Calling all those who did NOT lost weight in 30 days?

[sherahtaylor]

Okay, so my main reason for going raw was to lose weight - I started at 159 and my optimal weight is about 125. I've been 100% raw for 3 weeks now, and lost just 2 lbs...I've also been weight lifting & running (usually both twice a week) so it could be muscle gain that's keeping me from losing on the scale (I've lost 1.25"). I eat mostly whole fruits, vegetables, with maybe a cup of nuts and 1 avacado max per day (mostly not organic, but fresh from local farms). Also 3T. coconut oil.

Anyway, I wanted to ask: for those of you who did not lose a good amount of weight in the first 30 days, did you change something & get better results after that? When did you start seeing the weight loss happen?

I know it's a journey, that I shouldn't try to rush it, it's just a bit dispairing to not see any progress. My friends and family are watching me very closely and I have yet to show anything really for it. My skin is super dry, my face breaks out just like it always did...hmmm.

[Lay-Lay]

Are you having any positive benefits in eating raw? This is not a diet to me, but a lifestyle. Realizing that makes out the difference in my progress.

[AJ Bodine]

I've always heard that when weightloss is slow or non-existent in the beginning, it's because the body is busy with healing in other areas. I know that Nora Lenz (rawschool.com) didn't start losing her weight until she'd been raw for 6 months (?), I think that's how long I read. Then her weight began coming off.

I had been losing fast for a while, but my weight loss has really slowed down now. I'm ok with that, I feel so good and my body is changing. I still have more to lose, but it will come off.

[Revvell]

Well, this just may be a case of ~ what you focus on expands. Might focus on how great raw food is and all the other health benefits.

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12206

Revvell

[dreamrawalwz]

I've always heard that when weightloss is slow or non-existent in the beginning, it's because the body is busy with healing in other areas. I know that Nora Lenz (rawschool.com) didn't start losing her weight until she'd been raw for 6 months (?), I think that's how long I read. Then her weight began coming off.

I had been losing fast for a while, but my weight loss has really slowed down now. I'm ok with that, I feel so good and my body is changing. I still have more to lose, but it will come off.

Exactly. Your body needs to cleanse itself. Try not to focus on food and weight, just focus internally at what your body is doing for you. Appreciate the fact that you are finally allowing it to heal what it needs to heal to make you feel better and at peace. I think if you change your focus and reasoning it'll come off as you continue to detox. Just be patient and let your body do what it wants to do.

That being said you may also want to examine your intake. Some lose weight with a lot of fat, others gain weight with just a little fat. Don't fret, just experiment. 30 days is a fraction of a fraction of the rest of your life.

[sherahtaylor]

Thanks everyone for your replies!! It's a good reality check: what am I doing this for, anyway? I am in a hurry to lose this weight after the baby, so that's partly the reason. =)

[Pierre]

Don't even think about losing weight if you have a baby. Think about eating the best possible so that she can eat the best possible.

[AliCat]

Boy do I understand! I have been raw for 15 days and gained 3 lbs!?!? :confused: I cant quite figure it out cause I rarely eat nuts and have only tried 2 desserts. I read about how people eat 4 to 5 bananas at a time and I dont eat close to that. I do not dehydrate so I mostly eat simple. I guess my body has a LOT to heal before it gets to my weight but its frustrating when I hear that people have dropped so much weight so quick. Im sorry to hijack your thread, I just wanted you to know your not alone! *hugs*

[luckitri]

3 weeks is not very long. I have known alot of people who quit whatever diet between the 3 and 5 week mark and the weight started coming off after they went back to their bad habits. I think that the weight from the diet was just ready to come off at the 6 or 8 week time - of course - they gained it all back instead of realizing the diet was finally working. Your personal weight and goal are like the last bit to come off for alot of people and they always say the last part is the hardest to get off. I don't mind not having my perfect figure anymore. I figure a little padding is healthy. I always thought that women kept some padding after the baby because the body is still wanting to protect that fragile new life as well as the nutritional resource women need to breast feed. You may be fighting nature. Just a thought.

