Why?! (Notice the complaining tone)

[SmilingRawDancer]

Ok, here goes -

I'm 18, I should have a fast metabolism, right? I workout at least twice a week for 30 minutes each time. I watch what I eat, fats-wise. It's 1/3 or less of a big avocado a day, and a few nuts to nibble on. No oils.
I still have a thick layer of fat on my thighs and my stomach and back. It moves.

BUT -

My mom, who is menopausal, eats TONS and TONS of food, at least a half of an avocado a day PLUS at least 2 tablespoons of olive oil on her salads, plus cooked grains, tons of bananas and apples....she eats and eats.
Her arms look awesome, and overall she looks VERY lean and almost too thin.

Why is it that way? Why can't I look as lean as I want to without severely restricting calories, while other people can put down loads and loads of high-fat calorie laden raw foods and still become TOO thin, so they revert to eating cooked foods???


*Walks off grumpily...*

[JennaBoBenna]

Metabolism is connected with muscle mass. Try building more muscle and your metabolism will speed up :)

[SmilingRawDancer]

I do push-ups, I work my big butt muscles with up-hill steep hiking, and I lift weights..........grrrrrrrr

[Rawkinlocs]

Do you eat many small meals throughout the day? I've always heard/read that doing so helps in this area somehow. Sooo...if you're not getting the results you want by eating so restrictively, what are your results when you DON'T eat so restrictively? Heck, maybe you actually need that layer of fat at this time (:eek: perish the thought, eh?) Mom's body is not your body and vice-versa. I'm not built like my mom...she has nice boobs and I have, well, none. She's not built like her mom...my mom is short and my grandma is tall.

I dunno...I'd bet if you posted a picture we'd probably see you much differently than you're seeing yourself.

[SmilingRawDancer]

I eat throughout the day, every two-three hours ish :)

I'm short, so extra weight looks....immense, on me.

I'm just getting so fed up.
i've stopped buying dates.
I've stopped eating so many nuts.

I gained alot of weight in the first place when I just "let myself go free" on raw.

[samariah]

im similar, i find that i lose weight faster when i work out at least 5 days a week. it may seem like a lot but once u start exercising almost every day u get used to it and feel like u cant go with out it.

[Rawkinlocs]

So what's the next step now? Will you give up on eating raw based on this? Or ...will you ponder all of the good things that have transpired since you started on this journey and keep on keeping on. Are you willing to share your weight/height with us? I'm short too...I don't know if I'm as short as you are, but I'm 5'4" and I weigh around 124-128 but before raw I was like 145'ish. Even then, I didn't think I looked badly with that weight on as I actually liked being kinda "thick" and having curves. But, even now, I still have curves, but I'm just thinner than I was back then but still have some "meat" on me.

But again, what is your next step? Eating "freely" on raw didn't "do it"...eating this restrictive way isn't "doing it"...so now what? I say, try to stop stressing over it as you are doing all that is within your own power to do. You're eating raw, you're exercising...what more can you do shy of starving yourself and I don't say that to encourage you to do that...but to say to you, if you are doing your very best then that is all you can do and the only thing left TO do is to just stop stressing over it and getting upset over it and just live your life to the fullest and then maybe things may change or then again, if this is the way YOUR body is meant to be (despite how you "think" it should look) then nothing you do will change it.

I hope I'm not coming across harshly as that is definitely NOT my intention...honestly. But I just wonder, what now, if "free-for-all raw" didn't make you leaner and "restrictive raw" isn't doing it either. The only thing left is time and patience and self-acceptance because again, you are doing all that you can do...there's not much more. You can try to keep tweaking your diet and all, but...well, I digress. Sorry I couldn't be of more help but maybe someone else will. These are just my own thoughts.

[SmilingRawDancer]

Oh no, I get you ;) :)

I wouldn't stop eating raw. I was heavier pre-raw, definately. And I don't think I'd ever become obese eating raw, so that settles it.
But I'm just ..angry, I guess, that it's so easy for other people to lean out while eating as much raw as they want/crap/cooked food/....while I am cautious, work out...and I don't get anywhere close.

