Food addiction NOT helped by raw food...please help

[Wendee]

i am 150 lbs overweight and though I am 100 percent raw for 5 months, I am still eating tons of food and not loosing a single pound.

I want to cry.

The foods mostly I crave are fats and fruits.

I am sorry to sound so negative on this forumn, but I have no place else to go with this.

Could all of you please give suggestions?

Wendee

[rachelmh]

My weight loss is slow too. You should know you aren't alone. Do a search for RawPriestess' post about 43 pounds gone. She is an inspiration. The more I read, the more I see that not everyone is blessed to lose tons of weight in the beginning. I was gladdened to see that for many people, they didn't lose an ounce until 5 or 6 months of being raw. I never really believed in a mind-body connection until going raw. I feel great. I eat a lot -- and lot of healthy fats. I was convinced I would gain weight. I am sure if I cut out some of the fat, I would lose more quickly. But you have to let this work for you. Stress, by the way, increases cortisol which makes it really difficult to lose weight. YOu have to want this to work for your health -- and the weight will come off when your body takes care of other things.

But most importantly, RFT is a great support. I have found it so helpful on many, many occasions. Post lots of questions. For the most part, people are really nice, friendly and responsive.

[Wendee]

I have read about RP, but I still am so depressed right now.

Going to the clothing store today was just the straw the broke the camel's back. Perhaps I would fit into a size smaller, maybe?

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!

The same fat size 24 womens.

The problems are so much to do with food.

The raw foods are all too delicious to have just a little.



Thanks you

Wendy

[mypinkbow]

you might check out www.ibeatobesity.com or www.rawfoodbootcamp.com

[Wendee]

Mypinkbow,

I read that and she said that she now eats as much as she wants and still looses weight!! :(

Why can she eat as much food as she wishes and I can't?

Thank you for the inspiring article, but it makes me feel even more depressed knowing she ate as much as she wanted!!!


Wendy

[mypinkbow]

She eats as much as she wants but limits her fat intake.........and it sounds like you enjoy the nuts and high fat things just like me. :-)

If it makes you feel any better I like the fattening raw stuff too and am going to try to make some adjustments to my raw diet and try a lower fat raw diet.

[Wendee]

Yeh!

I guess it all boils down to watching the fat content.

I just thought that eating all the good fats was ok?

Didn't think we had to limit the amount of raw foods no matter what they were!

thanks, Wendy

[codajess]

It's frustrating, I know. Congrats on making it this long, though!!! That's something to be proud of in itself. I haven't lost an ounce, either (I screwed up 6 out of 44 days since i started) I'd like to lose 25 lbs. You're not alone.

[Wendee]

coadjess,

So, I gues I am not so alone!

The thing is, I feel alone, LOL

Especially when I am eating and can't stop.

It all just tastes so good.

Maybe I'm a mental case and don't reaize it.

I won't quit on the raw food because I don't really have another avenue to turn to.

Just want to be able to eat and enjoy it, without gaining weight.

Thanks, Wendy

[ShelShel]

Wendee, could you please give a list of your food intake for the day.
Do you eat lots of dehydrated foods...or lots of fresh stuff? Just curious.

Secondly, I am so very proud of you for staying raw for so long! That is awesome! You go girl! :D Staying raw is the goal...and you are totally doing that.

Perhaps your body needs lots of internal healing. Your body is going to work on that before it does the external stuff...like weight loss. :rolleyes: Bummer in the now...I know, but in the long run...you are going to be healthy...and fit! Inside and out!

Keep up the good work! And give a list of what you eat so maybe others can help you with where you might change things up a bit and see some weight loss....because that's got to be so disappointing when you are really doing so great! ;)

[codajess]

You are DEFINITELY not alone.

For a while I was eating a TON of avocados, which I didn't even like until I went raw. I'd have 18 of them on the counter and eat them within a few days. After screwing up last week, I cut open an avo the other day and started to eat it and realized I didn't want it. I suddenly don't like them again. I guess I'm going to keep the mindset that I'm going to eat whatever sounds good to me, and is raw. It's better than me screwing up and eating pizza/fettucine/chips/candy like I did! I figure I'll eventually tire of it, or my body will say "Enough already!"

Oh and some people say they have a lot of good results by cutting out salt. Do you get a lot of salt? That's also something I'm going to try cutting back on.

[WindyCityRawGirl]

Hi Wendee! I can tell you that I bought the Green for Life book by Boutenko, and I have lost a few pounds simply by incorporating more greens into my diet. It has actually helped my sweet tooth a lot too, because the green smoothies are made with fruit. They are quite delicious and filling, and give me a big energy boost. Try it for a couple of weeks. Although you may not see the results, immediately, I'm telling you, it just may work down the road. I wish I had more suggestions, but I also have not been filling up as much on nuts and avocados, and that has helped me to shed some pounds, as well. Good luck. I'm sorry you're so down. :<

Jen :)

[Wendee]

shel shel,

For today i ate so far:

Handful of nuts and one sliced apple

Raw chocolate fudge consisting of:
honey,agave,coconut oil, cacao all mixed up and frozen. I devvoured the entire thing.

Borsch (one pint)

Now I am fixing to eat an avacado

then, who knows?

Thanks for all the kind words of encouragement.

i wonder if Ill survive until I see my normal weight again.


