Questions, Questions, Questions???

[ShelShel]

Hello, everyone. I've been raw for a long time now, but for the last few months I've been struggling with questions, questions and more questions.

Why do we gain weight once we've been 100% raw for a while? I think I was so thrilled with being really slender for once in my life (with the hope of actually being "skinny"), then I plateaued for a couple months (didn't seem to lose any more), and eventually packed on an extra 10 pounds. :eek: I've been struggling to stay raw because of this. I realized...the weight I was at I could maintain high raw so, weight wise...it didn't matter if I was 100% or high raw.

All that belly bulge that I was so thrilled with having disappeared...came back. I was soooooooooo disappointed.

I've almost settled into the mindset that high raw is good enough. That although I'm not happy at this weight, I'm sort of stuck here....and I think I'm just really sad about it. I deleted my blog, stopped visiting for a while...and just completely deleted my personal blog starting over as a whole foods blog instead of a food journey blog. :( Sniffle...sniffle. I got sick of writing things like...I'm 100% raw....I'm not....I'm 100% raw....I'm not.

Does anyone have any answers about the weight thing? I realize this is really shallow of me to be more concerned about my weight than my health, but I was so overweight for so long and stopping here...just kills me. I really hoped to reach my dream weight. I had it in my sights and then something about eating raw changed...and it stopped working in the weight loss department for me.

Sorry this is such a whiny post...forgive me for not being encouraging. I think I need some now.:rolleyes:

[4forme]

Hi ShelShel,
I can relate to your post in many ways. Although I haven't been overweight most of my life, I have struggled mentally with it. I have been anorexic and now suffer with overeating, constantly thinking about my weight ect. One day i am 100% next not. It's a vicious cycle. Once we conquer the mental part of it, I think the physical part will follow. I have learned that our body holds on to things (like weight) when it is associated to an emotion we need to process and deal with. Example: I used to get a sinus infection every yr at the same time. Thought it was seasonal, no big deal. Well, I moved across the world, litterally, to a completely different climate and still got them! Someone told me to think back and see if there was anything troubleing I could relate to that timing. Turns out it's the same time my grandfather died! So, I dealt with that emotion, and don't get any more sinus infectionsm(at that time anyways). That's the simplified version, but maybe it can get you thinking anyway.
There are also different body types. Some do better with higher fruit content, some need more veg and fats. Figure out what you and your body do better with and that might help as well. When I do higher fruit and sweets (honey, cocoa, ect) and not enough greens I feel more sluggish and heavier. When I lay off of the sweets more and have tons of nuts/veg, I feel much lighter. Make sense?

My kiddos are waiting for me so better go. Hopefully something clicks for you. Hugs, you can do it! -wendy

[justinesmith]

There are a few questions I have for you....;) Are you exercising? Aside from raw have you been really stressed ~ like a move or a big change of some sort? Are you fatigued? Could you have adrenal fatigue? So many things can play a part in weight aside from just food. IMHO raw is the BEST diet for our bodies but if we are stressed and don't figure out ways to deal with said stress then all the raw in the world can't heal us. It really is a mind, body, spirit thing. I find that I can't lose hardly a pound if I am heavy on the nuts (which I tend to be!) but even if I fast, if I stress, weight stays on. Right now my body looks like Spongebob Squarepants. Blech. ((((HUGS)))) to ya and I hope you find the answer you are looking for.

[walnutty]

I think the weight falls off so easy at first because we are eating such pure food, we detox, our colon cleans out and we are more than likely eating a lot less calories than before. But as the weight comes off and our bodies stabilize, my belief is that we need to take into consideration what we are eating "raw", what our activity level is, how much healthy fat we are taking in, etc., etc. I watched a show on TLC where a 600 lb. man ate 40-50 oranges a day. He LOVED oranges! Oranges are raw! Yet he weighed 600 pounds, because he was inactive. So, once our bodies stabilize, especially when our bodies stabilize I believe that we need to consider our activity level and our caloric intake. But that is just me. If we aren't burning the calories that we are taking in, even if they are raw, we will put on some weight. I realize that Alissa Cohen does not advocate counting calories, but for me that is the only way I know how to take charge of my weight. I do keep track of calories in and calories out. I feel better that way. Now, being 10 pounds over the weight you want to be and being raw does not mean that you are not healthy. You are! My suggestion would be to stay raw because then you will stay healthy, just up your caloric output! That's how I do it anyway. Good luck!!!

[4forme]

Yes, Adrenal Fatigue will inhibit weightloss eforts. As will food intolerances. Some good things to question. Let us know how you are doing!

