If you feel or want to lose 75 pounds or more [Archive]

Sweet lips

07-11-2005, 07:31 AM

There are a group of us, who for whatever reason want to lose 75 pounds or more. Do you have any special needs or is there any thing that at that weight loss thought that frightens you, or that you are concerned about.

There are two ladies here that have done some remarkable weight loss - Allison and Yani. I've written Alissa about a separate area and she pointed out that they would not be necessary as someone who has lost 20 pounds could provide support as well, so I am starting a thread for us, and let see a few things:

1. If we will journal
2. Keep in touch
3. Follow the thirty day challenge
4. Share honestly (if you eat whatever, you share, and not hide)
5. Any medical problems (of course have yourself check by your physician if you are not aware and then work to abate them)
6. What are you fears (ie- will this work this time, what can I expect, what will so and so think, will I be accepted, will I be rejected if I change) Fear, what ever the thought process is, is real to the person who is experincing them and should not be taken lightly
7. Developing short term goals
8. Exercise and weight loss go hand in hand, one need only to walk a short bit to get started or if that is problem, let's agree to do something
9. Hinderences to this process
10. Why the support.

I will look forward to hearing from you guys and let get this party started for us!

This by no means eliminates anyone from the support, or particaption, this is merely a tool to assist those who feel that they have a large volume of weight to lose, so if you have tips, suggestions, support and love, please feel welcome.

racheljj

07-11-2005, 08:47 AM

Hey, Sweetlips. I want to lose 75 pounds, but I'm not sure what you're looking for here? Are you wanting a group to get together and support each other through losing those 75 pounds? What kind of support and commitment are you asking for? Why is this different from other support groups?

Just some thoughts I had. :)

Rachel

Mommax4

07-11-2005, 09:42 AM

Count me in. I started my 100% raw this morning. I weighed in at 245.5, I want to lose about 100 lbs more or less as I progress in my new found health.

I do want to state that my main goal is to feel better and not be so worried with the scale this time. Every diet there is I've tried it and I'm tired of dieting, I want to start living!!! :)

I've said it before but my vacation to Austin and the Whole Food Market eating off the raw bar and walking everyday is what led me to research going raw...so here I am. Looking forward to all the support I can get as I start this journey.

Love,
Lisa

jennykiss75

07-11-2005, 10:07 AM

Sweetlips, count me in as well. I have already lost about 30 lbs, 2yrs ago and I want have been trying to lose another 30-40 lbs for over a year now. I have been gaining and losing the same 15 lbs and cant seem to get past 180 on the scale, I just stall out. I do have the very beginnings of an auto immune issue and my Dr. suspects Hoshimoto's so weight is not the only reason for going raw.

So far I have been at least 50% raw for the last couple of weeks, and I can get through about 3 days high raw before I cave in. I can't stand any emotional discomfort good or bad, I eat. I seem to do really well if I journal, but can never be consistant ever. I am currently seeing a food counselor 2x a month to work on my self talk and learn to not tear myself apart from the inside out. My Dr. has asked me to throw away my scale, but I have not gotten the nerve up, I weigh every morning.

Some one this board wrote "Everyday you live to reach a goal that will allow you to eat again" this touched me so much I wrote it down so I could read it again and again. That sentence totally describes the evil in my head, it describes me.

It have been working for about 3+ years to get things right in my head and to get down to 180 lbs and maintain but like I said I can't get past this weight. I have slowly been moving to a more healthy eating style and I just know my next step is to master the Raw way of eating. It makes the most sense of every "diet". I have just been trying to be patient with myself and not beat myself up if I am not 100% raw, but to just keep sticking raw food into my mouth everyday and maybe I will get enough guts to really go 100%.

I really love all the kind people on this forum it feels really safe to be here. I have never stayed a member of a forum for very long before because they always feel so clickish, but not here. Thanks Everyone!

Jenny

Carlene

07-11-2005, 10:26 AM

Hey SweetLips, thanks for looking into this. I'm leaving on vacation for two weeks today so I won't be involved much until I get back. It will be interesting to see who is interested and how they want to support one another.

I disagree with Alissa about someone who needs to lose 20 pounds is the same as someone who needs to lose 100 pounds. There are those of us that have exercised and dieted all of our lives and still are heavy, so where some may get to eat everything they want on raw and drop 20 pounds in two months there are those of us who will struggle.

I think another difference is attitude. A lot of 100%ers or long time raw folks become negative in speaking about using raw as a "quick weight loss diet," almost as if they are offended that there are those of us who are using it as just that. I don't think there is any shame in my wanting to be thin and using raw as a method of getting there. And if it is my sole reason for going raw, then that is just fine.

Right now if I were to hit a stumbling block, say platueing for a couple of weeks, and was getting frustrated. I would probably not come here for support. I wouldn't want to hear, "think of all the other benefits," "raw isn't only about losing weight," etc. I would want to hear. "I know, that sucks, this is how I broke my last one." or "I was stuck for a month, and it took me trying on all my old fat clothes to keep me going."

There are other questions I will have. I am very worried about loose skin. I would want to be able to openly talk about how to keep my underarms from becoming bat wings, my belly from hanging over with loose skin. Again, I wouldn't want to be told, "you should love your body regardless." I would want to hear what others did, how bad their skin was when they lost their weight, if exercise really helped, or if there is no help and I may just have to think about a tummy tuck and upper arm lift when I'm done to look as good as I feel. I hate being patronized or given simple answers.

