I made it through 3 days and caved on the 4th

[LNdolls]

Intellectually I am clear that raw is the way for me to go for optimum health, but emotionally and physically I am having a hard time with the lighter feeling of raw fullness - cooked food is way heavier, and I am used to the heavier feeling of cooked food.
And even when I had the cooked food today.. it did not taste or feel nearly as good as all the raw food did... and I feel disappointed in myself. and yet.. well, how many times did it take you all to go raw 100%.

[VeggieMel]

It's really common for raw foodists to have cooked food once in awhile. This may be an ongoing thing, and I don't think you should knock yourself for it. But to stay more raw, consider eating heavier, more filling raw foods like seed cheeses or dehydrated crackers. They are filling. I couldn't do it without those foods. Good luck.

[Sweet lips]

I try not to think in days, but in time as my body begins to heal itself. I am putting away the thoughts of when but knowing I am just beginning. We stand apart from what we learned in our eating and our thinking, we stand apart in teaching our body that we truly love it, and we want to begin again.

Where ever you are "struggling to stay on it", "thinking about beginning", "wondering when it will end", "crusing through" , "in the midst of detox", remember in your mind you can begin again, with the reason as to why you chose to do so; what benefits are you searching for; where do you want to go; what do you want to be; questions that are in your heart that haven't even surfaced; Remember -We are all still here together to hold one another in our weakness, and to draw from our strengths - we can all Begin Again!

Begin Again

"One of the best things we can do in our lives is this:
Begin again.

Begin to see yourself as you were when you were the happiest and strongest you've ever been.

Begin to remember what worked for you (and what worked against you) and try to capture the magic again.

Begin to remember how natural it was when you were a child - to live a lifetime each day.

Begin to forget the baggage you have carried with you for years: the problems that don't matter anymore, the tears that cried themselves away and the worries that are going to wash away on the shore of tomorrow's new beginning.

Tomorrow tells us it will be here every new day of our lives; and if we will be wise, we will turn away from the problems of the past and give the future - and ourselves - a chance to become the best of friends.

Sometimes all it takes is a wish in the heart to let yourself... Begin again. "

[city]

Some people find it easier to incorporate more raw dishes into their regular diet so that the transition is more seamless and less abrupt. Just replace some meals or a portion of all meals with raw food and up the percentage until you are all raw. This will allow your mind and body to adjust at a gentle pace. Good luck.

[ShannonColleen]

I've tried a lot of times. Don't give up!! For me, I've always had a problem binging, so this time I was ready. I have certain foods on hand and if the urge to binge comes and I can't or don't want to fight it anymore then I'll just eat those foods, as much as I want. It also helps me to prepare special recipes that I know I like.

raisins and almonds
blueberry pie
pecan icecream
guacamole and anything
raw zucchini spaghetti

And it's all raw and tastes better than I could have imagined.

The important thing is don't give up. You are just finding your path and we all have different paths to wellness and health. I didn't give up (it's been well over a year of attempts for me - but I did take time off) and now I'm on week 5. We can do it!!!

[pizda]

Intellectually I am clear that raw is the way for me to go for optimum health, but emotionally and physically I am having a hard time with the lighter feeling of raw fullness - cooked food is way heavier, and I am used to the heavier feeling of cooked food.
And even when I had the cooked food today.. it did not taste or feel nearly as good as all the raw food did... and I feel disappointed in myself. and yet.. well, how many times did it take you all to go raw 100%.

So you did, but at least you were good on the ferst 3 days. Next time do not cave or cave on the 5th day, thenon the 7th and so on. ,-))))). I was the same way. For a while I was eating a one lightly cooked brown garbanzo per week. My mind was brainwashed that I need it. Eventualy, I stoped doing this.
Do not get terribly upset about caving. Just learn your lesson.
Herbert Shelton said that if you eat one time small piece cake, do not get terribly upset. The harm about being upset will be more than cake itself. Just make conclusions and sin no more ,-)))).
Onece you are on the raw diet for a while and you see the difference, I assure you that you will not even wanted to "cave.'
Good luck to you.
Stay focus ,-))))

[pizda]

Health is like a ladder, stop on whichever rung you wish, or just keep climbing. Good luck to all who dare climb, attempt at your own risk, and don't be afraid of the heights you may reach.

[solarliving]

Sweetlips,

Your words are beautiful. Every day is a chance to begin again, like a newborn seeing the world with fresh eyes.

Lndolls,

One day at a time and keep all the raw foods you love within reach.

Happy day,

Angelique

[LNdolls]

Thank you so much for your responses. I am re-reading Alyssa's book and just got V Boutenko's book in the mail. And I loved the DVDs.
The thought that every meal, every item that is raw means progress is so valuable.
Best,
LN

[rawgrrl]

Gosh, I started flirting with raw a year ago. I knew I wanted it and my body knew it wanted a cheeseburger. I had been eating an excess of animal protein for some months when a friend of mine gave me a medicine bag, which seemed to ... stop something internally and I was able to take a breath and I fasted.

After the fast, I wanted to do the raw thing, but didn't know what to do or how, so I wound up eating at a raw food reastaurant every day, feeling kind of lost. Then one time I came home to a brimming pot of oxtail soup. Goodbye diet.

After that, it was kind of up and down. I had done some minimal research and figured out some things to eat, and I'd do raw ... and then I'd do McDonald's. (Yum!) And then I'd feel awful. The memory craving of the cheeseburger wasn't as good as the actual experience of the cheeseburger. That went on for a while. About a year.

Now I'm 3 months raw and loving it. I still think of cheeseburgers. Hell, I still talk of cheeseburgers fondly. But I know the memory and the experience are two separate things.

I'm still getting used to that the light feeling. I do remember going to a raw food restaurant in San Francisco and leaving feeling really full -- like I couldn't eat another bite -- but also light. I think what gave me that full feeling then was largely due to the carbohydrates (I had the raw pizza there), so I'm going to get me a dehydrator so I can get more bready/carby things in my diet.

Hope this helps.

[squidly]

I loved your words "Begin again" and shared them with others. May we all remember that when we least expect it our words, actions ot thoughts may touch deep in the hearts of another