Motivation

[razza]

What keeps/ kept you motivated when temptation comes knocking on your door? In example you go to a BBQ or a party, what did you do or say to yourself to stay raw?

[RawVegan4Health]

Remembering my health before going raw.
Remembering detox symptoms.
Remembering my longest stretch at 100% raw and how long it would take to overcome this setback.

Unfortunately, as in the case of what heppened to me over the Holiday weekend, you don't always get a chance to think about it. I found myself accidentally sampling some food as it came off the grill. Old habit I guess. It's the cook in me wanting to make sure the food I prepared is good I guess. I didn't even realize I was doing it until it was too late.

However, when actually tempted to eat some and can think about it, the reasons I listed above have worked well for me.

[sport]

Lots of people have a problem even if they take just a little bit of cooked (because it leads to further cravings) so you need something to keep you from the first bite.

You have got to see cooked food as poison.

Do you know what "digestive leucytosis" is. This is the fact that your body sees cooked food as the enemy and generates white blood cells to fight it off.
It also builds up a mucous covering in your digestive tract to protect it from the cooked poison. It takes a long time of being raw for your body to be convinced enough to give up this protection and eliminate this mucous. When it is gone your digestive system will work better and absorb more nutrients.
If you are raw for 6 months and you know that your body has gone a long to gaining this trust in you and getting rid of its protection do you really want to hit it with cooked food and send it back to square one.
When you are about to put that food in to your mouth just think of the immediate effects on your white cells and your mucous level and reach for that emergency snack that you carry around with you.

[lafsalot]

Knowing how great I feel now on raw (as opposed to when I was SAD) is the biggest motivation ~ Cathy

[andypdx]

I just crack open Alissa's book and think, "Damn, this stuff is ten times better than any of the crap I used to eat!"

[portiz]

The mere thought of meat/poultry makes me sick (unless I'm feeding chicken to my dogs). I still have a difficult time letting go of sushi and alcohol (especially during stressful times). I've learned that nori rolls are quite easy to make and help satisfy my sushi cravings.

[Dj 247]

My new size 3 shorts and jeans!

[MorningRuby]

I remember how crappy, physically and emotionally, I felt after eating something cooked when I let myself give in to those temptations previously. It's like smoking..you think you want a cigarette so bad until you have one and then it tastes absolutely disgusting! And you feel guilty afterwards to boot! It's not worth it!
For me, it actually helps that my stomach will hate me for at least another 24hrs after eating cooked food because it makes me not want it even more.

[StarFire]

Knowing that I've come so far. ;) I'm so blessed to have found this path. I honestly BELIEVE that the RAW FOOD LIFESTYLE - is a miraculous fountain of youth.

I truly love the raw foods, all the creative recipes - the colorful fruits and veggies... but when temptation is staring me right in the face ... and if I have ... (gasp :eek: ) forgotten my emergency foods... I just remember what my big butt used to look like -- and my tummy that literally hung down... I think about where I am at today - how much farther ahead I will be tomorrow if I continue on this journey. It's not worth it to me - to go backwards at this point in my life... yea - it might taste good going down -- then it ends up on my hips ... and the rest just gets pooped out.... (sorry to be so literal) but - WHY would you want to eat SAD just for that??

when you've got a lot to lose (and I don't mean weight) but I mean - your health, your marriage, your self esteem... and you're given a gift to get all of that back -- AND MORE... Why not take the gift.... and embrace it?!!

Plus - there's a lot of accountablility on the journaling blogging section. We keep each other straight - keep each other encouraged, we talk about our challenges and our Victories.

so that's my motivation... RAWBIES RAWK... and this lifestyle -- RAWKS MY WORLD!! ;) :D

[RawChicky]

Yeah just honestly take amoment before you grab whatever food is staring you down. Think really honestly about how you'll feel emotionally and physically after. Guaranteed you won't be happy after you eat it.

Knowing this makes you realize that the only reason for eating cooked food is for the few minutes that the food is actually in you mouth. That's just STUPID if you think about it!!!