Exercise too is different for the obese. For years if I exercised, I would stop losing weight and start gaining it. I was hungrier, so yes, I may have eaten more, but I was also gaining muscle quick. But for every thin person that said to me, "muscle weighs more than fat," I wanted to smack them. For four months I hiked 3 hrs a day through desert mountains. I was also dieting. In the end I had gained five pounds. Only someone else who has experienced that knows the pain, frustration, and reason for stopping and can offer the support that will mean something to me.

My whole life thin people have told me how to diet and exercise. They have all thought, just limit your calories and exercise then you can be normal. My sister yet another prime example. She would eat breakfast, have 5 ding dongs for lunch, have lunch, then two more snacks and a meal before finishing up her food for the day. I have never eaten that much in my life. She has also never exercised, I started do Jack LaLane as a little girl. So when she wants to tell me how to lose weight, do you think anything she says has any value to me? It's the same here. When someone who eats thousands of calories a day who at most has only had 20 pounds to lose in their lives tells me that calories don't matter, it goes in one ear and out the other. But if someone who lost 100 pounds on raw told me the same thing, I would listen.

Another area I would like to hear is exactly what did those who have lost a lot of weight eat. Did they eat all that gourmet food with high nut content, or did they go simple. Were they 100% or 90. How much exercise did they do.

I agree with Sweetlips about the emotional side being important. Many heavy people are actually afraid to be thin. Sometimes they will lose their partners because their new energy filled lifestyle disrupts the security of their relationship. Their family can also be difficult, worse than just telling someone you're raw, being thin can turn mothers into shrews.

We are also not that eager to tell others our weight. I personally do not want to confess to how heavy I was when I started this, but as the weight falls off, the question everyone asks is: "how much have you lost?" Well, telling them opens up, "oh my god, how much did you weigh." How do others handle that.

I could go on, but I won't. I'll leave that for others on this thread. I don't mean to offend anyone here or to say anyone isn't sensative to other peoples needs, I just want to express my belief that there is a huge difference between people who need to lose 20 pounds and those who need to lose the equivalent of another person. Even more so for those of us who have carried that extra body around with us most of our lives.

charlie

07-11-2005, 01:08 PM

This is my first time posting, I am so glad to see this thread.

I need to lose 80 lbs. My biggest problem of course is how I feel. I am tired all the time and simple tasks are now so hard.

I want to walk and be able to keep up with everone else and not feel embarrassed because I am huffing and pufffing. I want to go somewhere and not worry about fitting comfortably in the chair. I want to wear a dress and not have to wear bike shorts underneath. I am addicted to diet soda, I want to stop drinking them.

I also worry about the lose skin, I keep seeing pictures of people on tv that have lost a lot of weight then still look big because of the extra skin.

I look forward to the support.
Karen

Dawn39

07-11-2005, 02:14 PM

Wow some topics hit home more than others. I feel for everyone on this thread.

CHARLIE YOU ARE WORTHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D I felt the need to tell you that. I've looked in the mirror and have hated what stared back at me. BUT I AM WORTHY, all though I've made small steps I will make the journey!!!!

MOVE, breathe the oxygen, feel the sun, eat raw, and embrace life. It's one day at a time, and all the small steps add up.

Instead of being afraid that someone thinks less, imagine the people that are impressed, Impress yourself. I was 255 and still meeting my APFT for the ARMY, not that I was happy with that weight. But I am sure I shut some people up.

As far as loose skin, I have no clue, maybe you can contact Alissa.

What wonderful souls I've meet on this site, goodluck

Sweet lips

07-11-2005, 02:35 PM

Just a quick note to let all of you know that I am gald that you have written on this thread! I heard a lot from your souls, and before I put finger to key, I am going to pray about what has been written and come back to you later on. I hope that is okay for you all.

Ireland

07-11-2005, 02:40 PM

Carlene, wow, you said a mouthful!

I've got at least 80 pounds to lose, perhaps more. It depends on how I feel at the other end...

Glad someone's brought this up, there are soooooo many issues those who are obese face that those who are just a few pounds overweight don't. Of course, there are similarities, but sometimes ya just don't know until ya been there.

ShannonColleen

07-11-2005, 02:46 PM

I am so happy to see this thread! I have about 86 pounds to lose, and have been on every diet known to womankind. In fact last year I went from Atkins directly to raw food for 3 weeks. That was really messed up. Atkins made me so sick.

I gain weight with exercise. And on this raw food diet (2 wks and counting) I will go for three days with no weight loss and then drop 1 or 2 pounds. I am 100% raw and average near 1400 calories per day (I track it on fitday). I would love to be part of an encouragement group! I need it since I lose track of why I'm on this diet.

Anyone mind sharing how many calories (roughly) you try to get per day?

Shannon

ShannonColleen

07-11-2005, 02:48 PM

Oops, I forgot. I was scared to give up salt. I was a big salt eater. The smell of salty soy sauce drives me crazy still!

angelandarose

07-11-2005, 04:59 PM

I have been on this raw path for 4 month now and have lost 24lbs. I started at 255lbs. I would like to get down to 175-185. I have a lot of muscle so weighing any less than that will eat into my muscle. So I did have 80lbs to loose. I now have 56 more to go. WOO HOO!

We can all do this! Walking hand in hand while we take this journey together. ;)

Love,
Angie

Fuzzball

07-11-2005, 05:24 PM

Ah....Sweet Lips.....you know you're tugging at my heart strings here....I have at LEAST 75 I want to get rid of...once I get that done I'll set a real goal.

My concern is that it has been very difficult for me to go 100%. I have a super supportive wife (who has chucked her glasses since going raw ! !) but we have different needs...I'm a snacker....I have to have snacking foods, especially when I get home at night. Typically, I don't have any which leads to the wrong snacks..

