why healing the body for weight loss?

[Jennifer2005]

Often when a person asks why she is not losing weight, some replies will suggest that she just focus on health and the weight will come down eventually when the body is healed. What is the logic behind this suggestion? What are the reasons that a healed/healthy body will lose extra fat? Thanks for replying.

[HolyGuacamole]

I interpret that to mean that you should trust in the wisdom of your body.
If you give your body all the nutrition it needs, it will do what needs to be done.
Sometimes, and for some people, that will start with weight loss, other times not.
Maybe you have longstanding health problems that need to be healed.
Your body would correctly go to work on these before moving on to weight loss.

Your body will work on what needs it most at the moment, that's all. Weight/fat loss is not always at the top of the list.

[beckx]

sometimes people need to heal thyroid issues or hormone imbalances before weight release can take off... sometimes people's metabolisms are shot from crash dieting... there are lots of conditions that can inhibit weight release that can and will be healed through a raw diet if someone is willing to give it time.

holy guacamole is right on - "Your body will work on what needs it most at the moment, that's all. Weight/fat loss is not always at the top of the list."

hope that helps :)

[Bananna]

But sometimes it's just because they pig out on high-calorie foods all day...raw or not.

Go ahead, slap me!

[jurence]

I pig out on celery . . .

Sike!

[Raw Angel Mom]

Focusing on health, you are focusing on the source, and you have great chance to stick to the positive change that you do for your body. Result are immediate. Health is youth, energy, vitality, happiness, balance, well being etc... Focusing on health, doesn't mean that you will not loose the extra weight that is so hard on your body. Loosing the extra weight is a side effect of health or gaining a good healthy weight for underweight people. You need to trust your body that it will take care of you. We have priority IN ORDER TO LEAVE LONGER. If our endocrine system are in trouble, our body needs to take care of that first, so the mineral that we have from the food may go to this system first before giving us shiny hair or nice nail. Sometime, when our body is rebuilding, we will appear of gaining weight but this is only temporary and not necessary a gain of fat. If we focus on weight, we could get discourage and ended up giving thinking this isn't working which in truth it was.

Focusing on weight, if you don't reach your goal, you may get discourage and get back to your old habbit. If you reach your goal, you may under estimate the power of your old habbit and just do it again to find yourself with weight problem again. Result can be long and discouraging.

You are worthy to be healthy and this is your birth right. Love yourself enought of never taking your body for granted but to make choice to help him/her to keep you alive and well balance.

Focusing on health is what has work best for me. If i would of set a goal to reach a certain weight, i would not of thought that i could reach this ideal weight but i did. So i guess, my body is fine with this weight. I am glad i never gave up and remind myself of the great thing that raw is doing for me every day. I was suffering chronique fatigue i wasn't that much over weight but i didn't care, i just wanted my energy back so i could keep up with a full time job and nursing my child. I wasn't expecting to lose weight but i did and it was bonus for me. Sometime i participate to an aerobic class in my work and even though, i don't work out, i find myself to keep up with the group no problem even though they are used to this kind of exercise. In the past, i would of been like dead tired doing a class like this the first time after a long period of doing nothing

[oai]

Extra fat is actually good for the body. Wait! Hear me out. Given the SAD, the body stores excess toxins in fat instead of allowing them to affect the person's important vital organs. When toxins do start to overwhelm the body, that's when some irreparable damage may come into play. At least, fat is something that's not entirely too late for a person to release out of the body.

Fat is easier to get rid of than repairing a damaged organ. The body will focus on keeping the person ALIVE. When the person is overweight and unhealthy, the body is doing its best to keep that person alive.

When a person's body is healthy, vital organs are functioning or ideally optimal, weight easily falls off. Why keep junk in the trunk, when the body doesn't have as much work to do now?

It's like doing a car oil change. A mechanic could just add in new oil into the already used oil without changing the oil and filter. Will the car run? Sure. Will the car run better as opposed to changing the filter and replacing the car with new oil completely? NO.

[irishserra]

I like the car mechanic analogy. That makes it simple to understand.

