When you know the truth how can you not follow it

[flutterfly]

I have known for years that eating all raw is the best thing anyone can do for themselves. So why do I have so much trouble with it? Do I just not care about myself? I think I do but my actions say different.
Is there anyone else out there having the same problems? I would love to hear from you.
I do know that I am the kind of person that needs a lot of support. That is my flaw but that is me

[Rawkinlocs]

Flutterfly,

I TOTALLY feel you on this!

As well as I've been doing the past 7 days, today was very difficult for me as I was tempted to eat everything from chips to pancakes to a soy chik patty and more.

I didn't but I sure wanted to. It's really all mental. You must understand that sometimes we know better, but we have been and if we are tv watchers, still are being conditioned to believe that eating other things is okay; that disease just randomly occurs and what we eat has absolutely nothing to do with it; that if it tastes good, it must be good.

I sat here just moments ago struggling within about why I should not give up on this 30-day challenge and go raid the refridgerator; why I should not just consider myself a percentage raw and eat what I want in moderation, of course

But I realize that it's all a trick of my mind and that the physical ACT of eating isn't where it ends, but it's also mental and even emotional.

I'm not even hungry, but thoughts of all these foods are popping into my mind. The only thing I can do to fight the urge is to think about my family members who eat the things I desire with no regrets YET are suffering severely with disease, pain, taking bottles upon bottles of meds and getting worse rather than better.

Then, those foods don't seem so appealing to me anymore.

No, you're not alone in your feelings and even your actions. It's hard to undo all of the programming that has been done over the years. It's sometimes hard to believe or remember that the very thing that gave or gives us so much pleasure if only for a moment is really wrecking havoc in our bodies.

Try to be strong...let's be strong together so we can be strong for someone else who may need the example of a healthy person. I have people all around me who are now coming to my husband and myself for help...to much is given, much is required and having the knowledge that we have, we are almost required to not only share it, but to also live it!

Sorry for rambling, but hopefully something there was a help to you.

[flutterfly]

Thanks Rawkinlocs for your reply.I will do the best I can. I follow the www.fromsadtoraw form and see there are a lot of people that have the same problem I have. It is to bad there are not more people that could group together in their home towns for support. It is always easier to be part of a group that can actually meet face to face.That is what I had when I lived in Green Bay, WI and I miss it so much.
You are wise beyond your years and thanks for the support ;)

[GoingRAW]

Flutterfly,
I definitely can relate to your struggle. I know that I feel so much better when I eat raw. The days when I am up to 100% seem so natural. But there are the days when my cravings for cooked get so strong and I give in. Unfortunately, my mind doesn't know the definition of moderation and I will end up overeating cooked junk food. My body feels terrible and sluggish and I just want to sleep. I never feel that way on raw. So why does it keep happening. Support is much needed here too.
I also wish that there was a live discussion group. It is so much easier when you can talk face to face.
It does help having these forums though, I couldn't imagine trying to do it w/out them...
Good luck to you!

[flutterfly]

I also love the way I feel on 100% raw. You never feel stuffed or gassy(did I just make up a new word lol) as you do when eating cooked.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to share a home with someone that wanted to be raw also. Maybe we should make a new form for people that would like to do that. Heck, I would love to be in an all raw home and just do all the food prep and cleaning any takers?). What a dreamer I am lol.

[ehartmanf]

I just want to say that needing the support of other people is not a flaw. I believe we all need each other, especially when we are doing something as difficult as changing our entire way of eating. I live with a spouse who is not raw, but supports me in whatever I want to do. Still.....it's hard to look at all his food in the house, the cookies, the chocolate, the pasta, etc. We're all going against the tide and I think it will always be a challenge, regardless of how good it is for our bodies. Don't forget about the female hormonal fluctuations. Some days it is especially difficult to stay away from the cooked foods, expecially the sweets.

Rawkinlocs, my mom has often quoted that verse to me through the years...."to whom much is given, much is required". :)

[NWgal]

[QUOTE=Rawkinlocs]Flutterfly,

I TOTALLY feel you on this!

As well as I've been doing the past 7 days, today was very difficult for me as I was tempted to eat everything from chips to pancakes to a soy chik patty and more.

I didn't but I sure wanted to. It's really all mental. You must understand that sometimes we know better, but we have been and if we are tv watchers, still are being conditioned to believe that eating other things is okay; that disease just randomly occurs and what we eat has absolutely nothing to do with it; that if it tastes good, it must be good.

I sat here just moments ago struggling within about why I should not give up on this 30-day challenge and go raid the refridgerator; why I should not just consider myself a percentage raw and eat what I want in moderation, of course

But I realize that it's all a trick of my mind and that the physical ACT of eating isn't where it ends, but it's also mental and even emotional.

I'm not even hungry, but thoughts of all these foods are popping into my mind.

