Weight Gain Routine

[Rmiller]

Hi all,

I'm currently VERY underweight (70 lbs & 5'6). I've started lifting weights. Does anyone have any suggestions about a possible exercise routine that would help me gain back needed muscule? (note: I need to increase my body fat as well since its way too low).

ALL HELP appreciated,

Lisa

[rawfigure]

a couple questions then I am sure we can give you some help..

do you have any injuries ? do you have any medical restrictions ?
what us your current routine ?
and how long have you been lifting? do you do any cardio ?

Being under weight I am sure you will want to take it slow and be careful in the weight training to prevent injury.

[Rmiller]

Hi Rawfigure

To answer your questions:

1) no injuries and no medical restrictions

2) Currently on a 3 day rotation: legs/shoulders, chest/back, triceps/biceps; I try to do 1 or two ab exercises each day too. I'm lifting so that I fatigue between 8 to 12 reps. I do 3 sets of each exercise resting inbetween each set.

3) I've been lifting since Jan but am not seeming to be getting anywhere. I was doing more cardio before - 20 min on stationary bike on the interval option - my legs burn when I'm done. However, I recently decreased this to 10 min since I'm worried that this is what is continuing to cause my weight loss (not gain).

All suggestions greatly appreciated

[Qman]

Hi RawFigure,

i am a personal trainer who has just begun my raw journey a few weeks ago. i've spoken with several raw food athletes which was why i decided to give this Way of Life a go. i truly feel that one can gain muscle on the Raw Food diet. here's the thing....you MUST get the calories into you. frequent meals thru out the day. nut milks....heavy sweet fruits....smoothies....big salads....etc. for the weights....short and infrequent workouts are best. heavy weight(well heavy for you that is) if you can do more than 10 reps with the weight, it's to light. you want to fail around 6-8 reps. only do two sets. a warm-up set then the real set. pick one basic exercise per muscle group. no shaping exercises needed. i know you may have questions(that is IF this sounds cool to you) feel free to ask away. if not...now worries, i just wanted to perhaps help.

[Qman]

so sorry the last post was directed to RAWMILLER ; )

[rawfigure]

I second Q man..yes you can gain muscle on a raw diet.

rawmiller if you are 70 (is that right ?) and are you 5' 6 (not a typo ?) at 5 ' 6" you need muscle and bodyfat. I am your height and my lowest weight in college was 101 and I was a stick, my arms were painfully thin !!!

If I got the height and weight right you do need to be careful of your bones. At that bodyweight and height you are at risk for bone loss, have you had a bone density test ?

So at 70 you have lots of room for growth !

Eat more small meals and add some calorie dense foods, slowwly add food though !

Keep at the current schedule

keep cardio to warm up and cool down only, like 10 min each..and some days 12-15 min. but nix the longer cardio sessions until you gain some weight !

[newly_raw]

hey whats goin on Qman...everythin you talking about sounds very interesting...im a basketball player and love doing and hearing anything when it comes to enhancing ones health...I been looking for someone who can help me and learn from...love to learn and looking for good sources to learn from...

[tglasco4]

I like the suggestion of Qman. I just want to add one thing.....in order to grow muscle you should also seek to progressively increase the amount of weight you use. The muscle will grow in response to increasing resistance. Do it carefully to avoid injury, but do it. Other than that, Qman is right on......Carry on :p

Peace.

Todd

[Beanie]

Um, 70 lbs? Are you sure that is right? I mean I weigh 70 lbs right now unfortunately at 5'1", and for me, that is a dangerous weight according to my Dr. I know of no other adult that weighs that little in the real world. Do you have an eating disorder? Are you eating enough? I mean, unless you don't have money for food, are purposefully restricting your food intake, or have a medical issue, I think just increasing your calorie level you should put on weight. Eat whatever you like especially heavy foods. I'm not so sure weight lifting is really healthy for you at that weight until you start gaining. You could hurt yourself!! You are probably very frail. Right now if I lose any more weight, I know its a matter of time before I hurt my back. And I'm very small boned and much shorter than you are!!

[Qman]

i love this Forum!! thanks todd, rawfigure, and newlyraw......you guys are great! todd is right as well...make sure you slowly increase your weight as you go. a good rule of thumb if you can do more than 10 reps, increase the weight. i know there may be alot to process...if any one has any questions feel free to ask away; )

[Rmiller]

Thanks for your suggestions.

