Not losing weight on raw diet??

[justKim]

Morning all!

Im relatively new to raw foods, have been 90-100% raw for about a month now and I am FRUSTRATED. I have not lost a single pound. Not one. While the biggest motivation for me is to eat raw to be healthier, I have a LOT of weight to lose, about 70 pounds so Im really baffled as to why I am not losing any weight.

My typical daily diet:

Breakfast and lunch consists of green smoothie - about 1.5 quarts total which is made up of: Avocado, 1 banana, 8 kale leaves, 2 cups of spinach, apple and 3 cups berries. Sometimes I add a little raw agave.

If I am really hungry ( which rarely happens) I might have 8-10 raw almonds

Dinner is generally raw veggies with some hummus with a lot of greens or vegetable sushi roll ( no rice )

I also have 2 or so raw food bars from raw indulgence throughout the day.

For the first 2 weeks, I felt AMAZING but now detox has kicked in and I have alot of acne, mood swings, and a chronic low level sore throat and earache. Early this week, I felt so sick, I couldnt get out of bed, I was so exhausted. I get that my detox symptoms will be worse than most as I am overweigh and very toxic but I just dont get the lack of weigh loss.

Any insight?

[Katie P]

Your body could be trying to heal from something, or just needs time since it was given SAD food for a while. Eating raw will help heal your body first THEN after that, it will loose weight. Trust me! I didn't loose weight until about my 5th month into raw b/c my body had alot of healing to do. Just be patient :) It will come with time.

Do you exercise?

[SevenKindsOfCookie]

Well, some people have a slow start and it takes time for the body to readjust. You say that you have started to detox now which is great, and it's a sign that the body is starting to get rid of old fat. Just try not to focus on the weight and stick in there. You are doing great!

[Tenuho]

yea just get accustomed to raw first, then you can drop the avo, raw bars and nuts for awhile and it'll probably fall off alot quicker.........

as i remember i didnt lose much weight at first either, it was more about feeling good that kept me going.........

[Mindy Sue]

I would say you are not eating enough.

[Raw.N.It.Out]

Morning all!

Im relatively new to raw foods, have been 90-100% raw for about a month now and I am FRUSTRATED. I have not lost a single pound. Not one. While the biggest motivation for me is to eat raw to be healthier, I have a LOT of weight to lose, about 70 pounds so Im really baffled as to why I am not losing any weight.

My typical daily diet:

Breakfast and lunch consists of green smoothie - about 1.5 quarts total which is made up of: Avocado, 1 banana, 8 kale leaves, 2 cups of spinach, apple and 3 cups berries. Sometimes I add a little raw agave.

If I am really hungry ( which rarely happens) I might have 8-10 raw almonds

Dinner is generally raw veggies with some hummus with a lot of greens or vegetable sushi roll ( no rice )

I also have 2 or so raw food bars from raw indulgence throughout the day.



Any insight?

Try spreading out your *healthy fats* , IDK what are exactly in Lara Bars, but whenever I hear of Bar, it makes me think probably healthy stuff that isn't so healthy. How much is a little agave to you? Do you exercise as well? if so, you may not be eating enough & your body could be stalling out. Don't forget to drink your WATER!!! ;)

On another note, do you take your measurements? Weekly measurements may help at first, if you're not seeing change on the scale. Some ppl will lose inches b4 they lose pounds & vice versa. Taking a monthly pic also helps.

Take Care :)

[green jeanie]

i used to eat those bars when i first started with raw. now that i am more aware of what my body responds to, i do my best to avoid them completely. they add weight to my chub zones immediately.

combining fats and fruit together is really a storage technique ;))

[Analee]

Hi JustKim.

I've been on this raw diet way shorter than you have, so I probably don't know as much as you do. What I do know is what is working for me.

So far, I have been eating 100% raw and 90% unprocessed raw. Basically, that means that 90% of my food intake are actual fruits and vegetables that have not been blended, dehydrated, etc. I know that green smoothies are extremely nutritious, but I prefer to chew my food rather than drink it (psychologically, I feel fuller eating just a banana than drinking a banana smoothie).

