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I have a sweet tooth and have been trying the raw food lifestyle for about three weeks. So to "feed" my sweet tooth I now have dates and fruit to enjoy! Plus coco's which I love cracking open and drinking. I have made a wonderful coconut pie from a famous raw food cook book and also enjoyed the "laughing giraffe raw granola" in the morning...which is definately sweet! My struggle is that one of the incentives for going to raw foods for me is that I really do need to loose weight. I have about 10 to 15 pounds of excess fat on my body that makes me feel terrible. I work out 3 to 5 days a week. I have been vegan up until now. I thought that on the vegan diet eating soy, dark chocolate and popcorn were some of the things really keeping the weight on me. I thought cutting all of that out on the raw diet it would come right off. SO my question is do you think the dates and coconuts and raw granola are keeping the weight on? Other than those sweets I eat fresh fruit in the morning and fruit smoothies I make in my vita-mix. Then I do a big raw salad with sprouts and seeds in the afternoon. I usually have some mac nuts or a "raw snack bar" for snack or sometimes raw flax crakers and homemade quacamole, or raw "kale chips" (just dehydrated kale with cashew and nutritional yeast on top) and then I will go out to our local raw cafe for dinner. Or if I am home I will make another big salad for dinner at home. If it is after 6:00pm I try and just have a small little salad, so as not to go to bed on a full stomach. I thought with all the changes I have made cutting out all lactose soy and gluten and going raw I would finally drop some of these pounds. Is it the fruit and coconuts and dates? The nuts and seeds? I feel I do eat a lot of vegies every day. What could I be doing different?
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Re: weight loss
Wed, June 10, 2009 - 9:17 AMI'm no expert on the subject but I know that to lose weight the simple fact of the matter is that you have to be taking in less calories then you use through out the day. If you look at the calorie content of a single coconut, you'll be astounded to find that it's similar to a big mac. Granted, the type of fat in a coconut is so good for you (same with nuts, seeds, avocados, etc...) but just because they're healthy does not mean that you should be eating them all the time. My advice would be to keep the coconut consumption to a minimum. I'm obsessed with coconuts myself so I totally understand your dilemma. They are the saving grace of a raw diet, but definitely don't over do it.
Good luck!!
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Re: weight loss
Thu, June 11, 2009 - 6:28 AMWhat sort of workouts are you doing?
How long do the workouts take?
Elana is spot on: If you take in fewer calories than your body needs, you will lose weight. Just make sure most of it is excess fat. Make sure you eat in the morning (to jump-start your metabolism) and don;t eat several hours before going to sleep in the evening. -
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Re: weight loss
Fri, June 12, 2009 - 10:51 PMThanks, seems like good advice! I will try and keep it to one coconut every couple of days or only two a week.... I heard the white "meat" of the coconut was the only fattening part and drinking the water was fine and not fattening?
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Re: weight loss
Fri, June 12, 2009 - 10:53 PMI work out every day I can which usually is 5 days a week. I do yoga and cardio machines and free weights and spin classes what ever is going to make me sweat and feel like I am also getting strong. I did three miles on the treadmill today and lunges with 7 pound weight bi-cep curls today. It just depends on the day.... -
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Re: weight loss
Tue, June 23, 2009 - 9:25 PMLow glycemic is the key to weight loss. Sweets cause an insulin reaction in your body which leads to stored fat. The coconuts are great, but cut WAY back on your fruit intake, and don't be afraid of yummy fats...they keep you satisfied and are vital for so many of your body's needs...go to Gabriel Cousin's website for raw low glycemic info, or the Weston Price foundation's website for non-raw info. Fat is the only nutrient that can't be stored as fat, as it is the only nutrient that doesn't cause an insulin reaction in the body...and by the way, that is also one of the keys to longevity; ceasing to cause insulin reactions! -
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Re: weight loss
Wed, June 24, 2009 - 5:58 PMDitto to Aura's reply! Cut way back on the super sweet fruits. For me I can drink all thecoc water I want but if I eat the meat it is best to have a good workout that day. One or both of these have applied for curbing my sweet tooth: 1) Eat more protein are you willing to more of some of these?
Vegetarian protein sources:
* Grains: barley, wheat, bulgar, oats, rice, etc.
* Legumes: beans, peas, lentils, soy products
* Seeds and Nuts: sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, cashews, nut butters, etc.