Wendy

[Wendee]

Hi Wendee! I can tell you that I bought the Green for Life book by Boutenko, and I have lost a few pounds simply by incorporating more greens into my diet. It has actually helped my sweet tooth a lot too, because the green smoothies are made with fruit. They are quite delicious and filling, and give me a big energy boost. Try it for a couple of weeks. Although you may not see the results, immediately, I'm telling you, it just may work down the road. I wish I had more suggestions, but I also have not been filling up as much on nuts and avocados, and that has helped me to shed some pounds, as well. Good luck. I'm sorry you're so down. :<

Jen :)

Thanks,

i don't have a blender, though.

I do have a processor will that work do you think?

Wendy

[Wendee]

You are DEFINITELY not alone.

For a while I was eating a TON of avocados, which I didn't even like until I went raw. I'd have 18 of them on the counter and eat them within a few days. After screwing up last week, I cut open an avo the other day and started to eat it and realized I didn't want it. I suddenly don't like them again. I guess I'm going to keep the mindset that I'm going to eat whatever sounds good to me, and is raw. It's better than me screwing up and eating pizza/fettucine/chips/candy like I did! I figure I'll eventually tire of it, or my body will say "Enough already!"

Oh and some people say they have a lot of good results by cutting out salt. Do you get a lot of salt? That's also something I'm going to try cutting back on.

Hi

Yes, I do eat alot of Celtic salt.

As I said before, I eat ALOT of everything as long as it's raw...

Thanks,
wendee

[ljannise]

wendee, you can most certainly email me. I'm here for anything you need, anytime

ljannise@msn.com

[ShelShel]

Wendee,
It works. It may be slower for some than for others...but it's what your body needs and you are doing such a great job! Don't give up now! Raw Rawks and so do you! Raw (((HUGS))) :)

[rawpriestess]

I have had this same challenge, the thing to understand, although it doesn't show on the outside, is that when we eat raw, we are eating the ONLY food that our bodies can really use, and when they get that great raw food, they say, "Hey, now I can finally get rid of this weight, but first, let me get rid of this cyst, and this cancer, and this toxic blook, and this wart, and this....." and so your body goes about it's business cleaning out all the toxins, and things that we can't see, but are there.

and sometimes we go through a healing crisis and feel terrible, and sometimes we have all the energy in the world, sometimes we eat like a horse, (literally) LOL and sometimes, we want a gallon of frozen banans ice cream.

all we can do, is continue to eat raw, that is the secre, that is the ONE key that all other diets don't know about.

but you see this is NOT a diet, for me anyway, it is a lifestyle, I will be forever a rawfoodist, and I will spend my life doing the best I can to help facilitate that healing in others.

so, eat raw, and although it can be very discouraging, just eat raw.

I thought about not eating nuts, and thought about all my raw goodies that I wouldnt' be eating, and I realized for me that that was a recipe for disaster, I thought about cutting out some of the sweets, and again, it might work to facilitate a faster weight loss, but it was a recipe for disaster FOR ME.

as you see, if I couldnt' eat my tasty treats, I might then go out and eat some cooked treats, I mean if I can't even have my raw nuts and brownies, then why eat raw?

this may sound strange to some, but I don't think my life is supposed to be about sacrafice and deprivation.

Alissa says eat raw, in the beginning, and once you are comfortable with that, then and ONLY then, can you adjust your foods, I believe here, I've tried tweeking this raw foods thing, I've tried not eating nuts, and then I eat cooked, I've tried not eating sweet fruits and then I eat cooked, I've tried to exercise and I end up eating cooked (I know alot of people don't but I did) I've tried adding a cheat day, HAH!!!-that was a major joke turned into eating cooked for 6 solid months. LOL

so, trust me, if there was a way around all of this, or a better way, I would have found it.

but this is what I do, I trust Alissa, I buy raw food and I eat it, it is that simple.

so far, I have lost 99% of all of my ailments, and quite a bit of weight, but it didn't come off anyway that made any sense, I lost 20 pounds the first week, 8 pounds the second week, then nothing for 2 months, then 15 pounds in one weekend, now another 5 pounds this past week, what am I doing?

The same thing every day, I buy raw food and I eat it.

stick with this, it isn't easy, and it isn't hard, it just is the ONLY way that the body can actually utilize food.

[Ireland]

Hi Wendee. Can you tell us about some of the changes you DO see?

As in, has your skin changed? Softer? More clear?

How about your hair and nails, do they seem healthier?

Perhaps if you think about the changes your body may be making, this will help encourage you. Start from the top of your head to the tip of your toes.

You may be surprised!

[daisyduke]

I don't want to sound like a stick in the mud here, but I truly think that we need to watch how much we eat no matter what 'diet' or 'lifestyle' we choose. I personally follow 8-1-1 (limiting my fats and never eating dehydrated food). Sure, I'd like to eat nuts and raw gourmet food, but I know my body will pack on the pounds for sure.

Perhaps you should try eating more whole fresh fruits and vegetables, these will satiate your appetite with less calories. I understand that you may feel ravenous, as I sometimes do as well. When that happens I just eat and eat as many peppers or tomatoes that I feel like!

I also exercise for several hours per day. Have you been able to incorporate any physical activity into your day? That may help push your body into weight loss mode.

I know how frustrating this can be. I commend you for being raw for five months. That is a very long time. As Rawpriestess said - sometimes your body may be working on other things. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you'd like! Best of luck to you!

[Wendee]

wendee, you can most certainly email me. I'm here for anything you need, anytime

ljannise@msn.com


Ljannise, thank you!


Wendy

[Wendee]

Wendee,
It works. It may be slower for some than for others...but it's what your body needs and you are doing such a great job! Don't give up now! Raw Rawks and so do you! Raw (((HUGS))) :)


THANKS!

I WON'T QUIT.

