My top five tips to be successful staying raw

[chilove]

Hello all,

I wanted to help inspire all of you for the New Year, so I came up with my top five suggestions for being successful in staying raw. They are:

1. Be persistent-Don't give up! You can do this! If I can do it, anyone can!

2. Plan ahead, don't allow yourself to get caught hungry with no raw options around

3. Shop frequently

4. Keep yourself surrounded by delicious raw food that you really love

5. Always, always take way more food with you than you think you could possibly need on any outing.


I hope these help!!!


Blessings,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[lavendarJ]

right on audrey!!!

[samariah]

good tips. i also think a good tip is to have available the ingredients to make at least a serving or so of your favorite most decadent healthy raw treat that way if you the desire to eat some junk food you can instead indulge in something that will taste great and leave you feeling great. i can cave when it comes to sweet stuff so i always keep on hand stuff to make healthy coconut oil chocolate w/ nuts,etc.

[dani_b]

thanks! those are the things i'm trying to work on!

[EZ rider]

6) Listen to your body its your best friend and your best coach.

7) Try to wait on a slight return of hunger signal and then only eat enough to silence the signal and achieve the "comfort zone".

[gettingskinny]

6) Listen to your body its your best friend and your best coach.

7) Try to wait on a slight return of hunger signal and then only eat enough to silence the signal and achieve the "comfort zone".

ooohhhh...I like these. I needed to hear this tonight. EZRider do you do raw food counseling? you should!

[tvillemom]

These are all GREAT TIPS! I HAVE TO be more prepared! My biggest slips are when I am out and have no food available.....or at home with nothing that "looks good"....

One of MY biggest tips: Don't wait until you are hungry to decide on what you are going to eat. I have to be prepared for the next meal LONG before the hunger pains hit, if I wait until I am really hungry, then I'm more likely to grab something non-raw just because I'm too hungry to eat something like fruit or veggies. See, if my stomach is TOOO hungry, then the idea of eating fruit or veggies almost seems painful...does that make sense???

OK....I'm done.

[slickerk]

ooh, thank you!

[Vivafree2]

Chilove excellent tips - thank you and i agree with EZ - listen to your body
Happy New Raw Year!

[Anastazia]

TVillemom, I totally understand what you mean, I experience this, too! Drives me crazy, but it's the number one thing I'm planning for! I'm going to make some meal plans for each week, go through Raw recipes & make sure we have the ingredients, & then teach them to my sweet 12 year old who loves to be in the kitchen so she can also quickly throw something together quickly that's appealing!

~Also, much as I hate cutting up produce ahead of time, due to nutrient loss, I will sometimes, when I know I'll be having a really busy day, so that something's already half ready when hunger hits!

~What also has helped me immensely is I found a bunch of various sized containers that have little ice packs in the lid (plastic, keep in freezer) so I can take Raw along even if I'll be out for hours & not have to worry about things staying cold/fresh! I especially love the one I got from Avon that has a little container in the middle for dip/dressing! They also have little round ones that hold a handful or two of sprouted almonds on one side, berries or whatever on the other...maybe 4 inches across, the perfect size to toss in my purse!
{Now if only I could find these containers made of GLASS!}

~I also use the Sobee glass bottles for my water/herbal tea, & have a zippered protective water bottle carrier that keeps it from breaking, & I can wear it! (Did everyone hear about the lead (I think it was) in the aluminum water bottles sold at Starbucks recently? & I CANNOT stand drinking outa plastic!!!)
I find if & have LOTS of water with me, I can easily wait for a meal if no raw is available~ (remember, thirst is often mistaken for hunger, as well...)

Anyways, this is a great thread! C'mon everyone, please share more!!! For us just new (or returning!) to Raw, it really really helps to have a vast repetoir of info to deal with all different kinds of situations, so we can STAY raw without constant struggle!

Peace, joy, & love,
~Anastazia~

[Bananna]

Ok, but what are the best tips for the psychological warfare? ...but alas I do see a lengthy thread about addictions I am going to go read....
I do find reading stuff or before/after pics, people's stories, to be very motivating...but I seem to need to read them EVERY FEW DAYS....and I would need a lot of material...I've already gone through so much stuff.
As soon as I think about going raw, I get really depressed, I mean like on day one. I am grieving, sad. And I can't seem to go longer than 2/3 of a day as a result.
I did do two weeks in the summer, and also several years ago I came close for a long time, so I do know how it makes you feel...eventually. Ugh. Ok, rambling...
They are good tips though, the planning ahead, shopping a lot, not letting yourself get ravenous...all true.
Cheers,
Anna

[chilove]

Hello all!

