I need to lose weight

[veggie]

Please help! I am desparate. I'm 5'7" and have gone from 107 pounds to 189 in less than 1 year. I need to lose this weight and have tried everything. I tried raw for a while, and that put more pounds on me. However, I feel my best when I am raw, so, I would like to give it another shot. Any suggestions? Would you suggest starting out with fruit mainly or a fruit fast??
I'm seriously so discouraged and want my life back. :(

[swiddweas]

good lucK!

[tglasco4]

Well veggie, sounds like you have definitely had it! Please remember though, it took time for you to gain that weight, it will also take time for you to lose it. I recommend a program that includes exercise and raw. Yes, eat alot of fruit. Dont eat nuts whole without soaking them. Use them also in pate or sauce. But dont overdo them. I would recommend you stay away from ingesting oils. Avocados have plenty of oil as does the nuts. Try to do some form of exercise at least 3 days per week. Walking is great for aerobic activity. If you can get an hour in 3x per week that would be great. Try and do some resistance training (make it light you dont want to overdo it), 3x per week. Dont let your workout be more than 30 minutes in this area. Do the resistance training on days other than when you walk. Even if you can get 15-20 minutes of a resistance routine in, that would be good. Many people on these boards advocate green drinks. I dont personally use them, but since many have (with success it appears) you may want to look into that also. But I am a big advocate of fruit. Make your mornings all fruit (which includes juices and shakes and smoothies). Don't eat a heavy meal at night. If you are going to eat at night, make it fruit or soup if you are not 100% raw. Again, load up on fruit, keep fats low and stay away from the oils. This will give you a start.

Peace.

Todd

[swiss_miss]

Hi Veggie! First of all thats a lot of weight to gain within less than a year, what type of foods were you eating during this weight gain? My guess is it must have been junk food and lots of it, if I am right, then you liver is probably pretty clogged up and if you liver is not working effeciently(which is probably the case) then it is very hard to lose weight. You may also have a thyroid problem, In which case I have 4 worlds for you: Extra virgin coconut oil!! I think it would be great for you to cleanse your liver and your body by doing a juice fast for about 20 days or so. This will allow your body to clean house and get things running smoothly again. A liver cleanse would also be beneficial. Go to your local health food store and ask if they have a liver cleanse forumla. Here is an example: http://www.integranutrition.com/livercleanse.html
Definetly get yourself some coconut oil as it is said to work great for weightloss. About 3 tablespoons daily is usually recommended. Hemp oil would be good too because it boosts the metabolism. After you do the juice fast, get back on raw and try not to eat too many nuts or avocados at first. Stick to fresh fruits and veggies for a while then slowly incorperate more fat into your meals. So first things first, do the juice fast because aside from helping the organs run effeciently again, its will aslo clean out the toxins stored in your fat cells which contribute to your overall weight. Walking daily for 1 hour would aslo help a lot. I'll post links about coconut oil and hemp oil and juice fasting below. Best of luck to you! :)

Coconut oil
http://www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/coconut_oil_healthy.htm

Hemp oil
http://www.kenex.com/english/hempoil.htm

Juice fasting
http://www.healthrecipes.com/juice_fasting.htm

[VeggieMel]

I lose a lot of weight when I juice fast. Even juice fasting one day a week is really helpful. I do a three day juice fast once every month or two. I drink green juices made with cucumber, celery, zuchinni and sometimes sprouts.

[swiddweas]

Good luck to you. Loosing weight is alot of work, LOL!

[Callie]

Hey wow! I feel your pain- I am 19 and I went from a size 4 to a 16 in about the same time period as your gain. It was so frustrating and I couldnt lose anything despite trying all kinds of diets. What finally helped me was the master cleanse and going raw. The master cleanse is not raw but it was very beneficial. You could do juice fasting. Anyway..I went from 180 to 150 in about two months..(I did master cleanse for 40 days then went raw) Right now I've lost about three clothing sizes and I am still moving forward. I hope to be a 4 by christmas!! Yay! You can do it! It is possible! I went from feeling hopeless and depressed, unable to lose any weight, to revived and hopeful for the future! Raw is awesome and I totally think that it can help you! I also agree with Todd about lots of fruits. That's what I eat now with some greens. God Bless!