All of this advice is wise and makes perfect sense. I do understand, though, the frustration some feel when their first priority is weight loss and their body knows better... :rolleyes:

[Jennifer2005]

Thanks to all who have kindly replied. Your replies together make very good sense.

Just one more question: Is this "healing before weight loss" a belief/ experience only among the raw food community (which does not mean it is not true) or are there scientific researches to support it?

[Raw Angel Mom]

Typically people focus on weight lost, i noticed that the one that do stick to the diet, they start to realise the great physical, emotional and mental benefit it does to them and somehow their attention and motivation seem to be boost even more.

Nothing wrong of wanted to lose weight but if this is the only motivation, it could lead to get back to the old habbit or getting discourage during the process.

Healing and weight lost occure often at the same time, sometime there is a plateau with the weight lost but if you focus on health, you will be more then ok with the plateau and continue your journey, then a sudden you will lose more weight. The body is just wonderful.

I don't believe in starving ourself or extrem fast, the body needs the nutriments and minerals to do its job. Over eating isn't good either because of the stress it does to the body. If you focus on helping your body to heal, you will naturally make better choice as you go along.

[firefaery]

Just one more question: Is this "healing before weight loss" a belief/ experience only among the raw food community (which does not mean it is not true) or are there scientific researches to support it?

Tons of research to support it. You need to release weight in a manageable way so that your organs can heal with the toxin increase in the bloodstream. It has nothing to do with raw (in the sense that it's only heard of in the raw food world.) This is one of the cornerstones of natural medicine and detoxifying a person's life so that they can enjoy health.

As you release toxins you will heal. Raw food is one (a very good one! But nevertheless one) way to do it.

[Jennifer2005]

Again many thanks to all who have replied. Surely this is an issue many ladies are concerned about.

Firefaery, You said RAW is only one way to attain healing/health. Do you mean that eating cooked healthy food can also reach healing/health? I can live on raw fruits plus cooked greens. I simply cannot enjoy a lot of raw vegi as yet.

[firefaery]

I think there are many paths to health and raw is one of them. I think that ultimately it is the best diet, but we all have our own journeys. Health is in large part spiritual and emotional. It's about how you interface with the world and how you value yourself. When you value yourself you treat yourself well. Part of that is eating a healthy diet.

When I said it had nothing to do with raw all I meant is that this concept did NOT come from the raw food world. It came from the natural health world! :)

[Eva]

Often when a person asks why she is not losing weight, some replies will suggest that she just focus on health and the weight will come down eventually when the body is healed. What is the logic behind this suggestion? What are the reasons that a healed/healthy body will lose extra fat? Thanks for replying.

Our bodies are smarter than we are. Our weight isn't just a simple equation of calories in, calories out. Our mind plays a role, stress, health level, life enjoyment. Add type of food (healing or disaster, mixed with some neutrals) and level of exercise, environment. And you've got yourself quite an equation for the body to deal with.

Often fat is there (especially around the waist) to protect us from various things.

Focus on health, life, well being, health-giving foods, healing, exercise (but don't stress about it, just do it and enjoy it), and weight WILL come off. But maybe not today or tomorrow.

[Jennifer2005]

So, if healing is necessary for reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, will a raw food diet consisted mainly of fresh fruits (including avocados) even more helpful in the beginning (for several weeks) than a "balanced" raw food diet (which will include lots of greens and some seeds etc.)? My argument is that an all-fruit diet is easy to digest (almost like a juice fast) and will save the body's energy for the work of healing the body.

I guess I am trying to find a raw food diet I can stay with. I can stay with an all-fruit diet (including avocadoes) if I don't have to force myself eating a lot of greens.