Also, I exercise (very little. like 2-5 minutes) throughout the day so that my metabolism doesn't slow down. Exercising itself, unless you run like a marathon a day, is not as effective in weight loss as lower calorie intake. However, the metabolism you get from the exercise helps you to burn a lot more throughout the day and even in your sleep.

As for the detox symptoms, I think it might relieve some of them if you follow a better food combination system. I noticed that you mix avocado with fruit and agave. I researched that sugar and fat don't mix very well, and even raw foodist sometimes breakout if they do combine them. Therefore:

1. fruits and agave = happy
2. vegetables and fat = happy
3. fruits and fat = NOT happy
4. not quite sure about fruits and vegetables. I think they're ok together.

Hope I helped.

[Mary Kay]

Wow, everybody said essentially what I was thinking.

Many do feel that fruits and bvegetables are not a good combo UNLESS they're in a green smoothie as all the cells get mixed....However green smoothies are more leafy greens, for the most part.

I think you should give the green smoothies a second chance! It gives you more greens than you'd likely want to chew on.

I just loved that little chart you wrote Analee! Good one.

Mary Kay

[Thick]

Many people have many different raw eating strategies, as you can see=)

I suggest you get Alissa's book and follow her program and idea of what raw is. I wouldn't limit anything, as long as it's raw.

Are you pooping?

I'm also not sure you are eating enough. Are you eating until you are satisfied and when you are hungry?

Let go and let raw=)

[Katie P]

Definetly read Alissa's book b/c she talks about not limiting your body of foods especially in the beginning b/c it can actually have a reverse effect. Be sure you're eating enough!

[nadien alexandra]

hey,

I've been doing the raw thing for a few months now, vegan before that and overall nutrition buff and I found that in the beginning of my raw journey, I was trying to fill up on bananas, avocados, nuts and dates. I was gaining weight!

I'm quite small to begin with, but the truth is, I wanted to go through a detox process, and I wasn't eating all detox foods. I was filling up on sweet dates and fatty fruit.

I would suggest taking those bars out of your diet and either having a avo OR a banana in your smoothie in the morning, not both.

Try filling up on veggies and fruits THROUGHOUT the day. eating smaller meals more frequently rather than large in the morning and large at night with some bars in the middle.

If you want to lose weight, you need to give it time too. You're detoxing right now. try just juicing during your detox, so your body can focus on healing your body rather than on digesting. you will detox quicker and move into a weight losing space sooner.

good luck!

[Conscious Midwife]

I would say you are not eating enough.


DITTo

Where'as lunch and snacks. Not that your meals have to be trasdtionally spaced but if what you listed is all you are eating then...

Plus what's in the 10% that you consume?

[green jeanie]

i just reviewed your food again

i noticed, avocado, banana, cashews and dates (cashews and dates in the bars)

these are 4 foods that i don't typically eat at all because i tend to carry weight i don't want

when i limit them from my diet i stay as lean as i want. Notice i said limit not eliminate. I still eat dates occasionally as they have a lot of minerals and are extremely beneficial to the digestive system. I eat bananas only once every few months again for their special nutrition.

I personally do not thrive on avocado because I find that fat and starch together is a horrid combination for my digestion and I gain weight IMMEDIATELY if i eat them at all

cashews I don't believe in as a proper food

your body will get sensitive with raw food. well, it's already sensitive :) you will just begin to learn about it :)

I'm 5'5'', weigh about 125lbs and am considered thin by most people. But sincerely, those foods will pack me up fast. My first year of raw I was up to 147. Exercising like crazy and could not drop the weight. I figured out my chemistry over time and now the weight stays off with no effort at all (if i don't eat high fat)

Alissa is right, just go and stay raw and eventually you will learn what it takes to be raw and thin and will love life and yourself enough to honor your body ......... i honestly do "eat whatever i want"

but in the mean time if you want to lose weight you may have to lose some of those ingredients

good luck!!

