:(

[Feebee]

That face is me, frowning. I did 100% raw for 2 weeks. And then......pthpth. I REALLY REALLY want to to 100% raw, I completely believe in it, and yet....pthpth. What is wrong with me? Am I so addicted to food additives that I can't break free from processed junk? I'm reading so SO many books on raw foods, and I get so motivated, and then when it comes time to make a choice, I lean towards the bad stuff.
*sigh* I know, it takes practice and time. I am going to KEEP reading my books, KEEP trying, and KEEP reading the posts here, to get support and ideas.
Thanks guys, for being here! :)

[protea]

Feebee,
This has happened to me TWICE - I go 100% raw for 2 weeks, then... BUT, I don't give up and started again today! This time I will make sure I have really delicious raw food around during that 'after 2 weeks period' - organize something fun (non-food related) and just take extra special care of myself! My downfall each time was a social occasion - I can't avoid it, so I will have to learn to deal better with this type of situation, but having loads of delicious foods ready at these times and off course share it with the SAD eaters :D will be a good start!!

[Rawkinlocs]

FeeBee,

You have the right attitude and idea to just KEEP GOING!

What you have experienced has been experienced by ALL of us at one time or another...it's a process and it does take time but the key is to never give up. You slip-up and eat the "bad stuff"...pick up and keep pressing towards your goal. You WILL get there! Just hang in there and remind yourself of why you want this, why you feel in your heart it's best, what you'd like to get out of this change and don't wallow in feelings of guilt or angst as that is never productive.

[lissomllama]

(I posted this same thing in another similar thread because it has meaning to me) You can do this, you just have to choose to. It is hard, yes, but you have to just DO it. There is no miraculous technique to MAKE you suddenly raw, it is a process and takes will and conscious decisions every day. But No one is literally forcing you to put that cooked food in your mouth (at least I hope not), you make that choice. So make the choice to not allow food addictions to rule you. Make the choice to be raw and not fail and simply only put raw vegan foods in your body. Cravings will be hard, of course and detox will be hard, but most great things take work and discipline. Do things that take your mind off of cooked junk, don't obsess over any foods and get yourself a big, pretty candle that you designate as your 'raw food commitment' candle, infuse it with that raw energy and whenever you are struggling with cravings and detox and bad feelings, light your candle and meditate/concentrate on being and staying all raw for the good of your body, mind and soul. Trust me, the candle helps if you put the intention out there.

[KombuchaCHIC]

Awww Feebee, don't be so hard on yourself! You should be VERY proud of yourself for doing so good for 2 weeks! Almost everyone goes through times like this at first! Remember that the more raw you eat, the less cooked you will crave. Just keep incorporating more and more raw foods into your meals. :) You're doing awesome! :)

[Carolyn]

Hi FeeBee,

I started trying to go raw last February (2005). Start, stop, start, stop, high raw ... whoops. <sigh> You get the picture. Then suddenly, July 4th this year, I decided I was doing it and guess what ... I haven't looked back! 100% raw!!! It still really amazes me, because I don't have the foggiest clue how it happened! lol ... It just did. :)

Hang in there ... you'll get there! :)

[Framboise]

I hope you will stop beating yourself up and be proud of your achievements so far.

Addiction to anything is extremely difficult to overcome.

When I gave up a smoking habit which had lasted over 30 years, I had two mantras:

1) "I'm not doing this because I have to, but because I CAN!!!". This gave me a great feeling of empowerment.

2) "If I still want a cigarette tomorrow, I'll have one." Of course, when "tomorrow" came, I would say the same thing so the "tomorrow" never ever occurred.

It's probably harder to give up smoking than giving up cooked foods, but like I said, any addiction is difficult and needs to be tackled with care and love for yourself.

Perhaps my two mantras will help you. :)

[luckitri]

Most stories I have read about going raw - these people took years to go totally raw. It is hard for me to imagine anyone deliberately doing this if they are not suffering already. I get alot of pain relief from doing raw so that is what keeps me sane as most hours of my work day I can smell all kinds of wonderful SAD foods wafting in from the lunchroom at work. I still don't know what these terms like "high raw" mean for sure but I gather from their context that it means not totally raw. The great thing about this board - as you read old threads you will find that many people on this board have fallen away from raw and come back - no biggie - just try again. Today I fell for some SAD chocolate in the lunchroom. 1 piece. It wasn't that good. Shouldn't happen again. My tastebuds are changing. I have a hard time forgiving myself if I fall for something like diary and wake up with allergies but this helped me read about milk and realize how toxic my SAD foods are. Now that I know that milk is blood and pus it just makes me nauseous....Yecchh! There are a few people who are perfect - I just never met them!

[DavidZaneMason]

Opinion:

-I think its an illusion that people suddenly go all raw. People that do that have normally been building up inner resources to accomodate that for some time....so you are really just seeing the swing at the end of a very long wind up! Ha! ha! Don't be fooled by the illusion.

-Eating well is definitely something you should want - and accept as perfectly normal. I don't count the number of days of breathing! Ha! ha! Doing so is normal. Even when I have a more shallow level of breathing....I'm still in the same ballpark! ;)

-The above suggestions are great! You'll get wonderful support from the folks on this board.

-David Mason

[Coriander74]

I've slipped twice since going raw... just remember you always have the choice to go back 100% :)

And you have the worlds best cheerleading section!!!

[Lay-Lay]

I have been a raw foodist for over 3 years, but it has been a transition that has taken me that long to get back to 100%. You can do it, just keep plugging along at it.

[Feebee]

YAY I love you guys! Thanks so much for the support.
lissomllama, that candle idea is super great....I'm going to try it! :)

[Naiad]

Find a food or snack that you really enjoy. Always keep it on hand so that you can get enjoyment and fufillment from it whenever you have cravings. I happen to really like the chocolate mint Maya bar, so, I always keep one in my bag in case I get hungry when I'm out. If that doesn't help, I'll get an Odwalla mango smoothie, which I also love.

I always have my awesome salads and almond & banana smoothies ready to go at home. I use all my will power at the market so that I don't need to worry about eating junk when it's time to eat :)

I'm noticing first hand that I've gone 100% for so long in my home that when I decide to suspend it for a moment and have a non-raw meal outside - I DO pay the price. I was sick all weekend from eating some fries on Friday and I see now that I can't expect my body to detox and NOT react even from one meal.

I made plans back in May to go get cuban food with a friend when she returned from Spain this month. I was planning on having my beloved shrimp empanadas for a little "cheat," but, man... after Friday, I think I'm going to stick with a salad.

[spicyfull]

Get back on the Horse and take one day at a time.....Take the time to always have food prepared. Hang on..........