Getting TOO SKINNY on raw food?

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Permalink Reply by April on February 10, 2008 at 9:17am

Hey,

I personally think that this is one aspect where being a raw foodie may be easier for women. We are supposed to look insanely too skinny. So, when we lose weight it is more socially acceptable. Just two cents sorry I can't offer any thing more helpful :-).

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Permalink Reply by Ian on February 10, 2008 at 9:49am

I lost 30 pounds in my first 3 months of going 100% (from 175 to 145). What was odd was that I had been 75-90% raw during the preceding 4 years, so I was unprepared for any radical benefits, and I was most defnintely unprepared for the weight loss.

I used a raw trail mix daily that consisted of walnuts, almonds, and even brazil nuts. This is what I used for my sources of proteins exclusively. Sadly, the protein content is minimal compared to the fat content.

Raw fats contain lipase.

Lipase breaks down fats not only in the food but also in the body.

I had read Victoria Boutenko's Green For Life at the end of those three months, and realized that my protein sources were not supposed to be coming exclusively from nuts and seeds. Once I changed this aspect, and consumed more green smoothies (leafy greens are the optimal source of protein), my weight stabilized, and I gained about 10-12 pounds back, which is where I should be for my height.

Hope this helps!

Ian

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Permalink Reply by Raw by Default on February 10, 2008 at 1:15pm

I lost a bit of weight when I first went raw. Then I got sick and lost more weight. I haven't been able to gain it back, no matter how many green smoothies, avocados, and nuts I eat.

People who say that they wish they had this problem don't understand at all. Being too skinny can be dangerous, just like being too heavy can be dangerous. Imagine having as much trouble gaining weight as you do losing it... and hearing perhaps more negative comments about your weight because it's somehow more acceptable to tell someone they're too skinny than it is to tell them they're too fat. And I don't think it's necessarily more socially acceptable for women. Personally, I get tired of the "stick insect" or "real women have curves" comments. Does that mean I'm not "real"?

In my case, it's probably some underlying problem that I haven't found yet. I've always been like this. I was the type of skinny little kid who could out-eat my parents at restaurants and still look somewhat emaciated.

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Permalink Reply by Candy (aka Kan-Dee) on February 10, 2008 at 6:58pm

I feel ya! I have been battling being underweight since I was a child. I was that super skinny, bean-pole, skeleton, kid. About a year after having my son, who is now 13, I was diagnosed with an over-active thyroid disorder. I am 5'7" and currently about 130 lbs, but was down to 110 lbs at my lowest. My joints have all but warn out due to not enough "cushin" and I have been on joint supplement for the past 6 years. Luckily, I elected NOT to go on medication at the time I was diagnosed, but years later found that the associated symptoms were getting too difficult to live with. I was still your typical meat-and-potatoes-country-girl, but had found herbal therapies to be incredibly useful.

Since I began the raw foods diet about 4-5 months ago, I have actually put on over 10 lbs and am now at my ideal weight for my height. I no longer take even the herbal medication for thyroid as all of my symptoms including weight loss, chronic fatigue and extreme moodiness (although my boyfriend may disagree haha) are no longer affecting me. I should mention, however, that I am only about 2/3 raw and mostly vegan. (I have fish, sushi usually, about once/month, no dairy, no eggs, and very little soy). I also work out at the gym and at home 3-6 days/week which I feel has also contributed to my renewed health. I am still on supplements for my joints.

I have spent my entire life being told that I am "lucky," while being called anorexic, gross, toothpick, flat chested, you name it, I've heard it. People do feel the need to call others names for being thin, and secretly envy them at the same time. I've had people tell me to my face that I'm "disgustingly skinny" and that I "really need to put on some weight." To which I would sarcastically reply, "well, if you really feel the need to speak so candidly about weight, how bout we talk about yours and how many cheeseburgers it took you to look the way you do?" (This was in my angry years.) Funny how this offended them, but they couldn't understand how being called "disgustingly skinny and anorexic" wasn't a complement to me.

Unfortunately, there isn't much we can say to change the mind of someone who is still living with envy, yet unwilling to make the necessary changes to better themselves. My favorite is when people say to me at the gym, "oh, you don't need to be here, you're already thin." They don't understand that maybe, just maybe thats WHY I'm there.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to simply smile, knowing that you are healthy and will continue to be so for years to come. Remember, too, that each of us are built differently, and therefore, "skinny" for one person may be healthy for them, while another may find that healthy for them is a bit more plump. Don't ever judge yourself, or let others judge you, by someone else's idea of who or what you "should" be.

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Permalink Reply by OCEAN on February 10, 2008 at 3:37pm

Hey Joel,

I can relate to your situation. When I decided to go raw I went from 280lbs to 217lbs in 100 days with no exercise. At first everyone was so proud of me but I started to get dark rings under my eyes and looked pasty. When I got under 220lbs I got the same too skinny comments.

