New and full of questions

[emilyd]

I've spent the past few weeks, trying to figure out what I can do to better myself. To feel better from the inside out, and came upon a link about raw diets. I've spent quite a bit of time reading about it. And am very interested in taking the steps to start a life of raw foods.
I think to begin with, I won't be 100%, but, the way I see it, I will work my way there.
I have so many questions on this life style. Is it hard to adjust? I'm a typical 25 year old, fast food has been a good friend of mine for awhile. I've cut back quite a bit on that, and have started to do pilates and yoga daily. But, I still don't feel 'healthy'.


I think my biggest concern is, not having 'friends' to help me get started, and to help me stay on track. I'm the type of girl that tries something, gets frustrated after a few weeks, and falls completely off track.

I've realized, I'm not getting any younger, and now is a great time to start a change into being healthy.

Any links you guys have to help me move forward, would be awesome. Any recipes you guys like alot? I'd love to hear about that also...

Thank you :)

[rawstrength]

www.shazzie.com is a nice website. You can check out her journals, videos and transformation pictures -- they're very inspiring.
As for recipes, you can find a ton by searching on this website.

[aliciamatheson]

Welcome - I suggest you get Alissa's book and use her menu guide for the first four weeks. It even has a grocery list for you.

And about the friends....be a trailblazer and you can teach them about the raw food lifestyle!

Alicia

[StarFire]

Aloha and Welcome to RFT emilyd!! I think it's great that you have found this forum. Its filled with a lot of information, great recipes - and some AMAZING support. (that can come in very handy on your journey!) ;) :D

Perhaps the time has come in your life where you are facing some decisions and re-evaluating your path.... I think its' wonderful that you have taken the initiative to reach for vibrant health. THAT RAWKS emilyd.... truely to be commended. I know at your age -- (ummm... that was ga-zillion years ago!)... I thought I was healthy and doin jes fine.... (NOT.... I was in horrible condition health wise...) so the simple fact that you are 'going there'.... taking responsibility for your health -- is wonderful!

alissa's book really will help as aliciamatheson said. I know when I first went raw --- I had NO CLUE what I was doing - or how to do it. Having that tool available to use --- (and the DVD came in reeeeeally handy too!!) helped me to stand strong. without those two tools - I never would've stayed raw -- guaranteed.... but b/c I had those things to refer to -- and this forum to ask for help and support -- well.... it gave me a deeper understanding that this path is not just about the 'raw foods'.... but about life -- it's about your health.... and making wise choices so that you can celebrate a vibrant quality of life....

and if you make these changes now --- then when you reach my age (51) - you will be so grateful.... I wish I had been as conscious as you appear to be... when I was 25....

rawk on -- blessings on your journey.... and enjoy the ride....

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[spicyfull]

I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW..........Welcome to MY World.

[EZ rider]

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[jacsam]

Starfire gave you some great advice with the book and DVD of Alissa's. This book even continues to help me.....let me tell you, I have collected several raw food books along the way and some I regret buying but the one I always go back to is Alissa's. EVERYTHING you need to know is in it. It is a great investment, you really can't go wrong in buying it. I kind of think of it as a foundational book, after getting a good foundation then maybe you'll enjoy picking up some other books. Good Luck.....Judith:)

[Radiantly Raw]

Welcome to the group! Glad to meet you!!

Check out the recipe section for yummy stuff! This site really does have a ton of information and is full of supportive, knowledgeable people who are ready to help out! So be sure you start posting and we can get to know you better!!:D

I was a fast food junkie, and I went 100% raw overnight! Seriously, it was more than convenient, I was addicted! So you CAN do it! Just get as much knowledge as you can!

Best wishes on your raw journey!

[tanishamarshall]

Welcome to the board and to raw. I just know you'll love it, the food taste so so good, full of flavor. As the others have said Alissa's book is great but also check into some of your local meetups. Go to http://www.meetup.com and search for a raw food group in your area. I'm sure it would be nice to be connected with folks in your hometown as well as those of us here on the board.

[Scooterboo]

Emily, hi - I am new here and hope I haven't posted too late. All I can say is, I used to try things and let them go too. What helped me with Raw was to see every hour, every meal, as a milestone. I tell myself, "If I can just stay Raw through THIS meal, today, right now, that's good work." So, then I just eat Raw for the meal I am facing. Then I tell myself the same thing again for the next meal. It works. Raw just feels too good from the inside out to seriously fall back for long. Give yourself patience and time, and be good to your body in other ways that don't involve food - this was tough for me at first, I was a real "reward myself with food" girl. You begin to enjoy it and get clever at picking them. Lots have to do with touch or smell instead of eat.

My non-food goodie gifts I give myself as rewards:

A nap for no reason
A long hot steamy shower with soaps that smell soooo good
Bending over and hanging there to stretch my lower back bones out
A nice piece of jewelry
A glass of wine (I believe wine is Raw!)
Some new clothing
Houseshoes or soft dense towels, brand new
A favorite incense

As for fast food (that caught my eye!) - just relax and you will drop off these naturally. Raw does that to you. You will notice the difference in taste and texture of fast foods and compare them negatively to the taste and texture of Raw. It sounds unlikely now but believe me, it's true! You will definitely notice how you feel after eating fast food compared to Raw - and it's that contrast that will convince you about Raw for good. Let it come naturally - it will! I NEVER eat fast foods now. Talk about progress: last night during the Superbowl people were grilling and sauteeing chicken with spices, and the smell of it, along with buffalo wings, chips, you name it, drifted through the entire building. I didn't crave any! :eek:

Instead I would close my eyes and inhale, and smell the food, and for a few moments that was satisfying enough for me!

Then I noticed my stomach gave a kick of revulsion smelling the grease behind it all. I fixed myself some diced tomatoes, garlic, onion, jalapeno peppers, avocado, and bok choy with fresh corn sliced off the cob, tossed on some kosher salt, added a drop of olive oil, and ate them, craving THEM instead of what I smelled coming from all over this building. You will soon be at this same point. Hang in there, Emily! I am a newbie to this board but I am pulling for you! Sorry this was long... :)

[rawgreenyogini]

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[RawSinger]

It's so great that you're interested in raw.:D Raw food has seriously changed my life. I know everybody says that (because it's true) but I never thought in a million years that I would have control over my eating. I'm 20 and I know how convenient and cheap it is to live on fast food and other junk. But your body will not hold up for very long living like that.

I originally decided to go on the raw diet because I gained about 70lbs my first year of college (I have the stretch marks to prove it) and it didn't look like there was an end in sight. I was (or so I thought) addicted to food and had diagnosed myself with binge-eating disorder. I didn't think I could be helped. This diet intrgued me from the start and I bought Alissa's book and I went 100% raw over night. Going 100% raw from the start is the best way, as Alissa will tell you in her book. It's really not that hard to adjust but I won't lie, I did have cravings my first week (but not nearly as many as I had on cooked food diets!). If you can get through that, you begin to notice how great you feel. Your body is completely nourished when you go raw so you don't feel hungry all the time.

I wish you the best of luck on your raw journey and feel free to ask any questions you want.

Take care,

Francesca