GAINED WEIGHT and going crazy

[Jennimik]

I know everyone will say throw away the scale, etc. etc., but I can't. Today marks the second week of raw (I can't say 100% because I still drink coffee, but that's the only thing that isn't raw) and I've gained weight--about six pounds to be exact. Now I can't believe I gained 6 pounds in a week. I admit I've been eating a lot of nuts and making a lot of recipes. It's not anything cyclical either. I have been eating raw sauerkraut and kim chi (lots of salt). The first week I lost a pound and the second I gained 6!

I feel like I'm flying a bit blindly here. I read so many things with so many differing schools of thought. . .eat only fruit (YUCK. . .in Chicago in winter?!!), don't eat vinegar or olive oil, eat big salads, lower nut consumption, etc etc. I think I'm on information overload. I'm patiently awaiting Alissa's book because someone mentioned there is a menu plan in it. I've read Rawsome by Brigette Mars, Juliano's Uncook book, Nomi Shannon's book and countless Web Sites. I'm feeling really discouraged and depressed that I can't find a consistent philosophy. (the Rawschool Site scared the heck out of me)

I guess I could be feeling detox as well, but sheesh, I'd like to lose some weight. I'm in it for the health aspect of the lifestyle, but to be honest, I really want to lose weight.

Any suggestions you have would be wonderful.


Jenn

[askcassyfirst]

I won't say much, since i am sure you will get plenty of responses, however I will mention this...how are your bowels moving?

The scale is a difficult measurement tool to trust, especially over a short period of time. That is because our weight fluctuates due to the amount of food in our belly, as well as the amount of water we are retaining around our cells. My experience with clients has shown that many people who have a lot of weight to lose will lose a bunch quite quickly in the beginning, as their body sheds water. Our body will typically use water to neutralize toxins...that means if you are really toxic, you will tend to retain water, and as you cleanse, you will shed water.

Certain carbs will also cause water retention, which is why so many people lose weight 'overnight' on a low carb diet. This is not real weightloss. You can prevent water retention by drinking more water...sounds ironic, but it is true. Again, this is why 'overnight' weight loss is typically not fat loss. Slow and steady wins the race.

Nuts and other dehydrated foods that are low in water also cause dehydration of the bowel, and thus water retention & constipation...

My personal experience was that I didn't lose a lot in the first few weeks, but I stayed the course, and eventually lost 30lb over a 4 month period. (155! down to 124.) I have also seen a several pound gain over a day or two of heavy eating. (And I mean by weight of the food, not by richness! LOL! :))

Continue down the path, and you will see sucess. Read over some of the journals here, and perhaps the transformation stories on Shazzie.com. You will see that your experience is not uncommon.

Cassy.:)

[Pailani]

What about the Rawschool Site scared you?

I do know what you mean about conflicting information. I figure I'll eat with wild abandon now while I'm starting, and fine-tune as I learn more and see what seems to work for me.

[Rawkinlocs]

Cassy wrote:
The scale is a difficult measurement tool to trust, especially over a short period of time. That is because our weight fluctuates due to the amount of food in our belly, as well as the amount of water we are retaining around our cells. My experience with clients has shown that many people who have a lot of weight to lose will lose a bunch quite quickly in the beginning, as their body sheds water. Our body will typically use water to neutralize toxins...that means if you are really toxic, you will tend to retain water, and as you cleanse, you will shed water.

I SO agree with this! Jenn, I KNOW you say you can't, but unless you want to continue being frustrated and feeling disappointed by the (seemingly) lack of weightloss, it is pertinent that you get that scale out of the house. Either that or put it way somewhere and promise yourself that you won't look at it for at least a month or longer! I know it's hard, but like Cassy said, there are just so many different variables that could be causing you to seemingly not be losing weight or even gaining and the weight at first WILL fluctuate.

Try (I know you don't wanna hear this but I'm gonna say it anyway) to focus on the HEALTH aspect of this and not the weight. I know it's easier said for me since I am not trying to lose weight, but I was not always small and I know what it's like to want to take the weight off and in a hurry! I only wish I had photos of me around 1998 to show you, but I don't unfortunately.

So, again, try and put that scale away or get rid of it. They're inaccurate most times anyway. All this time my scale was telling me I was one weight and I go to the Curve fitness place with a neighbor of mine and get weighed and measured and find out I'm actually 4 lb. heavier than what my scale at home said I was. You can't always trust those things.

Jenn wrote:
I'm in it for the health aspect of the lifestyle, but to be honest, I really want to lose weight.