WENDY

[ljannise]

I really do need to make a journal. It's just that I have so much to share & talk about, I never know where to start. It will feel like a book project or something!!

[Wendee]

I have had this same challenge, the thing to understand, although it doesn't show on the outside, is that when we eat raw, we are eating the ONLY food that our bodies can really use, and when they get that great raw food, they say, "Hey, now I can finally get rid of this weight, but first, let me get rid of this cyst, and this cancer, and this toxic blook, and this wart, and this....." and so your body goes about it's business cleaning out all the toxins, and things that we can't see, but are there.

and sometimes we go through a healing crisis and feel terrible, and sometimes we have all the energy in the world, sometimes we eat like a horse, (literally) LOL and sometimes, we want a gallon of frozen banans ice cream.

all we can do, is continue to eat raw, that is the secre, that is the ONE key that all other diets don't know about.

but you see this is NOT a diet, for me anyway, it is a lifestyle, I will be forever a rawfoodist, and I will spend my life doing the best I can to help facilitate that healing in others.

so, eat raw, and although it can be very discouraging, just eat raw.

I thought about not eating nuts, and thought about all my raw goodies that I wouldnt' be eating, and I realized for me that that was a recipe for disaster, I thought about cutting out some of the sweets, and again, it might work to facilitate a faster weight loss, but it was a recipe for disaster FOR ME.

as you see, if I couldnt' eat my tasty treats, I might then go out and eat some cooked treats, I mean if I can't even have my raw nuts and brownies, then why eat raw?

this may sound strange to some, but I don't think my life is supposed to be about sacrafice and deprivation.

Alissa says eat raw, in the beginning, and once you are comfortable with that, then and ONLY then, can you adjust your foods, I believe here, I've tried tweeking this raw foods thing, I've tried not eating nuts, and then I eat cooked, I've tried not eating sweet fruits and then I eat cooked, I've tried to exercise and I end up eating cooked (I know alot of people don't but I did) I've tried adding a cheat day, HAH!!!-that was a major joke turned into eating cooked for 6 solid months. LOL

so, trust me, if there was a way around all of this, or a better way, I would have found it.

but this is what I do, I trust Alissa, I buy raw food and I eat it, it is that simple.

so far, I have lost 99% of all of my ailments, and quite a bit of weight, but it didn't come off anyway that made any sense, I lost 20 pounds the first week, 8 pounds the second week, then nothing for 2 months, then 15 pounds in one weekend, now another 5 pounds this past week, what am I doing?

The same thing every day, I buy raw food and I eat it.

stick with this, it isn't easy, and it isn't hard, it just is the ONLY way that the body can actually utilize food.



RP,

You sound like me. I can easily eat an entire gallon of bananna ice cream in a day, even in half a day.

Thanks,
Wendy

[Wendee]

Hi Wendee. Can you tell us about some of the changes you DO see?

As in, has your skin changed? Softer? More clear?

How about your hair and nails, do they seem healthier?

Perhaps if you think about the changes your body may be making, this will help encourage you. Start from the top of your head to the tip of your toes.

You may be surprised!

Hi walkin on water!

Yes, I can tell you the changes I DO see!

My skin is clearer and softer.

My hair seems stronger and more evenly spaced out.

that's a plus, I guess.

Wish I could wear a smaller size clothing, though.

Thanks, Wendee

[Wendee]

I don't want to sound like a stick in the mud here, but I truly think that we need to watch how much we eat no matter what 'diet' or 'lifestyle' we choose. I personally follow 8-1-1 (limiting my fats and never eating dehydrated food). Sure, I'd like to eat nuts and raw gourmet food, but I know my body will pack on the pounds for sure.

Perhaps you should try eating more whole fresh fruits and vegetables, these will satiate your appetite with less calories. I understand that you may feel ravenous, as I sometimes do as well. When that happens I just eat and eat as many peppers or tomatoes that I feel like!

I also exercise for several hours per day. Have you been able to incorporate any physical activity into your day? That may help push your body into weight loss mode.

I know how frustrating this can be. I commend you for being raw for five months. That is a very long time. As Rawpriestess said - sometimes your body may be working on other things. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you'd like! Best of luck to you!


Daisy,

I am afraid you are totally right.


Thanks, Wendy

[Rawmommie]

Wendy, I have been there and some days I'm still there! I have been a raw foodist for 2 years in November and I have lost barely any weight. Now, don't despair from me saying that...it's my own damn fault. It's like RP said, I would follow a cycle of not losing...eating cooked...getting stuck eating cooked...going 100% again...not losing...trying to cut out the avocado's...eating cooked...gaining...going raw again...not losing...cutting out the fruit...binging on cooked...and on and on...

The ONLY thing that has worked for me is to eat 100% raw and stick to it. I don't eat as many nuts as I used to, but only b/c I don't feel well when I have a ton of them (I would make a recipe and eat the whole thing in one sitting). I do eat as many avocado's as I feel I need. I put them on my salad for dressing and eat them plain. When I try to cut them out, I get so hungry and the cravings for cooked hit. So, I do now what I know is best for my body...I stay raw at all costs, even when sometimes I might overeat raw. I FEEL wonderful and I know that eventually the weight will come off. It took me a long time to realize this and a lot of trial and error (lots of error! LOL) but it's part of the process.

We all have to take our own journey with raw foods, so you may decide to cut calories & fat, etc. but whatever you do, just try to listen to your body and stay on the path that will make you the healthiest! RAW FOOD! :)

[Wendee]

Rawmommie,

Stick to it I shall.

