deprivation or indulgence

[RawMagnolia]

I just read in another post that some ppl consider raw as a deprivation of "normal" foods, and others' consider it as a way of living in abundance of soul satisfying foods. I'll be the first to admit that when I begin "trying" to do raw I am full-gear-ahead... and in the right frame of mind... but after a few days/couple weeks I get that "deprived" feeling. Does anyone else do this? I am always astonished at how I can "do" it when I'm in the right frame of mind, and then how I can get so utterly off track mentally, and then raw becomes such a challenge.

Anyone else been there... done that... can relate?? Any thoughts/stories to share... or ideas of how to combat this "backwards" thinking??

Thanks!
Sandra

[sport]

The fact that you feel deprived does not mean that you are. A person who gives up smoking feels the same way but no one would suggest that they had been deprived of ciggerettes. Why can't people learn to feel the same way about us giving up the cooked foods. Can you imagine it as a topic of conversation at a family gathering. "Oh Johny has finally given up that rotton cooked food habit that he picked up as a teenager". That would be great.

[swiss_miss]

The fact that you feel deprived does not mean that you are. A person who gives up smoking feels the same way but no one would suggest that they had been deprived of ciggerettes. Why can't people learn to feel the same way about us giving up the cooked foods. Can you imagine it as a topic of conversation at a family gathering. "Oh Johny has finally given up that rotton cooked food habit that he picked up as a teenager". That would be great.

Sport, I LOVE that! Thats a great way to look at it and it's true as well because that's all cooked food really is, just a bad habit.

Hi Sandra, I know exactly how you feel! When I was first starting raw, the first few day's were a breeze. I felt really good and it was totally easy. Then the feelings of deprivation began to set in. I felt cranky and deppressed and I actually cried because I couldn't eat chocolate anymore lol can u believe that? I cried over chocolate. :p This is what I think of as cooked food withdrawl, your gonna be grouchy and probably not feeling so great physically because of detox. Thankfully I managed to stay raw because I didn't want to go through all of those crappy feelings again. For me the deprived feeling went away totally after about 3 weeks. I haven't felt even a wee bit deprived since then so don't worry it goes away, just stay strong and eat raw and before you know it, all of those SAD feelings will be gone! :)

[RawMagnolia]

I agree with you Sport... the giving up of bad habits is not to suggest that one is deprived. I'm just talking about how the "mind" works... how our "feelings" get in the way, and how to overcome these thoughts/feelings. Basically I just brought it up for discussion... to see if others have the same problems/ever feel the same way, and how they deal with themselves :p

[RawMagnolia]

Sport, I LOVE that! Thats a great way to look at it and
it's true as well because that's all cooked food really is, just a bad habit.

Hi Sandra, I know exactly how you feel! When I was first starting raw, the first few day's were a breeze. I felt really good and it was totally easy. Then the feelings of deprivation began to set in. I felt cranky and deppressed and I actually cried because I couldn't eat chocolate anymore lol can u believe that? I cried over chocolate. :p This is what I think of as cooked food withdrawl, your gonna be grouchy and probably not feeling so great physically because of detox. Thankfully I managed to stay raw because I didn't want to go through all of those crappy feelings again. For me the deprived feeling went away totally after about 3 weeks. I haven't felt even a wee bit deprived since then so don't worry it goes away, just stay strong and eat raw and before you know it, all of those SAD feelings will be gone! :)


Thank you soo much Swiss Miss... the relating helps a lot... and to know that I'm not the only one out there with these problematic thoughts. I am really doing poorly with my diet b/c of these problems... so hearing that there will be a "top of the hill" that I "can" reach helps to bring me back. Like I've said before I do "believe" in raw fully... by I get in my own way a lot. I should hopefully soon have my dehydrator and a spiral slicer, so I'm hoping that these items allow me to branch out my food options.

Thanks a bunch!!
Sandra

[GlimR]

RawMagnolia~
I know exactly how you feel and I have been there, done the same things...we all have I think, for the most part. I was euphiric this morning and really wanted to throw myself right into that feeling. I've gone back and forth between it being a struggle and sooo easy and satisfying. Right now I eat pretty simple raw but if I feel like having something "heavier" I do, without any hesitation. I find that if I make sure I have enough of a varity of food available that I REALLY like I don't feel as unsatisfied as often. And I need to eat......I don't limit myself when I am extra hungry and craving things that are cooked.....I try as hard as I can to make sure I don't get excessivly hungry. I don't know if that helps at all. It really is an on going process of learning what works for you~ Wishing you the very best.

[cornvalley]

I think long term satisfaction and happiness has very little to do with the momentary feeings that ebb and flow. Time seems to soften the POV. Look back at the most challenging emotional moments and how they contributed to your ultimate happiness and you will see what I mean.