[rawfigure]

ShelShel...I sympathize with you Frustration ! I do think that the weight gain is nessecarily due to being on Raw Diet for awhile. I know there are many of us being Raw for several years do maintain weight, while others gain, others continue to lose. :rolleyes: I think you need to look to the calories in and calories out. Everybody is different and you need to find what foods and exercise level work for you. I know for me I have to eat like a bird and exercise at a moderate to intense level to stay lean. I am sure it is a combo of age and a lifetime of low cal diets for me. I have eliminated most nuts and seeds from my diet (occassional treat) and stay pretty much on the low fat plan. That works for me. So try something totally different from what you have been doing. Systematically eliminate foods and see how you body reacts, and increase you exercise !

[ShelShel]

Thank you...everyone...for your responses. They were encouraging, but at the same time gave me things to think about...to tweak and perhaps to venture back to raw.

4forme: I too struggled with anorexia in college. (My mom was bulemic by the time I was 12; food and weight were always an issue in my life.) I think that is one of my issues. When I went raw it was the 1st time ever, I didn't count or measure food...and I lost weight. It was like a magic pill for me. When the weight loss slowed I thought...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Now I have to become a reponsible adult and monitor my eating. That's something I haven't had to do in a long while and honestly, didn't want to. I liked just eating anything and everything that was raw. I will check into adrenals, that was a good thought as well. Also...I started thinking about the last month and it dawned on me in 1987 I lost my Papa on Christmas day...so...there maybe some unresolved emotions there that I'm unaware of. Thank you for your input and suggestions...you've given me lots to think about.

Justinesmith: Holy cow yes....stress. Hummmm....how could I not have put that together. It's been incredibly stressful around here...not just for the last few months, but all year! I should have thought of that. Thanks! I'm going to actively seek out ways to de-stress.

Walnutty: This topic of moderation is something I have wanted to run from for my whole life. I know that's horrible to say, but thinking of limiting myself leads me to thoughts of not eating at all. :( I guess I have more of my past to lay down than I thought. I will consider what is the best way to do this and just start trying. I think I feel best with a lot of fruits...very little nuts or seeds...and moderate veggies. But because fruits are what I usually crave...I always feel like my nutrients must be lacking. Perhaps if I added some green smoothies to my diet I could relax and just eat more fruit without this fear. Lots to think about...thanks!

Rawfigure: Exercise! Yes...I do. I always have. I grew up doing jazz, ballet and tap. I've always danced at home even after the lessons stop and to this day I chose dance aerobics, ballet exercise and free praise to exercise. :) That's about 3 times a week. Which I felt I could do more, but as with food and having a hard time limiting myself...I over exercise when I get on a roll. It becomes obsessive. But I have thought more about trying for 5 days a week and taking a break on the weekend. Thank you for this suggestion.

Hummmmm. As I'm answering all these questions I'm recognizing a horrible theme here...self control and moderation. With food, with exercise and emotional stress. Ahhhhh. It's weird when a lightbulb flashes over your head and you realize you are your own problem. :o

These are my 2008 goals. Self contol and moderation in all things. Last year it was just to remain raw...now it's this. I'm sure next year it will be something else. That's why this is called a journey...carry on my Raw Friends. Thanks for the suggestions and encouragement. I need it badly! :) (((HUGS)))

[Conscious Midwife]

I guess it depends on what your non RAW intake is.

If it's processed starches and fake sugar then the body just packs that crap as fat!

If it's preservatives to yield a 2-3 year shelf life under horrid conditions, then the crap food is being preserved in your body too for a minute until your body musters up yetmore energy to break it down.

If it's steroids and artificial hormones in animal products then your body just acts like it is on steroids.

If it's artificial binders and fillers then you get bound up and full in your digestive system, returning you to the land of bloat.

I say fast a day or 3, increase the water intake be sure your caloric inake is enough to support metabolic burning of additional weight not supporting current weight. EXERCISE!!! AND RETURN TO 100% RAW, negotiating you less than RAW intake AFTER you reach your goal. BE sure that less than RAW is stil VEGAN and still unporcessed with know preservatives or additives.

[tvillemom]

Everyone has such great advice here! I just wanted you to know I would be thinking about you. I agree with everyone's advice. I tend to have the same problems...overdoing it, obsessing. (even anorexia when I was in school, and now I tend to overeat!) I think it's a personallity thing, when I am exercising, I do too much, so I limit myself, but too much, it's an endless cycle of up and down. I am trying to find a happy balance! I hope you can too. You should also (hopefully) get back to 100%, because I really do feel like the stuff you eat that is cooked (at least for me) gradually gets more and more until I am only eating about 50% raw or less....see, even my 100% or nothing attitude with raw is extremist....:rolleyes: I guess I'm no help, but we are all in this together!!

[Vivafree2]

I know what you mean - i have been there to some degree - loosing weight than gaining it all back and not understanding why. I am still looking for balance - for the "formula" that will work for my body and will give my system a message "It is not a starvation, you can eat and do not have to store fat because there is always plenty of food and i will take good care of your needs because i live here. ... and i know we had some rough time in the past but all is forgiven, we are letting it all go and start fresh. I will feed you and you will release all the goodies you stored for the thin times. Trust me there will be no thin times.
I think we need to be pretty skilful in convincing this very resourceful person in us - it is like telling the miser to give away all his money and never keep them in the bank or a sock under the matteress, but live here and now from day to day and trust....

