Hi - I am the new Amanda - with an inspiring story to share.

[thenewamanda]

I'm Amanda. I just turned 30 this year. Last year, right before my 29th birthday, I was about 270 pounds (my heaviest yet), suffering from years of depression, severe anxiety, stress, constant muscle pain. But all of that I had gotten used to. And then, one day I couldn't breathe. I was downtown, shopping, I took a breath, and it wouldn't go in. In my usual not-wanting-to-draw-attention manner, instead of calling an ambulance I got on the bus and took a ride to the ER, where I eventually relaxed (after 10 hours) and thought, everything's fine. It's just anxiety. And then the doctor came and saw me out in the hallway and said, "you have a giant tumor."

That was the day everything changed. I was 28. With a rare form of cancer growing out of my ribcage, threatening my heart, lungs, and the rest. I had to be booked for surgery right away, had to leave my new job, apply for welfare, and then undergo massive open-chest surgery that left me feeling depressed, weak, and disabled by pain. Everyone told me I had nothing to complain about, that I should be happy to be alive. Happy the surgery went so well. Happy I was a cancer survivor. But I wasn't happy. I was pissed off! I had new pain! Constant bone pain! Couldn't sleep through the night! Mad about the cancer. None of my friends had cancer, none of my friends had to have their ribcages sawed apart. I couldn't move as well as I had before. The tumor was so big it had damaged a major nerve and now I only had one functioning lung. I gained weight. I ate more emotionally than ever before - bread, cake, and more bread. I was suicidal. I thought about the fact that this was it, that I had permanently damaged my life, and that I should just end it to prevent further suffering and humiliation. I thought about that a lot. I cut myself off from the world. I was irritable. I was destroying relationships. No one wanted to be around me. I was miserable. I started getting shingles on a semi-regular basis. That was the breaking point for me. And then, one night, this last month, I spent a good amount of the night in a fever from a shingles outbreak, having nightmares and strange thoughts, and somewhere in the middle of it, a voice told me, "you need to eat raw food."

It was, as I relate the story to others, a revelation. I didn't know much of anything about raw food - but how difficult could it be? That next day, I emptied out my fridge and cupboards and went shopping for new foods. I read a lot online to figure out what I should do. But it was pretty simple, really - apples, salad, nuts, seeds, dark greens, berries - I'm not an idiot, so I figured out pretty quickly what was and wasn't raw. And in that first week, I ate more produce than I had in the whole year. Maybe two. And a magical thing happened. Well really a whole many magical things.

I started losing weight. I'm still losing almost a pound a day.
I sleep like a baby.
My skin - which was always pretty great - feels A-mazing. I actually make people touch it so they can see for themselves.
I feel happy! For the first time in about 20 years, I feel really joyously happy. I laugh freely. I smile all the time. (It's still weird but I'm adapting.)
I have my period again for the first time in 2 or 3 years. My doctors told me it was the birth control, that it was normal, but I always thought otherwise.
I'm not irritable like I used to be. I don't get angry over all the little things. I'm not a bitch who others find depressing to spend time with.
I'm not swearing a lot anymore, which is a little detail but I think it's worthwhile noting. I'm using positive language that I never did before: "magical", "amazing", "wonderful".
I am letting go of grudges. I want to make connections and reconnect with old friends. I want to get going with this vibrant life that I new I was destined for.
I have physical energy! All of the sudden, I'm no longer out of breath, I can walk for blocks without tiring or stopping, and I want to do things like kayak, or run, or hike mountains.
Most amazingly of all, my pains are GONE. My chest doesn't hurt. My years of back pain are gone. My neck doesn't ache.

I am on the right path. I can't wait to see what next month brings, and the month after that, and the next. I bought myself a nice dehydrator and a nice mandoline, and I am spending time making delicious meals again. I've stopped drinking altogether, which is fine because alcohol never liked me much, and I wake up at 6 am every morning, raring to go. I don't even mind that I hate my job, because I know that I am going to make amazing changes happen in my life in the near future, and I don't have to feel anxious or obsessive about this weight loss because it is happening so freely.

Well I could go on forever but I've got other things to do with all of this energy. I hope to make some connections with some of you, and thanks for reading all of this. :o

[snoops]

Wow - that is a really inspirational story. Welcome and good luck on your path of healing. Sounds like you are already there.

[amoux]

Hi Amanda - really great story. Wishing you continued success on your path, and look forward to hearing how it goes :-)

[R'Mila]

Welcome! What a heart-warming experience. I look forward to learning more about you and your journey.

[MysticTree]

Welcome to rft.

You have a wonderful story to share and I am so happy for you that you've found the right path.

[Dimond]

Wonderfully inspiring story, Amanda. I wish you continued success with raw & everything else. :heart

You're on a great path. If you aren't already, adding spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, etc. can really help expand your life and keep you on a good path. You can even combine the activities you do now with spiritual practices as movement is the perfect way to do that.

[Conscious Midwife]

Thanks for sharing your RAWmazing story!
NAMASTE

[thenewamanda]

Wonderfully inspiring story, Amanda. I wish you continued success with raw & everything else. :heart

You're on a great path. If you aren't already, adding spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, etc. can really help expand your life and keep you on a good path. You can even combine the activities you do now with spiritual practices as movement is the perfect way to do that.