When I first went raw I used the 80/10/10 concept. So I did some research and lowered my sugar intake, upped the dark greens allot, ate more fat and started to take some mineral supplements. I started to look and feel much healthier! My weight stayed the same though. So as of this Monday 3 months ago I started to lift weights hard 5 days a week and yoga every night before bed.

I'm now 227lbs, got a four pack, and have veins and muscles popping out I didn't know existed! I warn you it was not easy to get these result. These gain have taken allot of effort and PAIN! Don't let that word scare you if you want to gain muscle mass. You need to be a bit of a sadomasochist to really gain mass. That means not skipping Squat days and not stopping when you feed the lactic acid build up.
Don't get me wrong build the intensity slowly over the first month and if you don't have allot of experience in the gym get someone that does to mentor and spot you.

As far as dealing with the soreness always eat lots of alkalizing foods throughout the day and especially in that after workout meal that you need to consume within 20 minutes of your workout. Other than that Epsom salt baths and yoga have really helped.

You're also going to want to eat more often like every 3 hours and you will be very hungry so get ready to up your calorie intake.

I'm still figuring out how to make this work for me and do not claim to know what will work for you but I hope my experiences can shed some light on your situation. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Love and Light,
Ocean

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Permalink Reply by Teran McKinney on February 10, 2008 at 4:20pm

I think that the ideal weight is actually slightly lower than what society says it is. The average American is getting heavier and heavier, so "thin" is not as thin as it was before. However, it is still important to maintain enough caloric intake from proper foods so that your body can maintain its ideal weight. I felt the same way about getting too thin though, and added some extra calories through more seeds and nuts just in case it was lower than my ideal weight.

Cheers!

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy on February 10, 2008 at 7:55pm

Everyone's experience is a little bit different. I want to express my gratitude for all of you sharing this. I have always been on the leaner side of the scale. I was eating meat and cooked veggies, eggs, bacon, butter, jelly, all of the heavy stuff(no gluten). I gradually switched to raw foods under the encourgagement of my "food coach" (my love Lisha).

I can say that the weight is about the same. I just eat a lot of fruits, agave, raisins, avocados and nuts. Green smoothies with 2 types of protein powder (hemp and spirulina) greet me each morning.

The difference in general feelings whether fatigue, malaise, or soreness is phenom!

I have gotten to where I prefer to walk or do something physical. Also, I do an exercise routine in the morning that is helping the proteins build muscle and add trim where there was none.

So, my experience has been a definite A+.

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Permalink Reply by onelove.amyruth on February 10, 2008 at 6:11pm

http://thenutmanshow.mypodcast.com/2007/09/The_Nutman_Show_02_Prote...

check out this guy Joel. i think hes got a ton of good info for our beautiful, strong, raw men. you might have to copy and paste it into a new window. you can find him on myspace too. onelove my friend!

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Permalink Reply by Joel on February 10, 2008 at 11:53pm

All GREAT advice, thanks everyone

It might be the stripping to bare chassis I was always thinking about, and then rebuild. I think that's the direction I've embarked
Green smoothies sound really important according to everyone, I've been on the nuts and seeds and dried fruit lately, abandoned my greens since early January, and wasn't cutting it anymore.

Smoothies + superpowders, and back to weightlifting will be great. (spirulina, green powders, chlorella)
I'm looking forward to experimenting with weight gain now.
And the Boutenko book looks like a great read too. And after listening to Nutman, Feeling stronger already

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Permalink Reply by Raw Vegan Steven on February 11, 2008 at 10:47pm

Yes... but I have always been skinny. Believe it or not, I have read that if you fast... you can gain healthy weight! I plan on gaining weight this spring/summer through juice/smoothie/water fasting and salads! HEHE : )

But all in all... I do sometimes feel that way. YOUR on the BEST diet ever! Ignore the negativity! That works for me! : )

P.S. does he have a gut? Just curious?

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Permalink Reply by EcoDea on February 11, 2008 at 11:14pm

I feel that way too, though I'm on a JF, so I guess I'll gain some back later. My friends/relatives are a bit scared! I never thought one day I would think myself too skinny! :)

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Permalink Reply by Ronan on February 12, 2008 at 5:32pm

Hey Joel

I hear you buddy. I've always been skinny but since going raw on Jan 1st I've lost 5lbs. It might not seem like much but on my frame it's noticeable and I'm down to 120lbs. Part of my degree involves spending time in a good chunk of my week in my underwear in front of large groups of people, so there's no getting a way from it (seriously - osteopathy, love it).

I've got a lot of mixed advice on how to put on weight. Most people seem to agree it's a natural part of the detox process and strength training is required to put on weight. I'm inclined to go with that too.

I've been doing more exercise and even though I'm skinner I'm much stronger.. I can do a 25 pushups now from 6 three weeks ago. I won't be winning any competitions but it's a good start.

Good luck

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