What's YOUR Motivation?

[sandybeach]

Just wondering what's everyones motivation, first for going raw, and second for continuing. What made you do it? What can you sit back and tell yourself on a bad day that makes it all worth it?

For me its to be healthier, but thats pretty generic. The love of my life is in super shape, and in my head Ive always wanted a family, a nice wedding, I think about that, typical girl stuff. Id want to look good in my dress, not have it be one of those days i look back on and think oh god i look horrible and hide the pictures. When I have kids I don't want to be the "fat mom". While im not engaged now, it would just be a mad rush to get in shape later if I did get engaged. I want to be able to keep up with my bf, another huge motivator. I have be struggling with bad depression for 8 years, its been to the point where Ive cried every day for months. I remember last time I went raw being the happiest time of my life, and even 3 days into it now the depression is so much better. Not crying, which means no temptation for the emotional eating. I know theres ups and downs raw, but its better than always being down eating how i was.

Thats pretty much what motivates me

For daily motivation I tell myself if I dont get healthy now im just prolonging something that I NEED to do. I don't want to go another year where I look back and wish I had got in shape 12 months ago so I could be enjoying the body NOW. I know how i am and if i fall off the train now, it will be back to square one for me, and I did it too many times to go through it again. Thats what pushes me.

[StarFire]

My daily motivation... ??

I want to live. I want to be the best ME i can be... I'm learning that I deserve that - it is a gift I can CHOOSE to give myself... or deny myself....

I want to be vibrant and have that incredible 'glow'... I want balance in my life - laughter and joy. I've had to many years of sorrow, and hurt, fear... that is NOT my lot in life... I will stand up and stretch my potential... to be - to laugh - to love .... and to even love myself... this is the journey I am on.... an investment in me. ;)

on 'bad days' .... I am able to push thru because I know where my path is... I know where my balance is.... even if I eat something that is not raw... I do not stress because I know - that I know - THAT I KNOW... where my path is ... in my Living on Live Foods LIFEstyle ... I have my life because of Alissa's teaching me HOW to CLAIM my life ... for myself...

you see -- Alissa didn't do it for me -- but she gave me the tools and held out her hand and said -- here you go - I'll help you -- but -- you GOTTA DO IT FOR YOURSELF.... because you and you alone WANT it...
and I -- I WANT IT... ! ;) I'm learning... I'm worth it... and I deserve it!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/lotusbloomsj6.gif

[IamLoved]

My motivation to begin with?

I didn't want to get cancer.

That's what did it initially.

So many people are sick that it is commonplace now. Fifty years ago it was not common to have cancer. And it is all due to our food that we eat.

I have six beautiful children.

I want to watch them grow and Lord willing see thier children and grandchildren.

What keeps me going?

All of the above along with the fact that I have never, EVER felt as good as I do when I am raw. I was raw for 5 months and then went back to SAD, and sad it was, and I was. I am happy and feel healthy and alive when I am raw. I remember how I felt when I was raw before, and then how I felt when I went back to SAD and I like the raw me better, and that is who I want to be again, now and forever.

[verseaurainbows]

Well for being VEGAN my motivation is so many reasons there are too many to list

As for RAW, my motivation is time is whizzing past so quickly, and this is the only time we have. Ive experienced unhealthy and it MAJORLY SUCKS. I deserve more than that. One day, i would like to adopt and raise a child. Id like to get a little farm out in the French countryside. Id like to travel and help the undepriviledged. Id like to get two beagle dogs and walk them every day! Basically, me and my fiancé have our dreams and i want to be here to see them through. Also were getting married in March and i dont want to look dead in my dress.

I also want to be leaving the lightest footprint possible, and be the best i can be

[ShelShel]

For the vast majority of my life I was very overweight, tired all the time...horrible acne (at different times)...and when you've tried every diet to lose the weight...drink enormous amounts of coffee just to function and stay awake from the fatigue...and every wash, lotion, or potion to clear you skin...and nothing works, you get desperate enough to try anything. That's where my sis-in-law found me in Feb 2005 so, she sent along an email address to shazzie.com and mentioned a blurp about raw food. That she was reading about this new way of eating. (She's extremely health conscious and I thought...ok...I'll try anything.) I started small, changing breakfast to raw. Then lunch and eventually cold turkey. I lived for most of that first year completely raw. Lost 64 pounds, had incredible energy, and clear skin for the first time in my adulthood!

These are the reasons I keep coming back to raw because it worked when nothing else would. It brings me peace and clarity and a more vibrant life. So, like StarFire, if I ever eat something cooked, I always return to raw...it's really changed my life. I'm worth it and so are you all!

[Portia2012]

I most relate with what Starfire said. We deserve to be alive, vibrant, healthy and free. I never knew love for myself because I was use to being put down. All my life I was told that I was ugly and stupid and only good for a man's pleasure. I was put down so much that I believed what was said. Now that I found a man who I can honestly say that I love with all of my being, I now know I was told lies. Lies about who I am as a person. I am a child of the most high. God does not make mistakes and I am not one. I am and was created in his image. So to answer what keeps me going. My god and my love.


My guy introduced me to raw foods and I have been really fighting to stay on it because I know that it is right for me. I love animals and have seen the brutality they endure. How can any person look at an animal being beat with a night stick and tell us that is ok? It is senseless to me, and I refuse to keep putting that in my mouth. These are only a few of my reasons, but they are the main ones.


