depressed. tired. and this is detox?

[Peter Parker]

Not sure I have time for detox. I dont like feeling depressed and tired. Ive got too much going on at work and at home to be "out of the game"

whats your 2 cents.

[vixana]

HEY PETER...
did you read my post? I cant even get out of bed ..the only thing that makes me feel better is cooked

[dragonfist70]

yup you really must accept it peter and be happy it's happening many take a long time to start detoxing. there will be times of weakness it always gets bad before it turns good. try your best to stick it out eating cooked will halt it for another time if you really can't handle it. maybe brown rice or something :)

[dragonfist70]

yup you really must accept it peter and be happy it's happening many take a long time to start detoxing. there will be times of weakness it always gets bad before it turns good. try your best to stick it out eating cooked will halt it for another time if you really can't handle it. maybe brown rice or something :) but try to stay raw

[amy's-goin'-raw!]

Hi Peter,

I am feeling the same. For the first two weeks I had a headache like you wouldn't beleive and I am not one to ever get headaches. This week I am very depressed and equaly as tired. I am more achy than before I started and I wasn't that achy before I stared? Go figure. I had real cooked food for the first time in 15 days (California Rolls, Love em!). I feel a bit better now. However, I am questioning this journey and if this is the path for me. Might some types of people require a bit of cooked food?

I remember watching a doccumentary on evolution. It was when we discovered fire and gained the ability to keep, use and cook with it that our brians grew and our functional abilities sky rocketed. So, this has been on my mind for a few days now.

In Discovery~

[Revvell]

Yanno, when a drug addict is attempting to quit a drug ~whether it is cocaine, nicotene, alcohol, caffeine, cooked food, etc., they will detox. When they resume their drug of choice the detox stops and they feel "better".

When you are going through this, focus on why you started in the first place. I often tell clients when they change their food programs to list ALL the things they are going through ~ then, a few weeks down the line after they've changed their food program, re-visit the list and find out what's different.

When someone has something going on ~ a chronic pain of some sort, they don't even notice it's gone ~ until they notice it's gone. That's why I have them write it down. Did any of you do this?

Support for going back to one's drug of choice will always be there. There will always be people ready and willing to say "I told you so". So! Many people here have gone through what you are doing. Maybe you have to search them out ~ that's why they write journals here. Might wish to read those.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. My advice, go totally into the detox ~ and push on through to the other side. You'll be glad you did.

:cool:

[Peter Parker]

Hi Peter,

I am feeling the same. For the first two weeks I had a headache like you wouldn't beleive and I am not one to ever get headaches. This week I am very depressed and equaly as tired. I am more achy than before I started and I wasn't that achy before I stared? Go figure. I had real cooked food for the first time in 15 days (California Rolls, Love em!). I feel a bit better now. However, I am questioning this journey and if this is the path for me. Might some types of people require a bit of cooked food?

I remember watching a doccumentary on evolution. It was when we discovered fire and gained the ability to keep, use and cook with it that our brians grew and our functional abilities sky rocketed. So, this has been on my mind for a few days now.

In Discovery~

I agree. My thought process is a lot slower today, or so it seems. things that I am usually snappy about I was searching for today.

I left work about 2 1/2 hours early.

You know, the funny thing is I can feel like utter crap, eat cooked and feel like a million bucks. All I hear is listen to your body. So what is this telling me :D

I will push on, but this has the suck.

concerning fire and so forth. no idea. I know this now isnt fun. nor is the heart burn, diseases, and being fat of cooked.

[Revvell]

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3605
:cool:

[angelandarose]

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. My advice, go totally into the detox ~ and push on through to the other side. You'll be glad you did.

YES look at the bigger picture. Look at WHY you wanted to do this to start with. Embrace the detox and relax into it. And DRINK DRINK DRINK. Drinking water will help the depression and the tiredness.

Love,
Angie

[Peter Parker]

Yanno, when a drug addict is attempting to quit a drug ~whether it is cocaine, nicotene, alcohol, caffeine, cooked food, etc., they will detox. When they resume their drug of choice the detox stops and they feel "better".



Not sure that cooked food can be lumped into cocaine and the likes. Im not so sure that its an addiction.



When you are going through this, focus on why you started in the first place. I often tell clients when they change their food programs to list ALL the things they are going through ~ then, a few weeks down the line after they've changed their food program, re-visit the list and find out what's different.


