21 Days in and needing some guidance

[Shine]

I am a little gun shy about posting, kinda feel maybe I should just do a banana search and call it good. And I have done a banana search on this, just now looking for some specifics.

21 days into my 30 Day Challenge and feeling good about my accomplishment but now the "cravings" are starting. I have read many things here to just wait it out, and how it's my body going through a deeper cleanse. I understand that.

When (if) you went through this, what are specifics "tools" you used to move beyond? When I quit smoking it was exercise and showering. I know I have those but is there anything else? Is there a food that sufficed? Did meditation work?

I ask because as proud as I am and as happy as I am, I am also questioning myself. I don't have the health things to look to and I have dropped a couple pounds but not enough to notice. I just want to stay positive and not get discouraged. Any advice would be welcome.

[Revvell]

O.k., Shine... do another banana search and call it done, 'k? :p

Sincerely though.. food addiction is just like any other addiction. The reason we have cravings is because we've got some kind of history with certain foods and we've often looked at them for comfort. A few things you can do ~ get out for a walk and talk ~ to yourself. Instead of eating ask yourself ~ "One reason I crave (this food ~ fill in the blank) is..... (then finish with about 5-10 different answers). "One thing I could do instead of eating is ....." (again, finish with various endings). "What I'm really craving (what emotion is not being satisfied) is...." This is a GREAT way to find out what you are REALLY craving. Ask yourself if you're really hungry for food and if not, what is it you ARE hungry for! You can also learn some EFT and tap on it ~ "Even though I crave (fill in the blank), I choose to remain on my path to health." Even though I'm craving (blank), I choose to support my whole being, mental, physical and emotional." (check my sigline for more info if you will)


I am a little gun shy about posting, kinda feel maybe I should just do a banana search and call it good. And I have done a banana search on this, just now looking for some specifics.

21 days into my 30 Day Challenge and feeling good about my accomplishment but now the "cravings" are starting. I have read many things here to just wait it out, and how it's my body going through a deeper cleanse. I understand that.

When (if) you went through this, what are specifics "tools" you used to move beyond? When I quit smoking it was exercise and showering. I know I have those but is there anything else? Is there a food that sufficed? Did meditation work?

I ask because as proud as I am and as happy as I am, I am also questioning myself. I don't have the health things to look to and I have dropped a couple pounds but not enough to notice. I just want to stay positive and not get discouraged. Any advice would be welcome.

[IamLoved]

Hi Shine,

Revvell gave you some really great ideas for dealing with cravings and i have nothing to add to that. I just wanted to say please don't ever be gun shy or afraid to post if you have a question. That is what these boards are fo, to help people understand the raw and living foods lifestyle. If you have a question ask away. Not only does this benefit you but it also helps those who have been eating this way for awhile to reflect and share how they have been successful at it.

Good luck to you! And remember tomorrow will come regardless of if you take any steps to make it better than today. It is up to you to make the change. And you CAN do it!

[RawKnitster]

My favorite advice from Alissa is simple, to the point, and it works:

"Don't indulge the thought."

When you start to feel a craving, immediately squash it and change the dialog.

Reasoning with myself as to why I should not have something is always a losing argument.

[1love]

Hi Shine
I dont have any words of advise for dealing with this,But just wanted to tell you, that and I am on day 23 and I am experiencing the cravings as well.I haven't lossed as much weight as I would have liked either. I recently started cutting back on how much I was eating and cutting back on the oils and I think I need to listen to my body and give it what it needs a little longer to restore its balance. Allissa says something along those lines in her book.So I had big cravings today and I just ate as much of my raw food as I wanted. I will be trying this the next couple days to get over this bump.
Good luck to you!

[Shine]

O.k., Shine... do another banana search and call it done, 'k? :p

Sincerely though.. food addiction is just like any other addiction. The reason we have cravings is because we've got some kind of history with certain foods and we've often looked at them for comfort. A few things you can do ~ get out for a walk and talk ~ to yourself. Instead of eating ask yourself ~ "One reason I crave (this food ~ fill in the blank) is..... (then finish with about 5-10 different answers). "One thing I could do instead of eating is ....." (again, finish with various endings). "What I'm really craving (what emotion is not being satisfied) is...." This is a GREAT way to find out what you are REALLY craving. Ask yourself if you're really hungry for food and if not, what is it you ARE hungry for! You can also learn some EFT and tap on it ~ "Even though I crave (fill in the blank), I choose to remain on my path to health." Even though I'm craving (blank), I choose to support my whole being, mental, physical and emotional." (check my sigline for more info if you will)

Wow Rev, thank you SO MUCH for this. I really like "I choose to remain on my path to health." This is going to be my mantra :) I think I am going to print this out and add it to Alissa's book! Funny how I have been to your sites before and done bunches of reading but not looking at the addiction issues with food. Which is silly, I know I have an addictive personality - how many times did I "quit" smoking? I just refused to see it with foods.

