I'm struggling

[Feebee]

I really want to eat raw. I completely believe in it. I know it is the best and healthiest way to eat, and I have done a lot of reading and looked at both sides of the issue.
HOWEVER......35 years of eating whatever I want is tough to shake. I look at people who have gone 100% raw and never looked back and I envy them. I lasted 2 weeks. The detox I go through is awful when I try to go 100% raw. I know that there are transition diets that will help but man, I wish I could just go 100% raw.
I don't know why I struggle with it so much, other than I have toxins in my body that are making me crave the bad stuff, but how do you detox enough to lose the cravings? I think there should be a raw food retreat for like, one or two weeks where you can go and eat nothing but raw and learn nutrition during the day and help with the gardens and stuff. That would be cool.
Until then, I continue my struggle, and one of these days I will be able to say "I'm raw!"
thanks for the ear. :)

[Sharon in Colorado]

Hey most of all of are in the same boat, just to let you know you are not alone.

Just take it one step at a time, try to eat a lot before you get hungry, keep going, etc. You'll get there!

[Amberly]

I've been struggling since July '05. I've been raw for weeks and months at a time and now am eating mostly raw with some steamed and boiled veggies.

I feel good this way, but I do want to get back to 100% eventually.

This is working great for me now because before when I would fall off the wagon it was either with SAD or vegan junk, like soy and stuff.

Now I have the boiled and steamed veggies and my raw and it keeps me happy enough to stay away from the junky junk.

While it is not as healthy as 100% raw. It is keeping me stress free for the time being. When the time is right, I'll make the switch back.

Good luck to you.

[brwnrawgirl]

Feebee,

I agree with Amberly plus, take your time and be patient with yourself. I too have started my raw journey again and I'm doing what I know works for me. The remainder of this month I'm working on eating mostly fruits and veggies all day and I cook and steam veggies as needed. I've also eaten some fish but My plan is to do a 30 day challenge for December to get me over the hump when mentally I'm comfortable with going 100%.

During this time you should be journalling it will help you find the clarity you need to to support your new lifestyle.
:D

[chilove]

Hi Feebee,

Hang in there! It does get easier and it is worth it!!!

Here is a copy of a post I recently wrote in response to someone else that was struggling. I hope it helps.

I'm so sorry that you are suffering. Dealing with food addiction is a process that takes time and perseverance. The most important thing is to be gentle with yourself on the journey. Changing ones diet in a major way is a huge undertaking and can really shake things up emotionally, often leading to binges. Many of us have associated food with safety, comfort and love. You can't just take those things away without feeling the ramifications. You need to replace them with healthy, real ways to feel safe, comforted and loved. This is the part that can take awhile and requires some work, but it CAN be done.

Everyday, find little ways to nourish yourself that have nothing to do with food. Write down a list of ways that you can feel physical pleasure that doesn't involve food. Some of them might include taking a nap, taking a bubble bath, getting a massage (my favorite), indulging in a fun tickling session with your kids, going for walks, etc... The idea is to get a lot more physical pleasure in your life from things besides food.

Most of the time when we turn to food it is to avoid feeling uncomfortable feelings. Although it seems frightening at first, feeling those feelings is actually a much easier and direct way of coping with them. Invite the feelings in and sit with them for awhile, just feel them. If you start to get too uncomfortable, call a supportive friend. Really feeling our feelings is not something that is often encouraged or supported in our society, but I feel it is vital to good emotional health. It is amazing how fleeting most negative emotions are once we give them full expression. Just letting yourself feel sad (or angry, or bored, or whatever) for a few minutes will often be long enough for the feeling to pass.

Also work on ways to feel comforted and loved. Identify when and why you binge. Look for patterns. Start experimenting with healthier coping behaviors instead, such as journaling, crying, calling a friend, seeing a counselor, etc. It's all about developing a healthier balance. You can overcome disordered eating if you work on it. It's all about replacing the addictive behavior with healthier, positive behavior. I used to be a major junk food junkie and compulsive overeater and now I am very satisfied eating a very simple 100% raw diet so I know that it can be done! :-)

All the best,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[Yogamy]

I went to a 8 day cleanse with raw food and juice at Graybear- a holistic retreat center in tennesse. It was wonderful- we spent the days learning about what we were doing, doing yoga, meditation, art- and other forms of cleansing. Check out their website graybear.org. Plug diann and Adam who run the place are so awesome and easy to love. They have a cleanse in the spring and in the fall. peace amy

[Feebee]

Wow,
Thanks everybody for your reply. That's what I love about this place, is that I'm not alone and there are people who can give me encouragement! :)
Yogamy, that is so cool. I need to check that out. Was it super spendy? What did it do for you? Did it work? etc. :)
Thanks again! And ((((hugs))))
Feebee

[RawFoodieMom]

Audrey, your post really spoke to me, thank you!

Feebee, I'm going through the same thing right now. I'm currently working my way back to raw. I've been high raw for the past 2 days, and am planning to start a new 30-day challenge tomorrow. I've really been struggling with cravings and emotional eating. The longest I've been 100% raw before is 2 weeks, same as you. ;) I think part of the reason I slipped back to cooked is I'm afraid of detox. I had some bad symptoms of detox and it was rough. I'm also afraid of emotional detox, which I haven't experienced yet because I didn't stay 100% long enough.

I have to just keep trying, the good thing is that each attempt at 100% raw has lasted longer than the time before, so that's good, right? :D

[RawFoodieMom]

Feebee, if you want to join me tomorrow in starting a 30-day challenge, let me know, okay? It'd be great to start Day 1 along with someone else. :)

Debra

[Miranda]

Feebee, if you want to join me tomorrow in starting a 30-day challenge, let me know, okay? It'd be great to start Day 1 along with someone else. :)

Debra


i'm starting tomorrow as well!!! :)

[RawFoodieMom]

i'm starting tomorrow as well!!! :)

Awesome!! Are you going to be keeping a journal on the site? If you are I'll be keeping my eye on you... ;) I'm going to find a photo and start a new 30-day journal... hopefully that will help me keep on track! :)

[Miranda]

Awesome!! Are you going to be keeping a journal on the site? If you are I'll be keeping my eye on you... ;) I'm going to find a photo and start a new 30-day journal... hopefully that will help me keep on track! :)

yes, i will be keeping a journal.
youre attending alissas class at the end of the month right?

[RawMorgan]

Although it can be difficult at first to transition, I believe you will find it well worth it in the end. As I learned when attending Alissa's course, it's actually easier to do somehting 100% as opposed to 50%, 80%, etc. Only commiting part-way leaves us open to doubt, inner conflict and "temptation"..it's like one can never quite make up their mind! If we decide to go 100% raw, it soon becomes second nature and life becomes simpler as you no longer struggle with what to eat, how much cooked vs. raw, and the "guilt" some people feel when they haven't reached their raw goals. Just let it come naturally, and when you reach a state you are happy with then let that be your guide. Best to you! Morgan