I am definitely 100% sure that I weigh at most 70 lbs since that is what my scale and the doctor's scale both say. Plus I look like a walking sceleton.

I am currently eating 2800 cal's/day (I'm a girl for all those who are questioning) but am just barely hanging onto this weight without losing anymore. My body has BIG TIME difficulties digesting food. When I started eating raw a few years ago I just didn't realize that my calorie level had fallen so much because it made me full all the time. As such, my weight plumeted like a rock and I have been struggling since to gain it back.

I realize now that I have to be VERY certain that I eat enough cal's. Since I get full quickly, I've started to put my cal's into fitday to make sure that I eat at least 2800. Over the past month I have been able to increase the cal's slowly from 1500 to 2800 cal's. At least I've stopped losing weight now but gaining is still another issue. I'm going to keep increasing the cal level by 100/week until I start seeing some real weight gain.

Because my digestion is so weak I've taken to eating more frequently in smaller amounts and blending/grinding/processing/juicing most of my food -which seems to help reduce the stomach pain I get from eating.

I'm an active person so it really sucks having to limit my physical activity - I'm 26 years old and I've grown up playing sports and exercising. I'm trying to get more sleep but have difficulty with this as well.

I will increase the weight that I'm lifting so that I fatigue earlier. Do any of you recommend certain exercises to focus on? I personally LOVE doing strength training and welcome as many SPECIFIC recommendations on which/what/how exercises to do.

Thanks again for your help so far,

Lisa :)

[michigan roman]

rmiller , im quoting a dr j. kadans here " ample portions of sesame seeds will increase body weight " . and a way i use sesame seeds for protein and calcium is to grind up 1/3 cup of them til fine , then fill blender half with water and 2 bananas and blend til like a milk shake . when i was younger alot of guys made banana shakes when lifting cuz we thought itd put on weight . and outlooks may have changed today but ive always saw protein and fats as things to put on weight , and with that in mind ide suggest making a granola type food of ground up into bb sized bits , or finer if want cuz would be easier to digest , nuts and seeds like walnuts , almonds , sesame seeds , sunflowerseeds and dried fruits like raisins , pineapple , etc to then eat out of bowl with some fruit like banana , strawberry , whatever you like , thrown in . i know ive seen in past that bananas are one thing sumu wrestlers would use to put on weight . and i read lately that people are using hemp seed for protein source . theres this guy stefan arlin thats a raw body builder , wrote book natures first law . i dont know much about him and have heard mixed opinions but i do know hes into lifting and eating for size . ive seen his web site breifly and know you could find it by browsing his name or book . goodday :)

[michigan roman]

and on lifting i can say that ive seen alot of guys put size / muscle on chest by bench pressing , and on thighs by doing squats , then on shoulders military lifts . goodday :)

[PATH301]

check out this guy's routine and regiment:http://www.charliesgym.info/ :D

[misslinda]

I'm sorry but I don't mean to butt in but this is cocerning me.

Rmiller, how long have you been at this very low weight? Do you know the cause?

I ask b/c and I dont mean this in any rude way shape or form.....

I was at a VERY low weight in the 60 range at one time in my life BUT that was b/c I was anorexic. So, I am envisioning you nearly 4 inches taller than me and weighing about 10 lbs more than my weight back then.......

I don't think weight lifting is a healthy reasoning for you at this time. Considering that you are deficient of some sort, would leave me to believe that your body cannot handle the exertion if it needs to HEAL what is preventing you from gaining weight. Putting weight on doesn't neccessarily solve the issue of what's casuing your condition.

How log have you been raw?

What is your intake?

When did you start notcing these weight issues?

Past medical history?

Do your docs have any idea?

What symptoms do you notice?

:confused:

[michigan roman]

misslinda your great , and doing wonderful work here helping people . i was hoping youd step in . more power to ya :)

[rawfigure]

I was thinking along the line of misslinda. And now that you confirm that your height weight was not a typo...yes I think you should seek some professional advice on your weight drop. As I stated at 5'6" I was 101 and when I hit that I "woke" up as I was soo thinat 100 ! You are 30 below that ! At that low body weight you risk so much health issues. So I would say you seek a professional opinion on the weight loss. You say you weighed in at the DR office, did he /she comment on the weight loss ? Also that amount of weight loss on a decent number of cals is something to explore. Most of us misslinda, me were losing cuz we were not eating enough or at all !