As for height and weight -
I'm 5"1', 120 pounds.
I still looked nowhere near emaciated at 105 pounds, I looked fit and muscular.
Now I look - dare I say it - flabby, at 120.

It's like I'm in limbo....I'm not going to gain massive amounts of weight, but I don't like running/jogging with the flabby jiggly feeling.
Has anyone else gained weight on raw food, then without changing anything just lost it all, perhaps more than a year into being 100%?

[Rawkinlocs]

yeah, I feel ya! It's the same in the cooked food realm though...you got some who are stick-thin and eat any and everything under the sun and then others who just "THINKING" about eating ______ will gain weight...so to speak!

But again, try to focus on all of the other health benefits you have acquired since going raw and keep on being active...I believe that if it's meant to be, you will get to your desired body type...maybe even visualize it daily. Again, I felt the same way about EVERY and I mean EVERY woman in my family both maternal and paternal having these nice, vuloptuous boobs and me being left with nada...zilch! But overtime I learned to just accept being in the IBTC (if you don't know what that means, ask your mom! ;)) and I'm now comfortable with me as I am, although it took a while. I know that's a whole different thing but in a way, it's relative.

[EZ rider]

Why can't I look as lean as I want to without severely restricting calories, while other people can put down loads and loads of high-fat calorie laden raw foods and still become TOO thin
I think part of the answer is in how efficient each persons digestion is. Some people get very little from the foods they eat and other people digest 100% or close to it.

[Revvell]

Flabbiness is caused by not enough movement. 2 times a week for 30 minutes? Not enough in my opinion PLUS we don't know enough about the rest of your food program OR your life. Are you on any kind of drugs? do you drink alcohol? How much of your food program is raw? How much cooked?

I don't consider half an avocado plus a couple of tbs. of oil all THAT much AND eating fat does not necessarily cause weight gain.

Suggestion: keep a diary if you're not already. Ask your mother to keep one as well. I'm sure she's not eating TONS and TONS...

Consider your perceptions may be a big misleading as well.

... and, as Rawkinlocs stated, your body is not her body. I'd add more movement at the very least.

Revvell

[SmilingRawDancer]

Is there anyway for me to improve my assimilation of foods, so that I don't have to feel the need to eat so much to get nutrients?
I've gone as organic as I can, budget wise.


Are you on any kind of drugs? do you drink alcohol? How much of your food program is raw? How much cooked?

1. No I'm not on drugs, AT ALL :) No meds, nothing recreational. zip :-D
2. No alcohol, I have a family history of addictive behavior, so I stay far away. I've never had more than a sip of champagne, once, in london :-D (it was free...)
3. 99% of my food is raw. I leave the other 1% to spices.

And the 30 minutes twice a week I am refering to is my "planned" physical activity. Usually it's 3-4 times, but on a bad week it's twice. I still run around with my brother at parks, I shop....go to Disneyland at least once a week...so generally I walk around about an average amount.

[Revvell]

How are you on the green smoothie front?

[codajess]

Oh no, I get you ;) :)

I wouldn't stop eating raw. I was heavier pre-raw, definately. And I don't think I'd ever become obese eating raw, so that settles it.
But I'm just ..angry, I guess, that it's so easy for other people to lean out while eating as much raw as they want/crap/cooked food/....while I am cautious, work out...and I don't get anywhere close.

As for height and weight -
I'm 5"1', 120 pounds.
I still looked nowhere near emaciated at 105 pounds, I looked fit and muscular.
Now I look - dare I say it - flabby, at 120.

It's like I'm in limbo....I'm not going to gain massive amounts of weight, but I don't like running/jogging with the flabby jiggly feeling.
Has anyone else gained weight on raw food, then without changing anything just lost it all, perhaps more than a year into being 100%?

