Anyone know of any good raw food coaches that work with athletes?

[littleangelbear]

I don't want to give up being raw and an athlete. This week was so tough. Even after 16 months, I have days where I wonder 'what's the use?' But, I refuse to give up and I know I need to tweak things.

Does anyone know of any good, reputable raw food coaches that work with athletes?

I hope this is okay to post!

Thanks and hugs,
Lisa

[Fruitarianone]

What's the problem your having?

I don't know any details about you or your diet but to be honest with you, 16 months raw is no time at all.....

I'm sure you were eating cooked food for a lot longer than 16 months, infact I'd would guess that both your parents ate cooked food and raised you on cooked foods, so it's gonna take a lot longer you clean out than 16 months.

Hang in there!

F1

[littleangelbear]

Very true that 16 months is not a long time.

However, prior to being raw, I didn't eat the Standard American Diet and I've been active all of my life. I just wanted to bring my health to its optimum level.

The problems I have are that I'm tired all the time, don't feel I recover fully or as easily from exercise, I almost pass out at the top of the stairs, and I my legs hurt really bad.

I do high volume bicycle racing training. It's not so much about the miles, etc. It's the intensity and higher threshhold work I do such as intervals, etc. I haven't trained anaerobically yet this year 'cause it's too early, but I just wonder where I'll get the stamina from to race.

It almost feels like I have to choose being raw or racing my bike :( I guess I could do yoga and walk and be 100 percent raw without so many physical issues. But, that doesn't make me too excited. I really thought I'd have more improvements. This will be my second bike season raw. I just don't know any more I guess...

I'm trying to find a way to close the gap so to speak from being a beginner. I don't like how I feel when I eat nuts or seeds. I like greens, sprouts, salads, fruits, etc. But, the trick is gettin' enough food. I don't feel I absorb very well either.

I really think I should be stronger physically I guess. Maybe when I move to a warmer climate...I just don't know.

[Fruitarianone]

Very true that 16 months is not a long time.

However, prior to being raw, I didn't eat the Standard American Diet and I've been active all of my life. I just wanted to bring my health to its optimum level.

The problems I have are that I'm tired all the time, don't feel I recover fully or as easily from exercise, I almost pass out at the top of the stairs, and I my legs hurt really bad.

I do high volume bicycle racing training. It's not so much about the miles, etc. It's the intensity and higher threshhold work I do such as intervals, etc. I haven't trained anaerobically yet this year 'cause it's too early, but I just wonder where I'll get the stamina from to race.

It almost feels like I have to choose being raw or racing my bike :( I guess I could do yoga and walk and be 100 percent raw without so many physical issues. But, that doesn't make me too excited. I really thought I'd have more improvements. This will be my second bike season raw. I just don't know any more I guess...

I'm trying to find a way to close the gap so to speak from being a beginner. I don't like how I feel when I eat nuts or seeds. I like greens, sprouts, salads, fruits, etc. But, the trick is gettin' enough food. I don't feel I absorb very well either.

I really think I should be stronger physically I guess. Maybe when I move to a warmer climate...I just don't know.

It took me about 3 years before I felt anywhere near strong, before that I was always exhausted, but that was due to the fact that my body was doing it's job of cleaning and rejuvanating me....I had to submit to that and put all my fitness plans ambitions , vanity on hold for a long while!

Many people will guess and say you need to eat more greens, protien, etc but for me it was all about just getting over the cleansing, listening to my body and being very patient.

Hope that helped.

F1

[spicyfull]

Have you thought about keeping a Food Journal to see just how much you are eating. You seem to be PRETTY ACTIVE.....You might not be eating enough and are just running out of Fuel.............

[littleangelbear]

Thanks so much for the suggestions...

I really don't feel it's necessary to put my fitness plans on hold. I was a bike racer prior to being raw. Also, I was super healthy prior to turning raw. I went through some detoxing once I turned raw and I know it continues...However, I think it's a gradual process for me and it shouldn't interfere with my training plans, etc. I do a great job of listening to my body when it comes to training, etc. I honestly don't think it will take me 3 years to 'clean out' LOL...It probably will take 5-10 years, but gradually, etc.

