Raw Food Observations

I've been eating a mostly raw diet for a few weeks now. It's been kind of experimental, so I wanted to share my observations so far.

1. In the morning, I feel best if I eat a lot of fruit (2-3 pieces or the equivalent), then eat a handful of almonds as a mid morning snack. Doing this gives me the energy I need without making me feel too edgy.

2. Carbs are for energy, and I'm noticing that my body naturally wants more during the beginning of the day, and less in the evening.

3. As I clean the junk out of my system, I am becoming much more aware of when I'm actually hungry and what I'm hungry for. My body is learning to eat for fuel and for no other reason. I've lost almost all of my cravings for processed carbs and sugars.

4. If I do happen to eat bread, pasta, sugar, or other processed carbs,  it makes me crave more shortly after, and the same amount of calories doesn't fill me up the same way as with raw food.

Ultimately, I feel better and cleaner eating raw food. I feel like my body is shifting to its natural state. It is not difficult to eat raw, I crave it now and I love it.
I plan to go 100% very soon. I realize I won't be perfect all the time, but the benefits I've discovered far outweigh any pleasure I may gain from eating cooked food, meat, or dairy. I'm excited. :)

New Plan ~ Raw Food and P90X

So, I've noticed that when I come across something I really want to do and think will help me reach my goals more quickly, I tend to just dive in head first, even if I'm not entirely prepared. I think it is a good trait (at least most of the time) because I avoid most of the anxiety involved in starting something big.

I began researching a raw food diet a few days ago and am fascinated by it. It made total sense to me, though I'm still on the fence about cutting out meat entirely. Not sure I could be a vegan. I may change my thinking later, but even if I do decide to go vegetarian or vegan, it will be a transition, not a sudden jump. ^_^

The very next day after I began reading about raw food-ism, I began eating more raw food, and much less of my old diet. The first day, and in the days since, about 80% of my food intake has been raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, and olive oil.

I've eaten a couple ounces of cooked meat a day, and a little bit of boiled veggies. I also had some cheese and cottage cheese (not raw, pasteurized).

I'm starting to feel really fantastic. The first couple days were pretty difficult as far as detox symptoms went, (acne, irritability, and strange bowel movements) but the food part was easy enough. I eat as much raw food as I want, eat whenever I'm hungry, and still stay under 1500 calories easily.

Yesterday I dealt with some cravings for processed carbs (white sugars and bread products). I ate some fruit and some Melba toasts (which are technically processed carbs, but they're better than a lot of other choices I could have made.) and felt better.

The most amazing thing? I've lost almost 4 pounds so far this week after just a few days on an 80% raw food diet. I think I will probably end up modifying the raw food diet for myself after I do more research, but for now I know I want to cut three things from my diet for sure, even if I don't go raw or vegan: red meats, processed carbs and sugars, and pasteurized dairy. That is my first dietary focus.

In other news, I'll be starting P90X on Monday. I'll be making another video on Sunday or Monday to show myself before I start. I had planned to wait, but I came across a set of the DVD's and I am too pumped up about it not to start up ASAP! My pull up bar is on it's way, as well. ^_^

I'm super excited. I'll let you know how the first day goes.

I Wouldn't Be a True Hippie if I Didn't Consider the Raw Food Diet

I'm really thinking about taking the plunge, but I think I'll need to weed a few more things out of my diet and make a plan. Part of me wants to just go for it overnight, and I may soon, but I need to research it first a little more.

This video inspired me to really consider it. I can just imagine how clean and purified my body would feel and that's pretty darn tempting...

I'll look into it more and share my findings. I really just want to change my eating lifestyle. I want to eat for fuel and for no other reason, and I want to eat what my body was meant to eat.

Have any of you tried a vegetarian, vegan, or raw food diet? What did you think?

Your Body Needs Water

I started this weight loss focus again last week and for a few days I couldn't figure out why I wasn't dropping any weight and was even gaining on some days, even though I was eating cleaner and walking daily. Then I remembered to drink more water! I began drinking water and then the weight started to slip off again. Fantastic.

I really can't stress how much water plays a crucial role in weight loss and health. I drink about a gallon a day. I fill up a gallon jug from my Brita pitcher first thing in the morning, that way I don't have to try to count glasses or chug water in the evening.

You can feel the difference almost on the first day. Your weight loss plan will become MUCH more efficient. Your body begins to clear itself of toxins and junk (not the technical term ^_^) and you just feel generally better.

Drink more water, guys. Seriously.