Dimond, thank you. I totally agree with you. Right now I have acupuncture on Thursdays and massages every Tuesday, both of which are very meditative and healing, but they are both passive practices and I am trying to find a yoga class that I'll enjoy.

[thenewamanda]

And thank you to the rest of you for the warm welcome! I don't have any raw friends in my real life to share my excitement with and there is so much community and inspiration to be found here, I think :)

[amoux]

I don't have any raw friends in my real life to share my excitement with and there is so much community and inspiration to be found here, I think :)

I totally agree with you - I'd be driving my DH crazy if I didn't have this community where I can share my fascination and delight :-)

[Dagelinckx]

Thank so much for your story it is giving me a feeling that I need to continue on raw myself I already doing this since Dec. last year and feeling better and better I'm sure you will keep feeling the same way as me and many others here on the forum can verify this.

Welcome and keep us updated on the progress of your journey.

[thenewamanda]

Just a short update...

I quit my job about a week after that first post - I am still unemployed but not too anxious about it because I know something good will happen soon! I am down 38 pounds and just ordered an Omega 8006 juicer so I can do some juice fasting - after watching Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead I was very inspired. When I get to a weight where I start feeling comfortable with myself I will post some before and after shots. I still have a long way to go but am very happy with the progress I am making.

New thoughts:
When I eat 100% raw, the skin on my face feels like a baby's. When I eat anything else, it feels a little rough again. I actually broke out this last weekend with a couple pimples but then spent the day eating really well and the next morning they were gone!
I wonder if there are toxins coming out of the fat through my skin because my skin is breaking out (not my face, but on my body) much more that I am used to. I try to drink a LOT of water to ensure that I am flushing out toxins that are being released.
I am 30 and got ID'ed this last week (the legal age here is 19) trying to buy a lottery ticket by a young woman in her early 20's who said, "that's not fair - your hair is nicer than mine!" That got a smile from me - I don't do anything to my hair but it does look pretty healthy! My nails too. And my face looks healthy and pink, not pale as I was used to.
I'm not so interested in makeup anymore, and I think it has something to do with being more comfortable in my own skin, but also that my face looks so much healthier that I don't think I need it. I also stopped using antipersperant and managed to switch over to a locally made, all natural deodarant. I was nervous about it but I find that it's okay unless I work up a sweat, in which case I smell like - shocking! - sweat. It's not so bad. :)

Thanks to everyone for your support.

[buffalogal]

Amanda - You are already an inspiration to many!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Keep up the great work! And please keep us posted! We are ALL pulling for you!!:cheer::dance::excited:

[amoux]

Wonderful weight loss Amanda - and it sounds like you're seeing lots of other benefits already. Crossing my fingers that a really great job comes up for you soon. You're such an inspiration - keep on rawkin' girl :woohoo:

[thenewamanda]

buffalogal - I don't feel like an inspiration (yet) - but I'm always too hard on myself, lol. I am getting there! :woot:

amoux - Thank you! I had a great interview yesterday and I will keep you guys updated...

[juicingmatters]

Congratulations!

It is always cool to read about people who have discovered the true benefits of raw...

Great job!

[Redheaded Vegan]

Amanda! I don't even know you and I'm super excited for you! Congratulations! What you are doing is such a beautiful gift to your body. And you ARE an inspiration. I'm only 4 days into my raw food journey, and it is so great to read about other people's experiences. Keep it up! You deserve all of this happiness!

:wow:

[Mayaya]

Just read your post and ...congratulations!!! This is a wonder what you managed to do. Keep going. I'm just starting raw (the 30 day challenge) & I'm going to learn a lot and get motivated.
I wanted to tell you something. I saw a member telling you about yoga & I agree with it. And then I saw you saying sth like you are hard on yourself. So, talking by experience, I want to tell you a word that you might like to search for: Reiki. Have you tried this healing? It deals about loving ourselves, knowing ourselves, excepting ourselves. I read a lot about these stuff and believe that we should see ourselves in a holistic way. Food cures mostly our body, reiki mostly our soul. But they connect and benefit our whole system. Reiki lets you breath with comfort and gets rid of stress and bad thoughts, if you allow it. It can also bring up any bad thoughts, bitterness and reasons of any problem (health or soul -they are the same for me), so you can heal them, just like nutrition does through your skin. Don't get me wrong, I don't advertise anything AT ALL. I just believe that health means mainly nutrition, movement and self-knowledge -all together, and since my first reiki experience was -not afraid to say- an apocalypse, I thought to spread the word.

Love & smoothies :P

[Chincha]

Wow, that gave me chills... So inspirational!

I congratulate you on making such a wonderful intuitive decision! I hope you all the best in your journey :throwhearts:

[trenchchic]

Sounds like you've changed your ENTIRE life --- for the better!!! Congratulations!

BTW, I'm with you on the whole, "I've got no raw food friends here." I don't either. If it wasn't for the Internet, I'd feel like the only raw foodie in the whole wide world.

Do you have Living on Live Foods yet? I just got my copy, there seems to be some wonderful recipes in there.

Congrats again!