Thanks for the encoragement ;)

It seems, though, that everything raw I eat is a trigger food to where I start to binge until I have just eaten the entire thing, where it's just supposed to be one serving amongst 12, I eat the whlole 12.

See what I mean?

I get so hungry.

Wendy

[SNMB]

I've had trouble with binge eating as well. I can eat and eat and eat...until I'm uncomfortably full. Then I just have to stop. Is this true for you as well? If so, I'd suggest filling up on something low-fat, high fiber like a green smoothie (drink a quart, a half gallon, whatever it takes) and then make and eat recipes. You can still eat all the nut-heavy stuff but you might find you eat less if you're so full.

[lissomllama]

Wendee, you're doing great, 5 months is quite an accomplishment. Anyway, RP is totally right, the main problem may be that your body still has some toxins or internal things that need to be healed before it can even attempt to drop those pounds. As far as what you eat goes, just eat everthing in balance and moderation. Have equal amounts of nuts and fruits and veggies and a little salt and dehydrated stuff if that feels right to you. The only thing I think you can't easily get too much of is dark leafy greens. For the most part though, have a little (or a lot) of everything as long as it is all balanced. And if you eat alot of dehydrated stuff just increase your water intake to match. You're doing awesome. The weight WILL come off, just let your body take its time to heal and take your mind off of it. Stress only makes things worse.

[Boz]

Wendee,

I speak for myself when I say this....no matter how well I eat, whether it is raw or not, I dont lose weight until I begin exercising. If I just go for like a 2-3 mile walk the lbs come off at a greater rate than they would come off assuming I was just eating healthy. So this is my recommendation to you. Start slowly, and go for a leisurly walk around the neighborhood. If you are at a more advanced rate, then I apoligize, but I do not know your current activity level. Basically get moving in any way that you can, garden, do extra housework, walks, dancing, anything!!!!

Also, as others have suggested, I know for myself, that I cannot eat lots of fat. I am cool with not eating nuts but avocados are my downfall. I can eat 2-3 in one sitting :eek: i know. So i simply do not buy them. If I want one, I'll be ONE and make sure I can get 2 salads out of it. Also, try eating more simple for a while. When I say simple, I mean whole fruits and vegetables. Make the "chocalates" as a treat for yourself once in a while, and dont make the whole recipe, only make half. Also invite a friend or family member over to share it with you so you dont eat the whole thing.

I wish you the best of luck! :)

[MendhiGrl]

There's a difference between a healthy relationship with food and an unhealthy relationship with food, and it sounds like you're abusing raw foods (instead of any and all foods.) It's hard to binge on raw foods, it's hard to overeat raw foods, but you're doing it. Lots of people use food to cover insecurity, loneliness, childhood abuse, etc. I recommend that you start working with a therapist to deal with whatever it is that you're stuffing or covering, so that you won't have to binge, gorge, or abuse foods.

Keep eating raw, but see a therapist. Life is too short to be hampered by emotional distress. Facing these things aren't easy, but trust me, it's worth it.

[Wendee]

Well,

Thanks for all the responses!

There is too much for me on my plate right now,

so I am going to assimilate all this information slowly.

Wish I could say the same about my raw food eating.


Wendy

[Sunshine9]

Hiya Wendy,

This must be very frustrating for you. I can relate to your feelings and have felt similar many times.

The one thing I can suggest is looking to fulfill your mineral requirements while staying raw. The issue could be nutrient absorbtion, because most of us who have eaten cooked foods in our life have weakened our digestive tracks and we are just not absorbing what we should be. The easiest way around this is juicing. Do you have a juicer? I find that sometimes I feel ravenous, even after eating a whole meal, and after just a cup of juice I am suddenly satisfied. If you don't have a juicer, trying a greens powder like Vitamineral Green or Nature's First Food and mixing it with water or juice will surely satisfy you.

Keep up the amazing work. Five months is such an accomplishment, and your body has absolutely been working hard on other very important things. The weight will just be next.

:)

[chilove]

Hi Wendee,

Are you exercising? That will help you feel better emotionaly and physically and will help you lose weight faster. I did lose weight eating a fair amount of fat, but I've heard of people who had to restrict their fat intake at least somewhat in order to lose a fair amount of weight. The trick is to not restrict it so much that you fele deprived and end up binging on far worse (cooked) foods. You might want to work on figuring out why you are eating so much. Seeing a counselor might be helpful if you think that your eating is emotional. Be proud of the progress that you have made! 5 months raw is a major accomplishment!! Give yourself lots of positive praise. :-)

Take care,

Audrey

[Wendee]

Sunshine9

I have tried the green powder drink.

I don't have a juicer, eaither.

Will get one.

Yes, it's about time for this weight to start coming off. I mean,
how much more work can a body do before it notices it has masses of weight to loose for heaven's sake?

Thanks,
Wendy

[Boz]

Wendee,

I speak for myself when I say this....no matter how well I eat, whether it is raw or not, I dont lose weight until I begin exercising. If I just go for like a 2-3 mile walk the lbs come off at a greater rate than they would come off assuming I was just eating healthy. So this is my recommendation to you. Start slowly, and go for a leisurly walk around the neighborhood. If you are at a more advanced rate, then I apoligize, but I do not know your current activity level. Basically get moving in any way that you can, garden, do extra housework, walks, dancing, anything!!!!

Also, as others have suggested, I know for myself, that I cannot eat lots of fat. I am cool with not eating nuts but avocados are my downfall. I can eat 2-3 in one sitting :eek: i know. So i simply do not buy them. If I want one, I'll be ONE and make sure I can get 2 salads out of it. Also, try eating more simple for a while. When I say simple, I mean whole fruits and vegetables. Make the "chocalates" as a treat for yourself once in a while, and dont make the whole recipe, only make half. Also invite a friend or family member over to share it with you so you dont eat the whole thing.

