Weight Loss Advice

[Que]

Hi All
I'm new to the raw lifestyle, just a couple of weeks under my belt. I'm not overweight, by conventional standards, I'm 140 lbs and I'm just 5'4. For years I have had this stubborn layer of fat that sits on my body and I just want to see it go already. It's like I see this tiny, petite body hiding and I just want to embrace it already. Is there anything that has worked for people in particular, I feel like just eating whatever I want is not going to work. Is there sometimes a period of time that passes and then the weight starts to drop? I really want to make this work, I believe in it, but I feel alone doing this. Is there anyone looking to go at this together? I could sure use some support.
Help!

[Crystal Rose]

Wow. So many similarities. I was 135 when I started (height 5'3"), and now I'm hovering at 120. It's been a little over six months 100% raw. I honestly believe that the weight will "take care of itself." What I mean by that is the following:

When I first started on raw food, it was more about the weight and less about health. But when I kept reading & reading and finding out more about the raw lifestyle, it switched. It became more about health and less about weight. Then, a miracle happened. For the first time in my life, I said to myself that the weight would "take care of itself" as long as I just remained raw. And you know what? It has. For the first time in my life, I'm not obsessed about weight. And I "eat anything I want, as long as it's raw." Now, a caveat to this is: listen to your body and use common sense. Your body knows when it's getting too many nuts or what-ever. So, then eat more fruits and greens. The balance of fruits, fats and greens is very, very important. Some days it seems like your body wants more food, and other days it seems like it needs less. And the old deal of eating cuz it's time to eat -- that's completely out the window. I eat when I'm hungry. Period. Also, exercise is crucial. If I don't get my daily walks, I start feeling "puffy" again after a couple of days. Very, very important. And, drinking a lot of water, too. Also, time of day of when you eat what. For example, if you're feeling "puffy," try just eating fruit in the a.m., then don't eat ANYTHING til you feel REAL hunger pangs. Once you start really tuning into your body, everything will click, and you'll start "feeling skinny" but not deprived -- you'll feel HEALTHY (because you ARE healthy)....
I could go on and on. Hope this helps.
Good luck, take one day at a time, and reward yourself for successes (and every day raw IS a SUCCESS!)
Let us know how you're doing.
Sincerely,
vicki

[plucked]

Hi que (and crystal Rose),

Que, Im down in Seattle, heading to vancouver -hopefully this weekend. Can't remember the spots with raw food; Sweet C's on the drive, where else?

As far as what you both wrote, Im in the same boat. Im 5'3, and when I re-started raw, I was around 150 lb. Im down to around 117-118 now(my pre-pubescent weight! :eek: ). I still have "stubborn" fat in spots; my stomach and legs, but I feel like a lot of me has melted away already, and although I keep jumping on the scale hoping to see it go down a pound, it hasn't, or does so very slowly right now.

I feel the same way if i don't walk for a couple days! I had to break that spell today by going for a good sized walk. hard to do! But once I got home, I had the energy to do a 30 minute work out which felt great.

Funny, I never thought I would not care (atleast as much as I did) about my weight. I would like to be healthy, muscular, capable, "hardy". Those are the words that inspire me right now. I do feel icky sometimes about the fat, but I think my body will process it in good time, as long as I keep myself inspired for health, which is easier to do with all the compliments I've been getting lately! :D

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Que,

The weight comming off varies with each individual. Once you start eating raw your body starts repairing itself. There may be some things in your body that you are totally unaware of that needs to repaired. Your body will repair the most critical problems first and moving the fat out may not be as serious as other things.

Some people start to lose weight immediately; others, like Nora, ate 100% raw for 5 months before she lost her 1st pound. You can read her testimony and see her before and after photos at: http://www.rawschool.com/story.htm So don't get discouraged if you don't see the weight start to come off immediately; it will happen.

The important thing is to try to be as raw as you can. You may find that you'll have to make adjustments as times goes on, like eating less nuts and seeds, or watching how you combine your foods, etc.

Besides foods, many other factors will play a role on your success to better health and weight. Fresh air, Exercise, Positive Thoughs (spiritual), Pure Water, Rest, Sun . . . these all are necessary too.

I know, for me, as I have been transitioning, I found at 50% Raw I didn't "see" any changes, but I'm sure things were starting to happen inside of me. Six months later, once I hit 75% raw, things all of a sudden started to happen. My Blood Pressure went down, I started losing weight, my thyroid meds got cut back.

