...and Then It Gets Dark........

[leadbellie]

WOW.

This is my third day in for being Transitionally Raw. TR may be something I made up because I think it is the only way I can describe where I'm headed.

I have been swooping around the various threads and the raw world is a good place to be! The support is so great for one another and I also noticed how intelligent everyone is!!!!!

Does anyone have some sage tips on keeping calm at night. Sometimes I get so hungry I could eat my hand (at least my hand would be raw). If I'm going to overeat for OTHER reasons as well, i.e. HABIT, boredom, etc. it always happens at night. I have also read a million articles stating that it's best to change your focus, like go for a walk, or take a bath etc, BUT THIS IMPLIES THAT ONE WOULD WANT TO. I don't know about others but I go into this powerful "gotta have it zone" and it's really hard to befriend and help myself once there - it's almost like I have to eat....then I become reasonable again and of course ALWAYS, ALWAYS FEEL REGRETFUL AND SAD THAT I'VE DONE THIS ONCE AGAIN.

Does anyone recognize themselves here? and have any tips on how to bust out of this habit.

Lead xo

[Beckla]

Absolutely!

First, congrats on even asking - sounds like you're committed in your mind - even if your body has yet to follow suit.

One thing I've found helps - and maybe it's just me - is to drink hot tea. I read years ago that it actually helps to curb appetite - and it keeps my mouth busy.

Not revolutionary - but an idea.

You can do this!!

[RebeccaI]

Hi leadbellie

If you are so hungry you could eat your hand, EAT SOMETHING!! My very favorite part of living raw is that if I feel like eating I DO. Have some fruit or a smoothie or a piece of raw cheesecake or some chocolate macaroons YUM!

Living raw doesn't isn't the normal "diet" torture we are all used to. Don't worry about calories, fat, when you eat or don't eat. It's ALL good for you if it's raw. There is incredible freedom when you live on live food~

Blessings~

[leadbellie]

YES, YES, YES!!!!!!.......I will eat something without EVIL ON MY MIND :) .....like something good for me as you suggested Rebecca and Beckla. Oh boy it's such a strange place to be psychologically and I am sooooo conscious of not turning kitchen activities into major psychoanalylitical or psychiatric issues........it's just freakin' food.......I'm hungry, so eat.......and eat raw. That's it, that's all!!!!!!!! My answers to life's problems will not appear in food....if Freud were alive today I'm sure he would say, "a banana is just a banana."

Love you guys, Leadbellie xo

[Beckla]

Hey - as I've admitted before, I come to this with a long history of eating disorders. We all overanalyze now and then - just enjoy the new freedom! :D

[rawOrchid]

I second that 100%!

I used to feel bad after indulging in "sinfullly" raw, rich and yummy foods at nite but now I'm completely Ok with it!

If you actually listen to your body, and its late, and you are hungry, EAt, nourish yourself, feed yourself, and feel great about it!

My latest night treat is a combo of frozen berries, blended with Artisana Coconut butter, and some agave! Be your own creator!

good luck!

[leadbellie]

Yes.......Beckla I come from a whole adult life of eating nightmares....for what?? Yes this is freedom.......sometimes my hunger only means I need to pet someone's cat.....and as raworchid sez I can be my own creator.....this I like.

I am also getting hot flashes....my gawd they're weird. You feel like you're going to explode from the nano-second-fast heat and then it stops, leaving you in a pool of sweat. No wonder women are nuts during this time, I'm sure the intense heat frys the brain :)

[Beckla]

Eesh! So sorry to hear bout the flashes. I wonder... in the summer when it's wicked hot, I love to snack on frozen grapes and I find that it drops my body temperature nearly immediately. Maybe that'd be helpful to ya?

[DavidZaneMason]

I hear you. I DO have a couple of suggestions (from my own experiences):

1) Find a good lo-cal transitional or raw snack/juice.....that you can tank up on during the crunch times or boredom times.

2) Eat more frequent meals....in greater quantity throughout the day......so that by evening.....you are just WAYYYY to full or tired of eating. Just make sure it's relatively healthy stuff....and you should come out on top.

3) Make sure to drink plenty of pure water (when you are not eating).

-Just some suggestions, which I hope are helpful.

-David Z. Mason

[leadbellie]

I will try the grapes Beckla - it can't hurt. I'm telling you!! I could walk out on a frozen lake in a tundra storm at -40 below with no clothes on and still feel HOT! And then *poof* the heat flash leaves as quickly as it comes; with part of my memory :) Good tips David!!!!!!!

[Beckla]

Forgive me for laughing - but fantastic imagery. Hang in!!!

[luckitri]

I am so grateful that I never got them that bad but I suppose that I still could. It is a horrible cruel thing to happen to us - usually when we are at the peak of our careers - oh the shame of it! I am laughing but it is true also. I am wondering if this is a thing that came on us with the SAD diet. Maybe in history it did not happen. Like cramps and wicked long strong periods. Maybe 200 years ago hot flash was not a necessary term.

[leadbellie]

Laugh away guys, it's the best thing I/you can do....it's just a ridiculous thing to happen 3,4,5 times a day.....what else can you do.......

Absolutely I think it is the SAD diet, years of adding gnarly crappy food to our poor bodies has created very naughty cells that make different organs behave badly.....i.e. hot flashes, cancer, disease........there is no such thing as hot flashes and menopause in more rustic parts of the world. I have done this to myself........the trick now is to unlearn it after so many years of habit.

Lead xo