At the crossroad

I just saw the movie "Fat, sick, and dyeing". I am sad to admit I am at the same point at the guy in that movie. I am overweight, tired, have trouble sleeping, high BP.... I relate so much to the movie because I feel very much like the guy in the movie. I know I eat very poorly and am digging my grave with my fork. I never dreamed of going Veggie or raw before; I am your typical processed fast food/junk food eater.

But I know I need to change and am at that crossroad. I have invested in a Juicer and it is sitting here in front of me. I'm not sure how to start and I dont want to fail. My idea is:

Do a 30 day juice fast to "reset" my system, then change to an eating lifestyle that is sustainable long term. My questions are:

Do I just start the juice fast all at once; or ease int it? I need to work during this so I prefer not to get sick as I read some do during first week of the fast.

Eating veggie/raw is so foreign to me, I dont know what a normal or typical diet looks like for after my fast. I was thinking of trying to Juice for breakfast and lunch and perhaps solid foods for dinner?

Any help or advice for this newb would be appreciated. I want this to work!

David welcome conratulations on your new you. I would jump right into it but you have to do what you can maintain. You might want to look up Dave the raw food trucker. He lost over 200 lbs. He has u tube videos. I remember him saying he took a spoon and ate 2 jars of almond butter a day for the first week. His colon cancer is gone diabetes gone.
There are many different opinions on how you should start. Alissa says jump right into 100% raw. Eat whatever you want as long as its raw. You can make big batches of juice. Make sure you always have fresh fruit with you. Fruit is the ultimate fast food. Eat as much fresh fruits and vegetables as you can. Stay full until your body adjusts.
Some people do well with smoothies.

GREEN SMOOTHIES are a favorite in the raw food world. Spinach blends nicely.

Raw nuts, seeds, You can order raw chips, crackers and cookies online. I like to keep things simple fresh fruits lots of salads, juices, and smoothies. These make me feel better.

Good luck on your journey and your new healthier life.

When I first came to fasting and raw foods I was soooo sick. I felt so much better within days (literally!). I did some short fasts (10 days) and started eating raw. Fasted for a few days (3-5) and ate raw in between my fasts. I released 100 pounds in about 4 months.

I did a LOT of research. Read everything I could find on the internet via forums and websites. Knowledge is power! Make sure you are empowered on your journey!

(((hugs)))

I too read every book on raw I could find. You can start with your local library before you invest in any books you want to keep. I agree that always having fruit with you is important. Bananas are the ultimate fast food. Eat lots of greens too. And don't forget to stay hydrated as most people mistake signs of dehydration for hunger.

Good luck. It is never too late to change your life and your health for the better.

i've always seen a bag of sprouts as the ultimate in fast food... especially since if you eat them one at a time it's like eating fries! LOL

oh and pea shoots.

Thank you for the ideas. Tomorrow I go produce shopping :)

I'll try to post progress; and Im sure I'll have lots more questions. I appreciate the support and encouragement.

If a juice fast turns out to be too intense for you due to the detoxifying effects, you might instead try to start by replacing your breakfast and mid morning snacks with green smoothies or some other type of blended fruit and vegetable juices.

You'll need to eliminate certain foods from your diet like meat, dairy, poultry, fish, bread, pasta, rice. These foods are acid-forming and can make a person very sick, unhealthy and overweight. You might try to eliminate them all at once by doing a juice fast and/or by trying to go mostly raw vegan. Otherwise you might try eliminating them one by one while at the same time incorporating fruit and vegetable juices into your diet.

Since you were moved by the film Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, you also might want to watch the following presentation given by Dr. Esselstyn:
Caldwell Esselstyn, MD -- Make Yourself Heart Attack Proof

I would not plunge right into intense juice fast. Because I did just that and now I'm paying. I'm not sick, meaning I do not have any bad disease or any big problems with health. Just like you, I watched a movie, bought a juicer, went on 12 day juice fast. had to stop due to very heavy acne breakouts. I cannot clear up for 5 months now. According to different sources detox could have plugged lymphatic system and liver. Did numerous things to no avail. But continue trying. Please, be careful.

fasting and raw foods cleared up my skin.

are you are still raw, ravenna... if you aren't perhaps give that a try

Thank you, Aleesha.

I'm on and off, still trying. I'm really confused what is going on with me (hunger, weakness/ tremors because of hunger). My head is messing with me too - when I'm hungry I do not remember that I have something raw to eat even if it is in plain site. I'm not able to stay on raw for more than few days. Seems like I know so much already. I've read, I think, about half the books that are out there on raw, I'm convinced 200% but still trying to find answers why it is like this with me. It looks like I'm lazy but it is not that. My head is so full of stuff all the time, I'm busy with lots of things and I forget to eat and then I'm so hungry that can eat anything. Such a shame!