Muscle fatigue

[Re:Becca]

I have been on a high raw diet for the past month. In the past week I feel like I can't tolerate exercise. My muscles tire easily doing what used to be my light workouts. I am training in martial arts, planning on testing for a new belt this month, but I feel a raw diet has been hurting me towards this goal. Do you have suggestions on what I should be eating to help with my muscle fatigue?? I don't want to give up on this but exercise and martial arts has always been important to me as well and I am struggling here. Thanks for any advice!

[cara4art]

I noticed this right away when I first started doing a lot more raw, and it did last a few weeks too. Some days I felt almost weak as a puppy in the gym - LOL! But it did pass! This is part of the body getting used to this. However, are you sure you are eating enough food? Many people make the mistake of not eating enough food when they first go raw, thinking just a piece of fruit or two , a small salad, etc. are enough - they're not, especially if you are actively training. You do need it to power those workouts - I know I sure do for my gym work and cardio. Are you drinking powered-up green smoothies yet? These will help, especially with the addition of a couple of superfoods like chia seeds and hemp protein powder which will help with your endurance too. Hope this helps!

[kitlynne]

Hey There Becca =D

I would wonder if not only are you eating enough, but if you're getting enough protein as well. I tend to forget how much I need to eat to maintain an active lifestyle.

Good luck on your belt test!

[busybees]

I too am wondering about eating enough in general ... you have to have the correct number of calories for your physical activity. It can be difficult getting those calories sometimes.

If you are getting sufficient calories, then check the ratio of calories between carb/protein/fat - those need to be in balance.

The correct carbs are what most athletes are missing not protein.... the body can only use a certain amount of protein otherwise it taxes the organs of the body. As long as you are getting 10% of your calories from protein you're good. If you aren't developing marasmus (sp) then protein is not your problem. (Most know marasmus and don't realize it - think malnourished children with bulging bellies and skinny arms and legs - that is from lack of protein.)

If all that checks out and you are eating correctly, then it could simply be a detox symptom. Sometimes we don't think about certain things being detox!

Hope it gets it figured out soon!!

[Revvell]

Wont respond w/out knowing more of what you're doing/not doing. I've not found eating raw food (more nutrients, more fiber, etc.) to be the issue.

What does "high raw" mean? What are you eating specifically, say over a week's time.

[Re:Becca]

eek, yeah I am probably not eating enough. The strange thing is... I am just simply not nearly as hungry as I was on a SAD diet. I ate 2 bananas for lunch today, I had more fruit with me... but I just couldn't shove it down! I am sometimes making green smoothies with spinach, apples, and cucumber for breakfast, but not supplementing with superfoods. I tried some spirulina and it made me gag, and I returned it for a refund. Most days I have fruit for breakfast and lunch. I eat some nuts during the day. Dinner is random.

when I say "high Raw", I mean I have not been 100%, but that is my goal. I still eat some organic dark chocolate. I ate some pasta the other night. I've had some slip-ups in my journey.

Has anyone else noticed this hunger thing? When I was eating crap SAD food... I was (unknowingly) eating >2,000 cals/day and hungry all the time! Now I'm barely hitting 1,000 and I have no hunger at all! But I also have little energy and my head hurts almost all the time.

Thanks again for the advice!

[orrantia49]

I am curious if you are paying attention to the alkalizing/acid forming foods in your raw food diet? I bike regularly and find when I eat foods that alkalize muy blood, I have greater endurance and strength. I am not sure, but I think it might have to do with the neutralization of the lactic acid build up as a result of cell metabolism while exercising. Anyway, blending a mixture of oranges with a lemon and a very ripe banana about 45 minutes before you work out, see if it helps.

[lovenlife]

Hmmmm.....the body goes to work immediately when you start giving it foods to heal with. Who knows where it goes to work.

Some women have reported no weight loss. They have no idea of all the repairing going on inside, maybe even of some serious undiagnosed condition!!! Thus the repair isnt for weight loss or the body size or shape.

Perhaps your food energy is going to repair something else like a toxic liver or a dilapidated colon and THIS is taking more of the body energy. Thus there might not be enough left over to put into the exercise.

You are asking an already -at -work body to work harder when ,internally, it may be taking all you got.

Trust your body and be with it as it is. It is fine as it is.

[CathyA.]

Good point lovinlife.