From Philip: 

I started chatting with Peter back in April.  He had found out about my transformation and had many questions on how to get started.  He was basically in the same position as I was when I started, with many of the same stories as well.  It can be tricky keeping in contact with everyone that emails these days, but I still make the attempt, and usually answer them all.  I am so glad I did this time.  Peter was excited, curious, and had the drive to accomplish this. 

So many times I get emails saying "Can you send me a 30 day diet plan complete with shopping list?"  What that sometimes says is "I am not choosing to invest time in my self so can you give me the fast food version while I do nothing."  That usually doesn't work...  You have to really want to make the change, and be ready for it too.  Peter was ready, and I love seeing him transform.  So much of his story touches me because it reminds me of when I started at 400lbs, 3.5 years ago.  What a gift raw food can be to us all.  Bless you and thank you for your love and support.  Amazing job Peter!

From Peter:

After more weight loss attempts that I can remember, I had all but given up hope of ever getting slimmer. From the age of about 5, I started gaining weight. First just "pleasantly plump." Then fat. Then an overweight teenager. Then an obese young adult and eventually a morbidly obese and depressed guy. To make a long story short, going raw and exercising has let me lose 100 pounds (and counting) in just 5 months.

But before I tell you how, let me give you a bit of a background. I hadn't realized just how far I had let myself go until I went on vacation to the Dominican Republic near the end of March and beginning of April 2009 this year. I almost didn't go on that holiday because back in January I suffered a nasty pinched nerve injury. The pain was too intense to even stand for more than 20 or 30 seconds back then. By the time I went on vacation, I was able to stand and walk for 5 to 10 minutes, but due to my weight, even walking on level ground left me short of breath. Walking up a flight of stairs was pure misery. My weight was 371 pounds and the pinched nerve was taking way too long to heal - probably from the incredible strain from being so morbidly obese.

On the plane, I needed a seat belt extender for the first time in my life. If that wasn't embarrassing enough, I needed two seats on the plane and bus.  Once we arrived at the beach, I went to the patio and sat down in a molded plastic chair which promptly broke, sending me crashing to the ground. Everyone was starting at me. I was mortified.  The next day we were in a golf cart. The driver was having trouble steering. It turned out that it was because of me. I had to center myself in the seat to spread out the weight. That helped, but the golf cart struggled to go up hills and bottomed out on speed bumps. I had to endure digs and comments about my weight from my friend. All of this forced me to realize that I needed to do something or I wouldn't be around much longer. Either my poor physical condition was going to do me in, or I was wondering if it was worth hanging in much longer.

The sad part of this is that I have had been a vegetarian and a cooked near-vegan for the last 8 years, but obviously doing it all wrong.  From time to time I would turn into a "junk food vegetarian" and the weight simply accumulated. It was embarrassing to tell anyone I was vegetarian or vegan because many people had a hard time believing it - thinking that vegetarians and vegans are slim.

Then by chance, I stumbled across your excellent raw food vegan lifestyle videos on YouTube. I'd been losing a small amount of weight for a few weeks, but as soon as I went just 50% raw, I immediately saw significant results. That motivated me to watch all of your videos over the course of two weeks. I really liked your style and since you are a guy close to my age and weighed close to what I did, I could really relate to you and your story.

Once I started going raw, I just couldn't stop! I even started making some of my own videos and blogging to chart my thoughts and progress.  At first, a few people in my offline world noticed, but I didn't say much since none of them really understood what the raw food vegan lifestyle was all about. But fast-forward a few months to today when I've released a substantial 100 pounds (45 kilograms / 7 stone), and EVERYONE is talking about it!

In fact, I never in my wildest dreams ever imagined that I would inspire anyone, but I've done just that, and even inspired a few people to go raw! My skeptical parents may be the next ones who are going raw. Their curiosity is definitely piqued.

As the weight has come off, my outlook on life has become so much more positive. People are constantly telling me this and I can feel it too.  From being a depressed, morbidly obese guy who didn't even want to
leave the house or do anything, I've become very outgoing, positive and full of enthusiasm. I am now starting to reconnect with family members and old friends I had lost contact with - mostly because I was too ashamed to let them see how fat and out of shape I had gotten.

And it's not just about eating raw, juicing and smoothies. Of course, the weight loss is a big plus, but going raw also made me realize all of the other benefits, such as the detoxification. I now seriously think about anything that goes into my mouth. After a being raw for just three and a half months (and not even totally raw in the beginning), and a series of 5 colon cleanses, I now feel so purified and clean inside. The thought of letting chemicals, cooked foods or anything questionable foods enter my body just makes me cringe.

Plus the people I've met have been just incredible! Philip, you convinced me to go to Raw Spirit East. At first I just wanted to go there to thank you in person. It was awesome to meet you there and chat. I also met so many other wonderful people there, and had so many wonderful conversations, and I just know that I will stay in contact with so many of those people. Plus I learned so much, got even more inspired and had such an amazing time. I now know what you mean about your "raw family." It just felt so right.

On April 2, 2009, I tipped the scales at a hefty 371 lbs (168 kg / 26.5 stone). Today, September 7, 2009,  I weigh in at 271 lbs (123 kg / 19.5 stone). I know this is only a number, but I chose this as a milestone because it's a nice round number and a significant amount of weight. Of course, this not a destination, but merely a brief stop along the way. Roughly the half-way point in my weight loss. I truly look forward to giving you an update when I lose the next 100 pounds, but I'm just so excited now that I couldn't wait that long. I had to tell you and everyone else today.

You can be sure I'm a huge proponent of the raw food vegan way of living now. Not by preaching, but just by example - simply being me.  It feels great to be able to help and inspire others. Just as you helped turn me on to going raw, I am passing it along to others too and sharing the wealth.

Going raw just felt like the right thing to do. It has changed my life for the better in so many ways. I know that this is a great way to detoxify, lose fast and keep it off. It's a no-brainer really. You become more aware of who you are as a person. People will become naturally drawn to you. Negative thoughts seem to be just purged. I don't know if this is normal for people going raw or if everyone will experience it, but I can assure you that this has sure been the case for me!

Last week, I was able to purchase clothes at a regular store - not the "big & tall" clothing store. In fact, earlier this year, I discovered that I was up to their largest sizes of clothing. I knew that if I gained any more weight, there would be nothing more I could buy there.  So it is such a big relief to be be able to buy "regular" clothes now.  Plus, every few weeks I'm pulling out more of my old clothes and having fun seeing what I can now fit into.

The list could go on and on. Suffice it to say that going raw has improved my health, given me more energy, a way more positive attitude, dropped (and continues to drop) lots of fat and just makes me a better person. As the weight comes off, it's becoming easier to meet new people and talk to old friends or new acquaintances. I feel like now I can finally achieve my other goals in life. My weight always held me back, but no longer, thanks to being raw! Thanks bro, for turning me on to the wonderful world of raw!

Your friend,

Peter Douglas

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