[Green_Woman]

Im relatively new to raw foods, have been 90-100% raw for about a month now and I am FRUSTRATED.

#1: Relax, eat Raw and LIVE.

#2: You didn't get overweight overnight, so don't expect to lose it all overnight, either.

#3: Good job getting those GREEN SMOOTHIES in every day... but don't get so wrapped up in that weight-loss GOAL that you forget to ENJOY your diet everyday! Raw = FREEDOM..... it's about thriving vs. "surviving".... so, thrive! :D

#4: I don't know why I'm numbering these. *laughs*

#5: Get a copy of Alissa's book LIVING ON LIVE FOODS..... it's what these Forums are based on AND it's the best Raw book in circulation today, hands down. Your life will never be the same. ;)

[Mary Kay]

LOL, Green Jeanie, if I ate what I wanted, I'd be eating nuts, avocados and raw cacao all day.......

Mary Kay

[nadien alexandra]

oh shoot, that what I do.

no wonder I'm feeling so heavy!

cocoa is to die for.

[justKim]

Thanks guys, for all of your responses! What support! im overwhelmed, really but how helpful everyone is.

The are some very valid points here - first, you are right that I didnt get overweight overnight so it will take time. My body is VERY toxic and has massive amounts of inflammation ( reflects on blood work taken by my osteopath) so it will take a while to regulate itself. Im going to be kinder to me and just let things happen

Also, fat +sugar = Not happy ....that makes a LOT of sense to me. Acutally, I find myself feeling not so great on those days when ive had those combinations.

Lastly, Im not 100% raw all the time. My "non raw" days are still vegetarian but I have to say, I feel a BIG difference on those days and the days thereafter.

For example - yesterday I had 2 different green smoothies - both with little or no sugar. About 1 quart each, spread out throughout the day. In addition, I had a veggie wrap with sprouts, avacado, lettuce and tomato and some brown rice veggie sushi. Guess what? I tested my PH levels and last night, I was very acidic - about 5.0 and this morning as well. It isnt until now ( nearly 24 hours later ) that my PH levels are up near 7 again AND I noticed I have alot my fibro symptoms today than I have.

It is just truly AMAZING to me how good I feel when I eat raw and how AWFUL I feel when I dont. It is stunning, really. In my case, it isnt stubtle at all. It is dramatically different.

Im having a bit of a hard time with all the dehydrating recipes though. They dont seem to come out all that great. I have Alissa's book and have been following it but has anyone come across any books that sort of have a meal plan? Im wondering if that might help.

Thank you again to everyone for your input. I so appreciate it.

Blessings to you all

[ShelShel]

I used to be 100% raw for months on end and there is a huge difference for me between even 90% and 100%. Some raw was good. I did lose a little, but once I hit 100% it just fell off. I have had a weight problem my whole life. Not 100% raw. I was 113 pounds and a size 3. I'm currently getting back to 100% again, as I have tried everything else and am finally willing to admit, for my body...it's best. :rolleyes: Good luck in your raw pursuits. I would suggest really trying for 100% and seeing if that makes a difference.

Oh, and can't speak for anyone else, but when I was 100%...if it was raw and I wanted it...I ate it. Didn't matter if it was avo's or raw chocolate brownies. Raw anything and as long as it was 100%...I was good to go. :D

I would say 100% is the key.

[Sweetness]

I tried once before without the book/DVDs and it was hard to get ideas. The book is very well done and worth the price. It's a HEFTY book and the DVDs I waffled on, but I'm glad I got them. I am a good cook and don't fret over being in the kitchen, yet this is new to me so seeing her do it was nice. It also let me see a variety of dishes to see what look appealing to me.

I refuse to be hungry. I don't worry about combos, I eat what is appealing until I am satisfied. I'll have dropped 5-6lbs in this first week. I do moderate exercise and plan to be a runner (got my shoes, need to manage a 5K eventually!!). My morning green smoothie practically FILLS my vitamix! My staple dip has been a type of hummus with olives in it. I did eat my first processed'ish food today in a lara bar. I was out shopping and wanted something in my tummy that seemed "special". Quite honestly, I should have bought the dried kiwi. It looked better.. but was $7. My dinner tonight was dates, almonds, cashews, and a clementine.

