very skinny - no glow

[Angelsoul]

Hello!!

my name is Sandra, I am from Germany and I started in Sept with 80% raw and I am 100% raw since 11/15/07. I had some detoxes and I lost weight, but I was already very thin before starting with raw food. This was even the reason why I hesitated to start with raw food because I read everywhere that people lost so much weight.

Okay, I know that on raw food the body finds the perfect weight after some time, so I would love to hear from you how long did that take for you? And: there is no glow at all, in contrary people say "you look exhausted and you lost weight. Are you okay?". So when did the glow "show up"?? And do you think or experience that the glow has to do with exercise? Unfortunately I had no time for exercise the last weeks....

Thank you for your answers :-))
Sandra

[rawmonkey]

Hallo Sandra,

I was wondering what a typical day of meals looks like for you. If you can share what you are eating and how much, we can probably make more specific recommendations. As for the "glow," I do not believe you have to exercise to "get it" but exercising will help you detox, stimulate the lymph system and help you gain strength which would contribute to a stronger "glow."

Hang in there :) .

Christina

[DavidZaneMason]

Opinion:

-It's a matter of YOUR goals...and how YOU feel. If YOU feel well...and are happy with your weight...then things are good! Be proud and live fully. If not, you are certainly correct to wish to make some changes. Perhaps lifting some weight to increase your muscular strength....along with daily walking....will provide added energy. Just some suggestions.

-There are MANY aspects to health beyond diet. Just make sure to identify YOUR goals...and not to listen too closely to what people are saying.....if the bulk of what they are saying is just to criticize what YOU are actually DOING! Ha! ha!

-David Z. Mason

[michigan roman]

im age 49 male , 14 years whole food vegan 2 years raw .
and ide say up to the 18 month raw mark i was down in weight .
but now ive regained my pre raw weight and maybe more .
and for way over a year now ive noticed a better glow to my skin ,
along with the glow some over sized skin pores on cheeks
have shrunk making my complexion way better .

and a great tool i used for staying raw was / is , though not
technically raw but close enough in my logic because its a
simple light liquid and not a solid , green tea .

and on exercise i run , cals and lift weights . and imo running , even if
its just ten minutes to do a mile when ever can , is very
key to everyones health because as weve technicologically
advanced to cars and such most have left their health behind
in order to do the work to make the civilization strong 40 hours
a week . thusly to me a simple formula is :

RAW FOOD AND RUNNING = HEALTH

* even if its say just three 10 minute runs a week it'll greatly
help / invigorate heart / lungs / legs / mind !
throw in any amount of sit ups and push ups can do and youve
a simple / quick game plan . a little exercise on a habitual basis
goes a long way imo .

[VeggieMel]

AngelSoul,

Perhaps you need to boost your digestion. Do you eat any fermented foods which are natural probiotics, like sauerkruat, kim chi, rejuvelac or others? If not, do you take a probiotic supplement?

[rawfaith85]

I know that when I was 100% raw for 2 months, my skin really did glow and my dark circles were completely gone, it was amazing. Are you drinking enough green smoothies or green juices? I think that plays a huge part in giving raw foodies "the glow".

[ShelShel]

I think as I read your post...there are two things to consider. First, when I first lost my weight, no one said nice things. At one point my brother was saying...it's too much, Shel...you need to stop this. Eat something! :rolleyes:

This is so far from the truth. I'm actually at the very highest I should be for my height. I could still lose another 20 and be above my 18 BMI. :p So, let them get used to the new you. ;)

Secondly, are you happy raw? If so...relish in it. That is where the raw GLOW comes from. Truly. It's the way you are feeling physically on the inside that just radiates through everything about you. If you aren't feeling better...stronger...healthier...hummm. What are you eating? Do you need more of something like iron? I know that everyone is different, but with me...it only takes a few weeks and everyone is commenting on my skin...that Glow that you are talking about.

I hope that you find what's up so you can enjoy the perks of raw too. :)

[Portia2012]

You might want to up your water intake. I know if I do not drink a lot of water I look exhausted and have no glow.


~Portia~

[Angelsoul]

Thank you so much for all your answers!!!

CHRISTINA: I have a green smoothie in the morning and nut-free bread, for snack some nuts or fruit, a big salad for lunch, often I eat fruit and granola with nutmilk for dinner. First my body did not tolerate the green smoothies, I was very nauseas after drinking it. Now I found out that with citrus it works out fine, but it has been only 3 weeks since I incorporated the green smoothies in my daily diet.

DAVID: you are right! I want to look healthy and glowing, that's my goal and I can reach it

MICHIGAN ROMAN: thank you, yes I will definately run again ;) Just 20 minutes a day, that is always possible...Yes, I have green tea too, I love it!

VEGGIEMEL: No, I don't eat fermented foods :( Is every sauerkraut raw?? :confused: Or do you make it your own?? I heard about Juvenlac, but did never try to make it....

RAWFAITH: I bet you are right and the greens are the key; so maybe I have to wait and try to consume more greens. I have dark circles under the eyes since my transition, but I hope the green smoothies will take care for that

SHEL: Yes I am happy raw, but life was very stressful the last weeks, so this could be part of my "problem" :rolleyes: I take extra iron and B vitamins. BTW: you look great as I can see on your picture

PORTIA: you are RIGHT!! I need to drink more water, thanks for reminding me!!

Thank you all and merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Sandra