I won’t bother with an explanation as to why I’ve been absent so long… It would be just a ramble, and basically boil down to no good excuse, so, I’ll leave that alone.
But here I am now to make a statement, because I find that making statements about something one plans to DO, can be their own motivation to actually DO the thing.
Here’s the deal. I am in pain, overweight, (somewhat) unhealthy and unhappy (with myself).
I have gotten mired in a ‘rut’ over the last year (maybe even longer), and have allowed myself to be dragged down to a place where I don’t want to be. I want to be healthy, to feel vibrant, to look in the mirror and LIKE who and what I see. I want to get rid of this unhealthy feeling I have ALL the time. I want to stop being obsessed by food and what I eat and how and where and how much, to just enjoy eating as a means of nourishing my body, and definitely to get back to a healthy happy weight.
I want to be a FANTASTIC role model for my son. I have fallen into “do what I say, not what I do” habits with him…. teaching him healthy eating, and healthy body habits while not practicing them myself. What kind of example is that really?? Not the kind I ultimately want to be.
I have a favorite blog, (among many that I like), authored by a raw vegan, chef, wife, athlete, and mommy, Kristen Suzanne. She tells her story on this blog, which I have read before many times, but today I read it again. And I found myself thinking, as I had the times before, “This sounds just like me” (Aside from the bodybuilder part, of course!). But she talks about health issues: headaches, fatigue, acne, allergies, pain, cellulite, etc. (her whole story is here).
A quote from her blog: “
“For most of my life, I had intense migraine and tension headaches, acne, cellulite, allergies, and back pain. I was constantly tired and so you’d always find me drinking 2-3 Starbucks’ triple venti soy cappuccinos each day. I took plenty of prescription medications, for both my headaches and my exhaustion. Eventually, I was so tired of not feeling well, of not feeling like I was at my peak unless I medicated myself with something like caffeine or pain pills. I was living a life of stimulated energy instead of Raw energy. I had no idea there was such a thing as Raw Energy. And, wow, what a difference that has made in my life!”
I want that Raw Energy. I am SO freaking sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and sluggish. I want to glow. To feel vibrant and alive!! I want to enjoy my life again! I don’t like waking up in the mornings feeling tired, and my body/joints often hurting. My pain has gotten steadily worse over the last year…. I’m only 33 years old, I’m WAY TOO YOUNG to feel this crappy all the time!
I really have no excuses. I have most of the tools I’d need to do it, I have enough cookbooks to last me a lifetime (maybe), and most of them would work very well with a high raw vegan diet. (High Raw = 80-85% raw and the remainder cooked foods. More info here.). I have no ambition to become Fully Raw at this time, quite simply because I love me some baked potato and some cooked grains, occasionally pasta… and I believe I can fit those into a healthy lifestyle. But I have no excuses. I love fruits and vegetables. I can see how a person who did not love them might find a transition like this very difficult or even unattainable, but that’s not me at all! I’ve become addicted to sugar, which has been my major downfall. I’ve grown away from loving the natural sweet, and healthy variety of flavors found in nature.
Also…. I want to be involved in something I care about, that I can be passionate about. And I have found something I want to be a part of that I can also bring Jr too! Rawfully Organic Co-Op is a Houston based Organic Raw food non-profit co-op that is completely staffed by volunteers. I just found about this yesterday. Though I can’t afford to join the co-op for food (yet?), I am SO excited about being able to go and volunteer some time. I am excited to meet other people who are passionate about this too! I am planning on going at least twice a month to help them out – more if I can afford the trips into Houston! I am SO EXCITED about this.
Kristen Suzanne is one of my greatest heros. I pray for the strength and determination to become more like her in my habits, that I might one day be an inspiration to someone else. If you want to read an awesome story of health turned around, please check out her blog and read her story. (Not to mention, her recipes look UH-MAZING. I can’t wait to make some of them!) 
*****
So, here’s to my new journey. I will be posting news and updates, successes, and even failures. I welcome support and positive feedback. In fact, I desire those things – so feel free to email or comment!
I CAN be successful. I CAN be healthy. I CAN be happy.
And I WILL be.
