I feel like I’ve been forcing myself to eat some days. It is quite difficult to find the fine line between calorie restriction and calorie forcing. After watching a couple of videos by Megan Elizabeth yesterday and reading an article by Don Bennett, I really feel I need to just “let it be”. I don’t think I’m gaining weight, but it does seem like the weight loss has stopped (or has ridiculously slowed). I keep reading that people who eat this way should drop weight rather quickly, although I know it is different for everyone. Initially I thought that I should take the advice given on 30BaD and up my calories again (which I did by adding to my morning smoothie). I’ve actually felt heavier the last few days. After doing some more research, and listening to other successful raw foodists, I think it is flawed to make a blanketed statement that all women should be eating 2,500+ calories every day, regardless of activity level. I also think it is flawed to eat for a calorie deficit every day. So, where is the happy medium? We need to eat what our body requires, nothing more, nothing less. I believe I should be listening more closely to what my body is saying instead of worrying that I’m restricting or forcing. I’m not in the beginning stages of raw where you have to make yourself eat a higher volume of food just to get in enough calories, so I should be able to listen to my body’s cues… at least I hope so. I’m considering tracking calories for one week just to see if staying within Dr. Bennett’s calorie recommendations will make a difference (he also recommends 80/10/10). Additionally, I’m considering not “drinking” my food for the next week. It is so easy to push in more food in liquid form. Of course, the temptation to weigh is enormous. I’m going to discuss the possibility of a “blind” weigh in with God and the Husband. Basically, all I want to know is if changing things up this way makes a difference… but I don’t want to step on the scale if it is going to hinder the journey I’m on.

Are you looking to make some changes in 2013? Check out The Journey for more information.

*********************************************************************************************

What I read: Deuteronomy 25-34

What I ate:

• Breakfast – Green Smoothie (6oz AJ, 6oz CW, 3 bananas, 2.5oz kale, 2.5oz spinach, 7oz strawberries, 34ml of wheat grass juice)
  
• AM Snack – 2 bananas
• Lunch – 8 oranges juiced
  
• Dinner – 1 banana, pickles
• PM Snack – Apple juice

What I did: 1 hour TKD class

Here are the notes I made regarding my symptoms throughout Day 83:

• slowed digestion (gas, abdominal pain, bloating)
  
• headaches
  
• puffy hands, feet, and face
  
• sinus congestion
  
• dry/itchy eyes, skin, and scalp
  
• acne
  
• aching muscles and muscle spasms
  
• foggy brain
• irritability
  
• mood swings
  
• blood sugar fluctuations
  
• fatigue – still having bouts of fatigue, but not as bad
  
• unable to sleep well
  
• unquenchable thirst
  
• cravings
  
• chest pain
• cold sores – last one 1/13/2013
  
• kidney stones – eliminated when we went vegan Oct 2011
• tooth pain
• sensitive teeth