gained 3.5 lbs this week! HELP!

[IamLoved]

Hi!

I don't know what happened this week. I stayed 100% raw and somehow managed to GAIN 3.5 lbs since last week.

Nothing has changed as far as my eating is concerned. I have been losing slowly but steadily 1 pound a week.

The only thing I can think of different about this week is that I have been having green smotthies almost every day. Why would I gain due to that. I don't eat a lot of nuts.

Here is a typical day for me
Fruit for breakfast lately an orange
sandwich orsalad for lunch made with raw "bread" and mushrooms, lettuce, marinated mushrooms (marinated in vinegar, not oil) avacado and sprouts
snack would be a green smoothie with sesame seeds, banana, spinach, kale and honey
dinner has been a raw meal such as nori rolls or vegie roll up, last night I had a green smoothie for dinner and a handful of raisins for a snack.
After the children go to bed I will have some raw dessert like date nut torte or last night it was Alissa chocolate mousse (which was yummy by the way!)

So whats going on?

I need help, I am afraid to eat anything right now, all I have had so far today is an orange!

Thanks

[jaurequi]

missionarytomato (cute moniker :D),
It may sound cliche, but that really could just be water. That's not really a lot either way.
Do you weigh yourself daily? How much did you weigh yesterday? Did this "weight gain" happen overnight?
How long have you been eating 100%? Our weight fluctuates daily. For example, if you weigh yourself right when you wake up, it is considered the best time for telling your true weight. Another example, if you weigh yourself right after heavy cardio exercise, you can weigh less. These can give you a false reading on your true weight, but, really, I think you are stressing over a few pounds, needlessly. Don't panic, and don't starve -- *that* is a sure way to gain weight!
I've actually increased my green smoothies consumption and lost some weight recently.
It could be a myriad of things, actual weight being one, but not likely, especially if it just happened overnight.

Best,

[IamLoved]

Hi

I always weigh in first thing in the morning, right after I get up.

I have been weighing myself every couple days this week and it has been a gradual increase over the whole week.

I have been raw since April.
I had a slip up for a few weeks and then got back on track a week before Christmas and have been 100% since then.

I just had a salad for lunch. I just don't know why I am suddenly gaining. I still need to lose a good 30 pounds.

Any advice?

Thanks

[rawfigure]

your diet looks fine so it is hard to give a set answer, what about activity ? what exercise did you do or change this week ?

Biorythems are hard to figure out sometimes. I have been raw 5 months and I have lost NO WEIGHT in 5 months. Last week I dropped the nuts out still no lose...go figure right ?

[jaurequi]

Sounds like nothing to me. I would give it time to see if you gain more or till you can determine if it is true weight gain.
If you do weightlifting, this can temporarily increase your weight a bit.
How are your clothes fitting? That's usually I can tell I've gained actual weight since a scale, when only a few pounds are at question, is useless.

If you do continue to gain, then, the only way to lose is to take in less calories than you expend. So, do some cardio and lifting to burn fat and calories; this is best since it is health promoting as well. You can count calories but that just encourages obsessive behaviors and thinking.
I don't recommend starving/going without; however, you can cut calories without obsessing and going hungry by eating lower calorie foods. I eat TONS but I choose what I eat carefully because I have personal goals for how I want to look and, more importantly, I've refined my diet to how I feel best. I love to eat ;D I satisfy myhunger by eating! I'm smart about my choices: I think it is as simple as that.

Best,

[English Tracy]

It is disheartening when the scales go up instead of down. I don't think it's a good idea to weigh yourself every couple of days - try to do it only once a week at most.

I didn't lose weight in week 3 of going raw but it was the wrong time of the month and so perhaps that was the reason.

It also may be a good idea to drink more water, even though the food you eat does have a high water content.

Hang in there - I'm sure it's only a temporary glitch.

Tracy

[IamLoved]

Thanks everyone

In answer to a couple questions, no it is not that time of the month. I am still nrsing and haven't had a time of month for a really long time now. :)
I usually only weigh once a week, on Saturdays, but my skirt was feeling tight on Tusday so I checked in, saw it was up a couple pounds and so kep checking back again until today found me 3.5 pounds heavier than last Saturday.
I, too, hope that this is just a glitch. I don't want to keep gaining.
I have not started any exercise program or weight lifting so that is not the problem either.

