title

7 months ago, on April 24th, I started this raw journey. I weighed about 170 that day (maybe a pound or two more). I gave myself a goal of 124.6 (weird number, I know, lol. It was my lowest adult weight, so that's where it came from). and I hoped to reach that by December 31st of the year.

I stepped on the scale a couple of weeks ago, and to my shock and amazement it said 121.8 !!!! So, I moved the scale, and stepped on it again, and then again, and then again ... Haahaa! It kept flashing me the same number!!

I passed my goal, and a month and a half early! How awsome!

I've lost about 50lbs since going raw! PLUS a slew of other health benefits that I'm experiencing!



Every aspect of my life has been so pleasantly affecting by this lifestyle! I love it!

I was not 100% the whole time. I didn't start out 100%. I still used things like conventional (vegan) sald dressings for probably the first 2 or so months. Also store bought (vegan) granola bars. Canned olives and jarred pickles & peppers. Store bought marinades and sauces. Things like that for also the first 2-3 or so months. We were slowely cutting back in those 2-3 months, but they were still being used. And then in August I had a 3 week straight slip-up period where I fell HARD! Every night for 3 straight weeks I would eat fast food and other junk foods from the store (chips, cheesecakes, pizza rolls, etc). And not just a little bit each night, I would binge horribly EVERY night (3 meatless burgers, fries, 5 random items from taco bell, maybe a cheese omlett, a bag of doritos, and bag of combos, plus. That amount of food every single night. SO sick, right?! Makes me shutter to even think about. I was OUT of control!)

Soo, as I stated, not 100% the whole time. I've had my share of bumps a long the way (that seems like such an understatement, lol!)

I didn't start out exercising really at all. I mean, I have 3 young boys that keep me on my toes, lol, but nothing more then that. About 2 months ago I really started focusing more on exercising. Mostly running and bike riding... I'd make sure to get out and do one of those each night. I haven't really done either for a few weeks now. The warm weather went away, and I let my motivation go with it. I have to fix that.

My diet is pretty simple in nature. I'm not really into the whole recipe thing, atleast not on a regular basis. I like having the know how incase a craving hits, or incase I'm feeling unusually frustrated, or for a special occassion, but for the most part it's just simple foods. Smoothies, different types of salads, mono eating. I seem to become hooked on certain foods at certain times (near the end of the summer I was eating atleast 20 ears of corn a day, lmao. About a month ago I was eating around 3-6 lbs of grapes a night, every night! Right now I'm all hyped about zucchini "noodles" with tomato sauce. I had a craving one night for spaghetti, and I had this simple recipe in the back on my mind, so I whipped it up quickly... MMMM!!! I seriously cannot get enough of it). Things like that. I get SO hooked, and then I eat, eat, eat my fill of it until it just doesn't sound too appealing anymore, lol.

I lost the first 20lbs almost immediately. Like in the first month I think. And then I hovered at 152-154 for another month, and 142 for a little over 2 months. 131 was about another month long plateau, and then the last 10 so far had just been a slow but steady decrease over the past 2 months.

My journey has been far from "perfect", but I guess that's what makes it real.

I don't have any guilt over my "not so perfect" journey. I'm completely content with my path so far What I mean by "not so perfect" is that this journey hasn't exactly taken the turns I "planned". I hoped to dive in 100% right away, but after just a couple of hours of thinking, I decided it would be best to keep those few things in to help me transition into liking more raw veggies (like the conventional salad dressing ... which actually makes me quiver now to think about, so thick and nasty). I also obviously didn't plan for that out of control binge fest I had.

So, I just wanted to put that out there. That even if your joirney leads you down a path you weren't expecting, or may not welcome (having a slip-up, etc) ... don't let it get your down! You CAN still achieve your goals, as long as you hop back on your feet and keep walking.

It's definitely been a process, and I feel quite fortunate to have gotten SUCH wonderful results. I can't wait to see what's in store for me next. Not just with the weightloss, but with every part of my being. It's ... unbelievable! I'm so much more calm and at peace with myself. I love life!!! I just smile all of the time. You can't wipe it off of my face, lol. My depression and anxiety are greatly diminished. I still feel tugs here and there, but I'm much more calm and centered now, and I can usually get myself out of a mood fairly quickly. I let go more easily the things I can't control (no easy feat for me, lol). My daily headaches that would leave me curled in a ball on my bed are gone! That one still gets me. Seriously, I had these headaches, DAILY, for years!!! After just a week or two on raw foods, they were GONE!!!!!! I still can't believe it! Amazing. My teeth are no longer in gut wrenching pain, and requiring me to down 20 or more motrin a day. I sleep better, I have more energy, I have more patience.... jeez, I could go on and on! lol

I love the raw life!!!

*\/* RAW since april 24, 2007 *\/*

I'm a raw vegan, unschooling, peace loving, easy going, crunchy Momma to my 3 lil beans, and adoring wife of 9 years to my wonderful man. Experience my journey with me ...

My MySpace

20+ DAY JUICE FAST/FEAST
Feasting Journal
started Nov 24th - 124.6 (up 3 lbs after my raw thanksgiving. Indulged a bit much in the pies, perhaps? lol)
after 10 days -
after 20 days -