I do keep a food diary. I guess that is why I'm perplexed. I can't figure out what is going on, on my own. So, that is why I started this thread to see if anyone knows of someone who does raw food coaching for athletes. Thanks so much though for the help.

[SierraSage]

I'd seriously guess that you are not eating enough. Why don't you post some of your food diary here? That's the only way we could give you real pointers--by having more information.

EDIT: I just did a search on some of your other posts. Saw that you have posted a partial food diary in many of them. My opinion--you are eating fine, but NOT ENOUGH. UP your quantities! For every single meal! (If you've ever been bulimic that might feel difficult for you or feel unnatural or like it's a problem. It'd be something you'd have to work with in your mind. Food is your friend--not an enemy.)

Honestly, a raw coach would tell you the same thing. If you are feeling weak, eat more.
One's body NEEDS more food--FUEL--if you are doing intense athletic training of any sort.

And yes, it's true that cleansing the body of toxins can cause tiredness, exhaustion, etc, but this sounds more like you are not giving your body the proper amounts of fuel (food) to sustain it for all lthe working out & training you are doing. One has to ask--why not? Food is your friend.

[littleangelbear]

SierraSage,

Thanks :) I haven't had an eating disorder in 15 years (not bulimia btw)...I am fully recovered by the way.

Also, I love to eat and yes, I believe that food is my friend :) I just don't like to eat large quantities of it at once, so I have to eat frequently LOL. I don't like to feel 'full' :)

I've posted my food diary in the past and all it really did was to upset me due to the insensitivity of others. I won't even go into the P.M.'s LOL. People told me I was eating too many nuts when I really wasn't. It was too frustrating to me. So, I'm super leary to ever do anything like that again here. I have altered my diet quite a bit in the past 3-4 months. I cut down on Larabars, desserts, nuts as a snack, etc., etc. Even prior though to cutting down on 'extras', I was feeling very tired...

I guess my situation is complicated by the fact I have a history of Epstein-Barr virus (3-4 flare-ups) and chronic fatigue syndrome. However, I don't resonate with either...I feel fully recovered in all honesty.

I guess I'm looking at quitting my racing. I guess eating healthy is more important than racing my bike...It's just not fun any more to train and feel so exhausted and sore and icky.

Don't mean to sound negative.

[kiropa]

I guess I'm looking at quitting my racing. I guess eating healthy is more important than racing my bike...It's just not fun any more to train and feel so exhausted and sore and icky.

Don't mean to sound negative.

don't quit! never give up. i wish i had an answer for you, but i have no idea. i'm just 1 month raw and not an athlete. i am planning a marathon (run) in november.

i say keep experimenting! do you feel tired when you ride? before? after? all the time? are there any times when you feel better than others?

how about before raw? what foods made you feel your best when exercising? the people on this board seem to be amazing at translating things to raw.

i generally workout on an empty stomach & recover well with bananas, nut butters, dried fruit.

i wonder if there is a raw version of 'gatorade' or some sort of electrolyte filled drink?

what does your naturopath say?

good luck! i really hope you find the answer. don't give up!

[dextera3]

Don't give up! :) There is a way that will be right for you...keep searching!

I am having a similar issue...I'm switiching to raw, and I'm very active. I'm not 100% raw, but I'm at least 90%. I'm trying to find a balance between eating enough of the right foods that give me adequate energy.

