I need support

[qcumber]

Ok ... I am new here, and have been doing raw for 2 weeks and 2 days. After reading that article that everyone is talking about I started doubting raw foods. I decided that I would not let it bother me because there have been so many people who have seen results with raw. But today it was just eating at me. My main purpose for going raw is to recover from 1 1/2 years of emotional eating and extreme binging. Raw felt like something that was actually working. But after reading that article something was eating at me, and suddenly I thought I wasn't doing something good for my body by going raw. That was the worst news because that is all I want at this point. To be healthy. So today I binged just to put my bad feeliings at rest. But afterward I felt so drawn to RAW it was amazing. I am already back on it which is extremely exciting to me because my binges use to last up to 3 weeks when I started (3 weeks of pure sugar and pizza). So I don't care what peoples opinions are on raw because I want to give it a try and already feel positive effects. However I really really need support from you guys. I know we all have different opinions on the smallest little things. But the one thing we have in common is that we are all trying to improve ourselves and eachother. We come to this place for support, at least I do. I don't want to argue my opinions with anyone because that is counderproductive. But our focus should be on what we have in common. I am just starting and I don't have the support from my family and friends right now, and that is what I come to this sight for. It is good to be questioned sometimes because in that we find what we really stand for. But I have decided to go RAW. All I ask for is a little support. Thank you to those of you who can help me, and I am willing to help to the best of my ability.

[misslinda]

Qcumber, I am right there with you on all levels. I had struggled with ana/mia for 17 years and raw has given me back what I battled with: life,health,energy and food that I am not AFRAID of eating or punishing myself for eating it. :)

In some deep inner level, I almost gave in b/c it was a tool to try and possible slip and have "good" reasons to eat other things that I know are not good for me or the best nutritiously.

I too have stayed strong and continue on. Congrats on your strength and willingness to improve your health and life!!!


See ya in 200 years!
Linda :p

[sweetgoddess]

qcumber, I am here to support you. This forum is tremendous for support.

I found it very interesting (and I understand) when you said all raw was doing for you and then you read someone's opinion , felt fear and let go of raw momentarily. How does one opinion throw us for a loop, when we have obviously read dozens if not more GOOD opinions and experiences. How does one negative equal 30 positive? I dont mean you, I mean in general. Puzzling!
It is of the utmost importance to listen to your inner wisdom and trust yourself and how your feeling without anyone elses opinions. When it comes down to it, that is your only reality. Might as well make it a great reality, heh?

Look forward to encouraging you on your path!
Warmly
Carmel

[catherinethegreat]

I enjoyed reading your post because it reminded me that our minds are all like fertile soil, just waiting for seeds.
The seeds are beliefs, opinions, stories, etc. All coming from outside of ourselves.
When we are new at something - it is easy to allow these seeds to get planted - and to believe them as our own stories.
But it sounds like you saw the seed and decided to dig it up and throw it out.
It also sounds like you are listening to your own intuition which I think may be something that happens more and more as I stay raw. I seem to be more connected to my inner voice or inner knowledge or able to hear it more clearly.
I think reading is a great thing in gaining more information and to just remember that everyone has an opinion.
If there is a book I could recommend to you its

12 steps to raw
by
Victoria Butanko.

good stuff. Very insightful.

And....it's not about WHAT you are eating as much as it's about WHAT's Eating You. Especially in regards to binging. That is about stuffing your emotions - and your emotions will still be there whether you eat lots of sugar and pizza or whether you eat lots of raw foods. So I encourage you to seek out weys to pamper that part of you that is uncomfortable and is hiding behind the distraction of binging. Journaling might be very helpful when you feel that discomfort.
For me - I'm still learning to identify the discomfort, and ask what it is I really need. Sometimes it really is a little almond butter, most of the time it's just me - needing to breathe and get grounded and love myself. Sometimes I still act on the discomfort by overeating - or just eating all day. But on raw it's a different experience for me because I do eventually feel full.
Anyhow - I hope that you get what you need from this forum or any others that you might find out there.

*c

[Gosia]

Tips for difficult moments
* Look at the before-and-after photos of other rawies (this always inspires me)
* List all the symptoms of eating cooked foods and all the positive symptoms of eating raw foods that You experienced
* Look at yourself in the mirror and observe that raw foods indeed make you feel and look better the longer you stay raw
* Understand that your mind is just a creature of habit. New connections in the brain need to be formed for you to let go of the old habits. This WILL happen as you continue to be commited to raw foods.

All the best,
Gosia.

[Fuzzball]

Qcumber,

I have only been raw for a little over a week but the other night I just HAD to have a burger pattie.

Well, I ate it with my favorite topping, horseradish...it was ok, but didn't really fulfill my expectations (by the way, it took 2 minutes in the microwave, versus 10 minutes to prepare a salad)(please remember, I never said I was a rocket scientist....sometimes I have to feel the hammer more than once to know it's heavy).

Since that day I have had really bad stomach pains...that are finally just tonight going away, two days later.

That's enough evidence for me that my body wants to reject cooked food (especially since it was the second time that happened to me, only last time was fast food).

Stick to your guns...as I said somewhere else, people write terrible things about the United States, then continue to live here....it's easy to condemn...easier than having a goal and sticking with it regardless of what obstacles (Character building opportunities) are put in front of you.

[hawaiigal]

Hi Gosia

I love your website and am so happy for you that you are able to experience raw lifestyle with your family included. I will be interested in your trnsformations. I am orig from NZ although have spent most of my adult life in Australia (North Queensland) and now live in the USA. I miss life down under.

Faye

[RawTruth]

Qcumber,

This IS a safe, supportive, warm place to be. Recently, there have been uncharacteristically argumentative posts -- one of which you referred to. You should know that this is NOT the norm for this forum. I have no doubt that, if they continue, those involved will not longer be posting here. This is Alissa's board, and, like her, it strives to be a positive, uplifting source of support to us as we embrace the raw life.

If you haven't already done so, you absolutely must get Alissa's book and DVD. They're a great way to start. And, I totally agree with Catherine's suggestion about the Boutenkos' book, too.

The more you educate yourself, the more certain you'll feel about trusting your body. I realize that you're not really in touch with your body right now, but it also sounds as if you're now facing your compulsions. So, a way of becoming stronger is to learn all you can. I strongly suggest that you NOT look for this information on the internet, but, rather, get the books and read those. There are lots more, too. These are just to start.

Best of luck.

p.s. I've been 100% raw for almost 3 months, and I feel so much better now than I did before (and ... I'd been vegetarian/vegan/macrobiotic for most of the last 25+ years). Being raw affects one physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Yay!!

[lallen13]

Qcumber

Welcome, this is day 3 for me of all raw. I have been 70 to 80% for about 3 months and have felt better than I ever have in my 48 years. I love the support you feel on this board. I know i can cry and say what a rotten day I;ve had, especially in my journal, and there are people that will pat you on the back and tell you to let it go and keep trying. I have learned that this whole way of life is a process and we are all in different places but basically striving for the same goal. Read some of the journals. They will keep you inspired and let you know that many others struggle too. Lorna

[tracyinfo]

qcumber,

I too, get support from this board. Unlike your family though, I do get support from mine. Perhaps, your family will see and like the results that you get.

Keep coming back to this board!