[Ireland]

One cup of nuts and an avocado and 3 Tbsp. coconut oil. That's a LOT of fat. Aproximately 144 grams as a matter of fact (I put it into fitday and used almonds)

1 cup almonds: 72 grams of fat
1 avocado: 31 grams of fat
4 Tbsp. coconut oil: 41 grams of fat

Just curious as to why your fat consumption is so high...? Cuz it sure could be the reason you're not losing weight! Glad you're keeping so active though. :)

PS - I love your kids names. I have a Rachel and an Isaac too. And a Tirzah and a Luke.

[madmel]

I have to admit ITA with Walkin'onWater, I find the consumption of fat really quite high. Sure, it's all healthy and raw, but still it's a lot.

I would cut down the fats a bit, maybe only 1/2 cup of nuts and less coconut oil. This worked for me. Most days I have either no or max 1 oz of nuts, 1/2 an avocado and sometimes 1 tbsp coconut oil in my smoothie.

When I try special recipes than I have more nuts/avos, but I still watch the amount of this (for example raw dips, cheeses and such).

I run 5 times a week, do yoga 5 times a week and try to incorporate weighttraining 2 times a week.

Also please don't think to much of muscle gain. You have to exercise A LOT to gain a couple of lbs. of muscle and that also takes some time. I have read (this might or might not be true) that "normal" people like you and me who train regularly gain about 4 to 6 lbs of muscle in the first year of regular training doing both weights and cardio.

But: muscle tissue holds water and usually I am heavier after workout, also my thighs are larger because of the running.

Stay raw, decrease the amount of fat and just enjoy the great lifestyle ;)

Sorry for rambling...
madmel

[dogmd]

Thanks everyone for your replies!! It's a good reality check: what am I doing this for, anyway? I am in a hurry to lose this weight after the baby, so that's partly the reason. =)

Wow!!! Congrats on the birth of your new little one.. I take of my hat to ya :) You have got your hands full with five children. I only have one!! How do you have time to stay raw and raise 4 children along with a 3 month old little baby?? I really gotta take my hat off to ya! :)

I think when mine was 3 months old...I was walking around in a fog from lack of sleep!! :eek:

Stick with it!! The weight will come off!! Stayy positive and God Bless! :)

[codajess]

I wasn't paying attention to what I ate, as long as it was raw. I didn't lose an ounce. So you're ahead of me with your 2 lbs. :D

[AJ Bodine]

I didn't realize that almonds had that much fat per cup! To be honest, I don't crave nuts that much anyway. The only time I eat too many of them is maybe when I'm scarfing down Raw Priestesses brownies! ;) On raw, it's not hard for me to stop eating when I'm full. On cooked, I can eat and eat and eat!

[Sharon in Colorado]

That definately is a lot of fat you're consuming, fat goes through you very slowly whereas fruit, greens, etc. go through you more quickly however you need to eat a lot more of it since the caloric values are lower.

When you reduce your fat consumption, just be sure you are eating plenty of fruit/water to accommodate so you don't feel deprived.

Also try cutting back slowly, like 1/2 cup nuts, 1/2 an avocado, etc. Try it over the next week or so and then go down to 1/4 cup nuts. The avocado is probably a better choice since it is fresh. Personally I don't use coconut oil by the spoonful, just in certain recipes and for skin and hair use.

Just a suggestion, because there are folks who eat high raw fat, and still lose, but usually it is with those who have a lot more weight to lose, and coming from very processed diets. Eventually the weight loss slows down.

[Sunshine9]

I recently talked to a raw guru about why I had not lost any weight in the past year on raw. He said that in general, eating very low sugar and low nuts will help you lose it the fastest. He said sugars keep the weight on. Also doing things to cleanse the digestive tract will support weight loss because the body will be working optimally. He also said perhaps I am already at my ideal weight.

[Bethanie]

Does one have to be 100% raw vegan to see any weightloss?
This is confusing to me and i hope i'm not stepping on anyone's toes but i would like to know what the feeling is.

Bethanie

[Sharon in Colorado]

I recently talked to a raw guru about why I had not lost any weight in the past year on raw. He said that in general, eating very low sugar and low nuts will help you lose it the fastest. He said sugars keep the weight on. Also doing things to cleanse the digestive tract will support weight loss because the body will be working optimally. He also said perhaps I am already at my ideal weight.