For me more than a small palm of nuts is too much per serving. I do grains and greens and lots of them!
2) Is your life sweet enough? Are you out enjoying life? I don't mean eating dessert I mean doing things that feed your soul and heart.
Alkalize your blood w/ as much greens as you can, lemon in your water and on your food and watch out for too much salt that can make somebody types retain too much water. (especially in some commercial soy products). Add more fresh herbs to your food and citrus. Drink more water.
Also remember that muscle weighs more than fat.
Last but not least look into any old emotional baggage and holding that might be there. Sometimes our bodies put on some extra padding for protection.
blessings!
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Re: weight loss
Mon, June 29, 2009 - 12:10 PMThanks so much for everyone's replys! I started doing Cherie Soria's "Fast Track -Raw Diet Revolution" and by using her very balanced menus I am noticing that I was definately eating more fruit than I needed to. Also, by using her plan I am getting way more vegetables and tons of Kale! I am starting to finally take some weight off and feeding my husband like this he is also loosing weight! I also finally purchased a dehydrator, and making my own flax crackers and corn wraps etc. is definately fun and I think makes you "work" for the food you are going to eat! I reall think Super G is on to the key... for me though, I know it is emotional for me. Reaching for sweet fruit and sweet raw goodies and craving creating all the sweet raw pies and what not. It is definately connected to the fact that I am not that happy right now with my job and it is definately a daily stressor. I feel like I have so much more creative energy and ideas and other things I would rather be doing than the curent position I am in. But then, you think.... well at least I have a good paying job, so many people out of work these days....... so when I feel bored, stagnate, stressed, frustrated with work I think I use the fruit and raw goodies to "liven it up a little!" Not a good habit I know, being on a set menu plan in the "Raw Revolution Diet" book really helps. Thanks again everyone for the feedback.
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Re: weight loss
Wed, September 9, 2009 - 7:57 PMI think that it's possible any number of items you eat could be too many calories for you. Dried fruit is really high in sugar and it may be you should eat a bit less of it, but don't cut anything out completely. Work out longer, but not harder. Anyway that's my two cents' worth. Good luck to you! -
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Re: weight loss
Thu, September 10, 2009 - 6:27 AMI rode my bike 9 miles a day 5 days a week for 9 weeks. Maybe 5 weeks. I cant remember now. Could have been 7. Anyway, I lost 25lbs. Went from 242 to 217. I'm back to 235. But I'm 6'2". 20 - 30 minutes of cardio a day. That's a recipe for success.
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Re: weight loss
Thu, September 10, 2009 - 8:18 AMSorry pam, I would have to disagree, you would want to workout smarter and harder, not longer. You want to build some muscle to burn the fat. Longer workouts have the possibility to lower your metabolism.
These articles start from the most recent to the oldest. Take your time and read some. I have learned a lot from this site. I have lost over 45 lbs in the past 6 months. But the diet is the key. Explore the site......
figureathlete.tmuscle.com/archives.do
I was eating a low Kcal diet, then I learned to up my intake with more meals through out the day and I started to lose. I was putting my body into stress which was triggering my cortisol to hold on to fat. But remember, everyone is different, what works for me might not work for you. Learn and know your body well.
Good luck
Sky
If you have any questions, you can PM me. -
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Re: weight loss
Thu, September 10, 2009 - 10:12 PMAlso, whatever you do in your daily activities, remain mentally conscientious and look at everything you do as excercise. Hold your head up with pride & joy as much as possible and know that everything you do is the right thing. That your NOW is 100% perfect! Ignore all the negatives. Or consider how they could be good things or how you can change or work on them. Or how the negatives have nothing to do with you. Rise above it. The majority of negativity is all in our heads. We dont have to accept it and arent required to own it. Youre a shining star. No matter who you are. If you want to be.
Wow. This roller coaster is so full of such HUGE ups and downs. I so don't feel like suicide at the moment. : )
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Re: weight loss
Mon, September 21, 2009 - 7:07 PMLonger works for me, not harder. That is why I suggested it. I will go read your link. Congrats on your weight loss! -
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Re: weight loss
Tue, September 29, 2009 - 8:23 AMHave you tried adding up the calories of all the things you eat? Or calculate the fat and sugar content? Dried fruit, granola, nuts, seeds...
