Raw, and then not, Raw, and then not, Raw and then not

[TallTravel]

So I've been raw for 3-4 months at a time, many times. I keep faltering and leaving the path. I come back, because I am sure it feels best when I am pure, but why do I keep leaving a pure diet?

It seems I want to " fit in " a lot, maybe more than be healthy. So many of the places to eat, entertain, and ' enjoy " life are not raw establishments. Such a large part of every store, including health food stoers, are packed with processed and soon to be cooked foods, filled with sugar and so many closely related food stuffs.

What is wrong with what I am doing?

I am coming off another master cleanse in a week, so I am pondering how it can be permanent, lasting, and enriching. Suggestions are welcome!

[MysticTree]

You have to want it enough.

There is no real reason to eat the non-raw, non-vegan foods unless you want to or think you want to.

[rawgirl00]

Hi Talltravel~ I find the social aspects of raw can sometimes be difficult but you just have to make your mind up & do it. I notice that you live in SD, that is one of the easier places to "be raw"; you have raw food restaurants, plenty of farmers markets and lots of people who are into raw. You could join a raw meet up group in SD or have a raw party for your friends, you could even have it catered.

[k8sl8]

I am the same (at least in stretches of time). Just look at it this way - any time you are raw is better than NOT being raw at all. I too have a lot of problems with the social aspect. My husband and I work at a kids camp in the summer and all our meals are included. THAT is a nightmare. Add to that a lack of local raw anything and its a recipe for disaster. I do the best I can, almost always a green smoothie for breakfast or lunch, salads with meals, but it's far from perfect. I try to go back to raw when we leave. I know it's not perfect, but life ISN'T perfect. Don't beat yourself up about it and eat raw as much as you can. End of story.

[devil's angel]

heres a way to make u the talk of the "town"and raw (people will constantly ask u questions about the way u bring everything with u , the only down fall ? they may think ur werid but u are healthier and happier when u are raw and "werid" then when ur gassy , grumpy , and depressed on sad food. plus u get to share a healthier option with people !!! now that always made me feel good . )... always have plenty of ice packs in ur frezzer that u can put into a portable cooler that will stay in ur car . if u have a huge one i would pack as much stuff that will last a wk or so if u need to travel . this is the way my family did it when we first started the raw food diet . i lasted for 2 yrs before i met my hubby and my life was changed along with my diet ... find simple daily recipes that u enjoy and wont take a ton of time to whip up before u have to leave the house or make them the night before and pack ur cooler before u leave . it only takes about 10 mins in the moring for smoothies , salad the night before with a dressing 15 mins . (always pack ur tomatoes and salad dressing separate from ur actual salad or the salad will spoil before u get to eat it . pack a ton of ur favorite fruits b/c this are simple to eat and easy to grab on the go if u are in a extreme hurry . good luck to u , hope this helps !!!

[EscapeArtist]

You have to want it enough.

There is no real reason to eat the non-raw, non-vegan foods unless you want to or think you want to.

I agree with this. But it's equally as important to believe that you will want it whether now or later. Remember not to beat yourself up.

[Basenjimamma]

I am so stuck in this same limbo, did 100% Raw for 11 months and have never felt better, but then I "fell/took a step off" (who only knows why) and ever since the I have not been able to stay on it for more than a few weeks at a time..>WHY!! I want it, but my life takes over, the social aspects are hard, yes, having a family I cook for is not helping either. Wishing y'all best of luck..I know if we want it enoygh we can do it!

[MysticTree]

I am so stuck in this same limbo, did 100% Raw for 11 months and have never felt better, but then I "fell/took a step off" (who only knows why) and ever since the I have not been able to stay on it for more than a few weeks at a time..>WHY!! I want it, but my life takes over, the social aspects are hard, yes, having a family I cook for is not helping either. Wishing y'all best of luck..I know if we want it enoygh we can do it!

Whatever you can manage is better than 100% processed rubbish. Everyone does what they can, they can't do more really I suppose.

[Vegansara]

I really agree with escapeartist. The moment I read your post I thought "compassion for yourself!" If you beat yourself up about it nothing changes except your mood - we often think that beating ourselves up will motivate us but it does not.

Know that you are doing the best that you can and keep heading in the right direction. More important than what you are eating is how you feel about yourself. Take care.

[Aleesha Sattva]

Please remember folks... we are here to support people in their rawness... to give them suggestions, offer ideas, solutions that perhaps worked for us or for someone we know.

in light,
Admin

[OCGirl]

What trips me up the fastest is the pressure of feeling like I have to be 100% all the time. The perfectionist in me (which doubtless contributed to my eating disorder) says it has to be all or nothing. That gives me no room to be human, to make mistakes, and then when I prove I am human, I punish myself by bingeing etc. ad nauseum. So. What has worked for me is planning ahead a bit - getting sprouts going so I can make dehydrated breads - making sure I have salads ready to go, snack foods on hand, etc. Make a raw dessert and stick it in the fridge. If I have raw foods prepared, then they are there to eat! Otherwise, it's too easy to slip back into old habits. New habits have to be made, but it takes awhile. So figure out what you like to eat, prepare meals a bit in advance, and give yourself kudos for returning to what you know works for you!!

[qwerty988]

I have raw foods prepared, then they are there to eat! Otherwise, it's too easy to slip back into old habits. New habits have to be made, but it takes awhile. So figure out what you like to eat, prepare meals a bit in advance, and give yourself kudos for returning to what you know works for you!!

Word!

Having stuff prepared in advance makes all the difference for me, too.