2 day raw experiment

[rondon2]

Hi all. In the interest of just plain sharing what I experienced, I'm going to share with you what I experienced when I "tried" going raw.

I'm a huge fan of Steve Pavlina, and I've read in one of the forum threads of his suggestion to "give raw a try for just 48 hours".

Well, I did.

Now - why did I give this trial a try? Namely, because I wanted to experience the "abundant energy" that he espouses. I've been mostly energy deficient throughout my life - I'm 30 years old, and I'm not exactly that active in terms of moving around (the term "mouse potato" comes to mind). Also, I've been diagnosed with HBV almost 10 years ago, and I think that may have something to do with my energy level.

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My normal diet consists of rice and viand. The viand being either being meat of some sort, or veggies in other case. I hate eating the fat in meat for health reason, and try my best to avoid common delicacy foods in our culture (like eating innards of animals). I drink coffee and energy drinks to pick me up, not everyday, but when the occasion calls (like overtime) I sometimes overdrink those thinking they might help.

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So, what did I do? Mostly, I went "raw" by eating mostly bananas and drinking coconut. I did it for 2 days first. There were times that I slipped in those 2 days because I felt deprived, and I turned to peanut butter sandwiches to fill me up (that was on the first day). On the 2nd day I ate a glazed donut as a snack.

What I liked about going raw:

* while I didn't experience high energy levels, I did feel better than my usual meat-eating self. I remember feeling a bit more refreshed and calm, my head felt clearer (compared to right now after drinking coffee and eating meat-based feeling cloudy-headed)


What I didn't like about going raw:

* I had to go out of my way to find and make my raw shake / drink
* I didn't like the sweet taste of banans - I guess that's why Steve mixes spinach in some of those. That I'll try in my next banana shake.
* There are other "issues" that I have that got in the way of my going raw:
o Last week I was required to do (mandatory) overtime at work - I had to turn to readily-accessible meals at the office and that usually means animal-based foods. Plus, I overdrink caffeine during this time also. And afterhours I overate with my work buddies to "get the stress off" (which in truth did more harm than good.) After this overtime period my body gave in and I got sore throat + fever. A close friend of mine attributed my breakdown to going raw, but really it was the overwork + eating badly + too much caffeine + lack of rest.
o I'm awfully lazy - I got used to having a maid around and not having to cook my own food, so going raw for me required that I exercise my self-discipline more



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I plan to do incorporate more raw meals into my days. It's not going to be easy. Fruit is expensive (at least where I buy it.) Also, I may need to work on my other issues (like my laziness and overwork) to get more raw.

[Dev]

Hi rondon2, good to know about your achievement, your methods & your problems during the trial. It is good that atleast you started with it. You "took action" and that is commendable. I suggest you gradually move to a little higher challenge(journal this experience for future guidance). Also give your body adequte rest & workout( to overcome laziness).
Recently I complete a 7 day raw diet & I noted my little successes & experience. I have journaled this in my previous post. Day before I started with a 14 day raw trial but failed yesterday(2nd day itself). I intend to start all over again asap after analysing what went wrong.
Keep up the good work & keep posting. Guru Steve is always with us

[rondon2]

Wow - thanks for replying. I want to do another trial with more useful (and accurate) details. It found it very frustrating that I find myself switching to default unhealthy mode when I had to do overtimes at work, or when I am under stress.

I have this ideal to find a diet that would give me less sleep and more energy. Maybe I'll do an experiment to find an optimal way to do work overtimes. (Umm - maybe try to avoid it overall? haha)

Hmm - are you from India? Don't people in your country have a predominantly veggie-based diet, since most animals are sacred? Just a thougt that came to my mind.

[Dev]

Yes you can do multiple trials, but I suggest just do a handfull so that you are not overloaded. Preferably do it in different areas of your life. Steve describes this as "Growth Blitz" in his book.
It is often possible that you may find yourself switching to unhealthy mode of eating. What i suggest is just after this thought comes to you & before you act on it, ask yourself, if what I am going to eat is harmful to me physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally & financially. If the majority answer is 'yes' then vigorously avoid it. If the answer is 'no' then go ahead & enjoy it fully(with heart,mind & soul), but just before putting that morsel in your mouth promise yourself that you are not going to eat that specific thing again for the next 'n' days. I follow this & depending on my answer the days are set to 15,30,60 or more. This may or may not work for you. You can also set a penal clause for yourself if you break the moratarium. The idea is to make this an interesting game. The best part is this rule can be applied in all games(read areas) of your life.

Just take life as it comes to you. Do not deny any experiences - you will learn anyways!

Yes I am from India and a cross-section of my country men are veggies-some out of choice & mostly out of religious consideration. Cow is considered the most sacred animal(next to mother) by Hindus, Pork is haram(forbidden) for Muslims, Jains are purely veggies(they don't eat anything which grows below the soil). Hindu Brahmmins are pure veggies & rest of my countrymen eat whatever they like.
Even I was toying with the idea of giving up non-veg but as of now the craving is a bit stronger, though I have cut down on consumption. I rarely have red-meat since it is scientifically proven to cause cancer among other diseases. So once a truth is identified we need to go with it.
I know that one day I will give up non-veg but I believe that day would come only when I feel more connected(Principle of Oneness). I am not forcing myself or trying to hasten this process.
And yes there are certain foods which have different effects on once body depending on its composition, the way it is consumed, the time of consumption & body constitution. You may have to read a lot on your consumption pattern and derive the Truth and then turn it into a habit.
The best way would be to experiment & find for yourself what works best.
Hope this helps.