Hi! I’m Lauri from New Mexico. I was content with the idea of solely being an observer of the goings-on at this site; but a fellow blogger and Gone Raw member, rediscoverrawfood, suggested that I speak up and ask for advice.
I am 26 years old. I decided go 100% raw after realizing that the physical fatigue I experience daily may not be normal. I considered myself to be pretty healthy as I gave up red meat several years ago and only ate white meat 1 or 2 times a week . I did, and still do, exercise daily. I decided to give up all meat and dairy about 2 months ago, and then after no results, I gave up cooked food. It has been almost 3 weeks.
I realize that is not a lot of time being off cooked food, and everybody experiences changes on a different time-line, but I still wake up every morning feeling groggy as if I’ve only slept a few hours. I need an afternoon nap and my 2 days a week of strength training has evolved (de-volved, perhaps) into deep breathing and stretching aka sleeping while standing. At work I am a complete zombie; my legs are tired by walking the one flight of stairs to my apartment; and if I do a little reading before I go to work or during my lunch break I will most definitely fall asleep.
I had some blood work done, but it’ll be 2 or 3 more weeks until I see my doctor to go over the results. I am afraid that she will tell me that I’m just depressed. I find it difficult to believe that depression can have such a physical presence, but if this is what it is, I won’t be in denial about it.
I am just concerned that I’ve made so many changes in my diet, but I don’t feel the least bit better. I drink green smoothies every day and even though I can’t really afford it, almost all the produce I buy is organic. I don’t cheat. I really am 100% raw. But I still feel terrible, and yet no worse than before.
Will it get better? Thank you all for listening.
Comments
I have a friend with similar conditions as yours and she had her vitamin D levels checked and found out she was WAY deficient. After her checkup, the dr. and nurse had theirs tested because its not a routine thing that they do and BOTH of them we also deficient. My friend is vegan (so am I) and was tested for that reason, but the dr. and nurse were NOT, but still deficient. Anyway, since taking her prescription of vitamin D for several weeks, she has had more energy. Not like a TON, but definetly better than she was. Anyway, something to think about…
Hi Lauri – Have you tried Spiralina? I find this very energizing.
And what about bee pollen? I know some people won’t have it as they are strict vegans but I’ve tried it from time to time and find it adds a bit of a boost to my life.
I’ve been seriously B12 in the past and I agree with Lushpapaya – it isn’t pretty. I’ve been told that by going RAW you don’t need supplements but anytime I go off my B12 I feel myself drop – energy levels, mental levels, etc. (Have been told Brewer’s Yeast wouldn’t agree with me as I have candida…)
Jenoz – I agree about fruits in the morning, I end up feeling all emotional, scattered, and unable to focus. I’ve been experimenting with different things but haven’t been able to find a perfect ‘daytime’ meal that keeps me focused, grounded and energized. Recently I’ve been making green soups (like a green smoothie but without the fruit) and these are agreeing with me so far. I’m curious, what do you eat during the daytime?
Oh, one more thing for a great energy boost – raw cacao! I personally can’t eat much of it as it feels like a drug to me (it gets me real HIGH and then I feel hungover afterwards) but I know it helps a lot of people with energy levels. It’s supposedly very good, with lots of nutrients and vitamins.
I hope this helps!
:-) Jill
Wow! Such great advice from all of you…thank you very much! I am happy now that I have a list of things to discuss with my doctor next month. My fiance is excited that I am approaching my 30 days of raw because I may be going back to cooked foods once I reach that goal. But, you all make me feel like I am on the right path and I intend to stick with it for as long as I can. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
dear beautiful…
i know this website is all about raw food…food food food….but diet is only one piece of the puzzle. it’s only one form of nourishment that we need…..maybe look @ the rest of your life and look at your energy input/output. are you offering lots of energy to the world and only asking for energy from food? some yoga…lots of deep breathing…water!....fresh air…..great ways to find nourishment/energy outside of food. and remember- raw food isn’t for everybody! or at least, 100% raw isnt for everybody. may you find your balance…. blessings, sister!
Writeeternity – you describe Beriberi… this is excactly how I feel :( I have numbness in fingers and head, muscle weakness and incredible loss of apetite…
How can I find out if I have this?
Hey Laura!
I just found this website a few days ago and I was VERY EXCITED to see someone else from ABQ! I’ve only lived here for about 6 months so I don’t know much about the whole city. I visited the Tiny Treehouse where you mentioned a place called Whole Foods. Is that a restaurant or a health food store? Where is it? I live in the SW (not the scary part:) and I know most things are in the NE. Do you know of good places for buying organic for a reasonable price? I’m just starting my raw-food lifestyle and I think I’m going to ease into it and not go 100% right away. Any info you have would be great and maybe we could provide some local support for each other. Not that you aren’t getting a TON of support from this forum. Everyone is so helpful! :) If you want you can email me: brandewijn@myway.com
Perhaps you may have Anemia? I am Anemic myself and used to suffer from extreme lethargy (constantly tired, could fall asleep standing up) which is similar to the reactions you are experiencing. Make sure you get plenty of Iron when you are eating. Stock up on leafy greens…
Another indicator of Anemia is if you are cold all the time, even when it is 80 degrees outside – I used to wear sweatsuits even during the summer. People looked at me like I was a freak, but I truly was freezing cold. I just told them that I was from the Mediterranean and that anything below 90 degrees was cold for me, LOL.
But after I started loading up on Iron, all that changed. No more fatigue, no more chills, smooth sailing.
Of course everyone is different – this is just your body’s unique way of transitioning to your new healthy regimen.
Nevertheless, you should go get a checkup with your Doc just to be sure…
Good Luck!
Some of you mentioned eating less sugar and fats. I admit that fruit and nuts are a big part of my diet right now. But, if this is not the best way to eat (and I know I need to cut back), then does anyone have any suggestions as to what is good to eat? Obviously greens are good for you, but how do you make them tasty without adding sugar or fat? Does anyone have any ideas for quick and easy snacks that aren’t too sugary or fat-laden?
I feel a lot like you mango woman and actually, what you had written in your first post reminded me of when I was in college. I spent a lot of time trying to stay awake in class. Thought for a while that I was just really bored, but now I am beginning to realize that it may be a health concern. I too get very icy hands, and am embarrassed when I have to shake hands with other people. Sometimes I find that even when I am sweating at work, I still feel too cold to take my jacket off.
brandewijn: hello! Welcome to Albuquerque! I’ll definitely e-mail you.
JapanLove I too think this could be a byproduct of your body detoxing from the lack of toxic stuff being put into it. I have had the same symptoms on fasts and juice detoxes I have done. I do have a few suggestions for anyone feeling tired or fatigued. Drink lots of water. Tired? Drink a glass of room temp. water slowly so your body can absorb it all. It might help. Also I have found eating a handful of sprouts and wheatgrass juice both tend to give me a lot of energy, and are cheap. And if you go back to cooked foods, at least getting half your food energy from raw is still pretty good. Hope you feel better. Peace!