Know Any Literary Animal Lovers?

Hi there PureJeevan readers! We wanted to let you know that Jim's new novel CHROO is available on Amazon. It's a crazy adventure involving a billionaire heiress, her Chihuahua BFF ("Chroo") and a host of human and animal characters. Find out more on Amazon! Here are some links:




{SCPinterestShare href=http://www.purejeevan.com/2001-reader-question-why-change-diet layout=standard image= desc= size=small}

One of our readers, Julie, asked me to update her on what kind of diet I'm doing and why I'm doing it. The last time I publicly made changes with my diet, I received many similar questions. So, I figured maybe it would be a good idea to respond to her question here on the blog for anyone else wondering the same thing.

I did explain, in a long post, about experimenting with my diet being important to me.If you didn't read that entry, it will answer a lot of your questions. For many of you, I think I know what you are thinking: "Wendi was pretty much morbidly obese, her health was horrible, but she's now healthy. Why would she change anything with her diet when she has already found what works "?

Well, it's true. I am extremely healthy compared to how I was before I started consuming raw foods. Here are some pictures to show the changes, to motivate some of you currently struggling with eating more raw foods...

?

After only 10 months raw!

After one year raw!

I believe a raw food diet has allowed my body to heal itself of so many ailments---more than I probably ever even knew I had. I went on the raw food diet as an experiment, to see if it would really work. Well, as I found out (and I'm sure it's evident to you, too), it works! I'm healthier than I think I ever was, even when I was at a healthy weight when I was younger.

So, the question you have comes up again, right? "Why make any changes if you've recovered your health " The main reason is because I know I don't feel as good as I could feel. I don't feel 100% well (even though I feel 1000 times better than I ever did before). I am still not overflowing with energy, my skin isn't as clear as it could be if I was fully well, my weight is still a bit too much for my height and bone structure (but, trust me when I say if I never go down another pound I am completely happy with my weight!), my menstrual cycles are still not 100% regular (I still spot between cycles), I occasionally still experience some problems with my heart, and my bloodwork still shows that I'm a bit low in iron, B12, and definitely deficient in Vitamin D.

Could I live happily for the rest of my life with just those small issues? Sure! I still feel so much more alive, healthy, vibrant, and filled with even more love than I ever did in the past. However, why not see if I can obtain an even higher level of health? I'd love to clear up all of the small issues I mentioned above, and feel even more alive and healthy! If I didn't have any of those issues, would I still experiment with my diet? Maybe, but it would be for a different reason.

Currently, my goal for my body is to be as healthy as I can be so that I can live a long, energetic life and experience as much as I possibly can before my time is done here. If my body was 100% healthy, I might experiment with the different versions of the raw food diet, just for some variety. Currently, however, I am experimenting to see if I can get to an even greater level of health. Imagine if I can eliminate all of those small issues that remain---having more energy to do even more fun things with my life will be worth the current experimentation with my raw diet, don't you think?

Don't be shy to speak up. If you think it's wrong that I'm experimenting with my diet, if you are concerned for my health in any way, let me know. I appreciate the love and concern that has been shown to me. I respect your opinions, and I am open to hearing your concerns. I don't claim to know everything---I am here learning as much about myself as you are about your own self. Life is fascinating---so much to learn and do and enjoy!

I'd like to end my response with a little more about my health and why you shouldn't be too concerned about my experimentations with my diet. I never experiment with my health without consulting a doctor. I am seeing a fantastic holistic doctor who fully encourages me to follow my instincts on what I feel is good for my body. She monitors my health through blood tests, physical exams, and thorough holistic exams (taking into account all aspects of what makes up who I am---body, mind, spirit, emotions). I figure if I'm experimenting, I may as well document my journey in case I stumble across something that may be helpful for others to know. It's always good to have some hard scientific facts/results to back up my story.

Thanks for all the emails and comments I receive from all of you. It means a lot to me that you take the time to read my blog and reach out to me.

I love all of you very much!

Wendi

XOXOXO

Original Comments

Below, we have included the original comments from this blog post. Additional comments may be made via Facebook, below.

On August 16, 2008, Penni wrote:

I think you're following your gut instinct and experimenting to see what the right ratio is for you. You are really conscious and you'll be able to tell what is working and what's not. I am always tweaking what I'm doing and probably always will. We are wonderful works in progress!!

On August 16, 2008, Julie wrote:

Thank you Wendi, I say "You go girl" I think it is great you are so in tune to what your body is telling you. I know it takes a long time to become conscience of ourselves and our needs to survive. Your pictures are absolutely amazing. Congrats on your success thus far. Julie

On August 17, 2008, Yardsnacker wrote:

Your before pictures honestly just seem pretty normal American, everyone looks like that. But when you see your after....wow. It's breath taking because of the inner glow. You are a great inspiration, I know you've heard that a million times, but you are. Thank you.

Sam

On August 18, 2008, Sarah wrote:

Not sure I've ever seen these before pics of you. Wow, your transformation is truly spectacular. And I have no doubt that you are smart and intuitive enough to figure out what works best for you!

On August 19, 2008, Angela wrote:

Wendi, you have come so far and have transformed yourself remarkably. You are and have always been a beautiful woman, and your healthy changes have revealed your inner and outer beauty. Trust your inner voice and instinct, it has served you well and will continue to do so.

On August 20, 2008, Melissa wrote:

Wendi,

Those pictures are such an incredible testament! (Is that the right word? Testimony? I'm too lazy to go get a dictionary, but I think you know what I mean!) Thanks for posting them, you are very inspiring.

I'm looking forward to seeing you Friday!

Love,

Melissa9*

On August 29, 2008, Wendi Dee wrote:

Thanks for all of the sweet, supportive comments. It means so very much to me!

I love all of you!

Wendi

XOXOXO

On August 30, 2008, Dea wrote:

Hey Wendi,

thank you for sharing your story with us, and I just wanted to say, wow. You did what I want to do and have not been very successful in executing. Lose weight, I've lost some weight but not a lot of it.

I too think it may be diet related, like too much sugar from the fruit. I am very excited and happy that we will get to hang out in Sedona. Big hugs lxoxvxex blowing kisses xo Dea

On September 1, 2008, Wendi wrote:

Dea,

Thanks! I really think I went down in size because the health of my digestive system got better on raw foods and I was finally able to eat larger portions of food. Pre-raw, even though I was obese (almost morbidly), I was never able to eat very much. We can talk about this sometime, if you'd like.

Yes! I'm looking forward to finally meeting you in person and hanging out! I'm looking forward to the entire experience!!

Lots of love to you,

Wendi

XOXOXO