I started this for my health and to be around for a while. Im selfish like that. Actually for my family too. My wife is going raw with me, she called and said she has a "terrible migraine" so Im guessing her raw days are over.




When someone has something going on ~ a chronic pain of some sort, they don't even notice it's gone ~ until they notice it's gone. That's why I have them write it down. Did any of you do this?


Not sure that I see eating cooked food as chronic pain. I see it as well. normal life. "everyone does it"



Support for going back to one's drug of choice will always be there. There will always be people ready and willing to say "I told you so". So! Many people here have gone through what you are doing. Maybe you have to search them out ~ that's why they write journals here. Might wish to read those.


Again, I dont see it as a drug. I see it as a choice of eating. With cooked I felt I was eating healthy, plus its pretty easy to get. Also when I go to company dinners and so forth Im not stuck getting salad.




When the going gets tough, the tough get going. My advice, go totally into the detox ~ and push on through to the other side. You'll be glad you did.


I would like to push through but need every ounce of my brain to work "normal" throughout the day. In my line of work its all about what you know. I cant have a "lesser mind" in detox for a while. I dont think work cares. plus I have bills to pay a wife to keep happy. I cant finish this sentence due to noticing Im making a lot of excuses. but a voice tells me they are all true. :confused:

[Peter Parker]

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3605
:cool:


yes the story is cute and makes me feel warm and fuzzy but I cant sleep, nap, and drink juices all day. if my temp is 101 you can bet that I will dump this diet like a "bad habit" and eat the first cooked food I can find.

Cant really go to a resort or any of that, cant take time off, cant go on vacation. looks like Im stuck being miserable if I want to do this for the time being.




Thankfully, my client finally decided to allow her cold to run its course. She didn’t take any medication. I warned her that the first time she did this, things might get very intense. All the covered up sickness, I told her, will be coming up, getting ready to clear out. In her case, years of suppressed illnesses were going to have to resurface.

So, when she got sick, she rested. She listened to what her body was telling her. She took short walks in the fresh air, and when her body wanted sleep, she slept. She stopped fighting her body.

She read, took naps, and stopped eating solid food. She only drank fresh juices and water.

For the first few days, she was scared, couldn’t breathe well, and her cold seemed out of control. She got sicker - and without the drugs, felt worse than she’d ever felt, her temperature climbed to 101 degrees.

And then, her fever broke. Her body removed what it needed to remove and her true healing process finally began. After a week she was recovering nicely. Once her cold disappeared she realized she’d felt better than she ever had before. Her body had released a ton of the old junk…junk that was always there, only hidden. Junk that kept her below optimal health, even when she thought she was well.

This story is an unusual one. I’m not relating this story to frighten you. On the contrary, I use it to illustrate just how important it is to let the detox process run its course.

Detoxification isn’t necessarily fun but it is necessary.

Listen to the warning signs your body is sending you! Be grateful that your body in its divine wisdom is giving you that headache, cold, ache, or pain. Don’t try to suppress them. That makes about as much sense as turning the annoying fire alarm off while ignoring the fire itself!

[angelandarose]

I would like to push through but need every ounce of my brain to work "normal" throughout the day. In my line of work its all about what you know. I cant have a "lesser mind" in detox for a while. I dont think work cares. plus I have bills to pay a wife to keep happy. I cant finish this sentence due to noticing Im making a lot of excuses. but a voice tells me they are all true. :confused:

It will get easier and once on the other side of detox, which might not last much longer, your head will be clearer than you've ever known.

I had a headache for 3 days when I began this and have not had one since in the 4 1/2 months I've been on this.

Keep it up, it WILL pay off.

Love,
Angie

[angelandarose]

Peter it's not Raw Foods that are your problem or the detox, it's your attitude. If you can truely relax into this and know in your heart that this will benefit you in the long run then you will get through this much quicker.

The negativity will stop you dead in your tracks.


Good luck to you.

Love,
Angie

[Peter Parker]

Peter it's not Raw Foods that are your problem or the detox, it's your attitude. If you can truely relax into this and know in your heart that this will benefit you in the long run then you will get through this much quicker.

The negativity will stop you dead in your tracks.


Good luck to you.

