Staying Raw Idea

The old A.A. phrase "one day at a time," used to sound good, but didn't have much personal meaning to me, because I was never able to stop feeling defeated and overwhelmed by time.

Something is really different lately, and I will tell you what it is...

I don't think about being raw for long-term. I don't think about being raw next week! I think about being raw TODAY.

When cravings strike (and they often do), or when I feel apathetic, discouraged, even self sabotaging, I remind myself of the only goal I have: push through today. Not, "push through today, everyday" but JUST today, just this moment.

Most of the day is pretty smooth luckily. I usually don't even become frustrated with the diet until the evening, around 7-8pm. So, I remind myself that is only a few more hours til bed...

A thought process: "Grrrrr, I want a grilled cheese like the one Derek is eating right now... damn, I miss fatty foods! Wait! okay, just make til 10:00pm... just make it through tonight, you will survive the next few hours without a bite."

You know what I learned after a few nights without being able to act on my urge? That I'm strong and building confidence!

I think there is a tendency (for some) to fear cravings, because we are typically so compelled to act on them. The truth is, we can ignore them! I'm an emotional eater and when I feel a little down, I still want to reach for a pick me up. The difference now is, I know that feeling passes without having to act on it. Those of us who are obsessive understand the feeling of a nagging craving which seems like it won't go away until you fulfill it. And if you tend to have lower self esteem, it's easy to feel defeated... to believe the craving will get the best of you eventually, so you might as well just dive in now. We don't see ourselves as strong as the urge itself, but, once you deny your cravings a few times, you build confidence! You stop fearing those urges, you don't even take them seriously.

Also, it's a simple idea, but hard to actually BELIEVE that we can and will stop craving those foods within a short time. The craving won't last. Even if I fall asleep still desiring the greasy meal I saw 3 hours earlier, I never wake up feeling that way!

I accept that sometimes a part of me desires an unhealthy meal. I am now learning I have the ability to FEEL that discomfort of not obtaining those desires. I am building a tolerance.

Each time you don't feed a desire, it starts to lose it's strength... that little voice that is "always wanting," loses clout.

Peace!
-9 days 100%