I am still transitioning. I'm taking my time and making the changes less painful and more permanent. I'm currently about 85% Raw :D My goal is to be grain free (grains hurt my joints and muscles). The first 1/2 of October I had 5 days of no grains and 1 day it was like 5 or 6 penas from my daughter's dinner, so it was very close to 6 days of no grains. This last half of the month I'm hoping to have even more days grain free. It took me 1 1/2 years to wean off of meat and now I haven't had any in 3 1/2 years. I will take my time in weaning off the grains so that it's not a struggle or painful for me and it will be permanent.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Just hang in there. In time you WILL "see" results. You will have your ups and downs. You'll feel great . . . you'll detox. You'll feel like you're making progess, then you won't. Just know you are doing the right thing, just be patient, keep reading the boards here, Alissa's website and any other website/board that you can find for support and education.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[Que]

Thank you all so much. I checked out that rawschool.com website as you suggested Helen and read the testimonial and felt so much better. Forget about the weight, there is obviously other issues that my body needs to tend to first and once my body weeds those out, it will get to the weight and fat. What a relief. I'm just going to eat Raw, as much as I want and focus on that and that only. I'm so lucky too to have a few Raw Health restaurants here in Vancouver. As Plucked mentionned Sweet Cherubim has been a fav of mine for awhile, since I've been vegetarian for years, also there is the Raw Health Cafe, with the yummiest Chocolate Cake ever! This is really great. Thank you all so much.

[ReneeSC]

You couldn't have said it any better if you'd said it yourself the second time :)

There are _more_ benefits to eating this way than weight loss - weightloss, though, being _a_ factor in one's health, of course, but there are so many other things - as Helen said - HIDDEN THINGS that need fixing.

Weight loss is a goal in overall health- we'd be lying if we didn't admit that ( at least, those of us who still need to lose more to be at homeostasis ), but many people have found that the health issues ignored, unnoticed, or thought unhealable came to the forefront when they either were greatly aleviated or were totally gone.

Weight loss is fun. It's almost a game at times, but if you were to watch your scale everyday - you'd need to take a tagamet... you'd be dizzy from the up..and the down..and the UP..and the down...

I've not thrown my scale away - I just don't get on it but maybe once a week anymore.. if that. I now KNOW I look different, feel different, AM different, so I don't need the validation of the scale. The mirror tells me the story and my clothing does, too.

We were discussing the other day how different your body is after it's been raw for a while - and how that translates to the scale. It stands to reason that if you're body is full of more-dense nutrition because your body is retaining it at the cellular level, as well as cellular hydration - then you'd be heavier on the scale - even though the clothing and aleviation of pain says otherwise. Don't forget, too, about muscle mass and how much heavier that is than fat cells. Add in elimination and what is being held or fixed within your digestive organs.

It's SO relative when you become raw. I know that perhaps that might still bounce off of any "conventional" programming you're fighting against in your heart, but... honestly.... it's DIFFERENT when you're eating this way. EVERYTHING is different.

There are people here who are under weight and fight to keep their clothes from falling off - but those studying this way of eating for many years have researched this and came to the conclusion that the body will homeostase itself ( come to its happy place ) after a drop - over time.
I don't have that problem - it's been a long time since I had it. My youngest does, though.

[blessed]

Hi Que,
I am around 85% raw vegan and it's been around 5 months since I started to really trying to stick with this lifestyle. This is my second attempt and this time I am sticking with it.
It is true that our bodies will try to do a repair before it will work on our weight and it can be a long time before we can see the progress but it is worth it. Don't get discouraged, be patient and you will see some progress.
I use to get on the scales everyday and be disappointed when I didn't see the numbers change, now I just look at the scales and go around them more than get on them.
I read that our fat cells are stubborn and many times it will take 5 months or more for them to start emptying out so just stay in the game. So remember we need to just adjust out time clock when it comes to weightloss. Remember we are not alone, we have our friends and we all care for one another.

Ann

[Douglas]

Your not alone, Most of us want to get rid of some weight. In my case I have to lose 239 lbs Talk about alot to lose. But I know now for sure this Raw eating will do the trick. One thing I really like is I feel good and I do not worry anymore about Gaining anymore weight. I just know in time it will come off and I will post Pictures to inspire others to start eating raw too. Just start looking at before and after pictures of people on a Raw program and you will see they all in time get to the right weight for there body. Nice and Slim too. No extra spare tires. You can do it and I am going to do it too. You have many on here that will answer any questions you have too. Keep it up and make it happen Douglas In Calif......... ;) :) ;)

[NYNewbie]

What does your typical day look like- Im 5'3 and approx 150 and would like very much to shed some of thai weight- please help

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi NY Newbie,

There are sooooo many different ways to eat raw . . . have you checked out the 30-day raw challenge section on this board? You can see what people were/are eating everyday: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/photopost/showmembers.php

On a good day, when I'm actually all raw, a typical day would look something like this:

Whole Cantaloupe

Large Smoothie (maybe tropical - Mangos, Papaya, Pinapple)

Salad (lettuce, raw almonds)

Then snacks might be some bananas or oranges.

