Summer weight loss challenge? - Page 5 - Raw Food Chat

lucky_rainboq · 04-17-2006

CONGRATS ON ONE WEEK RAW!!!!!

That's so neat that your eating raw has resulted in your husband becoming mindful about what he is eating and how his body is feeling! I think that the best way to influence people is always to lead by example. I have found being mindful when eating is so important. It can help digestion and help avoid overeating. it also allows me to connect to my food on a level that most people do not. I think about where my food comes from, where it was grown, how it got here to me.

It's really amazing that you are starting to feel changes. More energy, shorter naps! I have also noticed a big change in energy. Lately I've only been sleeping for 5-6 hrs a night and I never feel overtired. Before when I was eating cooked, if I only got 5-6 hrs sleep I would be totally dead during the day, like a zombie! I was drinking caffeine and still almost falling asleep everywhere. Now i'm off caffeine and have an abundance of energy!

Val · 04-25-2006

Hi All...my weekly check-in for our 30 day challenge. I had a few ups and downs the past few days. Circumstances got a little hectic and I ate some cooked food...not feeling great about it but not really guilty, either. I realized this is a process and I have found that by straying from raw, the cooked food only confirms that raw is the way to go. The cooked food did not even taste so great and I end up feeling "gross"....just kind of blah. The feeling from raw food is so much better! So, to me the little "slip ups" are actually beneficial because it helps to make a stronger impression on me that raw food is so much better for me. Anyway, back on track (sipping my morning smoothie as I type!!). To my surprise, haven't gain any weight back. At 196 lbs. currently. I am thinking about consuming only smoothies for the next week or so (mix of fruits and veggies, as described in "Green For Life"). I figure it's similar to a juice fast. After the smoothie "fast", I may do a true juice fast and then maybe a short water fast. I don't know....just tossing the idea around. Don't want to rush into anything too soon after eating cooked food. Looking forward to continuing the journey! Have a rawsome day!!!!!

P.S. Shanshan, where have you been???

lucky_rainboq · 04-25-2006

Val, It's completely normal for you to have had a slip-up and eaten cooked food. It happened to me many times being raw. I did notice that most of the times it happened, my weight loss would either stagnate or I would get backed up, or I'd gain a pound. Not a big deal, but like you said, the most important thing is what you learn from doing it. You realize how the food makes you feel! It's a huge learning process and I had many slip-ups on my way. If you're remaining raw with only slip-ups, instead of remaining cooked with some raw slip-ups, it sounds like you're doing awesome!!!

Val · 04-28-2006

Thanks, lucky_rainboq, for your words of encouragement. Yes, I definitely had some slip-ups this past week and I don't feel good about it. However, I am not going to allow myself to feel guilty because that would probably be the worst thing I could do! And really, I don't feel guilty because I know I am coming from a SAD lifestyle to raw in just the past month, so it really is going to be process and that's what's sooo exciting about it! I think I learn more from the slip-ups because it teaches me that my body does not function well on cooked junk. Anyway, one day at a time, I guess....each day that I eat raw, exercise, pray, laugh, spend time with my children and husband, etc. is a GREAT DAY!!!

colorandlight · 05-07-2006

i'm totally up for a challenge. i don't know about a juice fast because i'm really busy and need to have lots of energy all the time (and with my prior ventures into fasting sometimes you feel incredable like you're flying and other times you crash and want to die), but i want to try being 100% raw for a few weeks to see if there's a difference. i need to drop about 30-40 pounds and would like to get on that path asap. glad to find friends who are into it as well!
~peace~

lucky_rainboq · 05-07-2006

hey colorandlight!

I know what you mean about fasting. I did a 6 day fast where I started out doing the master cleanse and ended with water fasting and I saw my energy just plummet. I've been reading a lot about fasting lately after my brief foray into that world and I have learned a lot! The reason why you fast is to REST so I don't suggest fasting unless you have time to truly rest your body and lay around!

That's awesome that you want to join our challenge! I have started a journal and I track my daily progress on there. We also try to check in once a month with this thread. I completed my 30 days and I've committed to another 30 days!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

freakyfroggy · 05-08-2006

Hey, I've been reading all your entries and getting really inspired. I've been off and on of raw since January (mostly off). I'd love to get back on track and try it. I keep saying I will. I think I'm going to take your challenge and start tomorrow. Thirty days! I think I can do it!
Do you have any tips or anything??
Thanks!