I'll hit you with more in a PM, but I wanted to let you know that you seem to have been an answer to my prayers with this topic and your plan!

jennykiss75

07-11-2005, 05:46 PM

Hi Everyone,
This thread is turning out to be a good one. Since we are here to cheer each other on I am curious how you all handle your "bad food" voice?

Today I was walking home for lunch and I was trying to cheer myself on for doing so well at 100% raw today and making a plan in my head for this evening and what I would eat. Then the "bad food" voice came in and I was doubting myself, it was like "you know you will cheat tonight", "you know you can't really make it through a whole day 100%" "don't even try it won't work"....

It is almost like I self sabotage...well I am sabotaging but I want to stop. My excuse for cheating is always something:
A little won't hurt
You did so good today you can sneak a treat
You deserve a little something
Who is going to know
You can do what you want

How do you guys fight the "bad voice"? I just always give in.

Mommax4

07-11-2005, 07:47 PM

How do you guys fight the "bad voice"? I just always give in.

Its a hard struggle for me too...

I have a bad tendency to hold food as my friend, and its not my friend I should be using it as food to nourish me not as my comfort.

Good question!

Lisa

racheljj

07-11-2005, 10:12 PM

Peter Parker

07-11-2005, 10:25 PM

One thing I've been concerned about, though, is the diet mentality. Yes, I want to lose all that weight, but I also want to get out of this yo-yo diet cycle that is keeping me big and unhappy. Just an idea to discuss. Rachel

Carlene--I can relate to a lot of what you write. If you'd like, I'd be happy to talk to you on email, and you can email me at johnsonrj@missouri.edu.

very smart idea. I am wanting to lose a lot of weight but havent been able to stay on the raw diet. I feel that a lot of time should be spent preparing the foods.

I am interested in learning more and doing this. post post!

Doe

07-11-2005, 10:32 PM

This is a good place to learn. Some enjoy spending a lot of time preparing foods; some like to keep it simple. This is the place for all who want to eat raw. You will get a lot of support here.

Teri

Peter Parker

07-11-2005, 10:53 PM

This is a good place to learn. Some enjoy spending a lot of time preparing foods; some like to keep it simple. This is the place for all who want to eat raw. You will get a lot of support here.

Teri

Its what Im looking for. I need a "simple" diet due to

1. Im a guy, that does not get "into" fixing food. hey, its just me, some guys like it some dont.

2. Im busy throughout the day and need "fast food" like bananas, apples, grapes, oranges and so forth. BUT those are all fruits. I need beautiful green veggies instead.

3. I dont want to sprout. Juice. or dehydrate. if we were without the items how would we survive raw? Eat the low hanging fruits and pick the veggies and move on.

4. Im lazy and obese :D I need to eat enough to energize my body to exercise every night AND go hard all day at work. I must be on my "toes" all day at work. Constantly thinking so being sluggish doesnt fit in my line of work :(

Whatcha think?

racheljj

07-11-2005, 11:00 PM

Peter,

Hi. I'm off to bed so will write more in the morning. For now, here are a few thoughts to help you eat more filling things that are simple and easy to make and snack on throughout the day.

1. Buy cut up veggies that you like and make a raw dip to dip them in. (There are two I really like and will share if you want tomorrow).

2. Eat lots of bananas and/or smoothies with bananas (add raw hemp seeds to the smoothie--have enough protein helps me not crave other things).

3. Tahini milk helped me a lot...this helped fill me up some.

4. Eat a simple fruit salad of mangoes, bananas and avocadoes cut up. I LOVE this salad and the avocado helps fill me up more.

5. Make a simple raw cookie with dates and almond butter. I'll look up the recipe in the morning, if you're interested.

Hope this helps. :)

Rachel

Peter Parker

07-11-2005, 11:08 PM

Carlene

07-12-2005, 12:10 AM

Wow did this thread grow quickly. Sorry I won't be around much for it over the next few days while I drive up to Oregon.

Peter, I'm having great success losing weight with a simple almost mono diet. I too hate to cook so simple works best for me. I eat primarily fruit, make sure I get enough fat with nuts, and eat just one salad a day. Right now I also use Hemp Protein in my morning banana smoothie. I find after a couple of days of not using it, I loose my energy. I know I don't eat enough green vegetables, so it's my insurance.

When I first started I had been walking my dogs 6 times a day for ten minutes each. I too was huffing and puffing. I find that I can build endurance quickly, but once I stop exercising I lose it just as quick. Now I'm doing an hour every morning, just walking along with the other 5 times of ten minute walks. It took a couple of weeks of this for the build of energy to show. Now I'm walking at a good clip, sweating, and feeling like I accomplished something at the end of my morning walk.

I had got all gung ho when I first started. I bought a jump rope. Tried that out, thought I would break my ankles. Bought a Pilete's CD, my buddha belly got in the way, but that was last month. When I get home from vacation I'm going to try again.

Good luck everyone, I can't wait to see where this goes by Thursday when I can check back.

Ireland

07-12-2005, 12:16 AM

Peter - he's some banana info...

1 medium banana = 109 calories, 1 gram fat, 28 carbs and 1 gram protein. Not bad eh? And certainly not high fat!

racheljj

07-12-2005, 07:39 AM

1. Randall's Tahini dip/dressing

http://www.fromsadtoraw.com/Recipes/RandallsTahiniSaladDressing.htm

2. This is the best raw dressing/dip I have found in two years of looking. This makes a huge amount of it that I put in a jar in my fridge. That way, I only have to make a dressing once every two weeks instead of every day! Plus, it tastes really great! Sometimes I use it with a lettuce salad but often I just us it with a bunch of cut up veggies, some cut up pineapple and a few raw walnuts (got these ideas from my friend Emmaann). Caesar Salad Dressing from Gabriel Cousens:

3 avocados
1/3 c. lemon juice
1 T. Black Pepper
1 T. Salt
1 t. cayenne
3 T. Olive oil ( I use 1 T.)
1/4 C. water

Blend all ingredients together in high power blender Makes 2 cups.