I wish you the best of luck! :)

I dont know if you overlooked my post but I really think exercise and less fat is the way to go for a while and see how you feel :)

[Ani]

Maybe You could try to cut out fats like nuts (often not raw), seeds and oils like olive oil and coconuts which don´t supply Your body with fat-splitting enzymes called lipase which help weight loss. They are found in whole fat fruits like avocados. In Europe avocados are called the "weight-loss-fruit" because of it.

In my first years being raw I ate 2-3 avocados a day aside huge amounts of fruit (probably 3000cal a day) and I was more and more loosing (now I´m severe underweight, which is also very hard for me because everyone thinks I´m anorexic).

I was only able to put on weight when including raw walnuts in the shell and some olive oil. (However, I have to quit eating fats at all because of health problems...)

So maybe eliminating "processed" fats like oils (which are just plain calories without any minerals and vitamins) and nuts (which are to dense if not eaten fresh from the tree and therefore will cause weight-gain) might help You loose. In the transition time You can rely on avocados for fats aside as much sweet fruit as You want if You don´t have any side effects (i get headaches due to their amine-content). Over time You can reduce them when cravings/addicitons start to be less intensive...

Hope this hepls.

[Wendee]

Hi

Sorry about overlooking some posts, LOL.

I will try exercising.

It is hard to move around 150 extra pounds, though. Really hard.

Eating so much food helps me to feel full and satisfied, not deprived.
If I cut out the amount I'm eating, I will still be hungry and miserable.

I have a councelor already. She doesn't understand about raw foods and that your supossed to be able to eat all you want. She says I need to cut out the calories....shock!

It is very frustrating and I DO apreciatte all the loving responses here.

Thanks everyone,
Wendy

[exurb]

Eating so much food helps me to feel full and satisfied, not deprived.

Sure, you can eat it, but you have to wear it. :o

LOL that is a line from a book many people find helpful, it's by Stephen Gullo, PhD, who is a top notch psychologist in NYC who works to help people lose weight. Sorry I forget the title of his book, but I really recommend it.

I have lost a large amount of weight and kept it off for many years now. I think sooner or later you're going to have to get your eating within the ballpark of the reasonable. To me, raw is an excellent tool to help you do that. However, since you're not experiencing great weight loss, I would take a look and reevaluate things like making entire recipes of fudge for now.

If you find that really hard and always need to be stuffed for now, can you try things like huge cole slaws from raw cabbage, instead of entire recipes of fudge.

One reason many resolutions fail according to top psychologists, is that we underestimate the effort that it will take to maintain that resolution. For me, it was a daily effort, repeatedly getting back on the wagon, etc. It is amazing and commendable that you are willing to try different things and have tried raw for so long, and that you're asking for help and advice and seem to be really looking at that help and advice.

Many years ago when I was in the business world, there was a silly little saying "You can make money and you can make excuses, but you can't make both". I think there is an analogy for that in weight loss and overeating. Sooner or later you have to stop making excuses and start making plans and try to keep looking at what you're doing and what you could be doing better. Finding what works for you.

I went from ordering three meals a day to my office (where I often worked until 2am, only to start at 6am the next day) and being close to 100 pounds overweight to being healthy. At first it was work to make that evolution, falling off and getting back on the wagon, working toward a healthier me, now it's become a pleasure to eat wonderful foods, feel healthy, and I actually prefer the healthy foods and gravitate to them. It's an evolution, maybe it will take some planning and you will have to grab the bull by the horns and get things in a little better control at first.

Can you try for tomorrow, making a reasonable plan in advance, don't underestimate how much food you need to eat, but plan out a good healthy well balanced day, then do everything you can to stick to it. Get out of the house if you need to, maybe munch on carrots or celery if you need to, extra things you can eat on top of your plan if you need to (sort of like planned overages for if you get really "hungry"), maybe do some stretching exercises to get in touch with your body if you find exercise generally difficult. Love yourself, give your body good food. Get through a day. At the end of the day make a list of things you did well, and things you could do better, then go on to the next day.

You might also find that if you can avoid the sweets even raw ones like fudge, that helps you, because I believe the "downspike" of insulin we get after eating some things like that (or stuff like cooked rice and bread) triggers us to eat more. If you can level out all that stuff, it might help you not want to eat the house all day.

You will get to the stage where it is not deprivation, it is a glorious abundance of wonderful food, and overeating is the real deprivation, because it deprives you of the better life you want for yourself.

Good luck.

[greeninlosangeles]

Do not try to limit yourself too much at first. After over 6 moths raw, I thought i was strong and cut out salt, oil and reduced fat the same day, and guess what - I started eating cooked on occasions for around 2 weeks untill I finally rerad Victoria Boutenko's 12 Steps to Raw Food and decided to go easier on myself, although I still watch my fat, oil and salt intake more closely than before. And I decide not to beat myself up for wandering off. When kids learn to walk, they fall so many times. That was just a fall. The bad part is that now my fifth day just raw again and I need to go through cooked craving stage again! And I got bunch of detox headaches again!
So, better go slower to the perfect diet, than fall off of it.
I gained around 5 pounds while on that part cooked diet for 2 weeks, but now I am loosing it. Sorry, can't help you with weight issue, because I lost weight easily on raw. But I am not fan of too much dehydrated stuff or nuts, so maybe that's why.

