Weight loss observations

[Kris]

After a few months high raw and 3 weeks all raw, I'm becoming confused by statements like "calories don't count on raw" and "eat more nuts/seeds/fats to gain back healthy weight." Don't these statements seem contradictory? I've especially been thinking about it because, until a recent business trip, I hadn't lost any weight at all eating raw, and I have at least 30 lbs to lose.

On this business trip, I was extremely busy and was travelling with some colleagues who preferred to eat at pubs. So, my daily menu looked something like this: B: glass of fresh OJ and bowl of fruit, L: nothing or a banana, D: small to medium-sized salad with fatty dressing and a Lara bar. On this trip I did none of my normal exercise, but did stand all day long for each of the 4 days I was away. I lost 4 pounds during this time and have maintained this weight loss without any special effort.

In my normal life, my daily menu looks something like this: B: 1 L of green smoothie (banana, orange, berries, spinach), L: big plate of raw veggies dipped in nut pate and bowl of red grapes, S: two apples, D: big salad with whole avocado and strawberry milkshake (almond milk blended with frozen berries). I also exercise vigorously (run, cycle, or swim) for at least one hour per day, often with both morning and afternoon workouts. I also bike to work daily (10k round trip).

The interesting thing is this: when I'm home and exercising normally, I have a much bigger appetite and eat a ton more food. But haven't lost any weight doing this. I had attributed the lack of weight loss to the idea that my body must be focusing on other healing. However, when I stopped exercising, ate much less, and was jet-lagged and tired from working (rather than well-rested as usual), my body let go of weight quite quickly. This doesn't make any sense to me.

I can't figure out what my body is trying to tell me. Am I simply eating too many calories to produce any weight loss? Is my body saying it wants me to fast so that it can get rid of the junk in my fat cells? Does my body want me to rest rather than exercise intensely? Or, on the contrary, does my body want me to stand and move about all day rather than sit at my desk?

I know that weight loss is not the ultimate goal of eating raw, but I took it as a sign of cleansing. I would like the cleansing and healing to continue, and I think I may be doing something that is stalling it -- I'm just not sure what. Thoughts or similar experiences?

[ravenflys]

Kris,

Prior to going raw I talked to a person who had lost 50 pounds in the past year. Their advice, which I have followed, was to eat only when I was hungry. I jumped in with both feet and went from a regular diet to 95% raw on Sept 15th. During that time I have traveled for two weeks and been laid up with an injured ankle for almost three weeks. I have lost twenty pounds. I need to lose another to get my BMI below 25. I seldom eat anything until lunch time. I only eat enough to fill me up. I eat again around six. I never feel hungry and have had no cravings. I am following Cousens Phase 1.5/2 recommendations. This means that there is no alcohol, caffeine, sugar and only low to moderate fruits and vegetables. There are also very limited grains which are soaked/sprounted. One of my major sources of protein is hemp hearts which also provide good Omegas. I have had no cravings or major detox symptoms. I think that the lack of sugar and the lo GI items have probably been one of the keys for me.

I am eating far fewer calories than in the past and less quantity.

TS

[twinee1]

I think what you are experiencing more than anything is "Change ". Our bodies adapt so easily to the same stimuli we give it..training, cardio, diet. So when you travel, change in diet, different training regime your body responds. I find that I stagnate easily in my training & diet (been training for 18 years) and need to change things regularly.

When I find I am doing the same work outs and diet and I begin to gain a few pounds at same calorie level same level of training...if I make a drastic change & my body will respond.

[jaurequi]

I agree that it may be what twinee posted. Most people think of plateauing in terms of working out, but it applies to eating patterns as well. whenever you change your diet your body reacts; it's not always the food itself that one can attribute the change -- it's the body's reaction to the food or the change itself. Your body can become inured to many foods making one believe these foods are okay or "healthy" :)

Often, I can run the same route, same pace, same gait, consume the same foods, etc., and out of the blue gain a couple pounds. I then make a change in my routine like do some fartleks or even cut down on distance or take a week off; the shock gives me that boost and I'm off again :) (and so go the pounds). This happens with long-time athletes or anyone who has been on a routine for a long period of time. It's the same concept with eating habits and sometimes the overloading on the same old foods. Variety is best, and I think vegans in general and raw foodists get a heck of a lot more variety than the average person.
That's why you hear the people who move on from heavier foods to fresher foods are happy and satisfied. Had they stayed with the old stuff, they would not move on, lose any more weight, or achieve a higher level of health, etc.; they would not move themselves past that plateau.

Best,

[jaurequi]

Oh, and Krisi, I think it's great you're listening to your body, but try not to make too much of it right now. It's a bit early to start coming to conclusions. You will experience ups and downs! That is part of it. Don't obsess or become stressed out.
My advice is to get used to eating raw first! Your body isn't used to it yet, I'm sure, so give it some time. But, yes, do pay attention and take note of how certain foods make you feel, etc., but it will change :) so don't become so detail oriented that you drive yourself crazy and give it up. The better informed and in tune you are, though, the better you will be able to figure out what works for you. It's a fine line.
You have a unique body, history, and body-mind connection that only you will be able to sort out into an optimal eating pattern and lifestyle. You will hear various testimonies of what works for certain people: this is not gospel! What works/worked for Jack won't/didn't work for Jane. Just take it all in and learn from it. Remember what someone writes is their opinion or their experience; not yours: only you will be able to write that :).

Best,

[Kris]

Thanks for the good advice. I agree that to listen intently to one's body without it becoming an obsession is to walk a very fine line, and I see now that what's difficult for me is balancing this. I'm afraid of doing something wrong, I suppose, or somehow getting in the way of whatever it is my body is trying to do. But I think I'll just calm it all down for now and try to be an audience member rather than a bandleader. :rolleyes:

[jaurequi]

Kris, I think you're doing great :). This reminds me of when people say (Alissa, too), "Just eat raw." They/she mean(s) -- I think -- to just simplify it.

On those days you want to eat; then eat. If you don't feel like it, then don't. If something doesn't agree with you, cut it out, etc. Worry about refining later; it will come to you when the time is right.
I think rawandnatural is an excellent example of this. She, I believe, had a very smooth, very fast transition. She listened to her body and changed with it, let it happen as well as putting an effort into it. Maybe she'll chime in here with her experience. But, again, the time frame and experiences are hers; others take longer, take different routes. However, I think the basics are to "just eat raw" to get used to it; doing whatever it takes to stay raw (whether it's whole fresh foods or dehydrated); then taking all that you've noted and then putting effort into refining.
I think it's Boutenko who has been raw for a long time and still talks of refining. Her green smoothies being the most recent change to an already healthy diet.

It's easy to get bogged down into details when reading all the testimonies and experiences...but I'm glad you are not givig up! Don't become overwhelmed.

Reminds me of that old vaudeville routine:

Man: "So, Doc, you know, it hurts when I do this. What's wrong with me, Doc, help me! What can I do?"

Doc: "Don't do that." :D

[SimpleGirl]

I think exercise really does increase appetite. Kris, I experience the same weight loss when I go on vacation and do not exercise. Our routine is different and I am not as hungry when I do not do the hard workouts. I run 6miles 5 days a week. I do know that the same routine week in and week out is not helping my weight loss. I have about 10 pounds to lose. It is crazy how long I have been trying to lose the same 10 pounds.

You ate much less on the trip than your regular intake which would result in weight loss.

I had my metabolism tested last year and the technician was shocked how slow my metabolism was. The result was that to lose weight I would need to eat less calories. Funny thing about body intuition- I already knew that I could lose weight at the level of calories that the results suggested.