is this rapid weight loss for real or part of detox?

[april092776]

I have been almost 100% raw for going on 5 days now. Loving it and feeling much better all the time. No cravings, just loving putting good simple raw foods (and green smoothies of course) in my body.

I started this raw journey as a last ditch attempt to try to get a handle on this terrible IBS that I have been suffering for several years. And, as many of us here, also wanted to shed a few lbs. Anyway, 5 days ago, I was over 146 lbs and today I weighed 144.2. Believe me I am not complaining--just trying to get clarity if anyone can offer it! To me, someone who maybe would lose half a pound a week doing weight watchers or similar program, that is a LOT of weight to lose in less than a week.

I am asking this question because I have read in the past about these detox programs (like Dr Natura, etc) that clean out the colon. However, I am not 100% sure that the detox experienced during the raw transition is at all like the detox that these products claim to cause. Anyway, given my past problems with IBS and eating SAD for my whole life till now, I am sure that my colon has been in need of a good cleaning. So is this rapid weight loss real or is it just nature's broom cleaning all the crud out?

PS I just have to say that I love this message board! It is supportive, open, and positive. I read many of the posts and never see anyone put anyone else down for their state of rawness (or lack thereof).

[OneBite@aTime]

I don't have an answer for you, this is my 2nd month raw and I've not lost a pound yet....I'm dealing with hypothyroid at the moment.....and although I want and need to loose 25-30 pounds I refuse to focus on weight-for me I'll give up if I don't see the number go down. I focus on how I feel-which is so much better I'm trusting the process and know that the weight loss will come.

Congrats on your 2 pounds....and while that's a great start...focus on what you are gainning-better health!

[Ang]

I started 2 weeks ago and I chalked it up to 1. eating very little salt-- your body is releasing water. I didn't add salt to anything, just spices and fresh herbs, because there was so much flavor going on! 2. Simple calories in vs. what it used to be. Even though I felt like I was eating all the time I bet if I added up the calories it would be much lower than before. Also 3. NO ALCOHOL! And 4. since I had more energy I was moving more. Not necessarily constantly exercising but cleaning the house, etc. Good luck! I lost 8 lbs. in 2 weeks.

[Cameo]

Losing 2 lbs in a week is not too fast. Losing 4 is though. Dietitians say that you can lose UP TO 2 lbs a week in fat, and even that is a little much. If you lose more, you are likely losing muscle, even if you can't tell... Your body is most likely going through a detox, mine did, my best friends did... The weight loss was really fast at first and then slowed down, I think because of detoxification. Who knows.. What I do know is that it is medical science that losing too fast leads to health problems that can be just as bad as gaining too fast. Make sure you still get enough fat, your body needs it, and plenty of protein. If you lose too fast, you wont be happy with the result in the long run anyway. :)

[tinystrawberry]

i lose weight quite quickly on raw. 2lbs a day maybe, but i don't know how long it would last

[irishserra]

Losing 2 lbs in a week is not too fast. Losing 4 is though. Dietitians say that you can lose UP TO 2 lbs a week in fat, and even that is a little much. If you lose more, you are likely losing muscle, even if you can't tell... Your body is most likely going through a detox, mine did, my best friends did... The weight loss was really fast at first and then slowed down, I think because of detoxification. Who knows.. What I do know is that it is medical science that losing too fast leads to health problems that can be just as bad as gaining too fast. Make sure you still get enough fat, your body needs it, and plenty of protein. If you lose too fast, you wont be happy with the result in the long run anyway. :)

I can't imagine that losing weight rapidly on raw would be considered "a little much" or harmful. After all, eating organic raw vegan is probably (in my humble opinion) the healthiest way possible to eat. I lost almost a good amount of weight the first week I went raw and while I've no doubt that a good portion of it was water, I did notice a difference in body shape and a huge difference in my stomach alone. I should add that I ate a lot of nuts and avocados during the first couple of weeks to satiate the fat cravings I was having. Also, prior to eating raw, I never ate any processed foods and never used salt. I always ate vegetables and legumes, however cooked.

The changes started when I began raw and I even have hypothyroidism.

Enjoy the weight loss! It's fine.

[RAWk Angel]

I think if you are experiancing a large amount of weigt loss while being raw, it isn't harmful at all. On a SAD diet, yes I am sure that large rapid weight loss is harmful because there is no way to shed that much without doing something harmful (ie... starving yourself or using weight loss drugs) As long as you are treating your body with love and respect, it should be fine. I have refused to get on the scale this month but already I have had to move down to my " skinny day" clothes. and even those are a little big. Take care of your mind and body, provide yourself with all these awesome raw foods and your body will adjust itslef to where it needs to be. We all experiance these benifits at dif. paces. Just trust in your body and trust in this wonderful new lifestyle.