I love this topic.... I am finding that my "emotional Stomach" Must be heard and honored.. This time of year I really get into the snacking vibe. I want chips and sweet little snacks .. I have been observing my body and my emotions and seeing how this works with me.. raw chips are so Easy to make so I make a bunch and almond stuffed dates. and cookies.. and little mini pumpkin pies ect.. I make sure there are LOTS avalible for me .I make more then enough for myself.. and since my husband is eating them and still has no idea they are raw . LOL ( I will tell him someday) thats another story for another time.. anyway..If I have MORE then enough its so iteresting .. I have no intest in the old stuff. If I feel rigid in my food at all and dont have treats ... I go to a very hard place in my resolve to eat raw... .I know Alissa talks about this on her DVD.

[flutterfly]

I have fed people raw food also that never had a clue as to it being raw. You will have to share your story about the raw pumpkin pies.

[lil]

I think it's a lot to do with conditioning. Many of us grew up believing that pasta, breads, potatoes and a host of other cooked foods were good for us. Letting that go is hard. I also think that a lot of us were comforted with these foods - when we were children, puddings, cheese, candy...was used to sooth us. So it's no wonder, when needing some support, that we would turn to these foods.

[FEELIN'GOOD]

Hi FlutterFly!

Gosh... I think that we all have this issue as you can see! We are so brain-washed into what tastes good that we automatically think we are getting the short end of the stick when we eat healthy. In Alissa's book she says it best to find what you really love and make those recipes often. I used to be a chocolate fanatic... but since I have discovered Madjool dates... I can't stand the taste of chocolate! Amazing... it makes me giggle when I try to cheat, and I spit it out because I don't like it any more!
That's when I new my taste buds were adapting, and salads have never tasted better! I also found those baby coconuts, and WOW... I don't even like coconut, but this is so calming and comforting to me... I just crack one open after it has chilled for about 3 hours in the fridge, I sit outside on the patio, close my eyes and sip away... it takes me to a whole other world! My husband calls it a healthy cigerette because of how I seem to be addicted to it all of a sudden...

Anyway I'm getting off the subject... I guess what I'm saying, is find a few things that are raw that comfort you... mine are Madjool dates and hummus with flax crackers, and baby coconuts... they help me stay focused and comfort me when I'm feeling like raiding the fridge... Good luck!

[FEELIN'GOOD]

Rawkinlocs...

I had to comment on what you said eariler:

"The only thing I can do to fight the urge is to think about my family members who eat the things I desire with no regrets YET are suffering severely with disease, pain, taking bottles upon bottles of meds and getting worse rather than better."

That is like a bible phrase to me! I look at my mom who will NEVER do this diet, and it makes me sick to my stomach when she calls me and says she's gone to the docter again and he gave her some other pills to HELP her... I want to just take her by the ears and shake some sense into her! I know that I am far from perfect on this diet, but I have just started and I can proudly say that I am 85% raw right now... maybe even more. I have not taken one asprin since... nothing! I know I will be 100% raw by the years end because of your exact comment above... TO LIVE WE NEED TO EAT LIVE!

It makes me wonder why those two words, LIVE & LIVE are spelt the same yet be pronounced differently... maybe it's a message?#%^&????????

Oh, I just got TIVO and for any of you that love TV but get frustrated with commercials of fast food and junk, it is great because you can tape all your shows so easily and then fast forward the subliminal messages away.... Yippee!

[flutterfly]

My Mother and Sister are also very ill most of it is from the bad foods they eat. I have a Daughter that is a little over 300#, one that is almost 200#. They have seen me eat as healthy as possible and make jokes about my choices of food. I decided years ago that everyone has a choice and if you try to take that choice from them in any way they cut you out of their lives ( can anyone spell dysfuctional family).
I just have to do the best I can with what I have and be happy in my choices (bananas and cashews with an apple tossed in lol)

[GoingRAW]

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to share a home with someone that wanted to be raw also. Maybe we should make a new form for people that would like to do that. Heck, I would love to be in an all raw home and just do all the food prep and cleaning any takers?). What a dreamer I am lol.

I think that this would be the best. It would take so much stress out of having to plan all your meals not to mention the prep. And the support would be awesome... I am in dreamland w/ you

[tglasco4]

I think the primary reason people have trouble staying raw is that they start off on a false premise. That being, its good for me, I feel good when I do it, so I just should be able to do it! Thats wrong. We first have to understand that our appetites are PERVERTED. We are addicted to things that are bad for us and we like them. Hence, a simple decision to just do it (as nike says) becomes difficult and fraught with frustration. If we have been fed our whole lives with things that are dead and our bodies are used to recieving them, our whole being will cry out for these things as a junkie's body cries out for dope during a cold turkey withdrawal. We have to be much more patient and much more focused and determined (and prayerful I might add) to overcome the perverted appetite we, as humans all have.

Peace.

[NWgal]

My husband found one on my mini pie's in the frig when i was out.. and went on and on about how good it was.. Pumpkin is his fav! Then he had some of my Cornchips and with salsa and guac.. and went on and on about how good "homemade" cornchips are..... I know him and If tell them they are raw.. he will decide he didnt like them after all .. LOL.. So i'm going to just keep making things and let him eat them... heheheh

NWgal