I'm new here.

[deb2005]

I just discovered this site. I want to go on raw ... and just ate a yummy salad for lunch. I'm SO new at this that I hardly know where to start.

I have several health problems, including chronic fatigue. I was able to exercise enough to lose almost 20 pounds in the spring, but it only took me a few months to gain at least half of it back (I'm afraid to step on the scale, so I'm not sure). How discouraging! And I'm always hungry.

I'm not overweight by medical standards, but I feel like a slug. When I have enough energy, I do bowflex and walk on a treadmill.

That's about all for now. Hi, everyone!

Deb

[Punky]

Welcome Deb!
You've come to a great place to learn about this lifestyle and get support.
Raw can definately help with energy levels and regaining your health.
Alissa's book and dvd are great resources for a newbie to learn from.
I highly recommend them. Wish I had found them years ago when 1st starting out. She makes it easy to understand and less intimidating.
Also search the recipe section for some popular recipes from people on the board.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Hey Deb, welcome.

Sounds great. Just make sure you are eating enough to satisfy you. Don't feel strange about eating 3 lbs of grapes, 5 apples, 3 bananas, and/or more than 1 head of greens as a meal. Lots of people do it that way.

[deb2005]

Thanks. I'll just eat lots of fruits and veggies while I'm waiting to get the book. I'm still full from my lunch salad, which is pretty amazing.

[TimmyC]

Just my opinion (by the way, welcome to this site):

Throw away your scale if you go raw....my opinion. I don't weigh myself because when I do it seems like it's good for a while then my weight loss slows down, and then goes really slow...and then I think the diet isn't working.

What I've learned on here is that if you're doing 100% raw, (Balanced) then your weight will come off eventually, and your body will level off at your natural weight. How cool is that? I feel free from my scale. I'm also looking at this is a lifetime change. If I had a scale, it would be (for me) a short term thing to think about.

Good luck on your raw journey.

Tim

[deb2005]

Thanks, Tim. I'll keep that in mind. But I'm seeing my doctor next week and I know he's going to weigh me. I'm not sure I'm ready to know what my weight is yet. :(

BTW, I had some fruit for supper -- cut it up and made a fruit salad with some almonds. After I ate, my throat was really sore. What's that all about?

[Sharon in Colorado]

Not sure why your throat would be sore, unless you're coming down with something.

Generally fruit and fat don't mix, so it's best to eat almonds a few minutes after fruit, although in the beginning it usually doesn't matter that much with most people.

[deb2005]

OK. I ordered the book so I won't be guessing about everything. My throat doesn't hurt anymore ... just after I ate. It was really strange.

Thanks, Sharon.