I've fallen and I can't get back on...

[Raspberry4]

I am a little embarrassed to be writing this; however, I really need help. I was doing really well with raw (weight loss, health gain) but then I could not lose more weight and I started to feel not well again. I also started reading and reading and buying into the "you need animal protein" and in fact, I felt better (less hypoglycemia symptoms) when I eat animal protein. There is convincing evidence on both sides (vegan versus meat eater). But my health is at an all time low and my weight is back up 60 pounds. You would think that would be enough to convince me. But it has been harder and harder to get back on. For me, RAW is hard to maintain. We are "surrounded" by SAD food and I have a house full of SAD eaters to cook for. I know these can be lousy excuses, but for me, they are what is true and real. I almost feel like going back to raw would be a "punishment" because there is so much to give up - so many delicious and wonderful 'cooked' foods. I know there is health to gain - but I am just bewildered and confused as to how I am going to do this, especially when animal protein helps me feel less hypoglycemic, and my doctor insists that I need to eat it because my protein, B12, and iron is low (in blood tests) - and I am still eating meat!

Sorry this is so long...I just really am torn between SAD and RAW and the "need" for animal protein. Plus I am physically and mentally exhausted from my poor health that I just feel like this is a daunting challenge and I will never be able to succeed on it again.

Please help....

[lovenlife]

My suggest.....be willing to give up all you thin you know about the subject.

Be willing to give up that:

it is hard
it is a challenge in a cooked food household
you cant do it
you are embarrassed
you fell off some non-existent wagon
raw is a punishment
cooked food is so good
meat is of any benefit in the body at all
you need m--- to survive
and all the other myths u r beleiving


Accept that:
raw life is easy
raw life is awesome
you can committ to raw and hold it
standing powerfully for your health will get you healthy
meat is very detrimental to a healthy body
all ones needs can be met by plant material
cooked food is denaturing and robs you of your health and adds weight
YOU CAN DO IT!!!

YOU ARE AN EXCEPTIONAL HUMAN BEING FOR NOT ACCPETING THE STANDARD S.A.D. FARE AND GOING FOR AN AWESOME WAY TO FEED YOUR LIVING BODY WITH RAW AND LIVING FOODS!

THIS IS POWERFUL RASPBERRY!!!

[lodestar]

awesome response lovenlife!

dear raspberry4... someday the pain of continuing on the path you now pursue will be so great that you will embrace raw with a vengeance. the so called comfort of SAD will be unveiled for what it really is... slow consuming misery. when you are finally ready to be happy you know what to do. i KNOW your story... it WAS mine.

[OneBite@aTime]

I understand what you are saying and where you are coming from. I was Raw 3 years ago and slowly went back to SAD with the same "reasons"...well here I am 3 years later with all the bad side effects from eating SAD and let me tell you -RAW has never been more appealing to me than it is now-after adding back the 40 I had lost along with not feeling as alive, light and free I can't wait to be RAW again (currently doing a 10 day MC).

Good luck!

[T-Bird]

Raspberry,

Don't get so caught up in the battle. Because a battle needs to be won or lost.

Have lots of green smoothies and fresh fruit, make sure there is a huge salad with every meal available to all.

Start transitioning the cooked food slowly to more veggie based. Have lots of salad with every meal.

one of the things I see with raw - is that suddenly all cooked food is the same. Sauted veggies and brown rice is still much healthier than a big mac and fries.

Within raw - a salad or smoothie trumps the heavier desserts or dehydrator meals.

Don't buy into the battle. Be as healthy as you can at each step, try to do more raw as you go along.

And don't psych yourself out.

[lodestar]

t-bird... i like this perspective so much. thanks.

[ToldYouSo]

I agree with T-bone, you don't have to beat yourself up. Instead of limiting what you can and can't eat, just keep adding healthy raw food. Have a craving for a cooked lunch or cooked dinner? Fine. Just have a salad before that. Want a cooked breakfast? Go ahead, but make sure you have a green drink before it. You're body will slowly but surely prefer the healthy raw foods and you will eventually crave them all the time! Be happy in the small victories and if you slip up, don't stress yourself out, it isn't worth it!

[Shels]

Try going a little easier on yourself. Don't specifically ban foods (at least not a bunch all at once), or you'll just increase their appeal. ;) Make little steps every day.

Also, the thing about "animal protein" is that it isn't anything compared to what it would be naturally, if we ate real animals that lived real lives. The farmed meat that you buy in the stores is unbelievably nutrient deprived.

If you need a bit of a boost to get away from meat (and some information on what it really is), I'd really recommend reading "Eating Animals" by Jonathon Safran Foer. It's informative and engaging, and even if you don't change your mind, at least you'll know what you're putting into your body.

[RawKnitster]

Sounds like you are already making the first moves to get back on raw. And this time it will be a stronger raw because of what you have learned.

What hypoglycemic symptoms are you experiencing? I'm wondering if it is the same as what I feel several hours after eating a large amount of sweet fruit.

[Raspberry4]

Thank you to everyone for your replies and support. I really appreciate the help to motivate me towards what I know is the truth.

RawKnitser - shaky, hungry, lightheadedness

I will keep trying. Thank you again...

[RawKnitster]

Shaky, hungry, lightheadedness. Those are the symptoms I get, too. Along with a feeling of weakness. It hits me hard hours after eating too much fruit, or a GS made with sweet fruit, unless I keep eating fruit before it hits. A very uncomfortable feeling. I used to feel it on SAD, too, almost always after meals high in refined carbs and sugars. I'm taking steps to keep it under control. Using grapefruit, lemon, and lime in my green smoothies. When I do eat a lot of carbs all at once, throwing in a handful of nuts or seeds keeps me balanced. Gotta stay balanced. :)

[CathyA.]

Be happy in the small victories. I like that!!!:D You'll get there. Sending positive engergy your way.

[Juicyfruit]

Are you eating enough fats with your meals? Fats keep your blood sugar balanced. Olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, avocadoes, etc.

[Mikey_H]

Raw Organic Kombucha!!

Great for the physical and mental/spiritual boost you need getting back into the healthy mode... once you get the taste for it, which tends to come pretty quick once you feel the kick it gives you.
not to mention you get the extra probiotics, B Vitamins (INCLUDING B12) and other enzymes to help work with amazing raw food to clean out the cooked (and the cooked cravings) from your system.

Just another suggestion that's not so ordinary...

[Raspberry4]

Is there a good internet source for Kombucha? There is only one health food store by me and they do not carry it. Thanks!

[RawHeaven]

Is there a good internet source for Kombucha? There is only one health food store by me and they do not carry it. Thanks!

It's easy & more economical to make your own:

http://www.foodrenegade.com/how-to-grow-a-kombucha-scoby/

http://www.superfoods-for-superhealth.com/kombucha-recipe.html

[CathyA.]

Do you have a Cub foods where you are? They carry a limited supply of kombucha.

[sidrah]

I buy it at Sprouts....are you near AZ area? Not sure where else there is a Sprouts

[nadien alexandra]

I've heard that one should never buy kombucha. not very good for the spirit.

however, if it is given to you or you make your own!

[CosimaMoon]

I've heard that one should never buy kombucha. not very good for the spirit.

however, if it is given to you or you make your own!

Not very good for the spirit??