New here and need advice

[NightOwl]

Hello everyone. I am 43 and need to lose over one hundred pounds. I am very active but seem to put weight on very easily with processed carbs. I have decided to eat raw because I need to improve my health and lose weight. About ten years ago I had tried to lose weight with lower carb eating. I replaced most foods with big salads, fruit salad and I did eat some lean meats. I did lose 70 pounds but regained when I began working too much and went back to eating so called comfort foods higher in sat. fat and processed carbs. I know the reason I felt so good while losing the weight was the raw veggies and fruit and want to get back to eating that way again. I noticed that fruit does taste better and sweeter when all other concentrated sugars are cut out of the diet.

Right now I basically feel like crap from eating what everyone else around me and in my household eats. I feel bloated and tired.

I feel like going on a fast first then add salads and seeds and nuts after a few days. Is it better to cut down to eating salads and fruits then go into the fast or just go right into the fast?

I have two heads of romaine, a cantelope, blueberrys, three peaches in the fridge. I should eat them up.

[Random Violin Guy]

Day 1: eat only fruit
Day 2: eat only melon
Day3-?: fast
Day ?+1: eat only melon
Day ?+2: eat only fruit

This isn't the only way to go about it, but it works well. This way you ease into and out of it.

[NightOwl]

ty. I think I will eat salads for tomorrow and then what you describe. I have blood work to be done on monday. I work graveyard shift and I have to fast overnight sunday night. It is just a basic check up and to check thyroid, cholesterol, and for allergy. It will be good to check it again in a few months after changing my diet to see the difference. I know I probably won't be able to go 100% raw but I know I can do 80%. I know something hot like veg soup will hard for me to give up. Also I need to read up on recipes to sub for some fav foods.

Thanks for your advice Violin Guy.

[EZ rider]

I feel like going on a fast first then add salads and seeds and nuts after a few days. Is it better to cut down to eating salads and fruits then go into the fast or just go right into the fast?
In my opinion what your eating when you go into a fast isn't nearly as important as what you are eating when you come out of a fast. The longer your fast is the more your old eating habits have been interrupted and the better the possibility that new eating habits will take root. Coming off a fast presents the best opportunity that I know of to make changes in your eating program.

[StarFire]

Aloha and Welcome to RFT Nightowl! I'm not sure about how to go about fasting or not fasting - but I do know that if you are serious about wanting to lose 100 lbs... (if you haven't already) get Alissas Book and DVD... those two tool will help you transition to the raw lifestyle successfully.

I started my raw lifestyle by simply following the 30 day plan in Alissa's book -- it was wonderful - delicious and fun trying all the different foods! It makes your transition so much easier - all your meals are planned and you don't have to worry if you are getting enough of this or that...

It is important to remember that this is a journey - and ... the weight did not get there overnight - and it will take some time b4 you reach your goal weight... but if you really want to... you can do this!!

Here's a link to Morns b4 and afters (this is her 10th month raw)
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=29896

here's a link to douglas's progress pics:
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=28465

so you see!! You can do this - but it takes time! RAWK ON... blessings on your journey! I look forward to reading more of your posts!!


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/welcome.gif

[spicyfull]

I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW........Welcome to MY World.

[pixiepolar]

check out http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=102588619

amazing lady! She lost 160 pounds.

good luck

Claudia

[Revvell]

This is a great post and I will only add, if you need more support, go to Alissa's site and find a level 1 teacher in your area. Take the class and ask questions... build a support group. You can possibly find meetups (rawfoodmeetup.com) in your area to find others who will support you.

Revvell


Aloha and Welcome to RFT Nightowl! I'm not sure about how to go about fasting or not fasting - but I do know that if you are serious about wanting to lose 100 lbs... (if you haven't already) get Alissas Book and DVD... those two tool will help you transition to the raw lifestyle successfully.

I started my raw lifestyle by simply following the 30 day plan in Alissa's book -- it was wonderful - delicious and fun trying all the different foods! It makes your transition so much easier - all your meals are planned and you don't have to worry if you are getting enough of this or that...

It is important to remember that this is a journey - and ... the weight did not get there overnight - and it will take some time b4 you reach your goal weight... but if you really want to... you can do this!!

Here's a link to Morns b4 and afters (this is her 10th month raw)
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=29896

here's a link to douglas's progress pics:
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=28465

so you see!! You can do this - but it takes time! RAWK ON... blessings on your journey! I look forward to reading more of your posts!!


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/welcome.gif

[shine72]

what Revvell said. I started out with 100+ pounds to lose. I was so glad I took my Level 1 class and then I became a teacher through Alissa. As of this morning, I am now down 60.4 pounds. I started on Dec. 27th @ 238.9 pounds. This is THE best way for your body to cleanse and heal itself IMHO. I eat whatever I want, whenever I want, so long as it is raw, still, even past the first 30 days. Some days are lighter than others, not by trying to restrict, but just because I listen to what my body wants.

You can fast if you wish, but it's really NOT necessary to start raw for 30 days and then seeing how you feel. I highly suggest getting Alissa's book and dvd. The dvd gives you the visual to show you how easy it is. Then the Level 1 helps to experience the tastes and textures and get your questions answered, plus it helps in finding out where your local resources and support may be.

Sorry, I didn't mean to ramble on. Just adding my thoughts on the matter! Welcome to RFT, and best wishes on your raw journey!:D

[Morn]

Congratulations for deciding to want to get healthy again. If you really feel like you want to fast why not finish up your produce and then start. I started with just eating raw foods for 30 days at a time and just took it from there. I am fasting right now but it was several months of just eating raw and I lost a lot of my weight just eating raw and exercising. However, If you feel out of control fasting is a good way to pull the reigns back in. You can do the fruits and veggie juices, or the Master Cleanse Lemonade and then go back to eating raw foods afterward. Anyway I wish you the best on your journey. I agree with Starfire - know that it will just take time - but keep your mind focused on your goal and with little strides everyday - You can do it!

[Coriander74]

There are so many incredible people on this board - I'm so glad you found us.
Welcome :)

[Pierre]

Welcome to raw! It sounds kooky, but you can lose weight (at least I did) by eating avocados and olives. Instead of cutting out fats, replace sat fat with avo.

[Veganforlife]

Two words: Green Smoothies.

Check these both out:

http://greensmoothieexperiment.blogspot.com/

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/member.php?u=2493