Thanks again!

[jaurequi]

Missionarymamato, I meant that if you weightlift it may cause a bit of weight gain at first; I didn't mean for you to infer that exercise in general could be the reason you're gaining weight :). I should have been more clear: I think you should exercise. It's another way to burn up calories without having to deprive yourself.

Best,

[romanticsnet]

Could possibly be water weight from the marinated mushrooms. I know salty stuff leaves me with extra water weight for 2to 3 days. Up your water intake, and you should be fine. ;)

[romanticsnet]

Oops, went back to read your post...I guess it wouldn't be from marinated mushrooms in vinegar.

[newyearspromise]

Ok, not to get too personal... But maybe you are about to resume your menstrual cycles, or maybe you are pregnant again. (I know, I just had a baby 9 months ago, and the idea of having another right yet is not exactly appealing). I thought I had stopped losing weight...but started my first period since having my daughter this week, so I am guessing that explains why I didn't lose this week... I think probably in a few days I will get on the scale and see a few pounds off.

I did a quick guesstimate of your calories for the day, and it seemed like probably around 1400 calories. I honestly don't think a nursing mother could gain on 1400 calories... I think it would be impossible unless you were developing a thyroid problem.

Don't just eat an orange!! Your baby needs you to eat more than that!!

It'll come off. Don't get discouraged! :)

[jaurequi]

Oh, my goodness, I didn't realize you were nursing. I don't think you should be cutting calories, nor good fats... or, at least not too much.
I agree with newyearsevepromise.

My above advice to lose weight is for an appropriate time, obviously a time for you to decide, though :) I don't mean to tell you what to do.
My guess,though -- and it's a layman's -- is that your body is repairing and recovering from giving birth -- give it time! It may be a bit wacky for a while and, incidently, need more nutrition (load up on the green smoothies!)

Exercise advice stands! Starting now is fine and will actually speed up the desired results whether or not you try to start to lose weight dietarily.

Best,

[TA]

Sorry to hear about your weight gain, everyone has given you really great advice. The only thing that occured to me was whether or not it could be a food combining issue at the evening meal. If I do not combine food properly, I get a "hard" bloat, meaning my stomach gets swollen for a few days - especially just before TOM would occur.

Rawkinlocs is very knowledgeable about food combining, so you might ask her. Alissa discusses food combining in her book on page 82, with a chart on page 83.

Best wishes,

Tricia

[jenjenn]

Hi there it is just a guess but maybe your body is naturally producing more milk for some sort of reason so my guess is it is a natural process of your body producing more milk.

[monkeyboy]

Hi Everyone,

Stop, Stop ,Stop,


It's about calories.

Even on raw........if you take in more calories than you burn you will gain weight.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You need to exercise.

Man ,I'll say this until I'm blue in the face.

I love my raw friends, but some things are so simple.

Please.......reflect and think a litle bit.

Talk to a local nutritionist.



Peace in the Middle East,

M.B.

[RawTruth]

First, M.B. and Jaurequi are absolutely right about exercising. Our bodies were made to move. We're the only animals that ignore our natural instinct to move our bodies vigorously and often, ya know!! Can you imagine a panther just sitting, strolling, or laying around? Ah --- I'm digressing. Sorry.

It can be so simple. Just bundle up warmly, buckle the baby (or toddler?) into the stroller and walk out the door. Keep walking for 1/2 hr. minimum, then turn around and walk back. There you go - you just did one hour of exercise. You need no special equipment or special training. We all know how to walk. Just do it -- like you did in going raw. Next day, do it again. Pretty soon, it'll be a habit. Increase the length of the walk. If your body doesn't change and/or you aren't losing weight after a month of this, you definitely need to consult an expert.

Meanwhile, don't decrease the amount of food you're eating. I even wonder if, as a nursing mother, you're eating enough. But, if that's what your body says you're needing right now, it must be, and I don't want to open up another whole subject.

Finally, stop worrying over 3-1/2 pounds!!! You say you have 30 you'd like to lose. It may not drop off at once. If you've been 100% raw since April and you still have 30 pounds to lose, your body just may shed weight more slowly ... or that yummy fresh raw food is helping your body detoxify other areas first before it gets to the weight. Regardless -- get out there and give that metabolism a boost!!

[monkeyboy]

Hi Everyone,

Raw Truth and Monkeyboy are going national.

