Surprise Raw Benefit~

[sweetgoddess]

Well, I have exciting news to share.
Yet another benefit to raw. Last week I quit smoking.
I have smoked since I was 13 years old. So that is 21 years of smoking and I have never even wanted to quit before. As unhealthy as it was, it had been a huge security blanket for decades!
Last week I had a bit of a revelation and knew it no longer served me and it was time to let it go. So I did.
I dont think that shift would have been made were it not for a raw lifestyle. I recognized the obstacle it was for deeper cleansing and knew the time was right.
Unfortunately I nibbled way too many almonds for days and gained back 9 pounds. ha! Fortunately though, I know perfectly well how to get rid of that, now dont I ! ;)
Anyways I wanted to share this latest raw benefit, in case anyone else out there smokes .
Blessings~
Carmel

[kel]

The best thing you could do to take your health the next step.

How many creatures on this fabulous round planet cook their food, or light something on fire and inhale it? :rolleyes:

VoVoVoV

[rawpriestess]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

That is a major accomplishment!

You know the reason that people tend to gain weight after they quit smoking is not just he oral fixation, it is also because there is so much sugar in cigarettes, and that goes directly into our blood stream with the cumedin that they put into cigarettes, to give you that instant high.

So, that is one of the many reasons that people want to eat, they are craving the sugars that they used to get.

You are sooooo Rawesome.

[solarliving]

that is so great sweetgoddes, Congratulations! Sunday marked my 7th month and it just get's better.

[MAK]

Good for you.
Smoking is a horrible habit. Even one year of smoking makes non-reersible negative effect on your health. Smokers slowly enhale cadmium, that is a poison to human and supress the immune system. RAw parsley and cilantro are natural heavy metals cleansers.

[Fuzzball]

SG, That's great....

As a former smoker myself (5 years, 1 month, 17 days....but who's counting?) I can tell you that it's worth it.

21 days of doing anything (or not doing anything) becomes a habit!!

Congratulations and just wait until you get a box or letter in the mail and you can tell it came from a smoker...it's going to open your eyes a lot.

[sachis2112]

Thank you, Carmel. I don't discuss my smoking much on this site because it's a horrible thing to wish for health through raw and continue to smoke. I've been smoking since age 13. I'm now 29. You've renewed my hope!

[sweetgoddess]

Thank you, thank you for your nice words!
You know the reason that people tend to gain weight after they quit smoking is not just he oral fixation, it is also because there is so much sugar in cigarettes, and that goes directly into our blood stream with the cumedin that they put into cigarettes, to give you that instant high.
So, that is one of the many reasons that people want to eat, they are craving the sugars that they used to get.Wow, RP, I didnt know that. Thats not good, sugar and I have not got a nice past relationship. :( And I do feel like munching all the time.


21 days of doing anything (or not doing anything) becomes a habit!!
Thanks Fuzzball! Yeah for that!

sachis, one thing at a time I figured. As I changed things bit by bit, other things couldnt help but be effected. This was next! It will happen. (hug)

[solarliving]

Sweetgoddess the sugar has to do with the curing of the tobacco. It is crazy! Not to mention the anti-depressants that are in cigarettes. When I quit I was sucking on blow pops and my mood swings got worse, so I switched to coffee stirers (straws). I also did my Eft for oral fixation and that seemed to help a lot.

[Denise Nicole]

Excellent News! I am so happy for you!

Don't worry about the weight. Especially with being a raw foodie I doubt you'll put any on. I quite 4-1/2 years ago after 13 years of smoking. One of the best things I ever did. Now I can't stand to be around it and can spot a smoker from 20ft away, lol, simply from the smell of their skin, hair and clothes. Somehow I am more sensitive to it then the non-smokers I know.

On a side note: We're a month and a half apart, you look so young!

[StrawberryFields]

Yay for you Sweetgoddess! Stick with it and don't sweat the extra weight. As soon as your body adjust and heals, it will come right off!

[Rawkinlocs]

Congrats to you Carmel!! I know that is a major accomplishment...you should be proud!

[dragonfist70]

congratulations to you. :D it must feel great for your body to realise it doesn't like them anymore. what was that feeling like? :) the reason i ask this is because ive noticed my body seems to almost ask for a certain food now this is totally new to me.

[kmik]

A pat on the back and an "atta-girl!" from me too :D

I quit smoking when cigarettes were .50/pack... so glad I did!

Just think of all the new gadgets you can buy to make your kitchen a raw gourmet haven with all the money you save!

[Ariannah]

This is so good to read! Congratulations sweetgoddess! You are going to feel great!

[twinyoga]

Congratulations. You couldn't do anything better for your body and your family.

[brookegoeden]

That is wonderful!!! Congratulations! I wouldn't worry about those 9 pounds, you've accomplished so much!

[vixana]

you know the only reason I have not gone raw is because I smoke~
I figured I wouldnt lose the weight and gain all the benefits from raw while I smoke
But its good to know I am not alone
Did you still get the results from raw even when you smoked?
I havent smoked a cigg in three days and I cant get up off the couch and i want to actually eat the couch :D ..any sugg.?

[sweetgoddess]

I want to eat the couch too! lol I have been eating way too many almonds.
Anyways, what I am doing is cutting up straws. When I feel agitated I suck through it....drawing in a ton of oxygen! Tomorrow I am going to up the yoga and walking.

I felt incredible benefits from raw though I smoked! You should see the list I made on day 30 of raw.
Dont let that stop you. In fact, when I started feeling so good all over from raw, it was like I could no longer support such a habit. So maybe raw will make that shift for you also.
I just want to go higher and higher! Any challenge is worth it to me now.
We'll support you! Your already on day 3, almost there!

brookegoeden, twinyoga, rawandnatural, kmik, dragonfist70, Evette, Cherie, seasiren, solarliving, everyone thanks for your kind words and unconditional support as always. It means a great deal to me.
And I am very proud of my effort. I cant wait to see how much higher it will take me ( and I dont mean on the scale Universe!!)

Many Blessings~
Carmel

[Carlene]

Wow, congratulations. Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things to do. You are always so supportive of everyone SweetGoddess, I hope you remember to use us as your support system while doing this.

Personally, I loved smoking, but it is so bad for your health, not to mention your purse and social standing. It's kind of like giving up cooked food. Yeah that food smells great, and it always felt so good going in, but the damage it was doing wasn't worth it. If you can go out to eat with friends and enjoy a salad, you can do this too. Imagine the benefits of being both raw and a non-smoker.

Be realistic though and know your lungs are going to detox big time. Expect it, and as so many on this board say, embrace it.

My sister quit this Mother's day. We started at 12, she is 50. She gained about 10 pounds, but is starting to work it off (she eats SAD and never exercises). I think the reason she succeeded this time was because she finally wanted to. It sounds to me like you are at that same spot.

You should be proud of yourself. Big accomplishment.

[plucked]

hey sweet goddess!

congrats on quitting smoking. However, it must sound weird, it's more like, congrats on going raw, all the good stuff will follow!

When I first tried doing a fast, I didnt even plan on quitting smoking, but after a week or more of mostly fruit and veggie juice, I became allergic to it. Started sneazing every time I lit up, and could only finish about half my ciggie. It just tasted gross all of a sudden. That was in 2001. Yeah for me, yeah for raw!