3.Tahini milk--put 2 Tablespoons of raw tahini in the blender, add either 1/2 a banana or 1 T of raw honey or raw aquave nectar, fill the blender up with water and blend. Drink. This was great in the winter when it was cold outside.

4. Raw cookies--in blender add 10 dates, 1/2 coconut meat chopped (or shredded coconut), 1 cup of soaked almonds (or a glob of raw almond butter), and 3 T of carob. Blend, mix and shape into balls. These are higher fat with the almonds, but if you use them sparingly, they help when you want chocolate.

stevek42

07-12-2005, 09:58 AM

I have about 90lbs to lose to get to my goal...I have to admit I broke down two nights in a row and was non-raw for two dinners!!! But I'm back on raw this morning.

I gotta say, the one thing that worries me about losing weight is that I haven't seen myself at a low weight since I was 8 years old. A lot of people can remember their teenage years, whatever, and remember what they looked like...I have no idea what I'd look like at my goal, and so it doesn't seem as feasible.

But I'm workin' on it!

Sweet lips

07-12-2005, 10:58 AM

Thanks you Guys- as I can see there are many of us here who have the same concerns. I am going to try to write where I am coming from and please if I do not comment on your question or concern - charge it to my head and not my heart. :)

Why is this a different type or special support group - I belive that Carlene expressed it so well. I have had a chronic weight problem since I was about 25 years old and following the removal of my thyroid gland. Yes, I understand that myself talk and self image are a major part of it, however, it is very hard for me to relate when a person who knows the ways to make the changes, who has been educated in weight loss measure,but has never experienced this type of trauma, depression and the attacks from other people.

I too understand the feeling about just wanting to lose weight, well I do!! bottom line, and for me raw is also about healing my body, and thus far this has been the only way possible that I have seen results. Oh, now, I have done everybody, LAweightloss, Weight Watchers, NutiSystems, Fasting with liquid Protein, Body for Life, exercise, hypnoisis, diet pills way back from the balck beauty days, so, we have that type of history together.

So here we are: Are you ready for this - first Alissa has established the raw food challenge, the board and a wonderful book and I am eternally grateful for this.

I am encouraging you to buy in to the 30 day challenge with a daily motivator, your own personal coach me, and some activites that just might help us get there.

YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR WEALTH

Health is wha we call it when all parts of our body are in harmony. Symptoms are not something to be looked at as an adversary to be beaten, but as a sign to be observed and even welcomed - so where ever you are now, welcome it to yourself - embrace it for just this moment!

There is no magic pill, but there is magic in change We've got some work to do and since we all understand how we feel, let's use this opportunity to support ourselves. This is really not about feeling bad about where we are right now, but I promise you this, you will feel better, then good when you make changes and move from your comfort zone. God hold nothing against us - (somebody is not believing that right niow, but it is true), It is our thinking that keeps us in bondage.

Change itself is hard - it is not that changing our eating patterns is hard for us. it's that change itself is hard. The mind itself resists change. It is much easier to stay in the realm of the known than to brave the risks involved with charting new waters.

How to Take this 30-day Good Health Challenge

We are creatures of habit. A wise man told me that anything you do for 30 days in a row becomes a habit and that habits once formed, are hard to break. This principal usually works against us, but we have the opportunity to use it for us if we so choose. My primary focus will not be to set up some type of diet regimem, nor is it about planning your menus, counting your calories,or lose-weight quick, those will be benefits, but what I am purposing is a more holistic approach to bringing about positive changes within your life - following along with the guidelines established by Alissa.

Figure out where you stand - having to eliminate, meat, dairy, or what. You need to make a decision to spend the next 30 days committed not to me, or Alissa or to this board but to yourself. You must go into this wholehearted and try (through support) to and understand you are going to go through this for the long haul. Our thread will be an interactive guide to taking your diet and health to the next level. If at the end of thirty days, you don't honestly feel significantly better, then simpley go back to what you were doing before. Now, here is the caveat -[B]But if you do feel better, make a committment to continuing some of the changes you've made during the thirty day challege - Agreed :)

The point of this is for us to reach a point where food doesn't have the power over us; but instead it is we who have power over food and over what happens in our lives in general.

I know many of you are like me and have read everything going on the train about all aspects of diet, nutrition and holistic health, this thread is to supplement us and help us and to encourage us to move beyond where we are. It is not written to negate anyone elses thoughts, and experiences, just for us who have this large amount of weight to deal with.

So if you are interested - as I see, and see my proposal, please come back to me and let me know because some of the information will be p.m'd. Out of respect for Alissa - please, please set up a journal - you need to do that, you need to record somethings o.k. - remember change is good! :)

Sweet lips

07-12-2005, 02:14 PM

Alissa has said it and now I see it again and this hits home very well!

http://www.rawfoodsupport.com/read.php?f=12&i=93768&t=93768

Peter Parker

07-12-2005, 08:16 PM

Lets get the 30 days on the road. Let it begin.

Autumn

07-13-2005, 01:11 AM

Sweet,
Thank you so much for starting this thread. I am unsure of how much weight I have to lose, since I stopped weighing myself a few months ago. I'm sure 75lbs. is likely.

