Fairly new at this - i need a little encouragement - Raw Food Chat

eag263 · 08-23-2006

Okay - so... I think I just need to make some new friends in the raw food world ebcause everyone i know thinks i'm crazy for doing this. I started eating 100% raw (after years of different diets and routines - my mother owns a wellness center, so i've tried just about every integrated-holistic-naturalist method out there) - so yeah, i started eating 100% raw about one month ago. I think I went through detox in the beginning - but it is starting to feel like i'm having a resurgence. Headaches, bloated, skin problems, light headedness.....on top of this, there's the weight problem.

I am very very overweight. Three years ago, I was even more overweight...but I managed to kick 60 pounds - then...it stopped. For the last year or so - I have gained a couple pounds, regardless of excersize and diet -to be a healthy weight (for the first time in my life - yes, i was the fat girl in high school) i need to lose 60 more pounds for my height (5'10).

In the last month- i havent' dropped even one. I'm frustrated - losing hope - and though i'm really enjoying the challenge of going raw... I just need a little pep talk ....someone who has been there and can offer some sort of advice.

Thanks guys.

sunshine13 · 08-23-2006

Hi there - I'm also looking for someone to talk to about going raw, because no one I know seems to be at all interested in it. I just posted on this site the day before yesterday and no one has replied to it, which is a little discouraging, but right now in my life I'm trying to learn how to not care what others think about me, and focus on how I feel about myself and trying to change that. So anyway, I saw that you just posted recently also, and, like me, are looking for a little encouragement/friendship. For me, posting on a site like this is exposing myself and taking a risk, opening myself up to others, which is not something I've never had the courage to do until recently. I'm really focusing on changing my life right now, and going raw, I believe, is the key to it all. I know if I'm healthy physically and mentally, which raw will do for me, then everything else will fall into place. I wish I could offer some advice that would help you, but you're farther along on the raw journey than I am, since you've been doing it for about a month now. I will tell you, though, that I think even going raw for a month is great and that I think you have great strength to do even that. So good for you! I hope that you are able to find more encouragement from others that have been raw for a while, but if you ever want to talk raw with another person who's just getting started, I'd be happy to be that person. Maybe we could provide encouragement for each other throughout this journey? Many blessings - S

doppelganger · 08-23-2006

I'm super-new myself so I don't have much good advice to give. I do have major admiration, tho. A whole month?! I'm only like a week and a half with raw. You must tell me some of your secrets to getting on cause I'm kinda struggling a bit myself.

Weight is a really wonky thing. Sometimes it slides off, and sometimes it sticks like glue. On me, it's like superglue but I've read that the body will get to a point to where it gets used to using a certain amount of calories each day and often by just changing diet, exercise routine or both, the body eventually gets over that hurdle and gets right back to the buisness of losing weight again. It will also hang onto weight if the calorie intake isn't high enough (can I ask what you eat in a day and what your exercise routine is like?). But no matter what it is, DON'T GIVE UP!! You know this is the right thing for you to do, don't let this plateau hurdle knock you down. You're stronger than this. You _can_ rise above.

Keep on RAWking!

The Vej · 08-24-2006

If I ever got a craving I would try to stay really busy then I would use my cravings to get my homework done or something. You don't really have to put a lot of effort into it, just thought. Ask yourself if you really feel that bad that you need to numb yourself with cooked food. Just ask yourself those little questions all the time instead of just giving in. It worked fo me anyway. I'm sure there are better ways. Oh and I'm super friendly so you can talk to me but I'll have to say that I'm not a whole lot of help.

eag263 · 08-24-2006

sounds fantastic. my email is eudaimonia231@aol.com - drop me a line ok? As frustrated as i am about detoxing and my weight .... i know that this was the right decision, and I feel that the benefits will eventually become crystal clear.

abeedabu · 08-26-2006

hang in there! we KNOW this is the way to go because it's the only thing out there that truly makes sense. this is the third time i've gone raw, and this time i WILL make it past the 2 week mark! you are very inspiring. hang in there, you!

papayalove · 08-30-2006

hey there fellow raweater. i can totally relate to the struggle in the beginning as I too will be completing my first month as of sept 1rst. all i can say is hang in there. you might want to try to eat a little more fruits and veggies rather than nuts and seeds, but really you just have to play with it for a while and see what works best for you. you might find inspiration from a book called spiritual nutrition by gabriel cousens ( i don't know if i spelled his name right). that book talks about nutrition being a part of spiritually awakening your body, but it is not the only part. try a lot of veggie juices and eat consciously. you can still overeat and abuse food even when eating live food. i hope you meet some supporters and good luck to you on your journey. Stay Strong!

passionforliving · 09-01-2006

Hello to all newbees!! I am happy you are here. And I hope you find the encouragement and support you are looking for. Please feel free to contact me if you are looking for emotional support.

If you are looking for INFORMATION please visit my (or other's) website. There is a ton of it out there. I know in the beginning, you can get information overload until none of it makes any sense. But eventually, you'll sort it all out. It will start to "gel" in your mind, and you get it.

If you are having HEALTH PROBLEMS, and are looking for professional guidance, please contact me through my website (or another raw nutritionist/living foods nutrition specialist/living foods naturopath). There is a fee, but if your issues are complex, it may be worth it!

Good luck and much loving support to you all!

Mon

greenbunny · 09-04-2006

Welcome to the raw world! Eating raw for me has been like many sprints all put together with all speeds in between to make up a marathon. The key is to keep on picking yourself up from panting on the side of the road and get back in as soon as you catch your breath and eventually keep on going. I'm finally at that keep on going stage after 20 years of finding myself over and over in the ditch. It's my opinion that going raw is one of the most socially, physically, mentally and emotionally intense undertakings there is, but also one of (if not "the") most rewarding.

Please don't hassle yourself about your weight. Our society is so skewed in it's view of weight - especially when it comes to women. We are slaves to an ideal that is so superficial and poverty stricken that it makes me so very sad to hear you get discouraged about raw food because your body is resting at a certain weight. Don't buy into it. Make yourself healthy and happy and let your body be what it is. Love your body now and it will take care of itself and you. If you keep on saying you're not good enough to yourself your body will agree. Make new priorities for yourself. Every day tell yourself what you like/love about yourself. Get out and do fun activities that your body likes. Judge your progress by other criteria than weight - please. Live foods will eventually bring you to the weight that is perfect for you - not the weight that necessarily society would consider perfect. Many times while raw I was told that I was too skinny. When on cooked food I was told I was too fat. You can't please them - you can only please yourself. Raw foods is a big enough undertaking without that baggage.

You have accomplished a tremendous thing going raw. You have proven that you have a strong will, a cooperative body, that you care for yourself and that you make your own decisions. Now, that's beauty.

greenbunny