[Beanie]

I agree, ditto on the must seek help! Its more important to be ALIVE then to be raw, you must get sufficient calories. There is no way IMHO that you could maintain that weight without starving yourself, so take care of that first!! If I'm below 70 lbs, and I'm only 5'1", I would end up flat on my back hurting it, because at that weight I am not able to maintain my daily activities and its dangerous according to my Drs. So please get help!! I wouldn't recommend exercise at all now until you start putting on weight. You will only be setting yourself up for injury and expending more calories.

[misslinda]

If I'm below 70 lbs, and I'm only 5'1", I would end up flat on my back hurting it, because at that weight I am not able to maintain my daily activities and its dangerous according to my Drs.




Cosigns with Rawfigure and Beanie in the BIG TIME.

Yaw, when i was at that very low weight, I couldn't even think or sit without bruising and being pain all the time. Being that Beanie is currently in the range, here it is...........Yes, one can be a high functioning anorexic (hopefully this is not the case). Like even Rawfigure said when she was 5'6 and 100 lbs, whe looked rail thin!

Rmiller, yes, I am being more provacative than I usually am but it'a a concern. I am not saying you are some hidden closet anoreixc but let's talke about your health first before we put you thru some exercise routine that will wear you down............you need for healing. Really really concerned here. :confused:
I truly am sorry if I offend you---let me know if I have.

[tglasco4]

I realize now that I have to be VERY certain that I eat enough cal's. Since I get full quickly, I've started to put my cal's into fitday to make sure that I eat at least 2800. Over the past month I have been able to increase the cal's slowly from 1500 to 2800 cal's. At least I've stopped losing weight now but gaining is still another issue. I'm going to keep increasing the cal level by 100/week until I start seeing some real weight gain.

Because my digestion is so weak I've taken to eating more frequently in smaller amounts and blending/grinding/processing/juicing most of my food -which seems to help reduce the stomach pain I get from eating.

I'm an active person so it really sucks having to limit my physical activity - I'm 26 years old and I've grown up playing sports and exercising. I'm trying to get more sleep but have difficulty with this as well.

I will increase the weight that I'm lifting so that I fatigue earlier. Do any of you recommend certain exercises to focus on? I personally LOVE doing strength training and welcome as many SPECIFIC recommendations on which/what/how exercises to do.

Thanks again for your help so far,

Lisa :)

About the specific exercises.......They are called the big 3. Bench presses (either with dumbbells, barbells or machines in your case), squats and deadlifts. Basic 5 sets at 6-8 reps with perfect form. Increasing the weight when the reps go above 10.

With the sensitivity of your digestion, I use fresh squeezed OJ alot (I drink about 40-50oz per day). It gives between 600-1000 calories, its easily digested and it hits the system quickly. I also use banana based smoothies. You may want to add cashews to them for calories and protein. Here is a sample of one:

3 bananas
1 apple
cup of raisins or your favorite dried fruit (I like mango best) or dates
1/4 - 1/2 cup of cashews.
48oz of water

Blend until smooth.

this drink is about 800 calories and easily digested when blended well.

Enjoy :) .

Todd

[Universal]

Peace to all,

Just to chime in quickly. I'm a male, 5'9", 150.. And my weight for the most part has been steady at around 145. When i first went raw, after a month my weight dropped to about 139-140; although it appeared i had lost a lot more weight as people noticed (and still notice) my features; my face, etc. I've been an athlete all my life (23 years); played basketball collegiately, etc. And i've continued my workout routine consistently all throughout my raw journey (which is now over a year). After those first couple of months, which i felt was my body readjusting itself to its PROPER diet and PROPER nutrient content, i've slowly regained the weight back in the form of HEALTHIER muscle.
And after going home for spring break last week, i noticed on the scale that i've gained 4-5 more pounds just over the last couple of months, up to the 150 range. Part of that is also because i've stopped running and jogging and concentrated more on lifting.
Hope that's helpful..

