Struggling

[GoingRAW]

Ok, so I have been high raw for the past month. I feel as if I am at a crossroads between going back to cooked vegan or going 100%. I would really like to try the May 30 day challenge as I am sure it will help me on my raw journey. The last time that I went raw (4 years ago) I don't remember it being such a struggle. I eased into 100% and cravings were not a problem.
I do think that the fact that I have zero support from my family on this journey is hindering my confidence.
I have been reading this site and others like mad trying to get motivation and it has helped a lot. But, then I start getting conflicting advice. It is enough to make your head spin. I envy the veteran raw people on this board. To be able to actually listen to your body, keep it simple, and just eat. I am struggling with this a lot. Mostly with all the emotions that are coming up. I am trying to keep it simple, but then I don't feel as if I am eating adequate calories. I try to eat more, but then I feel like I am eating too much fruit or too much fat.
Money is also a problem. I am fortunate enough to work at the farmers market one day a week and the bulk of my food comes from there. I try not to buy too many extras, but also am unsure of what to buy to sustain me.
I don't have Alissa's book and tried the library, but they don't carry it. I was thinking about asking on here to see if anyone has a copy that I could borrow just for the May challenge, but I am not sure if that is possible with the cost of shipping and everything. Ugh.
I hope this doesn't sound like a pity party, I have just been having a rough week and could use a little encouragement.
Loving my high raw, but want to go higher. Thanks for listening, L

[DavidZaneMason]

You nailed it. For many, the emotions and social aspects of eating this way....are FAR more of a challenge then the mechanics of being comfortable eating an apple....or a salad.

-PREPAREDNESS is a big watchword. You must be prepared spiritually by being laser-clear on what YOUR lifes goals/passions really are. If YOUR goals REQUIRE eating healthy....you'll find a way to prepare for that....and incorporate that. You take showers/baths because being clean is a necessary tool to your goals. You keep a car ready because it is a necessary vehicle to get to YOUR goals. You do not need 'discipline' or 'hard work' to bathe.....or to drive. They are NECESSARY. Do you feel that way about your food?

-Are you setting VERY SMALL goals? Or just bouncing back and forth between extremes that YOU have envisioned....and cannot accomplish? Are you comparing yourself to some one else's path? Or concentrating on the quality of the output of your own?

-I'm sure you'll find a way through the small logistics. Better to eat a WIDE variety of fresh stuff...and stay full. But make sure you are STARTING from a place where you are 100% comfortable. If you are always uncomfortable and 'unsatisfied' then you have set your initial goal too high for YOU.....and therefore requiring too much struggle to maintain it.

-Just my opinions....which I hope are helpful.

-David Z. Mason

[avanderland]

I'm not a veteran, but as someone going through this decision recently, I thought I would like to offer some insight into the process, while it is still fresh in my mind. I know sometimes it is easy to think --- these veterans, they have been at it for years! THey say to do this, but it's not that easy. I know that I can think like that sometimes, but as someone new into the process --- it CAN be that easy. It really can. It means a lot of letting go, and listening, but it CAN. It can be as easy or hard as you make it.

I agree with David Z Mason in that being prepared and starting from a place where you are comfortable. Some people can jump in. Some people transition. What will work for you? What kind of person are you? Do you jump into goals and activities, or do you plan them out? Don't try to change the person that you are, just to "be raw." That is destining yourself for trouble, in my opinion. Find ways for raw to match and align with the person you are. I also think this goes for what to buy --- buy the things you are comfortable with. I did not start off eating a ton of seaweed 2 months ago. I started off by eating a ton of the fruits and the (few) veggies that I was comfortable with. As my tastes changed, I added more variety. I am continuing to add more variety, try new foods, try superfoods, as I get more comfortable with where I am, and pushing the envelope.

And as for listening to your body, I think that you have to just remind yourself that it's okay not to worry about those things. When you talk about listening to your body, you talk about a WHOLE lot of worrying. Listening to your body MIGHT mean that you eat a ton of fruit one day, a ton of nuts one day, and all greens the next day. It MIGHT mean that you have a perfect balance every day (although I doubt it, in the beginning at least.) But it's about letting go of that worry. Think about --- does this worry matter right now? Right now, in this moment, is there anything for me to really be worried about?

To put it another way, even eating a ton of nuts and fruit --- doesn't that sound way healthier than eating a ton of pasta? Or breads, cereals, etc? Doesn't it sound better than eating vegetables that have been cooked in a thousand different oils and seasonings and spices and dressings until you cannot even taste the veggies? It may not be true for you, but in most cases, even eating our "worst" on raw sounds infinitely healthier than our "best" days before.

I'm sure some veterans will come by to answer your question way better than I ever could, but I figured that I might as well try to help! I know it can be super discouraging and feel SO difficult. I think it is about our mindset as much as our environment, and I encourage you to keep your head up! I find that on days that I think, wow, this is being so healing to me, wow I can be one of those veterans one day... Perspective can change everything.

Good luck :)

[gingincal]

Take a deep breath, Goingraw, and relax. :) It might be helpful if you only concentrate on eating raw TODAY. Let each day have its own goal. You can do it!

[avanderland]

Take a deep breath, Goingraw, and relax. :) It might be helpful if you only concentrate on eating raw TODAY. Let each day have its own goal. You can do it!

Yes, best advice ever! Every day I say, "I am going to eat raw today," etc, etc.

And at the end of the day, whether I ate 50% or 80% or 100%, I say, "Congratulations! Look what you did! Wow!!!!"

Rewards, even in most basic the form of self-praise, are awesome.

[RawPaw]

I couldn't have made my raw comeback without refocusing on greens. Green smoothies are cheap because I only include one banana and no other fruits. I use a diverse supply of organic greens. 32 ounces in the morning, a couple of pieces of fruit throughout the day, and a large salad with avocado at night.

Avocados, bananas, and mangos I buy conventionally to save money and they are better protected from pesticides. I try to buy 1 green produce that I've never had before at least once a week.

[Raw Yogini]

Have you tried to locate other raw foodists in your area? Some areas have raw food support groups and potlucks. It could give you some extra support. Good luck!

[GoingRAW]

Thank you, thank you for the replies. I do feel as if part of the problem is not having the time to prepare foods or the knowledge to know what to prepare. I am a student and have to spend long hours away from home.
I find it easy to eat simply, but am having major issues with hypoglycemia. I feel as if I do not eat enough at times.
I will work on the suggestions here and continue searching past threads.
Thanks again!

[shashibala]

Hi! I am also away from home for many hours. I am fairly new to this myself. (almost 5 months raw)
At first I relied on various dips made of sunflower seeds or almonds. They are easy to transport. You can take vegetables or crackers to dip. They are also filling and substantial, so I didn't feel like I was starving all day. You can make them the night before to make mornings easier. The flavors can be varied depending on what herbs or spices you toss in. Avocados are also a filling food that can be easily thrown into a school bag to eat later. These are really simple
ideas, but they did help me stay raw. Good Luck to you!!!

[sptygl]

i am going to keep referring to this thread for motivation....... as I NEED IT

been bumming out quite a bit, just mostly sad and down.......

i need to try to find a way to get positive,...... and i know through foods, especially RAW..... that we can feel that way!!

I REMEMBER HOW EXCITING IT WAS FOR ME BEFORE, AND HOW FABULOUS I FELT....... although that seems like a lifetime ago!!

ok!! thanks for this thread!! i am going to try to remember the journey!!
and to get focused again!!

(had a bit of an accident, injury..... surgery!! so hence, that led to the loss of confidence and sadness!! )

we all need to remember.... just like you said........
NOT TO BEAT OURSELVES UP!! and it doesn't have to be about extremes.... any bit of Raw DOES A BODY GOOD!!

[GoingRAW]

Good ideas, Shashibala! Thanks! I assume that these dips would be okay if they were un-refrigerated for up to 8 hours?

sptygl: It is great to have RFT to support us through our raw journey. Good luck!

[Jenifae]

I too am new to Raw and have been struggling. I seem to only struggle with it when I'm out and have lunch with a friend or family. I do good with just ordering a salad but, struggle with bread and sugar still. I tend to give in and not have the strength to not go there. I do like the philosophy of not beating myself up becuase, that is the first thing I do.
I want to get firm in my Desires and Goals for Health and Happiness. :cool:
So, I"m not giving up............still forging forward!

[shashibala]

Hi, I have carried around dips for a whole day without refrigeration with no problem. I do have one of those lunch boxes with the thing that you can freeze and then put in the box to keep the foods cool. I sometimes remember to use it!

[walnutty]

I assume that these dips would be okay if they were un-refrigerated for up to 8 hours?

Walmart sells those blue ice freezy things for a buck. I just take a shopping bag and put it in the bottom and put my raw things that need to stay cold on top.

GoingRAW, it gets so much easier! I am the only one in my family that is all raw and when I first went raw I was overwhelmed with the prep work. After about a month or so, it became such a habit that it has simplified my life to be raw. I usually throw together pates, sunflower seed "refried beans" and salad fixings on Sunday afternoons (because I am always home then) for the whole week. I promise, promise, promise that it will get easier.

Best of health and happiness to you!