I'm so sick!

[Mango]

I have been high raw for 3 years. In October I went 100% raw. I have had a few slip ups in that time (Christmas and New Years). For the most part I have been very very good.

I have had a cold for a month now! :mad: ! I am so frustrated. Just when it seems to be getting better, it gets worse again. I am so mad that I eat this way while everyone around me eats whatever they want and I am the one that is sick. I feel like giving up on raw.

[Hannah]

It sounds like you're having a tough time right now, and I am sure this is really frustrating for you. When I have challenges like this I ask myself why I am choosing this lifestyle. Often its a choice I make over and over and over again ... I find it helpful to re-read my books on raw food and its lifestyle, or to even find new ones. I hope this helps a bit ... just remember you are always making choices. It can be helpful to remind yourself why you choose what you do, this helps you to stay strong in your convictions and to weather the storms (this seems to work for me - maybe for you too) :)

[mongomango]

Sometimes it's darkest right before dawn. Often when you are sick for extended periods, you're really doing housecleaning in your body. Hang in there. It will get better!

http://www.proxywhore.com/invboard/html/emoticons/hugs.gif

[trinity082482]

Take lots of vitamin C, have that morning OJ and if your dying...maybe take some buckleys. It's awful but it works. ;)

[Sharon in Colorado]

Have you tried fasting or liquids only?

[DavidZaneMason]

My experience:

-I would often have a high-detox sickness every year or so....even after being all-raw for several years. What are you going to do? NOT do what YOU think is the right thing? :) Of course not. Keep in mind that you might be experiencing illness to develop compassion...or to have the experience so that you can help others. There are other reasons for illness....and eating raw is not JUST for health. What do you think?

-Strength and success to you!

-David Z. Mason

[Yvonne]

It sounds like you have a cold a bad one. Just keep eating raw. Plus the people around you must of had that virus before. My husband was sick with a cold and I didn't get it I was surprised. Don't give up Yvonne Clamdigger from Nova Scotia Canada

[rawfigure]

Yes, mostly likely a cold. We can all get them. My DH and step son are going on four weeks with the Cold. I fortunately have not had it though ! It is frustrating to get sick when eating 100% Raw, but no matter our diet we cannot Guarantee absolute perfection when it comes to the Body and Viruses.

[Mango]

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone. I feel a slight improvement today. I am still sticking with raw even though I am extremely frustrated. I do know that it is the best for my body no matter how I am feeling.

[Gwena]

Hey Mango,
Glad to see you're sticking with it. As Rawfigure stated, raw doesn't guarantee absolute perfection.

I've been sick on raw before for whatever reasons. Colds happen, and the symptoms of sickness are the body's way of healing itself. When I get sick I make sure to get lots of rest, get in lots of minerals via juices, and I make a point of NOT eating solid foods so my body can use it's energy to fight off the bug. I also make a point of trying to sweat. The lymph system needs all the help it can get, so I do a lotta steam room at the gym, followed by loads of water. My boyfriend actually does physical activity to produce a good sweat. He kills off whatever is trying to multiply in him pretty quickly by doing this. Of course, it's followed by tons of liquids and lots of rest.

Hope any of this helps. I know it's a major bummer to be sick while raw, but it's a good time to listen to your body and figure some things out for yoruself. :)

[Mango]

I did go to the gym today and did a cycle class. I do feel much better now. I haven't felt like working out for a week. My appetite has been a lot less but I have not fasted for any length of time.

It is so hard to be a good witness to eating raw when you are sick so much. My sister said to me "I thought you weren't supposed to get sick". It is such a bummer. Anyway, I am plugging along and hope to get a huge burst of energy soon.

Thanks!

[FirstGarden]

Most likely, you are in a cleansing crisis, from the sound of things. Backing off raw would be merely slowing down the cleansing -- nature doing its housework. Stay raw, if you can. Otherwise, high raw with a *low* percentage cooked would be wise.

The whole concept of "catching colds" is controversial. As I understand it, no one has ever isolated the "germ" that causes the common cold. The body naturally releases the toxins every chance it gets, to be relieved of its awful bondage.

Apparently the body has very deep pockets when it comes to toxins. Health giant Paul C. Bragg wrote of an experience he had while on a rowboat, I believe. At the time he was fasting, as I recall (he was a huge proponent to fasting) and suddenly threw up some awful material which he proclaimed to be from some harmful medicine he took during his youth.

A similar experience was described in Arnold Ehret's book, Rational Fasting. It was either during a fast or on his mucusless diet that he suddenly expelled some awful stuff, then felt fantastic afterwards.

Fasting may be wise -- even raw juices -- if you wish to accelerate the healing process, albeit not as easy during the cool weather season.

Also, it might be wise to consult a natural therapist if you feel the need.
But there is a lot of good advice on this thread.

"In the abundance of counselors is safety."

Be well, Be Strong.
:-)