What did the raw guru tell you to eat. For me it would be impossible to only live on greens and veggies, I'd be eating all day long, as their calories are so low.

Without fat you need carbs and without carbs you need fat in order to be satisfied. Protein often has high fat sources, and in order to be satisfied eating just greens, it would require a huge load.

[Sheryl]

So true... if you cut fat and carbs on raw you have cut literally all sources of calories.... it would definitely make you lose weight! *grin* Might not feel too wonderful though.

Sheryl

[raeannasun]

First off........1 avocado and a cup of nuts a day is not bad if it's keeping you from cheating. If you have the will power and strength to do 100% with cutting back your fats then kudos to you!!! Those foods are my only saving grace when I have a craving for cooked foods.
Have you been 30 days without any cheating at all??? I'm surprised the weight didn't come off! The only other expaination I can think of is that your body is still detoxing the toxins that have been inside you for years!
I know that one day I will be able to eat like Norman Walker or Doug Graham, but right now I can only focus on what will get me through the day without a "slip up!"

And Bethanie.....no, 100% raw is not the ONLY way to lose weight!!! 85% also notice a big difference. The key is eliminating the processed starches, refined sugars, caffine, animal proteins, dairy, and eating a diet based on the cunsumption of mostly raw fruits and veggies. Scientifically, you will lose weight if your calorie intake is less than what you burn.

[lodestar]

are you nursing your baby? if you are then be patient and when you ween your little one the weight will melt away. i promise.

[Sunshine9]

To clarify, he told me that eating more fat and veggies, and very low sugar is the fastest way to weight loss.

I have not tried it, and it seems a bit "one size fits all"... but I'm just throwing it out there.

I would say consistency is key. If right now you are comfortable eating raw as you are, stick with it. You don't want to lose 15 pounds then have it all pile back on in a month. You want something long term I am assuming. Stick with it... if you really want to speed things up, cut down on the nuts.

[Sharon in Colorado]

To clarify, he told me that eating more fat and veggies, and very low sugar is the fastest way to weight loss.

I have not tried it, and it seems a bit "one size fits all"... but I'm just throwing it out there.



That sounds very Atkins-style, throwing your body into ketosis by eating high fats and protein and very little carbs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketosis

[Sunshine9]

I would suppose it appears like Atkins, but it isn't a high protein approach.

For me, I didn't lose a lot of weight when I started, and I still haven't lost much. I can say that I have felt my absolute best when I was CONSISTENTLY exercising every single day. Just taking a walk and breathing the fresh air. Also not eating food late at night, eating less nuts, and no sweet fruit has worked quite well. I feel great doing that. There are still other personal things I am working out, that I think are holding me back from losing more weight (if I even need to. Which I don't think I really do..).. but that's another story

Figure out what works for you though, keep eating raw, and enjoy life. Live like you are at your dream weight TODAY.

[sherahtaylor]

I actually am not breastfeeding...and that's true, I rarely lose anything until I stop b/f'ing. I'm seeing a very slow weight loss, but at least I'm seeing some. I started at 159lbs and it's been 23 days and I've been pretty consistent at 156 for the past 3 days or so. I exercise probably 3-4 times a week, and am going to start T-Tapp every day as soon as the DVD comes, so hopefully that will boost my metabolism.

I decided to cut out ALL nuts for a week, starting today, and see what happens. I'll eat avacado's and coconut for the fat that I need - although not going to extremes (probably one large at the most per day). I'm also going to try not eating anything at night after a certain time. The problem with trying all these new things at once, is that I won't know which one helps, LOL!

I can't say that I feel wonderfully good or anything. I remember how I felt after I'd eat a SAD meal and it was pretty blah, and I don't feel like that, but I also don't feel OMG awesome either, like some people say they do on 100% Raw. I've never cheated, although I have made some of RP's brownies with roasted cocoa powder instead of raw since I didn't have any raw, and it was either that or go on a major binge on SAD. And I can down a good lb of "raw" cashews in a couple of days - that is a major weakness for me, so I'm glad the only place I can get them is 20 min. away.

[Lay-Lay]

I decided to cut out ALL nuts for a week, starting today, and see what happens. I'll eat avacado's and coconut for the fat that I need - although not going to extremes (probably one large at the most per day). I'm also going to try not eating anything at night after a certain time. The problem with trying all these new things at once, is that I won't know which one helps, LOL!

