Raw Again

[desertroadrunner]

I am starting a raw challenge AGAIN!

I've been successful in the past for up to 6 weeks. I lose a bunch of weight and then think to myself "I can have a little of this or that (unraw treats)". What a mistake! A little turned into a lot and now I'm 5 or ten pounds heavier than when I started. :eek:

I weigh 180 lbs. at the moment and would like to get down to a reasonable 144 lbs. I know I can do it on an all raw food diet. The last time I was raw and feel off the wagon was last summer. Yesterday was my first day back on nothing but raw. I was eating raw for breakfast during my time off, but would always have something cooked for lunch and dinner.

I work full time now and have even less time to prepare raw food creations. Does anyone have any advice on how to get started again and stay with it for the long term? This will be my third time around with all raw for an extended period of time and want to stick with it.

[Lay-Lay]

I've been in that boat. Just jump back in and keep it simple and raw. Glad your here!

[Graciebeliever]

Uber Doober!
*hands her the paddle for the Raw Boat*
Hop in the waters fine :)

[Coriander74]

Welcome back to raw!!

When I have super busy days I find the easiest thing to do is just pack a cooler full of fruits and some nuts. Or if I have a slow moment then I'll go into the kitchen and make some transportable treats, get the dehydrator going, things like that.

My family is going to get used to seeing me with a cooler and vat of water whereever I go LOL

Good luck :D You can do it!

[fiddler]

I am starting a raw challenge AGAIN!
I work full time now and have even less time to prepare raw food creations. Does anyone have any advice on how to get started again and stay with it for the long term? This will be my third time around with all raw for an extended period of time and want to stick with it.
I've been there and done that too :)

The weight comes back on really quick. The first couple days of eating cooked causes alot of water retention. You get really thirsty and have to start drinking lots of water to dilute the toxic gunk going into your body. Then the cravings start kicking in and the little voice in your head starts talking to you "Okay, you blew it today so you might as well eat some more cooked food and start back tomorrow". Tomorrow comes and it is harder to start back and you slip and have cooked and voila, you're back in the cooked vegan world. Pasta and corn chips were my biggest temptations once RAW.

For me, I can't go back now. I stick to my simple RAW lifestyle. I've adopted the 811rv program because for me that seems to be what works best. The simplicity of it all is a big bonus because now I don't have to spend time doing the following:
1. Making sure I have enough ingredients
2. Making extra trips to the store because I ran out of xxxx
3. Spending excess time in the kitchen preparing and cleaning up afterwards
4. Spending mental energy figuring out what to make/eat

Instead, I just have plenty of bananas on hand. I buy a case at a time. And, I pick up lots of fresh fruit and vegetables -- whatever is in season and chow down.

Hope some of the above commentary is helpful.

Cheers,
Fiddler

[Jordann]

I'm just coming back after a, detour ;)

Luckily it's the peak of summer and the fruit is in abundance!

It seems all the raw stuff I was making to keep me raw, heavier things, with nuts and raisins and dates and the like, just feel horrible in my stomach and disrupt my digestion --- I'm finding a natural gravitation towards the simpler fare, quite similar to the 8/1/1 actually.

I look forward to feeling better quickly!

[desertroadrunner]

Thanks a bunch for all your encouraging words.
And words of advice.
I appreciate knowing some of you have been there and have discovered ways that work for you and are willing and excited to share.
I have hope I will find my way.

BACK ON TRACK with Day 3!

[greenfeline]

I know, I go back and forth too! Isn't it strange how strong the draw to SAD foods becomes? I begin to see more and more the addictive properties when I these setbacks and subsequent cravings.