[MendhiGrl]

Eating so much food helps me to feel full and satisfied, not deprived.
If I cut out the amount I'm eating, I will still be hungry and miserable.

I have a councelor already. She doesn't understand about raw foods and that your supossed to be able to eat all you want. She says I need to cut out the calories....shock!



Many people have labeled various feelings as "hunger" when it's really insecurity, fear, loneliness, hurt, etc., but because it's "hunger," those feelings can be "fixed" with food.

I think you'll need a therapist who can help you discover and address the root cause (which is not eat fewer calories!), because you'll have to have emotional healing so that you won't have to fill that hole (or stuff the negative feelings) with food.

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Wendy,

You have gotten so many great suggestions already. I'm sure after you try some of the suggestions you'll find what will work for you.

I just wanted to mention that, although, Carlene said she can eat as much as she wants, she did write in her journal that she can't eat very many nuts. She started eating one handful of nuts a day and she quit losing weight. She did this for about a month. She had to cut out or cut WAY BACK on the nuts and the weight started to come off again.

Great job of being raw for 5 months. Now to make a few changes and see if you start to see a difference. Let us know!!!

[SijaeintheRaw]

Hi Wendy, have you considered going to a Overeaters Anonymous meetings? I highly recommend it. You can find a local meeting by visiting http://www.oa.org/index.htm

Laura

[JEN]

I agree with MendhiGRL that there might be something deeper inside that you need to deal with. Maybe you dont even know its there. I recently had to get out some issues that had been deep inside for about 34 yrs. It feels amazing to be free now. I feel like I could walk on water. I guess I never knew I was living in so much pain. Since freeing myself of these things I have no issues with being raw anymore. I am totally focused and untempted by cooked foods. Best of luck with your weightloss.

[Wendee]

I just wanted to quickly thank all of you for your help.

I am reading and re-reading this thread, it's a great help to come back to.


Wendee

[Vanessa]

Hi- I know you've had so many responses so far, but I thought I'd put my two cents in.

First, who said that you can eat anything and everything as long as it's raw? If it's greens and fruits, it's probably true, but nuts and dehydrated foods need to be eaten in moderation if the goal is to lose weight. Nuts are hard on the digestive system- are you soaking them? Seeds are probably a better alternative.

Secondly- I saw Victoria Butenko give a talk about green smoothies etc. She talked quite a bit on weight loss and she said one thing that stuck out in my mind. She said to buy some of that ph litmus paper (it tells you your ph level- whether you are acidic or alkaline). I know you can buy it at Whole Foods. You rip off a little piece and put it on your tongue and it will change colors according to how acidic or alkaline you are. She said if you are acidic, you will not lose weight. You have to be alkaline in order to lose weight. She would test herself a few times a day. If it showed she was acidic, she knew to eat more greens or a green smoothie or a salad etc.

I personally never tried it, but I probably should. I've read a lot about acid/alkaline food etc. I know nuts are very acidic. Almonds might be the exception.

Oh, one last thing- you really should get a blender! ;)

[GoingtoRAW]

[COLOR=DarkRed]I am new to raw foods and I can say that I understand the frustration of not seeing faster results. I try to focus on the positive changes I do see even if the weight does not come off fast. I get excited when I have detox symptoms because I know that even if the weight isn't coming off as fast as I would like that my body is doing something. My question is, does food combining play a role in the success or failure of living on raw foods or losing weight while eating only raw foods?

[mrsalf97]

{{{hugs}}} and hang in there, you CAN do this! Last year when I was raw (before the hurricanes) I lost 20 pounds in 3 weeks, this time I am not losing at all and I'm not sure why. I will continue raw though.

[Wendee]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{THANK YOU ALL}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Last Dr. visit was a nightmare.

He said that If i didn't loose some weight, all my organs will fail me all at once and there will be nothing he can do for me then.

I am so desperate to get this weight OFF...

I've tried so hard..

Yet

no weight loss yet.

I am lowering my fat consumption almost to nil.

And, am increasing my greens.

I just can't give up on myslef. I just can't................



Wendy

[LNdolls]

Don't worry, Wendee, cutting the fat to 10% or less can be rough for the first couple weeks, but the benefits are huge, you will love it and the weight melts off!! I am getting back to low fat raw myself. You are not alone.

[24 Carrots]

I think they really do stave off cravings!

today kale, dandelion, apple juice, pears, blueberries

morning will be the same but with avo added


I have lost 60 lbs. and still have that much and more to go. I lost 120 lbs. on raw 12 years ago and gained it all back. It was humiliating etc. etc. etc. but bottom line the only thing that makes it better it to get back up again when you fall, dust yourself off,and try again.

Practice makes perfect. You will never really fail if you never give up.

[24 Carrots]

One is to eat a predominately "yeast-free" diet -- though in my version of this diet I do eat some fruits, less fruit or no fruit for a little while until getting candida under control. 80% of all obese people test positive for candida or candiasis. It helps keep the weight on.

Other thing is cutting out added fats (like oils) and sweeteners (like agave nectar, etc.) Other fats are okay: avocado okay, flax oil (2 T. a day) okay, very small amounts of olive oil okay when you must add a fat.

Think of other things to do to get preoccupied with other than food. There is a whole world out there. When I think about food constantly I want to eat constantly. That's only normal. A sex addict wants to look at porn all day; a food addict wants to think and look and read about and eat food all day. Both can overcome. Do not allow yourself to paint yourself as someone who cannot do it. Allow yourself to boldly go where you may not have gone before.

[unyquity]

Last Dr. visit was a nightmare.