I totally feel you. I don't lose a pound for every 3500 extra calories I burn like a normal person, either. :(

I don't know what to tell you. I'm in the same boat as you. So I can just empathize. :)

[Pennypower]

Is there anyway for me to improve my assimilation of foods, so that I don't have to feel the need to eat so much to get nutrients?
I've gone as organic as I can, budget wise.

Well actually you could take some digestive enzyme supplements. That REALLY works for me and I can tell a huge difference when I'm taking them.
Gross question........When you poo (sorry), does it look fully digested, or are there chunks (sorry again:o) in it? If it is not fully digested then that is a good indication that enzymes could help you. Of coarse probiotic natural enzymes.

Another suggestion... you might also benefit from a short term juice fast. As far as your weight goes, I agree with the others that excersise is your smartest move. But it also seems like in my experience, juice fasting helps to get things moving too, and to give your body the occasional break it needs digestively. If something isn't working right, I find that juice fasting sets things in order again. But I am NOT suggesting this as a calorie reducer. You shouldn't fast just to lose weight because that's just down right obsessive, you know what I mean. It shouldn't be used to further restrict your diet. Personally I think your diet should be less restricted than what you are eating now, especially if you want to lose weight. I know everyone's different, but avacodos help me lose weight.
Well, I think that's all I've got, hope it helps!;) ;)

[dreamrawalwz]

You could be one of those mysterious people that lose weight with MORE fat lol. Have you tried increasing your fat intake?

[Davylp25]

Add sea veggies, could be slow thyroid... Or could be some subcon emotional protection that wants to keep the fat for some type of protection... or to teach you to not compare with others...?? Emotions play a big part, maybe cleanse your emotional body by journaling, some form of expression, and then the body will have no choice but to let go of whats holding.

[Priscilagj@mac.com]

here's what I've learned. And yes I know I'm only fifteen. BUT i have been an athlete all my life and have dealt with over weight, under weight, eating disorders, whatever, you name, I've got it. Anyways, try not to restrict your diet so so much, it'll only get you into trouble. Excersice instead, trust me, you rather be fit than thin.

[raw_goddess]

i am almost 5ft4 and 125 and, although it varies from day to day i feel that i am at a very good weight for myself. i do 30-50 mins. of yoga every day and it helps SO much. i am much more toned overall, and now i find that it is the only way to truly calm myself down. i would recommend the 30 minute or 50 minute "Yoga Now" DVD by Rodney Yee and Mariel Hemingway. it's excellent. :D p.s. prior to raw foods and yoga i had a horrible body image and suffered from an eating disorder, so i know where you're coming from!

[SmilingRawDancer]

Davylp - I go through weeks where I'll eat a sheet or 2 of nori a day, but other than that, I don't do much in the sea veggie department. Wakame and all of that dulse stuff is just SO STRONG (but I ate it dry?)

Dreamrawalwz - I did that for a good while, and I gained even more, plus I felt yucky digestive-wise. But maybe I'll try more oils on my salad or something. I think when I was eating more fats before it wasn't oils, it was coconuts, nuts and tahini (I LOVE TAHINI)

Penny - I take digestive enzymes when I feel sluggish digestive-wise. It does help. As for my precious poo - when I don't chew well, it comes out with undigested bits. But you'd think that that means that I'm not absorbing as many calories, so I'd lose some weight :rolleyes:
I would do a juice fast, but ....it's just SO irritating cleaning my jack lalanne juicer. And it won't juice greens.


codajess - I love you.
Haha yeah I do NOT lose a pound per every 3500 I don't eat, it's more like 1/2 pound, or less. I think the only way I could lose more than a pound a week by counting calories is if I ate NOTHING. But that would be stupid.


Revvel - I stopped doing green smoothies for several reasons (ducks in case people disagree, but this is for me personally):
They didn't fill me up/satisfy me, and they ended up making me eat MORE at the time. I would drink a green smoothie with lots of spinach, but because I didn't get the chewing activity in, I'd be craving something afterwards, so I'd eat an apple and then I'd feel too full and sick....I just cut them out and I eat lots of dehydrated collards (with a bit of salt, not much though), but yes at least 7 bunches of collards a week right now, because I'm in a collard mood. But before it was tooons of spinach.