[StarFire]

Knowing this makes you realize that the only reason for eating cooked food is for the few minutes that the food is actually in you mouth. That's just STUPID if you think about it!!!

Yep ... couldn't agree more RawChicky! for just a few STUPID minutes... pleasure for a miniscule moment ... then - it's gone...

THEN... we have to deal with the RESULTS... cellulite, fat hips, fat blubbery tummy.... thunder thighs... sooo not worth it! :D

[pinkrosebud]

my biggest trick is to always bring a wonderful raw dish that I can eat and others can sample if they choose. I always bring snacks and main dishes. Never just fruit or veggies, but a real dish, one that makes me want to salivate and eat the whole thing. Just last sunday I went to a BBQ and I brought my own raw burger and bun then loaded it up with all the veggies that were there. Some other ideas are the potatoe salad from Alissa's book super great. I always must have a sweet snack for ending a meal so if I know there is not going to be fruit there I bring dates or a raw dessert to feast on. My food is always so good I never feel like I am missing out on anything. Although I must let you know I have been 100% for only 33 days, so I don't have a lot of experience but this strategy has kept me going and hopefully will for the next 30 days.

[lavendarJ]

On memorial day at my twin brothers house there were old favorites that actually made my mouth water.... but I ate my fruit.. sometimes I close my eyes and see myself as I was when I just ate and ate without care or concern....I see my old self and she was definitely different from the new me

- she was overweight by more than 100 pounds
- she prefered to stay in the background and out of the limelight due to insecurity
- she ate when she was depressed only to feel more depressed and then eat some more
- she forgot how to dream and forgot about her power to take control of her life and willed herself to believe that her former state of being was her "luck of the draw"
- she didn't smile much
- she didn't initiate conversation
- she was the queen of people pleasing as she thought just being her was not sufficient

NOW...........

I am blessed to be alive and aware of my power
I love myself unconditionally
I feel wonderful
I use my voice... I sing outloud
I know that whatever I so desire is mine for the taking
I understand balance
I CAN - I WILL - I HAVE

[rawnpawgirl]

Pinkrosebud, ONLY 33 days!!!! Please don't minimize an amazing victory!! I would love to say I have been 100% raw for that long! And I will after this June Challenge!

As far as what this thread is discussing...point in case- I was stuck totally hungry this afternoon with no raw and a huge coffee craving. I buckled after 3 days totally raw (yes, a whopping 3 days!) and got a latte and a bran muffin. The coffee tasted like total you-know-what and the muffin sat like a rock in my stomach. UgGGGGGGhhHHhh.

It is just not worth it. I always try to bargain with myself. "Kirsten, you do tend to be a bit extreme in life, etc" Then, lo' and behold, afterwards I feel totally gross and guilty to boot. Can anyone spell S-A-B-O-T-A-G-E? Since I am starting the June Challenge, I was justifying by telling myself it wasn't quite June 1st yet, so it was okay.

Live and learn--even it seems like it is over and over again. GRRRRRRR.

Sometimes I think I need a swift kick in the arse!!

[StarFire]

On memorial day at my twin brothers house there were old favorites that actually made my mouth water.... but I ate my fruit.. sometimes I close my eyes and see myself as I was when I just ate and ate without care or concern....I see my old self and she was definitely different from the new me

- she was overweight by more than 100 pounds
- she prefered to stay in the background and out of the limelight due to insecurity
- she ate when she was depressed only to feel more depressed and then eat some more
- she forgot how to dream and forgot about her power to take control of her life and willed herself to believe that her former state of being was her "luck of the draw"
- she didn't smile much
- she didn't initiate conversation
- she was the queen of people pleasing as she thought just being her was not sufficient

NOW...........

I am blessed to be alive and aware of my power
I love myself unconditionally
I feel wonderful
I use my voice... I sing outloud
I know that whatever I so desire is mine for the taking
I understand balance
I CAN - I WILL - I HAVE

lavendarJ... you are beautiful.... :D