I can't say that I feel wonderfully good or anything. I remember how I felt after I'd eat a SAD meal and it was pretty blah, and I don't feel like that, but I also don't feel OMG awesome either, like some people say they do on 100% Raw.

Just a suggestion, but maybe try working on one or two things rather then everything at once. Like exerice and limit nut intake (not eliminate) this week and maybe next month don't eat anything after 6 pm or whatever. Keep it simple and doable, not restrictive. You know your body and what is best for you, but this is just my thoughts from my experiences.

Sometimes the great feelings that come with raw come at different times for different folks. I don't know how much if any detox you have gone through, but some people must detox some or alot before they start feeling the AWESOME OMG, WOW, RAW IS AWESOME! You'll get there. I am cheering you on! :D

[sherahtaylor]

That's the thing, though - I haven't done hardly any detoxing, or at least, hardly any symptoms. The worst thing that has happened to me is my skin is super dry - and I've gotten a tad bit more acne than normal. I haven't gotten sick either. But I also did the Master Cleanse diet for the first 30 days, then started right into 100% raw, so that might have something to do with it.

With nuts...I've found that they're like candy to me because my body seems to crave substance - it's very hard for me to eat just a handful, and I'll eat them just because I feel like binging on SOMETHING and it should be nuts rather than SAD food. Do I absolutely have to have nuts, or can I get that good fat/protein from other things?

[girl81]

i lost weight rapidly with raw, but it should be noted that i also cut out a lot of fruits (they disagree with me) and nuts (allergies).

[Pailani]

I actually am not breastfeeding...and that's true, I rarely lose anything until I stop b/f'ing.

I can't say that I feel wonderfully good or anything. I remember how I felt after I'd eat a SAD meal and it was pretty blah, and I don't feel like that, but I also don't feel OMG awesome either, like some people say they do on 100% Raw.

You sound like me! I've been mostly raw for almost two years, 4 months 100 percent raw, and only lost the same five pounds again and again. I'm certainly no poster child for raw, I don't look thinner/younger/glowing. I haven't felt the miraculous results I've read about. I do look better, but not enough for anyone to stop and take notice. But I am slowly feeling better, younger and stronger. Over the two years, I've lost pain in my neck that was becoming debilitating. I imagine I just have some profound internal cleansing going on - I was feeling pretty run down, tired and like I was disintegrating and degenerating after my last pregnancy, and I feel like I'm ever so gradually reclaiming my health and energy.

I might try a fast or something in a few months, but I can't do anything drastic now because I'm still nursing my youngest. Usually I gain lots of ambition and will-power after weaning, and that's when I lose most of the weight. I'd forgotten about that, and I've been frustrated that my weight isn't changing - but I guess I need to remind myself that I'll most likely lose more after my nurser weans.

[rawpriestess]

I have been on and off diets my entire life, and totally screwed up my metabolism and my apetite and my apestat, and what ever other new buzz word that they have, basically, I'm fat, that's it in a nutshell (raw nutshell)


so when I started eating raw, I had been a vegetarian for about 7 years, but eating junk vegetarian foods. that was 5 years ago,

it's taken me this long to continue eating enough raw foods to start feeling better and doing something different,

I've been on/off raw for so many years now.

well, I finally went 100% raw a few months ago (AGAIN) and the weight melted off for the first month, then it stopped dead, for two full months, I ate 100% raw, I did it perfectly, and nothing, the exact same weight, not one pound gone.

I did get discouraged, but I kept eating raw, and then I went out of town, and couldn't get my normal almond milkshake that I had every day, and I lost 15 pounds in 3 days!!!!!!!!

so, I love my almond milkshakes, and they only have 1/2 cup of almonds in them, and that is soaked almonds, which is about 1/3 cup of non soaked raw almonds, and that is enough to keep me from losing weight, plus I am still over 200 pounds, so I do have weight to loose, I don't do any other oils, and no avocados (ICK), so that is just me, and I find that If I do fruits mostly, the weight melts off, when I add in nuts, or oils or seeds then it goes much more slowly, so........


that is me.