HELP!! Protein, muscle loss and losing weight too fast?

[kathy]

I hope you guys can help me :)

First off, my name is kathy, I am 40 and I have been SAD all my life and 100% RAW for 9 days (yay!) I have been building up to this since my first shot at 100% left me with a 3 day headache. I did have a bad detox this time around too, but no more symptoms since. I have lost 20# so far :) I am just starting to get questions from a worried friend and my husband.

My questions;

1. I read somewhere that there are chains of aminos that you get from a raw diet that make complete proteins? Is there somewhere I can go and print this out to read and for husband to read? I have never been a vegetarian and I need to have my facts straight and feel very strong in this. With the holidays coming and seeing my MIL I know I will be interrogated *shudder* I am already the wierdo that is ruining her grandchildren by homeschooling :(

2. I know that Alissa says in her book and DVD that you CAN build muscle on this diet. My friend told me that all I am doing right now is burning up all my muscle and that all the fat will be left behind. I *have* seen all the before and afters in the book. She really does care about me. I just feel really lost and stupid since I have no facts to back up what I am saying.

3. She is also concerned since her Doctor told her to lose no more than 2# per week as it was dangerous to your health. Help? I have been losing about 5# per week, and other than the detox from heck, I have felt better every day.

4. Lastly, and I am so sorry this is long :( Pregnancy. She asked would I stay on this if I was pregnant? I said that I wasn't sure. But, thinking about it, I wish I had said YES! Since I *DO* hope and pray for another baby, Is there something I could read about raw pregnancy? And protein? Not a journal, I have seen a couple (shazzie, Jinjee) But FACTS as this is what I will need to prepare myself for the questions.

I really want this to be a life change and not just a temporary weight loss. My blood pressure is down, and if my headaches go away, that will be worth it for all the hassles from others.

Thank you so much!

kathy

[Queenie]

Kathy, First of all, congratulations for the 9 days! I've been 90-95 % raw for two and a half months and I'm struggling with that last bit. There are a lot of people on this website who are very qualified to give advice but I'll tell you some of the things I know.

Some people say it's better not to make too sudden of a switch. It's a shock on the system, though now that you are nine days into it I wouldn't suggest you go back! I think it's different for everyone.

Good sources of protein: hemp seeds are complete and have aminos in amounts compatible to the human body; goji berries, sprouted seeds, and nuts. You'll need a probiotic powder to help your intestines make B12, and you need sea vegetables for iodine and trace minerals. There are several complete sources of vegetable protein. People who say there aren't are misinformed.

Read, read, read. Alissa's book is supposed to be very good, though I personally don't have it yet. I have Rawsome by Brigitte Mars and Eating for Beauty by David Wolfe. I have a book on order called The Detox Miracle Sourcebook. My sister has a copy and it's fabulous.

But as far as your family and friends go, what I want to ask is do YOU know you're on the right track? If so, then you can tell them that what you are doing is right for you. Leave it at that. You're a big girl. I'm 44 and my parents are still trying to tell me how to live my life.

Just make sure you have information. I don't know about weight loss. I think it's only really bad when it see-saws, but someone else probably has better information on that. I think sometimes old unhealthy cells melt away.

Good luck and I'm impressed with you! Cheli

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi Kathy!

Take a deeeeep healing breath and relax. Your friend is concerned, but she is only stating what she has been ingrained to believe by our modern medical society (along with the FDA and all the others in it to win it $$)

Read and print the information at the following link: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3708

Sometimes it's best to just not try and convince loved ones of what you're doing and just do it...let the proof be in the pudding...let her see that you will not be left with only fat and no muscle. No, you won't be bulky muscular, but lean muscular but remember, exercise is still a key to a healthy lifestyle aside from diet!

Congrats on 9 days raw!

Doctors will have just as much conflicting info as anyone else regarding weightloss or anything else. Try and trust your own body and that as long as you're giving it what it needs to thrive it will do right by you!

Many women have been raw or high raw during pregnancy with excellent results! See http://thegardendiet.com for Jinjee's story. There are some here on this very site as well who I'm sure will chime in.

Just keep in mind that you will get adequate protein from being raw...greens, nuts, seeds, and even fruit contain what you need. The difference is that it will be protein your body can assimilate and USE and your body will be cleaner so that it CAN properly assimilate all of the nutrients you're feeding it through a raw diet.

[sport]

Katyh
Remember that some of the largest and strongest creatures on the earth (including some of our near realitives) are raw vegan and have no trouble getting enough protein. Even if you tried to get too little it would be almost impossable.

[Douglas]

Just eat veggies and you will get all you need. Greens are loaded with Protien so don't worry. Even a Banana has protien Doug in Calif :) :cool:

[dreamrawalwz]

As Rawkinlocs said....let the proof be the pudding, or something like that hahah. I found out what my mom thought of it. I went to raw and she thought it was a "weird" concept and that heating food doesn't make a difference. When I finally began she still thought it was "weird" but les skeptic. Later on she saw the huge changes in me and when I went back to cooked for a month and did major damange did she THEN see how raw affects me positively. Only do it for YOU. Don't try to convince others because there will always be someone willing to argue you. Good Luck!

[kathy]

Wow! Thank you all for your messages of inspiration!

It has been a rough few days, but I think I have my husband convinced that I am not "killing myself". And my best friend like a sister said she will be my cheerleader! :)

I find that it has been incredibly easy to eat this way! I still cook SAD breakfasts and Dinners everyday and have had no temptation!! When will that kick in? I hope never!
I am changing my family's diet to organic as much as possible and working the raw foods in too.

Thank you all again for your responses, I don't think I could have gotten past this hump without this board.

kathy (day 14 @ 100%!)