Not feelin it

[pattico]

Help!! I have been raw (95%) for a little over 2 months. I have lost 20 lbs. (Yay!), but don't feel great. I was hoping to have all of this energy, sleep good and feel better overall. Not so, I am tired most of the time, have little energy, am grumpy (which is not the norm for me). I eat at least 1 salad a day, usually a green smoothie, and various fruits and veggies throughout the day. Some days a little nut heavy and dehydrated crackers. Plenty of water.
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions??

[January Noir]

Sounds like you're still detoxing. Some people take longer than others.
As a matter of fact, as long as you are eating raw, you will experience bouts of de-toxicity.

What's your day like? Do you have a stressful job, kids, family or financial obligations that are weighing on you? Do you breathe properly?

Just some things to take into account.

We've had YEARS on a standard American or for some, a not so healthy vegetarian diet. It takes some time to remedy the situation.

Also, what are you eating/doing for the 5% that you aren't eating Raw?

[Aleesha Sattva]

It's often more of what you are eating that isn't raw than what you are eating that IS raw.

Have you listened to this interview (http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=53430) with Alissa?

[blizzardfrisbee]

What a good point Aleesha-- that was why I decided to go totally 100% raw-- I figured it would be easier that way--no questions about what I was doing for me--no half way or part way so I would be tempted to go back!! I wanted the raw food to do its thing in my body!!!

[Conscious Midwife]

Wonder what's your 5% not raw

I notice when I am attempting RAW that it only takes a little of certain unraw foods to impact my moodb, energy and metabolism.

[k8sl8]

Wonder what's your 5% not raw

I notice when I am attempting RAW that it only takes a little of certain unraw foods to impact my moodb, energy and metabolism.

Out of curiosity: what foods affect you most?

[pattico]

Hey thanks for all of the responses. To answer the questions that were asked... the approx. 5% not raw is occasional glass of wine and cup of coffee. I am talking one or two glasses/cups a week. My personal stresses are job (I hate), marriage (I will probably be ended after 25 years), child (16 yr old daughter that is trying to push me over the edge with bad decisions), and financial (living pay to pay, like many people). I could cry just reading that over again. I am also in the midst of menopause. I am just getting over a bout of awful hemorrhoids and noticed I have VERY dark circles under my eyes. Is that enough? UGH! I am a mess.
Thanks for any suggestions.

[k8sl8]

Hey thanks for all of the responses. To answer the questions that were asked... the approx. 5% not raw is occasional glass of wine and cup of coffee. I am talking one or two glasses/cups a week. My personal stresses are job (I hate), marriage (I will probably be ended after 25 years), child (16 yr old daughter that is trying to push me over the edge with bad decisions), and financial (living pay to pay, like many people). I could cry just reading that over again. I am also in the midst of menopause. I am just getting over a bout of awful hemorrhoids and noticed I have VERY dark circles under my eyes. Is that enough? UGH! I am a mess.
Thanks for any suggestions.

With all those stressors, the best thing you could do is 100% raw. I dont' remember if you said how long you've been high raw, but you may be detoxxing to add to your symptoms.

IF the coffee and wine do not bother you (only YOU know that) then I'd say your enjoyment may override the need for 100%. IF they bother, then you know what to do, lol.

I for one, very ocassionally choose to have a glass of wine. Same with a Sunday morning coffee once in awhile. It doesn't seem to affect me in those quatities, so I do it for the social aspect.

[k8sl8]

Help!! I have been raw (95%) for a little over 2 months. I have lost 20 lbs. (Yay!), but don't feel great. I was hoping to have all of this energy, sleep good and feel better overall. Not so, I am tired most of the time, have little energy, am grumpy (which is not the norm for me). I eat at least 1 salad a day, usually a green smoothie, and various fruits and veggies throughout the day. Some days a little nut heavy and dehydrated crackers. Plenty of water.
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions??

Two months isn't that long and you may be suffering from some pretty nasty detox symptoms. Are you eating enough?? I know to start with I did, then as I got used to being 'full feeling' on less, I didn't eat enough. My weightloss stopped and I was not a happy camper - didn't feel well, was tired and groggy all the time... Then I realized I needed MORE. Much better. I didn't get "the energy" til longer than that - and quite frankly, even 100% doesn't do it for me like so many say. I'm very subject to light - and as the days get shorter, my energy level goes down hill pretty quickly as evening approaches. Everyone is different.

I read later on in the thread that you are adding coffee and wine. Do you know that that's a bad thing FOR YOU? Or are you doing little things you don't even realize - like tasting the food for the family? Have a bite of this or that as you cook... easy enough to do. Maybe some non-raw things are slipping by you in the things you choose to eat. Nuts, for instance.

[pattico]

Yep, I know coffee and wine are not the best for me, but there are times when I feel like having that. It is not a need, for sure. I guess I should try to do without for a while and see if there is a big difference.
I didn't realize it could take that long to detox (especially as a vegetarian). That makes me feel a little better. What about the people that claim instant energy and have never felt better??
Also, I am not that hungry sometimes, so maybe I am not eating enough. I will be paying closer attention to that, too!
And, NO I am not tasting food I prepare for the rest of the family, I make them taste and tell me what it needs!
Thanks so much!!

[January Noir]

Hey thanks for all of the responses. To answer the questions that were asked... the approx. 5% not raw is occasional glass of wine and cup of coffee. I am talking one or two glasses/cups a week. My personal stresses are job (I hate), marriage (I will probably be ended after 25 years), child (16 yr old daughter that is trying to push me over the edge with bad decisions), and financial (living pay to pay, like many people). I could cry just reading that over again. I am also in the midst of menopause. I am just getting over a bout of awful hemorrhoids and noticed I have VERY dark circles under my eyes. Is that enough? UGH! I am a mess.
Thanks for any suggestions.

****big hug****. You are not alone.
Try 100% Raw for at least 2 weeks.

[klomasius]

Firstly, just wanted to say I feel for you in your situation. Hope everything starts to look up for you soon. <3!

I was one of those ppl who got the instant energy and felt better, but everyone is different.

Reading your posts I have to say the thing that sticks out to me is that you may not be getting enough calories. This is extremely important as the energy will not come about unless you are giving your body enough fuel. The lethargy and mood swings also could be a sign of you not getting enough calories.

I eat heaps, in fact I'm always eating because I love to. So I never suffer from a lack of calories and this might be the reason why I never felt tired on raw.

Detox is another thing it could be, I've been 100% raw for almost 2 years and I too go through bouts of (deeper and deeper) detox.

20 years of a SAD diet, 2 years of a SAD veg diet, almost 7 years of a SAD vegan diet for me won't be fixed totally by 2 years of 100% raw (or even 6 years of high raw previously). It takes time...

Whatever you do, make sure you get enough calories (fruit is great for this, quick and easy) and allow yourself time. Our bodies do not acknowledge our fast paced modern lifestyle, they are on an evolutionary clock rather than a modern human clock.

Give your body the benefit of the doubt and simply allow it to heal.

[Namaste13]

Since this is the group over 50 - maybe the answer lies in something else going on...menopause maybe! some of the symptoms you described sound menopausal as well...being the yoga teacher and teaching classes for these symptoms in menopause, perhaps try some breath work and meditation to regain your energy and spirit..Walking is great too. The raw plan is awesome and you should have more energy than you describe..the 5% is not going to such the energy out of you..how is your sleep and moods? There are awesome herbs to help with those symptoms and perhaps you could look into that direction. Just my thoughts...
Namaste to great health!