I'm So Tired! Need Advise

[Monica]

I'm so darn tired, and I've been like that for a few days.

I've been eating for nine days, before that I did a two week juice fast.

I have been so tired. I have been eating a lot of dehydrated things, and lots of nuts and avocados, but not really more than one avocado/day. I was getting gas from the nuts, so I'm cutting down on those.

It could be my period, which is really late, as I do have other monthly symptoms. I have always felt this tired, but norimally I would have a latte to get me though the day, and maybe one later. Now I'm just exausted.

I've also heard about fillings giving people problems. Could that be it?

I really need advice, and I need to hear about anyone who has experienced similar things.

Oh, I'm not overweight, and I'd be surprised if it was a big detox, as I was eating high raw, then I went on the two week fast...

[MaxMarie]

Sorry to hear all this, Monica. How much are you eating? I mean, can you consider eating more? Or are you full? I love the avocados they give me great energy. Some lovely person here recommended bananas with cinnamon in butter lettuce. I discovered avocado in butter lettuce is equally lovely. How are you on grains? Maybe you need some zippy energy? Do you have any bulk grains? Spelt, oats, wheat berries? Soak them a bit. I like to put them in the coffee grinder and spin them to powder then mush them into something. Banana or avocado? Some dates...

[Monica]

I feel like I'm eating an incredible amount of food. I'm cutting on the nuts, and adding more grains. Nuts aren't going so well with me. I'm having about one avocado a day. I can't imagine eating more. I eat constantly. I'm almost never am hungry when I eat, I just eat. My stomach is almost constantly uncomfortably full...

I'll experiment with mushing some ground up grains in things. Thanks for the idea :)

[SamL]

I'm sorry your feeling so tired.
When I get tired and irritable I usually head for the juicer, my mood picks up almost instantly when I have a vegetable juice, a mix that seems to work for me is (celery, spinach, carrot, beetroot, cucumber, apple)

[Monica]

I'll try that too. Thanks. I'll let you guys know how that works for me.

I have to go to class today, so I won't get much time to juice today, but I will tomorrow.

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi Monica,

The first few weeks of me eating raw (prior to this current 30-day challenge) I was extremely tired. I didn't know why and didn't really question it, I just simply rested (as I was able to) as much as possible. I DO know that our bodies heal, recover, etc. while we're sleeping...your body could be bringing on feelings of lethargy because it simply needs rest in order to heal, cleanse, etc. from within.

I also wanted to ask (because you mentioned being "late") is pregnancy a possibility?

[Monica]

Pregnancy is an extremely remote possibility. we always use protection, but i suppose that things fail. But, i do hear that many girls get irregular periods when they go raw as well. I do rest a lot, and I don't have a stressful job, in fact, I hardly work as I am going to school. I'll just continue to rest, and hope this passes. I'll keep you guys informed.

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Monica,

When you did the juice fast, were you tired? I'm guessing not because you said you were only tired the past few days. I'm wondering if it wasn't all the nuts that made you tired. Maybe if you ate more fruits and veggies.

I know many raw foodist can do fine on raw grains, but if you are gluten intolerant at all, the grains will make you fatigue. So do be careful of that:

http://www.mercola.com/article/insulin.htm

I just personally know I feel more energetic when I on just fruits and veggies, with the minimal amount of seeds or nuts (5-6 nuts a day, max). You'll just have to experiment and see how your body reacts to what you eat. Plus, don't forget detox will make you tired on some days, even if you don't change what you are eating.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[Monica]

I've been tired for years, but I cover it up with coffee. Now I'm off the coffee and I'm dealing with the fatigue. It's been real bad though the last few days, more than norimal, and probably more than on the fast. I definately am cutting down on the nuts though. I guess I'll just follow your advise and experiment. Also, I'm so gassy! I think that is definately the nuts :o

[Monica]

I'm feeling better today. Lots actually. Maybe it was some sort of detox or maybe my body was healing from something. Man though, I am so hungry all the time! I eat a lot. It's so interesting how people seem to report eating tons when first going raw, and then they eat less. I wonder why that is. I truly feel hungry now, not like I'm just stuffing myself.

[Rawkinlocs]

I'm feeling better today. Lots actually. Maybe it was some sort of detox or maybe my body was healing from something. Man though, I am so hungry all the time! I eat a lot. It's so interesting how people seem to report eating tons when first going raw, and then they eat less. I wonder why that is. I truly feel hungry now, not like I'm just stuffing myself.

Hi Monica,

COOL! Glad to hear your feeling loads better today!

One of the main reasons why many people tend to eat a lot when first going raw and then it taper off is because we are accustomed to a "full feeling" when eating cooked and heavier foods. Eating raw brings about a lighter feeling and we feel the need to have that same "full" feeling we felt when eating cooked. Also, stomach expansion...our stomachs sometimes have been expanded beyond what they are normally supposed to be. Once you're raw longer, the stomach will eventually return to it's normal shape, resulting in the need to eat less and fell full AND your body is also used to the lighter feeling of fullness AND your body is now absorbing and assimilating the nutrients better and thus the need for more food becomes less and less overtime of being raw.

