??'s for people who have lost 75+ lbs

[Graciebeliever]

I am beginning to see the actual possibility of losing the weight that has so long been my prison. As I continue on this path whether I lose 10, 25, 50, 100 or the 150lbs that I need to, I still face some emotional issues that have haunted me and I am hoping to hear from all of you that have lose conciderable weight and I want to hear the bad as well as the good.

I know now that I can lose the weight without surgery and I just want to be able to listen to the words of those people who are, or already been able to see down the path of losing that kind of weight.

BTW I am nearing 20lbs lost during my first 30 days :)

[rawpriestess]

CONGRATULATIONS, ON 30 DAYS RAW, AND 20 POUNDS GONE FOREVER!!!!

WOW.

I've lost 53 pounds so far, and I'm feeling great.

I have had some interesting detoxes, and severe pain at times, with those detoxes, although I doubt if this is the normal for most people.

I still have about 100 pounds to lose, and I'm sure that will magickally melt off my body, like the 50 that is already dissapeared from this Earth.


as far as the emotionaly stuff, I do think that people who use food as their addictive substance of choice, started it at an early age, and for me--- it was my lover, my best friend, etc.

I (more than once) picked a fight with some guy I was dating, just so I could eat what I wanted in the privacy of my own home, and binge. LOL

I look back on that now, and have to laugh at myself.

I was so worried about eating certain foods.

they don't even interest me now!!

They still "feel" comforting, when I think about them, something I very rarely do now, as they can still "pull" at me, and I want to go there, that safe familiar haven, where it's just me and the food, to push down my fears of (insert fear of choice)_________.

but now, I prefer to go THROUGH my stuff, in stead of push it down, and yes, it comes up again and again, each day, something comes up, and If I have th courage to finally deal with it, then it doesn't need to come up again, because it is released.

I believe that there are countless issues that each person faces.

Not one person on this planet can say they con't have issues, it's how you deal with those issues that makes or breaks you.

I was able to cope with my life, because I chose to over eat, instead of insert a needle, or smoke somehing or drink something, or gamble.

that worked for me, I think over eating is the most misunderstood form of self abuse there is.

But the entire world sees it as gluttony, and has no sympathy for these sufferers.

Well, eating raw, I can't push down my stuff anymore, and I feel it is finally my time to work through this stuff, once and for all.

I had a wonderful therapist for one year, who helped me alot, I still use some of his techniques today, and I am stil continually healing from my childhood.

Now, will I ever be completely healed in this lifetime? who knows!

Will I ever eat cooked food again? who knows

Will I be perfect? highly doubt it!!

Will I continue eating raw? YEP!!!

Will I ever mess up? probably!!

but life is a journey, it is a process, we are not here to be perfect, we are here to learn and grow, once we master something there will be another task to enjoy the adventure called life with.

I personaly choose to enjoy many aspects of life, learning and teaching each step of the way.

[ljannise]

my advice to you--

1) you will mess up. It's all a part of your transition.

2) Knowing what I do now, I would have cleaned my colon out in the very beginning. SOme feel it's not natural, but it was nothing harsh. It wasnt a flush, it was a release, which is so much better. It got rid of cravings when I cleansed.

3) Love yourself. In the world of greed from corporations, YOU are your only true best friend

4) You have your own miracles to learn. What works wonders for ppl right away may not be YOUR thing, In fact may not be at all. You may have your own way into this (i.e. fav foods, reasons, motivations, etc)

5) The story you are truly looking for is your own.

6) Listen to your body. Some days you are ravenous & other days not hungry at all. Just remember- it's OK!! You're not abnormal, we've all gone through it.

7) Learn the difference between transition & teeter-totter. Detox does not mean you are moving backwards as stunted as you feel. See it through & you've taken one more step further.

[Conscious Midwife]

I'm constantly having to remind myself that food is fuel. Not a substitute for dealing with life, and though it can be medicinal, it is not a panacea for ALL that ails me.

Wishing you lots of light, love and new found wisdom on your journey :)

[berrymarymac]

Congrats on losing weight already!! I have about 129 pounds to lose for my goal of 160. And have already lost 13 pounds in 23 days, with about a week of going off the diet.

[honeybee joy]

I have lost a little over 30, and yes, there has been struggles, alot of them really. I think it is just part of the journey. The thing I have learned is, to not hate yourself when you slip. You slipped for a reason, and it is just a sign that there is some emotional healing to be done. The best thing to do is just try to feel it, and it will eventually release. We are cleansing and healing everything, not just the fat. So just remember, it is just a part of your personal healing. I used to get so upset with myself, and I think that messes up with emotionally healing, because you are ignoring the real issue and focusing your thoughts and energy on your failure, and your fear of slipping up again.

