Is Raw Food the Lazy Way to Weightloss -- Need Advice

[Retrain Plain Gerlaine to Obtain]

I have been a raw foodist for probably 7 days and I had lost about 11 pounds. I picked back up the meat like a bad girl and have been eating it for 5 days. (total 12 days) Back to raw now.

I consider raw food a great way to lose weight, but what is weightloss without getting in shape and reshaping your body? What kind of work outs do you guys recommend. (I need to strengthen my knees and anckles before I begin anything rough.)

[Rosie]

The only way to really shape your body is to incorporate strength training into your workouts. I completely changed the shape of my body by lifting weights. I am at the same weight I now that I was 2 years ago,but look like a fitness model, at 48!! if you only do aerobic exercises, you will just become a smaller version of yourself. You need the muscle, especially as we get older we lose muscle, that's why older people can be thin but still look flabby. You don't have to lift heavy weights. I got a lot of muscle definition doing yoga.

I think a raw food diet is healthy and many people lose weight with it, but a 100% vegan raw diet was not for me. I don't eat meat but I started losing muscle, and it is difficult to get a lot of protein in a raw vegan diet. In the off season I am mostly vegan, I eat about 60% raw, but I get my protein from cooked grains (quinoa is a complete protein), beans and supplement with protein powders (but I am an athlete so I need more protein than the average person.) We don't need nearly as much protein as the average person thinks we need, and you don't have to get it from animal products. I've found that what I ate made a big difference in how I looked as well as how I felt. But everyone is different and some people thrive on a raw food diet. I even know bodybuilders and power lifters that are mostly raw foodists (not 100% though).
I don't think it's "bad" to eat something besides raw food , however meat may not be a good choice. maybe your body was craving protein? Next time eat a bit of cooked grains or beans.
If you do eat meat, make sure it is organic, you don't know what kind of hormones are in those commercial meats.
Bottom line, it's my opinion that people need to try different things and make that decision on their own. I wanted to embrace the raw food lifestyle but it didn't work for me. I still think eating raw is very healthy, and not just to lose weight. I still go all raw for short periods of 3 to 4 weeks a year for detox purposes.

[Retrain Plain Gerlaine to Obtain]

Thanx for your reply. How do I build up my knees and ankles. They feel really weak?

[Iris Fitzgerald]

Hi Gerlaine, I would probably consult a physician before starting any weight loss program, especially if you are suffering with problems in ankles and knees. I don't believe you have any serious problems, however, if they continue to bother you. How is your salt intake? Are they weak or do the swell up? You can only know for sure by a physician. But theory,, do knee bends and maybe lay down on the floor and try twisting your ankles. there are all kinds of exercises. Hope that helps and you have inspired me to exercise too.

[Retrain Plain Gerlaine to Obtain]

Thanx for the love. I will incorporate the knee bends and ankle twists.

[Summer]

I agree, conditioning is key for preventing injury. Have you tried any yoga, if you take a nice low key yoga class i bet you will gain some strength in your joints from all of the balancing poses. Also, I can create some vlogs on youtube with some example conditioning exercises.

Also what has helped me go from being on the SAD diet (standard american diet) from being vegan is: making it a gradual transition and incorporating more and more of the new foods... it makes me feel less like i'm missing out on the other foods too (plus it gave me the time to learn how to prepare different types of food.

You are awesome Gerlaine, you can do anything you put your mind to :D

[Retrain Plain Gerlaine to Obtain]

Thank you love! I have to replan my raw food journey. :) I can't wait to see your videos. I really need to build my joints.

[Candi]

Hi!! I hope you are doing well with your health goals!

I love raw foods and tend to release the excess fat when I am eating more raw foods. I am also vegan, so it's nice to not have that animal fat building up in me! I also watch my carb intake because I quickly put on the pounds when over eating foods like breads, pasta, cereals, potatoes, and rices. I have no problems with eating and assimilating enough protein because I have protein powders every day and also some nuts, beans, seeds and certain carbs like quinoa. (I try to avoid soy and too many beans... I can't digest them well!) Anyhow, I cannot imagine eating differently because I feel so clean and healthy. I have about 50% raw vegan foods and 50% cooked as of right now. I always feel better with the raw ones though. :)

I also exercise and do the treadmill, yoga and also free weights. I would probably go for an elliptical trainer if I had bad knees and ankles because I believe I read they do not stress those areas... but I'd look into that! Swimming may be great too! Yoga is my all time favorite though. :)

I hope this helps and I'm wishing you THE BEST in your health and happiness!!!!