Morbidly Obese to
Fit and Healthy with
Raw Food and Exercise

Here is My Weight Loss Story

I have spent most of my life morbidly obese. Yes there were thin times, but to be that way required either no food, drugs, or a combination of barely any food and too much exercise. At 15 years old I weighed 185 pounds. I'm only 5'1", so you can imagine how I looked. Through drugs and walking 8 miles three days a week and not eating, I dropped 60 pounds between my softmore and junior year in high school. Through marriage and children I somehow kept my weight fluctuating between 140 and 160, still pretty heavy for a small woman. After the divorce, or actually right when I decided it was time for a divorce, I was able to drop down to 115 thanks to drugs, half a tuna sandwich a day, and a lot of dancing. Not something you can really keep up. And I couldn't. It was back to fighting off 160, then 190 pounds. I did it one more time, in my early 30's. I cut all fat out of my diet and basically lived on home made bread, no sugar, no eggs, no oil. I got back down to 140 with a lot of exercise and kept it off for about a year when all of a sudden I started breaking out in huge dry spots. Knowing lack of fat was the problem, I ate cheese, had a gallbladder attack, started having hot flashes, and gained over 100 pounds within a year. More weight was to come as the years progressed. My top weight was 264 pounds. For fifteen years, I tried every diet out there, I exercised my heart out, and all that would ever happen was I would lose about 10 pounds of water, then slowly gain more weight as I increased my exercise. There was one short spurt of starvation in all that where I lost 50 pounds, but you know how that goes, as soon as I started eating normal it all came back.

In May of 2005, I was sitting at home contemplating the probability that I would never lose the weight and be morbidly obese the rest of my life. I was depressed, actually shocked at the revelation that nothing would help. My mind wandered around bariatric surgery. My interest grew in the final fix of gastric bypass surgery. Luckily, I saw a news article around that time that said people on raw vegan diets are thin but their bones are strong. I hadn't heard of any such diet, but my curiosity was peaked. Then I saw the movie AFTER SUNSET with Woody Harrelson. In the behind the scenes footage, Woody was talking about his Raw Food diet. His raw food chef was getting people to try smoothies. It was then I started my research and began this miraculous journey.

I won't lie and say there hasn't been times when eating only raw food was hard. Cravings happen as they do on any diet. There are mornings I wake up and don't want to exercise. But I steadily lose half a pound a day. Some days I don't lose anything. I have even gained half a pound a few days, but on average I can count on that 1/2 pound everyday. That is an average of 15 pounds a month, 180 pounds a year. Talk about fast weight loss. That alone keeps me motivated.

I eat more food now than I have at any time in my life. I never worry if it's too much, or too little. I eat until I'm full and whenever I am hungry or just feel like it. I think nothing of sitting down and eating four oranges one right after the other, or a whole pound of grapes. My salad can fill a two-quart bowl, what do I care. As long as I eat raw fruits and vegetables with some added nuts and seeds, I will reach my optimal weight. No doubts no worries. That's what raw food can do for you.

And when you are done losing weight, and you are no longer suffer from morbid obesity, you won't have to worry about gaining it back because raw food gets to you. You come alive with energy, see possibilities that had been out of focus for so long. You will change how you view food, naturally. And if by chance you don't maintain a raw food lifestyle after you lose the weight and you gain some back, all won't be lost. You will always have raw to fall back on.

I feel as though a fairy godmother has tapped me on the head with her magic wand and said: "Okay, its time. You can be thin and healthy." I watch TV or the news and see how many diet pills and bariatric surgeons are out there trying to snare us, the morbidly obese, into risking our lives for their unproven techniques. We all know the only safe way to lose weight is through diet and exercise. And now, I'm telling you, there is a diet out there that works.

I have started a website, RawFoodBootCamp.com, for us, the morbidly obese, to support one another in a journey to health. I beg you, if you are contemplating bariatric surgery, or gastric bypass surgery for fast weight loss, please give raw food a try before you risk your life for something you can achieve on your own in the same amount of time.

