Questions about weight loss

[Arbee26]

Hey everyone! My name is Becca, and I'm 16. I'm so glad I found this site! I've read a lot about going raw, but I can't seem to get solid answers on some questions.

I'm 5'5", and when I was 14, I weighed 198 pounds. Over the course of a year or so, I went down to 125. (I still ate like crap though. I fell in love with those processed protein bars.) I became "skinny fat", with little muscle tone. I started exercising more, and I started eating more. I gained muscle, but also more fat, and today I'm 152. I'm really hoping to lose about thirty pounds. I want to be lean a fit and healthy for the first time since I was maybe 7 years old.

How many of you had weight loss on a raw diet? And how long did it take you? Did you drop a couple pounds a week; was it really fast or really slow?

Also, this sounds stupid, but what did you eat? Like, over the course of a normal day? I just want some kind of idea. Should I eat just enough to not have a growling stomach? Should I eat even when I feel like I don't need to? I've heard "listen to your body", but what does that mean? If I don't have a growling stomach, but it's been 4 hours since I ate, do I still eat?

Sorry, I'm probably being annoying! I'd really like to go raw, but I don't want to do it wrong.

Another thing.... I'm going on vacation the end of November. I don't expect to be miraculously transformed into this hot skinny chick, but do you think I could be well on my way by that time?

Thanks so much!
Becca

[sport]

Hi and welcome.
It is unlikely that you will not loose a lot of weight to start with. You will hear an odd tale of someone who did not drop the pounds but most people do.
This will happen regardless of what you eat. Your body processes raw food more efficiently than cooked.
Regarding what you eat on a daily basis. It is recommended that you get some greens daily. It is preferable that you take them either as a juice or a smoothie as they are more digestible that way and you only need about 25% to get the same benefit.
You should also get some Essential Fatty Acids daily. Seeds are good for that.

There was a gathering at The Hypocrites Institute some months ago and they came up with a list of recommendations. I will try to find them for you.

[Arbee26]

Thanks for your reply! That's really encouraging. I'll definitely do the smoothie thing daily.

Yes, please! The list would be great, if you can find it.

[sport]

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2009
International Living Food Summit #3
INTERNATIONAL LIVING FOOD SUMMIT III
Vibrant Health Through Plant-Based Nutrition

These historic Summits were held at the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach Florida on
January 14, 2006, April 28, 2007, and May 2, 2009. The Summits convened to unify the leadership in the
Living Food Movement, establishing scientifically based common standards for optimum health.
Leaders from eight countries (with a combined total of over 500 years following this lifestyle) agreed on
the following standards:

The Optimum Diet for Health/Longevity:
• Vegan (no animal products of any kind, cooked or raw)
• Organic
• Whole Foods
• At least 80% raw (the remaining to be Vegan, whole food, and organic)
• High in nutrition such as vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients
• Highly mineralized
• Contains a significant quantity of chlorophyll-rich green foods
• Contains adequate complete protein from plant sources
• Provides excellent hydration with a large proportion of high-water content foods and pure water
• Includes raw vegetable juices
• Contains all essential fatty acids from naturally occurring plant sources
• Has moderate, yet adequate caloric intake
• Contains only low to moderate sugar and exclusively from whole food sources (fruitarianism is strongly
discouraged)
• Contains minimal amounts of unprocessed salts, as needed (depending upon your constitution)
• Is nutritionally optimal for both detoxification and rebuilding

We also agree:
• Eating local, ripe, seasonally available foods as appropriate is adviseable.
• Deficiencies of both Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin D-3 are common issues for mental and physical health, for
anyone on any diet. Plant-based supplementation of Vitamin B-12 is imperative. Adequate Vitamin D levels
can be maintained with sufficient sun exposure. When exposure is inadequate, take appropriate levels of plant –
based Vitamin D-3.
• The addition of enzyme active superfoods and whole food supplements is also advised but does not take the
place of the optimum diet described above.
• Caffeinated and/or addictive substances (even in their raw form), such as cacao/chocolate, coffee, caffeinated
teas, and alcohol are highly discouraged. etc.
• This way of eating can be further optimized by tailoring it based on individual needs (within the principles
stated).
• Benefits derived by following these principles are proportional to how well they are followed.
• We will remain open-minded, and this information will be updated and expanded upon, if necessary, as new
research becomes available.
• Diet is a critical part of a healthy lifestyle, yet not the entire picture. A full spectrum, health supportive
lifestyle is encouraged. This includes physical exercise, exposure to sunshine, as well as psychological health.
Avoiding environmental toxins and toxic products is essential. Paramount is pure water (for consumption and
bathing), the use of natural fiber clothing, and non-toxic personal care products. Also consider healthy options
in home furnishings/building materials and related items.

All participating leaders agree that eating according to the International Living Food Summit Guidelines will
significantly address the urgent issues of health, environmental sustainability, world hunger, and a
compassionate respect for all life.

The following leaders support this Summit Statement:
Fred Bisci, PhD – USA
Tamera Campbell – Vision – USA
Katharine Clark – RN, CMT, CCT - USA
Brenda Cobb – Living Foods Institute - USA
Gabriel Cousens, MD, MD(H) – Diplomat American Board of Holistic Medicine - USA
Anna Maria Clement, CN, NMD, PhD – Hippocrates Health Institute - USA
Brian Clement, CN, NMD, PhD – Hippocrates Health Institute – USA
Karin Dina, DC – RawFoodEducation.com - USA
Rick Dina, DC – RawFoodEducation.com - USA
Dorit – Green Lifestyle Film Festival – USA/Israel
Carole Dougoud – Institute Haute Vitalite - Switzerland
Kare Engstrom – Dietician - Sweden
John Eagle Freedom – Health City USA
Laura Gonzalez – GWAH Healing Institute – USA
Jane Holmes – Living Foods Institute – USA
Elizabeth Kapadia, DN – GWAH Healing Institute – USA
Viktoras Kulvinskas – “Grandfather” of the Living Foods Movement – USA/Costa Rica
Dan Ladermann – Institute for Vibrant Living – USA
Marie Christine Lhermitte – Chemin du mas Magnuel - France
George Malkmus – Hallelujah Acres - USA
Rhonda Malkmus – Hallelujah Acres - USA
Paul Nison – The Raw Life – USA
David Rainoshek, MA – JuiceFeasting.com - USA
Katrina Rainoshek – JuiceFeasting.com - USA
Claudine Richard – Naturopath - France
Michael Saiber – Vision, E3Live - USA
Jameth Sheridan, ND – HealthForce Nutritionals – USA
Cherie Soria – Living Light Culinary Institute – USA
Diana Store – RawSuperfoods.com – UK/The Netherlands
Jill Swyers – Living Foods For Health – UK/Portugal
Walter J. Urban, PhD – USA - Costa Rica