[jaurequi]

swiddweas and swiss_miss,

I've read about these coconut oil claims for years, but also read the counters -- do you have personal testimony to the effectiveness of coconut oil to reduce fat? If so, would you please share it, and explain how you know it was the coconut oil, specifically, as opposed to other possible explanations such as dietary changes, going raw, exercise, etc.

I'm so fascinated by this. It's really hard to believe that coconut oil, in particular, is a fat loss aid.
I was skeptical about fat in general when I was brainwashed with the "No-fat diet" schemes in the past; but learned that when I did add flax, hemp, and various nuts and seeds I did not gain weight, but gained a lot more health and beauty benefits. So I'm totally willing to accept this may be possible; just with all the anti-coconut oil I've read, I need some examples.

Also, if you know, would consuming coconut work the same as oil? If I were to add coconut fat to my diet, I would prefer to add it as a whole food; I don't consume oils. This seems to add to my skepticism, since most sellers are trying to sell their product -- oil -- and extolling the virtues of whole coconut would not be particularly profitable.

Thanks! :)

[Arky]

Eating whole coconut instead is a great idea.

In general, I totally agree with your belief that whole is better than oil, which is, after all, a fractionated food substance, irrespective of whether it is organic and/or cold-pressed. I only use coconut oil as part of my diet because I find it difficult to obtain decent quality fresh coconuts in the UK.

When it comes to nuts and seeds (including flax), I always eat them whole rather than in oil form (I grind the flaxseeds, but nonetheless consume them as a wholefood, keeping the health-boosting lignins and fibre as part of the 'package').

Lecithin is also a good addition to the diet, since it helps the body to emulsify (break apart) fats. I would not recommend soy lecithin (yet another byproduct of the all-pervasive soy industry), but you can obtain lecithin from sunflower and buckwheat sprouts, amongst other sources (take it easy on the buckwheat sprouts, they can cause photo-sensitivity if eaten excessively. The Creative Health Institute acknowledge this and have altered their diet plans accordingly. Gabriel Cousens also discusses the issue but claims he has never experienced any problem at all with buckwheat sprouts, since he has always chosen to eat them in moderation).


J.

[swiss_miss]

Hi jaurequi I really dont think just consuming coconuts would help as far as weight loss goes, after all where are you going to find organic extra virgin coconuts? even if u did find them, taking the oil would be much better because it is more concentrated. Go online and do some research about exrta virgin coconut oil. There have been studies done about it since 1940 and it has been proven to work. It dosent matter what brand you get just as long as its ORGANIC extra virgin coconut oil. Skeptisism is good but there is such a thing as being TOO skeptical. The claims about the oil arent "lose 20 pounds a month with this miracle oil!!!" it will simlpy give the metabolism a boost and help correct thyroid problems. Hope that helps :)

[veggie]

Thank you all so much for the advice. It's so comforting to know there are others out there who have experienced this. ;)
Callie, that's exactly what happened with me---size 4 to 14 almost 16.
Todd, I will definitely work on that exercise.... That's one area where I haven't been as consistent as I could be. I used to be an aerobics instructor a few years ago, and since I've stopped, I've gotten away from my regimen.
Todd, have you had any success with Coconut oil?

[tglasco4]

Veggie, isnt this board supportive:) Its great that you got some help. As far as the Coconut oil, it sounds ok, but as I said if I were trying to lose weight I would stay away from oils in general. Not to disparage what Swiss_Miss said in any way, it sounds like it makes sense. But for me, I have found that I need to leave the oils alone. I would recommend a Master Cleanse as Callie suggested. It will really give you a good boost to raw (even though its not raw itself). Make sure you take in plenty of fruit (I mean PLENTY), when you do start raw. And yes, please get back into some exercise, don't overdo it, but do some form of cardio at least 3x per week and some form of resistance for at least 15 minutes (but no more than 30 minutes). We are all here for you Veggie, pulling for you. I know you will be telling us success stories in the near future and I know I am not alone when I say I am looking forward to reading it!

Peace and Blessings.

