I work the graveyard shift at a Shell Station attached to a McDonalds. When I first started working, I would bring my own food. Everyone thought I was crazy and my diet was crazy, but I really didn't care. After awhile, I started getting more and more hours at work, and had less and less time to prepare my meals. I slowly went from eating my mostly raw fruitarian diet to a semi raw vegan one. After awhile, my semi raw vegan diet faded to a microwavable vegan diet. I don't remember the last time I prepared a meal. I've been popping stuff in the microwave for the past month or so or making "just add water" kinda things. I'm starting to gain weight, and I'm getting zits again. I'm also constantly tired and I feel like crapola. I have 0 desire to have sex or be sexual at all, which may or may not be linked to my diet. That could just be a whole different problem.

I really could use some support. I know it sounds like I am being a little whiny but I feel really helpless. I want to get back on my frutarian diet or a raw vegan diet. It is especially hard since my husband doesn't eat a lot of fruit, so it usually goes bad before I finish all of it. It is even harder with everyone at work thinking I am some sort of freak. I've had someone tell me I am killing myself by not eating meat and God made animals for us to rule over. If she weren't 55 and I weren't a manager I would have probably punched her in the face when she went into the whole "God gave us animals to be slaves" discussion.

Wow.
You must be really feeling alone with your current lack of support.

Unfortunately, it seems like what would help is to change jobs into one where the hours aren't so bad. That is much easier said then done. Even if you moved to a different gas station near a supermarket would be much better.

Unless your hubby can step up and plan the meals for you, unless you get someone else to pack your meals for you, I think that without harnessing energy you don't have, a job change is the only option I can see out of your quandry.

Is it possible that one of the main things causing your symptoms is just the extra hours at work?

Perhaps you could prepare food in bulk on the days you don't work and put them in the freezer (is freezing ok with raw foodism?)

yep, freezing is definitely okay. thalia's idea about preparing in bulk is a good one.

you could plan out your meals for a week and use a day or two to prepare everything and freeze it. can you make smoothies and things like that, too, to take with you?

and honestly, i have to agree with rodolfo, too. sometimes you have to stick it out when it comes to jobs, but it doesn't sound like one like that is for you to stick with for the long haul. have you thought about switching jobs?

Since you're in a stressful situation right now, I wouldn't worry so much about being raw or a fruitarian or anything where you really have to do careful planning. Maybe start with plain old veganism without too much processed stuff. On your day off (I'm assuming you have one) make a couple of large batches of food, like a vat of soup filled with a variety of veggies and whole grains, or make some hummus and chop up a bunch of veggies so you can easily make a sandwich in the morning without having to do the chopping every day. As for the fruit, you can always eat some fresh fruits and some dry fruits so it won't go bad. Freezing things in one-serving containers is also a good idea. Hope this helps! I agree that it sounds like you need to try to change your work situation, but I know that's often easier said than done.

It sounds like your schedule is demanding, so I would start slow. Try to introduce more healthy vegan foods into your dieting and more raw fruits and veggies, and then go from there. Trying to make a leap from eating all frozen, processed stuff to being raw vegan may just add more stress to your life, and it will probably be difficult to do.
Start out with frozen homemade meals. I sometimes used to make batches of soup for everyone in the house, we put them in containers in the fridge (they have to be good ones though, otherwise your stuff gets freezerburnt) and then heat them up at work/school. You can make home made TV dinners in this fashion, too- We did homemade veggie lasagna, steamed kale, and brown rice in TV dinner style (ie., frozen in a container). Honestly, it wasn't the greatest, but it didn't taste half bad, either- they were all used up in a week though. Another good idea is whole grain bread, veggies, and a light dressing, and you can make a sub at work with lots of veggies on it.
Its difficult, though. Its probably going to be a major challenge to get back to a pure raw, fruitarian diet under your work circumstances- so I'd lobby to get your hours changed, if at all possible, if this is really important to you. Nontheless, you can make some small changes that should help you feel better.
And if you're not already, take a multivitamin!!

Don't worry, it's just a slump that you're in, and at least your recognize that you're not satisfied and want to do something about it :yes:

i recommend trying to meditate, try doing it mainly when you first wake up in the morning. Just close your eyes, breathe, and focus. Think about your body and what it's telling you it needs. Focus on your goal of eating healthier and feeling good, and most imporantly, tell yourself that you deserve to feel good and that you absolutely can do it!

I'm in the same boat right now, i cancelled out dairy and eggs about a month ago, and i find myself going to the quick, easy fixes, like Fritos and bean burritos from Taco Bell, so i feel ya. :smitten:

Good Luck!

I use to work at a Shell too. :) I got laid off in July this year. There was only one worker there at a time so I was there by myself. Thank God. So nobody could say nothin about what I was eating. I was so happy to be there by myself. Me sister worked there too. It just felt sooooo good to be there only. Well, except for the customers coming in. :)


Monika:afro: