Some concerns going 100% raw

[Tguch]

Hi! Happy to find this site!

In August I completed a 7 day fast, hooray! Afterwards I was raw for about 7 more days, then ate a cooked meal, and now I would say I am about 85% raw. I have not had another cooked meal since, but I do occasionally have tofu, a cookie or two etc. What keeps me from being 100% raw is two things - one, the office -temptations arise such as a cookie today, but I can work on this... but the second (and the most difficult) is exercising.

I like to run 3-4 times a week, and do yoga once a week. But sometimes when I am running I feel extremely weak, can't feel my legs etc. And during each yoga class, I have to sit down and rest. In addition, I am super skinny- I have always been thin, but I can see all my ribs right now and I am definitely less than 50kg (I am 5'8", 32 yo), and I have not menstruated post-fast.

I feel that being this weak during exercise is a sign that this diet might not be for everyone. BTW, during my regular day I have tons of energy and feel great! Also I have this fear of not eating enough and then passing out later etc. I realize this may be a mental fear and not a real danger... would like to hear other's comments and feedback/ suggestions. Thanks!

[freshlight]

Welcome :) Do you eat enough? If you eat the "right things" you could put on a lot of weight on raw. Try to eat more greens, avocados and bananas. At the beginning I was scared too but as soon as your body gets used to this new lifestyle everything clicks into place. Good luck!

[Rhapsody]

Totally agree with freshlight :)
You should take a break from fasting and make sure you're eating good fats, when I dont have the time to buy nuts I get some organic nut butter at the health food store (I think the brand was artisana, i'm not sure but they have that butter called "cacao bliss" and it's deliiiicious!!!) You can add the butters to your smoothies, or spread them on some crackers or essene bread, just have fun with it, this will make sure you get enough fats for the day.

ps: eat tons of leafy greens to make sure you're not getting an iron deficiency.
(ex: Spinach, Asparagus, Broccoli, Collard Greens, Mustard Greens, Kale, Turnip Greens, Parsley, Cabbage)

Good luck in your journey!

[katchmoleen]

If anything is harming you, it is the continued consumption of cooked food, which is devoid of nutrients. Have a look at this guy (http://www.thegardendiet.com/storm.html)who has been 100% raw vegan for 30+ years. Raw food is not the problem. Maybe not ENOUGH raw food, or enough cooked food that dulls your appetite for more nutritious food. I don't know. I have the exact opposite problem :o but I can tell you that RAW food is not your problem!

Edited to add that my daughter, who has been all raw since July 4th, has found her athletic performance has improved. She has found that drinking a big green smoothie with coconut oil and almonds added right before a game sustains here (she plays volleyball and is very aggressive!)
This is her, the one suspended in midair.:)
5710

[Revvell]

How one can be 85% raw with "occasionally have tofu, a cookie or two", I'm guessing you're not eating enough. Maybe a few carrots, a couple of leaves, some tofu and a cookie or two.

First of all ~ getting enough fluids?

Secondly, there's got to be more going on here.

Besides Storm, I'd suggest you check out premier athlete, Tim Van Orden (http://bit.ly/1lXGy8). He visited here one evening after having come in first (or maybe 2nd) in a tower run; stayed wall into the evening with us, then went out the next morning for some competitive hill runny. 100% raw.

[Veganforlife]

If anything is harming you, it is the continued consumption of cooked food, which is devoid of nutrients. Have a look at this guy (http://www.thegardendiet.com/storm.html)who has been 100% raw vegan for 30+ years. Raw food is not the problem. Maybe not ENOUGH raw food, or enough cooked food that dulls your appetite for more nutritious food. I don't know. I have the exact opposite problem :o but I can tell you that RAW food is not your problem!

Edited to add that my daughter, who has been all raw since July 4th, has found her athletic performance has improved. She has found that drinking a big green smoothie with coconut oil and almonds added right before a game sustains here (she plays volleyball and is very aggressive!)
This is her, the one suspended in midair.:)
5710


Yup!
::shakes head in agreement::
What she said.