Good luck!

Edit: I actually lost over 40 lbs, not 30. My math skills are not the best! :p

[juliebove]

I've never lost that much weight. I did lose about 30 pounds some years ago. Would have liked to lose a few more but the diet I was on at the time just wasn't working for me in terms of being able to stick to it.

I saw a psychic during this period of time and she said the reason I had this layer of fat was my way of shielding myself from the world, so that too many people couldn't get close to me. She said she did the same thing. And I believe this could be true. I am one who picks up on other people's emotions very easily. I really enjoy being around people, however at times I feel I must become a hermit because I have to recoup some energy for myself.

Some people find they are treated differently after they lose weight. I didn't find this to be the case. I've also never found that people treat me badly in general. For the most part, I get along with everyone. I was also very underweight when younger and while people did treat me well, I sometimes heard their comments that were meant to be behind my back. Those comments hurt. I didn't want to be underweight but there was really nothing I could do about it. It seemed that was where my body wanted to be.

If you find that you do have emotional issues, it's best to focus on those. If you don't, you'll have a hard time losing weight because that will hold you back.

[fwebes]

Ok, I'll get in on this. I was maintaining a 115 weight loss for about 2 years. I lost the weight in a 12 step program where we weighed and measured our food, 3 meals a day, no flour no sugar. Cooked and raw veggies, fruit, salads, protein, yogurt. It was strict, but there was freedom in that strictness. Did people treat me different when the weight was off? I think so. I was taken more seriously. I was actually asked out on a date which hadn't happened in 20 yrs. People seemed nicer to me. Unfortunately, I relapsed last August and could not get it back together.
Although the 12 step program is spiritually based, I never got the spiritual side. I left the program and gained 50 lbs since then. I've now lost about 10. The point is, it doesn't matter why you eat. You eat to cope, deal, ou of habit, avoid pain, whatever. It all has to do with seeking power outside of yourself. Food is power to some of us. So you need to take that power back. Realize that everything you need is within you. I have been on a spiritual journey and have had trained as a hypnotherapist. Basically, I have been healing myself and realizing I am enough and that we are all beautiful people, including me. I started raw on Monday and slipped on Wednesday on crap. But I'm back on since Thursday. If you think of just the weight loss, it will be temporary. You have to shut that chattering mind and heal your inner self.

The side effect to the weight loss was loose skin. I was morbidly obese for about 15 yrs from my 20s to 40. The skin was too stretched out to bounce back. On a good note, the feeling of lightness was fabulous. I admit, I went raw because I want to lose weight. But I also want to not worry about food either. And i want to be healthy. Not that I wasn't healthy before, but I can be better. Will I never eat non-raw again? I won't commit to that. But I didn't today, and I don't plan to tomorrow.

[Graciebeliever]

Thank you one and all for your candid info and heartfelt advice.

Everyone here is so generous with their time and it is really refreshing to find a group of people willing to talk about issues that can be extremely personal.

I sat read and reread everyones post about this and I wanted you to know that I saw light and hope in each one.

I started eating raw for the weight loss but it didn't take me more than a few days to discover that dropping the weight was really a side issue and that my health (both physical and mental) was numero uno and how it made me feel began to over shadow the worry of dropping pounds (that was just an added bonus!).

I have read recently that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear and I really believe it.

I was looking at surgery and knew deep in my heart that it was very much the wrong thing and I went in search of what I felt was my last chance.

The student was willing and humble and ready to be taught and that is when the teacher appeared and a whole new life was offered to me and the door was flung open. I just am so thankful that I didn't hesitate and that I stepped through the door and embraced what was waiting for me.

What a WONDERFUL surprise to have others waiting there to guide and assist!

Thank you ALL again for your willingness to share with me the highs and lows of lifes journey. We truely walk as kindred spirits here.

((Hugs)) to All

[Graciebeliever]

my advice to you--

1) you will mess up. It's all a part of your transition.

2) Knowing what I do now, I would have cleaned my colon out in the very beginning. SOme feel it's not natural, but it was nothing harsh. It wasnt a flush, it was a release, which is so much better. It got rid of cravings when I cleansed.