Forget about Oprah and Dr. Phil.

The Truth and The Monkey next on Channel 8.


Peace and Chicken grease,

M.B.

[RawTruth]

But of course.

The real question, though, is whether we'll be based on the East Coast or the West Coast? Hmmmm ... how 'bout Bali?

Hey, though, what'll we talk since we're not struggling with weight? I DO love this raw life!

[monkeyboy]

Hi Everyone,

Raw truth rocks.

My raw friend............my best bud Brian Frates is an actor in L.A.

I've been meaning to come and visit.

Maybe a meeting in Santa Monica?

Let's talk about our new show.

Look for Brian on the new commecials for Visa Capital One.

This guy is too funny.





Peace,

M.B.



P.S.

Let's meet halfway and hook up with my college buddy Timmy C.

[RawTruth]

St. Louis is good. That big arch thing is wicked cool.

p.s. The same Brian Frates that was in Mystic River as a police guy? Oh man. Be still my beating heart!

[monkeyboy]

Hi Everyone,

Yes, the cop in Mystic River.

This guy has talent.

Rawtruth.......... Google serves you well.

Peace and Humor My friend,

M.B>

[RawTruth]

Peace and Humor My friendBackatcha.

p.s. Google rules the world.

[monkeyboy]

Hi everyone,

I'm not worthy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Rawtruth wins.

If you ever do anything with raw please read the posts of Rawtruth.

I mean it....really.


Peace...out,


M.B.

[yeahbethany]

Hi!


I need help, I am afraid to eat anything right now, all I have had so far today is an orange!

Thanks


Does this not send serious red flags? I'm surprised nobody mentioned this. Missionarymamato, forgive me for being so blunt, but this realy concerns me. The fact that you are afraid of food is one of the early warning signs of an eating disorder. Even if you don't have a fullblown eating disorder in the medical sense, you may want to seek some help and work through some of these food issues. Believe me when I say, "I KNOW, it's not a good way to live, to be in fear of food all the time."

We support you.

[sweetgoddess]

wow! I am amazed that you are panicking over 3.5 pounds considering all the circumstances. Fist of all you are NURSING! That is important info and would have been great to have that included in your first post when you described your scenario.

Second, you mentioned "slipping up for weeks" and have been back to raw since Christmas. That is only a month, a month that included nursing, and everything you ate prior to getting back to 100 percent raw will have to be cleaned out now.

3.5 lbs in a week with all the circumstances is nothing to fret about. It could simply be water, detox, or a cleansing digestive system. I hope you can relax....enjoy your raw food and your little baby! Stressing isn't going to help it at all.

Let it go and trust that your body knows what it is doing in there, because it does. You are blessed with an infant and essentially are sharing your body with it right now. Enjoy! 3.5 lbs is nothing compared to that. You are eating living food and your body is being repaired, your cells nourished.
That is great! Nothing more to do but add exercise.

Congrats to you on your little one.
Warmly~
Carmel

[IamLoved]

Hi everyone

Ok, a couple things..

1. Yes I know I need to exercise. I really need to exercise. I am not against exercising, I just haven't started yet. (But I know I need to!)

2. RawTruth, that is wonderful advise you gave about how to exercise, just go for a walk, which would be lovely if there was not tons of snow on the ground right now and no sidewalks where I live (which happens to be way out in the woods in hickville Maine) I have a treadmill. I just need to start using it.

3. The baby that I am nursing is 14 months old. She is also eating solid (raw) food.

4. Yes, I do have food issues. I am not starving myself. The reason (just one of MANY) that I love raw food is because I do have food issues and this has helped tremendously to resolve a lot of them.

5. No I am not pregnant (I checked that was my first thought too)

6. I am sorry if I came across as sounding so upset. I was a bit shocked to have gained weight and just basically wanted to see if anyone had any advise for me. I am sorry if it came across wrong. I know that it will come off eventually. I know that I am eating the healthiest that I possibly can. Like I said I was just a bit shocked and wanted some advise and to see if anyone had gone through anything similar.

Thank you to all of you for your kind answer and for your concern

Alisha

[rawfigure]

Like I said I was just a bit shocked and wanted some advise and to see if anyone had gone through anything similar.

Thank you to all of you for your kind answer and for your concern

Alisha


Alisha..thats why we are all here !