Thanks so much sharing all the great tips!!!! You guys are awesome.

Anna,

Can you identify exactly why you feel sad? Grieving and feeling the loss of our old "comfort foods" is a very real and important part of the process of becoming a successful long term raw foodist.

After years of research, tons of reading, lots of personal struggle and reflection, and feedback from coaching clients about behaviorial change, psychology, motivation, addictions, etc.. I have come to the conclusion that emotional eating and not being able to stay on any particular diet plan all comes down to one very simple problem: not being willing to be present in the present moment without giving in to the urge to distract, comfort, soothe, etc..ourselves with food.

It really is that simple. Learning how to do that, and developing a habit of being willing and able to simply be ok and not do anything about with being uncomfortable because you are choosing not to eat that particular thing that is calling you is the difficult part and it can take a long time to overcome decades of habits. However it definitely CAN be done. Work on developing the ability to withstand some unpleasant emotions rather than turning to some temporary quick fix (eating, drugs, alcohol, shopping, gambling, etc) and you will experience a lot more success at staying raw and sticking with any positive changes you wish to make.

It also just takes time, it takes time for all the new habits and behaviors that going raw requires of us to become comfortable. It is a big learning curve. In a year or two (or even sooner) it will seem completely effortless, natural and fun.


Everyone can do this!!!

Blessings,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[missvitreous]

I have come to the conclusion that emotional eating and not being able to stay on any particular diet plan all comes down to one very simple problem: not being willing to be present in the present moment without giving in to the urge to distract, comfort, soothe, etc..ourselves with food.
Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

I second this advice! If you relax and are willing to feel the emotion, then it helps.

[gettingskinny]

Ok, but what are the best tips for the psychological warfare? ...but alas I do see a lengthy thread about addictions I am going to go read....
I do find reading stuff or before/after pics, people's stories, to be very motivating...but I seem to need to read them EVERY FEW DAYS....and I would need a lot of material...I've already gone through so much stuff.
As soon as I think about going raw, I get really depressed, I mean like on day one. I am grieving, sad. And I can't seem to go longer than 2/3 of a day as a result.
I did do two weeks in the summer, and also several years ago I came close for a long time, so I do know how it makes you feel...eventually. Ugh. Ok, rambling...
They are good tips though, the planning ahead, shopping a lot, not letting yourself get ravenous...all true.
Cheers,
Anna

It is hard to give up food, especially when there is an emotional attachment involved. I would encourage you to dig deeper in this and working through your emotions with food. There is obviously something going on here. Best luck to you!

[Vivafree2]

Thank you writing about it - i am going through some ups and downs looking for answers - emotionall attachement - i will read more about it.
I know it can be done ... but it takes time to find a grip. Victory and failure dance together untill we make a choice but in the meantime is the struggle and struggle sometimes makes us give in, give up or postpone...

[Sleek98]

Your thoughts are always helpful, Audrey, thanks!
Your site is great-do you have any updated pictures? I'd love to see you farther along now on your journey-it's always inspiring!

[jacsam]

I really did enjoy reading your tips Chilove. Having food with me when I'm away is a big one for me also. I went to your website and your after picture is wonderful....your eyes are bright, happy and you just look healthy!!!

[chilove]

Hi guys,

Thanks so much! I'm still doing great on raw and loving it!!! I do have a much more recent face pic at least. Let me see if I can post it here. You can click on it to enlarge it I think.

[AvyB]

Thanks for the tips!! :D

[Sleek98]

Your skin looks so clear and flawless! TFS!

[chilove]

Thanks so much Sleek! I have to say that I owe it all to raw. My skin used to be very dull and patchy and grey looking. Raw is so amazing! It makes such a huge difference! Here is my before headshot:


Blessings!

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[Sleek98]

Oh my gosh. It is an amazing difference! You look soooo much younger, too!

I'm trying to remember what you wrote here, so simple and true!


not being willing to be present in the present moment without giving in to the urge to distract, comfort, soothe, etc..ourselves with food.

It really is that simple. Learning how to do that, and developing a habit of being willing and able to simply be ok and not do anything about with being uncomfortable because you are choosing not to eat that particular thing that is calling you is the difficult part and it can take a long time to overcome decades of habits. However it definitely CAN be done. Work on developing the ability to withstand some unpleasant emotions rather than turning to some temporary quick fix (eating, drugs, alcohol, shopping, gambling, etc) and you will experience a lot more success at staying raw and sticking with any positive changes you wish to make.