[simply_michelle]

i totally relate. i have struggled my whole life with weight. up and down up and down. had what is termed "bulimarexia" as a teen and into my early 20's. now, i feel like i don't know what to do. count calories, don't count calories, exercise every day, do it in moderation. it drives me crazy! overeat, restrict.

what has worked for me in the past is this: some form of exercise every day, and writing down what i eat and how many calories it is. NOT specifying an amount i can have, but rather only eating when i am hungry. now, if i did that all of the time i would be fine. BUT, the old tapes in my head do still haunt me at times and i feel like i must strictly restrict, then if i go over a certain calorie number in my head i feel as though i have blown it and over eat.

i think one of my fears about losing weight is that i will just gain it back. some days i am like "why bother. every time you lose it you gain it back!" i must get those tapes out of my head. if i just follow my natural hunger, exercise daily, and log my food i will be fine. it is just scary that is all when you have dealt with an ed.

[simply_michelle]

and i would say, for now, what works best for me is high raw. the only things i would have that are not raw are things like whole grains in a bread or rice, veggie burgers, a baked potato, whole grain pasta with veggie sauce that is cooked, and veggie soup. sometimes some veggie chips or whole grain crackers.

so it is not like the "non"raw items i have are cookies and junk food! they are just things that help me not to get so hungry and to curb cravings. as i learn more about raw and how to make recipes, etc... than maybe i will eventually be able to get even those few non raw things out of my life as well.

[ShelShel]

I think I'm going to reread Alissa's book. I read one of her posts that Rawkinlocks put back on. She mentioned that in her book she says to eat anything raw...in the beginning. :rolleyes: I some how over looked the part that said, after a while you will need to tweak your raw diet. :p

I think it's ok to get frustrated with ourselves. It's this frustration that brings about change in our lives. I'm ready to really get serious about my health again.

This was good. It got me out of my rut and into the raw fast-lane again. :) Rawk on Peoples!

[walnutty]

p.s. I was anorexic for many years. I have always been told that anorexia can happen when a person doesn't have control in their lives so they "find" a way to have control by not eating or controlling that 300 calories a day that they allow themselves. My way of eating is still "control" but it is more healthy, at least I hope so! I do eat 100% raw, but my caloric intake is healthy (1500-1800 a day). My caloric output is also healthy (400-600 a day). I guess for me the mind set that changed is wanting to be healthy. I still need to control things with food and exercise, but I don't want to be sick anymore. Not wanting to be sick is the motivation to find moderation, if that makes sense. Good luck!

[Priscilagj@mac.com]

It's always hard for me to give advice on this site as I'm only a teen. But I just recently got over my eating disorder thanks to raw. The first couple months I didn't lose much weight, but then, all of a sudden, the weight started melting off, without restricting myself much. I just ate lots and lots of fruits and I would have raw nut butters on the weekends (my treats)> But then, just a few weeks after the weight melted off, it came back on. I'm still trying to figure out what is going on, but what keeps me going is how much better I feel now with a raw diet than I did with a SAD diet. I mean, whenever I would gain weight on a SAD diet I would freak! I wouldn't know what to do. Now, I just know I have to tweak certain things. And it's true, I still want to reach my dream weight (one that I was only on either before puberty really struck, or when I was just recovering from Anorexia) but we just have to keep going. =]

[Aleesha Sattva]

I guess it depends on what your non RAW intake is.

If it's processed starches and fake sugar then the body just packs that crap as fat!

If it's preservatives to yield a 2-3 year shelf life under horrid conditions, then the crap food is being preserved in your body too for a minute until your body musters up yetmore energy to break it down.

If it's steroids and artificial hormones in animal products then your body just acts like it is on steroids.

If it's artificial binders and fillers then you get bound up and full in your digestive system, returning you to the land of bloat.

I say fast a day or 3, increase the water intake be sure your caloric inake is enough to support metabolic burning of additional weight not supporting current weight. EXERCISE!!! AND RETURN TO 100% RAW, negotiating you less than RAW intake AFTER you reach your goal. BE sure that less than RAW is stil VEGAN and still unporcessed with know preservatives or additives.

wow, definitely one of the best posts i've read. thank YOU for writing it!!!



And it's true, I still want to reach my dream weight (one that I was only on either before puberty really struck, or when I was just recovering from Anorexia) but we just have to keep going. =]

so if you re-read what you wrote... that your dream weight was a number you were only able to achieve before you matured into a woman (and yes i know you are a teen but you are also a woman) and when you were recovering from anorexia... doesn't that alone make you realize your dream weight is not a realistic one? perhaps it's time to add a few more pounds to that dream weight and make it a more healthy number???

sending healthy, healing thoughts your way.