3) Love yourself. In the world of greed from corporations, YOU are your only true best friend

4) You have your own miracles to learn. What works wonders for ppl right away may not be YOUR thing, In fact may not be at all. You may have your own way into this (i.e. fav foods, reasons, motivations, etc)

5) The story you are truly looking for is your own.

6) Listen to your body. Some days you are ravenous & other days not hungry at all. Just remember- it's OK!! You're not abnormal, we've all gone through it.

7) Learn the difference between transition & teeter-totter. Detox does not mean you are moving backwards as stunted as you feel. See it through & you've taken one more step further.

Ijannise, I am so thrilled for you that you have been able to succed with your weight loss. I am not opposed at all to the cleansing and I will take your advice and do it now.

How did/do you cope with the body changes? Lose skin? Exercise?
Thanks again

[ljannise]

Loose skin- I really do beleive since 100% raw foodies experience less loose skin that the myth has a lot to do with depletion of minerals. When someone goes the less healthy route to lose, the skin isnt getting what it needs to bounce back.

I'm 30 years old & while my skin is not as bouncy as a 17 year old after losing 150 pounds, it's not flaps either. (Compared to what other diets would have done)

If you hit the banana above & search for Loose Skin, you can hear some really great results. I would take the advice of those going 90-100% though because as I said above, minerals have been the Key.

I myself am anxious to hear what the 40+ year old ppl dealt with in terms of loose skin.

Excersize--- Ohhh, the dreaded E word!!! I didnt excersize until I WANTED to. And then there were days in between I didnt. When you are ready, you'll be r e a d y. I had so much sunshine radiating through my body, I couldnt wait to get out. You wont recognize it until the day it happens.

There's the fat mentality you have to stay away from. You are not on WW, JC, etc. It's not a diet. Weight loss will only be an added benefit to this new lifestyle. Trust me, you'll be too busy looking in the mirror trying to recognize who that new radient, colorful person is staring back at you.

For me, being overweight for so long, it was so REFRESHING to be able to say to myself "Look, no more counting, no more plans, no more wasted money on products that promise me everything & never deliver anything, no more prescriptions= no more doctor visits." I had SO much fun on this, I didnt even need my expensive luxury facial products anymore!! It wasnt needed. Beauty was coming from within!!

[Graciebeliever]

Oh Ijannise THAT is exactly what I needed to hear!!

Everyday right now, and I mean EVERYDAY, I see changes in myself and it gets so exciting that I get scared that it is a dream. The LONG years of hopelessness and battles and now.. it is so easy. I keep thinking that it just isnt gonna last but every day I am lighter, healthier, happier so it's gotta be true!

Eating Raw is like a lighthouse on the shore and no matter how hard the storm rages I see my goal and I know where to head.

I will do the search for loose skin because that is one thing that is really on my mind so I will research it and do what I need to do.

Exercise!! I have been able to do the housework that before I was unable to do and that has been a terrific start with GREAT results. Like Cleaning out my fridge top to bottom.. WHAT A WORKOUT! haha
But I do know the time is rapidly comming that I am going to have to truely exercise for toning and cardio etc... I am almost there and I have my walking shoes ready but I am not quite there

Like you said I will know. I kinda feel like Forrest Gump who sat on the porch looking out and one moment he got up and started running and he ran and ran hehe Right now I am sitting and looking out there and getting ready :)

[rawpriestess]

I've lost over 50 pounds in about 4 months and I have no loose skin, now I know I got alot more to lose, but I have lost what is considered a substantial amount of weight, and I am not big on exercise either,


but when you look at me, you see no loose skin, it just isn't there, now I have gone on hundreds of diets, and, I would lose about 20 pounds, no loose skin,

so maybe it is just me, but you would think at 53 years old, and being way over weight my entire life, that I would have some, but then again, I don't have a lot of stretch marks from being pregnant either, maybe I am just lucky,
olive skin, maybe it is that too.

[Graciebeliever]

I have Olvie skin as well RP, I tan easily and my skin has ALWAYS been oily and elastic. I am 45 and I have almost no wrinkles of any kind on my face. I am very grateful that I have good skin and I am hoping that it will make it a little easier to go through the weight loss. I am planning on using the things that people suggested for external use and hope that it also helps
Thanks everyone!