[thenewamanda]

Thanks to all of you for your feedback! It is keeping me on the straight and narrow, trust me! Some days can be really challenging lately as we are moving into the winter months, which have always been hard for me. It's the lack of sunlight that really affects me sometimes. I have had a long, long, long and dysfunctional relationship with food and I need to break that cycle permanently. So... my juicer will be here by Friday and then I am onto a long-term juice fast. I know it will be expensive for me as I don't have a job right now, but I really feel that it is the right path! And good things will come from positive actions.

trenchchic - I don't have that book! I will have to look for it. :) I do definitely feel as though my ENTIRE life has changed.

Mayaya - I am very interested in Reiki and I have been thinking about it a lot lately. I have actually thought about learning to practice Reiki as I have a background in massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, etc. but I have found out the hard way that I am too sensitive to be doing any body work. I will keep you updated about that and yoga too - the couple of times I have been to yoga it has been a very powerful and positive experience.

[Mayaya]

I agree with you. Ecxactly, the couple of times I too have been in yoga it was awesome! Felt like a baby afterwards, like being the most relaxed and strong person. Wish I had your background! Everything helps, and I am convinced that raw can also do the trick in wellbeing :)

[hippie]

Amazing story, I love it!

[streetsurfer]

It's a pleasure to meet you Amanda! I hope you don't mind that I spent a short while in prayer for you and your future employment, among other things. Judging by the strength and confidence you exude I can tell you'll be going places! Thank you for opening up your life before us....it is a great inspiration to me, reminding me I need to stay the course.

[thenewamanda]

streetsurfer - Not at all! Whatever positive energy you have to send me, I will accept gratefully. Thank you for the post; I'm glad to know I can be an inspiration to others.


I'm down 49 pounds today so that feels amazing! And my three-month anniversary isn't until next week! I am five days into my 60-day juice fast and feeling surprisingly okay with it! Although I do have fleeting thoughts of food, they are becoming less and less frequent. I definitely feel the detox effects but am making a strong effort to stay hydrated and eat (sorry - drink!) at regular intervals. Only made one juice that made me throw up (too much kale) and I am having so much fun with my juicer - the Omega 8006 in case anyone's curious. I'm a bit of a kid at heart so watching the rainbow of juices and pulp come out of this machine is wayyy too much fun for me. :dance:

[OCGirl]

Wow. I am just in tears. What a beautiful story. Sounds like there is a very special reason you are on this earth, and I am so happy for you and the joy you are finding.

[mariahigg72]

Wow, that is an awesome story. I can relate with the weight part! I have turned to raw foods the last six months and have lost 45 lbs.! Yeah. Thanks for sharing,
Maria
http://www.choose-raw-food.com

[thenewamanda]

Just a little update - I just passed my four-month anniversary and I am down 59 pounds and feeling great. Well, not at this moment, as I have an ear infection I am trying to get rid of that is really annoying me, but otherwise great.

I hope you are all doing well over the holiday season...I know now that staying raw can be a struggle in the cold weather. If definitely can be for me. I am keeping myself warm with tea.

I will upload some progress shots sometime soon when I am feeling brave!

Love to all of you and thank you all for your support and input. :heart:

[Traceyraw]

WOW you are doing great. Keep up the good work. I like miso soup. Miso paste very warm water with cut up spinach and carrots. Let them sit then drink.

You can make warm soups in the vitamix. There are some recipes under the recipe section. Hopefully they can get you through the cold.

[RawDad]

Thank you for sharing your experience, I enjoyed reading it.

For the Ear ache...
"using raw garlic mixed in olive oil is a traditional treatment for earaches in India; you can find prepared garlic drops in natural health stores. Although applying garlic oil into the ear canal may be the most direct method, if you've never tried this before, it's best to first consult a naturopath or a practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine. Duke also warns that you should not try this treatment if you have a perforated eardrum" - http://www.livestrong.com/article/521884-raw-garlic-for-an-ear-infection/

hydrogen peroxide may help!

[thenewamanda]

Thank you for sharing your experience, I enjoyed reading it.

For the Ear ache...
"using raw garlic mixed in olive oil is a traditional treatment for earaches in India; you can find prepared garlic drops in natural health stores. Although applying garlic oil into the ear canal may be the most direct method, if you've never tried this before, it's best to first consult a naturopath or a practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine. Duke also warns that you should not try this treatment if you have a perforated eardrum" - http://www.livestrong.com/article/521884-raw-garlic-for-an-ear-infection/

hydrogen peroxide may help!

RawDad - thanks for the suggestion; I went to my local natural herb & tincture shop and got some ear oil that contains garlic and st. john's wort, and it worked marvelously!

On a side note, down 63 pounds today and feeling really good about that. :excited:

[jetaimetoujours]

Wow your story is AWESOME Amanda!! Congratulations on doing such a wonderful thing for yourself!

I know how crippling depression can be so the fact that you're feeling so much better is AWESOME :D

[breathless]

Amanda - Thank you so much for sharing your inspirational story! I know what you mean about having no raw food friends. This is the best site. Everyone is so helpful and supportive. I am so pleased you stumbled upon raw. Good luck with your job interview. Your story is truly magical!

