I can't seem to get started!

[MamaBeth]

I was all set to begin transitioning towards 100% raw starting today. I had a plan worked out - focusing on breakfast and lunch raw over the next two weeks; then working on adding dinner raw over the last half of the month.

I woke up this morning nauseous. I'd bought some Ezekiel bread for breakfasts this month to help with transitioning, but my daughter walked off with it while I was putting the almond butter away! Rather than wait for it to thaw, I said to heck with it and just heated up a Hot Pocket. Then I grabbed a Coke (I have half a 12pack left I want to finish off this week then I won't be buying any more), and have had some chocolate.

I'm feeling nervous and sad, but I can't quite put my finger on why. I'm still feeling nauseous. I am thinking about making a salad later today, but at the same time I'm not quite feeling like it because of the nausea. I'm probably best off not eating anything today but I've never managed to not eat unless I've been actively throwing up.

UGH. I'm a mess. :-(

[Rawkinlocs]

MamaBeth,

You will get this going...for some of us it just takes time. I believe that things will be SO much easier for you once you get that stuff out of your house. I know you want to "use it up and buy no more" but sometimes ya just gotta let it go...give it to someone else or toss them. Transitioning with stuff like the Ezekial bread is one thing, but the Hot Pockets and Coke...that could keep you trapped in the cycle.

The nausea you felt this morning is (more than likely) a cleansing reaction of your digestive system. I'm not sure of what you've been eating, but many times if the last thing you ate especially, was something not optimal...the next morning you will feel it in some way or another be it nausea or a dull headache or a "hang-over" type feeling. If you had experienced this after a day or two (or more) of eating clean...raw, then we could say it was probably a detox effect.

The BEST thing to do when you awake feeling that way is to not eat anything for a while and just drink some water or have something like a light piece of fruit or maybe some warm lemon water to help the cleansing along and possibly cause you to have a nice BM.

Hang in there...it WILL happen because you seem very determined. Don't lose hope or focus because of "false starts"...we've all had 'em but as long as your determination is there, then it WILL happen for you...just never give up! Keep trying every single day you wake up and even later on in the day. Just because the morning didn't go the way you planned doesn't mean the rest of the day can't!

[dreamrawalwz]

I also suggest getting those tempting foods out of the house and not keep them to "use it up," because even if you're not consciously thinking this, but...it's an excuse to eat those foods. I've read over and over again on this board that "if you REALLY want to do it you will. No one is stopping you but you!" I was thinking that today about other areas in my life and it's SO true. Just put your mind to it and anything is possible! Keep going!

[MamaBeth]

Thanks, ladies! I told my kids to go ahead and get the junk eaten up for me; and I won't buy any more. Grandma brings treats over a couple times a week for them anyways. So the soda is gone, and so are the chips and the other junk (I won't be doing my usual shopping trip til tomorrow).

I went up to the grocery store earlier and bought myself a couple oranges, some bananas, and a pineapple. I also bought two apples, but the kids ate those. So I'll eat those tomorrow. I did have a large salad for dinner.

I will keep going, and let today be over with.

[SedonaSun]

MamaBeth,

What you bought doesn't sound like a whole lot of food! Once I'm a few weeks into raw, that would be enough food for a couple days, but when you're starting a) you tend to be quite hungry and b) you tend to want to eat out of habit.

Don't starve yourself as you get started on this! It's only setting yourself up for failure to feel you need to restrict calories or amount of food. In the beginning, eat what you need to eat (raw) to get through the day not eating sad. You may eat a whole lot the first week or two and wonder how you can afford all that food, but for me, and I believe most all of us, things taper off quickly after about the 3rd week (week 3 for me anyhow). Then you'll find that a few pieces of fruit might suit you very well for the day.

You didn't say you were trying to restrict, and the food you have may be plenty for days... I just wanted to be sure you're not feeling the need to count calories or pounds of fruit :p

(edit: Ah, but I see you're transitioning, not jumping in 100%. Still, keep lots of fresh fruit around you. I find a banana smoothie makes a wonderful dinner :D)

[MamaBeth]

Kelly,

Yes I'm just starting to transition. I also only bought for yesterday/today, because it's a hassle to shop with all four of my children at once! I know that as I progress, I'll be shopping every other day for fresh fruit and produce. :-)

Beth

[rawnora]

If you're coming from a diet that features the 'foods' you mentioned, you're most likely going to find fruit and greens very unsatisfying. Personally, I would never had made a successful transition if I hadn't incorporated lots of fats in my diet early on. Fats do not make you fat, contrary to the rumor. They are more difficult for the body to break down, so they keep the body occupied rather than in continual cleansing mode. In a perfect world it would be best to allow this, of course, but the problem is that cleansing brings on symptoms (weakness, lethargy, irritability, headache, etc.) and since we all have to continue going to work and taking care of our families, eating more complex foods allows us to stay functional.

If you already messed up today, don't consider it a total loss. Replace one junky food you would otherwise have eaten with something yummy and raw (how about sliced apples with raw almond butter or strawberry/macadamia yogurt?). If you can do this for your last meal of the day, you'll most likely have more energy the next morning (as rawkinlocs was mentioning) and you'll find it easier to start your new regimen. The biggest mistake that people make, imo, is biting off more than they can chew. Slow changes work best over the long run.

Best of luck!
Nora
www.RawSchool.com

[MamaBeth]

Thanks, Nora! I appreciate the advice from you and everyone else! :-) Today has been a much better day, I've had a piece of Ezekiel bread with almond butter, two oranges, a banana, a large salad with mushrooms, carrots, & cucumber with a head of romaine lettuce...and am planning on some pineapple for a snack in a little while. I'm not sure just what I'll eat for dinner; might be cooked vegan.

[Lay-Lay]

There is 2 ways of getting into a pool and there are 2 ways of going raw.

Pool- Jump in or slowly put one piece of you body in at a time as you adjust to the water.

Rawfoods - Go cold turkey raw or take it slow, like raw breakfast to start out and increase slowly from there.

Whatever works best for you!