Todd

[askcassyfirst]

Hi, thought I would throw in my 2 cents on the coconut topic. I ate coconuts everyday (the mature type) the first 4 months I went raw. I was living in a place where they were cheap and in abundance. There was no coconut oil there, at least, not the type you could eat. (It was highly processed for cosmetics only.) A whole mature coconut is 1400 calories, ~or so. I ate almost a whole one every day for 4 months, and despite that, having been raw, I lost many pounds. (I went from 150 or so to 125)

THis is not to say that the coconut was what did it, but I do beleive it helped. Coconut oil in its raw form, (pressed or in the flesh) contains a particular type of fatty acid that is burned very quickly for energy in the human body, and not typically stored. ~simply put, the body treats that type (medium chain trygliceride MCTs) like a carb, and burns it quite efficiently. This is why many body builders and weight lifters take MCTs. Because it is fatty, coconut is very filling, and very satisfying as well. Raw coconut is also highly fiberous, and thereby helps fill you, and clean out your intestine. Coconut oil has also been shown to stimulate the thyroid. Interestingly, a previous collegue of mine was able to get off her amour thyroid using a clean high raw diet, and taking coconut oil. At last word she was taking only a teaspoon a day,

Personally I like to eat the coconuts whole. They are very satisfying, and naturally sweet. I do have some extra virgin, fermented coconut oil, but only use it on occasion such as when making raw treats.

Now back to your initial question about raw weight loss, I believe that eating a high raw, or clean diet, cleansing and detoxification and exercise all go hand in hand with weight loss. Many people on the SAD are eating lots of food, yet are malnourished due to poor absorption of nutrients. Thier body keeps telling them to eat, because they are truly starving... The key is to feed your body what it truly needs to heal, and get back on track.

I wish you luck.

Cassy :)

[veggie]

That's very helpful advice. I've been hearing so many schools of thought on coconut and other supposed "weight loss" foods, that it's tough to distinguish the good from the bad. I guess it depends on our own body composition, though. I remember when I was at a decent weight, I never could digest fats properly even when taking enzymes, and I think that's what caused the bulk (no pun intended) of my weight gain. I know others who thrive on fats like avocados and raw olive oil and nuts with no weight issues.

I think it will all be trial and error for me right now. I'm hesistant to include too many fruits because I've had bone density problems. However, I guess if I'm doing more resistance training, I should be able to build more bone instead of lose it.
I need to work up to that master cleanse too. I don't feel my body (or my mind) is strong enough for that at the moment. It's going to take some major prayers.

Thank you all so much for your support, I can't tell you how much it means to me right now. You are all such a blessing! :)

[Callie]

Cassie, I find that so interesting that you ate a whole coconut daily and lost weight. did you eat other things too? I love coconuts but i havent been eating them because I am in the process of losing weight. I am curious to see if they would actually help me. How did you feel energy wise from the coconuts? Thanks:)

[Arky]

I do have some extra virgin, fermented coconut oil, but only use it on occasion...


Cassy, in what way is it fermented? I'm intrigued. I am currently taking my first steps with kefir and kombucha, and I am also aware of the benefits of fermenting soya, so fermented coconut oil sounds interesting. Please tell me more.


J.

[askcassyfirst]

I buy a brand of coconut oil called Herbs of Light. THey are an herbal products company located here in FL. THe owner of the company explained that when they harvest the oil from the coconut, they allow it to age naturally, thereby fermenting it. (He didn't say if there was an added probiotic, or if it contained wild probiotics / yeast such as what comes from making fermented wheatsprout soaking water, as in the whole hipocrates institute rejuvelac. I suppose I should have asked.) Mostly I like to buy from that brand because I like the owner. ~Dean Marten's

In terms of the question of how I lost weight eating the coconut, and if I ate anything else...I sure did eat other things. MOstly bananas, raisins, mixed green salads, (not a lot of olive oil on them, as olive oil EVOO at least, was really expensive where I was living) and various sprouted wheat concoctions. I ate many carrots, lots of oranges, and plenty of mangos. I did a lot of avocados back then too. The thing is, I was also exercising a lot, so I needed the calories. I was also 100% raw then. NOw I maintain about 80% most days.

LIke Alissa says in her video and book, the body's composition has a lot to do with the type of exercise being done. At that time, I was walking, weight lifting, doing aerobics, etc. I was eating about 1800 to 2000 calories on the low end, 2500+ on other days. I only know that because at the time I was also obsessively counting them. I don't recommend this to anyone. Bad obsessions such as calorie counting lead me down a bad road...

THat being said, these days, I have found that I need to eat a whole lot less in order to maintain my weight. I rarely get coconuts here in FL what with them running 1-2 dollars a piece instead of the 10 cents like they were back on the islands. Is the lack of metabolism fire due to the lack of coconut? Hard to say.. I wouldn't doubt it though.