Traceyraw - That Miso Soup sounds delicious. I'm going to have to give it a try.

[thenewamanda]

Thought I'd throw some photos in here for those of you who are curious...

8957

I didn't lose any weight over the holidays, but I didn't gain any either! I didn't eat well but I am back on track now! I also just had a PFT (pulmonary function test) the other day and since my last test, in July 2011 - just before I went raw - I have improved my lung function from 74% to 92% !!!! That might not sound so significant but take into consideration that it was a full eleven months AFTER my surgery (prior to which my lung function was at 95%) that my lung function was at 74% ... and then 6 months later it's three percent away from my original strength!!! I felt like a real success and my respirologist was very impressed. She also didn't recognize me thanks to the weight loss, LOL.

I'm feeling very positive lately... hope you all are well. :heart

[thenewamanda]

Well I dropped down almost 3 pounds today - out of the 230s forever so I had to say something about it. It's been a month that I've been stuck at 232 and mentally gave up for a little while, was eating cooked foods - nothing terrible but nothing good either - and felt so annoyed by the lack of weight loss that I wasn't inspired to eat better. Then I snapped out of it the other day and have been juicing for breakfast again and using my dehydrator. This morning I am at 229! It's so exciting. Only 30 pounds away from being at 199! I'd be happy just to be under 200.

The other thing that keeps me focused is clothing - I have always been really into fashion and thrift store shopping but have never really had the opportunity to wear the clothes I want to wear - I've always had to settle for "whatever fits". Now I am building up a wardrobe of dresses and skirts and pants and tops, some of which will fit me soon (I'm close to a size 14!) and some of which will fit me eventually. Either way, it's not a big expense as it's all thrift store clothing, but still very exciting. I will be sure to post photos when I get to that 199.

In other news, my hair is falling out. I mean, it's thinning. I had really thick hair - fine, but thick - and now it seems to be thinning out. I am not worried about it for some reason, so should I trust my intuition? I figure this is my body adjusting to major changes.

[Traceyraw]

Well totally have a party for 199. Woo Hoo you are my inspiration. Don't worry about the hair, after a while youll see it stronger than ever . I am so proud of you... :)

[thenewamanda]

Well totally have a party for 199. Woo Hoo you are my inspiration. Don't worry about the hair, after a while youll see it stronger than ever . I am so proud of you... :)

Awww, thanks Tracey! You have no idea what it means to me to be an inspiration to others. I haven't felt like much of anything for most of my life and now I know I am coming out of my own shadow and becoming a vibrant being. SO EXCITING! (I'm a little hyper from the orange and spinach juice I just had.) I won't worry about the hair, I will trust my intuition. I know I'm doing the right thing.

There will definitely have to be a big 199 party! I wonder what I will do... I already know what I will wear, of course. What would you do to celebrate a big number?

[thenewamanda]

Oh wait! I know what I will do. I will get another tattoo. :dance:

[Traceyraw]

I really want a massage. That is how Im going to treat myself. But I feel like we should party like a rock star dance sing be silly and just let loose. Enjoy Im so excited fo you.

[Mary Kay]

Thanks for the inspiration...

Re the thinning hair: Are you still getting your periods? If not and you have thinning hair, I'd look to getting a hormone blood panel done, and maybe increasing your fat a little bit....Just some random thoughts....

Mary Kay

[Traceyraw]

Hi Amanda, Ive been doing some reading on hair. Alfalfa sprouts and alfalfa sprouts juice. A combo with carrot,lettuce, and alfalfa juice is the recommended juice. This is from Norman Walkers book. I hope this helps.

[Juicing Juli]

Hi Amanda;
You are an inspiration to others which is why people need to post their successes and failures or challenges. This site is a huge support system!
You know, I sometimes let the scale dictate my mood for the day...which is wrong!! I hate seeing it stay the same or even go up when I didn't do anything bad. I have to be my own cheer leader, stay positive and continue to tell myself that the raw life style is a journey not a diet.
Concerning your hair loss or thinning. 1)you need to figure out if there is a medical reason this is happening 2)MSM is a supplement that stimulates new hair growth. But it's something you might want to nip in the bud and not ignore!! It's a signal that something is happening.
Just curious what you eat. Do you restrict yourself?
I don't and my weight is not falling off. Sometimes I think I should.
Have an awesome day!!!


Well I dropped down almost 3 pounds today - out of the 230s forever so I had to say something about it. It's been a month that I've been stuck at 232 and mentally gave up for a little while, was eating cooked foods - nothing terrible but nothing good either - and felt so annoyed by the lack of weight loss that I wasn't inspired to eat better. Then I snapped out of it the other day and have been juicing for breakfast again and using my dehydrator. This morning I am at 229! It's so exciting. Only 30 pounds away from being at 199! I'd be happy just to be under 200.

The other thing that keeps me focused is clothing - I have always been really into fashion and thrift store shopping but have never really had the opportunity to wear the clothes I want to wear - I've always had to settle for "whatever fits". Now I am building up a wardrobe of dresses and skirts and pants and tops, some of which will fit me soon (I'm close to a size 14!) and some of which will fit me eventually. Either way, it's not a big expense as it's all thrift store clothing, but still very exciting. I will be sure to post photos when I get to that 199.