Morbid obesity does not have to plague us any longer. Give raw food a try and maybe together we can show the world that bariatric surgery is not the only hope for the morbidly obese. Gastric bypass surgery can kill you. Eating raw foods will make you healthy. Both offer fast weight loss. Both will let you post before and after pictures. One offers a life-time of malnutrition, the other offers abundance, joy, energy, and a glow of well-being so strong everyone will ask how. Choose wisely. I know I did, and I beat obesity, once and for all.

Click here to read my journal as I lost the weight in 2005

Raw Food Boot Camp

Raw Food Boot Camp has helped many women obese and overweight to lose large amounts of weight in a short period of time with 100% raw or high raw eating program. Click here to learn more.

Fresh From the Raw Food Boot Camp Blog!

Go to the Raw Food Boot Camp Blog

Sign up to get the blog emailed to you. I'll update it once or twice a week depending on how many exciting things happen. This is where you will find out about new programs, special offers, when B&A's are added and when members hit milestones. I will be phasing out the newsletter, so make sure to sign up for this so you don't miss out.

Last Four blog additions:
• Nonie & BarreDancer Hit Goal
  May 15th,
  
  Addendum May 16th: Nonie went for a pre-opt checkup today. After taking her resting heart rate and blood pressure and noting Nonie takes no drugs, the nurse said: "You must be some form of athlete." You've got to love raw and walking! :)
  
  
  Nonie & BarreDancer Hit Goal!
  
  
  Nonie and BarreDancer hit their goal weight and have moved into maintenance with Jess. Nonie lost 67 lbs, and BarreDancer lost 57 lbs. 
  
  
  BarreDancer paid for the no photo option, so we can't show you how great she looks, but she's back to doing her beloved ballet and feels great about her new body.
  
  
  Nonie told me she hasn't been at this weight in 20 years! She lost 13 pounds right before joining RFBC and set her goal at 80 lbs gone. With her 67 with us, she made it. Here are her new photos. She looks awesome!
  
  
  
  
  
  Other News for this week!
  
  
  RFBC hit 1500 lbs gone! That's 3/4 of a ton of weight since Jan 1st. Or you can think of it as twelve 126 lb women vanished! Normally, we hit 3/4 of a ton sometime in August. This year we are kicking butt like never before! Damn, we're good.
  
  
  OkiGirl entered Onderland (198 lbs) with 15.4 lbs Gone!
  
  
  DreamWeaver entered TwoTown (295 lbs) with 31 lbs Gone!
  
  
  Faith, CB, & Beli all hit 70 lbs gone in 3.5 Months! 
  
  
  KK hit 48 lbs gone in 2.5 Months!
  
  
  Starc finished her first 4 weeks with 25.2 lbs Gone!
  
  
  Thomas finished his first 4 weeks with 33.8 lbs Gone!
  
  
  Check out everyone's B&As at our Membership Summary Page. 
  
  
  Milestone We Expect to See this Week or Next
  
  
  HoneyBloodOrange should hit Onederland tomorrow with over 30 lbs gone!
  
  
  CB, Faith, & Beli will have their 16 week B&As!
  KK should hit 50 lbs gone in l1 weeks!
  
  
  
  
  Incentive Chip Update!
  
  
  The chips are in production. I should have them around the first week of June. We are all very excited about them. I thought about sharing the proofs with everyone, but I think I will wait until I have the actual chips to show them off. If you don't know what I'm talking about, for the second half of this year, members will have the option to join our incentive program. I had poker chips made especially for us in 25 lb intervals, and of course a goal one, so when members hit these milestones they can get a physical reminder to put in their pocket or wherever that will remind them to stick to their program and not lose the value of that chip. I have to admit, they look great! I can't wait for them to arrive. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  



• KK and Nonie Big Updates
  
  
  May 1, 2012
  
  
  KK Joins the Next Jess Team with 42 lbs Gone in 8 Weeks
  
  
  KK officially become a member of the Next Jess Team, as she goes after the 100 lbs in 7 Months Challenge. With 42.2 lbs gone in her first 8 weeks, she is right on track to make it. You can follow her on her new blog athttp://www.rfbckk.blogspot.com Make sure to leave her a warm congratulations by clicking on the comment link at the bottom of any of her posts.
  