A little bit of background on me if anyone will give me a more individualized help. I have been between 5 and 15 pounds overweight for years since my high-school days. (Not a lot, I know; but it bothers me very much.) I have tried every popular diet but nothing has worked long term. For example, in 2008, for the first 6 months of the year, 1/3 of the days I was doing water fasting (one day to 6 days), the rest of the time eating normally. The weight lost during my fasts came back very soon once I started eating. And I don't eat junk food. In Summer and Fall, I tried Zone diet and put on 8 pounds. So now I am near the highest point of my weight. And, yes, I tried juice fast (mostly of carrots, celery, greens, watermelons, apples)for 4 weeks two years ago and lost only 2 pounds which came back later. I normally do about 7 hours of exercise every week, including strength training and riding a stationary bike and walking. I have no health issues and have not had even a cold/flu for years. But I do have dark circles under my eyes. So this has been my disappointing struggle with my weight for years.

I have been eating almost all raw for 2 months now. My cheeks have become rosier but I haven't lost weight. Actually I have put on 2 more pounds and my pants become tighter. So I have put on fat.

[oai]

Losing weight was also a major concern for me when I was 140lbs. I'm 5'4". I'm now under 100 lbs. Being under 100lbs was NEVER a goal. I just wanted to get to 120lbs. :o

It's been years in the making. First, I had to get raw vegan. The difficult part for me was giving up the meat. I watched so many animal rights vids along with reading books. I was addicted to meat. So I started subbing with tofu, but at the same time, eating as much fresh and raw fruits & veggies as possible.

Eventually, I was able to give meat up. Went raw vegan. After eating raw vegan was as simple as brushing my teeth everyday (even on holidays and even on days i stress), then I started experimenting with other health and cleansing methods like fasting.

From all that, I feel my tastebuds are not in need of lots of ingredients anymore. I'm VERY happy and satisfied with just one fruit or veggie. The satisfaction is akin to having a professional raw chef uncook me a meal. :p Some people would think I'm bonkers or extreme. But once you get to this stage, you're going to "ahhhhh haaaaaaaaaaa!"

[bsqmurphy]

I believe that what you focus on expands & you get more of it.

So, if you focus on losing weight, your focus is on the weight & you get more weight. If you focus on improving your health, then your focus is on healthy habits and you get healthier & your body will release excess weight (if you have any) when it's ready.

Bri.

[Davylp25]

Hmmmmm doesn't this sound appetizing - the thickening and laxity of connective tissue beneath the skin, around gelatinous pockets of fat, which traps toxic matter and body wastes.

WHY WOULDNT YOU WANT TO LOSE THAT? People may call it 'weight' but the real meaning is a much more nefarious thing. I want to lose TOXIC MATTER AND TRAPPED BODY WASTES-ala- WEIGHT. ;) Maybe people in this movement should say..." I want to lose Trapped Body Wastes and Toxic Matter." Then people wont be so passive about it. LOL. That's just me tho!

[HeatherBell]

If its only a few pounds and you are a generally healthy person anyway, is it possible you are NOT overweight, rather - this is where your body is meant to be rather than some modern times unrealistic stereotype ( running and hiding)

[HeatherBell]

Or - if it definately is a weight problem that isnt disappearing with long term raw - does that mean that person is sick somewhere inside and should maybe be tested?

[oai]

how long is long term raw?

if a person has been eating SAD for 30+ yrs., 5 yrs. of 100% RAW might not clean all that completely. :confused:

incorporating some more intensive cleanse along the way is a different story. :)

[firefaery]

Hmmmmm doesn't this sound appetizing - the thickening and laxity of connective tissue beneath the skin, around gelatinous pockets of fat, which traps toxic matter and body wastes.

WHY WOULDNT YOU WANT TO LOSE THAT? People may call it 'weight' but the real meaning is a much more nefarious thing. I want to lose TOXIC MATTER AND TRAPPED BODY WASTES-ala- WEIGHT. ;) Maybe people in this movement should say..." I want to lose Trapped Body Wastes and Toxic Matter." Then people wont be so passive about it. LOL. That's just me tho!

agreed. It's not just you :)

[firefaery]

If its only a few pounds and you are a generally healthy person anyway, is it possible you are NOT overweight, rather - this is where your body is meant to be rather than some modern times unrealistic stereotype ( running and hiding)

Your body will retain weight to cope with toxins. It is possible that they are environmental, but the point here (I think) is that a healthy body can detoxify without very few issues and will be less affected by environmental or food based toxins.