~Portia~

[northernstars]

Sometimes it is very difficult for me to put into words how I feel and this is one of those times. I am feeling better eating primarily raw foods! And I do have more energy which is another blessing. I have managed to lose weight, too. I still have lots more weight to lose, but finally some is coming off and it would not do so before going raw! I haven't taken a nap in the afternoon now for a couple months, either. Lots of little and not so little things that make me happy with my decision to eat this way.

I am still hoping that all the excess weight will leave and that I will magically become energetic and youthful in manner. People are noticing and making comments about the weight loss. That has been nice to hear.

I am still wanting to make up some of the recipes that float around here, too, but they will have to wait until I am more mobile! Today at therapy, I was using a regular cane to help with my walking again, as well as the smaller 4 legged cane. Hopefully I will be able to transition to the regular cane soon. My therapist said that losing the weight should help me with my walking and balance.

[kmik]

a lot of what everyone else said... basically I just want to feel better physically and emotionally, AND I like to feel in control of my body.

But another motivation for me is... I'm in the process of opening a fitness center, and although being over 200 lbs may give me a certain relatibility factor for some folks, it's kind of hard to say "join my health club so you can be trim, healthy and sexy like ME!" (with fat belly jiggling as I'm speaking)

I have to LIVE healthy in every way if I want to inspire my members to do the same. I can't take shortcuts, so there's no comprimises... RAW baby!

[Vivafree2]

I want to live! To do that i need to learn how to want and not feel guity about it and feel great getting what i want and enjoying life i want not pretending that i enjoy things i never wanted. I want to live the life i always knew i can have - full of love friendships joy health abundance beauty, fulfilled life, life shared , life with mission and passion. I want to be the best me and give what i know so others can have it too. It is about getting and giving light.

[Pking]

Ditto to what everyone else said. After going raw along with daily exercise, my blood presssure went back down to normal, plus I lost 20 lbs. What motivates me to continue is after doing some research on the food industry in America I became quite dissapointed about the message that's given to the public pertaining to how we should eat. Example animal products. We're told that meat/dairy/fish is the best source of protein. But look around you. Have you ever seen anyone that's protein deficient in America? Those that don't do animal products...do they look more frail & weak because they get their protein from natural foods like nuts & seeds? I doubt it. But what do you see from people (in general) who eat meat? Obesity, high blood pressure/cholesterol, etc. Who sends this type message? The meat & dairy industries so they can promote a profit. The protein agenda is pushed but notice the issue of cholesterol, animal hormones, and mercury intake is rarely brought to light. Funny how information about getting protein from natural foods that don't contain all that other "drama" kinda takes the back seat. So that's one of the reasons I continue doing raw :)

[Bananapie]

Peace of mind, sanity, chasing two children under five, training a four month old German Shepard that will be HUGE!, being a 15 hour a week massage therapist, still managing to find time and motivation to have some snuggly time with the hubby!, oh yeah and I would like to go to medical school,learn sign language and Spanish, I'd like to travel a little more, and dance a little every day, not to mention the standards running, yoga, and weight lifting. Wheww... Lets face it I have way to much to do. I have no time for feeling anything less than top notch! But I suppose the biggest reason is Peace of mind and Clarity. And when I feel like eating anything else but raw I remind my self how good I feel eating raw and that I NEED my peace of mind and Clarity!

[gettingskinny]

I want to be healthy an in shape once and for all.

I want to inspire others (why we started www.theskinnyonjanuary.com). It;s a huge motivator for me. I want to help others be their best!

My kids!

verseaurainbow...congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I want to see your beautiful pics!

[catscharm74]

Ok, I have a few...
1) Health- I was overweight most of my life too. I am tired of fighting with it, especially as I get older. It is becoming more frustrating and without good health, I ain't got nothing.
2) Vanity- I like feeling pretty and girly, and yes, I want to wear a bikini and look BETTER than those 20 year olds. :D
3) Set an example for my son. I don't want him to grow up with all the health and weight problems I had. Be an example!!
4) I want to live a very active life FOREVER!!!!
5) Prove one can age beautifully without surgery, botox, etc...and do it better!!

Cheers,
Heather

[oceanee]

To be FREE, once and for all of the food obsession.

To loose weight , once and for all.

To feel limber and healthy forever.

To sustain that inner peace and let the depression leave for good.

To support organic growers .

To keep cancer and disease away.

To show my loved ones I finally did it !

To glow and reverse the aging of time however much I can.

To be happy , release the inner demons and the weighty exterior.

To be FREE:D .

Oceanee

To

[moonstar]

Think ahead


Each time you start to do something, ask yourself -- what effect will this have two weeks from now, two months from now, a year from now? We often act out of impulse without considering the eventual consequences. What seems right for the moment may be entirely wrong for the future.

You're the one who will be living in your own future. It makes sense to take responsibility for that future, to make it the best it can possibly be. The time you take to think ahead, and to evaluate your decisions with an eye toward the future, can make a big difference in the quality of that future.

Live in the moment and get the most from every experience while also looking toward the future. That will make the experiences to come will be even better. The little things you do right now can have a big positive impact when you make the effort to think ahead.

[futureboy]

I'm living on a prayer, folks. I hope there's a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow.

I hope to experience detox. Physical and emotional.

I hope to wake up every morning excited to be alive.

I hope to feel more energetic than ever before.

I hope to glow.