  
  
  
  
  Nonie Wins Her Second Free 4-Week Session of RFBC
  
  
  Nonie won her second free four week session at RFBC. She already won the 50 lbs in 13 week Challenge, and today she hit the 12.2 lbs gone in 4 weeks to win her second free RFBC session. That is 62.2 lbs in 17 weeks. Not bad. But the really cool thing is, she's only 5 lbs away from her goal! Woo Hoo.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  HoneyBloodOrange Signs up for the 100 lbs in 7 Month Challenge
  
  
  Today, HoneyBloodOrange took the plunge and decided to go for the 100 lbs in 7 Month Challenge too. I don't normally show first session photos in the blog, but I love it when members are so impressed by their results that that decide to take the next step. She was going to go after the 50 lbs Challenge, but then last night wrote me and said she wanted to do the 100 lb Challenge, blog, face showing and all! I was so excited, I wanted to share that with you. Here's her first session before and afters with 23 lbs gone in 4 weeks. We'll show her face after her 8th week when I put up her blog.
  
  
  Here's an added cool thing. This morning, Scout wrote and asked if she could do the 50 lb Challenge. Why? Because she'd been sending personal messages with HoneyBloodOrange, and was convinced a challenge was exactly what she needed to kick her program up a notch. Oh, how I love RFBC!
  
  
  
  
  
  Other new members going after the 100 lbs in 7 Months to win $500 and 6 months of free support, but haven't hit their 8 week mark yet are: Thomas, Greenleev, and DreamWeaver. 
  
  
  Thomas is Surprising Even Me!
  
  
  Okay, he is really the first guy to ever come to camp and really work his program. I was prepared for him to lose faster than the women at camp, but wow, not this much more. Yesterday he had his official 2 week weigh in and has already lost 27 lbs! Can you believe that!
  RFBC Changing Up our Group Offerings
  To ensure that everyone at camp is in a group that will encourage and motivate them, we are splitting this week into the following groups. 
  
  

  ProgramPlan	ProgramDescription
  Maintenance	Maintenance
  Rawk Starz!	100% Raw ~ 1000-1200 cal/day ~ 10-15% Fat ~ Sodium from Fruit & Veggies Only ~ Min 2 hr Walking
  Emerging Rawk Starz!	Working Toward: 100% Raw ~ 1000-1200 cal/day ~ 10-15% Fat ~ Sodium from Fruit & Veggies Only ~ Min 2 hr Walking
  Rawkinator	100% Raw ~ 1000-1200 cal/day ~ 10-15% Fat ~ Sodium from Fruit & Veggies Only ~ 60 min Walking
  Emerging Rawkinator	Working Toward: 100% Raw ~ 1000-1200 cal/day ~ 10-15% Fat ~ Sodium from Fruit & Veggies Only ~ 60 min walking
  Butt Kicker	80 % Raw ~ 1000-1200 cal/day ~ 10-15% Fat ~ 750 mg Sodium ~ 60 min
  Emerging Butt Kicker	Working Toward: 80 % Raw ~ 1000-1200 cal/day ~ 10-15% Fat ~ 750 mg Sodium ~ 60 min
  RFBC Rawkers	80 % Raw ~ 1000-1200 cal/day ~ 10-15% Fat ~ 750 mg Sodium ~ For Those Who Can't walk or who are taking meds that slow down weight loss. This group is to ensure that those who can't get fast weight loss feel encouraged not discouraged as we weigh in each M,W,F.
  Fat Brain Busters	50 % Raw ~ 1000-1400 cal/day ~ 10-20% Fat ~ 1200 mg Sodium ~ 45 min Walking

  
  
   After your first week of Orientation, you and I will together decide which group you will do best in. Getting into the Rawk Starz!, Rawkinators, and Butt Kicker regular groups is by promotion only. Everyone who wants in those groups will first be in the emerging groups. When they get the diet and walking down, and they have the focus needed, they will be invited to move up with the core members already in those groups.
  New Incentive Program Coming to RFBC
  This week, I'm ordering poker chips for camp! Yes,I said poker chips. At camp we are using mantras to help get through tough days, and they are working well. I have some others working on a visualization technique I am developing to help us keep our focus. But, still, I wanted something more tangible to help members remember what they are doing and why, especially when they go out on social events or when things seem impossible. So based on the chips members of AA get for time sober, I decided to offer something similar to the members at camp for certain milestones. The chips are being designed specifically for us with 25 lb increments ranging from 25 lbs to 250 lbs. Each denomination will have a different color contrast. After a member signs up for their second session of camp, and has opted in for the incentive program, at each milestone we'll send them a chip. The hope is, that holding such a tangible reminder will give added strength when times get tough, and that the competitive nature of winning awards, regardless of how small, will help push members towards that next milestone. We'll try it out for the rest of this year and see how it works.
  