[greeninlosangeles]

I am eating raw for 8 months now, and my weight is good now - I lost just 30 pounds, but that's all I needed to loose. I am writing because you mentioned emotional side. For me raw did not take away wanting to eat for emotional reasons. I still binge a lot. I guess my weight is all right now, because I overeat on fresh non dehydrated foods and usually nonfatty foods. I still feel it is very unhealthy to overeat like I do.
So on advice of Deborah from this board, I started Solution training, which is not a quick fix, it takes around 2 years of every day work by learning to parent yourself and retrain brain neurons to favor balance feeling, so you can soothe yourself from within instead of going to external solutions like overeating, smoking, overshopping, etc. If you are interested take a look at www.sweetestfruit.org . It does cost money, so unless you think you can be commited for 2 years, don't even go there.Although the first kit for 3 months cost with shipping around 120 dollars. You can try for 3 months and see. You get website support and one orientation class on the phone.

[Graciebeliever]

Thanks GreeninLA!

Just put it at my favorites and will give it a good going over when I can this afternoon.

Thanks for your thoughts and as I am finding out there are other things underneath the weigh that need being delt with.

Thanks again

[fwebes]

By the time I lost my 115 lbs, I was 40 and had been a smoker. I quit smoking right before I started my weight loss journey. I was a junk food junkie before that. I had been overweight most of my life but really obese from my 20s. So all those factors led to some pretty loose skin on me. Also, I lost the first 100lbs in about 10 months, so maybe it was the speed involved too. Anyway, I had a very loose pannicul area (lower abdomen) which still looked like a roll of fat. It bothered the heck out of me. I looked to have it removed and the surgeon verified it was all skin. I didn't go through with the surgery. I also had loose skin above the belly button which gave me the muffin top effect over most of my pants. I won't even go into how bad the loose skin was on my breasts. My inner thighs looked like elephant legs with swaggy, droopy skin. The plastic surgereon initially said he wouldn't recommend the thighs, and then he saw them.

I hate to give a bad impression, and the loose skin was better than the fat flled skin. For me, I think because of smoking and bad diet, my skin lost its elasticity. Also, the stretch marks appear to be permanent. I gained 50lbs back and have since lost 10. I hope eating raw will do something about the loose skin, but will probably have to have it surgically removed if it bothers me. When I lose it this time, however, I think I will just accept it as part of my journey.

On the emotional side, I am much better off due to a lot of healing I've gone through, partly from hypnotherapy, and part from just a willingness to open up and accept myself. Reading a lot of self help books and especially working on the spiritual side of things. Learning about abundance and the law of attraction has been a real eye opener. I'm in a much better spot now and now I don't feel like eating when emotional, or when bored or because it's Tuesday or whatever.

[Mary]

Hi Gracie and the other ladies who have so kindly shared your successes here...

I have a minimum of 125 pounds to lose. I have been up and down with my weight my whole life. I got down to a size 4 about the time I met my now husband, but shortly after getting married, ballooned back up again, only to lose and gain two more times. I have been fighting depression my whole life. Food has always been "medicine" for me. I have done Weight Watchers successfully two times now, but soon wearied of weighing and measuring all my food - you get to the point where you're thinking about it all the time.

I have been wanting to go raw for my health for at least two years, but have never been able to stick with it before. What really hit for me was to go on our family vacation to Carmel (Monterey coast in California) and have my 11-year old son help me down the rocks because I was too fat to climb down. I decided then and there that I had to make this change for my health. Like Gracie, cleaning my house and doing even simple tasks has been hard for me because of the extra "person" I'm carrying around on my 5'2" frame.

I have two young children with autism who need me to be healthy because of their intense needs. To be blunt - I have to live as long as I can, because if anything should happen to me, my youngest son, who has severe autism, would likely have to be put in a home or institution, and that is a living nightmare for me! I have not been thin since my kids were diagnosed with autism. The emotional and financial strain on our family has been overwhelming and we are struggling to stay together. At times, I feel like I don't know how much more I can take.

I have been raw for a week and a half now, and am starting to feel like I have more energy now. I am also worried about loose skin once I get down to where I'm supposed to be. My stomach is already stretched out by my first son who was over 11 pounds at birth and had an excess of amniotic fluid which made me look like I was carrying twins! I don't expect miracles, but I am hoping I can do something to tighten my skin afterwards.

Changing my diet is step one; I know I need to exercise too, but I'm trying to take it a bit at a time. I am moving more, even if it isn't structured exercise.

Hearing about your successes makes me feel like I can do this too. I'm a little discouraged, because I don't feel like I have lost weight this week, after my initial 7.5 pounds lost in the first week. I am still worried that I'm eating too much fat in the way of nuts, avocado, and oils, although it's usually just a small handful of nuts on my salad, 1/2 avocado and a little olive oil in my salad dressing. I don't want to have to think about food. I need to be free of this so that I can open myself up to healing physically, emotionally and spiritually.