[Davylp25]

:D Well you can take KELP capsules.

[SmilingRawDancer]

I do :-D

a couple tablets a day. - I didn't think those counted haha but yes I take kelp tablets.
And I stopped using fluoride toothpaste.
And I don't use deodorant with aluminum.

[the_lab_rat]

SmilingRawDancer,

I'm sorry you're going through this...I'm in the same boat, so I know how frustrating it is to not be able to lose the weight you want while everyone around you is pigging out and losing. I don't know why it happens that way... I wish I did know. I think some people naturally have faster metabolisms. Plus, each person has their own type of diet that works best for them (low fat, lotsa fat, low carb, etc) and maybe you just haven't found the exact combination that's optimal for you. And there could be so much else going on in your body--thyroid or other health issues, things that need healing before you can lose weight...

The only suggestion I can make is more exercise. It's great you're already exercising a few times per week, but maybe adding in more would help. That's the ONLY thing that seems to work for me--tons and tons of exercise. Every time my weight plateaus, I have to add in more workouts. Right now I jog 3-4 times/week, 1-3 hours each time. Now I'm adding in an exercise class too because I've been stuck at this weight for too long and physically can't jog anymore than I already do. That's another thing--try shaking up your routine--workout for longer than 30 minutes at once, add a new type of exercise, run a different route, etc. Your body gets accustomed to the same routine and becomes efficient at it, so you'll end up burning fewer calories after doing the same routine for a while. Surprise your body, challenge it, push it! Good luck, I truly hope you find something that works for you and makes you happy :) (and if you do, be sure to let me in on the secret..lol! :D )

[SmilingRawDancer]

I going to go walk another 30 minutes uphill....*sighs and grabs iPod*

:D :D :D

[Strong]

It may also be that you need more exercize. Mayo recommends (I believe) 30-60 minutes of exercize 5 days a week for general health. More for weightloss I believe.

[SmilingRawDancer]

I used to be exercising more, but then people on these forums told me that I could be exercising too much.......haha so who knows?
I like exercising, it makes me feel good. Especially with some good music.
Maybe I'll try a GS fast. Maybe all the extra nutrients and better assimilation will jar something into place...

[Revvell]

I LOVE your attitude!!!


I used to be exercising more, but then people on these forums told me that I could be exercising too much.......haha so who knows?
I like exercising, it makes me feel good. Especially with some good music.
Maybe I'll try a GS fast. Maybe all the extra nutrients and better assimilation will jar something into place...

[SmilingRawDancer]

Awww thanks : ) I try and stay positive all the time, it makes ya live longer.
Revvel, I listened to your interview from september with Nomi Shannon this morning, and you guys were talking about people who claim that they gain weight on raw, and she said it's very rare etc. unless they eat tons of nuts......why isn't that true for some people? haha

I got a good hour workout yesterday, I'll go for at least 30 today :)


Thanks everyone...if there is any more advice keep 'er coming....
Anyone know of any good weight lifting DVD's, with the workout being about 10 -15 minutes total? I don't mind lifting weights, but I feel better doing so with someone to model after.
I'll try and take some yoga this semester too...I don't think it's too late to add.
But....8:00 on a saturday morning is murder...

[samariah]

Well actually you could take some digestive enzyme supplements. That REALLY works for me and I can tell a huge difference when I'm taking them.
Gross question........When you poo (sorry), does it look fully digested, or are there chunks (sorry again:o) in it? If it is not fully digested then that is a good indication that enzymes could help you. Of coarse probiotic natural enzymes.

Another suggestion... you might also benefit from a short term juice fast. As far as your weight goes, I agree with the others that excersise is your smartest move. But it also seems like in my experience, juice fasting helps to get things moving too, and to give your body the occasional break it needs digestively. If something isn't working right, I find that juice fasting sets things in order again. But I am NOT suggesting this as a calorie reducer. You shouldn't fast just to lose weight because that's just down right obsessive, you know what I mean. It shouldn't be used to further restrict your diet. Personally I think your diet should be less restricted than what you are eating now, especially if you want to lose weight. I know everyone's different, but avacodos help me lose weight.
Well, I think that's all I've got, hope it helps!;) ;)

i agree w/ the digestive enzymes. i take them when i eat denser foods and they do help move things along and digest properly.

