Question for RP

[ellenalesa]

RawPriestess,
In a recent thread relating to weight loss, you said that you noticed you dropped more weight when you went off almond milk and sweet fruits. Was that a temporary thing, or do you still not use those?

I just discovered raw almond butter from Woodstock Farms. I LOVE it on apples. I don't eat more than 2 tablespoons a day.

I have been using about 1 cup of almond milk a day. I'm wondering if this will slow my weight loss.

What do you consider a sweet fruit? Peaches? Bananas?

Thanks...

Ellen

[ellenalesa]

just wanted to bring this up a level...

[rawpriestess]

Hi ellenalesa,

I hadn't lost any weight in 2 months, in fact I had gained 8 pounds, then we went on a weekend trip and I didn't take any almond milk, I took some pine nuts and walnuts, and some of my brownies, which have dates and walnuts in them.


so my regular diet before I went on the trip was

breakfast:
herbal tea

snack:
fruits
pineaple. or oranges usually

lunch:
burger patty
onion bread
lettuce
tomato
white onion

snack:
almond milk 1 cup
3 dates
(this was put togetherin a nutmilk shake)

dinner:
another burger patty
onion bread
lettuce
tomato
white onion

snack:
nuts (maybe 6 or so brazils)
almond milkshake again

this was a typical day before I went on the trip

during the trip I ate

breakfast:
fresh fruit about 2 cups
about 1/2 banana
1/2 cup strawberries
1 cup melon
herbal tea

snack:
4 or 5 walnuts

lunch:
1/2 burger patty
4 or 5 walnuts
1 brownie
herbal tea

snack:
fresh fruit

dinner:
fresh greens
1 T white oninon
1/2 cup fresh corn
lemon juice

snack:
4 or 5 nuts

and when I returned I had lost 15 pounds in that 4 days, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon

So, the difference was no almond milk, not much dates, and more greens, although I did have some walnuts to snack on and they have quite a bit of fat.

I was also very active that weekend, with walking, standing, selling, (we were at a festival to sell stuff) and we packed and loaded and unloaded, etc.

but I thought that was interesting,

I have kept that 15 pounds off, but not any more weight loss, and I am still not drinking the almond milk shakes every day, had one yesterday.

but no more weight loss, I think the dates (that to me is sweet fruits, I'm not too fond of bananas) were really high glycemic, and I was drinking about 2 cups of almond milk each day plus 6 dates, and I mostly sat, although I did do alot of bending and stretching in the garden.

Now, I am still bending and stretching in the garden, but not so much walking, loading etc, we aren't doing any fairs right now.

and I'm eating almost entirely fruits, and not much nuts at all.

So, I'm not sure if my weight loss was slowed by the nuts or not.

I'm actually going to buy a bike this weekend, and start riding a bike, with my boyfriend, as he lost his riding partner just recently. I certainly won't be able to do the 10 miles they used to do daily (at first) anyway, but I'm willing to try a bit of biking, as we have bike trails here, and I do need some kind of exercise.

So, that is what happened.

I truly think --- in the beginning --- just eating raw food is restriction enough from our normal routine, to try to keep to, after you've been 100% RAW for a few months, it is a natural progression to go more simply, less gourmet, less fat and less nut heavy, I think just allowing that natural progression is why I am able to stay raw.

You see, I'm not forcing myself to eat one way or another, and I truly believe in eating as Alissa suggests in her book, make a ton of great food to transition with, then eat as much as you want, when you want.

I think that is the best way to go raw, to do it how ever it works for YOU.

hope this helps.

[ellenalesa]

Thanks, RP, for taking the time to share with me. I bought a bicycle a few years ago for $25. A friend bought me a little computer that tracks mileage, speed and a few other things. I love it. It's a great way to get exercise. I'm very lazy...and I loved the idea that I could SIT and get exercise. I could pedal, and coast. After awhile, I did some hillls. It doesn't even feel like excercise to me. Enjoy!!!

Ellen