And you will! Just keep at it...stay the course and stop watching your weight if you can. You know what they say about a watched pot never boils? Some, not ALL people lose weight quickly, but for many it takes time for it to begin to start shedding off. It's only been 2 weeks. That may seem like a long time to see results, but in all honesty, it's not. Try to be patient with your body as it makes it's adjustments to this new way of life. It'll happen for you, don't worry!

[Jennimik]

What about the Rawschool Site scared you?

The woman lives on 2 mangoes, a cucumber and three tomatoes per day. (ok, a bit of an exaggeration)

[flutterfly]

I think that you really answered your own question. You are eating way to much salt. Sounds like you are retaining a lot of water also.

[Jennimik]

I won't say much, since i am sure you will get plenty of responses, however I will mention this...how are your bowels moving?


Ok, I'm not complaining because they're moving better than they ever have in my life, but it's still not every day and it's still not well. I've spent every day of the last 2 weeks bloated and crampy. (sorry about the graphic details)

Every person I've talked to says eat what you want and you'll transition away from the high fat foods. But, honestly, are there things I should be avoiding? I stopped with nuts and nut butters and avocados the last 2 days, but I've still been having olive oil or cold pressed sesame oil in my salads. Should I not have those things? Should I eat more fruit, as painful as that may be for me right now? I eat a ton of greens and salads. I stopped with the sprouted grains and beans last week because they were wreaking havoc.

I have about 20 (NOW 26!!!) pounds to lose. I definitely understand the water consumption issues. I drink about 3 liters of water and 2 liters of green tea a day.

Thanks Cassy!

I know, I know. . .throw away the scale.

[Pailani]

<<The woman lives on 2 mangoes, a cucumber and three tomatoes per day.>>

LOL! Yeah, that'd be scary if I had to eat that little to get results!

But it seems like most people get great results from eating more, and she didn't set out to eat that little. It sounds like she followed her body and after getting good results from eating more, and from eating transition foods, she started feeling like wanted less. I've read about other people who had the same experience, after a long time doing this, they just felt like they needed less food.

I'd love to eat like that. I'd save a lot of money. I could afford to buy it all organic! And I'd save a lot of time preparing produce.

[Rawkinlocs]

The woman lives on 2 mangoes, a cucumber and three tomatoes per day. (ok, a bit of an exaggeration)

Awww Jenn, that's not very fair. Nora is cool peeps...she's into the Natural Hygiene way of life which is very simplistic and she's been at this (raw) for years. Once I get this raw thing down pat for a few years or so, that's the road I'll be headed down...the simple life where food is not the main focus and eating to live will be the forefront.

But she used to eat like the rest of us with all the recipes and combined foods, but overtime (as it's been for other raw fooders) she just found that she doesn't need to eat as much...this is normal. I even see in Alissa's book where she journalled some of her eating habits and she eats very minimally as well.

I took the liberty of copying and pasting an excerpt from Nora's personal raw "diary" from her site:


Breakfast is usually 6-8 oranges. Lunch is either persimmons or papayas or sometimes a smoothie consisting of bananas (unfrozen), papayas or persimmons and oranges. In the late afternoon I have more fruit, usually persimmons (Robert brought me about 100 pounds of them from California), grapes or sometimes tomatoes and cucumbers or celery. Dinner lately has consisted of a large traditional salad, with lettuce, tomatoes, celery, cucumbers and mushrooms.

I see nothing wrong with that eating plan or even the (slightly exaggerated) one you posted! ;)

[askcassyfirst]

I am smiling, because I feel for you Jen! Don't stress, just breathe. I think you know the solution...I think you are thinking a whole lot right now...It is just my humble opinion, but you may, like me, be over analyzing yourself, and the stress is causing your body to be affected. Our adrenals are really sensitive, and if you stress, your body shunts blood and digestive "fire" away from your trunk, impairing digestion. I had/have this problem, I think it goes hand in hand with a type A personality. (Don't get me wrong, I am trying to empathize here...) THis can also affect metabolism..have you done any research on cortisol and stubborn weight?

Anyway, if it were me, I would just relax, "listen to your body" and eat what you feel works for you. I don't like to criticize the other raw gurus, but there are some that will get you so obsessive about what you eat, that really, if you listened to everyone, you'd have to live on air and light! (Not to run down the breathetarians...now that is a philosophy that makes me worry!)

This post is starting to remind me of what we were all posting on cherie's thread (rawkinlocs) about "when the newness of raw wears off". It is better to just do the diet. Just do it. You will see results. There will be results even if you are not all raw, or eating only fruit, or eating only greens, or only juices, or no nuts, or all nuts, or the master cleanse...That is because it is detoxifying your body at a cellular level. It is just that sometimes you can't SEE the results on the outside. We have many body parts that are hidden, that if you knew their state when you were eating the SAD diet, you would be scared. For instance, one can have 70 percent of their liver function impaired, and not "see" or feel it. Does that make sense?