PEACE
Universal

[Qman]

i love your heart Miss Linda.

i agree. sometimes in these Forums is can be difficult because there is so much that can make up a persons story. often they leave things out. when i train a student i have a lengthy questionnaire that covers all the info i need to design the appropriate plan.

being that I TOO am NEW to being RAW i am learning as i go. i've been obese. I've been lean. i know how it's done....but with raw it's a whole new ball game.

so to RawMiller....i(we) totally support you. take the info, use it if it is appropriate. keep a journal of your feelings and experiences as you go along this Path. i am doing this daily. starting at 201, 5' 11" we will see how this changes. at 8 days in i am 194 this morning. waist was 34....now 33. although my coming to raw was from a FEELING place. a spiritual kinda thing. my health was good as i always eat healthy and workout. i just didn't want the energy of HEAVY foods anymore.

everyone has to find what works for THEM! don't follow propaganda! follow your OWN heart!

journey well warriors!!!

[misslinda]

LOL......I'm sorry Michigan Roman, I was so into the thread that I forgot to say "HI and good to see you again...long time no talk mister!"

Qman, thank you for the kind words and nice to meet you!



I wanted re-address what I posted.

I don't want to assume and insinuate that Rmiller is some crazy or some in the closet anorexic and such. At this kind of weight whether from raw detox (which I doubt) or suffering and ED, this very very very low weight is SERIOUS. My opinion but I think what REALLY needs focus is the cause of nutrient deficiency that is making her unable to gain and maintain weight. Exertion can kill someone of this weight---I've been there and I've seen it. This is beyond guant.

Rmiller, I mean well and I hope we can help you with the cause of your condtion..... :)


Concerned,
ml :confused:

[Qman]

very well said.

[Rmiller]

Hi all,

Thank you all for your comments and concerns.

Miss Linda,

I have to admit that I was struggling for about 6 years because I was anorexic; although I was able to maintain a higher weight at that time so that I was able to function better (around 85 to 90 lbs). My normal weight before all that began was 110 where I ate like a horse and never gained weight. My sisters are not anorexic and are both around that weight. The doc figures that this is my set weight to get to.

About 2 years ago I decided that I had enough and wanted to get healthy. I started eating raw and then I really ended up losing a lot of weight (as I mentioned earlier). Because I've been anorexic for a total of about 9 years my body have trouble digesting any food now. I get stomach cramps very easily and lots of bloating and gas (Yuck). The doc put me on a medication that helped a ton because it decreased this symptoms plus made me hungry. The problem is that he took me off of it because it was causing all of my muscles and joints to seize up.

That being said, I really do want to gain weight now but need help. I want to gain weight (both muscle and fat) in a healthy way and am not sure how to get these results. When you were at a really low weight how did you regain your weight??? I would love ANY help ASAP before the doc ends up putting me in the hospital.

Thanks for all your help. Its so nice to get support.

Lisa

[misslinda]

LOL......I love you Lisa.

Sorry, I have a "hunch" for other ED sisters :)

I'm glad you are with us tonite b/c I was really concerned and invisioning the worst case scenerio here. Stay with us so we know you are alright.

It really sounds like you have digestive issues. This weight training is the last thing you need. Adding more "stress" to your body is not allowing it to heal and recover from whatever you are illing from.

More than likely with anorexia, you are dehydrated,depleted and more than likely have stomach lining isseues (my specialty).

Can I ask........

What symptoms are you getting?

you mentioned gas.........before you eat and after?

Did you als having purging tnedencies?

Laxative use?

Coffee drinker?


I was in and out of hospitals. In 2001, gosh was it 2002 landed in the ER......and was bed ridden for two years barely moving...slowly ate mostly oatmeal and rice milk. then added things like applesauce.

What are you currently eating? were you on prilosec?

[misslinda]

something else just occurred to me......I know you want to do this yourself but are you at least being supervised of your high risk health? like a nutritionist of some sort?

muscles seize up as in stiffen? more than likely becuz you have no blood flow,dehydrated etc :(

[Beanie]

Hey, I hope I didn't sound harsh, thats the last thing I wanted to do! I just know at my weight and MY functioning ability, and considering I have one of the smallest bone structures around, at your weight you would be considered hospital material. And I know how that goes, its very detrimental from my point of view because they approach weight as the problem and they control it which is the worst way to approach it! But at your weight you must have serious problems with depression, moodiness, tirdness, inability to think even!