[Judy]

Add sea veggies, could be slow thyroid... Or could be some subcon emotional protection that wants to keep the fat for some type of protection... or to teach you to not compare with others...?? Emotions play a big part, maybe cleanse your emotional body by journaling, some form of expression, and then the body will have no choice but to let go of whats holding.

I agree with Davy here, if there's nothing wrong in the food and excercise department, you may want to look somewhere else.
Stress, emotions, (spiritual) fulfillment, they all play a part in how someone looks and feels. Fat can be a type of protection for some, or other underlying (emotional) problems you may not want to deal with. It can be a sign of your body to tell you to open up, to accept yourself and love yourself more or to look at certain emotional blokkages or issues from the past (or present) you perhaps couldn't let go off or wasn't ready to deal with. It might be worthwhile to look at it.

[SmilingRawDancer]

Yes, I'm stressed a good portion of the time. But grrrr there are so many people who go through far more stress than I do on a daily basis, who are far leaner as well. School stresses me out, I don't take well to it - the grades, projects, deadlines....*sighs*

I'll start journaling more for sure. I think I'm pretty free and open about my emotions, and I pray alot....who knows?

[lycheenut]

Ok, here's my two cents, for what it's worth.

I have read that for effective fat loss, you should work out for longer periods of time. For the first thirty minutes, you are burning the food that you have eaten. After that point, you start to use energy from your body. There is a great graph of this in Jeff Galloway's book "On running" (at least I think that's what it's called, might just be called running, or something). So, you might want to lower the intensity of your workouts and do them for longer. I have found that 45 minutes does the trick in the past, although I have also been known to go for hour and a half runs too. Do your normal weights as well! Because it was mentioned before that it's good for building muscle.

You also might not be eating enough! If you don't eat enough calories throughout the day (anything less that 1200 is bad for women), your body goes into starvation mode, making it hard for you to lose weight. You should track your calories and make sure you're eating enough, especially if your active!

The last thing i want to say is don't stress about it! I have major major body issues, always have and always will. I'm 5'7'' and 133 pounds, and i'm pretty muscular for a lady. And when i hear you say that you didn't look any thinner when you were at a lower weight, it sounds a bit like myself, a little dysmorphic. But you are a healthy, beautiful 18 year old girl! I'm 25 now, and what I would give to be 18 again! I don't mean to sound preachy, but when I was that age I spent most of my time fretting about how I looked instead of just enjoying the fact that I was 18 and young and pretty, and the envy of the world!

Enjoy it to the max!

[SmilingRawDancer]

I love being 18, and I give myself a "pep talk" of sorts most days, where I say something like "Get out there and do things anyways...surf, dance, whatever, and don't think about your looks because one day you'll look back and say "what was I thinking?! Why didn't I do half of those things because of self-consciousness?""..

...and I did look thinner at a lower weight :) and I fit into my other pants! Haha now I have 2 sets of clothes - leaner, and meatier :) I just wish I had my earlier-raw less meaty self back! I just said that even at a lower weight I still had lots of meat on my bones, because when short people say that they wish they were 105 pounds again, that sounds like a dreadful number to taller folk - whereas to shorties, that is a pretty normal weight to be at. I just wanted to make clear that for me to look emaciated (by mine, and other peoples opinions) I'd have to be in the lower 90 lb. range.

[lycheenut]

Ok! Good!

I might have been projecting a bit...ahhh, the internet, so equivocal!