In other news, my hair is falling out. I mean, it's thinning. I had really thick hair - fine, but thick - and now it seems to be thinning out. I am not worried about it for some reason, so should I trust my intuition? I figure this is my body adjusting to major changes.

[tiggerbounce]

:cheer:Wow! What an amazing spirit and awesome results!

I have never experienced any hair loss while being raw. I have read posts from others who have though and they all seem to have it balance out and come back as thick and healthy as ever. Hopefully that will be your experience, too.

[thenewamanda]

Hi Amanda;
You are an inspiration to others which is why people need to post their successes and failures or challenges. This site is a huge support system!
You know, I sometimes let the scale dictate my mood for the day...which is wrong!! I hate seeing it stay the same or even go up when I didn't do anything bad. I have to be my own cheer leader, stay positive and continue to tell myself that the raw life style is a journey not a diet.
Concerning your hair loss or thinning. 1)you need to figure out if there is a medical reason this is happening 2)MSM is a supplement that stimulates new hair growth. But it's something you might want to nip in the bud and not ignore!! It's a signal that something is happening.
Just curious what you eat. Do you restrict yourself?
I don't and my weight is not falling off. Sometimes I think I should.
Have an awesome day!!!

Juli -

There are many things that could cause my hair loss that I am dealing with right now - severe stress, radiation from ct scans every few months post-cancer, a major change in diet... I have started taking a multi-vitamin geared toward hair health and will see how that goes for a little while.
I don't restrict my eating - I mean, I eat raw but I eat as much as I want. Which is not a lot as I don't have a healthy appetite, I have an appetite that has evolved around emotional eating. So if I focus on eating well then I don't eat much. But I don't focus on calories, I just eat intuitively.

I agree with you about the scale! I have to stop myself from weighing in every day. It's so bad for me if I don't see the number I want. But then if I do, I am so happy. It becomes addictive. I have a page in my journal with dates and record my weight not more than once a week and that number never goes up, only down, however slowly. So I try to focus on that.

Thanks for your support!

[thenewamanda]

:cheer:Wow! What an amazing spirit and awesome results!

I have never experienced any hair loss while being raw. I have read posts from others who have though and they all seem to have it balance out and come back as thick and healthy as ever. Hopefully that will be your experience, too.

Tiggerbounce - Thanks for being my cheerleader! I have a couple of friends who said that they went through periods of having their hair become thin and then grew back thick again. So I am not so worried right now. :)

[tiggerbounce]

Ohh, I just love success stories. You are such an inspiration! Would love to read/know more about your progress and what you have been doing.

[jsp]

Thank you for sharing your pictures, I am only raw 6 days... and I find your story and images very encouraging.

I started at the same weight as you and I am only 5 ft.

Thanks and keep it going, it will help me motivated as well !!!

[thenewamanda]

Thank you for sharing your pictures, I am only raw 6 days... and I find your story and images very encouraging.

I started at the same weight as you and I am only 5 ft.

Thanks and keep it going, it will help me motivated as well !!!

jsp - You can do it!!! I will keep posting updates for myself but also to inspire people like you who are new to raw. :) Remember to be kind to yourself and if you ever want to chat you can always email me.

[Evie M]

Amanda,

I'm so glad I had a touch of insomnia tonight and started poking around this forum. Congratulations on your successes to this point. I'm certain you'll have many more successes in your future.

[Mickey]

I also began my raw foods journey two months ago in response to a five year battle with an eating disorder/food addiction. It was so nice to read your story. Very inspiring! Congratulations on all of your success.

[walnutty]

Amanda,

Your story is so beautiful...

[EscapeArtist]

Wow this is such a beautiful story. You are a huge inspiration

[Traceyraw]

Hi Amanda, Do you have a new update for us. I am waiting for the under 200 party. WooHoo. I love your story you are so sweet.

[BeingK8]

Thanks for sharing this! What a fantastically inspirational story! I'm loving it and wishing you all the best!

[christine123]

Welcome to the forum, I'm new here as well.. you have great experience and inspiring story.. thanks for
sharing! :)

http://www.greensmoothierecipesforweightloss.com/

[thenewamanda]

Hi everyone - thank you for all your wonderful and motivating comments. :) I wanted to share that I am down to a new low - 228! The winter has been very challenging for me, food-wise. Well overall, really. The winter is hard for me because it's so damp and cold here on the west coast. And so little local produce. The further I go, the more and more I'm drawn towards local, organic produce so I am really looking forward to the spring and farmers' markets that will come with it! I found myself craving peaches yesterday... I am eating a lot of apples these days, lol.

Anyway, lately I feel re-committed to raw food so even if you slip over and over, don't beat yourself up over it. Just ... stay focused and stay committed to your intent being raw food! That's what helped me anyway. Even when I wasn't eating well, or eating emotionally, I would think, "my intent in life is raw food." And that helped. Now I am juicing every morning and I made raw mushroom walnut burgers in the dehydrator yesterday.

