weight gain!

[Humble Pie]

Hi all--first question and most urgent to me!

Please excuse if this has been covered time and again on this forum. If so, please just direct me to a link. :)

I have to be honest that half the reason I want to do a raw diet is because I have 10-20 lbs to lose, just to get me to a healthy BMI.

I've read so many testimonials about how weight just melted off when people went raw.

I suppose my problem is that my diet is pretty healthy to begin with (organic, wholefoods, lowfat, vegan) and I've been that way for a very long time. I'm not coming from a SAD diet of burgers, pizza and fries. I also exercise regularly and am in good shape, despite my extra 10-20 lbs.

When I've experimented with raw, I feel amazing, have great skin, bright eyes, and double energy. So I can see that this is the way to go with my diet.

But gaining weight really zaps my initiative. Big time. I've probably gained 10 lbs in my various experiments with raw. I've actually gone off a raw diet nad back to counting weight watcher points, but after raw food that makes me feel listless and dull.

I can only conclude that I'm going too heavy on nuts and avocados (no more than 1-2 a day), in my quest to fill satisfied. I've read in Alissa's book and elsewhere that raw fats oughtn't to be a problem. But maybe my body is fat/calorie sensitive?

Anyone else have this issue? What can you recommend?

Particularly interested in quick foods that satisfy that aren't nuts and avocados.

Many thanks, and I really appreciate everyone sharing their experience and wisdom.

Lilac

[iluvmangos]

Some people have to cut back on the fats to get good weight loss results. Instead of avocados or nuts, try eating more non-fatty food to feel satisfied. Bananas are filling. Don't forget to exercise.

[Raw Angel Mom]

I am personally more a fruit/greens/vegetable person, i don't do well with too much nuts. My husband needs a very rich food, nuts etc.. . You need to find what is good for you. If you crave your nut, you should still eat them, if you aren't you might consider to do more seeds to get the omega 3/6.

I know that you need the good fat in order to loose the bad one. Look for food rich in omega 3/6 (hemp seeds, pumpkin, flax seed et...).

I ate and ate and lost 25lb in one month (iT was rich in nuts, oil, fruits and green then). I lost all my fat the first year and i actually went under weight. I am now ok.

Perhaps, you can try visualization and do as much as you can to be happy now versus to wait until you loose these weight. From my experience, when i focused on the weight, it stayed, when i let go the focus and instead focus on my health, i lost it.

If you concern is a healthy BMI, you will get there. Your body is wise and will focus its priority to repair it and to upgrade it. You will loose those pounds, don't give up.

I think what it comes down is to be happy now.

What about exercise, to bring more oxygen.

[Ilse W.]

Have you considered counting weight watchers points while eating raw? I can easily over-eat on raw just because everybody says it does not matter how much we eat. That's fine as far as greens are concerned, but once you add lots of nuts and fats to your diet it DOES matter how much you eat. I'm about to try the point counting while raw. It can't hurt and might help.

[margoss]

I have to monitor the avacado/nuts too. I could eat handfuls of nuts.

[Katie P]

I didn't lose weight when I took fat out----as an experiment---when I ate more fat, I lost. 1-2 servings isn't alot of fat in my eyes it just sounds like your body is using the fat to nourish itself & possibly rebuild or work on issues that it needs to take care of. Consider that all the foods you eat on a raw diet will help your body in every way. If you have any health issues it will use all the nutrients to take care of it...when that's all done your body can THEN focus on weight loss.

I personally eat about 2 servings of nuts a day & some sort of fat from avacodos or olive oil & my body likes that.

[katchmoleen]

When I started adding a tablespoon or so of coconut oil to my green smoothies, my weight loss accelerated.

[holistica]

Have you considered counting weight watchers points while eating raw? I can easily over-eat on raw just because everybody says it does not matter how much we eat. That's fine as far as greens are concerned, but once you add lots of nuts and fats to your diet it DOES matter how much you eat. I'm about to try the point counting while raw. It can't hurt and might help.

This is an interesting thread. I can eat nuts and avocados all day long and lose weight like crazy. :confused: I guess everybody is different.

[Katie P]

I personally don't believe in counting anything....like calories/fat/carbs & weight watcher points. Some of the awesome benefits of going raw is that you don't have to count anything just listen to your body & what it wants, it's also a freeing feeling for yourself to not have to count all the time. Weight watchers points won't allow you much fats & what if that is what your body is asking you for? you don't want to deprive yourself what your body needs. **just some thoughts**

[Veganforlife]

I personally don't believe in counting anything....like calories/fat/carbs & weight watcher points. Some of the awesome benefits of going raw is that you don't have to count anything just listen to your body & what it wants, it's also a freeing feeling for yourself to not have to count all the time. Weight watchers points won't allow you much fats & what if that is what your body is asking you for? you don't want to deprive yourself what your body needs. **just some thoughts**

I couldn't agree more. And yes, everyBODY is different. That's why what works for one may not work for another.

[Humble Pie]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I'll do some tinkering and see what I can come up with.

Coconut oil in smoothies? I love to sniff the jar like a weirdo, maybe I should experiment with it in smoothies.

Thanks again and hopefully I'll have good news soon.

~L

[Queen Bean]

Fifteen years ago, when I had no internet, I was trying to be a fruitarian. In my mind, that consisted of sweet fruit and nuts. I was eating so many raw nuts (200-400 grams a day...sometimes more)...and I was so skinny.

Now I have learnt more about raw foods, and obviously want to incorporate more greens, vegetables and sprouts with the fruit. I can't eat huge amounts of nuts like I used to.

Something weird I've noticed. The last couple of days I've incorporated one vegetables/greens salad and one fruit salad (each day). I am so stuffed and can hardly move. I also feel uncomfortable and bloated. Salads can fill you up, they may work for you. I'm a bit perturbed that two salads a day are making me feel huge though.

I do think some people slow down their metabolisms by not eating enough.

Everyone's balance is different.

One thing I've found (it may be hard but will very likely keep the weight down) is once a week, or once every five days, or whatever, do a day on only raw fruit, vegetables and greens (no nuts, seeds, oils, salt, spices, cacao etc etc). It may be hard, but the next day you will very likely have lost weight. It's not just a matter of losing weight, but removing blockages in your system.

Good luck!!

[Myca]

I am eating mainly fruit. I add a teaspoon or two of Olive oil in with my smoothies.
I eat every 3 to 4 hours, when hungry. I am loosing 1-2 lbs every day at the moment. I expect that to slow down. In 4 days last week, I lost 4 lbs. I don't generally loose weight.