I really, really messed up...

[kellibelli]

I did my first couple of days raw and then threw everything out the window and have been eating for almost a week completely cooked and doing fast food. I dont know if I have found my proper motivation or if I am just missing something in the discipline department, but I have found myself questioning everything that goes in my mouth - good or bad - and then wondering why I should even care. I realize this might not make a lot of sense to everone, but I just dont know what to think. I am feeling overwhelmed and just feeling like a mess mentally when it comes to food. I am overweight by about 35 pounds. I have no eating disorder, but I am guilty of being a chocolate and carb lover especially when it comes to comforting myself in stressful situations. I would love to be thinner and healthier...I dont know...does anyone know how I feel?

[Lay-Lay]

Been there many times. One thing that is important for me while eating raw is providing comforting staples that satisfies my cravings for cooked dishes I used to enjoy. Having good subsitutes on hand and not allowing yourself to get hungry will go a long way.

These are good subs for me:

meat and fats: avocadoes (guacomole), hummus, nut green pattes

chocolate: cacoa, carob, lara bars (rumored not to be 100%, but a good transition product), nut date balls

Icecream: fruit smoothies froze into popsicles, frozen fruit made into icecream

Breads & chips: crackers, raisens, dried apples, pretty much anything dehydrated

Hope my list helps.

[kellibelli]

Thanks...that helps. Even more, it helps knowing that such a big screw up on my part is not unheard of. I mean, really, only a couple of days raw and I blew it so bad. Thanks for your understanding and support.

[JEN]

Maybe if you try transitioning it will be easier for you. The Garden Diet by Storm and Jinjee offers an easy transition into raw. I tried giving up all SAD in the beginning and was sooo sick I had to transition. Some raw is better than no raw so dont be so hard on yourself......just try to stay away from the evil fast food joints and eat healthier cooked during your transition.

[sungoddess]

Though you say you have no eating disorder, eating out of stress and denial, or eating things that you wish you weren't eating, judging them and writing about it with angst is it's own form of eating disorder. An eating disorder that has no name, but plagues millions in the country. I find that stress has such a big impact on my mood and therefore how likely I am to eat too much, or eat something bad for me to fulfill a sort of hollow or stress. Yoga, and breathing and such are a big help to me.

Best of luck, it IS possible

[berrymarymac]

I'm sorry you messed up, but please don't beat yourself down. I'm doing that right now and it's no fun! Just eat raw tomorrow or when you can! I know I don't follow this philosophy, but I should...but still...listen to me!! lol Messing up will not kill you and as I said, go back on it tomorrow or when you feel like you can. Don't push yourself into it.

[kellibelli]

thank you all for your help...I really appreciate you. I am turning over a new leaf and starting off with a yummy smoothy in the morning. I just want to be perfect...and I WANT TO BE PERFECT NOW!!!...and patient, too... :)

[Coriander74]

Kelli, I hear ya!!! Lay-Lay has rawking advice too.

I remember this... it tooks years to get to this point right? So why should it be easy after we switch over? It's not easy. Do the best you can.

And if there's an "oops" then just start right over again.

[Pierre]

I agree, try transitioning. Eat fresh fruit first each day. Make part-raw meals (e.g. cook some brown rice, cool it below 47, and add tomatoes, avocados, or whatever). My transition food was a salad with tofu and bamboo shoots; I was eating stirfries, including tofu and bamboo shoots, throughout the winter.

[spicyfull]

Take it one day at a time and keep it simple......Always keep your food prepared........

[rawbeliever]

And no matter how often you fall off the wagon, keep trying. It's just like playing a musical instrument...ya gotta practice. :)

[SeaGrass7]

you guys give such wonderful supportive advice!

It is ideal not to judge yourself. OUr attitudes and beliefs are just as crucial (if not more) than the food we place in our mouths.

Love and support yourself regaurdless of the choices you make- we are all in the perfect place at the perfect time. trust your guidance and accept all parts of yourself- you will be fine! You already are-

sometimes we take "back steps"- It's ok- they can be necessary!

[kellibelli]

I am not sure how much you all realize how it feels to receive such positive support from complete strangers...it, for me, is incredibly comforting. There are so many people that I have met, who for whatever reason of their own are so critical and negative that it makes me just want to curl up in a ball and disappear. I thank you for helping me to feel welcomed and loved and appreciated even when I screw up. I thank you for not judging me and for offering your time and effort to build me up. I really need this right now in my life. You all are truly wonderful.

[PasRenee]

It's not a big deal to mess up when your starting something new. Try to concentrate on the positive instead if the negative. You are on a path to greater health, you know more now than you have before and you will do better.

You will try harder and it will stick. Don't stress, just try your best. I sometimes think about how not good the food I ate was. I mean it wasn't really that good was it? ..... Exactly. Just try to substitute for better things. Keep fruit, water, nuts, etc. in your car or purse so you don't reach for that bag of chips.

Definitely forget the drive thrus.

Also try to remember how much better you will look when you kick the junk out of your diet!

Good luck!