If your body is holding weight, there is a purpose. Noone is saying you should be 6 feet and weight 110 pounds. But if you are carrying extra weight there is likely a reason.

[firefaery]

Or - if it definately is a weight problem that isnt disappearing with long term raw - does that mean that person is sick somewhere inside and should maybe be tested?

If you are eating heavy things like nuts, seeds and fat in abundance there may be a reason and it could be a sign the body is trying to heal. But lets not forget it is POSSIBLE to eat too much fat while raw. It *could* be a way to protect yourself on the emotional level. That said if the fat isn't going away there are several things to look at. We should ALL check in with ourselves regularly and seek help if we need it. If someone is juice feasting and not losing weight, then there may be something else going on and they may want to seek help with their care provider of choice.

Part of living this lifestyle is being more in tune with yourself...but that doesnt' mean eliminating health care....it may just mean choosing a different model of care. When people eat raw they are generally using food as medicine. This is a wise thing to do. But as a pp stated, sometimes we need a bit more to help undo all the years of ick. If you are eating well, exercising, living a positive and joy-filled life and still not losing excess weight then that would be a good time to allow help.

[RawHeaven]

I interpret that to mean that you should trust in the wisdom of your body.
If you give your body all the nutrition it needs, it will do what needs to be done.
Sometimes, and for some people, that will start with weight loss, other times not.
Maybe you have longstanding health problems that need to be healed.
Your body would correctly go to work on these before moving on to weight loss.

Your body will work on what needs it most at the moment, that's all. Weight/fat loss is not always at the top of the list.

I agree and I learned this fact after I experienced major bodily trauma. The experience was my teacher. The body is an amazing, just incredible collection of intelligence. It knows how to heal itself -- it's innate.

Picture this....leg and arm bones smashed to dust literally. Now they are rock hard, functioning, moving and offering support. The healing took place immediately after the injury! The body goes to work to protect the area and begins regenerating cells & damaged tissues almost at once. Now how do you explain that? You can't. It just is and it's a miracle. This is an extreme example, but I know the same thing happens with all other areas of the body that have been damaged or injured -- usually commulatively. Including holding onto extra (fat) stores. When you heal your colon, liver, pancreas etc generally you begin to release weight depending on your body type, fat & muscle ratio and present state of (overall) health. Everything must be in balance and work in tandem. It's how the body works. Clear colon = clear skin as another example. This is why I love acupuncture so much - it's a great way to get this process rolling. There are other ways, but it just works for me.

I've totally let go and simply provide my body with fresh air, exercise, good fuel, sunlight and love. It does the rest and I'm pleased with the results. I think it is too. :)

This is my interpretation: It's all about health as a foundation...everything else is just a nice benefit. I could've cared less how sexy I was when I was dealing with broken bones and recovery - I simply wanted to be "in balance" in my entire body. It's hard to explain and please don't severely break a leg to find out. From being completely out of balance, I increased my communication with my body and it's needs. It became less of an ego centered quest to lose weight and more of a spirited communion with my body. When you're in that flow, it's a wonderful feeling.

[Jennifer2005]

Many thanks to all who have kindly contributed to this thread with your personal experience, knowledge, wisdom, and encouragement. Your words really give me hope. I am sure many other ladies are reading and thinking about your words too. Yes I will focus on improving my health for a while and see what will happen.

Another related question: Is some form of fasting good for weight loss? It appears to me that there are confusing views on this issue. Dr. Eric Berg insists strongly that healing the body comes before weight loss, which we all agree here. Further, he advises against fasting or even hunger. Here are some passages from Eric Berg's book The 7 Principles of Fat Burning:

"When you skip meals or do a fasting program, you blood sugars decrease...the stress hormone cortisol increases, which turns your body tissues (muscles) into sugar fuel. If this sugar is not completely burned up, it will be changed into fat."

"When you fast or cut calories, your thyroid compensates by lowering the metabolic rate. That is why it’s crucial to never again restrict calories and to not let yourself get hungry.”

