I'm frustrated......

[LISAinTN]

I don't know what is wrong. This Wednesday the 31st, I will be 100% raw for 2 weeks. I have never been vegetarian or anything before this. Always eaten a SAD for my 40 years, but I decided to just jump right into this like Alissa said. I hesitated to try this way of eating because I was scared it would be one more let down in my long struggle with trying just about every weight loss plan there is. I have FMS, so I haven't noticed more energy like alot of people, but I do notice I sleep better and I'm not so tired, but I'm frustrated about the weight loss and just feeling better is not good enough for me. The first week I lost 10 pounds, but now this week the scale went back up and I've been gaining and losing the same 5 pounds. I have about 80 pounds to lose and so I would think I should see a continual loss for awhile. This has been happening to me lately no matter what weight loss program I try. I lose a few to start and then it stops.

Here's what I've been eating:

Approx. 11 a.m. ~ Fruit smoothie with 2-3 bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and almond and water.

Approx. 5-7 p.m. ~ Green smoothie with 3 different kinds of greens, 2 bananas, 1 orange, strawberries, dates

Usually a small snack or two of watermelon, more bananas an apple or carrots.

Yesterday I had the collard rolls w/guacamole instead of the morning smoothie.

I'm trying not to break down and cry as I type this. I am so sick of this weight, but I feel like I'm doomed to be overweight forever. I know some of you will say ignore the scale, but I don't feel a difference in my clothes either. Do you think a Master Cleanse would help me? If I do the MC and lose weight, will I then gain it back when I start eating raw food again? Could someone please help me. I am just so upset and feel like I'm at the end of my rope. Thanks for listening.

Blessings,
~Lisa~

[Revvell]

You need to eat more. What it seems you are "trying" to do is limit your calories. Give this a shot ~ 5-6 small meals a day. LOTS of fruits, green smoothies, some nuts/seeds later in the day. I think you'll see a difference. Going from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. w/out food is slowing your metabolism. You also don't mention if you are exercising or not. If not, please incorporate at least some walking as many times as you can. You WILL see a difference.

:cool:

[Punky]

I agree with Revvell too; sometimes if you limit your calories too much your metabolism slows down too much. I eat much more than you and have been losing weight consistently. I have a friend (not raw) who when increased her food slightly, lost her final pounds which had been stuck for awhile.
I only saw 2 meals and a snack in there. I would add one more meal for lunch and another snack. Excercise will boost the metabalism as well, condition the muscles and burn calories.
A salad with a nutburger would be good; or a salad with an avocado...a piece of raw lasagna...something with a little substance...
Try it this week and see if there is any improvement.
Best Wishes :)

[LISAinTN]

Thanks ladies. I haven't purposely been trying to limit my calories, but just haven't been hungry and also been so busy with my business I'm not taking the time to eat. I will try and eat more and see what happens. I'll also try and make some meals with more substance. The smoothies have just been so easy because it just takes a minute or two to whip them up and suck them down. lol I have been exercising, but only about twice a week. I would like to get that to 6 times a week. Everything is a work in progress I guess.

I'm still open to other opinions if anyone else wants to answer. Thanks again.

Blessings,
~Lisa~

[tglasco4]

Everything here has been well said. Eat more raw (increase your intake). Exercise more (2 days per week is good, 3 or 4 would be better). It definitely IS a work in progress so be patient (2 weeks is just a warmup), lets, see what you look like in 2 months. I think it will be a much better report:)

Blessings.

Todd

[LISAinTN]

Another question........are the smoothies okay or would I be better off eating the food without blending it up? I would think there would be no difference since it's still the original food in a different form, but you never know. Thanks.

Blessings,

~Lisa~

[Revvell]

Blended smoothies are wonderful as they keep the fiber. If all you do is 4-6 large and varied smoothies a day, you'll be well ahead of many people.

:cool:

[Sara81]

Hey Lisa!!!
Please do not discourage. *hugs* Your body might be gaining and losing the same 5 lbs but eventually the scale will go down. What sometimes happens when your body fluctuates the same pounds for a few days/weeks; it is because your body is busy healing. I was stuck gaining and losing the same pound for 4-5 days and now my body decided to drop some weight. I actually have concrete proof to the fact that when your body is working on healing, you lose less weight. I have been to a fasting center twice this year; i did two 10 day water fasts. When i was suffering from extreme detox symptoms (acid burning in my chest from liver detoxification), i lost nothing but on days where i did not suffer detox symptoms i lost from 1 - 2 lbs.

I also agree that you should increase your food intake and eat something every 2-3 hours. This keeps your metabolism revved up.

As far as whether smoothies are okay... they are great! It is pretty much the same thing as actually eating your food whole except for certain foods such as greens, spinach, kale, romaine, etc... it helps your body absorb them! So in some ways it is even better. Some more experienced raw foodists will probably respond in even more detail than i have. :)

So just keep doing what you are doing and include exercise and you are on your way to a healthier and thinner you. :)

[jaurequi]

LISAinTN, congratulations! You're doing fantastic! Wow, 2 weeks is great! Pat yourself on the back; why would you beat yourself up?? You should be celebrating! You've lost 10 lbs., feel better and sleep better and are less tired! Most people get horrible detox symptoms at this time...
You are lucky.

Look at the benefits you've gained after ONLY 2 weeks! Goodness, you are doing well.

Now, don't regress at this point: Don't blow your progress. Stick with it; you don't want to set back your progress at this point - go all the way.
You can do it. Believe me, if you've been 100% raw for 2 entire weeks you are ahead of the game!