He said that If i didn't loose some weight, all my organs will fail me all at once and there will be nothing he can do for me then.

I am so desperate to get this weight OFF...

I've tried so hard..

Yet

no weight loss yet.

I am lowering my fat consumption almost to nil.

And, am increasing my greens.

I just can't give up on myslef. I just can't................

Wendy

Wendy (and all),

Here's something you might want to consider. (This may end up being a really long post, so get comfortable :)

When I teach about the human body, it's always easiest for most to understand what happens inside our body (and thus, how to heal it best) if we think of our body as a car engine. And we all know, it takes a LOT more than just premium fuel (food) to keep an engine running smoothly. A brand new body...if given the right fuel/food, regulary scheduled "maintenance", and absolutely no junky, cheap fuel or oil (or abuse)...will perform wonderfully for decades. But we're not talking a brand new, just off the assembly line "engine here"...we're talking about a human body that's been ignored/abused long enough to be in serious trouble.

Imagine a car, as many years old as you are, that's in the equivalent condition that your overweight body is in...and imagine that it's been 'parked' for years (except to occasionally move it slowly from one parking garage to another). The entire engine -more than likely- has a lot of major problems ready to appear...from the fuel tank all the way to the exhaust. And while starting this car up a little more frequently and giving it a few months worth of a steady diet of premium fuel IS going to help a LOT with the "coughing and sputtering"...premium fuel alone is certainly NOT going to get that engine back into an efficient, fuel (fat) burning, smoothly running, sleek, purring machine. It's clogged, sluggish, toxic and tired. So what's a body to do?

Well, just like with a car, a good mechanic (natural healer) knows that there's a specific order in which to attack this engine to get it back into shape as quickly (and inexpensively!) as possible. One starts with the fuel system and exhaust (digestive tract). First we have to make sure the fuel is "high octane premium" and that all the fuel necessary for the engine to run IS in the engine (which is what you're doing and learning to do...great!). But the tank is full of premium fuel and the engine's still not running right? Why? Because if the food/fuel can't flow through the engine properly and/or the exhaust is clogged and sluggish, ALL the other engine parts (organs) will eventually be clogged, sluggish and broken-down, too. What happens when you put a potato/banana up the tailpipe of the most finely tuned, high-performance sports car? It dies. Period. ALL other engine parts cease to work properly when the exhaust is clogged. So, number one, if you're not having 2-3 soft bowel movements daily (basically one for everytime you eat a major meal), that means your "exhaust is clogged", your digestive system is sluggish, you have no energy because the food is not being absorbed quickly...and you probably have several pounds of putrefied fecal matter (which sometimes becomes hard & rubbery - called "mucoid plaque") lining the inside of your colon. And yep, just like a mechanic knows, the food/fuel HAS to run through a clean, energy producing, fuel line...and the exhaust HAS to flow freely, if there's ANY hope of the engine ever getting back to "normal".

Here are the two best articles I know of that describe completely how & why it's SO necessary to cleanse/flush our colon (and both have all kinds of great stories, testimonies, sarcasm and humor...and are easy to read & understand):

http://thedoctorwithin.com/index_fr.php?page=articles/journey_colon.php
Journey to the Center of your Colon - t h e d o c t o r w i t h i n

AND

http://www.risingstarlc.com/schulzecolon.htm
Dr. Richard Schulze's March 2001 Bowel Newsletter
(Note: if you're not familiar with Dr. Schulze, he's one of the most successful natural healers of this century...he's also has a tendency to come across as a cross between a very angry dog with rabies - snake-oil salesman - religious whacko! He's cured THOUSANDS of people from cancer and other incurable diseases AFTER the allopathic medical world put them through (sometimes years and years) of unnecessary, sometimes horrific medical procedures, gave up on them, gave them "their life sentence"...and turned them away to die. He's charismatic, enthusiastic, extremely educated in a LOT of areas of natural healing, blunt, crass and furious with modern medicine. And if I'd walked a mile in his shoes, I'd probably be far worse!)

So what does this have to do with being overweight? Well, the liver is the organ that's primarily responsible for dealing with fat (converting, storing, burning, digesting, utilizing...the whole shebang). When the liver is clogged and sluggish, it is VERY difficult to lose weight (burn fuel) because the liver is not working 'up to speed'. The liver and the intestines rest right against each other. If the intestines have 6-??? meals worth of food circulating through them (when there should only be one or two) that puts pressure on the liver and displaces it slightly...which makes it hard for the blood to flow freely into it, through it, and tends to negatively impact all the functions the liver is in charge of. If the intestines have old, putrid fecal or half digested matter inside them (rotting and giving off gas), that ALSO adds to the size of the intestines, puts more pressure on the liver (and causes all KINDS of stomach problems). So now, the liver's really cramped for style. AND, if the lower intestines have layers of "mucoid plaque" built up inside them...then not only is there swelling and pushing against the liver, but since all the nutrients from the digested food are then absorbed THROUGH years worth of putrefying, hard rubbery junk, toxins are seeping into the bloodstream. And that means...that no matter HOW pure and healthy the food was you ate to start with, once it filtered through a filthy liningi of purtrefied fecal matter & junk, now it's toxified. And guess what organ has to deal all those toxins? The LIVER! (...and the toxins in the air, the water, the toxic chemicals in our cleaning products, personal care products and our food). So, being a logical piece of equipment (just like the rest of the engine) the liver MUST detox our bodies from the poison toxins and keep our blood pH in line (along with the hundreds of other things it does) BEFORE it deals with helping us to burn off the excess fat.