Keep in mind if you are not eating a balanced diet you may end up with all kinds of cravings for sweets and nibbles and fatty things etcetc. that you would not have otherwise.
I believe in high protein, high fiber, low carbonhydrate diets for weightloss which means soy protein drinks and salads with lots of raw vegetables in all forms and beans and tofu are ok, granola is out...You can choose to fill up your stomach with a head of lettuce and a few beans and a bit of cheese , or with a bunch of sunflower seeds and dates and such, the effect is an entirely different one. Keep in mind that when you start craving glucose in the form of sweet dried fruit and such, chances are, something is wrong in your diet. -
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Re: weight loss
Tue, September 29, 2009 - 9:50 AMWord Is to avoid the Soy due to hormonal imbalances it causes. Use things like hemp and chia proteins instead. -
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Re: weight loss
Tue, September 29, 2009 - 9:53 AMSoy is actually the way to balance your hormones! And a brilliant one too! (maybe not for men) -
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Re: weight loss
Tue, September 29, 2009 - 9:56 AMnot by all the information I've looked at. Of course, the Soy Industry will tell you that it balances the female hormones because it has a lot of female (and other) hormonal analogues...... and all that adds up to trouble if used long term, including Thyroid problems. -
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Re: weight loss
Tue, September 29, 2009 - 10:15 AMCannot confirm that. Been eating/drinking soy for years in various forms, no problem whatsoever. I live in Japan. Everybody does here, on a daily basis. -
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This is the maximum depth. Additional responses will not be threaded.
Re: weight loss
Tue, September 29, 2009 - 10:20 AMyes, I ate it for years, and perhaps its potential ill effects can be overcome on a spiritual level, especially in a group culture. Still there have been lots of people reporting problems, and there are Other Alternatives which would avoid potential problems entirely from the start..... so the indications of a cautious use seem valid to be shared. -
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Re: weight loss
Tue, September 29, 2009 - 10:22 AMWhat problems? Did the women have any problems with that? -
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Re: weight loss
Tue, September 29, 2009 - 10:25 AMI'm not one to do more than refer others to do a search on this, as there are lots of sites which will detail the information (which I don't carry in my head) -
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Re: weight loss
Tue, September 29, 2009 - 10:34 AMSo, you ate soy for years and there are no problems you remember without looking them up? ; ) -
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Re: weight loss
Tue, September 29, 2009 - 1:30 PMI do have a few health problems which could be the result of years of eating cooked foods, or more specific to eating a lot of soy. Sorting it all out is no simple matter. I do rely on what a number of sources have been saying about soy. Perhaps limited use of it is OK for many people, but in Any event.... it IS a cooked food, and it Does present some hormonal-analogue issues which deserve scrutiny. Bottom line is there are much Better things to recommend eating, Especially in a Raw & Living support forum, such as raw hemp seed (Excellent in Every way) or chia seed, etc. -
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Re: weight loss
Tue, September 29, 2009 - 8:10 PMHow do you eat raw hemp seed? I remember that our parrot used to eat that. Does it get you high? How is that equal to soy protein? -
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Re: weight loss
Tue, September 29, 2009 - 9:02 PMyou can get it hulled and ground into powder, as well as in unground hulled. No THC is involved. Probably equal to soy, and more utilizable. -
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Re: weight loss
Wed, September 30, 2009 - 1:28 AMmacaweb.com is where I get organic hemp seeds which I put in my daily green drink. It's got a bit of a nutty flavor
they say "Protein from the hemp seed is one of the highest from a plant source and contains all the essential amino acids making it a complete protein. the hemp seed has a well-balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids that is ideal for humans. It is an excellent source of magnesium and zinc as well as a good source of potassium and iron." -
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Re: weight loss
Thu, October 29, 2009 - 4:19 PMUnfermented soy can mimic estrogen in the body, for both men and women.I learned about a study from my nutrition instructor : Menopausal women trying to lose weight on a soy based protein shake were not only not losing weight, but they were starting to menstruate again, and displayed severe hormonal symptoms. Once they were switched to a whey protein shake, and taken off of soy, they lost weight with no other changes, and were free of the hormonal symptoms, including back to the cessation of the menses. It is best to avoid soy, except for small amounts of fermented soy, such as miso and tempeh.
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