[rawpriestess]

I think you are doing great 10 pounds is alot of weight to lose in only 2 weeks.

You are doing so well, just keep eating all the good, fresh, ripe, raw, yummy food you've been eating, and you'll do fine.

Don't faulter, I started looking at my scale, and comparing it with other's weight loss, then I started to feel badly, then I had a very long 3 month downward spiral.

Please just keep eating all that good food, and know that we are all in the same boat, holding hands here.

We are with you on this.

YOU CAN DO THIS.

You are RAWESOME!!!

[Jamie]

I have the exact problem and my husband, knowing well what I eat during the day cause he always asks,,, says it is because I am not eating enough. I do find that when I up my intake I do tend to lose.
Also, I HAVE to exercise or else the weight hangs on me, so I think that is crucial,,, plus it helps me to feel so much better. And it is so helpful to start my day out with a brisk walk on the treadmill,,,,,helps me to start my day prepared to eat healthy!!

So don't be discouraged!!

Jamie

[Punky]

Another question........are the smoothies okay or would I be better off eating the food without blending it up? I would think there would be no difference since it's still the original food in a different form, but you never know. Thanks.

Blessings,

~Lisa~

Lisa,
The smoothies are awesome! Keep them up if you like them and they help you stay raw.
I was just giving other suggestions for variety...sorry if I wasn't clear.
My main concern is to add a little more meals to see if that helps your metabalism....
Doesn't matter if you eat blended smoothies for every meal if you want
;)
You are doing rAWESOME! Don't get discouraged...10 lbs. in 2 weeks is wonderful...some weeks the wieght will come off easier than others; that is true for everyone. Some weeks I lose 5 lbs. and others only 1-2...others none...healthy weight loss is usually 1-2 lbs. a week.

The mini meals thru out the day work well for many.
We are always here to give more support and suggestions.

[LISAinTN]

Thank you SO much for all your responses. I was thinking of throwing in the towel tonight, especially when I saw hubby eating a sandwich and chips and salsa. LOL But you all made me feel alot better. I guess my problem is that I want my weight to be gone yesterday! I have visions of walking across the room and having it all just fall off in a blob on the floor. ROFL! If only that could happen. I know I have to start exercising more. I hate it right now and wish there was a way to make myself like it. Jamie, I am exactly like you. I know I won't lose a thing without exercising and I am fooling myself to think otherwise. Thank you again for everything. You are all a great bunch of peeps. :)

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Lisa,

Don't get discouraged. Your body is busy cleaning and repairing itself. Great things are happening that you may not be able to see or feel yet. I know a lady who ate 100% raw for 5 months before she lost her first pound. She eventually lost her weight. So please don't get discouraged.

I'm from the Nashville, TN area. Are you anywhere near there? If so we do have a support group here with about 55 members.

<>< Helen of Tennessee
I had Fibromyaglia
My story: http://www.shazzie.com/raw/transformation/helen.shtml

[LISAinTN]

Hi Helen,

Thank you for the words of encouragement. I sure wish I was closer to Nashville! I would love to attend a support group, but I'm about 3 hours away.

Blessings,
~Lisa~

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Lisa,

I don't know which way you live from Nashville, but I know that there is a support group in Memphis also. I don't know of any other groups though. But you might be surprised to find that there is one near you. You could post something at one of your health food stores. Last November I would have thought that there wasn't any other raw foodist around my area but 9 months later we're up to 55+ members.

In the mean time, this board is a GREAT support group. So keep hanging out here and reading everything you can. Go back to old threads too. You'll find others in the same boat as you and shared how they dealt with it.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[ocean breeze]

I agree...eat more!!!...5-6 small meals a day to keep your metabolism going....

and exercise!!

You don't have to kill yourself with too strenuous exercise, but get your heart going, your blood pumping...this will help your stagnated metabolism alot and it insures that the weight you will lose will be fat and not muscle etc.

good luck and don't give up!!

[Kris]

I know I have to start exercising more. I hate it right now and wish there was a way to make myself like it. :)

Hi LISAinTN,

It sounds like you're doing great. Hang in there!

I just wanted to offer a suggestion about exercise. I think that the best way to enjoy exercise is to not force yourself to do activities you don't like just because you think they're good for you. For example, running is great exercise, but some people hate it. The idea is not to be regimented, but to get your body moving. So do something fun! Do you like swimming? Jump in the pool and splash all around. Do you like dancing? Take a dance class or just turn on some music and dance around your house. Like being outdoors? Go for a walk through the park with a friend and toss a frisbee with someone. Just pick something that you think is fun that will get your body in motion. No need to conform or choose boring "exercises." If you're having a good time, you won't even think of it as exercise.

Hope that helps!

[tvillemom]

Hi Lisa...I'm in NC...yes a few hours away, but glad to know there are some southeasterners close by! My weightloss has stalled, and it has caused me to slip! (MAJOR CONFESSION) But, I will say to you: DON'T GO BACK! :eek: You will regret taking those steps back. I agree with what everyone here has said, EAT MORE, but smaller snack size meals, it will really boost your metabo. Also, on the exercise topic, I put off joining a gym for years (I did not want to pay the member fee). I'm a stay-at-home mom, and figured I could do it here....WRONG.... I needed ME time, and the gym offers VARIETY like rebounding, stair climbing, tred mill, video tapes, classes, weight machines...so I can really mix it up. My point is...what do you WANT to do?....that should be what you do! Best of luck...and keep us posted! STAY RAW!!
Wendi