Question for those who have lost a lot of weight while raw . . .UPDATE

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Permalink Reply by Laurel on May 7, 2008 at 1:17pm

I would first like to say that I empathize with you. I know how incredibly frustrating it can be to want to lose weight and not see the scale move, even after making big changes to your life. I also did the raw diva detox diet. I have been raw for about two months. I have lost 12 pounds, and have 25-30 to go. I lost 55 before going raw. A friend gave me some very helpful advice that she read on the raw model's blog. 1. Exercise before eating in the morning. This can be difficult, especially if you have small children at home (like I do). Sometimes I have to get up at 5 am to get it in before the hubby leaves for work. 2. Don't eat after 7 pm. No exceptions! This is a big one for me, because I tend to eat the worst at this time of night and I really give in to cravings then. I saw (am seeing) a big difference with this one.

I don't know how much you are exercising but for me, before going raw, I started running 5K, 3x a week. Even adding in this exercise, I didn't see the scale budge (but my clothes did get a bit looser). I think we definitely have to do both...daily exercise, plus eating a high raw diet. It is frustrating, when so many other people seem to drop weight easily, modifying their diet only a little. But for me, I have to exercise daily (I run 3x a week, and try to get in 10K steps the other days), as well as eat a high raw diet.
I am also interested in reading Natalia Rose's book. I have heard really good things. Good luck and keep us posted!

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Permalink Reply by Anabrese on May 7, 2008 at 1:20pm

Fruits, salads and some steamed rice with veggies in evening. Keep it low fat and low seeds and nuts and the weight should fall off. Don't forget to exercise at least 2-3 x 20 mins a day. Drink lots of water between meals to avoid snacking.
Fasting isn't such a great idea as you're likely to put on the weight afterwards and it slows down the metabolism.


www.rawlifestyle.co.uk
Recipes, diary

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Permalink Reply by Kendra on May 7, 2008 at 9:07pm

Thanks for your help, guys. It is pretty frustrating, as I have so much to lose. Back in 2001-02, I lost 75 lbs on Weight Watchers. Then I gained 60 lbs when pregnant, and am still trying to lose it. :( I tried going back to WW, but failed miserably. And now I know that raw is the best way to go, but I need to get consistent results. I think I will try Natalia Rose's suggestions. Thanks again for all your help. :)

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Permalink Reply by Pauline on May 7, 2008 at 9:52pm

Hi,
I would suggest that you get in touch with Angela Stokes. Her web site is: http://www.rawreform.com/
She is also on this site.

I know that fruit is often a key ingredient to take out when trying to lose weight because of its sugar content. If you do this and stick with veggies, nuts, etc with a nice green juice daily or several times a day you will probably see a shift.

You will succeed! Pauline :)

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Permalink Reply by Jessica on May 8, 2008 at 12:00am

Keep in mind there aren't any plant sources of cholesterol...so while the raw diet can be high in fats, cholesterol from food isn't a concern.

I agree with the people who are saying that you need to add in lots of veggies and leafy greens - my bf isn't raw but I do make him a big salad when I am making one for myself, and he is (slowly) losing weight because he gets filled up by the greens and eats less of everything else. I also find that because I am making vegan food even if I am preparing a cooked meal (usually just rice with greens, onions, mushrooms and nori, sometimes squash), there's a lot less fat and no cholesterol and nothing processed, so it's still healthy food and quite filling.

No doubt you will continue to see results - changes will happen on the inside as well as the outside, so keep in mind that even if you think you have hit a plateau with weight loss the stuff on the inside is busy getting stronger which will just help your body to maintain a healthy weight in the long run. Good for you and don't get discouraged! Just adding more raw foods is a big step in the right direction!

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Permalink Reply by bitt on May 7, 2008 at 10:57pm

I have been having a green smoothie sometimes at night for a meal. it cuts the cravings. for me i had to go all raw...there were just to many temptations out there. i was addicted to sugar so even one might would get me back hooked and out of control. i have not weighed myself because i don't have a scale but in 3 1/2 weeks raw gone down a pants size for sure.

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Permalink Reply by silvergirlsouth on May 8, 2008 at 5:46am

i think the critical thing is what you are eating in your non-raw part of your diet .... many people who are transitioning tend to still eat junk in the non-raw portion of their diet, which pretty much undoes all the rest (not completely, but in a weight loss sense it really sabotages you).

if you can possibly give up all - yes all, refined starches and sugars, this will help you tremendously - i promise. do it with no exceptions, then your body can really start to release the toxins and the weight will start to disappear more easily.

so when you are looking at your cooked foods .... just make sure there are no breads, pastas, baked goods .... anything with flour of any kind .... and also nothing with refined sugars of any kind.

how much of a challenge would that be for you??

(for more on this, read Matt Monarch's Raw Spirit and Raw Success books)

xx

sgs

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Permalink Reply by anaBXelle on June 16, 2008 at 9:02pm

I am a huge fan of the "little influences", positive affirmations, and constant reminders-anything to keep you motivated. This food combining chart you have...is there a link to get my own copy of it? Or can you list the "rules" for us?
(And here I thought I was the only one putting a wee bit of belly wight on...)

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Permalink Reply by yardsnacker on June 16, 2008 at 12:04am

I would reverse the cooked meal to being breakfast and end your evening with a green smoothie. They can be super yummy and still open up your heart. To paraphrase what Wendi Dee of purejeevan.com said, "..just relax and let your body do its thing, at it's own pace" This got me through a rough patch and it helps me stay motivated. You need to love yourself right now, and when you do lose weight, still love who you were. That's a key.
Best of luck,

Sam
yardsnacker.com

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Permalink Reply by chasmyn on June 16, 2008 at 4:22am

Sam, I'm curious about that suggestion - wouldn't eating cooked in the morning make one sluggish for the rest of the day?

The reason Natalia Rose suggests eating cooked in the evenings is because it is the last meal of the day, so it is okay to be more sluggish then...I've definitely found myself that I have much less energy after a cooked meal.

I find myself eating less and less cooked meals in the evenings, in fact - I just love raw so much more. I've only been doing it for three months now, though. My issue lately is finding some sort of way to cope with the EMOTIONS that want to come up - what do I do instead of eat cooked, heavy food? That is my dilemna right now. I know no other way YET.

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Permalink Reply by yardsnacker on June 16, 2008 at 4:16pm

If I had to eat some cooked food I would rather it be burned off throughout the day, rather than using my restorative period as a time of work internally. I want restorative sleep, and not sluggish heavy sleep.

If Natalia Rose's advice makes sense to you then, I would go with that. I personally feel that cooked food doesn't necessarily make one who is transitioning any more sluggish when eaten at any other time.

I would watch some of Dhrumil's videos, they are very helpful about some of the issues you are talking about.

~Sam
yardsnacker.com

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Permalink Reply by chasmyn on June 16, 2008 at 7:14pm

Lulu and Sam - You both make really good points. See, this is why I asked - it really makes more sense to eat large earlier, doesn't it? Good food for thought - thank to both of you for your responses. :-)

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