It's All About What You're Comfortable With

(Today's Lunch - Garbanzo Stew on a Bed of Lettuce and Onions)

I know that last time I said I'd talk about survival tips today, but I felt the need to write about another topic that I think is relevant to many. I'm still putting together the Spain Survival Guide and I promise that it'll be up soon enough.

On to today's topic...

DIETS DON'T WORK -
and I don't think that's a massive revelation.

As much as I dislike the term 'Yo-Yo Dieting,' I guess I could have been classified as a 'Yo-Yo Dieter' up until I fell into veganism. Just like you hear all too often in infomercials, I hopped around from diet to diet with short-lived rewards each time. I went from The Zone Diet, to The Atkins Diet, to Body-for-Life, to Skinny Bitch, to 100% raw vegan for a period of time. Given the title and theme of my blog, you can clearly tell which route I decided to take as far as my diet goes.

What I've heard, seen, and read repeatedly and believe whole heartedly is the fact that vegetarianism, veganism, and raw veganism are not diets; they are lifestyles. I do not have my copy of Skinny Bitch right in front of me so this statement is not repeated verbatim, but the authors stated that with a vegan diet that stuck within certain parameters, you could literally eat whatever you want. It took me awhile to understand this point and eventually apply it to my life, but I slowly got it. After awhile, I didn't WANT hamburgers or milkshakes and I was no longer CRAVING sugary snacks or soda. Eventually, I craved those nutrient rich foods that were doing my body good. I ultimately felt like I was doing my mind and body an injustice by not feeding it raw, organic foods often (especially greens). Sure, I have my slip ups here and there and my diet isn't squeeky clean, but I'd say that 60-70% of the time, I have that feeling of 'I can eat whatever I want' because I'm not wanting anything harmful, and let me tell you, that's and amazing feeling to have.

What I am currently working on is that 30-40% of the time where eating whatever I want does mean a burger and fries or ice cream. Battling that yearning for something harmful has been rocky, but I get increasingly stronger with every setback. For the past week, I've been bouncing back from a traumatic 3 days of junk food binging and I can't recall a time where I've been cleaner for a seven day period. I'm feeling really good right now and veganism with an emphasis on raw is treating me very well. I don't see myself being plagued with another setback anytime soon but if I am, I'm sure I'll bounce back in a strong manner once again.

It's all about what you're comfortable with...

I gave the post this title because this is a very imporant idea and principle to go by. Be sure not to breach your comfort zone too quickly or too drastically. Transitions take time and I personally prefer easing into things. When you take it slow, you have the opportunity to step back and really take note of the positive changes that are taking place in your life. I'm at the point where I am actually having a lot of fun with my diet and fitness because I experiment as often as I can and I have come to the realization that I have the freedom to create the body I desire.

If you're not comfortable with being a vegetarian, don't do it. If being a raw vegan gives you discomfort, make a change. I learned in my business class recently that if we do not get energy from engaging in a specific activity, we will not experience success with that activity. I get energy from being a vegan and eating lots of raw food, but maybe that's not the thing for everyone. This is the same reason why so many diets fail...you commit for 8 weeks and then what? If you truly got energy from that activity, the commitment would be indefinite.

Think about this, and see if you can apply it to all facets of your life.

Raw love folks...
-Natalie