I, too, have been on every diet known to woman, with only temporary success. My goal for the past 2 years was to focus on health, but my old habits of binging and non-stop eating continue to rear their ugly heads no matter what I am eating. I know there is a lot of internal work I need to do, but I am afraid to "go there". I keep thinking I can lose the weight and *then* do the internal work, when deep down I realize it probably won't work that way. That is why I stopped journaling a couple months ago. I was starting to internalize some stuff and getting to a point where I'd have to deal with it, and I backed away and stopped writing.

Anyway, thanks again for creating this thread of loving support.

Sweet lips

07-13-2005, 06:20 AM

Autum,

I understand how the "internal" stuff may feel - been there for so long. For me, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired - old an adage, but such a truth. I was (could probably be not too far from there) doing the same things and expecting different result - real insane. However, this last episode let me know that if I don't harness this thing called me, I would never regain her - so thus the journey.

Let not your heart me troubled! Let me make a suggestion and this is not just for Autumn, but for anyone reading this - there is a thread http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3294, that will encourage you to think a bit differently, and in there, you will find the things that you internalizing begin to lift a little at a time. The exercise is really an excellent one, so even if you do not come up with 10, start with one. "You appreaciate the fact that you can read" for example.

Now, Please journal - if not full on the board purchase a book and begin to write, and just do a mind-write, what ever comes out whether it makes sense or not, and then close the book, and do not re-read it, just let it flow.

Weigh or guess your weight today, take your measurements, and prepare one goal for the next 5 days - we will be doing our goals in five day increments, so that by the end of 30 days, you will have 6 goals that you were able to complete. I will be back later with my information. As for your weight and meaurements - you can: e-mail them to me for safe keeping, or you can snail mail them to yourself and keep it sealed for the next 30 days - DO NOT WEIGH FOR THE NEXT 30 days! not at all, no way Jose, not on your life buddy - once and only once is allowed. DONOT CARE AFTER TODAY!

dallasaj3000

07-13-2005, 12:25 PM

I just joined and this is the first thread I went to. I am knocking on 300 pounds. I am 5'11 so I look even worse because I am tall. I have tried to go raw many times but my life has not been stable for the past year and a half, so it's been kind of hard. I am only 23 and I've been suffering from acid reflux for the past couple of years. Now that I have a steady job and I'm starting my company I can do what I've been wanting to do the most; go raw.

I decided that I am going to do the Orange Juice Diet/Fast for the first thrity days. This way I can heal my stomach and knock out a some cravings with one fail swoop. After that I will progress to going raw 100% and hopefully spend the rest of my life between 95-100% raw.

Comments are encouraged!

Mommax4

07-13-2005, 05:23 PM

[QUOTE=Sweet lips]Autum,

Now, Please journal - if not full on the board purchase a book and begin to write, and just do a mind-write, what ever comes out whether it makes sense or not, and then close the book, and do not re-read it, just let it flow.

QUOTE]

I started a journel at home, starting writing what was coming to my head and made the mistake of going back and reading it and I thought, Man I sound like a babbling idiot, jumped from one thing to the other. All I could think about was man if I die and someone reads this they are going to think I'm a fruit.

So from now on I am not going back to read it.

Thanks for that tip, because I thought about not writing anymore for sounding stupid. Again that negative self talk.....It has to get better.

Sweet lips

07-13-2005, 06:16 PM

Dallas - I am 5"11 at when I started I was like 280 something - We don't look funny, we look TALL!!!!! ;) I am glad you are joining us - I was beginning to wonder if anyone was there since the first thread. Currently I am on a fast, this is day 17 and today of all days, I ate some cukes when I was making the juice. They key is drink enough juice to not be hungry - I drink 64 oz 3 x a day and it is working. I am going to 30 days and then 100% raw - that's the plan and I plan to stick to this.

MommaX4 - Oh, I understand - when I do that type of writing, it is so freeing, and I know, believe me I know :eek: that whom so ever chooses to read that will wonder why I have not been committed and they will end up needed some much needed help - but girlfriend - it is a freedom like none other. I of course have regular journals and they are crazy too, but hey, it is just me! Gald to see you. ;)

racheljj

07-14-2005, 08:22 AM

I'm starting 30 days today...the first few days are always the hardest so I may need some support. :) Rachel

livenraw

07-14-2005, 12:02 PM

I would like to share something with you guys and girls that was sent to me awhile back called Successful Weight Loss. The moment I saw that and changed my thinking was the moment that 'losing the last 10' was without effort and really easy (I have lost a total of 71 lbs over the past 3 years) People often ask me how I lost all my weight, and instead of going through all the different methods I did, I decided that the next time someone ask me that question, I will simply say, "I changed my thinking". And that's the basis of this article.

Before I paste it here, for those who are worried about loose skin, well, I hardly have any because I lost my weight really slow and started focusing on weight training and cardio (but weight training is the key here more than cardio - leaner muscle, more definition) at the same time as I was losing the weight, thus very little loose skin. And in my own belief, if you are eating what God had intended for us to eat in the beginning (meat wasn't introduced until after the flood), then your body should get back down to its natural thinness without too much effort in the eating category part (I hope I am making sense here)

Here's the article:

What is the REAL Secrect of Successful Weight Loss?

Is it eating fewer calories?
Is it taking more exercise?
Is it a matter of eating less fat or less sugar?
No. It is none of these things.

The real secret to losing weight is believing that you can DO it

You can try all the diets and weight loss programs you like, but if, in your heart of hearts, you do NOT believe that you CAN lose weight, you never will. And even if you do, it won't be long before you regain it.

