Re: Re: The best way to lose weight

hi Lizzy Liz,
I have read this thread with interest. I just want to comment on your question about affording food when your situation changes somewhat.

This is also an issue for me as I am on an incredibly tight budget. What I discovered after fasting numerous times (and I hope you and anyone else fasting makes a similar discovery, too). There is really no room for "junk food" in the diet, and therefore in the grocery budget. If you make it a priority to buy and therefore eat only the things that are healthy for you, you may find it isn't all that bad money wise. I can typically load up on fruits and veg from the local farmer's market for around $15-20 a week, and that is everything I need for an entire week sometimes since i eat mostly raw food. I make this trip first, because these foods are the most important. I have come to terms that I can't always afford organic produce, so I limit that to the items that really seem to be most affected with pesticide, or difficult to clean, like certain berries and lettuce. I also know I can't afford to buy random coffees and special things out, as these things add up fast, and that money could be better spent on the staples your body really needs.

When I am in non-fast mode, and I find myself just wanting to indulge, or 'go cheap' or whatever, I will usually do a 24 hour fast, which seems to reset my thinking, remind me of the work I've done, and what my priorities are with eating in general. Bragg encourages a one day a week fast (I think? it has been a while since I read that book...but I am pretty sure that is encouraged). I find it is the perfect reset button for the week sometimes, though I don't do it all the time.

Try to shop carefully for the other things you need, grabbing sales when you can. I love Whole Foods 365 brand, it is pretty competitively priced, maybe try that? I guess the whole point is, even if you are a busy student, make some time to shop once a week because your refeeding and ongoing feeding is too important to "waste" all that work you've done through fasting by eating Ramen when things get busy. It is so easy to fall into that trap, too. I know!
(And if you are really into eating soups, please make your own...it is SO easy, and SO cheap and you control the salt, ingredients, etc.)

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