“The rule of thumb is ‘eat before you get hungry and never skip a meal, especially breakfast.’ This keeps a constant fuel source and prevents unnecessary destructive hormones from being triggered. These actions will keep cortisol from putting fat on your stomach and prevent the breakdown of muscle tissue.”

What are your comments?

[Raw Angel Mom]

Thank you Jennifer for sharing these principle with us. It makes a lot of sense. I have been in your shoes, just a little bit overweight and it never seem to come off. But, when i decided to stick to certain choice for my health benefit, it did work for me. Raw food, to my surprise, i have lost those extra pound. I was not that overweight like you said. Fasting is such a confusing thing for the body. Victoria Butenko did fast too and now she is dealing with extra weight. Once the fasting is over, your body will make you eat because it thinks that you need to do some banking in case of another time of famine. It doesn't know the difference with famine and fasting. This is why, only make the change that you are ready to stick with it. No diet, but a permanent and gradual change. To be successful with raw food, in my humble opinion (of course there are always exception), you need to train your mind. Meaning, if you are too religious about it and too extreme of wanted to lose weight fast, you will tell your mind that this diet is hard, not easy, etc.... But if you eat as much as you are hungry, don't deprive yourself, you will tell your mind that you can do this, this is comfortable and easy. Once this stage is over, you will probably optimized your diet and so on.

I ate what i wanted, and quite of bit. Sweet, raw gourmet and your name it. I lost all the extra weight any way. Now, i limit raw gourmet because i prefer as fresh food as possible. I just enjoy life with my raw diet and feel really happy and free. Alissa approaches is the way to go, and in time, you will make adjustment. Listen to your body and try to figure out what it works for you.

Best wishes, and enjoy this raw journey!

[Jennifer2005]

I am bumping this thread to see if someone has further thoughts on fasting.

Is water fasting or broth fasting good or bad for weight loss?

[*RayRay*]

Extra fat is actually good for the body. Wait! Hear me out. Given the SAD, the body stores excess toxins in fat instead of allowing them to affect the person's important vital organs. When toxins do start to overwhelm the body, that's when some irreparable damage may come into play. At least, fat is something that's not entirely too late for a person to release out of the body.

Fat is easier to get rid of than repairing a damaged organ. The body will focus on keeping the person ALIVE. When the person is overweight and unhealthy, the body is doing its best to keep that person alive.

When a person's body is healthy, vital organs are functioning or ideally optimal, weight easily falls off. Why keep junk in the trunk, when the body doesn't have as much work to do now?

It's like doing a car oil change. A mechanic could just add in new oil into the already used oil without changing the oil and filter. Will the car run? Sure. Will the car run better as opposed to changing the filter and replacing the car with new oil completely? NO.


Interesting! I grew up on SAD, and welfare!, so lots of food bank food-canned stuff, mac-n-cheese, pork and beans (yuck!!), and as a teenager I pigged out on all kinds of junk food!! Constantly!! I ate horrible food and tons of it! but, I was never over weight, stayed around 120 lbs all the way to about age 20.....at which time I developed a rare form of breast cancer (phyllodes).....so, I guess my body, instead of packing on the pounds of these toxins i was ingesting, stored them in a different way...? So that is a very interesting point you have raised!

[Conscious Midwife]

Whenever I encoutner someone who's eating healthy and exercising plenty yet not loosiing weight. I usuallyy find that the don't eat enough for all that they demand of their body.

METABOLISM NEEDS FOOD TO FUEL IT

[RawSweetie]

Hmmmmm doesn't this sound appetizing - the thickening and laxity of connective tissue beneath the skin, around gelatinous pockets of fat, which traps toxic matter and body wastes.

WHY WOULDNT YOU WANT TO LOSE THAT? People may call it 'weight' but the real meaning is a much more nefarious thing. I want to lose TOXIC MATTER AND TRAPPED BODY WASTES-ala- WEIGHT. ;) Maybe people in this movement should say..." I want to lose Trapped Body Wastes and Toxic Matter." Then people wont be so passive about it. LOL. That's just me tho!

