My "over 50" experience

[Avacado7]

After reading the "Where is everyone?" thread, I was inspired to throw in my 2 cents.
I was finding myself "getting old before my time." I have a muscle imbalance and was dealing with a lot of pain. The stretching program I am doing helped immensely...but there seemed to be something else. Someone mentioned to me to cut out gluten, thinking it may be the problem. In trying to figure how to go "gluten-free" I looked into the "Raw diet." I am amazed at how the gluten was such a problem for me...and am using the "raw" to help me regain my health and hopefully my mobility.
I love Raw...in that the food is clean...not a lot of packaged junk and chemicals! I am still a novice at this..and am looking forward to all the new recipes that are coming my way.
Perhaps you would like to share why you are here??

[Pilgrim]

You know, something similar happened to me. Although I will say that I have tried going raw before, two or three times, and never made it. So there I was on S.A.D., knowing better. I started getting sick. I injured my knee and couldn't exercise, so I got fatter and fatter, and along with that many other symptoms appeared.

I decided it was gluten. On my way to going gluten-free, I rediscovered raw. Alissa's book is much more practical than the ones I had read, and her 30-day challenge captured me.

So that's why I'm here. I'm hoping to recover my former health and vitality. I don't like this aging thing. I don't like being tired, achy, overweight, bloated, baggy, and saggy. Enough is enough! Go Raw!!!

[Avacado7]

"I started getting sick. I injured my knee and couldn't exercise, so I got fatter and fatter, and along with that many other symptoms appeared."
How is your knee now??
I can relate. I have 32 lbs to lose. I am working on the knees. They are feeling better every day.
One of the things about the gluten is that I was not getting my nutrients, so I am counting on Raw, juicing and smoothies to help "rebuild" my system. Thankyou Alissa!!!!

[Avacado7]

.....sorry, forgot this in the last post.
As I was laying in bed this morning, I was realizing that for the past couple of nights I am not getting up in the middle of the night to make a "bathroom" trip. ALSO I am waking up more refreshed having had a very sound sleep!!
Again......thanks Alissa!!

[Bethanie]

once i go to bed.
And i sleep soundly at night and wake refreshed each morning well depending on what time i have to get up to get hubby off to work.
It's 4:00 am now:)
Can hadly wait for the weekend:)
B.

[Pilgrim]

Wow, that's great! I'd love to sleep soundly.

Unfortunately, my knee is still damaged. I have a torn meniscus and will require surgery. However, I am sure a raw diet will help my body heal itself as quickly as possible.

I was thinking today that when I started this, I kept expecting to feel different, but so far I haven't noticed a big change--nor do I care. This is a lifestyle commitment. I know in time my body will heal itself and I will feel and look great, but I'm not in a hurry.

I'm enjoying my new path.

[BDraw]

Good to hear your determination! Don't stop. Don't give up! I've been doing raw or mostly raw for several years now and feel so much better!!!! And yes, I too had way too many aches and pains associated with getting older. I decided I didn't like playing that game, cause the future did not look pretty. I feel 99.9% better. Gone are the days of bloating, exhaustion, back pain, arthiritis (sp ) and etc. (you get the picture).

Now the reason for writing this. I had some very good advice someone was kind enough to pass on to me. . . For every 7 years of your age, it will take 1 year for you body to heal itself with proper eating (ie: raw). I'm half-way there! I wonder, how much better can it get. I feel so much better already.

So again, I say, "DON'T GIVE UP!" IF YOU MESS UP, and you will, WE ALL DO, START OVER WITH THE NEXT BITE! NOT tOMORROW, NOT NEXT WEEK, OR WHATEVER OBNOXIOUS TIME FRAME COMES TO YOUr MIND. YOU CAN DO THIS AND YOU WILL BE GLAD, I PROMISE!

[Pilgrim]

Thanks for the advice! Sometimes I get discouraged, but I know it will be worth it. I will keep going!

[Blazin'Jane]

I'm here because when I heard about the RAW diet from my then 15 y.o.granddaughter (Livin'onLife), it just made so much sense. The fact that I could lose weight on it encouraged me even further, but it just sounded so darned healthy. I jumped right in on Dec. 27, 2006, and have been here ever since. I hope I never change. Ifeel wonderful, and lost 37 lbs. in the process!

[Avacado7]

Blazin'Jane
I had started to falter in my motivation..............your post has put me back on track! Thankyou!

[lokismum]

You mention your arthritis has gone on a raw diet. I have problems with both my hips which I am sure is arthritis. Will it really get better? What motivation if it does. Also did you have insomnia? How long after going raw will I feel the benefits physically? I have a lot of weight to get off, but have a real problem with food addiction. I managed yesterday, this morning and luchtime raw, and then stuffed myself with biscuits and chocolates, and now I feel horrible. I will get back on the wagon tomorrow, and try and stay there. Please let me know all the good things that happened to you. Thank you.

[lsadeseyens]

I, too, was having joint pain. I ached all over and it was a nightmare trying to roll out of bed in the mornings. On top of that, I was having difficulty swallowing (maybe thyroid?) and had put on 50 or so extra pounds. It has been less that a year that I have been raw, and have fallen off the wagon several times in the past. Each month I am doing better and better. Sometimes I take a step backwards, but always focus on going forward down the path. My joints are not hurting the way they were. The inflammation that was almost chronic in my neck and upper back is slowly receding and I don't have the swallowing issues I once did. I have lost about 17 lbs. since being raw, and though I still have about 40 to go, I know that eventually I will get there. So all in all, it has been a rewarding experience and I just know that as I keep on track, I can only move toward a more vibrant and healthier me.

[BDraw]

Wow! Neat to see this site again. I have been "missing" for a while. And eating too much SAD. At least too much for me. AND I'm paying the price for it. . . sore joints, shoulder pain, and added wieght. So, this week I decided it was time to get serious. I did. Actually I've been deciding this for several months, just for whatever reason, this was the week I did it. Since Monday, I have been 99.99% raw. YEA ME! In five days the pain in my shoulder is lessening, the scales lost 3 pounds, my hip quit hurting, and I feel good about me.

I am thankful that all the old aches and pains that I had 4 years ago haven't returned. I'm thankful that I finally said, "Enough!".

If you wonder, why this week? I must be honest. . . it has to be a God-thing. I'm really needing an answer to a big ordeal in our life right now and so with prayer I felt the need to fast. My fast happens to be a fruit fast. And it has been blessed -- I'm able to do it. For that too I am thankful.

Now, to you, I say, from my own experience. . . You can do it. It will be easier if you get God involved. And yes, it is worth it!

Blessings! BD