Going back to 100% Raw

[sararaw]

I was 100% raw for over a year.
I healed myself of various ailments and felt better I had in 20 years.
And then, without really even seeing what was happening, I slowly slid down the slippery slope into the tempting cooked food world again.

Well, now its been 8 months since I fell off raw and im eating worse the ever. This last month I’ve even started eating fast food and some animal foods again. I feel terrible! My joints are achy; my skin is breaking out and im moody and starting to get my migraines back.
What happened?! I didn’t even see this coming!

Well, finally, because of a friend finding out about a serious illness, I woke up to the fact that I need to stop this NOW. Im ready to get back to 100 raw.

Any ideas on how to stay motivated and whether I should do a juice fast and jump right in or go slowly and begin with the raw meals. Problem is I was eating very simply after a year on raw and im not used to being in the kitchen preparing food all day. Its tempting to want to starve myself back into health but im afraid I may set myself up for failure if I do that.

I appreciate any help with this.
sararaw

[Alissa]

Hi sararaw,
I know that it may be tempting to 'starve' yourself back into raw and feeling better, but I don’t think that is the best way to go back AND stay raw.
The best thing to do is to begin making some raw foods that you like and always have something in the fridge. Even though the raw food meals may not appeal to you right now because you have been off it for a while, trust me. The best thing is to start over and have food ready. If you try to fast or starve yourself or eat minimal amounts of fruits and veggies, you may indeed set yourself up for failure. Start back raw like you would at the beginning and give your body time to adjust, then you can begin to eat light again when you have transitioned from the heavy dense cooked foods you have been eating.
Best,
Alissa

[sararaw]

Thanks Alissa,

I know your right, but yes, the raw food wasn’t appealing to me at all!
I forced myself to make a few things (I read this chapter in your book before you posted this!) and it really did save me.

I made it thought the first day but at night I started to get so hungry I thought 'no way, I need food!' So although it wasn’t what I wanted I forced myself to eat some of the fettuccini Alfredo I made. The next night the same thing happened and I ate some of the pad thia (All it took was a couple of tablespoons of the meals to keep me raw and feel like I could eat well and get full and not need to run out for junk food)... now im on day 4 and I finally feel like I can stay raw again.

I can already tell my taste buds are changing back to wanting fresh fruits and veggies and im feeling more positive, my face isn’t bloated and im getting excited about living raw again.

Thanks so much for your sensible advice!
Sararaw

[suebee]

Amazing how many people tell you the opposite!

I see people starving themselves and creating some big time problems for themselves because they try to go back and forth to the extremes.
People can be so mean to their own self.

Treat yourself kindly and feed your body what it needs.
Sounds like you’re on the path back to raw!

Keep posting here for support sararaw, we are all cheering for ya! You’re doing fantastic!!!

Suebee

[Bob]

Sararaw,
Realize that your body will on some days want less food and sometimes it will want more. Allow yourself to eat when you need more food.

A force fast is never a good thing. There are signals your body will give you when it needs fasting.

Stay connected to positive people.

Please continue to update us with your progress.

~Bob

[jazpie]

Yes, staying connected through boards like this and finding people in your area who do this is very important.

We are here for ya!

Jazpie

[smasty]

Oops, I didn't see this thread when I posted the other one. Juice fasting was a miracle for me, I absolutely loved it, and actually look forward to doing it again. I got plenty of calories in the fruit juices, so I definitely wasn't starving. Just thought I'd share my experience.

[carrotlady]

I did a short fast of just a few days recently and it was great to se that I don’t always need that much food. I can see how this would be good to clean our after going off raw or stating to eat too much gourmet stuff.

[Kristi]

Good for you! It is easy with little prep to stay raw. I have 2 kids and a husband.....none of which eat much raw. I usually end up too tired after making their meal that I don't want to do a lot of food prep for me. I make crackers (Alissa's banana-flax) and they hold me for a couple weeks or so, depending if my daughter gets into them which she usually does. I also make a big batch of almond milk for almond milk, banana, carob shakes. Freeze fruit and you always have stuff for smoothies. You can get bags of organic salads. Keeps apples, oranges and grapes around. Chop up a cucumber. Don't use "don't want food prep" as an excuse. Be like Nike and just do it! 100% today!

[marybd]

yes, the prep is key I think when first starting or getting back on!
xo Marybd

[sararaw]

Thanks guys!
Yes, staying on these boards has really helped! And the food prep also, that’s so important! Im doing great!! Im making all kinds of stuff and I am feeling really good again. I don’t have any cravings or feel deprived at all. Im loving this, so much different from what I use to do a year ago!
I was hungry all the time! Thanks for all your support!
Sararaw

[suebee]

sararaw,
That’s so great!
I just found this old post and it was perfect. I have a friend that just came back from a retreat center where they detox you and 'starve' you for a few weeks. Well, she was doing great for about 4 months on raw before she left for there and now, 3 weeks later, she is binging like crazy on cooked food from the day she got home.
I think raw food is 'extreme' enough and then people try to take it to further extremes. I know if your sick or needed immediate healing with a serious disease, etc. that that is helpful but otherwise is just think that can be so dangerous!

Suebee

[marigold]

**and i thought dont scare yourself with forever..take each day or part of a day at a time.i will eat raw this morning and and...
stay in touch with us..
love marigold