For example, you probably know several people who have been dieting on and off for years. By now, they know exactly what foods make them fat and yet they never manage to stay off them for long. Why not? Because in their hearts, they LACK CONFIDENCE in themselves. Although they want to lose weight, they do not think they CAN.

Result? Every year they get a little heavier.

Or, take people who are seriously overweight. Every so often, their doctor puts them on a diet, but they never stick to it for long. Why not? Because deep down they do not think they are MEANT to be slim.

As a result, despite increasing discomfort, they get heavier and heavier.

The terrible trap
As you can see, these slimmers are caught in a terrible trap. On the one hand, they desperately WANT to lose weight. On the other, they do not believe they CAN - they genuinely believe they are doomed to be fat. No matter what diet they try, they expect to fail and so they do. And each time they fail, they lose a little more confidence in their ability to change.

How can you avoid this trap, or how do you escape from it?
Answer: By believing in your ability to lose weight!

For example, you must stop thinking of yourself as naturally fat. NO ONE is naturally fat - not me, not you, not even the Pope. We may each have a different shape, different sized bones and different genes, but no one is doomed to be fat. We are no more compelled to be fat than we are to wear a banana in our ear!

You may be overweight at the moment, in fact you may have been overweight for years, but this does not mean you have to STAY overweight. Everyone has the power inside them to do it, and that includes you.

But you have to FIRE YOURSELF UP!
You have to stand up and BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Because once you believe in yourself, nothing will stop you.
Not cookies, not burgers, not even your mother-in-law.

The problem is, many people still cling to the idea that losing weight requires superhuman willpower. This is simply not true. The truth is, losing weight is quite easy. All you need is faith in your ability to do it. The rest is a matter of time.

So, don't let your previous failures put you off
Instead, look ahead and start believing in yourself.

Because once you believe in yourself, nothing will stop you.
Not cookies, not burgers, not even your mother-in-law.

Ireland

07-14-2005, 12:40 PM

Excellent post livenraw.

After losing and gaining about 10 elephants worth over the years (give or take a few pounds of course) I've ever so slowly lost the faith that I will lose weight and keep it off. It's amazing what unconscious self talk can do to our bodies.

I have learned that it is not willpower, I'm sure we can all attest to that. We don't have willpower??? Ha!! Take some skinny person who's NEVER been on a diet and cut back their calories, fat and sugar, to a bare minimum and find out how much willpower THEY have! But that's not where it's at.

Yeah, I do believe it starts with belief. Belief that God will give me the strength to carry this through. And belief that I can and will do my part by making wise choices.

Sweet lips

07-14-2005, 06:13 PM

Rachel, visit this thread daily for insight and support - right now this will be the place to show your face. :) :)

Thanks LivenRaw - Excellent article.

Day 1 - The word for the day is Visualize

Today find a quiet space. Turn off the lights and close your eyes. Envision a silver movie screen slowly unfurlingbefore you. This is what is called "The Movie Screen of Your Mind's Eye". On this movie screen, see yourself exactly the way you want to be. If you want to lose weight or be rid of a certain afflication or disease, see yourself that way. If you want to sleep more soundly, or to have more energy as you go through your day, see yourself as such. If you want to be able to run farther, faster, do more laps at the pool, wear shorts or put on a bathing suit, see it. Smell the air during this period. You can blank out any negatives! It is your visual!

Use your journal to write a letter to yourself listing your health goals for the next thirty days. Use the past tense as if the things you want to happen have already happened. Follow the format of these examples: I see that my blood pressure has gone down to __________. or I see that I have lost _____ pounds, or I see that I have eaten raw for ________ and I am liking it.

Autumn

07-15-2005, 12:44 AM

Great posts Livenraw and SweetLips!

I like the the idea of thinking in the past tense, as if we've already accomplished something. A few years ago I read that one should think of themselves as already being slim and healthy while working towards his/her goals. To visualize, as you said, the "you" you want to be as a means, and an encouragement, of getting to that "you".

BrokenAngel

07-15-2005, 04:57 AM

I'd like to be in, if I can!! I have 75+ pounds to lose and could definately use ALL the support I can get!! I'm starting 100% raw on Tuesday, i'm going grocery shopping on Monday to get all the food I need. :) Until then, i'll be eating as raw as possible!! I am so completely ready to not be fat anymore ... it's gone on TOO long.

racheljj

07-15-2005, 09:11 AM

My problem is just sticking with all raw for five days in a row...Usually once I do that, it's not so hard to stick with it. But, it's really hard to make those five days in a row without eating any cooked. How do you guys do it?

Rachel

Sweet lips

07-15-2005, 10:29 AM

A lot of self talk and remembering just how well I feel and how good I want to feel and what I want to be able to do. It is a I wrote visualize what you want and claim that. If you want cooked food then that is what you are going to have - bottom line. Many times you have been asked what is it that you really want to do. Going raw may be more sacrifice for you than obedience to what your body is requiring to nuture it - only you can be the judge of that. This is not meant to take away from you as a person or even your journey, it is posed as what is important to you for your health.

I also prepare gourmet types of food and have a lot of it ready. Right now I am fasting, and for about two days, I would eat some of the veggies as I was making juice, and that is because I did not make enough juice prior to that time to fill me up. So this morning, I have it in my mind - this is day 19 and I went in with a plan for 30 days to cleanse my system. ALthough, I did consume some veggies, the point was that I didn't listen to my self talk because I hadn't prepared enough.

It is really being prepared - for me, if I have enough of my raw, then cooked is not going to be a problem. I know you prepare for your family, so to avoid the cooked food smells, make things for them that are not hot like meat salads, antipasta, or simple like beans and hot dogs or veggies burgers, alternate with that, and see how you do. If you have Alissa book, use that, or fromsadtoraw recipe board. On here, there have been some recipes that the cooked friends liked a lot, you may desire to include them. Allison posted a wonderful pate or spread as you will and that can be shared with your family. If raw is not for you, then you will constantly have this battle. Listen to your body, and the five days may just pass by, and you won't be looking back, you will be looking forward. :)

livenraw

07-15-2005, 11:10 AM

A quote comes to mind that helped me get through some tough times as I went on my weight loss journey, and once I started using it, it helped me stay on track even more. I don't remember who said it, but this was it:

Life's greatest failures come from trading what we want the most for what we want at the moment.

Once I read that, I started applying it to what I ate - sure, I wanted that cookie but I wanted it THEN...AT THE MOMENT...but what did I want more? I wanted to be healthier and have my weight under control! And so I would ask myself this question 'am I willing to trade weight loss and being healthy for a cookie?' Most of the time the answer was 'no'. I still struggled in this area, and being focused on what I really wanted didn't happen over night, but the more I said this quote, the more natural it came to me to think of this whenever I had a craving for something unhealthy.

So whenever you're tempted by cooked food, whenever you have a craving for it, say that quote and ask yourself if you're really willing to trade what you want the most for what you want at that very moment.

And of course, as other say, and as I am learning, it's always best to be prepared for EVERY situation.

I know that weight loss and getting healthy can be a struggle as I struggled with it for 3 years. And as I have learned from past experiences, soemtimes the people who want to see you succeed the most are also the same people who want to see you fail the most (that's why I was reluctant to tell anyone that I had reached my goal weight. I was sure that every week, they would watch to see if I was putting on weight again because they will watch you like a hawk...just waiting for a slip, waiting for a fall) But don't let that get you down. As long as you know what you are doing is getting you healthy and you're doing it for YOU, then what they think and say doesn't matter. As Deepak Chopra once said, 'what people think of me is none of my business. that's their business.'

Sweet lips

07-16-2005, 07:02 AM

BINGO livenraw - There are dream makers and dream takers in all of our lives. Thank you for that quote.

So, how is everyone doing? I am at the point where, your quote is my mantra - Is it worth it?

Day 2 - Support

"A good friend is a constant. Whether you or rich or poor, happy or sad, successful or unsuccessful, a good friend is one whose feelings for you do not waver. A good friend listens to you and shares your sufferings. He or she shares his own joys and sorrows with you, while regarding your joys and sorrows as his own." The Buddha as related by Thich Nhat Hanh on Old Path, White clouds.

Always remember eating is a social phenomena. Unfortunately, soemtimes the people around you just don't want to see you change. Whatever people's reasons for this are, you want to surround yourself with people who will build you up and NOT tear you down. This board can be such for you - you can also P.M. me for additonal support, and also locally contact the local vegan and or raw vegan groups for social activity.

it is hard to do this alone, so get support.

racheljj

07-16-2005, 07:54 AM

Thanks for the quotes and support. :) Rachel

Sweet lips

07-17-2005, 08:37 AM

Word for the day CONTROL

"The purpose of discipline is to promote freedom." - Henry Miller in Sexus

If you are hungry, eat; If you're not, don't. Sometimes we eat just because food is around. We eat because it's 12 noon. We eat as recreation. We est to relieve nervous anxiety. We eat to celebrate. We eat to forget. We eat just to eat. Food has become our crutch. Today, remeber that you are always the boss in your world and don't eat just because it's what you always do. Begin to listen to your body to be able to understand whether you are actually hungry or not. Today, ask yourself: Do I really want to eat or is it just mealtime.?

Revvell

07-17-2005, 09:59 AM

I've been reading this thread and what y'all have written and even though I'm not one who needs to lose weight I wish to give a few ideas for support if I may. (well, heck, how ya gonna stop me? ) <G>

I saw SL's link to the 10 daily appreciations thread. One thing I have learned over the last 18 years is, the power of simple things. Qigong, raw foods, appreciations are only a few. Many people will scoff at these things. So, what is "THAT" going to do? I teach qigong (chi kung ~ slow, conscious movement) and have had people tell me that it can't do anything. Well, doing it has shown differently. Not going into it here at this time though.

Doing appreciations will change your life. How? Why? Scientific studies have shown that energetic vibrations will change. You know how easy it is for someone to bring you down yet how hard it is to bring them up? Well, getting someone to do appreciations will bring them up ~ in no time. It is a scientific fact. For information on this, I recently purchased a book (no, I'm not selling it) called: The Power of Appreciations by Noelle C. Nelson. It gives scientific information. What I would suggest is, whether you do them here ~ or in your journals (more on that later) or, like my husband and I, to each other, you will find amazing results. It is soooo simple and takes so little time.

The other thing I read was where someone said she wrote a journal ~ basically, just whatever came to her head ~ then went and re-read it. I'm thinking this is a different type of journal than most would be writing here? What did you eat; what happened emotionally, etc.

The type she mentioned is just vomiting (my word). It is a WONDERFUL thing to do yet, DON'T go back and read it! There was a very famous book out one time (still out, famous awhile back) called "The Artist's Way" and in it, she said to write 3 pages, every single day. Just whatever comes to mind. No thought, just write. IF you can't find anything to say, then just keep writing ~ "I can't think of anything to say" until, something else comes up "I'm bored, why am I doing this...blah, blah, blah". What that does is, eliminates tapes that are going around in your head. What I have found is, in order to change my life, I HAVE to release the gunk in my head. It's like cleaning closets. IF you have a closet full of clothing and you lose weight AND need to purchase more clothing, where you going to put them? You MUST clean out your closet.

