How has raw helped you? Speak up here!

[maraw]

I thought in an effort to make this simple for newcomers, we might all take a moment to list the benefits we have seen individually from eating a diet made up of mostly RAW, FRESH, FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS AND SPROUTED GRAINS.
Personally, I had two really minor conditions that doctors told me they couldn't help me with - one, no help at all (in fact, he wasn't sure what caused it), and the other, requiring laser surgery.

So here goes:

Eating raw helped me in this way:

- I lost almost 50 unwanted pounds in less than 4 months - and it has stayed off!
- Those little bumps on the sides of my upper arms that I've had since high school have completely vanished.
- The spider veins that I've had, also since high school, have lightened considerably.
- I have a renewed energy, both physically and spiritually.
- I have lost my addiction (which I never knew I had) to food, completely. For the first time in my life, I am in complete control of what and when I eat.

So, what about you? :)

[Raw Mom]

My folks and brother have been working at either Hippocrates or Optimum for over 10 years. My brother is a master wheatgrass grower. Ok, so it was about time for me. I've tried many things. I have always been addicted to food in one way or another. Kicked for two weeks at a time, but always came back. Brian Clement from Hippocrates in FL was here a couple of months ago giving one of his talks. The next day, there I went. About 85% raw. Food obsession gone after the second day. I've had two cookies in the last 7 weeks. I was a once a day sugar eater, at least. My 16 yr old is turning her eating lifestyle around also. Yoga has helped tremendously with the emotional piece. I was finally ready.

What has happened?
--Food addiction conquered
--lost over 10 pounds in 4 weeks and still counting
--long walks every day. Never have I been able to keep that up
--I just looked at my spider veins. Pretty clear. Had no idea it would help that!
--Stronger emotional stability
--able to share with other men and women the benefits through my yoga studio
--I do believe my gray hair is changing. Ok, maybe just imagining that one

[daisyduke]

I have been following 811 since January - I have just been diagnosed with mono or adrenal fatigue from too much exercising...realized I had to stop and relax!

Benefits:
-cured from exercise bulimia (I don't feel guilty for not working out since I know that I'm eating so well)
-cured from emotional eating and overeating
-better skin tone
-better tan
-less acne
-lost about 20 pounds
-never get a cold, flu, etc. (and that's impressive since I'm an elementary school teacher)
-no guilt from eating
-more emotional clarity (more in touch with my feelings)
-no more preparing laborious meals!
-no more migraines

I'm sure I'll think of more later - these are the ones on the top of my head though. Great thread!

[Rawkinlocs]

How has raw helped me, let me count the ways...

No, but on a serious note, I have been raw (not always consistently, though) for going on 3 years - pretty much following Alissa's no-nonsense approach by eating what I wanted as long as it was raw and then allowing my body to naturally gravitate to what it needed, but allowing freedom to have a raw dish or dessert for variety whenever I felt I needed it and I've received the following benefits:

1. More energy

2. Severe acne that has been with me from puberty into adulthood cleared up

3. No more severe constipation

4. Candida/Yeast both vaginally and orally (thrush) cleared up completely simply by eating raw - didn't have to cut out sweet fruits or fat...just ate raw!

5. Lost apprx. 20 lbs. of excess weight

6. No more back pain (I used to have back pain that I totally forgot about because it is there no more!)

7. No more aching joints - my knees used to hurt especially when going up and down stairs

8. Not my own personal story, but my youngest daughter's eczema cleared up after years of trying various methods to no avail.

9. No more chronic headaches and migraines!

[swingbolder]

Raw on and off for two years -- mostly on.

Benefits:

skin cleared up
asthma pretty much gone
insomnia gone
no more headaches
no more colds
no more sinus infections
bowel movements are super-regular
more energy
sweeter disposition (not so grumpy anymore) :)

[lodestar]

wow, do i love this thread...i've flirted with raw for the past 2 years with 100 days being my longest 100% stretch. now i'm four weeks into it and plan to stay this way for good :)

i have a consistent sense of well-being aka happiness
i'm not preoccupied with "what shall i eat next"
i am better intuned with others needs
much more sensitive to promptings of the spirit
always a sense of gratitude and abundance
i look healthy
my confidence is amazing...much more of a can-do attitude
improved sleep
little pms no more night sweats
i've decluttered my body and now want to declutter my surroundings
i haven't weighed myself, but my clothes are getting saggy baggy
i appreciate color in my food...somehow it's beautiful and amazing to me

[maraw]

I almost forgot one of the biggies: my husband doesn't snore nearly as loud as he use to! He eats about 70% raw - but just that much has made a real difference in his digestion and breathing.

