Losing weight...

[Steven]

A little bit of a back ground :I went raw vegan a little over a year ago and was 100% for 3/4 months and got very skinny and looked anorexic even though I exercised regularly as well. I started to cave because of worry/cravings and ate simple cooked foods that were still vegan and slowly gained weight back while being roughly 60-80% raw since then.

Last month I joined the 30 day raw challenge and have been 100% raw since, but Im worrying Ill get too skinny again, Im 6'2" roughly 152 pounds and 16 years old, which my lowest weight last time was 140 and I do not wish to be there again! I would like to safely be in the 170 range eventually but of muscle mass and not fat. I just got back from a two week spring break today, and at school a lot of my friends said I looked a little thinner but also a lot happier at the same time(I am so much happier full raw, I hate how I feel with cooked foods like most here would say). Ive read that guys are more prone to getting skinnier on 100% raw in the beginning and then rebuild up healthy fats after a while. Anyone had experience with this? Also as a teenager I worry about family members/friends worrying about me and trying to convert me back to cooked foods if I get too thin in the process. Is the answer to not getting too thin just exercise more to build muscle? Ive been trying to load up on lots of nuts/seeds, avocados, and coconut to keep up good fat intake as well.

So if anyone has advice I would LOVE to hear it, even if I already know it I just need clarification! :)

[sport]

I felt that I was too skinny and looked ill when I started first and then I regained some of the weight and got a healthy look and everyone started to change their feelings on how I looked.
The weird thing is that I am now back down to the weight that I looked unhealthy at in the beginning but now it does not look too skinny for me and everyone says that I look great.
100% is best and if you have to put up with looking less than your best for a little while it is a small price to pay.

[DandelionPuff]

Maybe you should begin counting calories?
Males do need more claories than females, so it's no surprise you guys have a harder time keeping on weight. You could always munch on nuts, seeds, of dried fruit to get in more calories. Or maybe throw in some nuts into green smoothies to add extra cals without realizing it? Or add oils to them too.
You could also have a tablespoon of olive oil everyday too...

Hope this helps. I lost a lot of weight last year, and after Winter came and I stopped eating as much raw, I gained most of it back. I'm only eating 65-70% raw right now, but I'm hoping to up that as time goes on. Let's see if my weight sticks or not

[Steven]

Thank you both for your comments!

Ive been counting my calories for the last week in a cronometer program that also tells me all the nutrients Im consuming and if Im lacking in something. Its averaged out that Im consuming about 2500 calories a day, but my goal is to get at least 3000 which isnt too hard. Especially since I have been obsessed with eating raw walnuts and cashews, I just cant get enough of them!

Im definitely prepared to not look my best if it means Ill come out better on the other side, Ive been 100% for almost two months now and my weight is fluctuating around 149. Already seeing signs of become a bit too skinny though. But then again I am building a little lean muscle mass from exercise.

[Lady Green Jeans]

That is so wonderful that you are taking such a healthy path at your age. What a gift to your body.

It sounds like you have the calorie thing down pat. Males do need more calories and you probably have a very good metabolism given your age. I eat plenty of avos and some nuts and have been dropping weight. I've seen some people who eat 15-30 bananas a day. I personally cannot eat that many, but they seem to have great results.

I have read several times that the body does balance out after it rids itself of toxins, etc. on the raw diet--kind of after the detox, it rebuilds. Have you had much detox? Is your daily caloric intake food variety sufficient for your activity level?

[Steven]

I've seen some people who eat 15-30 bananas a day. I personally cannot eat that many, but they seem to have great results

I aim to eat from 10-15 bananas a day since they are cheap and calorie dense. Ive found since upping the fruit it makes it so much easier to stay raw.

I have read several times that the body does balance out after it rids itself of toxins, etc. on the raw diet--kind of after the detox, it rebuilds. Have you had much detox? Is your daily caloric intake food variety sufficient for your activity level?

I havent really had that many detox symptoms, but I have gotten better eyesight(never thought that was possible as I had very good eyesight before), more restful sleep, and more energy. Now emotional detox - yes, since starting 100% raw I have had a couple times of completely breaking down or having random emotions hit me for no reason. I think for my height and activity level I require roughly 2500 calories a day to maintain weight, but I am getting into the habit of doing yoga, running, and an exercise dvd program a couple times a week. So I am trying to get 3000 to be able to build muscle and properly fuel my body.

[Norie]

Go on a fad diet. The only sure way to gain weight!!! FOR GOOD!