If one is eating large amounts of fatty foods, it will always lead to higher calories. SO you have to go more on how you feel. Coconut oil doesn't leave me feeling the same way as when I eat lots of other types of nuts...IN fact, at the time I was eating all the coconut, I typically only ate one brazil nut a day, and that was the only other nuts in my diet.

I hope that helps.

Cassy

[Callie]

Not to get stuck on the calorie issue, but about how much do you consume these days?

[RawGirl11]

Hi there,

Coconut oil is supposed to help because it contains the enzyme lipase that breaks down fat. I started my diet 5 months ago. I was doing a SAD 1200 calorie diet the first month. I lost 17 pounds. Then I went raw, 100%. I ate a low fruit, no legumes, no grains, no dates, bananas, dates, carrots or any high sugar hybrid fruits/veggies. I ate mostly greens, green veggies, avocados, hemp/flax oil, nuts and seeds, and 1-2 pieces of low sugar fruit per day. I gained 4 pounds my first month. I was upset, but I was fighting a serious illness and stayed raw for that reason. Plus I was diabetic and had high chlesterol (260), triglycerides (800). The next month I lost 7 pounds, and I lost 4-7 pounds/month since then. I've lost a little over 40 pounds now in 5 months. Diabetes completely gone, normal cholesterol (179 in only 2 months on raw diet), and the 4 cm tumor in my lungs has disappeared from my cat scan in 3 months. ( The radiologist said it was surgically removed on the report! I never had surgery, but I guess they don't dissolve or go away in 3 months normally. They do if you eat raw though. :) The raw diet creates real fat loss at a constant rate and I believe can heal any health challenge. I hope to lose about 25-40 more pounds so I can try out for Americas Next Top Model. :) Raw is awesome! Good luck! It does work!

[sport]

Rawgirl
I hope that you get to be "America's Next Top Model" and that you are documenting your journey. I think that it would be an inspiration to young girls if it was told and we need more of that. It would have far greater impact than when oldies like me try to pass the message on.
I was saddened yesterday by a news item in the UK. They have recently moved towards healthier dinners in schools and the kids have started a petition called "Bring back the chips" and it was 10 year old girls leading the protest. A top model leading them the other way is what they need.

[askcassyfirst]

Callie, if your question was to me on the calorie issue, I couldn't really tell you. I pretty much quit the daily counting back in Feb when my computer was replaced and I couldn't access my counter program. Now and then I do count, and of course, I could always estimate, based on volume or what not. :) THe thing is, counting, as Alissa says, is not a really healthy pattern. For me it is a control issue, and it does nothing but lure me into a really dark place. Does that make sence? SO I am not sure if commenting on this is a healthy thing for me.

I'd guess I eat between 1400-1800 most days. THere are those days that I pig out, however, so those numbers probably aren't totally right. Another intersting thing I notice is that I eat less calories the higher the cooked percentage in my diet...Cooked food is that much more calorie dense, and it seems to slow down my appetite. Eating raw, or high raw in my case, I seem to eat all throughout the day...

ON the whole, I recommend not counting anything. ONe of the freedoms that has come with eating a healthy clean diet, cleansing and getting plenty of natural exercise, is that my body seems to have found its set weight. ANd you learn to listen to the cues it is giving you about hunger. THese days I weigh in the mid to upper 130s. At the peak of my raw back in 2003 fall I had gone down to the 120s. (Id been in the 150s before.) THen, after many months in maintenance, its like my body evened itself out. I feel healthier as well at this weight. I am 5 5 1/2, and love to exercise, so I am sure that my weight is partially due to muscle as well.

Hope that helps.

Cassy

[veggie]

How encouraging Rawgirl! I appreciate your post immensely because I gained weight while starting raw, and it completely discouraged me from continuing. I plan to stick with it this time, and your post definitely provided some needed encouragement! :)

[veggie]

Just thought I'd give you all a little feedback. The coconut works as does the increased amount of fruit. I decided to try eating an entire coconut for breakfast each morning and it has helped me to drop a few pounds. Not to mention, the natural electrolytes in it help to balance me throughout the day so I'm not craving as much food.
The fruit really helps also to fill me up on less calories! Thanks Cassy and Todd for sharing the info with me! :D