Bad day... please, a bit of encouragement

[Veggie73]

Hello guys,

I have been 80% raw for 15 days, and I have only lost 4 pounds. My boyfriend has lost 14 pounds and that makes me feel good for him but a bit badly about myself... isn't this gonna work for me either? I know that I have to be patient but some times things are not fair. I have been on a diet for so many years and having always problems with my weight and I am just sad and tired. I can not wear last summer's clothes because I can not fit into them; again!! I will keep on in raw food anyway but I am feeling a bit lonely on this and I need some help. Thank you for listening.

On the other hand, I am surprised about how strong are the effects in my body when I drink coffee, or coke, or something with sugar or alcohol. Even french fries, now they seem to have an strange effect on me, I am surprised about all my perceptions these days. When I eat some cooked food, I can feel inside the same addiction for cooked food pushing me to the old lifestyle. But this time I know what is happening, it is only an addiction and I won't give up. Does some of you have the same perceptions? I can not understand how million of people drink coffee, eat sugar, drink alcohol and cokes... while I get so sick if I do that only once!! Is anyone having the same reaction to those kind of foods and drinks?? Thanks for your answers and comments.

Thanks Alissa for creating this helpful forum!

[Ireland]

Hi there :)

I'd say the best thing is, patience! Rome wasn't built in a day and your body isn't going to correct itself in record time either. Perhaps you should give it a shot for a week or two at 100% and see what kind of difference it makes? Also, are you doing any kind of exercise? Even walking for a few minutes a day is a great start!

And yes, after I've eaten raw for awhile, or even a good % raw...and then I eat something cooked, I feel the same way as you. Sicker than a dog. I have no clue why some people can get away with it other than that is all their body knows and it's so plugged up with addictive cooked crap they don't notice anything until they get sick. Which they most likely eventually will.

The healthier I eat, the sicker I feel when I don't eat healthy. I think that's an excellent motivator to eat healthy! As they say, listen to your body. You can do this!!!

[BDraw]

Veggie -- I have no educated advice -- but, I do want to encourage you to keep on keepin' on -- as your body is screaming in encouragement > at least that's what I hear when it is so reactive to all the bad stuff that goes in. It has finally tasted the good stuff and is alsolutely in heaven in it, so yes, it screams and hollers when junk enters. Make sense???

As for boyfriend loosing more than you -- sorry, but that is a fact of life, guys tend to loose faster than gals, yes unfair! But gosh, 4 pounds in 15 days, that's great! As all the old ways of dieting recommend 2 pounds a week, so you are on schedule. It will come off! I promise! Slow is okay! Think of the tortoise and the hare story. Your body is doing what is best for it, let it do it's work and you just give it the right fuel to work with.

One day at a time -- one hour at a time -- one bite at a time!

And good luck!!!

Blessings! BD

[tracyinfo]

veggie73, congratulations on being 80% for 15 days, and losing 4 pounds. Don't compare yourself to someone else. We all lose weight/fat differently. We also gain health differently. Some people gradually regain their health and others quickly notice a difference in their health. It helps alot of people to write a journal, listing all their negative health issues, from the larger health issues to the smallest health issues. This way over time, you can see what has quickly been remedied and what has gradually improved.

I dare you to try 100% raw living foods! Keep coming to this board for suppport. It has helped many people, including me.

Blessings.

[avanderland]

I think 4 pounds in 15 days is excellent. That's 2lbs./week, which is a healthy weight loss... People who lose weight at that rate usually keep it off longer as well! Other people may lose more faster because they have more to lose/ate worse before/are retaining more water. I agree with the above poster, you could add in some more exercise if you want to speed up weight loss... But instead of thinking about the negative (ONLY 4 lbs), think about the positive---already you are 4 lbs closer to your goal!

[Revvell]

veggie,

This may not be what you are asking for yet, it's what I'll give. IF you are using this food program/lifestyle you are defeating the purpose. Might I suggest you toss the scale and focus on how well you feel on a raw food program. IF you would like to step it up and truly receive the benefits of what raw can do for you, I'd suggest you go 100%.

You say your boyfriend lost 14 pounds ~ of what? Bloat? Water? Each person is built differently and holds weight differently. I've worked with many people who think the bloat they have is fat ~ it's not. It is what it is ~ bloat. Consider this ~ you "lost" 4 pounds in two weeks. How long did it take for you to get that 4 pounds? What else is doing more raw doing for you? Take some inventory other than just focusing on your weight. You might be surprised.

btw ~ here's something you might wish to consider: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4617

Injoy ~

Revvell

[msmia]

Veggie73:
When I first started raw, I "dabbled" for the first few months... I tried lots of recipes & ate a high percentage of raw but would have something cooked almost everyday... I lost a few pounds but was really disappointed with the results. I did start to feel a lot better, though.

When I committed to 100% -- I really started seeing a difference in the way my clothes fit. The scale didn't reflect the change that much but people at work were commenting on the "big difference". That was about 2 weeks into it & about 8 pounds. After about 6 weeks of 100% (with maybe a once-a-week "cheat" of cooked food) I was down 20 pounds!!! All of a sudden!!!

I had also been exercising (weights & cardio) & was being very concious of getting enough sleep.

My advice: take the leap of faith to go 100% Raw, exercise & sleep to let your body heal itself with the great new building blocks you are providing... And most important -- let your boyfriend's success inspire you that it can & will be done with raw... use your "jealousy" to motivate your own journey! :p

Best of luck & keep us posted...
Msmia

[Allison]

Hi, I know how discouraging it can get at times when the weight doesn't seem to want to come off. But as I always say...next year is going to come around anyway, so why not take off a pound or two a week while you are getting there. That would be anywhere from 50-100 pounds by this time next year. And that's exactly what I did. I lost about a pound or two every week. It seemed slow while I was doing it, but after persevering, I lost 100 lbs. Check out my journal, and you can read about it there.

[CAdreamer]

Aside from the issue of weight loss, your overall health will improve on raw. Put the idea of weight loss in the back of your mind as a 'side' benefit, and concentrate on making raw a permanent part of your new life plan....you'll reap many other benefits.

[Sweet lips]

The blessing for you is that you reached out. Whatever you are doing, let it be for you, and you alone. Embrace what is happening now and look at the changes that you have received - you lost 4 pounds, and as far as I know, you have not found them again. You are working on you, and as Allison said essentially take one day at a time, one moment and a time and just evaluate that without comparing it to someone else.

I understand the frustration as one who has had a dififcult time losing weight, but yet, this time, it is not about the weight for me - it is about living life and having a life worth celebrating; Is that important to you? Be blessed in where you came from, and express Joy when you arrive at where you are going, just don't get lost in between.

[Veggie73]

Hello folks!!

Thank you so much for so much support, I really feel better now and I am not feeling lonely and helpless any more!! :D

It is really nice to have so supportive people in this forum, I really appreciate all your words and encouragement.

Thank you again everybody!!

I hope I will help other people too when I become an expert in raw food ;)

...and the best thing I can do to thank you... I will try 100% raw!! :)

Guys, your kindness is awesome!!