I prefer whole foods over prepared dishes. My one exceptions are my smoothies. I do prepare these.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[ReneeSC]

My days have fluctuated. Some days I'll drink mostly liquid, other days I eat heavily ( nuts, avos.. stuff like that ) and other days I'll eat only smoothied fruits or mono fruits and nuts. Green smoothies are an interesting additive. :)

I just eat right now. I'm learning to listen to the signals my body is giving. I don't adhere to any day's plan, but that doesn't mean I won't later. I had to do what I had to do to keep myself off of refined carbs and meat.

I've learned to slightly warm some things when I've wanted it, and that has greatly helped ( for me ) me stay away from the cooked my family has. I used to not touch the stove-top, but I've since learned to stand there and keep giving the finger-test ( I only do that with soups ). I could relax after I ate that.

I also do not use a lot of ice in many of the things we smoothy, although some ingredients are already frozen ( frozen fruits, frozen bananas ), I think ice makes it watery and weird most of the time.

[rawpriestess]

I tend to fluctuate between, one day with mostly fruits, the next day with mostly recipes.

However, when I first started I was the Queen of Gourmet recipes, I was spending alll my time in the kitchen playing with recipes, and I still love to do that, but no time, no time.

So, my hubby now does all of our uncooking, and I just eat what he makes. So here is a typical day at our house, since it is getting fall, our produce is limited by the few things in the garden

Breakfast:
fresh chamomile tea (picked from the meadow)
sprigs of mint
strawberries
grapes
apple
apple pear

Snack
almond milkshake with
dates (store bought)
vanilla bean (internet bought)

Lunch
fresh greens
mustard
romain
dandelion
almonds
tomatoes
zucchini

Snack:
dehydrated nuts with honey or spice
mint tea

Dinner:
nut loaf with almonds & hazelnuts
tomatoes
carrots
peppers
and usually a large greens salad
with a dressing of lemon and olive oil

Snack
dehydrated nuts
raisins

If I'm still hungry maybe another almond milkshake with dates and vanilla bean

So, this is pretty typical of our foraging our gardens and eating, although sometimes we just have a "walk" which means we eat off the bushes and trees, and is always fun.

We do have to buy the dates and vanilla bean and olive oil and lemons, all the rest is still growing in our gardens, (so far)

Love these Indian summers.(but the first frost will end that)-we are in a naturally warmer area than people around us, as we are surrounded by hills and all.

[plucked]

A typical day for me:

Early AM: An apple, herbal tea

Late am: Smoothie (banana, 2 handfuls frozen berries, spirulina/chlorella, milk thistle powder, slice ginger, hemp protien powder, maca, acidophilus- and baby spinachi if I have it).

snack: seeds/nuts/goji berries/fruit

Afternoon: Salad with a basil or, tahini dressing (raw tahini-1-2 tbsp., apple cider vinegar, raw honey, water, garlic powder).

snack: seeds/nuts/goji berries/fruit

PM: Another salad, usually rooty.

PM snack: another smoothie (espicially for the protein), seeds/nuts/goji berries/fruit

I find lately that I have to have something solid, more than nuts, soon after I have a smoothie or, I crash from the fruit. Usually as I have one before I go out, that can be bad as Im stuck without a good option. So Ive started combining having one, with a heavy salad about an hour after the smoothie (if i dont have to run out the door). This seems to be helping. My husband had come this conclusion aswell for himself, and started having somethig else with his AM smoothie before he leaves for work.

I eat too many seeds or nuts, but I feel Im getting better, and turning to apples when the siren call of the pumpkin seed jar calls to me.

:p

[prettyeyes38]

Hi, I am right there with you...5'4, started at 146 pounds. I don't look overweight and wear a size 4 or size 6 in my clothes. I have lost between 6-10 pounds so far (you know, the scale is fickle..) in my first three weeks of doing this...

The thing about eating raw...I kind of fell into learning about this because I was no longer able to lose by eating low carb...but then I started eating raw and I started feeling *so much better* than I am going to relax about the weight and just keep focusing on how much better I feel eating this way.

Here is how I typically eat...

morning: freshly squeezed orange juice, red grapes
lunch: large salad with nuts, dressing, raw veggies
snack, if hungry: raw veggies or apple slices
dinner: large salad with nuts, dressing, raw veggies
snack: fruit or fruit smoothie (I really loved apricots!!)

[ReneeSC]

I find lately that I have to have something solid, more than nuts, soon after I have a smoothie or, I crash from the fruit. Usually as I have one before I go out, that can be bad as Im stuck without a good option. So Ive started combining having one, with a heavy salad about an hour after the smoothie (if i dont have to run out the door). This seems to be helping. My husband had come this conclusion aswell for himself, and started having somethig else with his AM smoothie before he leaves for work.

I eat too many seeds or nuts, but I feel Im getting better, and turning to apples when the siren call of the pumpkin seed jar calls to me.


__________________________________________

Plucked - that's exactly what happened to me. I'd crash so hard I was stunned. Once I would add in a protein source ( nut or greens ) in a good quantity about a hour to 90 minutes later, disaster avoided relieved, but if I at a bit of protein at the same time as an all-fruit smoothy, it was almost disaster avoided.

[Que]

It's so encouraging to have so many responses and hear what other people have to say. Basically what I've been eating for the past few weeks are salads, avocados, raw cookies or bars, green juice, bananas, dates, all kinds of other fruits and some nuts and honey. No two days look alike.
In the meantime, I'm trying to relinquish my urge to lose weight and just eat raw and I have to say that I'm feeling great regardless. I definitely have more energy, I'm not feeling depressed like I was before, in fact I'm actually quite optimistic and positive about everything going on right now. I feel like I have something wonderful to look forward to.
I'm wondering about what my body is healing before it gets to the point of losing weight. I've been a vegetarian for a while and consumed a ton of soy products. I'll also had a bad case of candida a couple of years ago that I managed to cleanse out of my system on a regular cleanse but I have no doubt that there are some levels of it still lingering. I have been coughing up some yucky stuff, and that makes me happy. I guess as long as my weight doesn't go up over the next few months, I'm happy just staying the same and seeing what other cures the raw diet will provide for me.

[vegggeeemom]

Que,

I did not read all the responses yet, but you are not in this alone! We are ALL here for you during your journey.
You might not have the weight/fat melt off because you probably don't have much to lose!
Where as in my case I've lost 41 pounds since July 8th this year.
But, I have alot to lose.
The more you have to lose the faster it will come off. Since you are already at a descent weight, your weight won't just come pouring off!
You stick with raw and you will see results, guaranteed!
I think even if you don't see a "weight loss", you will probably get more toned.
I've read threads about that. If I can find it today, I'll post the link here.
Good luck and I look forward to watching your journey!

[plucked]

ok, so i just went to fitday, and it said I consumed 46 grams of fat today! How did THAT happen?! :eek:

Cals. - fat - protein

1.5 oz pumpkin seeds 269, 18, 10

2.5 teaspoons tahini 79, 7, 2

1 lara bar 220, 13, 5

hemp protein 134, 7, 15

bananas 217, 1, 2

apples 163, 1, 1



It's not like I feel I over indulge. I suppose i should cut back on seeds and nuts, but without them, I seriously doubt I'd be able to get by.

Plus, all the foods higher in protein are high in fat. Im not a huge green eater, and I kinda doubt what Ive eard about dark greens being high protein -yeah I know, ive been refered to alissa's post about it before.

ANybody else frustrated by this? I also dont usually get over 1,000 cals a day. Funny to cheer when I pack in extra calories! :rolleyes:

-by the way, that's not all I ate today, just the stuff with fat in it. ;)

[sweetgoddess]

plucked, why are you frustrated and worried over this? Why are you breaking it all down into fat, carb, protein measurements? You are gong to drive yourself "nuts" ! ;)

Yes, you could cut back a little on the nuts. Instead of habving them twice a day, have them once. However, you said without them you doubt you would be able to do this. That is an important statement to contemplate. If some part of you knows it will be difficult for you to stay raw if you adjust, then I dont advise doing so. I have done this before! So, if you are not ready to do that, then dont.

You are near your goal weight. It is going to be slower . Patience will be your best friend right now. Your body will shift and reshape in it's proper time.

You can add exercise to help it with its efforts and also digestive enzymes, which contain lipase. (this breaks down fat) and you can add greens. If you are not a big greens fan, how about adding handfuls of spinach to your smoothies? And a high-quality green food, like Alissa's? This will provide more oxygen to your body.

Most important of all, listen to that inner voice.

Do you still feel frustrated?

Warmly~
Carmel

[jaurequi]

Plucked, I think it's not just that the greens are high protein, but that they are high-quality protein: They are assimilated and used/absorbed by the body better and more efficiently; therefore, you get more from it than other protein. This is similar to the dairy/calcium theories: you absorb/utilize more from plant sources than from animal sources.

I didn't really doubt this to be true, but I did wonder just what the results would be. I can say that what Alissa claims is true in my experience: the protein I get now is WAY, way higher quality than the protein powders and isolates, etc., I used to take. I actually consume less protein per day (by the numbers) but am obviously absorbing it and using it; my body *loves* it! And I love my greens. I can see the results in the form of muscle formation and fat loss surrounding my muscles. I think you will have to try it in order to know for yourself -- that's usually the best way anyway :)

Best,