And this morning I hopped on the scale and saw that I am out of 229 forever! Hooray!!! :excited:

I got my hair chopped off yesterday - I was trying to "grow it out" but decided my hair looked really sad so I got it cut off and now I have a really cute chin-length bob! I will post a picture for you all soon, maybe even a full length photo comparison to help inspire others, because I know that sure helped me! I looked at all the before and after photos here ALL THE TIME in the beginning to keep me excited about my weight loss. But really, it's so much more than weight loss because I have made so many changes to my emotional and spiritual self.

Love to all of you...:heart:

[CaiHong]

Hi Amanda,

Yours is a truly inspiring story. I also noticed my moods were so much better just after 6 days.

CaiHong

[thenewamanda]

And here's my haircut!

9036

[thenewamanda]

I'm posting this here just in case some of you don't see my progress thread - hope that I can be an inspiration through these photos as well. I can't believe the difference myself.

9064

[Traceyraw]

:wow:You are doing so awesome. I am so proud of you. Thank you for the inspiration.

[qwerty988]

Thank you thank you for being so open about your story and for posting those awesome pics!!!!!!!!

You're inspiring us all!! :kisses: :throwhearts:

[thenewamanda]

Traceyraw and qwerty988 - It tooks some letting go on my part to put up that side by side photo but I really just hope to inspire as many women as I can and show them the transformative power of raw food! :heart

[Bananna]

That is a really crazy and equally inspiring story. Love also your other before and after thread...it's all very impressive. Thankyou for sharing so freely! :)

[trenchchic]

Amazing, Amazing, Amazing! (I could write that word all day and it wouldn't come close to how I feel about your picture!) Congrats. You are such an inspiration!

[thenewamanda]

Bananna - Thank you for your comment! It is really crazy, I agree. I feel so lucky to have been able to experience everything that I have and have come out stronger on the other side! No more wasting time... I have to enjoy and appreciate every day I have.

trenchchic - Thank you! I feel pretty amazing lately. Especially since spring is here, and summer is coming! Fresh produce is growing, the sun is shining, my body is lighter and warmer, I am finding new inspiration every day. Working on my book now (!) and trying to figure out how I can be a life coach and make it my life's mission to inspire others and guide them to change their lives!

[jv.catlady]

What an amazing story, thank you for sharing with us and especially for showing the before and after pics. This is my first week eating raw, and I keep wondering how I'm going to do this. Find it especially hard at work, seeing everybody eating yummy and bad foods. But seeing your pics gives me the courage to continue on and know that it's possible for me to reach my goals. Would love to lose about 120 lbs, hoping this raw lifestyle will work for me. Keep up the great work Amanda. :)

[thenewamanda]

What an amazing story, thank you for sharing with us and especially for showing the before and after pics. This is my first week eating raw, and I keep wondering how I'm going to do this. Find it especially hard at work, seeing everybody eating yummy and bad foods. But seeing your pics gives me the courage to continue on and know that it's possible for me to reach my goals. Would love to lose about 120 lbs, hoping this raw lifestyle will work for me. Keep up the great work Amanda. :)

JV, I feel you! It is possible and there's nothing better than dropping 20, 30, or 60 pounds and seeing the difference it can make in your life! I'm still 100 pounds from what some people would consider a "goal weight" but I look and feel fantastic all the same! My advice to you would be to figure out what you like to eat that is raw and just indulge and let yourself have as much as you want. For me, that's nuts or guacamole - I make a killer guacamole and love to have it with celery and carrots. Over time, it will get easier. And there must be at least one great farmer's market that happens in Ottawa? For me, connecting with farmers and buying local organic produce is really exciting. :) Good luck to you on your journey!

[thenewamanda]

Hi friends - a little update from me...

So the past couple months I have been slipping - especially since I joined the Y in March and finding myself ravenous after my workouts, I fooled myself into thinking I needed cooked foods. And hadn't lost much weight in so many months that I didn't care anymore. I guess I lost my motivation, as I have in the past when I've lost just enough weight so that people respond positively to me. I'm sure some of you understand that statement. I forgot how great it felt to be 100% raw. But a few days ago, after a weekend of bad eating (and too much alcohol too, which is not something I can tolerate) I told my friends, "I have to be 100% raw again - at least for one month" ... so I am planning for a month of committed raw eating and then I'm sure will see great results from that committment and will keep going. I'm four days in and down seven pounds from Tuesday. And reached a new low weight this morning!!!! 226!!!!!

If anyone wants to know what a regular day looks like for me, I eat a lot of fruit, and I eat really simply. I work full time now so I'm pretty busy - bananas and apples, nuts, guacamole, juice in the morning.

Love to all of you and thank you for being here to keep me inspired! My birthday is a month away and I want to look great in a bathing suit so that I can go to the lake with my friends and feel good about myself. I mean, I already do... but there's always room for improvement. :)

[Traceyraw]

:cheer:Congrats on your new low weight. I have slipped a little myself.. I will join you again this next week. I m having somepersonal issues I have to deal with first. I am so proud of you and your progess. P.S. I love the Y.

[thenewamanda]

Hi Tracey - Thanks for your support! I agree personal issues can get in the way...why is food so complicated? Anyway, feeling good this morning, off to work. Finally got that great job I was waiting for... :) And down another pound this morning.