I have no cravings and my detox passed fast.

[Sweetness]

btw, how are you testing your pH? Are you using urine strips?

[Thick]

Boy do I know what you mean about your dehydrated recipes not coming out all that good. For me, the reason was I hadn't really figured out raw cooking and how I liked it. Everybody likes different tastes..eventually you will read a recipe and know if you will like it or not.

For me, I don't like anything with any sprouted grains in it. Sometimes buckwheat, though. It takes awhile to know how you can replace the offensive ingredients and with what. At first, I didn't know what to expect and followed every recipe verbatim. Now I leave things out, add things and replace things all the time.

Here's my advice about it--look through the photos only threads and if something looks good, make a half portion of it. Then if you like it, try other recipes that that person likes. In other words, find someone with simliar tastes to you and collaborate.=)

Shelshel is so right about 100% being the key to rapid weight loss.

[justKim]

Im testing my ph with ph strips that you can buy at Whole Foods. Either urine or saliva. Im just wondering if there isnt a strong colleration between my feeling good and alkalinity. Seems so. For me anyway.

Good idea on the 1/2 recipe. I made some raw ravioli last week and I HATED it. I also hated to toss out all that I made, because it was so much.

I think the hardest thing for me with going 100% raw is overcoming the feeling of how I "used" to eat. Therte is nothing wrong with eating some dates, nuts and a clementine for dinner, right? It just is so different from what I have been accustomed to.

Regarding dehydrating? I just dont think I have the hand of it yet. Everything comes out kind of yucky. I tried dehydrating some potatoes using the recipe in Alissa's book and they all came out grey and black colored. Needless to say, I tossed them. Ive yet to produce anything "delicious" out of the dehydrator and believe me, Ive tried. Alot!

Im wondering, has anyone tried the eggplant parm from Alissa's book? It looks great.

[CosimaMoon]

Im testing my ph with ph strips that you can buy at Whole Foods. Either urine or saliva. Im just wondering if there isnt a strong colleration between my feeling good and alkalinity. Seems so. For me anyway.

Good idea on the 1/2 recipe. I made some raw ravioli last week and I HATED it. I also hated to toss out all that I made, because it was so much.

I think the hardest thing for me with going 100% raw is overcoming the feeling of how I "used" to eat. Therte is nothing wrong with eating some dates, nuts and a clementine for dinner, right? It just is so different from what I have been accustomed to.

Regarding dehydrating? I just dont think I have the hand of it yet. Everything comes out kind of yucky. I tried dehydrating some potatoes using the recipe in Alissa's book and they all came out grey and black colored. Needless to say, I tossed them. Ive yet to produce anything "delicious" out of the dehydrator and believe me, Ive tried. Alot!

Im wondering, has anyone tried the eggplant parm from Alissa's book? It looks great.


I have to agree with you on the dehydrating. I've tried making banana chips, lemon cookies, and mushroom jerky in there, and they all came out terrible. I'm a great cook, but dehydrating doesn't agree with me. I hope you figure out something good to dehydrate, because I sure can't!

[Thick]

I have to agree with you on the dehydrating. I've tried making banana chips, lemon cookies, and mushroom jerky in there, and they all came out terrible. I'm a great cook, but dehydrating doesn't agree with me. I hope you figure out something good to dehydrate, because I sure can't!

It takes awhile to know what you'll like. It really helps to see a picture of what you are making first. Look at the photo threads and other raw recipe sites. Somethings I find totally gross and would never eat--but I can say the same for my mom's cooking that she totally loves...so to each his own. You just need to find out what you like.

Here's a couple of my favorites--though I have a lot..