But if you have noticed, if you get too thin, you will scare and push people away from you. And not only that, increase your degree of depression tremendously since you will LOSE the ability to control your day to day life, work, do things for yourself, etc. Not only that, people will abandon you because you start to look like a scary disease and they can't relate, and thats not what you want. I'm sure you are looking for help, love and acceptance. Hey, if you are serious, I'm here!!

Right now I am struggling, but for other reasons. I've had weight problems my whole life too, but never the body distortion problem. So I'm kinda atypical yet I do understand. I went back to school this last year, finishing up this May, so I can only work part time now. So I'm VERY broke and haven't had enough money for food. So I've been losing weight! Except now as a vegan with food allergies, I cannot get food help that wont cause my throat to swell!! I'm very angry about this.

I've started to add some cheap cooked whole vegan foods at times, which has lessened my ability to work and do as much as I used too, my energy level is a lot less now. Plus I'm very sensitive to cooked foods now. Lentils and beans give me gas pains, rice even gives me sinus problems, its a miserable circle!

But what I do is beg for food at the coops for produce for me and my animals. My Dr has given me Ensure which is now stabilizing my weight and helping me to fuction. I don't like it, its not vegan, but its more important for me to look "normal" so I can get a better job and function then be vegan or raw. I've got to take care of myself first because it will only get worse if I don't. Ensure is easy to digest, high in calories, and although I consider it "toxic" it is maintaining me. Cooked food isn't ideal in any way, but it came about to ensure the survival of our species. Its a bandaid though until I can afford more food and can't wait to go all raw again! For now I'm doing the best I can.

But I also add more fats to my food. Go slow, your body adjusts. But restrict your exercise for now! Last time I lost weight I seriously hurt my back and couldn't do anything for months. I was depressed and on total disability for 3 months! I had to gain weight and get healthy if I wanted a normal life back.

Are you taking reglan? That will help speed digestion. How about juicing? That will help too!! Juicing and smoothies should help ease digestion of things. Add oils, hemp powder, etc to your drinks. In time your appetite does come back, sometimes with a vegence, but you have support here! Eat, eat small meals, eat regularly, it gets easier!!

[Rmiller]

Hi Miss Linda and Beanie,

Thanks for your responses.

I am currently seeing a dietitian once a week. With her help I've essentially been able to increase my calories from 1200/day to about 2700/day. Each day she wants me to enter my food intake into fitday.com to make sure that I'm at least eating 2700. Right now I have to force myself everyday to be able to eat that much but at least its stopped me from losing more weight. Each week she weighs me and keeps in contact with the doc. If I lose even an ounce more weight, they'll hospitalize me and force feed. I've been in and out of hospital before and it is PURE TORTURE. I will do whatever it takes right now to stay out and get better.

A lot of foods bother my stomach. First of all, I'm allergic to dairy and soy gives me a lot of stomach cramps. Eating a large amount of fat at one time creates a lot of bloating and discomfort. One of the side effects of having eaten so little over the years is that my stomach lacks the digestive power (doesn't produce the right amount of the required enzymes needed to break down the food properly or at least takes a lot longer to digest).

Smoothies are my life-saver right now. I make lots of green smoothies and if I have a salad, I break it up first in the food processor. I usually make one juice/day because I don't have time to do it more often. I work full-time as a tax accountant. Bananas sit really well in my tummy and other kinds of fruit.

I have NEVER purged or taken laxatives.and I hate coffee. What is prilosec? I take a hemp protein powder and sometimes use "Vega" Protein supplement, which don't seem to cause any pain.

Thanks for all comments/suggestions. Looking forward to your further responses,

Lisa

[misslinda]

Hi Miss Linda and Beanie,

Thanks for your responses.

I am currently seeing a dietitian once a week. With her help I've essentially been able to increase my calories from 1200/day to about 2700/day. Each day she wants me to enter my food intake into fitday.com to make sure that I'm at least eating 2700. Right now I have to force myself everyday to be able to eat that much but at least its stopped me from losing more weight. Each week she weighs me and keeps in contact with the doc. If I lose even an ounce more weight, they'll hospitalize me and force feed. I've been in and out of hospital before and it is PURE TORTURE. I will do whatever it takes right now to stay out and get better.