So, it's like the old saying goes, "The key to life IS a healthy colon" :)

We can't ever hope to get our "engines" running completely smoothly (no matter what we eat or no matter how many different herbs we take for different lil' problems), if the main exhaust and input are clogged & sluggish. The human body can & will heal itself from virtually any condition or disease, but it wasn't designed for unclogging itself once we humans decided that to clog it up with all kinds of toxic fat, food and chemicals. It needs our extra help for that. High-octane, raw food fuel is a fabulous place to start (and after enough time might actually take care of the backlog). But probably, for right now... without cleaning out the pipelines thoroughly, revving up the engine frequently (exercise) along with the premium fuel, I'm afraid your doctor is right...you're in for some major health problems. But that's NOT bad news. It's great news! Because now you have a good idea what you might be able to do to speed things along, drop some major pounds AND feel even better and better about yourself!!

Do some internet searching for "colon cleanse"...and read the zillions of stories of people whose life & health were completely turned around by cleansing. I think you'll be inspired :) I sure hope this helped you out some and beamed a really positive ray of light into your life!

Remember:

There is no failure, only failure to learn :)

Flush ON,

Unyquity

P.S. Yes, there is such thing as a liver cleanse, and it's extremely effective for people that have difficulty losing weight. (There are also a LOT more reasons that most of our livers are clogged, than just a sluggish/dirty colon). In fact, the liver is usually the first organ to be cleansed after making sure the digestive tract is unclogged and functioning properly. When liver cleansing, the liver dumps it's toxins into the intestinal tract, and so it's really important that the colon is clean before dumping years worth of liver toxins in there. 'Talk about a "detox reaction"! Let a few years worth of liver toxins sit around in your colon to reasborb for more than a few hours, and you'll definitely know the meaning of "sick as a dog". :(

[greeninlosangeles]

I am sorry, but doctor Shultz is not the picture of health himself and he is overweight. I do not trust healers who can not heal themselves.
To tell you the truth, emotional eating won't be helped just by raw foods-I know, because I am all raw for 7 months now with one relapse, and when something makes me angry or sad, or irritaded I overstuff on raw! On somebody's advice I got the book The Pathway and now implementing the ways to deal with my emotional brain part without external fixes, which are overeating for me and can be smoking, drinking, overshopping, etc. for others. I can't tell you how good it works, because this is not one day fix-you have to retrain your neurons to make balanced connections instead of unbalanced and that takes time.
I got the book from library. The lady looks healthy and vibrant herself, so I am willing to try. Her website is www.sweetestfruit.org if you want to chaeck it out!

[unyquity]

'Tis no need to apologize for disagreeing :) Learning is what it's all about, and that takes questioning everything (which usually means disagreeing with lots of folks along the line).

For me, truth is truth, no matter who says it. And although Dr. Schulze may not be perfect in a LOT of ways (I can think of quite a few reasons I don't care for him, personally. But I never knew he was overweight though; he has three black-belts in martial arts, and all the recent pictures I've seen of him are 'fit'). But if you say he's gained a few, I've certainly got no reason to question you :)

Back to my point about truth...I cannot imagine how frustrated I'd feel if I told somebody, "raw food is great for your heath", and they responded, "I don't believe you because you're overweight". Many times in life my best teachers have been those that have vast amounts of knowledge and truth, but can't seem to apply it themselves.

I included the newlsetter by Dr. Schulze in my previous post, because it's an EXCLLENT piece of reading about how the health of the colon impacts the rest of the body. According to my research, everything in that newsletter is factual...whether Dr. Schulze is fat or not. :rolleyes:

I agree with you 100% with everything you said about 'emotional eating'! And I'm pretty sure I get the drift about what you're saying. And that sounds like a great book...maybe I'll find time to read it sometimes (here's hoping for more time...anybody got a spare week? lol).

Blessings,

Unyquity

[Dimond]

'Many times in life my best teachers have been those that have vast amounts of knowledge and truth, but can't seem to apply it themselves. I completely agree with this. I've been able to truly help others regardless of what my own life is like. I also have had people that helped me as well. The fact that people are interested & willing to help others regardless of their own failings is a wonderful quality. Besides, it's often hard to learn and grow without failure.

[heatherjoy]

wendee,
i truly relate to your post. i have had problems with food addiction for as long as i can remember and i've found that there is no perfect food plan.

for me, it's become about finding out what works best FOR ME. so, while people may tell me that living without fruit or nuts is deprivation, I know that it is actually being kind to myself. for some reason, when i put these foods in my body, true deprivation occurs. i suddenly feel deprived of peace around food. i crave more and more and more.

i've been keeping a detailed food journal and learning what works best for me, which may be quite different from what works best for someone else. each night, i quickly review what i ate and rate my cravings, digestion, energy, and mood for the day. after just a few days, i quickly saw some patterns. on days when i abstain from fruit and nuts, my mood and energy is higher and more even and my cravings are lower.

although i don't love greens, i know in my gut (no pun intended) that this what my body needs right now to alkalize. fruits and nuts are just contributing to an already acidic condition. because getting down greens is difficult right now, i do a lot of juicing and use a green powder to get the stuff in. i have read and heard that after a while, my taste buds will adjust and my body will want more of these foods.

i guess it's all about being true to myself no matter what anyone else says. it has been a long, hard road learning this lesson. i'm sick of making life hard for myself. i want more joy, not depreivation. for me, this happens when i just say no to those foods that make me feel crazy, like cooked foods, sugar (even natural and raw) and nuts.

i wish you much peace in your future. please write anytime.

love,
heather