A typical week for me right now consists of:
-1 long run (at least 7 miles)
-3 short runs (anywhere from 3-5 miles)
-6 30 minute sessions of yoga
-3 30 minute sessions of weight training
-2 30 minute sessions on the elliptical trainer

I'm still experimenting with my diet...I'm trying more veggies, and less fruits, no dried fruits, less nuts... I am supplementing with a raw vegan rice protein powder as well, and this has helped me so much! I wasn't getting near enough protein before, even when I ate so many sprouts that I almost got sick! :eek:

Keep trying different things out, and I hope that you find something that works! :)

[Harley]

littleanglebear,
i am in the exact same boat you are in. I have been off my bike since last sunday i am so tired.
I just ordered brendan braziers The Thrive Diet.
Why don't you PM me and we can "talk" in more detail and support each other through this bike racing season.

[hypnocmt]

I was experiencing a sort of weakness when I first went hi-hi-raw to 100%. I felt like I just ran out of gas about 3/4 of the way thru my normal 60 mins of cardio. ( I bike, run and use the elliptical). I usually did weights or yoga after, but I was dying with jus the cardio for awhile. :o

If you're doing more HIIT (inense intervals, like steep hills on your bike) training vs. steady state, you're engaging fast twitch muscle which burns thru glycogen (stored glucose).

've noticed that having some sweet juicy fruits like a handful of grapes, or an orange, right b4 working out helps me stay with it. Afterward, I have a smoothie. I have upped my consumption of protein in the form of 1/2 an extra smoothie (just berries, 1/2 banana, ice and hemp powder) on days when I plan a long workout. It probably wouldn't hurt to include some extra spirulina in there too.

Some folks on this board have recommended carrying coconut water instead of plain water for the extra electrolytes during long workouts. Sounds delicious.

Often, what you eat the day before has more effect on today's energy levels than what you ate 5 mins ago, so you may find that planning for intense training days accordingly helps out.

[carolg]

May google Dr. Doug Graham or Doug Graham.
carolg

[Vandy]

I have been a student of Dr. Douglas Graham for over a year now. He is the BEST. He helped to train Demi Moore and other Olympic Athletes. His book Nutritional and Athletic performance would be awesome for you... I never used to have to energy to work out until I started following his eating recommendations...did I mention I now run for about at LEAST 1 hr a day, and I am in the best shape of my life.

[littleangelbear]

You guys rock! Thank you so much for the support...I was at the end of my rope, but feeling better, even though I'm super tired.

It's wild 'cause I kept having the Doug Graham and also, the Boutenko family's stuff cross my path this past week. But, I want to say that I really resonate with Alissa's work and she was the one whose materials and work led me to this path, so I just wanted to put my disclaimer out there :) lol

I think there's something about those Thai coconuts. I was given part of a case on Easter day and I absolutely loved the coconut water inside! I love it when the Universe brings things and people to you on your path...Hee hee! Just glad no coconuts fell on my head...

For me the biggest thing to overcome mentally is the idea of eating more fruit 'cause when I was hypoglycemic they said to avoid it, but wow, it really helps you to get more calories and energy...*beats her chest like a primate 'cause they eat lots of plants and fruits* hee hee!

So, time to do some more tweakin'. Also, I suffer from really bad perfectionism at times. So, if I do something like have a cup of hot tea or some condiment that is not 100 percent raw, I have a tendency to beat myself up. But, I know on other levels 100 percent raw is best, but maybe not best for me...So maybe my 90-95 percent is good for me so I won't be so hard on myself :)

Lots of love and hugs,
L

[littleangelbear]

Meant to add that I don't think we can PM any more, Harley. I tried, but I think that feature is disabled on this board, etc. So, if you can't PM me, I can put an email address, if it's allowed :)

[Harley]

littleangelbear,
Ok if you don't mind, post your email address and I will email you.

[lytlsprout]

Contact Kassie. She's a body builder and rawfoodist. www.kassiek.com

[littleangelbear]

Harley,

My email is indigoangelbear@gmail.com

Everyone else will not spam me right? LOL

Hugs,
Lisa

[littleangelbear]

Contact Kassie. She's a body builder and rawfoodist. www.kassiek.com


Thanks. No offense, but bodybuilding nutrtional requirements are much different from those of endurance athletes ;)

[Harley]

littleanglebear,
I sent you an email. Hope you get it