So! This is the same. Clean out your head. Once you do, a new way of thinking and understanding will arise. DO NOT go back and read it! When you get rid of old clothes, you don't go to the Salvation Army and visit them do you?

Enough said ~

Back to your regularly scheduled programming ~ :)

Revvell

beautifulone7

07-18-2005, 03:00 AM

I, too, have been on every diet known to woman, with only temporary success. My goal for the past 2 years was to focus on health, but my old habits of binging and non-stop eating continue to rear their ugly heads no matter what I am eating. I know there is a lot of internal work I need to do, but I am afraid to "go there". I keep thinking I can lose the weight and *then* do the internal work, when deep down I realize it probably won't work that way.

You wrote the words echoing in my head, only I'm going on 3 years.

Sweet lips

07-18-2005, 07:43 AM

"What dying man can purchase another breath though he willingly give all his gold? What price dare I place on the hours ahead? I will make them priceless!" -Og Mandino in the Greatest Salesman in the World

Just about everybody wants to be wealthy. The healthier you are, the less you will be sick and the more productive you will be. Realize that your health is your real wealth - and rejoice in that fact. Realize the depth of the blessings of being healthy and alive!

Exercise for today - Write down how many times in the past year you were sick and relate that to the food you eat (i.e milk promotes mucus and allows bronchial congestion to persist!, coffee, once removed may cause a headache, sugar and sluggishness the next day) If you are unable to draw a connection between the food that you ate and being sick, you may desire to refer to such books as Back to Eden by Jethro Koss or You Can Heal Your LifeLouise Hay.

Mommax4

07-18-2005, 12:20 PM

Revvell & Sweetlips,

How is it everytime I am looking for "more" I find it with you two? You two are part of my appreciations for today! :)

Thanks a bunch!!
Lisa

Sweet lips

07-18-2005, 09:36 PM

The Final Word from me on this thread is Patience:

The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step - Today, something happened that made me realize that I have to be more patient. I was wounded enough to make this my final post for a while - not sure if forever, but for awhile.

My writing for those of you who desire to continue says: You have been patient and willing to watch the change in yourself and the way you eat. You have now firmly planted seeds for what you want in your life. Now, don't be like the farmer who got so impatient with soem seeds that he planted that he killed them when he decided that he needed to dig them up to see just how they were doing.

Today my patience was tested and while I will recomend that you (who read this) find ways to embrace whatever it is that tries your patience. I took mine as a message to be silent and sign off of here. Take yours and grow. Please do not eat needlessly, please be kind to yourself and please be blessed by who you are inside, the outside will manifest itself as it should.

Blessings to you. :)

Sweet lips

07-18-2005, 09:38 PM

The Final Word from me on this thread is Patience:

The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step - Today, something happened that made me realize that I have to be more patient. I was wounded enough to make this my final post for a while - not sure if forever, but for awhile.

My writing for those of you who desire to continue says: You have been patient and willing to watch the change in yourself and the way you eat. You have now firmly planted seeds for what you want in your life. Now, don't be like the farmer who got so impatient with some seeds that he planted that he killed them when he decided that he needed to dig them up to see just how they were doing.

Today my patience was tested and while I will recomend that you (who read this) find ways to embrace whatever it is that tries your patience. I took mine as a message to be silent and sign off of here. Take yours and grow. Please do not eat needlessly, please be kind to yourself and please be blessed by who you are inside, the outside will manifest itself as it should.

Blessings to you. :)

lipliner

07-20-2005, 12:32 PM

Thank you for the reply!

Little bags of vegetables! I would love to have the recipes. I have the book raw foods for busy people. seems ok.

What dressing do you make to put on your salads?

Arent bananas high in fat and will slow my weight loss?

so many questions!! :D

Thanks again

Peter-
When you eat 100% raw - there is no fat gram counting or calorie counting. NO matter how much you weigh or how much you need to lose. Keep up the good work! Don't let it get you down! Katherine

lipliner

07-20-2005, 12:33 PM

I am needing to continue in the weight loss mode! I am losing and 100% raw. I would like accountability. How do we participate in this online group? Katherine

Revvell

07-20-2005, 04:42 PM

How do we participate in this online group? Katherine

I do believe you just did. :)

:cool:

Carlene

07-23-2005, 09:42 AM

Wow, it feels like forever since I was at the forum. It was nice to see this thread was continuing, sad to see Sweet Lips sign off. I really loved lipliners line: Life's greatest failures come from trading what we want the most for what we want at the moment.

I try to remind myself of that everyday and it isn't always easy. I made it through my vacation raw. My only cheat was coffee so I could keep driving, but at times it was hard. I had to take my mother and niece to restaurants and watch them eat cheeseburgers and fries, etc. But as lipliner suggested, I kept my eye on the prize. Losing this weight is so important to me, and raw is such a promise that I can actually visualize my goal which makes it so much easier to strive for.

My sister had a lot of pictures of me thin that I haven't seen in decades. It was nice to know there were some bones under all the fat and if I could capture anything of what I once had (even though the years have taken away the smooth complexion) I will like what I see in the mirror.

It's nice to be back. It was better than I imagined to get out and walk the dogs this morning. I can't wait to use my situp bench today and start working on my upper arms. Exercise is so vital to my well being. It makes me feel as though I am participating in this effort and not just leaving it to my diet. Jack LaLane (who I am such a fan of) said that exercise is king, nutrition queen. That so works for me since in my mind the queen rules.

Keep up the great work everyone, together we can beat all of our eating challenges and with raw we can get and stay fit for life.

I am just always so thrilled with the benefits of raw, I'm sure I drive everyone nuts. Sorry.