preparation for going 100% questions?

[cara4art]

I'm contemplating doing this - I've been high-raw since early February with some ups and downs as far as my food intake goes, but I have been doing green smoothies and big green salads or green wraps daily, along with fruit, a few dehydrated items, like variations of onion bread, flax crackers, raw granola, and energy cookies. Currently I use my dehydrator every few days. My only cooked things have been some steamed veggies and rice. Is it too soon for me to go 100%, or should I stick with what I'm doing now to give my body more time to adjust to this level before moving up. Will my age have any influence on this? I'm 60 and in pretty good health. On another level, though, I would like to move up! I'm just afraid of binging on the wrong stuff if I try to take this too fast, as well as the dreaded detox. I've already had some detox stuff just being high-raw, and I didn't have a really junky diet beforehand either. Thoughts? thanks!

[ab_raw]

In her book Alissa recommends just going 100% raw. So that's what I did. I don't think age is a factor, I'm 50, I had detox symptoms of mostly headaches for a few days and that was it. And I was a typical SAD diet so no transition at all.
Just my 2 cents
Anita

[DavidZaneMason]

I think if you regard this level of healthy eating to be ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to YOUR goals - then yes...you are ready! :)

-David Z. Mason

[Raspberry4]

I have done it both ways - and going 100% was best for me. Listen to your body and you will know when it is time to move forward. When it is right for you. That is the beauty of not listening to anyone else but your own body. It has its own wisdom. Good luck to you.

[EZ rider]

Is it too soon for me to go 100%IMO, once a person "gets it" about raw eating then go for it 100%. In rock climbing its called a commitment move. Take a big step because you can't cross a chasm in small steps. Get rid of the food your not going to eat anymore and go to the store or farm and get the raw foods that are going to nourish your body with health and wellness. A half hearted attempt dosn't get the job done. Set your course and Persevere.

[cara4art]

thanks everyone for the great support and input! I didn't think age had anything to do with it - I just put that out there anyway. Plus I do firmly believe in listening to the body - this is why I have even gotten this far in my journey. I do agree about the necessity sometimes of taking a big step instead of baby ones as well. In some ways it's akin to de-cluttering one's home - sometimes one has to start with getting rid of some big pieces right away to start making a difference and get some positive reinforcement, and it goes from there.

[Blazin'Jane]

Go for it, like ab_raw said!

Ditto that! I went RAW when I was 66, just dove in a didn't look back. My guruess is that you've done the worst of whatever detox you're going to do. Anyway, detox isn't anything to fear---it's your body cleaning house for you, making it much easier for you to absorb all the nutrients into your system. Why hold back and prevent a good thing like that happening??

[Zaphirah]

hello dahling. It's me, Purl. My instinct says follow your heart. it's no fun to set a 100% goal and not be able to make it, cuz you just ain't there yet. Now, with that said, FOR ME, it has only worked when I go 100%. I haven't had 1 bite since jumpin' back on this horse and that's been al ot easier than straddling the fence-but that's just me. So do what YOU think will work, and what YOU are comfortable with. You WILL get there. I used to get hung up on if I was 100%, 95%, etc. Now I just say I am a raw vegan. period. I eat salad dressing from a bottle. High quality miso dressing and I still consider myself raw. Some people would FREAK if they knew that about me. LOL!

There are no general rules set by a governing body re: your personal goals. There's no elite club that can revoke your membership. You are the captain of this ship. Follow your heart. Listen to YOU and don't get caught up in the details or the do's and don'ts of it.

[cara4art]

Yo, Purl!
I just sent you a long e-mail in response to the one you wrote me - nice to see you here. Good advice, by the way! Isn't this board great?

[chilove]

Hello there,

I think that it really depends on how comfortable you are with how you are eating now. You are already eating an exceptionally healthy diet now compared to 99.9% of the rest of the world, especially if the rice is brown rice rather than white!!! That alone is a huge accomplishment that you should be VERY proud of!!! :-)

If where you are now with your eating plan feels natural and effortless, it may very well be time to make some improvements like dropping the rice and sticking with just some steamed veggies for dinner with a big raw salad or soup, or going ahead and doing several raw days in a row and then an occasional day with some steamed veggies ect...

BUT if where you are now still feels somewhat new and difficult, it might be wiser to wait a bit to go 100% raw.

The last thing that you (or anyone) wants to do is feel deprived, because feeling deprived can often lead to virtually uncontrollable binging for many of us, especially those of us with emotional eating issues.

Going raw is all about delicious abundance, NOT deprivation and sacrifice. Progress, not perfection should always be the goal.

Follow your instincts and listen to your body. Don't be afraid of detox! :-) From where you are coming from, it really shouldn't be bad at all.

Blessings,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[cara4art]

Thanks, Audrey, for the wonderful support and input! I'm sure you are just as wonderful and encouraging with the clients whom you coach on transitioning to a raw lifestyle. Listening to my body is hugely important to me - this is why I made the dietary shift that I did already. Actually, what I'm doing now feels really good to me now, but I am always looking ahead to see how I can further refine things. Will surely keep everyone posted.

[StarFire]

Age does not matter... http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/monkey.gif

Follow your heart ... and it's okay to change your mind too while you are on this journey... this path is filled with so many discoveries...

simply follow your heart... and know that there is no 'RAW LAW' that must be adhered to.... if you truly WANT to embark on 100%... then simply do it...

and -- it you decide it's not for you -- that's okay too.... ;)

this LIFEstyle is about FUN and ADVENTURE... laughter ~ joy... discovery!!

so... RAWk on.... it's all good....

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/naked.jpg

[Zaphirah]

Follow your heart ... and it's okay to change your mind too while you are on this journey... this path is filled with so many discoveries...

Ah yes! Star said what was in my heart. Good Ol' StarFire! My hero!