On January 1, 2004, my partner at the time (41 years old at the time) and I (29 years old at the time) decided to go "raw." Although it was quite a sudden decision, the constant desire for better health and permanent weight loss, was a major factor in this lifestyle change.
We were "standard" vegetarians from January 1, 2003 until December 31, 2003; not Vegan, but not meat-eaters for sure. But the problem with being a "standard" vegetarian, at least for me, was that the only restriction I had on myself was animal meat. I still ate bread, cheese, chips, pasta, pizza, sour cream, butter, and many soy processed products; all of this meant I was indulging in foods high in saturated fat, excess calories, unnatural sugars and preservatives, and endless other man-made ingredients.
Eating this way, I actually ballooned from 270 pounds (as a meat-eater) to 310 pounds (as a vegetarian), instead of losing weight as was my goal. I couldn't understand how being a vegetarian, I was having such weight and health issues. Now I know.
