Rough week...

[AmandaButBetter]

I'm about 6 weeks into my raw-food healing journey. I've been doing so well! And I'm not sure why--but all this week I have been feeling like I'm one meal away from falling off the wagon. I don't WANT to--but it's almost like I've forgotten WHY I'm doing this. Did any of you feel this way? My first few weeks were EASY. Only occasionally did I feel deprived of old-school dead food. My cravings for dessert (sad style) practically vanished. This week has been rough, though. I've been craving McDonald's-of all things I could be craving, that might be the absolute worst garbage to put in my body. I KNOW that--but I still WANT it. Now that I'm thinking about it--6 weeks is about the longest I last on any kinda 'diet'...before I revert back to my old ways. Is it a physchological limitation, maybe? Anyway...guess I'm just looking for somebody to tell me 'DON'T QUIT! I am feeling better having gotten it off my chest. But why does part of me want to sabotage myself?

[T-Bird]

I've had episodes like this alot. Where it suddenly doesn't seem to matter - doesn't mean anything.

I try to deal by having lots of epsom salt baths, early to bed, and tell myself to just put off the decision till it passes.

So far I've made it to almost 10 months at 100%. I've had this same feeling for the past 3 weeks now -and the last 2 sick at that - but I just refuse to let myself get derailed when I'm not "thinking clearly". I just tell myself that at the one year mark, I will reassess the entire situation and I give myself permission to change course at that time.

At some level, I think I also realize that this may be the times you need to stay raw the most. Developing the habit through thick and thin strengthens it more than anything.

Don't know if this is helpful, but your certainly not alone.

Best of luck, just try to stay focused on your health.

[pinkrosebud]

Your body is craving things because it is starving off disease and perhaps yeast. When those things begin to die, they send intense cravings because they want to be fed. Don't feed them. Instead create a decadent raw dinner and follow it with a decadent raw desert. While always consuming decadent raw food is not a super healthy way to live, enjoying the decadent wonders raw food has to offer on occasion will really help you stay on track. I ate decadent raw foods all the time for the first year of being raw. When you get intense cravings it is not the time to be worried about calories, focus on satisfaction.

Some suggestions are:
Zuccini alfredo
guacomole with cheeze sauce
stuffed mushrooms
maco tacos
Eggplant burgers with pesto


coconut pudding
chocolate avocado pudding topped with cashew cream
raw fudge balls
and if you have some time Alissa's strawberry banana crepes.
pina coloda pie
mango lassie

[Veganforlife]

Oh heck yeah! It happens. And when it does - DO not give in. Instead, get busy doing something. Like make a kickin' Raw dessert, or get into a project.

Drink some water.

Workout.

Stand in front of a mirror and look at yourself and tell yourself how great you look AND feel.

But don't cave.

It happens...

[Patch]

I'm a year raw now and I have had the same thing a few times , but not for a while now, when it happened I ate. Raw of course but I filled my belly up with what ever I could, so I was full and satisfied. I was like a horse having to graze all the time but it didn't last for long perhaps a few days to a week so I took food everywhere with me so I could nibble when ever I craved that bad stuff. It past and I didn't suffer for having to fill myself up cause hey it's all good healthy food. I didn't put on weight or clog my arteries or fill my body with rubbish.

[freshlight]

Keep yourself motivated by reading "raw books". Noone here can tell you what to do,- you are the (re)creator of your life and that's the good news. Use that power and enjoy the beautiful results :)

[green jeanie]

i love all of the recommendations so far......it is a classic addiction response
but nonetheless reinforce the positive by nourishing your hunger in some way. don't just battle. if you are hungry..eat! (eat raw ;)

if you have already gone cooked. big deal. believe me some of my best motivation has been the side effects and symptoms teaching me what kind of results i get with different types of input.

the last 6 weeks you have introduced your body to what is possible. it will naturally want to return there......eventually :o

[rawrawks]

Dont quit....you will never know of ALL you missed out on. In short AN INCREDIBLE LIFE!

[AmandaButBetter]

Well--good news is...I DIDN'T cave. I had a big lunch of raw yummy goodness, and will be making something yummy for dinner as well. I know I can get thru this. I feel so much better since going raw. I haven't had crippling stomach pains ONCE since I began eating raw food. Those pains were the primary reason I decided to cut-out cooked foods. And on top of the relief from stomach issues, my skin is glowing (my hubby told me the other day that my makeup looked good...funny thing is, my face was naked as a jaybird!). I've also lost three pounds, my belly is flat...especially that lower belly poochiness so many women have. Life is good. One step at at time, right?

Thanks for all the advice. It helps to have support and encouragement. :)