Need to gain 20 pounds

[TaupeRawMan]

Hello again....

As I mentioned before, I am a 5-year 100% raw foodist dealing with chronic fatigue. I talked with a nutritionist to look at my diet and she thinks it is due to my weight being so low for so long (I am 95 lbs at 5'4"). I lost the weight when I started raw and never gained it back, although everything I read says you are supposed to. I was a healthy weight before I started the diet. Anyway...she wants me to gain 20 lbs and stay at that for a bit to see if that helps. I have been trying for a couple of weeks with no luck yet. I am also starting to do enemas once per week after reading Matt Monarch's article on the blood-gas theory.

It seems that raw food is a great thing for those that have weight to lose, are coming from a poor diet, or are battling some significant health issues. I am wondering about the benefits long term, though. Due to fiber and water content of raw foods, my nutritionist is not confident that I can gain 20 pounds on raw. I am trying, but man do I get bloated!

Anyways, any thoughts, suggestions, encouragement, etc is much appreciated.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I guess my question to you would be how much nuts and fats you take in daily? Do you work out a lot?

I'm not really sure I have any advice to offer you to be honest, although I'm surprised that you've been raw for 5 years and are still experiencing your chronic fatigue. I'm so sorry to hear this (((hugs))) :(

Have you tried contacting Alissa directly to ask for her advice?

[Coconutcutie]

I am experiencing a similar situation, although I have only been raw for over three months now. My problems seems to be that I am not digesting any solid raw food at all. I have tried enzymes and HCL and I am still seeing a lot of undigested food in the toilet and continue to lose weight (undesirable side effect). I also have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. My colon therapist said that it looks like I have an inflammatory bowel condition as well as an atonic colon (thanks to pharmaceutical-induced nerve damage), and that most of my raw foods are aggravating it. It seems that cooked/less challenging fibrous foods are indicated to get the condition settled down. So far I'm continuing to eat raw, mostly juiced or blended as in green smoothies and am embarking on a colon cleansing protocol to hopefully reset my digestive system.

I don't know what else to say, but you need to do what you can to achieve your highest level of health. You know your body best...

Also wanted to say that when I try to gain weight by eating more food overall or coconut butter and other concentrated healthy fats, seeds, etc. I feel bloated and terrible as well, which leads to me cut back on food intake once again...a vicious cycle

[TaupeRawMan]

I guess my question to you would be how much nuts and fats you take in daily? Do you work out a lot?

I'm not really sure I have any advice to offer you to be honest, although I'm surprised that you've been raw for 5 years and are still experiencing your chronic fatigue. I'm so sorry to hear this (((hugs))) :(

Have you tried contacting Alissa directly to ask for her advice?

Hi Aleesha -

thanks for the reply! I generally eat a couple of avocadoes or a couple of cups of nuts. No, I don't work out at all. I used to when I started raw, but my energy kept depleting to the point that I can't anymore without huge repercussions afterwards and the next day. Yes, I have attempted to contact Alissa and she doesn't do any consulting.

Coconutcutie -

have you used laxatives in the past? What type of colon cleanse are you preparing to do?

[Aleesha Sattva]

I would contact Karen Knowler then cause she does do consulting!

A few more questions:

What is your daily eating plan like? Can you give me an example of your daily intake?

Do you take any supplements like spirulina?

Have you ever done any juice feasting or green smoothie feasts?

Do you drink green smoothies daily?

[beckx]

also sorry to hear about this :(

have you tried upping your intake of greens? or fruit? sometimes it takes a great deal of tweaking to find out what works for your body, though there are lots of calories in nuts eating lots of fat won't help everyone to gain weight.

[TaupeRawMan]

Hi Beckx -

greens are great, but I can only eat so much as they are very filling. I usually eat a bunch of kale or collards, a head of lettuce, and a bunch of parsley a day. For fruits, today I have had a basket of strawberries (with 2 tbsp chia seeds and Greener Grasses) and 2 canteloupe. Last night I had 2 bananas and 10 apples. Lots of fruits here....

[TaupeRawMan]

I would contact Karen Knowler then cause she does do consulting!