[phak-i-tu]

Greetings from New Mexico - almost in Arizona because I'm so close to the line. I forgot I was supposed to come in here first. I've been mostly vegan for the last thirty years, because it was actually easier where I lived (out in the middle of nowhere on the reservation) most of that time, so I didn't have to convince my husband of it on solely ethical grounds. Going raw was not so easy in a place with no refrigeration (in AZ, in summer?) and no other mod-cons either, till I got a few solar panels the last ten years we were out there. We'd buy our perishables about every 2 weeks from town, though sometimes in winter, we had to wait longer. Meat had to be dealt with right away, cooked, dried or canned and mostly went just to the animals we were always rescuing out there. We bought organic pet food but it was very expensive to do it all the time. My husband would (jokingly, I hope) complain about that: 'we get a chicken from the natural foods store, make a nice soup and the cats eat all the chicken and we get broth and bones.' How many husbands would put up with that? I really got lucky, but I only got to keep him 28 years before God snatched him from me.

I've been a widow almost 3 years now and finally got tired of living on small portions of my cat and dog food so I've been raw a little over a month now......I guess I'd better clarify that: I still cook for them often, so I'll know what's in the food and I don't trust 'supermarket meat' enough to give it to them raw. The cats are getting plenty of their own 'raw' by hunting and after having dogs in the country all my married life, I'm not even going to ask them what they're getting into, probably something gross. I've been interested in raw food diet since the 1980's but never really committed till now. Now I don't care if I can afford it or not; I either eat raw or I fast. For once, it's a good thing I keep to myself most of time anyway (except online) because my friends around here have been giving me worried looks in the last week or two. I wasn't really overweight before but I was not healthy and when I started actually eating more food than I have since I moved here, I lost a lot of 'puffiness,' (probably toxins) very fast. I'm hoping this will make me smarter, if I live, for I have been suffering from fatigue, depression and worst of all: brain fog, since I've been alone and that makes learning anything new feel like wading through peanut butter on a cold day. I did better than this on the 'rez' eating anything we could get and kept 6 languages in fluency. Now I want 7, 8 and 9 and I'm having trouble. I think that a raw food life is the answer; I don't even have the least doubt of it.

[thenewamanda]

Down 10 pounds from a week ago! :excited:

Went to the health food store and bought myself some treats - raw granola, e3live... carrot juice tomorrow and then bananas all day. I have been oil pulling in the morning (I do it while I'm washing dishes and making juice) and I enjoy that too. Hiked up a mountain today and feel like a million bucks! Down 72 pounds now and only 28 to go!

[walnutty]

Awesome!!!

[robh]

I wanted to post to cheer you on.

You have a great story.

It sounds like raw food was literally a life saver for you.

I too am struggling with weight loss. Well, I guess, I do not have a problem with the weight loss so much as the rate of weight loss.

I also struggle with back sliding and eating and drinking (alcohol) stuff I that should not.

I do not have the answers and I do not have any advice, but I wanted you to know that others share your situation.

Good Luck

[walnutty]

finding myself ravenous after my workouts

This is what I eat prior to a workout and it gives me incredible energy and stamina and I am not hungry for a long time:

Sliced bananas drizzled with almond butter and then honey!

[debbyjetsons]

This what makes me feel so lucky to exist in this world where people like Amanda changes many people and inspires them to live healthier and feel confident each day. I salute you Amanda! and same thing I am happy for you :-)

[happylife]

What a truly wonderful story of your life. I am sure that you have given many people hope by writing it. I can see that you will be going far in the Raw Food world. Maybe a book, great job in raw, dream well sweet girl and fill all of your dreams. You can do it, what ever you want, you are AMAZING!!!

[karahbell]

Thank you for sharing your amazing story! It is truly inspiring. :) I can relate to how you felt and the transformation. Cheers to you and your health!

[Frugal Raw]

What a rawesome story!! Welcome :)

[thenewamanda]

An update for everyone...

So I may be disabled, in pain, jobless, and poor - but I still have raw food and let me tell you, it is keeping me sane and alive! I am down to 221 this morning after falling off the wagon again and again. I've been 100% raw for three days and flushing so much junk out of my system. I'm sitting here with a 16 oz mango banana smoothie and it is delicious!

On the downside, part of my prosthetic has broken and there are no plans to operate. Shiz just got real. I am without a job again, filing for disability, on pain medication all the time. I feel like I'm barely functioning most days, but I still have raw food. And it's keeping my head above water. It's keeping me from feeling totally hopeless.

I could use your support and positive thoughts ... thank you for this forum and I value the connection I get to have with all of you. :heart:

[walnutty]

Try turmeric for the pain! It helps me quite a bit with mine (arthritis in feet, ankles, hands and back, fibromyalgia, lupus and many, many injuries). It tends to be expensive if you purchase it ready to take, but I get the veggie caps and fill them by hand with organic turmeric powder for a fraction of the price.

Good luck with everything! It's really great to see you hanging in there! :heart:

[walnutty]

p.s. I get my supplies at I Herb dot com. If you have never shopped there before this code ( QEH772 ) will get you $5 off your first order!

[John Raw]

Hi Amanda, great story of your recent life, very inspirational. I suffer depression myself so it's wonderful to hear that I too could soon be free of this awful mental disease. Please keep posting, it helps a lot to hear true life happenings. thanks very much indeed..

