Stuck in a downwards spiral

[Veganmama]

I need some help please, my wagon is going way to fast for me to jump back on, i have been 75% or more for a couple of years now and it has got me through an amazingly tough time.

Lately i have been 100% SAD, the stress has got to me again and the more SADs i eat the worse i feel and the more SADs i eat on on and on.

I do want to stop this cycle, can anyone offer some advise.

[karenisraw]

If you want to go raw again, and it sounds like you do, I would go cold turkey, clean out you fridge and cupboards and start over again.

I ate two SAD muffins tonight and all I can think of is how long before this is out of my body. It is not worth it.

K

:)

[yumyum]

When we go through tough times, we usually need to hold back tears, or hold back the worst fears or anger. Then, after it's all over, the tears come, full throttle. Maybe that's what's happening to you, I don't know.

Mind and body are so very dependant on each other. When we treat our body badly, we are also punishing ourselves, saying that we don't deserve the self love, the success, the freedom, the health, the joy etc. Fear does that to us. Fear, sadness, loneliness, depression, a need to let go but feeling pain. All of this makes most people seek out the foods they used to eat, when they were happy in the past. Things that we used to eat, when calming down in front of the TV, with a good movie and a warm blanket. This is natural.

I don't know if this is what is happening in your life, but whatever it is, please don't start self hating. Do not hate yourself. Let go of the self punishment. Like all people, you have an inner light, something beautiful, something good, a capacity to love and a lot of other good things. You can go raw any day you want. You can drink in the sweet sensation of an apple, the wonderful energy of the orange juice, and chew on spicy dried crackers and be happy. You can. That's not what is difficult, is my guess.

I've suffered from depressions most of my life, so maybe I am just imagining things and mirroring things over on you, that are my problems and not yours. If so, I apologize.

The best advice I can give to you, is to find out what is making you sad, and deal with the emotions, find a way out of it, find the goal, make the plan, feel the hope. Then the self love will come back, and you'll go back to raw, as the easiest thing in the world.

Hugs and all the best. :)

[purtyflowrr]

What I've found is helping me a lot is to surround myself with positive motivation throughout the day. This can be a very hard transition, especially after eating a SAD diet for our whole lives.

But think of it this way...every day you get up, you have a decision to make. You can choose life or death. The food we put into our body is goign to fuel us. Do you want to fuel it with life, energy, beauty or with chemicals, lethargy, lack luster, depression? I made a sign that I put up on my wall so I see it every morning. It simply says, "You choose your destiny. Choose life." Really, it's that simple. Don't look at it as giving up certain foods. You are giving up disease, clogged arteries, sickness, weight, all these bad things. And what are you getting? Long life of beauty, health, energy, weight loss. It's all in how you look at it. You have to change your thought process and I guarantee it will become easier, and, heck, enjoyable even. :)

You can do this. Think of how much you are loving yourself by doing this. It's all in your control. You control your destiny!!

Live well!

Jules

[Queen2]

Veganmama! Thanks for the honesty. I agree with the above posts - how nice people are.

For me, I found that I've eliminated too much, and that's partly why I've been getting dragged back into SAD. I stopped eating nuts, for example. Well, I started eating them again, as of this morning. I also have been putting coconut oil in my tea (when the tea is cooled enough not to overheat the oil) and allowing myself to nosh on dried fruits and pumpkin seeds and cacao a little. Today I haven't given in and eaten the free food at work for the first time in a couple months.

I think I just was not getting enough fat. Some people are very anti-fat but I find I really have to have it, at least in this stage (and I don't agree with the anti-fat people anyway) but that's what works for me. When I was eating 90 raw in the fall, I was eating a lot of nuts and seeds.

Cheli

[swingbolder]

Have you tried journaling here on Alissa's site? It can really help with daily accountability and motivation.

I was recently in a 2-month downward spiral and have just gotten out of it. You did it before, you can do it again. The first coupla days are always the hardest, and then you remember "oh yeah, I can do this." The journal has really helped me a lot, and has added a diffferent dimension. Also insight into cravings, my behaviors around food.

When you get back on raw food, you will feel such a relief! :)

[misslinda]

Veganmama,

it's admirable of you to share this with us---admitting being 100% SAD that takes balls !!!!!!

what stress have you been going thru? if you don't mind sharing......



:)

[kiwilime]

Veganmamma.....I know how you feel. I started spiraling downward for the past several months and I too was eating 100% SAD. I was stress from moving, new job, personal family stuff...alot of emotionally difficult things happening. Too much to say and wayyyyy tooooo depressing.
But I decided the best thing I can do is take care of ME. It was totally hard to start eating raw again. I just did not crave it. But I started eating raw again cuz I felt like crap physically and emotionally.
I am starting to feel better and my body is craving more raw now than SAD.
No matter how hard it feels just start eating raw organics.......you'll feel better :)

[mbf]

You can hop that wagon girl ! Just start with a reasonable, attainable goal. Why not do a raw breakfast tomorrow, maybe a smoothie or fruit salad. Enough done for one day !
If your up for it in a few days try staying raw through lunch with a big salad. Have a mid-morning and afternoon snack of fruit or almonds and raisins or both, don't let yourself get too hungry ! That's trouble.

Best of luck ! and remember,we are here for you !

MBF

[greeninlosangeles]

Reading everyday at least a little about raw foods, going to the boards like this and raw food potlucks, making at least several interesting dishes a week, meditating "I am craving raw foods" (I am not joking, it helped me with many things, not just with raw foods), and the best would be to find other raw friends(maybe just phone friens if you can't find anyone in your area). On the holidays you can treat yourself to raw food restaurant. I do not know, how many of these things are available to you, but they help a lot - I am raw for 11 weeks now. Oh, and don't limit yourself too much. I decided just stay raw for the first 6 months, even if i binge at first, when I am stressed out.
Did I forgot to mention green smoothies and marinated greens or any other way you can like those strong greens like kale, collard, etc. They will curb your cravings and won't let your teeth go bad.