So perhaps you are not losing weight, but maybe in the last week 100% raw you have gained liver function, your bowels are shedding mucus, your blood is fuller of oxygen...who can say? It is all a journey, and sometimes the road looks kind of bland, like the environment isn't' changing. But the terrain of your body IS changing, even if you can't see it.

I'd toss the scale if I were you. Take measurements, or take a full body picture and then shelve it where you can't see it. I had no scale, and no full length mirror when I first went raw. The way I new I was losing weight was that my clothes started to fall off me! (and my face looked different, I had a jaw not jowels!) I know it is not what you want to hear, but I tell you it worked for me.

With regard to food choices, if you don't feel confortable with your food choices, perhaps seek out a nutritional consultant (NC) who can help you plan meals. Keep a food diary, note your reactions. Listen to your body. If wheat bothers you, don't eat it. I try not to. Eat fruit, eat veggies, eat a rainbow of nutrients in your diet. Make sure you are chewing your foods so they digest well. You may want to add a digestive enzyme to assist you. (Cellulose can cause a lot of bloating and gas in new vegetarians.)

That's just my perspective. I'm an NC and I work as an educator and have dealt with many people who are trying to get well. The end result doesn't come overnight, but each night does bring you closer to the prize...So don't stress. Just do it. And read Alissa's book. She speaks of this same phenomena.

Cassy. :)

[Jennimik]

Awww Jenn, that's not very fair. Nora is cool peeps...

I'm sure she's cool peeps. . .and experienced peeps, at that. She sure looks amazing. It's just a shock at the moment, being as new to this as I am to think that somewhere down the line I'll be subsisting on bananas and persimmons. I'm just not there mentally yet and I tend to be an all or nothing girl. I read her entire website yesterday and felt a bit like that's how I should be eating. It's just a bit overwhelming. Sorry about the sarcasm--didn't mean it. . .I admire her.

Jenn

[misslinda]

OOOOOOOOOOH MAN, this soundds like me entirely.... that and the scale thing. i keep saying i'll throw it out--yet it still in my bathroom.

this is sooooo frustrating Jan and I totally sympathize and empathize with you. Gosh i don't know what your prior health was like but it sounds like your body is doing it's "decision" making moment--it's not uncommon to lose weight the first week and then gain.......you are so right doesn't help any to eat high salts and the body fighting it with caffeine---kind of a push and pull deal putting you in circles if you want to gain nutirents to cleans and purify to be able to lose the weight. THERE IS HOPE FOR YOU--please don't give up.

I went thru this back and forth for over a couple of months and b/c I got so frustrated, I ended up eating BAD now I finally stuck with it.....When I started back raw, what you described is what I had to get past in order ot reach this recent repair. I went thru hormonal/thyroid cleansing where my last period was so painful but i could feel the cleansing taking place...........

Yesterday I hardly ate cause I wasn't hugry and then got on the scale and gained 3 lbs!!!!! I was irrate :mad: .....this morning I lost those plus 1 more. Mind you, I drink over a half gallon a day so I know I am not losing water weight........personally, I stay fresh as much as possible........your more than welcome to visit my journal and ask me any questions. I have finally reached a point that I don't doubt my rawness.

To your health,
linda :)

[Rawkinlocs]

...It's just a shock at the moment, being as new to this as I am to think that somewhere down the line I'll be subsisting on bananas and persimmons. I'm just not there mentally yet and I tend to be an all or nothing girl....

TELL me about it! LOL! I know what you're saying...heck, 4 years ago you couldn't have told me I'd be eating only raw foods :eek: You couldn't have even told me I'd be a vegetarian or vegan...not as much as I loved meat, cheese, sugary sweets and the like. It's all a growing process and a journey like Cassy previously stated...just try to enjoy the ride Sweetie!

[Jennimik]

Thanks Cassy. That's pretty much me all over--type A, ball of stress. I throw myself into learning something and when it doesn't all come together quickly I get discouraged. But, I will keep in mind I didn't get to be 20 pounds overweight in 2 weeks, so it will take more time to take it off, even with a raw diet.

I will try my best to take each day as it comes--headaches, bloating and all.

[Andrew]

Jenn:

Hope you are getting the encouragement from this forum. Just reading through these posts, I find these responses very inspiring. One thought I can contribute is this philosophy: I believe when we focus on something, we bring more of that into our lives. So if you focus on how good the eating plan is making you feel, or how great it feels to have made this decision for your health and your life, or how fantastic you will fell to achieve a 30-days raw (or whatever your benchmarks may be), you will continue to draw positive energy (and people) into your life.

