did my own 30 day challenge! It was great! I couldn't believe how much energy I had-and that's after chasing 4 little boys all day!! My health steadily began to improve and by the beginning of Aug., I had no acid reflux symptoms and had dropped 50 pounds since Feb.! I thank the Lord for showing me the way to the raw food life style. It literally saved my life. I am now incorporating what I have learned into the eating habits of my husband and children and want them never to have to suffer like I did for those 5 months-it was one of the most terrible times in my life. It has amazed me time and time again that doctor's don't encourage the raw food diet as a way of preventing and battling disease and illness. I am glad I have the information to keep myself and my family healthy-ok-I'm carrying on now-I'll end it here.

Have a great evening everybody!!

Rawmom

[rawal]

Great posts everyone! I decided to go raw mostly for the health benefits. I have worked hard for the past couple of years losing extra weight but still didn't feel energetic or totally healthy. I had seen people on tv here and there on raw and it seemed amazing. I did a search on raw, hence, Alissa's site came up. I ordered her book and DVDs ( which are very good by the way ) and now I'm in day 10 of the challenge. I am most excited to have extra energy and have the "fog" lifted from my brain. It seems I've been tired and foggy my whole life. I've never been sickly but the constant tiredness and fogginess drives me crazy! Hopefully, this will help-I've had a day or two since raw where I've felt the fog gone and had more energy so I pray there's more to come! :) One cute comment by one of my boys if I may: he calls "foggy" , "froggy" so...may the "froggy" days come to an end!

[twinyoga]

Raw just makes sense to me. Fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds do supply everything we need in nutrients. And even though it's a tough road, I envy people who are eating raw, are proud of it, and make it work.

Also, being a stay at home Mom, I really like having a way of eating that doesn't make me worry about munching on unhealthy foods throughout the days.

After being raw for just a week, I know the benefits. It's a great way to go.

[corky]

Great to read all these stories!! I came to this after reaching vegetarianism and realizing i still didn't like all the additives in the fake veggie meats, soy milk etc. My children started me on the whole thing, but to me, the only way to eat without preservatives is to eat fresh foods and the only way to do that is to eat them in their natural state. It just is all coming together for me--gee and it only took me 36 yrs!!! Where was Alissa 10 yrs ago??? :p

[vegbaby]

Like a couple of the people above, I found the Diamonds' book Fit for Life when I was in college, about 15 years ago, and I ate high raw for two summers, but it was only to lose weight. Still the idea stayed with me, and I started meeting lots of raw teens through one of my websites. They really inspired me, so I started reading more about it and realizing I might be able to stop feeling like such an old woman in my mid-thirties. I couldn't imagine how I would feel when I was 70 if I felt so horrible now. I'll spare you all the details, but suffice it to say that raw is the way to go for me! Once I was able to go 100% and stick to it for awhile (3 months before I strayed, but I'm back on) the change was amazing.

Melanie

[lil]

Hi Wrecked Spark - I sent you a private message regarding the hives (just because it was off topic...).

Shay - Yahooo! No coffee!! Your doing it!.

[Tanja_swe]

I had to go to the hospital this summer due to really bad stomach pains. It turned out to be gallstones and 2 gastric ulcers. The dr was very worried in case he had to operate since I'm very obese. This made me really scared! I realized that I had treated myself in such a bad way that it potentially could kill me. That was a real wakeup call for me. I searched the internet for remedies when I came across raw food and it made perfectly sense for me. So... here I am now, today is day 26 and I'm loving it! :D

Thanks to all of you for sharing!

[Kristi]

To get off anti-depressants.

[corky]

Good for you both Tanja and Kristi!! I have a cousin who is quite unhealthy and overweight and would LOVE to share this easy solution with her. But she is a ukrainian through and through and i don't know where i would start. She is going to Hawaii and keeps saying she would LOVE to lose weight b4 going--if only i could help--she already thinks my veg. is unhealthy so i know i couldn't convince her of this--perhaps i could email her a link to Alissa's site or something--hmmm...Well very proud of you all taking some positive changes.
Kristi, I am proud of you too as my mom was on anti-depressants and unfortunately ended up dying at 43 of a seizure. The lithium, halcyon, prozac--i couldn't believe all the drugs the doctors had her on. I tried to intervene, but had little knowledge about anything 14 yrs ago. I know there may be a place for some drugs, but ultimately it is the drug companies that win, not the patients hooked on them for life.

[solchile76]

I cannot say that I am "raw". My reasons for transitioning to a raw lifestyle is overall health. I am in my late 20s and I am concerned for my health as my mom has had a hysterectomy, battled and conquered breast cancer, had her thyroid destroyed by that "pill" and is currently dealing with fibromyalsia. I don't want to go through all she has in her 58 years. Hopefully she will see the changes in me and work on changing her own diet.

I've tried everything from Weight Watchers to Atkins to keep my weight down. Last year I met a woman who is a vegan and in associating with her my eating habits changed. That change alone has made a difference. I have not lost any weight but I have maintained. I have greatly increased my consumption of fruits and veggies and am working toward depleting as many cooked foods from my diet as possible.

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Solchili,

Maybe your mom would like to read my testimony. I too have thyroid disease and suffered severe fibromyalgia:

http://www.shazzie.com/raw/transformation/helen.shtml

Since her thyroid has been destroyed, she will probably have to be on thyroid meds the rest of her life, even with the raw food diet. My thyroid hasn't been destroyed but with eating high raw, my thyroid meds have been cut back and one day I WILL be off my meds. But back to the Fibro. I had severe Fibro, while on Synthroid, and my tests all said I was normal. But I wasn't normal. Once I switched from Synthroid to Armour Thyroid (a natural thryoid by prescription only), my Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, headaches, etc. were gone in 10 days. I'm wondering if you mother would benefit from having her doctor or a doctor changing her med. I have numerous articles that she may be interestsed in pertaining to Fibro and thyroid. You can e-mail me for the articles at:

bargas@charter.net.

Her going raw will also help get rid of the Fibromyalgia, it just will take a while longer and maybe just changing her meds will give her immediate relief. (plus the armour thyroid is more natural than the synthetic Synthroid and costs a whole lot less if you don't have insurance).

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[solchile76]

Thanks for the info. I will definitely pass it along.