I'm so very sorry I've gone on so long... I want so much to be successful in losing this weight and gaining my health back. I have to do this, and the support I get here is very important to me.

Thanks again, everyone,

Mary

[Wendee]

I have loose skin, too in the abdominal area and hope that when I loose my 100+ pounds by eating raw, that I won't have to have surgery.

Maybe the body will absorb it. Maybe not.

I am hoping that I won't have hanging skin there. Surgery isn't an option as I don't have insurance.

It's nice to hear others sharing their story.

I have been told that eating raw, the body WILL absorb the excess skin, though. So, I am really hoping.

[Graciebeliever]

Mary :)

How brave of you to share your fears and doubts with us. I can tell you that all my life has been one of failure and doubt with my weight. This is the only thing I have EVER done that has given me any success. No yoyo for me just up and up :(

I wouldn't worry too much about how rapidly you lose. I have been focusing on how GREAT I feel. To be able to change a load of clothes without feeling like I need a nap afterwards.

Focus on the energy in your food. When I hold a mango (my personal fav) or anything else for that matter, know that it is going to give my body what it needs to have more energy.

It took me a LONG time to get fat with no energy and I am thrilled with the slightest improvment.

I am on my day #32 of Raw and I really can't believe that I have come as far as I have already.

I have been also reading and working with a book that I recomend highly.
"Feal the Fear and Do It Anyway" By Susan Jeffers

I lived a life of fear and didn't even recognise it as such.

What the heck it can't hurt right? I found mine at the local library book sale for .25 cents but have and will order more copies for my family and friends

The skin thing always is on my mind and these wonderful people have given us what they know and isn't that an amazing thing all by itself that others share and support us?

So Be good to yourself, Read Read Read, Hang on and hang around here!

[honeybee joy]

Gabriel Cousens recommended to soak in water with sea salt in it twice a week or more to help the skin bounce back. He told me a pound of sea salt per bath. Kinda expensive, and haven't tried it yet, but I might. He also said MSM would help, a Tablespoon 3 times a day. It would probably be best to work up to that amount.

[Graciebeliever]

Gabriel Cousens recommended to soak in water with sea salt in it twice a week or more to help the skin bounce back. He told me a pound of sea salt per bath. Kinda expensive, and haven't tried it yet, but I might. He also said MSM would help, a Tablespoon 3 times a day. It would probably be best to work up to that amount.

Thanks for the heads up on the soaking :)
I guess the cost of the sea salt compared to Other health restrictions or surgery make it well worth the investment.
I have never taken MSM. What is your take on that?

[mellisamouse]

As a side note on excersise, don't even worry about pushing yourself. I had depression and fibromyalia for around 12 years, and once you detox these things go away, and eventually you have this energy that makes you automatically excersis in many different fun ways! :) I started off having over 70 lbs to lose, have lost up to 40 before, and at this point now that I am starting raw, am looking at 50 to be at my goal. I do think that raw will help prevent skin streatching, it makes sense in my brain, but just take it day by day and excersise will happen naturally. ;)

PS I am only 4'8 so 50 lbs on my frame would be like 100lbs on an average height person.. :o

[jaurequi]

Gabriel Cousens ...

He also said MSM would help, a Tablespoon 3 times a day. It would probably be best to work up to that amount.

Would that be 3 tablespoons per day? That's an awful lot. Is the source for this recommendation online somewhere, honeybee joy?

By the way, you look really great in your new avatar. You look healthy, too.

Best,

[rawfigure]

I have lost a little over 30, and yes, there has been struggles, alot of them really. I think it is just part of the journey. The thing I have learned is, to not hate yourself when you slip. You slipped for a reason, and it is just a sign that there is some emotional healing to be done. The best thing to do is just try to feel it, and it will eventually release. We are cleansing and healing everything, not just the fat. So just remember, it is just a part of your personal healing. I used to get so upset with myself, and I think that messes up with emotionally healing, because you are ignoring the real issue and focusing your thoughts and energy on your failure, and your fear of slipping up again.

Good luck!

Edit: I actually lost over 40 lbs, not 30. My math skills are not the best! :p


honeybee..I wanted to tell you I noticed in your new avatar photo that you look so beautiful. Your skin looks gorgeous, smooth and you are glowing.

I know you have had a few struggles so I wanted to tell you. I think you are an inspiration. You are doing well.