So for now, EAT...eat all you feel you need to eat and watch how as time goes on, you'll notice yourself eating less and less! :)

[askcassyfirst]

Glad you are feeling better today. When detoxing, one will have good days, and bad days...and when the former come, it is best to just relax, get fresh air, and be good to yourself. Sounds like you are on the right track.

Incidentally, I find that if I eat too much dehydrated foods I get gut reactions too...They dehydrate me, causing gas and bloating and constipation. Too much of nuts do the same, so for me it is all about finding my own personal balance. Sounds like you are finding yours too.

Keeping a journal, to track your food and body response might be good, so you can see the correlation between. This is how I learned about my issues with wheat and dairy...For allergic patients they recommend it a lot...As a nutritionist I find that food journals can be very revealing. Just a simple note is enough...Do this for a few days, and monitor your reactions to what goes in. You will be surprised. The longer one is raw, I have found, the easier you can "hear" your body's response. It is exciting!

Caffiene is a hard one, I hear you on that. I mentioned in my journal the issue I have with it too...I haven't had any since December...with me, it is all or nothing. I loved the flavor, the ritual, etc. I just got a really neat email newsletter from Fred P., author of Raw Secrets, and he went over the whole caffiene addiction. He is right, it is all about ritual...His suggestion is something I have learned to do: Drink warm herbal tea. My favorites are bengal spice and lemon water with orange....

Keep the faith. YOu are on the right path.

Cassy.:) :)

[MaxMarie]

I switched to Teecino this weekend. It has the look and feel of coffee. The Java blend tastes just like coffee.

http://www.teeccino.com/

It's more expensive at their website that in the stores. Plus, the do bagged "refills."

I wasn't fond of the mocha flavor. It was less like coffee and more like chocolate. I'm going to try adding some mint to the brew.

That much fatigue may be something internal. Ever consider a candida problem?

[catherinethegreat]

I hear that if you have candida - that makes you really tired.

I was just diagnosed with it and was told that this is why I have been so tired

I've heard that from other friends who have had it as well.

Maybe the juice fast spurred on more candida?

Could you have that checked out?

It's pretty easy to deal with - I mean as far as just cutting out types of food to kill it off.

*c

[Monica]

just wanted to say thanks for all the advise. I'll look into candida. I am feeling much better today though. I think it's just a matter of experimenting and seeing what works and what doesn't and giving myself rest when I need it. Thanks a bunch!

[appleaddict]

Just think when this is all over with not only will you be energized but you will have so much energy that you just have to run or jump rope or swim or dance or play tennis. I could go on and on but to spare you I won't. Take care of you.

[EmmaBlue]

I was wondering if anyone on here has tried the 5 Tibetan rejuvenation rites (they are 5 yoga postures) that are an ancient secret of Tibet and are supposed to give you boundless energy by balancing the energy body (chakras). I have been doing them for 22 days now and I have had days of super high energy, but still some very tired days. I've read that after 90 days you see a real difference. They are mentioned on Frederic Patenuade's raw food site. I would love to hear anyone's experience with the exercises.

Also, was wondering...what are the symptoms of candida? Is it just tiredness that is the main symptom? And what kind of test determines if you have it?

thanks, Emma

[Monica]

You know, I'm already getting more energetic. I was just a little alarmed because I was soooooooooo tired. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm still looking forward to more energy though. I can go all day without coffee without being miserable now, which is actually a huge huge improvement.

EmmaBlue...

I haven't heard about the postures, but I will look them up. Thanks for the tip.

[Monica]

Here's a right on the yoga poses...

http://www.lifeevents.org/5-tibetans-energy-rejuvenation-exercises.htm

[askcassyfirst]

I was just loaned a book on the Tibetan Rites. It looks great! I will post in my journal when I get started...

Cassy:)

[EmmaBlue]

Cassy, Is the book about the Tibetan rites you have called "The Fountain of Youth" by Peter Kelder? That is the book I have. There is also advice on diet in the book, which I now follow. The Tibetan monks eat no more than one or two items at a meal, say a plate of cooked spinach, or they will make a meal of just blueberries, or just brown bread. They also eat eggs if doing physical activity to build muscle. I experienced exhaustion for months on the raw diet, and it seemed linked to all the fruit sugar. It just makes sense that a plate of cooked greens is far healthier than some raw food recipe filled with nuts, dried fruit and who knows what-else.

[Revvell]

Monica,

It sound to me as though the fatigue was from detoxing yet, if you've cut out the nuts, that could very well be a factor. Did you soak the nuts before eating?

Previously I've had problems w/ raw almonds, oranges, tomatoes and strawberries while being on a purifying food program. My former roomie was running all over the house with excess energy while all I could do was eat (a lot), sleep and read (and fall asleep while reading). I did some muscle testing and found my body was having trouble assimilating the above foods.

I found I can eat almonds after soaking and the other foods I can eat as long as I rotate and eat various foods.

Gas can come from unsoaked nuts or dried fruits yet also, bell peppers, and various other foods.

Seems you've got things working again yet thought I'd just throw that out neighbor. :D

Injoy,

Revvell