Your body is trying to digest the SAD/CRAP you are still consuming, whether it's one cookie or so, some tofu - it's still cooked, useless crap.

Do a 30-day 100% Raw challenge and see how you feel...you may have to forego some exercise during this time. Your body will be transitioning. But I guarantee, you do a 30-day 100% Raw challenge and consume NOTHING cooked, processed, or altered, you WILL feel a big, BIG difference.

[margoss]

those are the first upclose pics I've seen of Storm..he's definitely a testimony to the raw life. His wife is beautiful too.
do you eat the fats? My dd who's 7yo. Yes, I know, you're probably thinking the age but she's very athletic..dance, gymnastics, rollerskating, works out daily. She's thin but healthy. I've noticed that she HAS to have 1 banana, 2tbl almondbutter & 8oz of homemade nut milk daily. The milk is spread out during the day. If I slack off on these, she loses wt. find something that keeps the wt up.

[Tguch]

Thank you all - very helpful and inspiring.

Thanks for asking about the leafy greens, I do not eat enough (most of the salads here in Paris are crudités), so I just made a big bowl of spinach pesto for my zucchini-ccini. Delish!! :)

I have some fears about going 100% raw for 30 days, but I believe with the support of this group I could do it. Thank you!! I will keep reading the board for additional inspiration... have a great day everyone and celebrate your health!!

[Raw Angel Mom]

You need more calories if you exercise. I recall doing weight lifting, exercise and eating so much more then normally. If you don't eat when you are hungry, you will end up eating food that you don't want. So eat raw rich food if you need them.

Here are some great food that will fill you up and you should consider to start smoothie and even add this in them.

Hemp seeds, maca, chia seed (soak 1 hour), gojji berries etc...

I won't push you with having more nuts because some people don't even know and cannot tolerate them (like me) but if you do like them and crave for them, go nuts, lol... ortherwise, try to find heavy food with seeds such sunflower seeds, pumpkin seed. Many recipes calling for nut can be substitute with seeds.

Bottom line, you will get in touch with your body and it will tell you what it likes or not.

Don't be afraid to eat the good fat. Your brain is made of fat and your body needs fat to absorb the oxygen.

Congratulations on your journey!

[Seedy]

I buy raw hemp protein powder at the health food store. I add a heaping tablespoon to my morning green smoothie, and I find I feel much more grounded and stable as a result. Seems to keep hunger pangs away longer too.
Seedy

[DeborahB]

Thank you all - very helpful and inspiring.

Thanks for asking about the leafy greens, I do not eat enough (most of the salads here in Paris are crudités), so I just made a big bowl of spinach pesto for my zucchini-ccini. Delish!! :)

I have some fears about going 100% raw for 30 days, but I believe with the support of this group I could do it. Thank you!! I will keep reading the board for additional inspiration... have a great day everyone and celebrate your health!!

Tguch today is my second day of 100% raw. I'm initially going to try it for 30 days. 30 days isn't all that long, you can definitely do it!

[klomasius]

Like others, I'm concerned you aren't eating enough calories, and perhaps not eating enough leafy greens (very good for energy boosting when calorie consumption isn't the problem).

I've been 100% raw for 10 months now (have been high raw for many years) and find I almost always have TOO MUCH energy!

Up your food consumption to ensure it isn't too little calories that are making you tired (sounds like it might be the case as you are also very skinny). Try eating more fruits, or if you already eat lots of these, try upping your calorie dense foods such as avocados, nuts, seeds, etc.

If this is a new thing, you might also want to consider the possibility you are going through some detox, but look at calories and total nutrient intake first.

Hope you are feeling better soon. :)

[solarliving]

I'm working on gaining some weight as well. I'm 5'6" and currently weigh 108. I admit I haven't been eating enough. Part of it for me was my hands were breaking out and I thought it was a food allergy. I was afraid to eat most foods. Crazy. Anyways I've been conciously eating more and I am starting to see results. I really enjoy a nice almond and banana shake in the evening as a treat. very filling. I've also upped my water intake upon rising. I add a dash of salt for every few glasses. This helps if you experience dizziness.