[laughalways]

Amanda, I'm sorry to hear about your recent troubles. Your story is truly inspiring. Try to keep positive thoughts and focus on gratitude for what you do have. Out thoughts are very important is what is attracted to us. Here's a quote that came from Abraham Hicks recently that I found both comforting and inspiring:

"Look for things that you appreciate where you are. It will put you in a place of perfect allowing, even when you are not yet manifesting all that you want. "There are many people right now experiencing the dream that is coming for me, who were at one time standing right where I'm standing. I'm right on track. There is not anything amiss here. Everything is unfolding perfectly. I am perfect where I am and gravitating to something that will satisfy me even more." That's the attitude that lets it expand."

--- Abraham

[donspy01]

Hi Amanda,

Im new at this RAW business. Your story was amazing. Congratulations on your success so far. You should stand tall girl, be proud of the person you once was, but be even prouder of the person you are becoming. The world is at your feet, grab it with both hands and don't let go! Your story is truly inspirational. Thnak you for sharin.

[lovelyjewellz]

Amanda-

Your story is amazing! It nearly brought me to tears (in a good way! hehe) You are such an incredible person! Your inner strength, faith in yourself, determination to live a happy, pain free life, and the level of self love you must have to accomplish all that you have are amazing qualities to embody. Good luck on your journey lady! You are capable of and deserve all of the happiness and success in the world! :)

[thenewamanda]

Hi everyone - a little update to keep you all inspired - I went shopping at the Levi's store and regular jeans (size 33!) fit now. For the first time in my adult life. Not jeggings, real jeans. Mind blown.

I am really really raw this week (almost 100%) and I feel like a million bucks. I'm the happiest, most positive person I can imagine myself being. It's raw food. It's freaking magical.

Smoothies are amazing! I get it now. Smoothies. Please share your smoothie recipes with me. :)


xoxo

[walnutty]

Good for you!!! :excited:

I was hoping you would update soon!

[laughalways]

Congrats! Your story is inspiring. I'm not sure how that size translates to US sizes.

[walnutty]

I'm not sure how that size translates to US sizes.

Size 33 in Levi's is a US size. They go by the size of the waist.

I am 5' 9" and when I weighed 120 pounds I wore Levi's 501's in size 28 (US size 4/6 if it were juniors jeans).

[laughalways]

Size 33 in Levi's is a US size. They go by the size of the waist.

I am 5' 9" and when I weighed 120 pounds I wore Levi's 501's in size 28 (US size 4/6 if it were juniors jeans).

I buy mine in misses sizes...size 6. I can still get in a 4 once in a while. I haven't seen them sized that way. Thanks for the information.

[RickCox]

Wow I love your testimony.......

[Traceyraw]

Awesome, I love you to see how well your doing. Keep it up.

[Conscious Midwife]

Sending love and light for your journey. RAWk On!

[thenewamanda]

I am still here, still alive and raw again - the winters are so hard where there are dark, cold winters! I have been eating 95% raw for the past week and have dropped 10 pounds. To those of you who are discouraged by slow change, let me tell you that I know it takes time. It has been almost 2 years since I discovered raw food and started losing weight, and my body dropped the first 70 pounds so easily and then refused to lose any more! Focus on yourself, be patient for change, eat well, take care of yourself, love your body. It will happen. I'm now only 28 pounds away from my goal weight - to lose 100 pounds would be the achievement of a lifetime and without surgery... I can't wait to get there - oh wait, yes I can. Haha. I am hoping to lose the last 28 pounds by summer but I am committed to raw food for as long as it takes, and to remember that this isn't a diet, it's a way of living. Love to all of you and I'll keep you posted on my progress!

[kitlynne]

Welcome back!!!

With your return I had the chance to read your amazing story!! I hit a hump myself on my raw journey and plateaud at about 200 lbs and then went off raw. I've been on and off and am back for the foreseeable future.

Wonderland is close! Stay positive and keep moving!

(Don't forget our monthly raw and movement challenges as they are great ways to stay motivated!)

I look forward to Sharon this journey with you!

[thenewamanda]

Kit,

Thank you for sharing with me and reminding me I'm not alone!

I can't name the number of ways in which raw food has changed my life (well I could but it would take a while.) I'm just blessed to feel all of it, but the weight loss itself is an easy thing to be excited about because I have always been fashionable yet heavily restricted to my options (especially in Canada, where there are fewer plus-size options than in the US) - now I am planning a huge wardrobe for myself with all the clothes I always wanted to wear but couldn't. Levi's jeans, better bras, cute dresses without leggings underneath, a bathing suit worn without anxiety.

Go raw! I'm off to seize the day.... :excited:



Welcome back!!!

With your return I had the chance to read your amazing story!! I hit a hump myself on my raw journey and plateaud at about 200 lbs and then went off raw. I've been on and off and am back for the foreseeable future.

Wonderland is close! Stay positive and keep moving!

(Don't forget our monthly raw and movement challenges as they are great ways to stay motivated!)

I look forward to Sharon this journey with you!

[kitlynne]

My pleasure! we have to keep encouraging each other.

:cheer: