I'm in limbo

[StrawberryFields]

I'm torn, because I feel stuck sitting "on the fence" so to speak and I don't know which way to go.

First of all, I am feeling a bit discouraged because I'm not yet 100% raw and I feel like any good that I'm doing by eating raw foods is being undone by the cooked food I eat. Although, I need to point out, I do try and eat "healthy" cooked choices, if that's not an oxymoron. Anyway, I'm afraid if I don't make each change gradually, then it won't be permanent. (eliminate white flour, refined sugar, processed foods, caffeine, etc...)

On the other hand, I read about those who just jumped in and made the change and never went back, and am wondering if I should do that? I'm frustrated because I'm not 100% raw and cooked food is losing it's appeal every day. I don't even watch the Food Channel now, and that was my favorite.

I read here that to really get benefits, you need to be 100% raw and I'm frustrated that I'm not there yet. I do think I'm seeing benefits though from my green smoothies. I drink them all the time. I had these dry patches on my hands that would NOT go away and now they're gone. I must have been lacking a vitamin, because I've had them for years and all of a sudden they disappeared in a few days.

I guess I'm just in limbo. I don't know if I can do 100% raw and I don't know if I can go back to cooking the enzymes out of my food. Did anyone else ever feel this way?

On a positive note, I have ordered Allisa's book.

[vegggeeemom]

That is so true. Don't be discouraged. You are making changes AND seeing benefits! That is great right there!
I have not been 100%, in fact I have been 85-95% raw for 1 1/2 months just the last almost 2 days now, I have been 100%. I feel so much more alive and energized doing 100%!
It is amazing. I had some cooked and though it was healthy, I was so tired and bogged down.
Yesterday and today I have not had any cooked and I feel such a huge difference!
You do have to take it at your pace. Some people can be like a light switch and switch from cooked foods to no cooked foods, others have to do it gradually.
I'd try 100% for a few days and just see how you feel! I'll bet you will be jumping up and down with energy.
You are doing great and feeling better each day, that's what matters!
Good luck!

Pam

[sweetgoddess]

Hi Evette. It is good to hear you are making healthy choices for yourself.

How about committing to a 30 day Challenge? That is only 30 days, not forever or the rest of your life. Just 30 days , taken one day at a time, of 100 percent raw eating, anything raw , as much as you want, and see what you discover? You will discover so much about yourself, your food and your body. Think of only the 30 days and not a second beyond it. A lot of things sound hard to us before we do them, before we experience them~ because they involve change and also, the unknown.
Then once we experience them we often wonder, what was I thinking was so difficult about this.

And if you commit just to the 30 days it will not seem as daunting as worrying about the rest of your life.
A lot will change in that 30 days!
Read, and I mean read and reread Alissa's book when you get it and then accept the challenge for yourself so you can personally experience it. Only your experience will change your perception and belief. Journalling is a great tool also and we will give you tons of support along the way.
If you really believe in this then keep doing it, over and over if that is what it takes. That is what it took for me.
Just an idea. I am not trying to push you where you dont want to go. I just believe you CAN do this!

Many Blessings to you~

[Fuzzball]

Evette,

I know what you're going through....trying to stay high raw has been difficult for me...and lately I have really stumbled.

I give myself a hard time because I was able to give up the evil weed cold turkey (if I were counting, I'd probably tell you today was 5 years, 21 days, but I'm not keeping track of that).

Here's a big difference.....Stopping smoking doesn't precede starting something in it's place....it just means stopping.

Stopping cooked food means replacing it with something else...which is not really difficult...it's as simple as peeling a banana...but when you're new, you tire of that....always striving to feel about eating the way you used to...and enjoying the flavors you have always enjoyed.

Know that you are doing your body a ton of good by getting to a mostly raw diet and then make a plan to get more. Write down your goal...example: I will be 100% raw by October 1, 2005....then make a plan, then follow the plan. It's VITAL that you write your goals down...It doesn't guarantee that you will hit every one, but it will keep you focused.

You have a geat resource here....use it for support, information, or just sharing the joy of a goal achieved...these are great people and will be an integral part of your success!!

[StrawberryFields]

Well guys, first of all, thank you for all your thoughts. I have definitely gotten much helpful insight from each one of you. I really appreciate the input. And, I'm going to take each of your advice. I think I've been sitting on the fence surveying the situation on both sides and I know deep within me, I can't ever go back to 100% SAD. So, my only alternative is raw and since I'm kind of an all or nothing type, I really want to be 100%.

I'm going to continue on my journey, and I am going to read and reread Alissa's book when I get it. Also, I will be writing down my exact goals, so that as I meet them, I can check them off, and also stay focused. And, I'm going to take the 30 day challenge. That is excellent advice to only think of it as a 30 day experience so as not to be overwhelmed. I'm betting along with each of you that at the end of 30 days I'll see a tremendous differrence, which will motivate me to make it permanent.

Another reason I'm more determined than ever to change my diet, is because last night I found out my friend's mother has breast cancer! She will undergo a radical double masectomy as soon as possible. I know diet and breast cancer are closely linked. Anything we can do to truly be healthy is worth all the effort!! I know nothing can guarantee perfect health, but that's not an excuse not to try right? I'm going to keep trying. Thanks again to all of you!

[sweetgoddess]

Yeah, Evette! Keep us up to date so we can cheer you on.
Your gifting yourself with something very beautiful~congrats! :) :p :D

Blessings~