-raw food real world (rfrw) blonde macaroons--so crunchy and cookie-y
-the "just like ritz crackers" that are not anything, at all, like ritz crakers--but are so awesome with almond butter/honey/cinnamon or guacamole/cayenne/salt
-i use it to warm soups,chilis,casseroles
-kale chips--i know what you are thinking..but they are so crunchy and fantastic--very much like a lays potato chip but so good for you=)

Here's a photo thread..
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=23704

=)

[Green_Woman]

I've tried making banana chips, lemon cookies, and mushroom jerky in there, and they all came out terrible.

It's not the dehydrator. It's your food selections. :D Those things all sound gross to me without even thinking about them.... *laughs*

Try using the search option on this site and looking for the following incredible dehydrator recipes:


Cheesy Corn Casserole
Mushroom Tikka Masala
Vegetable Flax Crackers
Eggplant Bacon

[Green_Woman]

I tried once before without the book/DVDs and it was hard to get ideas. The book is very well done and worth the price. It's a HEFTY book and the DVDs I waffled on, but I'm glad I got them.

Yup, yup. *nods* Do it....

[Sweetness]

I made zucchini chips in the dehydrator today and they are FANTASTIC. Very crispy and salty (used sea salt) and my children said they were like potato chips. We're always raiding the dehydrator as it works. :)

I have kiwi, banana, kale, and apples in there now. I will definitely do a lot of zucchini in the summer because those chips really hit the spot. :p

[Marin Mom]

Do you eat at night? Try not eating after 6:00 PM and you may have more weightloss. Our bodies digest better during daylight hours.

When I am 100% raw I can't keep weight ON. I finally added a little cooked because I got tired of looking too thin for so long.

[justKim]

Yes, not eating at night but as one poster said, if you arent loosing weight, you are either: a. not 100% raw and b. the nutrients are being directed somewhere else and there is healing to do.

In my case,both a and b apply. I thought that doing 90-95% raw was good. I can see that I need to do 100% which is what my goal is this week.

I have to say, I woke up in the middle of the night with the WORST sore throat I have ever had. The worst! Its still hanging around. Should I assume this is detox? How would I know? I did take some grapefruit seed extract and I dont think it is helping so that would lend credence to the non bacterial therory, i.e. - detox.

Im wondering - is detox really that bad? I know it varies for everyone but I seem to be having a really rough time in general. Does anyone think it is made worse by not eating 100% raw?

[Katie P]

I was thinking what I found works for me is portion control. I eat what I want but I don't overeat. I keep a satisfied feeling, not a full feeling--only every once in a while :)

I also try & stay away from high sugary foods like dates/ figs/ cacao/agave. It isn't that I'm opposed to them by any means, its just my body doesn't really want them. I try to use them more for a treat. But when I first went raw I ate them ALL the time. Your body will adjust & tell you what it wants. Don't ignore it ;)

[sarnee92]

Hey guys.
I am new to this forum, and I have been reading your posts. I too have been having huge problems on the raw. I was 100 % raw up until a few years ago, when i was in a bad car accident and my mom cared for me. I went back to a SAD diet, and now I am back 100% raw again. I recall my first time raw it took about six weeks or so to lose weight and detox but this time it has been much longer. I am at my highest weight ever and feel horribly gross. I am being patient, drinking green smoothies, juicing, and cutting back on fruits (banana) and nuts thinking it is holding the weight on, than I read as long as it's raw eat eat eat... I am confused. I also keep telling myself I have more detox this time from medications, steroids,and poor dieting (even tho vegan). It is still frustrating and very discouraging. I am following all the books, and researching like before, just need some reassurance that I am on the right track. I seem to be gaining instead of losing?? I don't seem to use the rest room as I feel I should, and I don't starve but eat anyway. Large salads, cut down on avo, and cut out cashews totally. Making beet juices to detox, and apples, salads, kale, low ph foods my best friends, ph water.. Still eight weeks later, my clothes are just as tight, my liver seems as though it should be detoxed by now, and I am feeling discouraged more than ever. Any advice would be forever apprciated.. Oh my periodds are great. no PMS at all this tiime, however my face is breaking out like never before. I have NEVER had acne, not even in high school..

Thanks

[Eatrawordie]

If I am really hungry ( which rarely happens)...

So then why are you so overweight? :confused: