I have now officially been eating 80% raw or more a day, for one month. What an accomplishment!
The benefits I have felt over the last month are :
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An increase in energy and an overall feeling of well-being.
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A weight loss of 10.5 pounds.
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More days of mental clarity and sharpness.
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Food cravings, especially for sweets, are almost totally diminished.
The downfalls I have felt the last month are:
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I cannot think of any, really really!
I do still have health concerns. I am continuing to have irregular menstrual cycles. I had my first cycle last month for seven days, then a week and a half later, I had a second cycle for seven days plus ? (it is not quite over yet)… Two years ago, I did a green smoothie and juice cleanse for 17 days and for three months afterwards, I had normal cycles (yet during those three months I ate whatever I wanted and then I started having abnormal cycles again). At that time, I was also 40 pounds lighter than I am now. I know a womans menstrual cycles have a greater chance of being irregular, if she is under or overweight. Estrogen is stored in fat. Being overweight, I have too many fat cells and too much estrogen. I also know many toxins are stored in fat, so I know I have a good share of toxins in my system. I need to let my body cleanse itself and to release some extra weight.
That all being said, I have decided to start a Green Smoothie and Juice Cleanse (I also have an herbal kidney and liver cleanse I am doing along with this). This is something I have been previously postponing for many months. I just had no motivation to start a cleanse. However, the change over to raw foods and the benefits I have felt, has brought on a need to go to the next level in regards to my health, particularly for the benefit of my entire female system. I want to clean out my system, just like any good car owner would care for his vehicle, by changing the oil and filters. Most Americans take better care of what they put into their vehicles and how they care for them, than what they put in their bodies. I am way overdue!
I don’t know have a time frame for this cleanse… A week, 10 days, 21 days, 30 or 40 days…??? I have considered all the numbers. I believe we should have goals to make something work, but I don’t have a number in mind yet… I am sorta feeling, I will let my body dictate how long it should go for…
So I will keep you posted! ~ Rose
Are you doing this cleanse from a program? A box? Or is it from your own research?
No program or box. I have read everything on water and juice fasting, so it is from my own research. I do have some liquid herbs and teas for my kidney and liver cleanse, which I bought from Dr Schulze.
Congratulations on your 30 days! I am at 13 and just starting to feel more energy and less negative emotions. I had stomach aches every time I ate before I started this. They began once in awhile and by the end of March they were every time I ate. Since I started this raw diet, I havent had a single pain, with the exception of the one day I ate a mini pizza. Thats gotta say something!
Also, I am having my first menstrual experience on raw. It is the same as usual, although I was hoping it would be easier. They have always been very painful. Im still hopeful that it gets better as I keep on this path.
My adventure began with a 30 day challenge but I am thinking more along the lines of a couple months, maybe even staying on it indefinitely but bringing it down a notch to 80%.
Oh, and congrats on the weight drop! Its amazing, isnt it. I lost 8 already! And I feel healthy!
I think I might do a cleanse as well. I’ll check back to see how yours goes.
Kim
Hey Kim,
Thank you for the congrats and congratulations to you!
I am glad you are feeling the health benefits as well and so soon! I would imagine your cycles will improve, if you continue to eat well… Just as I have firm belief my cycles will eventually improve, but it may take a little extra cleansing through juice fasting, herbs, etc… The Creator made our bodies with the amazing power to heal themselves, if given the correct foods (and possibly herbs or fasting, depending on the condition).
The weight loss is wonderful. I gained almost 40 pounds since Oct 2008 (after I met my now husband). Everyone called it “contentment”, but I just have felt horrible inside and out because of it. The older we get, the harder it is to lose weight and the scale wasn’t budging! Eating raw foods, I have not felt deprived and my cravings are so much better! It is amazing! I really can see myself losing the total 67 pounds I need to lose, I dont know how long it is going to take, but I imagine within a year. So good for you on your 8 pounds, I dont know if you have more to lose, but it is so cool, to see the scale go down, huh?!
I really find 80% raw reasonable right now. I am already experiencing health benefits, but I am not locked into “100%” raw. I can see in the future going 100% raw, but not anytime soon…. A year, two or three years, who knows ? I still LOVE sweet potatoes… I like eating my half breast of chicken a couple times a week… I just want to enjoy the freedom in this transition or who knows maybe I will stay at 80% forever… I just know, I will not go back to less than 80% raw. I just want to continue feeling healthy and be healthy as I age. I want to avoid physicains and a handful of medications, which are expensive and have long lists of side effects. If we eat well, we will avoid much disease and if perchance disease comes, then we step it up and cleanse and try herbs….
I am so glad you posted a comment and to know you have started your own raw food adventure! It is exciting! I am excited for you. Do keep me posted on you are doing. I would love to hear from you.
Blessings ~Rose
Rose– congratulations on reaching Day 30! Way to go! How awesome that you are experiencing such wonderful benefits.
Allison