Help!

[fitchic]

Hello all! Im brand new to this whole diet as well as blogging! Long story short, I used to be a fitness competitor 2 years ago, I got seriously injured, and I have probably gained 15-20lbs :( I just recently saw ALissa book and bought right away, when I saw that you can still be fit and not eat meat!! BUT I need help, im such a structured eater (from competing) that its soo hard for me NOT to count my calories or know how much to eat! I started 2 days ago but I feel like I have gained weight:confused:
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!!

[DebB]

Hi fitchic ~ Welcome!

You might like to check out Joanne Gero (http://www.youtube.com/my_subscriptions?pi=0&ps=20&sf=added&sa=0&dm=2&s=7SQTnCPiDvc&as=1)on YouTube. She's a fitness competitor and also a Naturopath!

[amarryth]

Alissa's recipes can be heavy on the fats and sugars.. make sure that you are eating in a balanced way.. getting in lots of greens.

Green juices are an excellent think to drink around exercises, as either a pre- or post-workout drink. The amino acids in the greens are readily available and green juices are a great source of energy without excessive calories.

Back in January I was on a no-sugar mostly raw diet, and I did have a hard time keeping up with my rigorous 6-days a week of training. The green juice really saved me for balancing my blood sugar as well...

caloriesperhour.com might be helpful if you want to count... just enter the amounts of each item you put into a recipe. it should be easy since all raw and living recipes are just a bunch of whole foods put together :)

[Raw Food Mamas]

Hi Fitchic,

I would love to offer you some help. When you say you started two days ago, can you share a little more about what you have been eating the last few days? What you like to eat? Where you would like to go - the direction you want to head in?

[somelikeitraw]

Hi Fitchic, welcome to the forum!

Alissa herself says that she usually eats much more simply. I hope you can get past counting calories, because with this way of eating you can consume lots more calories than recommended and still lose weight. I did. I am 70 pounds lighter than I was 15 months ago and I eat lots of nuts, seeds, avocados, coconut oil and olive oil. I don't eat chocolate anymore, using raw carob instead, and I don't use agave. I sweeten things with dates, raisins, or - very occasionally - raw honey. I have found that as I continue eating raw, foods are tasting different to me. For example, I used to love carrot juice but now I find it WAY too sweet to drink alone.

Green smoothies can help immensely. They are a tasty way to be sure you are getting lots of greens in you and greens are vitally important.

[fitchic]

Ok so in Alissa book she has a 4 week plan so I am starting with that because of my nature to have structure! Or mayb it's a curse! Lol
anyways, I'll check out that video as suggested thank u!My problem is I'm not sure what Amt to have? Say with nuts, a handful? 2? I know in Alissa book she says eat when ur hungry and stop when ur full? I have found that I do get full quicker! Is it better to stick to just fruits, veggies and the occasional recipe? Or fats?
Sorry for the questions but I really want to do this right!
Thanks guys!

[somelikeitraw]

No reason to be sorry, we are all here to support each other!

Eat Alissa's 4 week plan and eat when your hungry. Stop eating when you are full. I never went with set amounts, just followed the eat when hungry, stop when full. I cannot emphasize enough that it is important to listen to your body. That's what I did. Worked great. :D

[fitchic]

For the green smoothie doe it matter what you use together? thanks

[fitchic]

Ok thanks!!!

[amarryth]

It's definitely a process to learn to listen to your body.. I'm pretty sure it's difficult for any of us to give you a straight answer because every body is different. I would not be concerned after only 2 days of being on the diet.. try not to weigh yourself for at least a week.. give your body a chance to get used to the new food.. maybe your body is holding on to all this nourishing food longer to replenish all the nutrients that it may have been missing out on before? Just give it time.. give yourself at least a week before you get too stressed :)

I just got 'back on the wagon' this week after a roller coaster, and in eating about 95% fresh, whole, raw foods.. I've dropped 6 pounds in less than a week. I try to avoid the dried fruit and nut butters unless I'm eating them with another food that's high water content (celery w/ almond butter & raisins).. and I've found that it has made a world of difference!

Keep going :D

[fitchic]

Thanks so much! Yes everyone is hard! Thanks for the encouragement! Ill stick out for sure.

[Raw Food Mamas]

Hey there,

First I just want to acknowledge what a HUGE step you have taken. You are clearly committed to your health and that is fantastic - no matter what happens.

I heartily agree with everyone who is encouraging you to listen to your body. You'll find that the more raw food you eat, and the less processed, the more your intuition will kick in. Also, a hormone called leptin, is released from the brain telling the body when it is full. When we eat lost of, forgive the word, crap, we don't make as much leptin. As we increase our raw food intake the production goes back up and the message becomes much clearer and louder.

Not to mention that eating nutrient-rich food fills the body up much more quickly than nutrient-empty food.

It's a process. One of the best things you can do initially is, as David Wolfe says, just eat "massive amounts of raw food." Juicing is particular good as it delivers the nutrients to your bloodstream almost immediately. The longer you are on raw the more you will want to move to smoothies as your body will be better able to handle all the fiber.

If you are needing to move things through your body try making a tea with the herb cassia.

As for weight gain, it is very common to gain weight when beginning a detox. Part of it can be water retention and part of it is your body reacting to the changes. With time you will definitely start to shed the pounds. My best advice to you, although believe me it is easier to give than to follow, is to not compare yourself to anyone else on this path. You are giving your body a tremendous gift. That is all that matters.

Be gentle with yourself. It is such a journey.

Warmly,
Daphne

p.s. if you want more information you can sign up for my weekly newsletter at www.rawfoodmamas.com