Love,
Angie


the negativity keeps me warm. keeps a fire burning. and keeps me honest and rooted to the ground when others what to chase dreams into the sky

but thanks for judging me so quickly for stating what I feel !

[Revvell]

Not sure that cooked food can be lumped into cocaine and the likes. Im not so sure that its an addiction.

Yet, you want to go back to it as a drug addict wants his drugs.




I started this for my health and to be around for a while. Im selfish like that. Actually for my family too.

Guess you don't want it badly enough then. IF you really feel that it's going to make a difference then....



My wife is going raw with me, she called and said she has a "terrible migraine" so Im guessing her raw days are over.

O.K.




Not sure that I see eating cooked food as chronic pain. I see it as well. normal life. "everyone does it"

I didn't say eating cooked food was chronic pain. I said, if you don't write things down, when certain issues disappear, you don't notice until you read what you've written about WHY you've changed.... OR you go back to doing what you were doing which created the problem in the first place.




Again, I dont see it as a drug. I see it as a choice of eating. With cooked I felt I was eating healthy, plus its pretty easy to get.

It's not a choice when one has to use it to stop detox. Whether one uses it TO stop detox or not, is a drug. Aspirin is a drug ~ and it's a choice whether to use it or not.




Also when I go to company dinners and so forth Im not stuck getting salad. Now THAT is a choice. NEVER have I been to a company dinner where folk around me weren't salivating over what I was eating as opposed to the lil dead animal and chintzy side salad they were eating.



I would like to push through but need every ounce of my brain to work "normal" throughout the day. In my line of work its all about what you know. I cant have a "lesser mind" in detox for a while. I dont think work cares. plus I have bills to pay a wife to keep happy. I cant finish this sentence due to noticing Im making a lot of excuses. but a voice tells me they are all true. :confused:

We all have bills to pay and most have someone else to support. People here are doing what they can to assist you in getting through this. Seems as though you just don't want to. Here's all I've got to say to assist ~ as Angie said, drink LOTS of water. I would say, add lemon juice to it. I would also say, if possible, do some enemas or get a series of colonics. Sounds to me as though your body is full of toxins and just need to get out.

Enough said ~


:cool:

[Peter Parker]

We all have bills to pay and most have someone else to support. People here are doing what they can to assist you in getting through this. Seems as though you just don't want to. Here's all I've got to say to assist ~ as Angie said, drink LOTS of water. I would say, add lemon juice to it. I would also say, if possible, do some enemas or get a series of colonics. Sounds to me as though your body is full of toxins and just need to get out.
:


nah. find me an animal that gets a colonic or an enema. lets make it natural. to me thats what this adventure is about. getting back to nature.

I want it so much that I spent almost 70 bucks on a book and dvd from Alissa. I dont take spending money easily.

Anyway, Im not going to defend myself. I was stating what I was going through and apparently Im not the only one.

[amy's-goin'-raw!]

Well, I would like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement.

This depression has taken me to the point of tears (several times) yesterday and today, as well as fighting with the parking attendant (yes, I did). While I was at a conference for work, luckily it was a conference on Wellness Recovery Action Planning, so people must have figured the topic was moving me (I hope). Had I been at "real" work these past few days I'm not so sure Iw ould have made it through the days. . . Going back tomorrow for a short day. Luckily I have some freedom to leave a few hours here and there.

I am planning on sticking this out. Like I said to my partner last night while I was drooling over his chiken, "I made a commitment to myself that I wouold do this for 30 days, I will do it". I do feel bad about the California rolls this afternoon but I will continue with raw in the next bites I take!!!! I am trusting you guys to be right. I do feel like I am addicted to food, I was hoping that raw would ease this for me. I have not yet experienced a decrease in my psychological need for food only an increase in my physiological need ie. to reduce my tiredness and headaches.

In Graditude~

[Peter Parker]

Well, I would like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement.

This depression has taken me to the point of tears (several times) yesterday and today, as well as fighting with the parking attendant (yes, I did). While I was at a conference for work, luckily it was a conference on Wellness Recovery Action Planning, so people must have figured the topic was moving me (I hope). Had I been at "real" work these past few days I'm not so sure Iw ould have made it through the days. . . Going back tomorrow for a short day. Luckily I have some freedom to leave a few hours here and there.

I am planning on sticking this out. Like I said to my partner last night while I was drooling over his chiken, "I made a commitment to myself that I wouold do this for 30 days, I will do it". I do feel bad about the California rolls this afternoon but I will continue with raw in the next bites I take!!!! I am trusting you guys to be right. I do feel like I am addicted to food, I was hoping that raw would ease this for me. I have not yet experienced a decrease in my psychological need for food only an increase in my physiological need ie. to reduce my tiredness and headaches.

In Graditude~

:) you rock

[amy's-goin'-raw!]

:) you rock

Thanks :) as the tears are streaming down my face :confused:

[Revvell]

nah. find me an animal that gets a colonic or an enema. lets make it natural. to me thats what this adventure is about. getting back to nature.


I understand that yet, most animals, unless fed by a human, eat their foods naturally. When they don't they get fat, bloated and "human" dis-eases. Eating cooked ~ whether it be steamed, fried, broiled, roasted, poached, is un-natural. So, doing what it takes to eliminate the toxins, which, btw can cause some serious problems, you prefer not to. Your choice.

btw ~ I agree w/ Angie. Change your attitude, change your life. She and I gave you time and experience and in exchange you've given us crap. Have a nice day Peter.




I want it so much that I spent almost 70 bucks on a book and dvd from Alissa. I dont take spending money easily.

From my veiwpoint that was an investment...yet, only IF you use it. Otherwise, yes, you didn sp"end" your money.




Anyway, Im not going to defend myself.

No one was attacking, therefore no need to defend.

Take care ~

:cool:

[Peter Parker]

Thanks :) as the tears are streaming down my face :confused:

No need for tears! Stand up tall, lift your chin and listen to your body. What is it telling you?

[Peter Parker]

edited just to smile.

:)

[solarliving]

Hi peter,

I'm not sure if this will help, but I don't feel as good when I eat nuts. Yesterday and today I have been 100% raw with mostly fruit and then some veggies and I feel fine. THe last time I did that I had some sunflower seeds and got a headache.

This is what I ate today:

Lemon and ginger water upon wakening (this is my morning coffee)
later Some Banana Ice cream (Frozen bananas put in blender with water)

Lunch-Carrot, beet, celery, cucumber and apple juice

Later 2 oranges

30 minutes ago- Collards, parsley and banana smoothie

You might also try doing some deep breathing along with stretching. Put on some relaxing music, maybe light a candle. Make a ceremony out of it.

wish you well

[Ginger]

Embrace your anger & make it work for you then! Get mad that your body is so toxic right now & get so angry that you refuse to eat cooked stuff! I dunno... just trying to help. :D

[misslinda]

Hang in there....you're gonna make it!

We've heard this so many times and it's one thing to read about it but when your truly experiencing it, it's phenomenal :)

One question I would like to ask: What are you doing to [allow] your body to detox and flow with a little more ease? For example....resting,brisk walk,detox bath,water intake, skin brushing, meditating, massaging lymph areas & breathing?

We love to hear about your detox journey and what comes out of it :) Like Alissa had suggested before, you need to give your body at least 30 days to make the adjustment and to enjoy the benefits?

I take it you've already experienced some of the rewards????


Amy, sending you much strength and peace!

luv,
ml

[amy's-goin'-raw!]

I have been walking, drinking a lot, some skin brushing. I will step all of this a notch and add in some detox baths.

I am trying to embracce this and make it easier. It is difficult because my partner thinks I need to be seeking professional help for this depression over the past few days :rolleyes: .

I will hang in and keep you posted!!!!

Thank you for the support, kind words and suggestions!!!!

IN DETOX~

[Mike]

You might need to do a cleanse. A juice fast will restore your health quickly.

You may want to try out the intestinal cleanse formula #1 and #2 on Dr. Richard Schulze's website,

http://www.herbdoc.com

Dr. Schulze has been on a raw vegan diet for many years. His book "Cure for the Incurables" is a good one.

Dr. Gabriel Cousens wrote "Depression Free for Life", you may find some helpful info in there.

Peter wrote about enemas and colonics-

> nah. find me an animal that gets a colonic or an enema. lets make it natural.

Enemas are natural, it's just water. There's no need to be afraid of water. You have much more to fear from not having a bowel movement a minimum of twice a day.

If you're not having two bowel movements a day, you need an enema or Dr. Schulze's intestinal formula. It's not natural to hold in all that poo for more than 12 hours!

[Peter Parker]

You might need to do a cleanse. A juice fast will restore your health quickly.

You may want to try out the intestinal cleanse formula #1 and #2 on Dr. Richard Schulze's website,

http://www.herbdoc.com

Dr. Schulze has been on a raw vegan diet for many years. His book "Cure for the Incurables" is a good one.

Dr. Gabriel Cousens wrote "Depression Free for Life", you may find some helpful info in there.

Peter wrote about enemas and colonics-

> nah. find me an animal that gets a colonic or an enema. lets make it natural.

Enemas are natural, it's just water. There's no need to be afraid of water. You have much more to fear from not having a bowel movement a minimum of twice a day.

If you're not having two bowel movements a day, you need an enema or Dr. Schulze's intestinal formula. It's not natural to hold in all that poo for more than 12 hours!


yah but no animal does it but humans. so to me its not "natural"

[swingbolder]

>>nah. find me an animal that gets a colonic or an enema. lets make it natural. to me thats what this adventure is about. getting back to nature.
<<

Animals don't have to detox from decades of cooked food eating.

Sounds like you're going through a rough time. Many of us have been there in the beginning -- feeling weak, achey, headachey, cranky etc. If it's worth it to you to stick it out, you will feel better when you get to the other side. If not, and you go back to eating cooked, well then, nothing will have changed.

Only you can find it within yourself to stay raw. Is it worth it to you?

For me, I was very ill when I went raw. I went through detox and it wasn't fun but the alternative was to go back to eating cooked food and get ill again. I'm glad I stuck it out bc not only did my illness go away, I now feel fantastic.

[RawTruth]

I am trying to embracce this and make it easier. It is difficult because my partner thinks I need to be seeking professional help for this depression over the past few days :rolleyes:As you are so aware -- there is both physical and emotional detoxifying that goes on. We cannot separate body and spirit. Even mainstream medical establishment recognizes this now; many health insurance plans pay for acupuncture and other complementary medical methods.

But, back to your detox. I recall many discussions earlier in the year on this forum about the many ways that our bodies detox. And, people's journals here and the success stories in Alissa's book are full of first hand experiences. You might want to look both places; reading others' struggles and eventual triumphs can really help you realize that this isn't happening only to you.

Michael -- nobody said the transition would be easy. I'm thinking that you just may not have had a wide range of information about what to expect, and so you're taken aback. The glowing reports are from people who have gone through this uncomfortable period -- which WILL pass. It seldom lasts for long.

Popular culture inculcates in us a deep belief in a quick fix. Fast food, instant on, instant access to information from around the world, faster and faster technological advances -- all have led us to just assume that this is normal ... and desirable. The pharmaceutical industry had trained us (with millions of dollars of advertising) that if something feels bad or wrong, we should get it fixed -- now.

However, reality is that most things of worth take longer than we may wish them to take. This includes our health. Especially after we've been ingesting toxins for years. It's going to take a while for your body to adjust to pure, alive foods. There is massive change going on in every cell and every body system, including the brain and the biochemical structure in your brain. If this explanation doesn't help, perhaps you can think of it as going through the DTs, but, instead of alcohol, your body is withdrawing from the effects of cooked food.

And -- it is not outrageous to allude to being addicted to cooked food. Victoria Boutenko's book Twelve Steps to Raw Food is based on her observations and studies of the similarity of people's emotional and physical reactions to cooked food. It is a good, solid book that has been very helpful to many people as they move from a cooked to a raw lifestyle.

I wish you both the best of luck. I sincerely hope that you all stick with it. There have been many people who have endured through various degrees of detoxification who have had high pressure jobs -- and, you know, we ALL need to use our brains. I hope you use yours to see that despite what your body is doing - or, perhaps, because of it -- the best thing to do for the longterm is to stick with raw now more than ever. This is proof that you need to be raw.

[ShannonColleen]

I agree with RawTruth. My first week on the raw foods, I felt sick as a dog. I didn't even want to eat. Funny thing - it felt like the flu. And I was depressed. It passed for me in the second week, but I still don't feel super healthy. How I feel is that sometimes I want to jump for joy. And I never felt like that on cooked food. For someone as overweight and overmedicated as I was, it's going to take a lot longer than 30 days for me to feel super healthy, but in just 3 weeks I am feeling better than I've felt in 10 years. I am SICK of feeling broken down and crippled at only 39 years old, and every step in the right direction is the right step for me to be taking right now.

Good luck with your struggles!

[sweetgoddess]

I will admit detox is rough for some people. There is a part of your mind that will tell you, if you just eat a little cooked food you will feel better. Much like somebody doing the hard work of detoxing from heroine-they know just a little will make them feel better, end the detox syptoms. But it puts them right back where they started and what becomes of the work done to that point? It doesnt get to carry forward!
( i know a lot of this has been mentioned in the wonderful responses below)

So, eating a bite of cooked food may appear to make you feel better. We are all for instant relief, instant gratification etc.
But below the surface, what its really doing is halting all the hard work your body has been doing cleaning house. I have done this. Oh, yes. But as a raw lifestyle is my confirmed goal and approach to a holistic life, I just had to go through it all again.

We have such deeply ingrained mental and emotional patterns. Literal patterns that the brain forms in its activity from repetition. I am not scientfically inclined so forgive the simplicity of what I say. But I know that food, responses to food, repeated ways we handle our emotions etc release a flood of hormones etc into our bloodstream that cling to the outer wall of cells. From doing the same things over and over, we release the same things over and over. Eventually when these cells divide, they create new cells from that image...cells that are formed to collect these hormones etc instead of nutrients.
After a shortwhile of breaking a repeated behaviour the brain changes, the cell walls are freed up to collect nutrients. Breaking patterns is a challenge as I am sure we can all attest to. ;)
But in order to experience a change inwardly or outwardly, it is what needs to be done.

My explanation is so juvenile, it is worth researching for a clearer picture of what is going on inside you. We spend our lifetimes in these bodies and yet have such little knowledge of how they operate.

Emotional detox is so worth going through. I find it very freeing. We ,for the most part, are creatures who are a slave to our emotions. Crying is detox. If you feel it, let it happen as your body knows what it is doing. It can release so much that is stored. Cry! We create tears for a reason, they preform a function.

It is so helpful to nurture yourself through detox. read about it so you know what is happening~ and why! Rice bags heated in the microwave help release the headaches, as do essential oils, hot baths, enemas, a ton of water, skinbrushing, saunas, hot springs, NAPS,...........

I find it important in moments like that to remind myself, why did I want to adopt a raw food diet? What do I want the outcome to be? Do I want to be back in the same picture as before?

My mind and emotions are a constant challenge, but as I work through things and release them, I am discovering greater levels of freedom.
So, so worth it.

And you can do it~if you want to. Detox is temporary, a transition state that is a gateway....from your old patterns and self, to your new patterns and self.
So you are in the gateway. Which you will you step out to?

I think I too needed to be reminded of all this, so I thank you for sharing your challenges and experiences and I wish you the very best.

Many Blessings~

[amy's-goin'-raw!]

I can not express enough thanks to all who have shared their knowledge and expertise. Through this thread (thank you Peter for starting it, for I would not have had the courage to post this on my own) I have gained a lot of insight on how to get through this detox. I took a long walk last night in the full moon, took a nice hot detox bath, did my skin brushing this morning and really moved into a place of acceptance and honoring of my body and the habits that got me to where I am know (the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful).

Blessings to you all, may your support return ten fold.

[sweetgoddess]

Beautiful Amy, so nice to hear. Good for you. I am so proud of you. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Many blessings back to you :)

[BDraw]

Amy -- two weeks ago I was were you are! The tears wouldn't stop and I couldn't figure out where they were comming from either! I did seek professional help (naturalpathic) and she did give me something to help. Did it? Who knows? I continued the RAW and maybe that is what helped.

The funny thing is on my birthday, one of my really down days, my hubby threw a party for me and I couldn't go! Too dang sad and didn't want to have to explain what was going on to people when I couldn't even understand it. My 17 year old son was home with me that night, the rest of the family went to party at my insistance, and he suggested I take a hot bath. I did, it helped!! We later sat in the dark and just talked, me and my son. It was good.

Two weeks later, still raw, and feeling much better! The next thing that hit me was a desire for McDonalds. Who knows where that came from. Thank goodness, I resisted, though it lasted a couple of days. I've had one down day since then, but it was very mild. I don't think the tears actually trickled down my face that day. . . I was told my my doc to get out, spend some me time, as I have a very stressful life. I do. It helps!

You will make it through this. I did! Remember, one day at a time. Or sometimes you may need to break that down to one hour at a time -- okay, 15 minutes at a time!

Blessings!!

[Peter Parker]

I guess the scary part to me is how I am unable to think of SIMPLE things now.

I have a slew of people that depend on me, I am unable to be "less than" I normally am.

I really want this. I just find it hard to think at times. If I had a job similar to david wolfe where all I had to do was speak, get people psyched up about raw foods and do yoga all day then sure. no problem. I could easily preach it.

Instead, I have meetings all day, I have deadlines for projects, I have code that has be to delivered in a certain time frame and the ability to edit it on the fly for it to be tested. The code I write gets released to an enterprise we're talking around 3500 desktops alone. I am unable to make a mistake due to being "down" I dont want to be put on other projects or given mindless tasks. I need every ounce of strength and knowledge I can get every day.

I fear that my brain is "slower" on raw foods, that Im unable to think near as quick. and in my line of work you must be on your toes and ready for whatever. :(


BUT Im trying. I dont like to stammer around for an answer like I have done in the last 2 days. Im thought of as a quick thinker, the go to guy. Now I end up looking like a mindless drone, or at least in my eyes.

meh. no idea.

[Peter Parker]

(thank you Peter for starting it, for I would not have had the courage to post this on my own)
Blessings to you all, may your support return ten fold.

your welcome, sad to say this but Im happy to see someone else going through this at the same time!

[misslinda]

Hey Peter Peter!

Have you put those around you on notice about your lifestyle change so that way in case you should have a detox moment or the like, that it would give you less burdens of people giving you problems about it?

I had my bout last night.......couldn't think or do the most simple thing without getting tired and run down. I realized i was having a obvious detox moment...........quickly took a sea kelp bath and meditated. Today, I was bouncing.

I agree, when you're working, it does become more challenging. Oh God, you not an accountant are you??? :eek:

[sweetgoddess]

Most of us have gone throught this Peter, and I understand what you are saying.
It is not raw foods making you slow. It is your body releasing stored toxins that are making you slow.

Our bodies will detox one way or another. Either with our assistance by providing it with what it needs, or without our assistance via disease or breakdown.

I have enjoyed your excitement and enthusiasm and understand you're in a difficult place~today. This is temporary. It will lead you to even greater mental clarity. Say you are sick at work. Can you take a sick day or two?
Are you drinking lots of water to flush your system?

Your mind is messing with you. Remember the saying, "The mind makes a great servant, but a very poor master?"

You CAN do this. Heck, you're Peter Parker, you can do anything!!!!

You can do it. PETER! PETER! PETER! PETER!
the crowd goes wild....
3 cheers
\ :p /\ :D /\ :) /

Cheering you on and sending you blessings.....

[misslinda]

::waves from the crowd::

[RawTruth]

I wish I'd written this, sweetgoddess. Every single statement is perfect!


It is not raw foods making you slow. It is your body releasing stored toxins that are making you slow.PP - this is such an important distinction.


Our bodies will detox one way or another. Either with our assistance by providing it with what it needs, or without our assistance via disease or breakdown.This is so true, but most people don't realize the underlying reason for illness and disability.


I . . . understand you're in a difficult place ~ today. This is temporary. It won't last.


Your mind is messing with you.Exactly my thought, too.

I fear that my brain is "slower" on raw foods, that Im unable to think near as quick. and in my line of work you must be on your toes and ready for whatever.



. . . or at least in my eyes.We don't always see ourselves accurately!

How great that it's the weekend and you have two days more for your body to keep adapting ... and more time to try out recipes, or plan your next week's menus, or ... just relax and give your body what it needs.

[Peter Parker]

you guys rock. I wish I could hug each of you.

[rawpriestess]

"Those who want to do something, will find a way,
Those who don't want to do something, will find an excuse."

If you are detoxing, and you don't feel well, GO HOME, call in sick, don't go to work, take off a sick day, go on vacation, ask for time off.

IF it is IMPORTANT enough to you, you WILL find a way, If not, then .......

[tames]

Peter. I am in the computer field too. I know that at times it can be very stressful. It may be time to do some evaluation on your current job. Do you love your job? Sounds like you work WAY too many hours. Turning raw as rawtruth put it is also an emotional/mental thing. You start re-evaluating everything. What you put on your body (soaps/shampoos), your clothing. It's kind of weird. Sounds like your skills would be in high demand. Have you talked to your boss about reducing some of the stress load? If your boss is unapproachable in talking about your health, then it's time to move on.....

--Tim

[Peter Parker]

Peter. I am in the computer field too. I know that at times it can be very stressful. It may be time to do some evaluation on your current job. Do you love your job? Sounds like you work WAY too many hours. Turning raw as rawtruth put it is also an emotional/mental thing. You start re-evaluating everything. What you put on your body (soaps/shampoos), your clothing. It's kind of weird. Sounds like your skills would be in high demand. Have you talked to your boss about reducing some of the stress load? If your boss is unapproachable in talking about your health, then it's time to move on.....

--Tim

Currently we're in a "hiring freeze" so no one is coming in or changing positions. I enjoy my job a lot, I wouldnt say I love it. I do work a lot of hours and feel that I could spend more time there working on projects.

I use oatmeal soaps made out of vegetable oils and so forth. Shampoo, I use tea tree from dr. bronners (http://www.drbronner.com/)

I dont know of many jobs that care about health as much as a deadline especially in the industry we're in.

[Carlene]

Hi Peter. I'm a programmer also. My first attempt at raw was exactly as you're describing yours. I made it a little over a week and gave up. I need my brain I told everyone. Of course raw just nagged at me, so a couple of weeks later I tried it again. I think, would have to check my journal, my second week this time I started to feel the same. I couldn't concentrate, couldn't even remember how to write code and wanted to fall asleep at a client's. I excused myself and went home (for you a sick day). I accepted it as a detox and decided I would pull myself through it. Now into my second month I'm fine, but it was hard, very hard and worth every minute of it.

Now I watch myself. If I start to feel detox coming on, I move into a cleanse on my own (weekends are great for a quick two day cleanse or fast). I stepped up my exercise and drink a lot of water. I can't have brain fog or low energy. I agree with everyone else here that after a detox/cleanse I feel smarter, brighter, and more energetic.

I have yet to figure out how eating steamed vegetables or a roll stops detox and wonder more if it isn't in our minds. My first attempt all I could think about was how impossible it was for raw to be heathy. Of course when I felt so bad I comfirmed to myself it wasn't, exactly what I needed to quit. My attitude has changed now and I feel so good I can't imagine how eating any other way could be healthy.

Unlike Revell I don't want to embrace detox and work everyday to wash as many toxins from my body as I can so I can continue to work and enjoy this new lifestyle.

Best of luck to you and Amy

[ocean breeze]

Peter
I remember you from the NFL site and you had the same post and when memebers came on to try and help, you unceremoniously shot everyone down rather rudely, despite the fact that they took their time and thought to lend advice to you.

While I be;lieve many here want to be very supportive of your struggles..you seem to be very closed to suggestions,very negative and very determined to NOT do well on the Raw Foods way of life. You list so many reasons why you CAN'T succeed, it's as though you have already made up your mind to fail

Maybe it would be best for you to just eat cooked foods,healthy ones such as vegetables, lean meats..and be happy. It sounds like raw foods just does not agree with you. Either that or you refuse to give them time to agree with you.

[UltrasonicRaw]

i am just wondering peter, why you feel you cant try to go raw slower or not do the cold turkey approach. i know a lot of people on this site have done it successfully, but i just havent been able to. i have increased my raw meals and have many days in a row of 100 percent raw...but i will eat a bit of cooked here and there. i havent had severe detox symptoms, i have felt energized and great on the days i am 100 percent raw and actually every MEAL i eat that is raw, or snack, i feel great after.

i am sure i am just doing this raw living my own way, and some may criticize it, but right now i love love love eating this way without the pressure of being totally 100 percent. my goal is to be there someday, but i am not pushing myself to the point of madness over it. for me, the transition has been totally positive, totally beneficial (i am very slowly losing weight, i have a ton of energy, i feel happy).

just my own path, but maybe it can help you to see how someone else is doing it. i work a lot too, juggle the family and home responsibilities plus a million other things. i want this to work for me and i have found a nice way to fit it. like i said, my goal is always to strive for 100 percent, each day that is my goal, but i dont freak out if i need to eat a bit of cooked. i just stay away for the fast food! that was my biggest hurtle!

leslie