  
  Carlene's Visualization Thingy!
  
  
  A brave group of women at camp have been working with me this past month to try out this new visualization technique I'm working on. Their input has shown me how I have to trim it back and gave me ideas on how to present it better to help the men and women at camp use it for focus when losing weight. Even Cherie came back to camp to help me out with it. This month, I'll be putting together another group to try out the new and improved version of it. Personally, I have been using it to help me define where I am going to take RFBC and how better to support the men and women who come through. I have found it invaluable. And the others are finding that it can help for just about anything they want to accomplish. They got the more complex version, which I will offer again, but not until I perfect a simpler version just for weight loss. So stay tuned! 
  
  
  Special Membership Deals for the Obese!
  Special 3 Month Deal for New Members OnlyGet 3 months for the cost of 2 regular 4 week sessions. That's 13 weeks instead of the regular 12.
  Do this special and you will get 13 weeks to lose your first 50 lbs to get 4 more free weeks!
  JOIN TODAY
  $99/4 weeks with shared photos (I'll cut your head off) or $149 with no photos required. 
  Make sure you have listened to the 5 audios at Introduction to Raw Food Boot Camp
  You don't have to log in at the Intro forum, just click on the words then click on 5 Day Agenda and Daily Audios.
  You must have a BMI over 34 to join RFBC
  Click here to go to our BMI Calculator
  Think about it. What keeps you from doing this. 
  We beat weight loss surgery hands down, and the great thing is we get to stay healthy and have no worries about surgical complications. We lose the weight, feel great, and in the process take control of our lives when it comes to food. There is no better place to be for fast weight loss, than RFBC!

  2012 Programs
  For Regular RFBC You Must Have a BMI over 35
  5 Day Introduction to Raw Food Boot Camp	Raw Food Boot Camp	Special 50 lbs in 12 Wks Challenge	Special 100 lbs in 7 Months Challenge
  Cost: Free	Cost: $99 - $149 per 4 Week Session	Cost: $99 per 4 Week Session	Cost: $99 per 4 Week Session
  Link: RFBC Forum	Link: Raw Food Boot Camp Programs	Link: Special 50 lbs in 12 Wks Program	Link: 100 lbs in 7 Month's Challenge
  Start Today	New Start Every Monday	New Start Every Monday	New Start Every Monday
  In December Everyone was invited to 5 days of Raw Food Boot CampFree. It was a great success. I have left the audios and the discussion open to anyone interested in RFBC to listen to and read. Use the link above, click on Introduction to Raw Food Boot Camp, then click on 5 Day Agenda and Daily Audios. You don't need to log in. They are there free for you to peruse.	Once you get to camp, you will choose one of our two programs to be involved with. You will receive: Daily Audios specific to your group. Daily Personal Log with Carlene Group Support & Encouragement Pay every 4 weeks, or take advantage of one of our membership savings plans.	Lose 50 lbs in 12 weeks or 60 pounds in 16 weeks and get your next 4 weekFREE! Lose another 12 pounds in those 4 weeks, and get another 4 weeks FREE! To make this happen, you will need to do a Rawk Starz! program. 100% low fat, low sodium, low sugar raw and work up to 2 hours of walking a day. Those choosing private photos are not eligible for this program. Pay every 4 weeks or take advantage of our special 13 weeks for the cost of 8 and get an additional week to lose the 50 lbs and win your 4 free weeks of camp.	Lose 100lbs in 7 Months and win a $500 Visa card and 6 Months of Free Support. To make this happen, you will need to do a Rawk Starz! program. 100% low fat, low sodium, low sugar raw and work up to 2 hours of walking a day. Those choosing private photos are not eligible for this program. Pay every 4 weeks or take advantage of our 8 sessions for the cost of 5 deal to make this even more spectacular an offer. That's what CB, Beli, Faith & Jess did.!
  Listen to the 5 Introduction to Raw Food Boot Camp Audios (see left most column above) and then JOIN RFBC for this Monday's Start You do not have to have your face show! The faces you see are from women who volunteered to go public.

  You Can Join with 50% Raw in Fat Brain Busters And Work Your Weight Loss Story into a Rawk Starz! Success OR You can Jump Right In with our Butt Kicker Program and get rid of your 70 lbs in 4.5 months! The RFBC Programs Rawk Starz! Rawkinators Butt Kickers ? 100% Raw ? 1000-1200 cal/day ? 10-15% Fat  ? Sodium from Fruit & Veggies Only ? Min 2 hr Walking Our daily audios are all about staying focused and motivated regardless of what life offers. This is the diet I used. My first 6 months, I lost 104 pounds. Healthy, happy, and active.  This is the diet needed if you want to do the 100 or 50 lb Challenges. ? 100 % Raw ? 1000-1200 cal/day ? 10-15% Fat ? Sodium from Fruit & Veggies Only ? Min 1 hr Walking ? 80% Raw ? 1000-1200 cal/day ? 10-15% Fat  ? 750 mg Sodium ? Min 1 hr Walking ? Cooked food must be whole unprocessed food. Why Aren't You a Member of Raw Food Boot Camp? To be part of our program, you must have a BMI of 35 or more. Check yours by clicking here. Rawkers! What You Get! Fat Brain Busters ? 80-100% Raw ? 1000-1200 cal/day ? 10-15% Fat  ? 750 mg Sodium ? Exercise is determined by ability ? Cooked food must be whole unprocessed food. ? Daily Audios based on what is going on with members at RFBC. These are recorded the previous night after I have read all the logs and discussion threads. Subjects tend to be based on how to break fat brain behaviors, separate emotions from food, how to find and keep focus, and how to make this a life long change so you never have to lose the weight again. ? Daily Partcipation threads with your small group based on audios.  ? Personal Daily Log with Carlene. I read and respond to all logs. I go over your food and exercise compared to your weight loss and help you tweak your program. I answer any questions or concerns you may have. And am there to help you through tough times. ? An RFBC wide area where you can get to know everyone at camp. ? An SOS system so you can get immediate support when you are feeling weak. ? True Peer Support. No one at RFBC judges anyone else. We have all been there and done that. We get how hard this is and understand the fears associated with large weight loss. aa ? 50 % Raw ? 1000-1400 cal/day ? 10-20% Fat  ? 1200 mg Sodium ? Min 45 minutes Walking Your first two weeks at camp will be working with me to find the perfect diet and walking program that you can maintain and still get the loss you want.  We work daily on fat brain behaviors and how to focus on life not food. Diets must be at least 50% raw, low fat, low sodium and low sugar, and not to exceed more than 20% of processed food a day. This is a great place to start if you haven't tried raw before. When you're ready, you are welcome to switch over to the Butt Kicker program. For the obese who are ready to do what it takes to change their lives. RFBC and our raw diet with walking, is the premier program to do it. It's not easy, but it is so worth it!

  



• Next Jess Team's 12 Week Before and Afters
  
  
  Next Jess Team's 12 Week Before and Afters
  
  
  Faith 60 lbs Gone
  Start Date: Jan 29 Start Wt: 282 After Photo Date: Apr 21nd Photo Wt: 222 
  Leave congratulations on her blog at www.rfbcfaith.blogspot.com
  
  
  
  Beli 57 lbs Gone
  Start Date: Jan 29 Start Wt: 280.2 After Photo Date: Apr 23rd Photo Wt: 223
  Leave Congratulations on her blog at www.rfbcbeli.blogspot.com
  
  
  
  CB 57 lbs Gone
  Start Date: Jan 29 Start Wt: 318.6 After Photo Date: Apr 23rd Photo Wt: 261.2 
  Leave Congratulations for her on her blog at www.rfbccb.blogspot.com
  
  
  
  Next Week Look for Our Newest
  Next Jess Member, KK
  KK is close to hitting 40 lbs gone in her first 8 weeks at camp. She has 3.8 lbs to go.
  By next Monday, she too will have a blog and show her face. Like the rest of our Next Jess team,
  KK is doing the 100 lbs in 7 Month's Challenge.
  
  
  Next Week Look for Nonie to win
  her Second 4 Weeks for hitting 62 lbs gone in 16 weeks.
  Nonie will have new B&As and will just be pounds away from goal. It is an exciting time at camp! 
  
  
  Thomas sets all time RFBC first week loss Record!
  Thomas finished his first week with over 17 lbs gone, in 7 days! Now, we know, he's a guy, and men lose weight faster, but record setters deserve their due. He has done great, and his attitude is my favorite: Get it Done! 
  
  
  Starc hits top first week numbers as well!
  
  Not to be outdone, Starc hit over 12 lbs gone her first week. 
  
  There is a lot of motivation going on at camp. We have some great teams, we also have a few members who are struggling, so together we are working towards giving them the support they need to succeed. Last week, there were a couple of members who were considering quitting. They had fallen and didn't think they could get back, but after a camp wide challenge, I'm happy to say all that wanted the support took it and stayed, and are now back on track.
  
  
  
  Special Membership Deals for the Obese!
  Special 3 Month Deal for New Members OnlyGet 3 months for the cost of 2 regular 4 week sessions. That's 13 weeks instead of the regular 12.
  Do this special and you will get 13 weeks to lose your first 50 lbs to get 4 more free weeks!
  JOIN TODAY
  $99/4 weeks with shared photos (I'll cut your head off) or $149 with no photos required. 
  Make sure you have listened to the 5 audios at Introduction to Raw Food Boot Camp
  You don't have to log in at the Intro forum, just click on the words then click on 5 Day Agenda and Daily Audios.
  You must have a BMI over 34 to join RFBC
  Click here to go to our BMI Calculator
  Think about it. What keeps you from doing this. 
  We beat weight loss surgery hands down, and the great thing is we get to stay healthy and have no worries about surgical complications. We lose the weight, feel great, and in the process take control of our lives when it comes to food. There is no better place to be for fast weight loss, than RFBC!
  



• Thomas Joins RFBC: Calling all Men and the Super Obese
  
  On April 16th, Thomas, a super obese man, is joining RFBC. It takes courage to be the only man at camp. So I'm putting a call out to all you other men who have wanted to be part of camp, but didn't like the idea of being the only one. If' you've been wanting the success of RFBC, but let all the women scare you off, then come join us for the 16th start and keep him company.
  
  
  Since Thomas is also in the super obese category, together, he and I are going to work slowly on building up strength and stamina for exercise and he will start at a higher calorie range. If you are super obese, and want to work with us to define a program that is specific to your needs, join us on the 16th.
  
  
  For our purposes, super obese is defined as needing to lose 200+ lbs.
  
  
  Thomas is going to do the 100 lbs in 7 month's challenge. That requires a blog and going public with his photos. For reaching his 100 lbs in 7 months or less, on his 7 month anniversary he will receive $500 and 6 months free support. I am going to add an extra incentive for the super obese. If in those 6 free months, you hit 175 lbs gone, as long as you are a continuous member at camp, and abide by our rules, you can stay for free all the way through maintenance. If you did the 8 sessions for the cost of 5 which is $495, you basically get free support for your complete journey. Where else is that going to happen? Of course you can pay session by session too, it cost about $300 more. But you have to join for the 16th of April start to keep Thomas company.
  
  
  Are you Super Obese, but don't want to show your face or do a blog, okay, then I will do this for you, if you join for our start on the 16th. If you lose 100 lbs in 7 months, I will give you 6 months of free support, and if by the end of those 6 months you have lost 175 lbs, then you too can stay for free all the way through maintenance. But you have to join for the 16th of April start to keep Thomas company.
  
  
  A special deal for Thomas.
  
  For each man or super obese woman who joins RFBC for the April 16th start, Thomas will receive a $10 credit toward his future membership. I admire courage! And that is what it took for a man to pop into a weight loss program with about 40 women! :) Shhh, he doesn't know I'm offering this to him.