[Missrawdiva]

How has beeing raw helped me? I have lost weight (haven't weighed myself yet but yesterday I had to take my tennis bracelet to get a few links taken out.. it was looking crazy hanging down the middle of my hand! Even the jeweler that sold it to me was amazed! People say my skin is glowing, my daughter says my hair has gotten longer, I feel lighter, I dont crave for Sad foods anymore and dont have to feel guilty when I eat my raw deserts! I have more peace and clarity about life, I now live a more purpose driven life since being on raw! oh, can't forget about the PMS symptoms being gone.. this is coming from a woman who would have severe bloating and migrains for TWO WEEKS out of every month!
BABY I LIKE IT RAW!!!!!!!!

[lil fairy z girl]

raw has helped me by :
losing weight and looking toned,
my stomach is no longer bloated,
i feel i have more energy,
i am livelier (can't spell though!),
i enjoy my meals,
we have more variety in our food before it was pasta, rice and curry,
its given me something to be interested in so other issues are pushed more in the background

best wishes
sal
~*~*~*

[Veganforlife]

Before raw:

Migraines
Tired
Sleeplessness
Overweight

After raw:

No more migraines
Energized
Sleep great
Lost about 30 pounds in 15 weeks

Alissa is my Angel sent to me. ;)

[chilove]

I healed from:
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Fatigue
IBS
Depression
Anxiety & Panic Attacks
Chronic Bladder Infections
Hormonal imbalances
Dandruff
Skin problems
compulsive over eating
food addictions

I gained:
energy
calm
confidence
happiness
joy



I love raw!!!

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[Shmoopie]

I was only high raw, and not for any record breaking time (a couple months I guess?), but in only under a week (4 days to be exact) I noticed changes taking place:

-my psoriasis started to look a lot better, like it was going away. Less redness, less irritation, no itching, spots got smaller

-NO more low back/kidney(?) pain when I woke up in the morning. I guess it can't always be blamed on the mattress, cuz it was my diet that changed, and the mattress that stayed the same lol

-No anxiety or panic

-Slept better

-TONS more energy and lots of motivation to do the things I both wanted and needed to do

-Happiness...by the truckload

Changes really can happen that quickly, and before you even go 100%. Good stuff.

[Mango]

I was on high raw for a couple of years. On high raw I felt tons better.

No more:
PMS
headaches
yeast infections
bladder infections
lost 60 lbs

The problem on high raw is that I let a lot of bad food creep back into my diet. Then I gained 20 lbs and started to see signs of PMS again. I have been all raw for the past 30 days and:

PMS is gone
periods that lasted 7-10 days went to 4 days!
lost 11.5 lbs
no more food addiction and cravings

I love it! Love it! Love it!

[Kassandra]

Being raw has helped me to focus on what's important in life. I now use only the best quality fruit, vegetables and oils that I can afford, and I feel more vibrant than when I ate cooked food.

I never feel bloated or tired after I eat, and have energy to do all the things I want to do

Kass.

[Lay-Lay]

Raw has caused the following to vanish/improve:

Migraines
chemical imbalance
temporary paralysis
blackouts
fainting discorder
Mitral Valve Prolapse with symptoms
Anxiety
High Blood Pressure
Low Blood Pressure
Thin nails
Dry itchy scalp
Dry split hair
Hard Skin (now as soft as a babies butt)
Black circles under my eye's
Acne
Chronic Female Problems
Chronic Fatique
Epstein Barr
Mono
Muscle and joint paint
TMJ
Food allergies
Chemical allergies
mold allergies
Seasonal allergies
Chronic bladder and kidney infections
Parasites
Candida
Obesity (still working on)
Pre-Cancer
abnormal hormone levels
PCOS
Hyperplasia
infertility
lack of proper thinking ability
in ability to reason properly
lack of memory
inbalance

Increased bond with my creator and enhanced relationship


Still working on:

weightloss
still working on hormones some, but according to my acupunturist I and pretty prime for getting pregnant right NOW.
(in the process to doing a parasite and fungus cleanse)