A few more questions:

What is your daily eating plan like? Can you give me an example of your daily intake?

Do you take any supplements like spirulina?

Have you ever done any juice feasting or green smoothie feasts?

Do you drink green smoothies daily?

Hi Aleesha -

I posted a lot of info at http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=41971 when I first joined, but to summarize, yes - lots of spirulina and chlorella, yes - juicing causes more weight loss, at least 2 quarts of smoothies a day. I will check in with Karen.

Thanks!

[Coconutcutie]

Hi Aleesha -

thanks for the reply! I generally eat a couple of avocadoes or a couple of cups of nuts. No, I don't work out at all. I used to when I started raw, but my energy kept depleting to the point that I can't anymore without huge repercussions afterwards and the next day. Yes, I have attempted to contact Alissa and she doesn't do any consulting.

Coconutcutie -

have you used laxatives in the past? What type of colon cleanse are you preparing to do?

Hi,

I have never used laxatives in the past, and have never needed to use them for that matter....

My colon cleanse plan is Psyllium/Bentonite shake in the AM, Mag07 powder at night, probiotics to replace beneficial bacteria and also regular colonics/enemas. Based on digestive symptoms and also other physical symptoms I definitely have a toxic bowel and need a fresh start.

I too used to be able to work out, but after a few months raw can't do that anymore without the serious repercussions the next day

[RawPaw]

I'm a guy that started losing too much weight. The main thing to gaining healthy weight is to work out. That's the only way. Eat healthy. Work out. I don't work out enough. I do about 50 push-ups on my knuckles and about 75 crunches every day with a rest day once a week. I think I can maintain a healthy weight at 75 push-ups and 100 crunches plus running a few miles. I'm still underweight, but I see the pounds inching up instead of dropping.

[TaupeRawMan]

I'm a guy that started losing too much weight. The main thing to gaining healthy weight is to work out. That's the only way. Eat healthy. Work out. I don't work out enough. I do about 50 push-ups on my knuckles and about 75 crunches every day with a rest day once a week. I think I can maintain a healthy weight at 75 push-ups and 100 crunches plus running a few miles. I'm still underweight, but I see the pounds inching up instead of dropping.


Hi RawPaw - thanks...I used to be able to workout like that. I am not able to at this time as I get too exhausted.

[RawPaw]

do 10 pushups then 10 crunches and repeat until you are exhausted...even if it's just 1 set. Make sure you do that every day with a rest day.

if you can't do that, see a doctor...or you may have depression like me. keep looking for your aswer. davidzanemason is cool to ask in these forums

[Pookietooth]

How are your adrenals? Do you have any known food allergies? Can you up your nut intake, maybe with pate?

[TaupeRawMan]

Thanks RawPaw and PookieTooth -

I will try the pushups and situps. Adrenals have been tested and were within range. I have done lots of pates. They are very good.

My approach right now is to eat regularly - eat even when I am not hungry (sin of all sins!). Don't make myself sick, but make sure I eat enough....enough to gain 20 lbs. I am really frustrated with all of the raw messages out there about food combining, the emphasis on weight loss, don't eat past 3p, fast, don't eat too much fruit, don't eat....a lot of the "leaders" out there seem to be moving closer and closer to breatharianism. Not eating before 11a or after 3p....my approach at the moment (at the suggestion of my nutritionist) is to let go of these restrictions and eat. Raw and vegan, of course, but without all of the stress and perfection I have been putting on myself. So far, it is going really well as far as energy (granted, it has only been a few days). And my bowel movements are great - I had like 5 the other day...5 GOOD ones. I have lost a few pounds since doing this eating more thing, but I am sure that will turn around as I incorporate some more exercise.

[Aleesha Sattva]

it's so important to be a shepherd rather than a sheep :) it doesn't really matter what others may be doing... you need to listen to your body and your needs. i'm happy to hear you are increasing your food intake and letting go of your self-imposed (and those of your peers) rules and restrictions.

(((hugs))) to you!!!!!!!!!!! here's to 20 pounds!!!! YIPPPEEEEEE