New and Very Confused :/

[fast3r14]

Hello all!

First off - I'd just like to say congratulations on all of your success and ambition: you are all such an inspiration to me.

About two months ago, I decided to strive towards a full vegan diet (though I have to admit I have had quite a few slip ups along the way - mostly in the form of ice cream and the occasional pancakes made from milk and eggs). I should also mention that I am an avid distance runner (I compete for my college cross country team and run an avg of 60 miles a week) and am struggling to recover form compulsive/binge eating. I want to lose 20 - 30 lbs (I am 5'7", 155 right now) and I carry the weight in my middle - the dreaded pot belly, love handle regions. I would really like to adapt a fully raw vegan lifestyle, yet every time I try it, I get horribly bloated and then discouraged...

So here are my questions:
1. Will this bloating phase just naturally pass? And if it is just something I have to suck up and get through, how long does it typically last? Is there anything I can do or take to help? Should I take something like "beano"? Are there any particular foods I should avoid

2. As of right now I have been taking a lot of pills - a multivitamin, iron pill, 2 calcium chews and 4 green tea pillls (trying to work towards my weight loss..) - Do I need/should I be taking all of these?

3. Could any one give any tips towards acheiving weight loss? Or a sample day's menu?

I know this is a lot to ask, but I would really appreciate any input.
Thanks for taking the time for read :)
- Marie

[Eva]

Hey Marie! I ran XC for 5 years... but it's been awhile... Welcome!

1. Yes, it will pass. I don't know when, depends on you. Are you drinking green smoothies??? Those help big time. I would not recommend taking Beano. Huge amounts of salt (even sea salt) sure wouldn't help.

2. OH my, I don't think you need any of those, especially since you're eating raw! You're getting everything you need and more if you're getting the green smoothies and listening to your cravings for particular raw foods. In fact, they could even be the reason for your bloating, and they can be harmful! And they're surely not natural, etc.

3. Do you have Alissa's book? She has some sample menus. I'll tell you -- different people lose/gain weight eating different food. I personally need a good amount of fat sometimes, especially when I'm getting rid of weight! Buuuut, that's different for different people. You're runny 60 mi/wk, so that helps. If you are obsessing about weight loss, your body may subconsciously hold on (seriously)...

Give it time! Relax! Enjoy!

[VibinOnLife!]

I have found that sometimes the gas is coming from unreleased waste in the colon. Once you start raw, your bowels want to move more often because you are eating a natural and wholesome diet. If all of these fruits and veggies get blocked behind "heavier" wastes that are moving slowly, it can cause gas and bloating.

I would say to either take colon cleansing herbs for the first week, or get colonics, do enemas, or salt water flushes. The will assist your colon in moving any impactions or just picking up the pace.

Also, make sure you chew your food well. Many times we don't realize how fast we are eating. Unfortunately, once it leaves our mouths, that's pretty much it. If the colon receives it in larger pieces, it has a harder time extracting the nutrients as well. Chew well, eat slowly. And don't drink and eat at the same time, so that you are not diluting your digestive juices.

Hope this helps. Welcome! ;)

[Revvell]

You might want to listen to the last two interviews I did here: http://rawkinradio.com/

The last one is from an avid runner; the one before from someone who's eliminated over 200#.

Revvell