I don't know how to multi-quote so...

Thank you IamLoved - :) One of the reasons I love it here so much are the people who have been living this life-style and have such wisdom to share. you're right, I just need to ask!

Rawknitster - I do remeber that quote from Alissa's book (she was talking about chocolate cake I think) I will go back and re-read that portion tonight. I haven't been indulging in the food, but the thought is an entirely different matter!

1Love - glad I'm not alone. 23 days is awesome!! We can do this and I am so excited!!

[T-Bird]

I could not be here (10 months) without avocados and dates - those are my two pillars of support.

Other things that helped were running, saunas and epsom salts baths.

Also - going to bed early and dealing with it tomorrow.

[Shine]

I could not be here (10 months) without avocados and dates - those are my two pillars of support.

Other things that helped were running, saunas and epsom salts baths.

Also - going to bed early and dealing with it tomorrow.



I am eating lots of avocados, never knew they were so versitlie!! I think the last bit will be of help - I know it will. I'll be Scarlette O'Hara and deal with it tomorrow :)

[Revvell]

Wow Rev, thank you SO MUCH for this. I really like "I choose to remain on my path to health." This is going to be my mantra :) I think I am going to print this out and add it to Alissa's book! Funny how I have been to your sites before and done bunches of reading but not looking at the addiction issues with food. Which is silly, I know I have an addictive personality - how many times did I "quit" smoking? I just refused to see it with foods.

Heck, I DON'T have an addictive personality. Never got addicted to alcohol, nicotine, caffeine but food? Found out, there's something going on there! lol


I don't know how to multi-quote so...

I don't know if what I said makes sense but I attempted to explain in "Announcements and Assistance" how to multi-quote. Couldn't really "show" it because when I did it I quoted myself so you can't see what I did. :rolleyes:

[xPIXIEx]

O.k., Shine... do another banana search and call it done, 'k? :p

Sincerely though.. food addiction is just like any other addiction. The reason we have cravings is because we've got some kind of history with certain foods and we've often looked at them for comfort. A few things you can do ~ get out for a walk and talk ~ to yourself. Instead of eating ask yourself ~ "One reason I crave (this food ~ fill in the blank) is..... (then finish with about 5-10 different answers). "One thing I could do instead of eating is ....." (again, finish with various endings). "What I'm really craving (what emotion is not being satisfied) is...." This is a GREAT way to find out what you are REALLY craving. Ask yourself if you're really hungry for food and if not, what is it you ARE hungry for! You can also learn some EFT and tap on it ~ "Even though I crave (fill in the blank), I choose to remain on my path to health." Even though I'm craving (blank), I choose to support my whole being, mental, physical and emotional." (check my sigline for more info if you will)


This is the post I am going to keep in mind the next time I think about eating cooked food. :)

[Green_Woman]

I have one sure-fire method of killing cravings.

If I start craving something SAD, I eat dried mangos or drink GREEN SMOOTHIE.

It works for me... but RAW is soo individual! I don't know what will work for you - try it all. ;)

[Shine]

All right - I am starting a master list for my tool box. Taking Green Woman's idea of trying EVERYTHING!! (and I wanted to practice my multi-quote ;))



~ get out for a walk and talk ~ to yourself. Instead of eating ask yourself ~ "One reason I crave (this food ~ fill in the blank) is..... (then finish with about 5-10 different answers).
"One thing I could do instead of eating is ....." (again, finish with various endings).
"What I'm really craving (what emotion is not being satisfied) is...."
Ask yourself if you're really hungry for food and if not, what is it you ARE hungry for!
~ "Even though I crave (fill in the blank), I choose to remain on my path to health."
Even though I'm craving (blank), I choose to support my whole being, mental, physical and emotional."


tomorrow will come regardless of if you take any steps to make it better than today. It is up to you to make the change. And you CAN do it!



"Don't indulge the thought." When you start to feel a craving, immediately squash it and change the dialog.



avocados and dates, running, saunas and epsom salts baths, going to bed early and dealing with it tomorrow.


eat dried mangos or drink GREEN SMOOTHIE

[rawrawks]

Sometimes there is some kind of empty feeling inside, a hole of some sort that is looking to be filled. I look inside and say "what is it you want?" I know its not that food. And I now it wont add to my health and vibrancy, quite the opposite.

So I see what it is that feels empty and I find a healthy way to nurture that. Exercise is super for that. Nature cures (for me). And if indeed you want to feel full and its the onyl thing that works, put in a big green smoothie, you wont want much after that baby!

[Shine]

Nature cures (for me).

Me too! A nice long walk in the woods is so rejuvinating!! :D