"Virtually Impossible not to lose weight"?

[mdk115]

Hellloooo all you successful raw foodists!
After years of yoyo dieting to no avail, I have finally decided to go raw. Primarily on the premise that I've heard "it's impossible not to lose weight"...I'd just like to know, is this reeeeally true? Should I cut back on fruit and stick primarily to veggies to limit sugar? Is there any thing in particular I should stay away from to better my chances of weight loss? I'm at a starting weight of 150 and my ultimate goal is to get down to about 115. I just really need a plan that I can follow with 100% confidence that I'm moving in the right direction towards my weight loss, and I really hope that raw food will be it?

[roseyonnex]

I know I personally cannot lose if I eat too many nuts and oils. But people have lost weight eating those things, too, so you just have to see how your body reacts. I would not cut out fruit, though.

[Shell]

Hey mdk115!
Sorry to burst the bubble, but yes, it IS possible to not lose weight. It depends on what, and how much you eat, and how your body reacts to certain foods. I, like roseyonnex, can't eat too many nuts or fat, or I gain. Some people can do that though. It's all a matter of trial and error. If you're just starting, if I were you, I'd give myself permission to eat anything, as long as it's raw. You can fine tune when you feel like you've got a grasp for what's working, and what's not working for you. But in the beginning, it's important not to make it too restrictive, or else you risk getting fed up with all those limits! Definitely get enough greens and fruit.....those should be your staples. And have fun with it!

[cherries]

Should I cut back on fruit and stick primarily to veggies to limit sugar?
Fruits have sugar but they are in no way equivalent to white sugar. All the vitamins and minerals in fruits make them valuable, like veggies, for healing. White sugar actually had 64 vitamins and minerals before it was refined. So to make the sugar in fruit equivalent to white sugar, you would have refine your banana until all that was left was a white powder. I know lots of people who have lost weight with fruit!

[w H i te D a i S y]

Don't cut the fruit!! Where else would you get the bulk calories from? Just limit your nuts and you'll be fine :)

[Raw Yogini]

I agree w/ not cutting out fruit. The sugars from fruit aren't the same as processed sugars. Best of luck!

[shashibala]

If you are just transitioning to raw, I think you should take a bit of time when you just focus on getting raw and don't worry about the weight. Once you are comfortable with the lifestyle, you can fine tune if you aren't losing weight. At first you need to let your body and your appetite adjust. This is not a "diet", in my opinion, it is a healing path. There may be some cleansing and healing you need to do before weight comes off. BTW, I have lost 53 pounds and can't be happier with this lifestyle! Best wishes!!

[mdk115]

Thank you all so much for all your help! I think I'm going to take some time to eat just fruits and veggies (fruits in the morning, veggies later?) and just see how I feel. It's been a few months since I stopped eating meat and dairy and I feel a lot better already (now I just need to do away with the cookie/break/icecream binges...) I'm really excited to join all of you as a raw foodie :)

[Raw Yogini]

I suggest incorporating green smoothies daily. I've noticed a HUGE difference in how I feel since doing that. I feel better, my cravings are definitely less and it's very filling. Best of luck!

[EZ rider]

I agree with shashibala's post above - first be a seeker of good health and let the weight take care of itself.
When I went raw just over a year ago I was surprised how easily the weight came off. The body sheds or adds weight as needed for better health. There are a lot of different approaches to raw so relax and let your body show you what works best for you. Good luck.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I ate all I wanted and simply learned to truly enjoy raw foods while making sure to drink at least one green smoothie a day when I first began. This way you fall in love with raw foods and your body will detox and release excess weight in it's own time.

Enjoy your journey!!!

[RawSinger]

In the beginning, eat whatever you need to eat to feel satisfied, as long as it's raw. If you notice that you're not losing any weight, then consider cutting down on the nuts and other fats. Don't eliminate any food group completely. Let your body guide you. Don't expect instant results. They will happen when they're meant to. But I will say that the majority of people lose weight more quickly on this diet than on other diets. Sure, I guess it's possible not to lose weight on this diet but that's very uncommon. Good luck on your journey!!

[Bananna]

Yeah, for me it was the nuts too.

[Aleesha Sattva]

when i cut out nuts and fats... i plateaued - when i added them back in... i released weight again like crazy. weird eh?

but everyone's body is different. so find the rhythm of yours. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x87/recyclinggoddess/thheart.gif

[Raene]

Hellloooo all you successful raw foodists!
After years of yoyo dieting to no avail, I have finally decided to go raw. Primarily on the premise that I've heard "it's impossible not to lose weight"...I'd just like to know, is this reeeeally true? Should I cut back on fruit and stick primarily to veggies to limit sugar? Is there any thing in particular I should stay away from to better my chances of weight loss? I'm at a starting weight of 150 and my ultimate goal is to get down to about 115. I just really need a plan that I can follow with 100% confidence that I'm moving in the right direction towards my weight loss, and I really hope that raw food will be it?

Don't limit sugar. I almost guarantee to you that someone who tried doing raw eating mostly vegetables would fail. They're simply not nature's most perfect foods. Fruit and greens are awesome. Try some green smoothie recipes, for sure!!

[Revvell]

Thank you all so much for all your help! I think I'm going to take some time to eat just fruits and veggies (fruits in the morning, veggies later?) and just see how I feel.

Why not eat whatever you body is hungry for and include fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and greens? You're thinking to much and making this harder than it has to be.

When I first started raw around 12, 13 years ago, almost everything we made was nut-based including pates and burgers. All 6 of us eliminated excess weight.

By avoiding nuts and things one considers "fat", you'll not be receiving the nutrients and enzymes need to metabolize fat soluble vitamins.

You've got to ask yourself ~ what is the purpose of eliminating weight? Is it for looks or for health purposes? If for health, then you've got to include the whole spectrum of nutrients.

Revvell

[Riiiya]

for me the nuts also "hold on" to unnecessary weight. I think it's because most nuts are far from being raw anyway (i was reading on living-foods.com about the processing of each kind of nut.. most of them are "cooked" before they reach us)

[LynieD]

I think that as you transition you should eat anything and everything you need to to STAY RAW. Transitioning can be hard, and if you need a handful of nuts to keep you from downing a bowl of cereal then go for it by all means.

Once you're settled in, start experimenting like others have said. I can't eat nuts, but I can eat small portions of seeds, oils, and avocados and still lose. (Not a LOT but it's steady.)

And although weight loss is fantastic, remember that it doesn't have to be your number one goal. My goal for each day is just to stay raw. Yes, an ideal day for me involves some limiting of fats...but I'm not going to be upset with myself if I eat several avocados or cashews. (Chilled cashews are my idea of bliss.) If I stayed raw, at the end of the day I have succeded. And things tend to average out---high-fat days balance out lower fat days.

[JennaBoBenna]

Do you have Alissa's book? One of her friends lost weight while eating a lot of food. She felt she was eating "so much food". A lot of it was nutty (alfredo, desserts, etc.) but she still lost weight