LOVE it. :D:D

[rockstar135]

Losing weight was also a major concern for me when I was 140lbs. I'm 5'4". I'm now under 100 lbs. Being under 100lbs was NEVER a goal. I just wanted to get to 120lbs.

Isn't that pretty significantly clinically underweight?:eek:

[Colorawdo girl]

I do not see anyone on a raw diet 1) not getting healthier 2) not getting thinner. Those come with eating rawfoods. If either one of those two do not happen after some time has gone by(most have it sooner) then there are gaps in raw and living food consumption and other foods are being eaten.
To me,both happen together.

[oai]

Isn't that pretty significantly clinically underweight?:eek:

I don't remember. :eek:

If I remember correctly, I think being below 108 or 112 would be clinically underweight for 5'4". I really don't check the scale. I only check the scale for my blog readers who are curious. :p

I was freaked out at first, too, well, for a few weeks at the number. And then I looked at raw vegan athletic guys, and they are above 5'8" and around 150". So I think I'm fine. :D

[rockstar135]

Well I'm sure if you're under 100 lbs at 5'4, you appear pretty darn thin. I used to be close to 100 at 5'5 and I looked emaciated (suffering from an ED).

[oai]

I'm going to look up the thread another time, but maybe someone remembers. A guy started the thread about wanting to gain weight, and some pictures were shown of a hott raw vegan guy with muscles. I don't remember his exact weight though, but he was hott, & I could have sworn his weight was pretty low as well. He looks very healthy and scrumptious. Pardon me. :o If anyone remembers the title of the thread or knows of it, please share. :D

I looked pretty emaciated at 118. Imagine me under 100 now. That was while I was fasting. About a week after the fast, I appeared fine, although still at 118 at the time. I have to do some research on why that is. It took a week for my appearance to clear out. I believe how a person looks, regardless of weight, has a lot to do with nutrition.

I understand how my height & weight can cause concern. :) Don't let the number fool you.

[RawKnitster]

I'm no expert on weight loss, that's for sure. I eat too much raw food. Putting that aside. Based on what little I know, an all fruit diet over the long term does not provide a good range of nutrients. And it doesn't seem to be giving you what your looking for.

Is there any way you can get some greens in your menu? Find a special salad dressing to dress up some lettuce and maybe sprouts. If you don't like traditional salad dressing try blending or mashing an avocado with the juice of an orange.

Make veggie slaw and marinade it in your favorite olive oil dressing. That makes the veggies soften as if they were cooked.

Make a green smoothie with mild greens like chard, romaine, or spinach blended with any comb of strong fruits like orange, banana, pineapple, or strawberries. Sweeten the smoothie with stevia or dates.

Finally, how about getting some Green Food Powder and downing it in a glass of water and calling it medicine. ;)

I'm curious, how much fruit and avocado do you eat in a day?

[*RayRay*]

Often fat is there (especially around the waist) to protect us from various things.

um.....what would fat around the waist area be protecting us from??
thanks:)

[HolyGuacamole]

um.....what would fat around the waist area be protecting us from??
thanks:)

Any accumulation of visceral fat is the body's response to prolonged stress.
Your body interprets stress as meaning you are in physical peril, so it covers your organs in protective fat.
Some interesting information about visceral fat:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/11/001120072314.htm
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0826/is_4_19/ai_105478192

[oai]

Adding to HolyGuac a little, a stressful state also increases acidity in the body.

Stress = Fat :o

As for what fat around the waistline means, in truth, it could lead to various ailments. What your body expresses when toxins run amok and the body is highly compromised and weak will be due to your your genetic disposition or environment influence.

Some people have bigger upper bodies. Some have bigger lower bodies. It all seems very arbitrary to us, but trust me, the body knows what's it doing. It's like how some people handle a similar task -- not exactly alike and will do so based on their own style and/or personal preference.

Another way to look at fat is how some individuals body's never store fat but instead allow the dangerous substances to impair organ functions instead. A previous poster mentioned this.