A lot of foods bother my stomach. First of all, I'm allergic to dairy and soy gives me a lot of stomach cramps. Eating a large amount of fat at one time creates a lot of bloating and discomfort. One of the side effects of having eaten so little over the years is that my stomach lacks the digestive power (doesn't produce the right amount of the required enzymes needed to break down the food properly or at least takes a lot longer to digest).

Smoothies are my life-saver right now. I make lots of green smoothies and if I have a salad, I break it up first in the food processor. I usually make one juice/day because I don't have time to do it more often. I work full-time as a tax accountant. Bananas sit really well in my tummy and other kinds of fruit.

I have NEVER purged or taken laxatives.and I hate coffee. What is prilosec? I take a hemp protein powder and sometimes use "Vega" Protein supplement, which don't seem to cause any pain.

Thanks for all comments/suggestions. Looking forward to your further responses,

Lisa


Lisa Lisa !!!!!!!!

I am so sorry, I get so wired and cyber-airheadish sometimes!

Say listen, as many calories you are eating, you're right, you ought to have gained weight by now. None the less, even half that.......only my personal opinion and I am no doctor or health practioner by any means but I do not think you're body is absorbing these nuttrients let alone your "depleted" in organ vitality.

Can you give me an idea of how you start you day liquids and meals.

What does your stomach feel like first thing in the morning?
What do you [feel] likea fter eating--tired? achy?
How is uriantion?
are you sleeping well at nite?
What is your mood like ususaly thruout the day?
BM's?
What time is your last meal?
Naseau?


I'd imagine you must have all kinds of feelings going thru yourself with having to deal with the inner emotional grips of anorexia......I use to always think of myself as divided---wanting to get well and eagerly taking a few steps back.........have you been in any support group or counseling to deal with it while gainning weight?

oh goodness, full time tax acct!?!?!? We gotta get you feeing better here........we've got lots of "checks and balances" :D to get you healthy not "gaining" I hate to use the phrase [gain weight] especially in relation to ED. so let's think in terms of getting healthy not the high pressured anxiety driven phrase of gain weight ;)

[Rmiller]

Miss Linda,

Since I make myself eat the required cal's no matter what and because sometimes things get so busy at work that I don't have a chance to take all my breaks, I get behind in eating for the day. Many times I end up having to eat a lot of it when I get home and before I go to bed, which doesn't help at all.

Because I end up eating more later most days (although I'm really starting to try hard now to stick to an eating schedule), I'm not hungry until about 2 or 3 hours after I've been up for a while. I would LOVE it if you could suggest how I can space the food out based on the number of calories at each snack and meal. For instance, how many calories at breakfast, AM snack, Lunch, PM Snack, Dinner, Evening Snack?

I usually begin the day with the Vega meal replacement, but I just found out that it is not raw as I thought it was so I'm going to stop using this when it runs out. I then make a green smoothie... a blended raw soup later.... one or 2 pieces of fruit later... a glass of veggie juice ..... . My dinner tends to vary but it is sometimes a salad with some nut dressing/nuts or avocado dressing although with something else - last night I had a baked yam and some warmed up peas (I love frozen peas warmed up. I could eat them by the bucket full). In the evening I usually have my fav: mashed bananas mixed with ground up nuts and/or make a smoothie or some raw soaked grains blended with dates/bananas.

I seem to be thirsty a lot so I drink a lot of water. Since I tend to be cold a lot I also sip mainly on hot/warm water.

What do you [feel] likea fter eating--tired? achy?

After I eat, I usually feel really tired and I get really really bloated. A lot of foods also give me a lot of gas.

How is uriantion?
Urination is VERY frequent. I go too many times a day to count (my dad has this same problem since we both have small bladders)

are you sleeping well at nite?
I never sleep straight through the night. I usually wake up at least 3 times each night to go to the washroom and it never seems like I really have a deep restful sleep. I tend to get about 6 hours/night on a good night.

What is your mood like ususaly thruout the day?
Mood fluctuates a lot but generally its pretty low.

BM's?
Regular - varying towards loose when something really bothers my stomach.

What time is your last meal?
From 8:30 to 9 p.m I have a big evening snack, which is usually one of the biggest meals of the day.

Naseau?
Not really.

Thanks for your question. If you could provide any insights/help, I would appreciate it.