[Judy]

Well, don't underestimate stress. It can completely wack up your body's processes. Do you sleep well?
Also, become aware of the tension your holding in your body. I dare say that you're probably a shallow breather...
That isn't meant to be offensive, I'm a stressed shallow breather myself...!
But usually, stressed persons do not breath very calmy and deeply.
Sometimes they do not even breath at all! Paying attention to your breathing can help tremendously. Not only will good breathing relax you, but it also can work wonders for your metabolism (actually, it is a huge part óf your metabolism, because breathing out sheds waste material and breathing in oxigenises your blood and helps with useful processes). I know of people who lost a couple of kilos by learning how to breath properly and consciously all day long.
Furthermore meditation may help, or if that isn't your thing, something that relaxes you. Listening to music, watching movies, hanging out with friends, reading... Relaxing is key.
Does excercise relaxes you and make you feel happy, or does it make you even more tensed? Is it something you force yourself to do or does it come easy? In that case, sometimes less is more or choosing something you really enjoy, like dancing or horseback riding or whatever. Something that's fun!
Another thing that may help metabolic-wise are sauna's, or if you aren't able to go to a sauna, hot-cold showers. This gets your blood really pumping around and shed a lot of waste.
Or some relaxing massages...
Or dropping out of school :)

[SmilingRawDancer]

[/I]Thanks everyone for the replies, honestly!!


Well, don't underestimate stress. It can completely wack up your body's processes. Do you sleep well?
Also, become aware of the tension your holding in your body. I dare say that you're probably a shallow breather...
That isn't meant to be offensive, I'm a stressed shallow breather myself...!
But usually, stressed persons do not breath very calmy and deeply.
Sometimes they do not even breath at all! Paying attention to your breathing can help tremendously. Not only will good breathing relax you, but it also can work wonders for your metabolism (actually, it is a huge part óf your metabolism, because breathing out sheds waste material and breathing in oxigenises your blood and helps with useful processes). I know of people who lost a couple of kilos by learning how to breath properly and consciously all day long.
Furthermore meditation may help, or if that isn't your thing, something that relaxes you. Listening to music, watching movies, hanging out with friends, reading... Relaxing is key.
Does excercise relaxes you and make you feel happy, or does it make you even more tensed? Is it something you force yourself to do or does it come easy? In that case, sometimes less is more or choosing something you really enjoy, like dancing or horseback riding or whatever. Something that's fun!
Another thing that may help metabolic-wise are sauna's, or if you aren't able to go to a sauna, hot-cold showers. This gets your blood really pumping around and shed a lot of waste.
Or some relaxing massages...

Oooooh that's eeerie....yes, I shallowlly breathe. Alot of the time I'll finally feel out of breathe, then I'll have to pay attention and calm myself down to catch my breath. I've never gotten to the point of hyperventilating, but yes, that's verry applicable in my case.

Exercise makes me feel very calm and happy. After the 10 -15 mark in the workout, I could go forever. ESPECIALLY with some good beats. Right now my playlists are Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Timbaland.....(tangent..)
I've been alternating high-intensity with lower intensity. I start with a warm-up walk, then I jog for a mile and a half or so (about 15 minutes), then I slow to a moderate walking pace, and turn the incline all the way up (mine goes up to 10%) untill the half-hour runs out. I'd usually do that 2-3 times a week, but now I'm upping it to at least a 1/2 hour 6 times a week. Yesterday I got an hour.
(I exercise walking/jogging-wise solely on my treadmill, my neighborhood doesn't really permit much in the activity area...tons of dogs etc, I'd be going through pepper spray by the week!)

As for eating enough, I eat around/over 1200 calories a day. I try not to count, but every few weeks I check in what I'm eating at that's the average. Some days as much as 1800. But thats my more active days.

[alicemagooey]

HE HE HA HA HO HO.. a slightly mid-thread departure...


IBTC (if you don't know what that means, ask your mom! ) and I'm now comfortable with me as I am,

i have not heard that expression for about 40 years !! I used to be President of that committee (or so i thought)when i was a teen-ager.

Now , as a senior citizen, i am also resigned and comfortable with my bod.
Besides, through my life i have been really active and floppy boobies would have really cramped my style..

