I fell off the wagon

[lucky lemons]

After about three weeks of eating 100% raw (and adjusting well to it, I might add) I went to a friends house where there was pizza. I gave into cravings and ate some. I felt terrible for the next 12 hours after that. The pizza set off a lot of cravings for me. That was about two weeks ago and I have not been 100% since (I've been about 80%), but am ready to try again. I noticed most cooked food does not sit well with me now, even when it tastes good. I often have bad stomach pains for several hours after, as well as feel lethargic. Which is actually a positive thing, I think these symptoms will inhibit me from eating cooked food (or at least really greasy cooked food). It's so interesting how my body has adapted to raw food after just three weeks. So I feel disappointed, but at the same time this episode has strengthened my resolve. The cravings are tough to handle sometimes, especially bread and pasta (for me). I have not found many raw substitutes that measure up. :(

[DawnW]

I have been off the wagon for a month! Honestly, I just didn't want to deal with staying with the MIL and dealing with it. I also went away to camp and volunteered for a week with very little control over the foods.

Anyway, I am detoxing now.

Right back up on the wagon and I have no plans to go anywhere for the rest of the summer (or obligations!)

Dawn

[EZ rider]

IMO feeling bad or poorly after eating cooked food is the body's way of giving you feedback on what works for it and what dosn't.

[JennaBoBenna]

There's no wagon here :)
You just strayed off the path a little bit, its okay!

[tasetta]

I have the same problem with pizzas!!!! I can be doing SO good, and then my co-workers bring in pizzas. Ahhh... And even tho I haven't been 100% raw long term yet, pizzas and most other foods never sit well with me after eating now, even tho they tasted SO good. :(

[oceanee]

Someone here once wrote a few words that helped me when I was in your shoes. Say a phrase to yourself...about how in the past you enjoyed those foods but this is NOW . Your choosing better health now will steer you away from those "addiction" foods.
I have fallen many times and each time I learn something new that allows me to be stronger in my desire to be all raw. Don't feel guilty,just realize that is a weakness right now...the pizza... and stay away from it until you can view as garbage food. Dairy has blood and puss in it:eek: ....
Hang in there ,
Oceanee

[snowy11480]

I read somewhere once that changing your food 'lifestyle' (not diet - makes it sound temporary and negative ha) but your lifestyle is about adding in many new and fabulous foods and those Replacing your old SAD ones. Don't look at it as 'giving up' those old favorites but on adding in new foods. Just focus on these new great foods you will be eating and continue to try new things daily! then you'll have so many options that go with you new lifestyle. not to say pizza won't still cross your mind and make you droll a bit - but the longer you go without it, the easier it will be! Don't beat yourself up either... you are doing great. stay positive:)

[RawHeaven]

I used to have veggie pizza at least 3 times per week. My flat was located a block away from the best pizza parlor in San Francisco. I don't mean this to sound gross or crude, but now regular pizza looks like vomit on yeast to me. It's no longer a trigger food for me. Obviously. :p

Lucky Lemons, honor where you are and just keep eating raw. Eventually it will all fall into place. I never thought I'd give up bread, but now I don't even see it as food. It's not a judgement, it's just that I find greater satisfaction in eating raw foods...raw breads and crackers are sometimes too heavy for me these days. But I still have them occasionally and I still get "cooked food" cravings. Talking about pizza is triggering a (memory/emotional) craving right now, but it still looks like vomit to me. :D

[Thick]

I I don't mean this to sound gross or crude, but now regular pizza looks like vomit on yeast to me.

Thank you so much for saying this!=)

I went to a pizza buffet with my family recently. For the first time, since I really wasn't hungry (gasp!), I just didn't eat anything. The salad there just isn't very good without an avacado or some dressing--and like I said just wasn't that hungry. It was definately new raw territory, pulling a DavidZaneMason=p and just actually going there for the company. I did notice that it was a great time to talk to all of them. My mouth wasn't ful and they were all ears=)>

[RawHeaven]

You're welcome Thick...I've had similar experiences. Raw is great. :)

[RawHeaven]

This is a photo of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) that I found on another raw food forum.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g203/crystalsbones/hardendedartery.jpg


What does it look like to you?

[EZ rider]

Looks like a funny shaped slice of pizza to me.

[Vaclare79]

This is a photo of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) that I found on another raw food forum.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g203/crystalsbones/hardendedartery.jpg


What does it look like to you?

WOW!! That looks like a piece of pizza seriously!! I'm going to show some of my friends this stuff. Thanks for posting this picture!
I saved this picture under "Pizza Artery"

[tasetta]

Don't feel guilty,just realize that is a weakness right now...the pizza... and stay away from it until you can view as garbage food. Dairy has blood and puss in it:eek: ....
Hang in there ,
Oceanee

Oh, ewwwwww... gross.... I'll try and keep that thought in my head next time I see pizzas! lol

[Bananna]

lol....such tactics!

I just wanted to say that I have been eating around 70% raw lately, and I too am noticing more and more that when I eat cooked, I feel lethargic and even depressed.

It's kind of surprising....you notice the contrast so much more I guess.

[iamacranberry]

I know what you mean. I do still sometimes crave the feeling of fullness, though, so my diet currently includes a few cooked grains and legumes. Raw sprouted grains generally don't appeal, except a few dishes....which I tire of easily, because they're only ok and not excellent to begin with.

[lucky lemons]

Thank you so much for your words of advice and support. I hope I can eventually get passed these triggers and actually be able to turn down these foods (right now I'm trying to associate the sick stomach/depression feeling in my mind with eating pizza) and find them unappealing. All I know is that my body wants raw food now, even when my mind asks for cooked foods, which is a major step for me.

Oceanee: Yeah, I know dairy is terrible. I ironically have a strong aversion to cheese, and have my whole life. I take it off when I eat pizza! Now if I can just create a strong aversion to bread and red sauce I'll be set :)

[iamacranberry]

At one point I tried creating aversions to things I shouldn't eat...long story short, it didn't work, and trying to create aversions to things is a form of negative, and not positive motivation. Positive motivation is when we focus on what we DO want, not what we DON'T want, and has been shown to be far more effective.

[Green_Woman]

Cranberry - excellent advise!

I likewise find that focusing on positive GOALS rather than negative SHORTCOMINGS has been a major aid in getting me through some recent "rough spots"...

[lucky lemons]

Cranberry - You're right, from now on when I get cravings I will focus on the positives of eating raw, instead of the negatives of eating cooked. That is a much healthier philosophy toward food.

It's amazing how much retooling happens mentally and emotionally when a person changes their eating habits.