It works both ways, too. If all you can focus on is "ARG! These last 20 pounds won't go away!" they never will because you are giving them your energy. It's kinda like the bully at school or a child crying crocodile tears--they want attention and if you give it to them, they'll keep bullying you or keep using the croc-tears technique. I know extra weight is not the same thing as a behavior, but the philosophy is similar.

I have honestly seen this thought process work in so many different ways...here's one example: I am self-employed, so my income does not come in every other week like most people's. Now, like most people, I have debt. In my case, more than I'd like. I swear, once I stopped fretting about my debt and "how am I going to pay this next month?" and began really feeling how wonderful it will feel once the debt is over and done with, my phone has not stopped ringing and now I have more work than I can really handle. Another example would be love and relationships...how many times have we heard the addage that you'll find true love when you least expect, not when you're out there "looking" for a relationship. It's the same thing. Another example: I know an amazing actor in NYC who was not getting any jobs, because he was so fixated on "I need this job! I'm broke! I need to eat!" Then he met his fiancee and they decided to move to North Carolina or somewhere, and as soon as he stopped fixating on how critical each audition was, he got a national tour, then a Broadway show and has not stopped working since. Just trying to give some different examples to prove that what we focus on, we attract more of into our lives.

That's why I find the other posts in this thread so amazing..."Enjoy the ride," "Just breathe...I think you know the solution," "be patient with your body...it'll happen," "continue down the path..." These are such great incantations to keep in mind! Enjoy this journey, celebrate your successes AND your failures (because they point you in a new direction). Focus on how you feel, and be gentle with yourself. Each of us has our own, unique time table. You will get there in the time that is perfect for you.

Thanks for listening to me ramble!

Peace,
Andrew

[askcassyfirst]

Well said, Andrew!

Cassy.:)

[catherinethegreat]

Andrew - you hit it on the head -

I had a spiritual teacher tell me the exact same thing.

Whatever you focus on becomes bigger.

If you put your attention on the negative - it magnifies.

I too gained weight the first 2 weeks.

I was so bugged.

I too was told to put the scale away

I didn't.

But I did stop getting on it every day - and focused more on the lifestyle change.

This is my 17th day 100%raw and I must say I FEEL more energetic then I have in DAYS....and THAT is wonderful.
But my weight is the SAME it's been for the past week. Not moving at all.

But I do feel better. And this forum really helped me get over that obsession ( for the most part hahaha ) with dumping the extra 30 lbs I need to lose - and keeping my eyes on the prize.

The prize for me is a long term lifestyle change - that incompasses EVERY aspect of my life - not just what size jeans I fit into....and If I am just focusing on that - then I'm not builing my dream life - I'm still in hell - just eating veggies instead of pizza.

Don't get me wrong - I too would LOVE to say I lost 10 pounds in the first 2 weeks. But my body didn't. But I'm pretty sure that going off raw isn't going to help!

anyhow - there are so many of us that have been in this same place you describe - so just know that it has changed for people - and it will for you too.

Maybe the lesson here is patience.....grrrrrrr. I'm always in a situation where THAT is the lesson - guess I haven't learned it yet - !!! lol!

*catherine

[Jennimik]

Andrew, thanks for the advice. It's really difficult to just let things go since I'm so used to controlling everything. I was counting every single calorie and protein/fat/carb ratios for more than a year. I trained for the Chicago Marathon and was injured and could no longer train or work out. I've had to let go of a lot in the last 6 months and I think this is another lesson I needed to learn.

[Joopie]

Hey Jen,
I just wanted to tell you something that happens with me when I'm detoxing or eating raw right after eating SAD-

I usually gain weight while my body is breaking bad stuff up and cleaning things out (your body retains a lot of water while toxins are being stirred up) and then there is usually an "elimination period" where I go to the bathroom a lot and then I weigh 10 lbs. lighter in one day. Sometimes it takes a day to do this, sometimes a week- but remember- you can't compare yourself to anyone! Not Nora, not anyone on here, not any weight loss "before and afters" that you have seen. Your situation and body are unique and special and no one, not even you, can predict your path on raw!

It does sound like you are eating a lot of salt, and that will definitely up your water retention a lot. I've fluctuated up and down 10 lbs. at a time with water retention issues. Citrus is really cleansing and helps detox along, that might help.

I completely agree with concentrating on the health benefits and not the weight loss- it really gives you a much different perspective and it takes a lot of the pressure off. Just take it one day at a time, you are doing great!

Best wishes! :D

[catherinethegreat]

we can start a gratitude list - and write what we are grateful for since starting all raw?

Might help shift our focus.

Maybe that's a new thread

*c