My Transition to Low Fat Raw Vegan: Part IV

* Feature Article: My Transition to Low Fat Raw Vegan: Part III

My Transition to Low Fat Raw Vegan: Part III

I ended My Transition to Low Fat Raw Vegan: Part III last week with some of the initial benefits I experienced on raw and as well as my minute detox symptoms.

It’s now finally time to wrap things up with some advice I would offer my past self, as well as what I did right and how this all pertains to you.

My Advice to Myself

Knowing what I know now, here is what I would say to the Swayze of 2007:

*#1: Eat More Food*

Yep.  I know I’ve said it lot, but it’s true.  The key to being successful on a raw food diet is eating as much food as you care for (specifically fruit).

And all you weight-watchers out there, don’t worry.  You will still lose weight on such a diet.

And I’m not just saying this to toot my own horn or hear myself speak read my own words.  This is an important issue that I am constantly being reminded of.

I would say that my response to the vast majority of emails I receive – probably 75% – result in this simple response:

You need to eat more fruit.

Is it really any wonder that I have struggled with same problem myself?

And honestly, I was eating a good amount of calories on most days (just below 2000, which is the estimated amount that a person of my height, weight, and activity level needs).

That wasn’t the issue.

The issue was that I was still hungry!  Like many of you, I was coming from a diet of heavy caloric restriction (not to mention food with very little volume) and my body was literally calling out for more food and better nutrition.  I was still too caught up in the numbers and the “eat less, exercise more” mantra to realize it.

As a result, I would do fine for a couple of days.  Then the hunger would catch up with me and I would go binge crazy!

On the other hand, after my binge-heavy 2008 summer vacation, I started purposefully under eating on calories.  I wanted to get the excess weight off as quickly as possible.

Of course, this completely backfired.  Again, I would white knuckle for a few days, but then the lack of calories would get to me and I would eat, eat, eat anything in sight.

It wasn’t until I finally allowed myself to just eat as much as I wanted (in December of last year) that my cravings drastically decreased and, therefore, I stopped binge eating.

*#2: Slow it Down, Dude!*

This was posted on October 31, 2007 and was supposed to be my game plan for the next 30 days:

1. Between 15-18 pieces of raw fruit a day (blended or whole)
2. At least a pound of raw greens a day ( blended or whole)
3. Steamed/boiled vegetables w/ sea salt 3 times a week (i.e. corn, peas, broccoli, edamame, potatoes, etc.) for dinner
4. No more than 180 calories from fat every other day (i.e. nuts, seeds, avocados)
5. Dried fruits only on occasion
6. 6 ounces of decaffeinated tea w/ 1 tsp of honey once a day is permissible

This means…

1. No meat
2. No cheese
3. No dairy
4. No grains
5. No legumes
6. No caffeine
7. No processed foods (except honey in tea)

This was a great plan for me because it allowed me to eat high amounts of fruit, which I was already slightly accustomed to anyway, while at the same time incorporating some transition foods (i.e. tea, steamed veggies, salt) to help me make it through.

I soon got impatient and started upping the ante.  By day 18, I had cut out all steamed foods and tea in an effort to cut back on cravings.

The problem here is that once I went 100% strict raw, there was no going back for me.  I felt stuck in the “all or nothing” mindset that I am so prone to.  If I decided to incorporate some transition foods again, I felt guilty because then I wasn’t 100% raw.

Then I felt deprived and that’s when my bingeing got really out of control and I began eating foods that I had not so much as looked at in months!

If  I had just taken it slow and kept at my original plan that was well-suited to me, I am sure I would have avoided a lot of stress, overeating, and mental anguish.

I think this is another reason why I was able to stick with raw in December 2008.  Not only was I eating as much as I wanted, I also consumed salt and spices if I desired them.  As an emotional eater, it helped to know that salt was not a forbidden food and, more importantly, that I could eat it *without guilt*!

What I Did Right

It’s been 2 years and 7 days and I’m still here.

Obviously I did something right…right?

*Dedication*

From the moment I began my journey to raw, I knew it would take some work.  I knew I would have difficult days.  I knew I would make mistakes here and there.

I was okay with all that and I was prepared for it.  More importantly, I was completely dedicated no matter what.

Going raw was my #1 priority.

So many people discover raw, jump right into it, and expect it to be a piece of cake.

I sometimes receive emails from people looking for that special something – kind of like the “ah hah” moment I briefly mentioned in Part III – that will quickly and effortlessly make them a 100% raw foodist.

They want to go raw at the snap of their fingers, without any extra effort.  They want to have their cooked cake and eat it too.

Sorry, but that isn’t possible.

A healthy raw food diet is simple, sure.  But there is a big difference between simple and easy.

Eating fruit all day, greens in the evening, and limiting your fat intake is a simple concept.  Eating this way in a household full of others who do not understand and do not support you is not always easy.

Eating a meal of just bananas is simple.  Ensuring that you have enough ripe fruit on hand requires knowledge and experience.

Preparing a green smoothie of banana and celery is simple.  Planning ahead for an upcoming social event – like Thanksgiving this Thursday, for instance – can be tricky.

I’m not trying to scare you away from raw or make it seem reserved for only a select few.  When compared to any other diet on the face of the planet, a low fat raw vegan one is by far the simplest, easiest and most rewarding diet around.

Is there any other dietary plan in which you can eat pounds and pounds of food day in and day out and still maintain a sleek, muscular, sexy physique and experience energy levels that rival those of a small toddler?

NO WAY!

Low fat raw vegan wins hands down, every time.

My point is that, just like with anything worth while in life, going raw requires a little extra work.

But if you are truly dedicated and remain focused on the long-term, you will work through it all in your own time and on your own terms.

My Advice to You

If you are struggling with maintaining a raw food diet, you can certainly learn from my mistakes.

To recap:

• Eat as much fruit as you want
• Develop a game plan and STICK TO IT
• Take it slow

And most importantly, make going raw your #1 priority.  It may require a little work on your part, but the numerous benefits you will receive will more than pay you back for all your hard work.

And your tummy and taste buds will love you for it.

Go raw and be fit,

Swayze

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