Am I doing something wrong?

[Raquel]

Hi, I've been raw for the first 4 months of finding out about it, and i loved it. 

However in the fourth month my mother was scared because she didn't know about the diet and was afraid that it wasn't all that my body needed, so she asked me to do a blood test. 

I had faith in the diet but somehow I was afraid that it was too soon to do the blood tests, that it wouldn't show how good the diet was and that I would be obligated to stop it. 

Ironically, i started eating small amounts of cooked thinking that i could deceive the blood test. And because of that I got out of the raw food diet. And I've been in a yo-yo ever since.

Now, after a lot of  failed attempts at raw, I've informed myself and have started eating more greens, around a green juice and big salad a day, and fruit for the rest of the day and a little nuts if I can't help it. It stays more or less 50/50 greens and fruit cause I don't eat a lot in terms of quantity.

1) My question is, after all this yo-yoing I haven't been able to lose the weight, or if I lose it comes off reeeeaaaallly slowly, and so what can I do about it?

2) Have a messed up my body for good? 

3) Am I doing something wrong or is there anything I can do to fix it?

I want to stay raw, that is my priority, but I'm afraid to get demotivaded cause my weight is very important to me, can you help me?

[Susan : )]

I suggest that you build up your confidence by educating yourself about this lifestyle. 

Check out the Media Room...there are alot of great videos that will encourage and support YOU!

Media Room

Media Room Index

[Raquel]

Thanks Susan, I'll check it out!

[Wendy Geesey]

Hi Raquel,

You don't look overweight to me- how much do you want/have to lose? Most people carry anywhere from 5-20 pounds of toxic waste in their fat cells! You might think about a juice fast for a few weeks to detoxify since you haven't been completely raw for long (it sounds). No, you haven't messed up your body for good- it's amazing how forgiving it is, you just have to feed it right ;)

[indigo]

Maybe your body is happy at its current weight.  How much water do you drink?  What about salt?  Do you go outside for a walk now and then or get some other appropriate exercise?  I've noticed that if I consume a lot of salt or soy products, I'll gain 3 or 4 pounds and hang onto it for dear life.

[Raquel]

Ok, what you said sounded really right. Maybe that's what I need. I'm not overweight, just want to lose that little extra weight that for me is about 20 pounds. What happens to me is that I start the day well but by the end of it I eat something cooked, because I like it and it's there. It's frustating, but I've read a lot and have come to understand that I was lacking balance, especially greens in the diet. I had to work out how to make them good and I'm still figuring that out. I was also compensating for not being very socially active. 

It's a relief to know that there's still hope (lol), thank you, you gave me a lot to consider and I will probably follow your advice on going on a juice fast.

Thank you so much, Wendy

Wendy Geesey said:

Hi Raquel,

You don't look overweight to me- how much do you want/have to lose? Most people carry anywhere from 5-20 pounds of toxic waste in their fat cells! You might think about a juice fast for a few weeks to detoxify since you haven't been completely raw for long (it sounds). No, you haven't messed up your body for good- it's amazing how forgiving it is, you just have to feed it right ;)

[Raquel]

Yeah, I know what you mean and I'm not really exercicing much. I'm planning to start in march, it sure helps with being balanced. I do feel that everytime I eat cooked food I get dehydrated. 

Those are good eye openers. Yeah, water does wonders. 

Thanks indigo

indigo said:

Maybe your body is happy at its current weight.  How much water do you drink?  What about salt?  Do you go outside for a walk now and then or get some other appropriate exercise?  I've noticed that if I consume a lot of salt or soy products, I'll gain 3 or 4 pounds and hang onto it for dear life.

[Ayn]

Sounds like you are off to a good new start! I wonder if you are eating enough? You mentioned that you do not in a lot in terms of quantity. I know that on days that I havent eaten enough fats (and I know it doesnt take much) my calorie count is only about 600-800, and thats NOT ENOUGH, which can actually cause you to gain weight instead of lose weight. Maybe just keep an eye on that and make sure you are getting enough to eat. 

[Wendy Geesey]

600-800 calories?!! how do you survive?!! wow! I'd wither, lol. But what Ayn says is right on- small meals every 3 hours or so to keep your metabolism humming along. But a lot of times that last 10-20 pounds comes down to toxicity- toxins being held in the fat cells.