OK back to the thread..
to really get your metabolism cooking and changing (*speeding up)( for
a permanent change..which will come about over time)...
( it did for me, and i am sure if it worked for me, it can work for anyone..)

you need to excercise aerobically.. that is about 40 minutes of challenging excercise three times a week , raising your heart rate sufficiently for an effective work out. Jogging is ( i found ) the simplest way of doing this. You can choose a sport of preference.. roller blading or what have you..but you need to be regular and continue with the above program for a period of time..say, six months..
( make sure you do not have any family history of heart problems, etc first and consult your physician before engaging in a strenuous excercise program. You are a 'spring chicken' but it is always good to make sure that your 'ticker' does not have any genetic weaknesses, etc. before you begin and set your mind to aerobically working out on a regular basis.)

This worked for me..
my whole metabolism changed and digestion became more effective, and life became much more pleasant...felt better about myself too.

i have become a couch potato, but metabolism has remained the same as when i was intensively excercising.

i actually want to get back to the level of fitness i was 15 years ago.
So, if you are setting about beginning an aerobic fitness program, consider yourself doing it at the same time as someone who is old enough to be your Mom(me)

cheerio
alice

[Revvell]

... unless they eat tons of nuts......

I've yet to see anyone eat a TON of nuts. That's a LOT of nuts.. of course, over the course of a few years... :p

[lycheenut]

wait wait wait- what is IBTC?

I beat the clock?
Isn't Bass fishing the coolest?

My mom is away! I would call her and ask her otherwise...

Also, I think I *did* eat a ton of nuts yesterday! Weird nut cravings while watching Alien...

[alicemagooey]

OK LEECHEE.. YOU ASKED FOR IT..

I. B .T. C. IS :

(drum roll, please)

Itty Bitty Titty Committee. :eek:

he he ho ho ha ha..

just cracks me up thinking about it.

and i am an, um mature lady...should not be ROFL over things like this.

But, you see, i can ROFLaughing because i am still a Member in good standing!!

he he
take care
alice

[lycheenut]

Roffles!

when i was eleven we used to do the, "i must, i must, i must increase my bust" exercise at sleep overs.

it seems to have worked for me (although, I'm sure genetics had a role to play in it too). Eep!

[Shanti]

..that keeps you from reaching your goals. You have already decided in your mind that you won't lose the weight; all of your eating is focused on fat... because you don't want any more on your body...

I would suggest changing your perspective completely....
you're stating your fate with your stae of mind.

[Judy]

I have to agree with Shanti.
There's this saying: 'What you pay attention to, grows.'
So if you're paying lots and lots and LOTS of attention to you being 'fat' all the time, and being negative about it and about others who aren't, you're body will react to those thoughts. Your body will hold tension and your body will store fat.
Just think about it, if it's not in the food or the training, the key may perhaps be found in changing the way you think about yourself.

[145ish]

I don't think she has a negative attitude at all! Just because you state a fact doesn't mean you obsess over it or that you are negative.

[Judy]

Well, I just think that comparing yourself to others isn't very helpful (people are build differently and that's just how it is) and that it might be much more effective to work on a positive self image and accepting yourself. Maybe saying it like this sounds better, less negative from my part :o. I don't mean to offend anyone (so SmilingRawDancer, don't feel offended if you read this).

[SmilingRawDancer]

I don't feel offended at all! I just disagree :) I don't think I've been negative, just...realistic? In the long run I'd be content to be just a tad too fat for my personal preference, but avoid all kinds of diseases and problems, and live to be 120. But I've read so many raw testimonies, and seen so many before and after pics of people who TRULY eat whatever they want raw, regardless of "excess calories", and can barely keep weight ON.
I find myself wondering:
Am I doing something wrong?
Am I just in a different place in my own personal healing? (If that exists)
(Scientific) Am I just eating too much, and I metabolically and calorically require far less than others?
Is stress and cortisol causing me to retain weight?
Am I not absorbing nutrients properly? (Though it seems as though it would be the opposite way around - I know people with absorbtion issues who are VERY underweight despite what they eat.)

:)