Lisa

[misslinda]

Hey Lisa,

Do you mind emailing me? :)

[Rmiller]

When I tried to e-mail you, it wouldn't let me. This is the message that came up:

"Sorry! That user has specified that they do not wish to receive emails. If you still wish to send an email to this user, please contact the administrator and they may be able to help"

Any suggestions about what I can do?

[Beanie]

Hi Lisa!

Sorry I haven't gotten back with you but I might know what is going on. When my weight got to its lowest and I started eating, my body went into a hypermetabolic state. I was below what you weight now (under 60) but considering your height it might be the equivalent. But I was in a deep depression and ate very little for a year. I went from drinking only 2 cans of Ensure a day for a year to eating over 2400 kcal, which for me is tremendous and LOST weight at first!! The Drs said my body was so hungry it was burning everything. But that lasted about a month and then stopped. But unlike you I was also starving all the time and wanting to constantly eat. So I just ate every couple of hours nonstop until things slowed down. Unfortunately, I ended up in the hospital anyway, oh well.

But I do remember having issues with the fats back then too and gastric motility. I went on reglan which speeds up gastric emptying. That helped me tremendously!! What was easy for me to gain weight on is sugars. You can do fruit, dried fruit, and I'm sure fast burning grains will be OK too. The Ensure was easy to digest also, its mostly sugar with oil and protein powder. Oils are less heavy then nuts or seeds. But try things like oats and lots of nutmylks, and juices. Try more low fiber stuff and I would stay away from all meats, beans, and even cooked veggies at this time since they will cause you distress. At this time, PLEASE don't worry about being 100% raw! Trust me, if you end up in a hospital, you will be eating the worst food ever or being tube fed big time!! I'm talking cheesecake, meat, dairy products, pancakes with white flour, butter, and more junk and beyond your physical comfort. There is a gray area..........trust me, its ok.

Take care!

[misslinda]

OOPS, I will edit so it can allow email ;)

[Rmiller]

Hi Miss Linda,

It still won't let me e-mail you. Perhaps you could try e-mailing me. If this doesn't work, let me know and I will just write my e-mail address. Then you could e-mail me and I'll have you're e-mail address.

Lisa

[JustMe]

Hi Lisa,

I finally read the entire thread, LOL. I just have a question more for curious reasons because, I myself feel that I am underweight, but i am not 100% raw. I'm 5'5" and weigh 102. These digestive issues that you are having, have the doctors figured out what is CAUSING it or that digestive issues are the cause of you not gaining? Like not enough digestive juice, etc.? Have you done a parasite cleanse? And I at least know this-that if you are not exercising it might be hard to eat more because your body is not demanding extra fuel so when you get back to exercising your hunger should increase naturally.

MIssLinda--I just love your posts. you're such a sweetie!!! :)

[Lunar*Fey]

hey Lisa,
I have to gain weight too...and I know a lot about it and such...so if you need any support or have any questions or just want to talk, etc...please email me (nightshade_16@sbcglobal.net) I think I could relate to a lot of what you're going through right now...

[Rmiller]

Thanks for your e-mail Lunar.... I e-mailed you.

I also thought I would mention that I've changed around how I'm eating right now.

Right now I eat between 2800 to 3000 calories and am not gaining weight. Most of it is juiced. I make veggie and/or fruit juices and make nut milks. The only things I don't juice are avocados, young coconut meat, bananas, mangos, pears and other really soft fruit that digests easy for me. All greens I'm juicing now instead of smoothies just until my body can properly digest the stuff. I'm finding this VERY helpful since I don't have lots of bloating/gas/cramps doing this.

Lisa

[JustMe]

Lisa,

How do you find out how many calories are in the juice? I wanted to track my calories to make sure i am getting enough and I do juice sometimes. THat would help out a lot. Thanks!

RAchel

[Rmiller]

I wish I knew the answer too. Usually I make an estimate. There are a number of different juices in the fitday.com data base but they aren't always the combos I have.

Lisa

[rawfigure]

You can get a good idea buy putting the individual juices together in the log, if you put juice into the search you get 10 pages of juices !!!

As far as Kale/greens...you can put in the quantity of greens and substract out the fiber calories they list to get the approx. cal.

If you want max impact from you green drinks do not dilute them like you would a fruit juice. You will get in my calories in your drink.