Greens are so easy to incorporate into a diet. Spinach/Romaine salads- top with dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, pepitas and a nice dressing. Kale salad, kale chips, green smoothies, green juice! A wonderful green smoothie: 1 mango, 6 oz spinach- Vita-mix! If it needs more sweetness add a couple of dates.

You're welcome! ;)

[Ayn]

thats with NOT adding some good fats. Add in some help seeds, chia seeds, etc and you are good to go in a healthy range of calories. Also, sometimes just adding more fruit will get you there. On the days that I realize I have not added the fats, I feel lethargic and cold too... Just something to monitor is all!

Wendy Geesey said:

600-800 calories?!! how do you survive?!! wow! I'd wither, lol. But what Ayn says is right on- small meals every 3 hours or so to keep your metabolism humming along. But a lot of times that last 10-20 pounds comes down to toxicity- toxins being held in the fat cells.

Greens are so easy to incorporate into a diet. Spinach/Romaine salads- top with dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, pepitas and a nice dressing. Kale salad, kale chips, green smoothies, green juice! A wonderful green smoothie: 1 mango, 6 oz spinach- Vita-mix! If it needs more sweetness add a couple of dates.

You're welcome! ;)

[Ayn]

Oh, and I do not TRY to do that! My goal is to have between 1600 and 2000 a day, that works for me energy wise and keeps my body from going into a starvation mode too. 

Ayn said:

thats with NOT adding some good fats. Add in some help seeds, chia seeds, etc and you are good to go in a healthy range of calories. Also, sometimes just adding more fruit will get you there. On the days that I realize I have not added the fats, I feel lethargic and cold too... Just something to monitor is all!

Wendy Geesey said:

600-800 calories?!! how do you survive?!! wow! I'd wither, lol. But what Ayn says is right on- small meals every 3 hours or so to keep your metabolism humming along. But a lot of times that last 10-20 pounds comes down to toxicity- toxins being held in the fat cells.

Greens are so easy to incorporate into a diet. Spinach/Romaine salads- top with dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, pepitas and a nice dressing. Kale salad, kale chips, green smoothies, green juice! A wonderful green smoothie: 1 mango, 6 oz spinach- Vita-mix! If it needs more sweetness add a couple of dates.

You're welcome! ;)

[Wendy Geesey]

The greens suggestion was for Raquel ;) sorry I didn't specify! oops...

Ayn, I was just marveling at the fact that you have to "focus on eating enough" lol- NOT usually one of my problems!! :P

Ayn said:

Oh, and I do not TRY to do that! My goal is to have between 1600 and 2000 a day, that works for me energy wise and keeps my body from going into a starvation mode too. 

Ayn said:

thats with NOT adding some good fats. Add in some help seeds, chia seeds, etc and you are good to go in a healthy range of calories. Also, sometimes just adding more fruit will get you there. On the days that I realize I have not added the fats, I feel lethargic and cold too... Just something to monitor is all!

Wendy Geesey said:

600-800 calories?!! how do you survive?!! wow! I'd wither, lol. But what Ayn says is right on- small meals every 3 hours or so to keep your metabolism humming along. But a lot of times that last 10-20 pounds comes down to toxicity- toxins being held in the fat cells.

Greens are so easy to incorporate into a diet. Spinach/Romaine salads- top with dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, pepitas and a nice dressing. Kale salad, kale chips, green smoothies, green juice! A wonderful green smoothie: 1 mango, 6 oz spinach- Vita-mix! If it needs more sweetness add a couple of dates.

You're welcome! ;)

[Raquel]

Well, I try to understand that a lot of calories are better for you, but I suppose I get scared that I'll gain weight which sometimes happens. 

I do like large salads, especially lettuce. I go with some of the recipes of "Raw food made easy for 1 or 2 people", but I still have a lot to learn. Thanks for your tips.

However, I think a good clean up is what I need. I'm tending towards the juice fast, I think it was a great idea Wendy.

About the calories, I'm just not hungry and I eat the nuts just because I crave cooked food or something consistant.