abeautifulworld
11-08-2009, 05:59 PM
Hello, everyone. I've been stalking (er...reading...) this forum for a while now and finally took it upon myself to become a full fledged, thread-posting member!
So...a bit about me...I'm 21, a fresh college grad, and living in Kentucky. I've been interested in health/nutrition/lifestyle for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, that interest turned to obsession around age 11, and I struggled with food issues for several years, alternating between anorexic and bulimic periods until around age 19, when I finally talked to someone (I'd been in and out of therapies for ever, but never stuck to any.) After that, I finally found a healthy balance following the Intuitive Eating Program, which I HIGHLY recommend to anyone having food issues. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it changed my life by allowing me to completely shift my attitude toward food. I am forever grateful to the universe for leading me to discover that book..
ANYHOO...
When I moved to Louisville, where I'm now living, I went for a job interview at a local vegetarian restaurant and while waiting for the manager, noticed Ani Phyo's cookbook sitting on a table and started browsing. Being a health nut, I was completely intrigued by Ani's story of losing weight and gaining so much health and positive energy. I'd heard of Raw Foods a few times in passing, but I think I tossed away the idea as an extremist attitude. A few weeks later, I was browsing the bookstore and again, came across Ani's book. I sat and read it for a while, bought the book, and for the past two months have been experimenting with the raw foods lifestyle. I am SO incredibly excited to continue incorporating this way of eating into my life.
I'm now at a dietary crossroads in my life. I'm no longer eating meat, which is great, but I do still eat fish. I've noticed that the more raw foods I eat, the less my body wants seafood, so hopefully my desire will eventually just taper off. The only time I eat dairy/egg is when I'm in a situation where nothing else is available (ie dinner at my mom's house) but I never buy those things, and certainly don't ever cook with them. I've recently phased out coffee (this is day 8) and am hoping it helps to clear my skin, which has been consistently broken out for the past three years, despite my taking probiotics, omega oils, zinc, and a multi, along with general (by non-raw standards) healthy eating.
In August, I was diagnosed with a ping-pong ball sized tumor on my right ovary, which was removed. My entire life, despite being one of the healthiest people I know (seriously, everyone in my family and most of my friends are the worst of SAD offenders,) I've struggled with digestive problems, acne, hormonal imbalance, sinus issues, migraine headaches, gum problems, and muscular problems. Needless to say, it sucks. I've had several episodes of breaking down crying saying, "Why me? I take such good care of myself!"
So I'm hoping that my journey towards this lifestyle will be the key to solving all of these issues. Not to mention my problem with yo-yoing (haha, is that a word?) weight. It's not that I diet--I don't believe in dieting at all. But my body goes through cycles of eating a lot, then eating very little, and my weight often reflects it. Still, I'm fairly thin by most standards, even at my high weight, so that's good at least.
WHEW! After that terribly long introduction, I just want to say hello, and I'm so excited to be here, and I think that having a community of support is one of the most important things when embarking on a journey such as this, and I'm delighted to have found this forum. Okay..I think that's all. =-) Thanks!
So...a bit about me...I'm 21, a fresh college grad, and living in Kentucky. I've been interested in health/nutrition/lifestyle for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, that interest turned to obsession around age 11, and I struggled with food issues for several years, alternating between anorexic and bulimic periods until around age 19, when I finally talked to someone (I'd been in and out of therapies for ever, but never stuck to any.) After that, I finally found a healthy balance following the Intuitive Eating Program, which I HIGHLY recommend to anyone having food issues. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it changed my life by allowing me to completely shift my attitude toward food. I am forever grateful to the universe for leading me to discover that book..
ANYHOO...
When I moved to Louisville, where I'm now living, I went for a job interview at a local vegetarian restaurant and while waiting for the manager, noticed Ani Phyo's cookbook sitting on a table and started browsing. Being a health nut, I was completely intrigued by Ani's story of losing weight and gaining so much health and positive energy. I'd heard of Raw Foods a few times in passing, but I think I tossed away the idea as an extremist attitude. A few weeks later, I was browsing the bookstore and again, came across Ani's book. I sat and read it for a while, bought the book, and for the past two months have been experimenting with the raw foods lifestyle. I am SO incredibly excited to continue incorporating this way of eating into my life.
I'm now at a dietary crossroads in my life. I'm no longer eating meat, which is great, but I do still eat fish. I've noticed that the more raw foods I eat, the less my body wants seafood, so hopefully my desire will eventually just taper off. The only time I eat dairy/egg is when I'm in a situation where nothing else is available (ie dinner at my mom's house) but I never buy those things, and certainly don't ever cook with them. I've recently phased out coffee (this is day 8) and am hoping it helps to clear my skin, which has been consistently broken out for the past three years, despite my taking probiotics, omega oils, zinc, and a multi, along with general (by non-raw standards) healthy eating.
In August, I was diagnosed with a ping-pong ball sized tumor on my right ovary, which was removed. My entire life, despite being one of the healthiest people I know (seriously, everyone in my family and most of my friends are the worst of SAD offenders,) I've struggled with digestive problems, acne, hormonal imbalance, sinus issues, migraine headaches, gum problems, and muscular problems. Needless to say, it sucks. I've had several episodes of breaking down crying saying, "Why me? I take such good care of myself!"
So I'm hoping that my journey towards this lifestyle will be the key to solving all of these issues. Not to mention my problem with yo-yoing (haha, is that a word?) weight. It's not that I diet--I don't believe in dieting at all. But my body goes through cycles of eating a lot, then eating very little, and my weight often reflects it. Still, I'm fairly thin by most standards, even at my high weight, so that's good at least.
WHEW! After that terribly long introduction, I just want to say hello, and I'm so excited to be here, and I think that having a community of support is one of the most important things when embarking on a journey such as this, and I'm delighted to have found this forum. Okay..I think that's all. =-) Thanks!