Rawcanadian's Page

<p>Was diagnosed with high-blood pressure and high cholesterol recently, the last week of sept. 2008.</p> <p>The doctor put me on blood-pressure medication.</p> <p>I was 6&#8217;2&#8221; and weighed 205 lbs.</p> <p>I started eating raw foods but not 100%.</p> <p>It might only be 30%, I don&#8217;t know but anyway, I have lost 8 lbs in 3 weeks, I feel better, my knee with osteoarthritis feels the best in about 1 year, I am living on less sleep, but have more energy throughout the day. This energy lasts all day at work.</p> <p>My goal is to get off the blood pressure medication, and when I go for another cholesterol test in feb, 2009, to see positive results.</p> <b>11.22.08</b> Have only taken one bp pill 6 days ago, pressure still up but around 133/84. That's better than before. Might take a pill tomorrow to bring it back down. I'm still not 100% raw, just eating some raw and a lot healthier. My sodium intake is down, alcohol intake , etc. My weight is down 15 lbs and i still want to lose 5 more lbs. 11.28.08 Went to the doctors on Nov 28, 2008 for a blood test to check electrolytes. This is to make sure that the bp pills aren't hurting my kidney's. Stupid me, i told the nurse I had fasted for 12 hours, and she told me I didn't need to fast. She said I might as well do a sugar and a cholesterol test since I fasted. 12.12.08 I went back to the doctors for my test results. Sugar was normal, so it was unchanged. Electrolytes were good, i didn't tell him I was off the bp pills, even though my pressure is still a little high, around 130/80, it has come way down from 150's / 100 three months ago. The doctor was actually amazed at my cholesterol results. He couldn't believe that after only 2 months they were normal and he told me I don't need to see him any more for the cholesterol. OK so at least one thing was taken care of due to the raw diet. I still need to work on the bp though!!! My system is probably clogged up really bad from all that bad food, it will probably take a little will to get normal blood flow. Anyway, my weight is 185lbs so I am down 20lbs since starting as well. My knee and feels good, my joints feel good, and i feel good. I've been doing 1/2 walks with my dog almost everyday. And pushups, situps, crunches, legraises everyother day. Might go down to 180lbs for a more optimal bmi. ;-) 12.23.2008 Ok 185lbs seems like a decent weight for being 6'2". Since working out I have gained strength already, and a little muscle tone. Most of my BP readings are now around 126-130 over 65-80. Pretty normal now, no need for pills and I haven't taken any in about 10 days. Figure the BP still might improve over time, but at least it is in a normal enough range to avoid medication. That's the main thing. I've increased my workouts and i am still doing the 1/2 hour walks with my dog almost everyday. March 13, 2009 Went to the doctors for my 3rd cholesterol test in 6 months. This is what he said, "You are a rare success story. Keep doing what you are doing. I give people 6 months to fix their cholesterol levels, and the majority of them need to be put on medication.| " I've also changed my diet: 12-15 servings of fruits / day one large salad everyday 1 - 2 servings of meat at supper time no dairy cooked foods everyday to boost calories: oatmeal,steamed veggies, boiled potatoes, brown rice, whole grain pasta, whole grain bread power drink: 4 bananas, berries, 2 Tbsp cacao, 4 Tbsp Hemp/ day I feel VERY good on this diet. May 9 2010 Presently I am up to 213 lbs, but a lot of this is muscle since I am on a weightlifting program. I failed at the raw diet but now have new goals. #1 To completely quit drinking alcohol. #2 To become vegetarian (will continue eggs and milk and fish for a little while) Currently working on goal #1. (been 9 days since last drink) July 2 2010 Just went 2 months without any alcohol, feel better, even started biking again!!! (last drink april 30 2010) Only been a vegetarian for 11 days (since June 22, 2010). Next goal is to become vegan. (I have cut way back already, using soy milk in cereal, etc) July 16 2010 I cut out eggs on july 9 2010 so here is what i have accomplished in a short time: Last Alcoholic Drink: Fri April 30 2010 Last Beef: Fri May 14 2010 Last Red Meat: Fri May 28 2010 Last Bird: Fri June 11 2010 Last Fish: Mon June 21 2010 Last Eggs: July 9 2010 Last ????: July 23 2010 So as of last week I am a lacto-vegetarian who eats a lot of raw food. I estimate 1500-2000 cals / day from raw food, but that is only around 50% of my caloric intake. Down to 204lbs, was 212lbs a couple of months ago, so i lost 8 lbs or roughly 1 lbs / week not drinking and just cutting out most animal products. BF% = 15.5% , i want to lower that down to around 14% over the next couple of months. Just need to lose about 4 lbs to do this. My next goal is to cut out milk products next friday, july 23 2010.