SAD Pregnancy vs. RAW Pregnancy - Check out the difference!!

[sherahtaylor]

Here's a raw testimony if there ever was one!

I still can't believe the difference JUST changing my diet from SAD to Raw has made - I didn't really exercise much at all to speak of during my raw pregnancy so I know it's just the way I was eating. I've had five full-term pregnancies, and every time without exception I would gain 42-50lbs plus experience a myriad of awful symptoms that are considered "normal" for pregnancies (see below).

I have always been weight-conscious but it is SO discouraging to "diet" and exercise during pregnancy because you really don't see any results. With normal diets, that is. Plus, I always got so sick that I couldn't keep up with any kind of diet in the first three months, and by then I always gained 15lbs anyway. So I was always kind of relieved during pregnancy that the pressure to lose weight was gone and I could eat HOWEVER I wanted - meaning Taco Bell, lots of Blizzards, grilled cheese, whatever.

So I found raw in August of 2006, and was about 95% raw until February 2007 when I got pregnant again - I stayed 95% raw for the duration of my pregnancy. I weighed 134lbs at the start of my pregnancy, which I hadn't seen that number in years.

I gained a total of 23lbs during my raw pregnancy. These pictures tell it all - you can just see the energy vs. the tiredness on SAD. I'm so thrilled to be able to break the vicious cycle of gaining 50lbs, then working SO hard to lose it with Body for Life or South Beach diets, only to get pregnant again and gain it back.

BEST of all, I hhad little to no morning sickness in the first trimester (we're talking couch-ridden, throwing up alot normally!), no heartburn, no backaches, no acne or dull/losing hair, no tired and heavy feet, enough energy to get through the day with five kids ages 8 & under, keep up the housework, run errands, whatever. I felt, well, bouncy! LOL. And I loved being pregnant and being able to wear all the cute clothes and actually have that cute little belly instead of feeling like a whale. COMPLETE opposite of all five previous pregnancies.

Definitely doing the HAPPY DANCE for the success I had! And who knows...maybe another one is in the future for us! =)

http://home.comcast.net/~sherahtaylo...er.collage.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~sherahtaylo...r.collage2.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~sherahtaylo...r.collage3.jpg

[Frugal Raw]

OH MAH GOODNESS!!!!!!!! I am almost speechless - but you look abso-RAW-lutely amazing!!!!!!

[rawstrength]

I said it before, and I'll say it again
CONGRAWTULATIONS! That's amazing!

[kellijean]

You are FREAKING AWESOME! Those are really inspirational pix. I am done having kids, but seeing the difference in your body this last pregnancy versus the others and even your face is amazing. In your latest pix you look like a TEENAGER! I dont know how old you are, but with 5 pregnancies you cant possibly be a teenager still! Man oh man, that gives me hope that I will see a change in my over all looks...I just turned 38 and I really want to turn the clock back. :)

[Care4raw]

You actually look so much happier as well as being 'gawgus!".You have so much vital life coming through in the 'raw pregnant pics'.

These are really inspirational.Very happy for you and your family!

[sherahtaylor]

You actually look so much happier as well as being 'gawgus!".You have so much vital life coming through in the 'raw pregnant pics'.

Thanks everyone!! I think being so much happier is absolutely the thing I have realized too - DH and I really want a bigger family, but I hated being pregnant SO much, and what it did to my body and how it made me feel. I was completely miserable......and now it's like SURE I'd love to be pregnant again!! No more dreading that part of it - and who wants to dread things in life, really??

In the "before" pictures of my 2 previous pregnancies (mostly I wanted to show two pregnancies because each time I gained so much weight, it was a consistent thing for me) I am 27 & 29, and then in my "after" picture I am 30, getting close to 31.

[earth_sista]

woah momma! you are amazing! such a beautiful pregnant woman! congrats

[RawHeaven]

Wow Sherah! You are so gorgeous and glowing as a raw mommy to be. The difference in your SAD vs RAW pregnancy is astounding. I'm just blown away!
Simply beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.

Crystal

[StarFire]

my goodness.... that is soo amazing. The difference is night and day! You are a beautiful mama - regardless of SAD or RAW... but the RAW pregnancy... you are simply glowing... you look so strong and vibrant... and soooo healthy and happy ... you are as beautiful as the pics that Storm and Jinjee post of their pregnancies... what an amazing testimony!

It will also be interesting to see what the difference will be in the delivery -- and the 'awareness and alertness of the baby once he arrives (or she)! ... Please keep us posted... What a fabulous testimony this is...

thank you soo much for sharing!!

RAWk on... you are beautiful!!!

[avanderland]

This is such an amazing testimonial! While having kids is a bit of a ways off, I've wondered what it must be like to be pregnant and raw. I know there are some stories out on the internet, but hearing firsthand, and seeing your comparison photos! WOW. AMAZING. Kudos to you for sticking through it, and I'm glad it is making everything easier!! Can't wait to hear about the rest of your journey!

[beckx]

amazing! of course you look beautiful and glowing in all of the photos, but the raw ones... you look like a completely different person (not to mention you look about 18 years old). congratulations!

[CosmoRaw]

you look amazing. Congrats!

[charika]

WOW! This really encouraged me. I am a mom of two toddlers and I too gained like 50 pounds both times and felt AWFUL. The morning, afternoon, and evening sickness had me also bed ridden. But WOW. AMAZING! It really gives me hope if we ever decide to have another. In fact after reading your story and seeing those pictures, I almost want to go now and get pregnant again and try it out for myself..LOL... Kidding. Not sure how dh would feel about that. But Congradulations again. You are beautiful and an inspiration. Thanks so much for sharing:)

[goingrawchelle]

Incredible! You look amazing! What a testimony of this lifestyle! I have four children...you make me want another to try it raw...but we're done. Congrats!

[gritsnla]

You look great! All the nutrition you are taking in is going straight to that healthy baby that will be with you shortly. I hope you post your baby's birth weight as I think that will only add to your great testimony. Like I said, you just know it is going straight to the baby.

Here's to finishing out those 5 more weeks with glowing health!!