gaining weight?

[lnsestili]

Hi,
I'm new to Macrobiotics (3/5 weeks). I have been on a very low carbohydrate diet for about 2.5 years before trying macrobiotics. The diet was good for a while (I lost weight, felt energized, etc.), but after time I felt awful. Always tired, extreme sugar cravings, and upset stomach almost 24 hours a day. Since starting the Macrobiotic diet, my stomach has been settled, I am more regular, I feel healthy, and also happy. The only 2 things that are plaguing me are the fact that I'm very tired and weak, and also that I've gained weight (especially around my belly). I feel good and I know that's the most important thing, but gaining weight is not something that I welcome with open arms. Any advice? Thanks!

[Bruce Paine]

lnsestili,

The following is an excerpt from the book The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics:A Philosophy for Achieving a Radiant Mind and a Fabulous Body by Jessica Porter http://store.cybermacro.com/hipchicks.php :

"The most recent trend in eating is high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets.

The theory goes that by abstaining from carbohydrates-the fuel that the body needs for energy-stored fat begins to convert itself into useable glucose. Therefore, you lose weight.

Sounds good.

However, when considering food, we need to look beyond our figures.

You are a human with a physical self, an emotional being, creativity, intellect, relationships, and a spiritual life.

All these aspects of who you are get nourished (or malnourished) by the foods that you eat.

Although Dr. Atkins hit the nail on the head by identifying simple carbohydrates like sugar and white flour as sources of useless empty calories, his plan never fully appreciates the benefits of complex carbohydrates and, specifically, whole grains. Whole grains feed your spirit, mind, and body while helping you to cultivate emotional and energetic integrity; they make you whole.

Lifelong issues and problems can get healed by eating whole grains over a period of months or years.

Pork, for instance, delivers something completely different. Plus, whole grains do not raise the blood sugar in such a way as to bring on an assault of insulin, which Dr. Atkins says causes obesity. Although, by eating lots of meat, eggs, and cream all day, you may be losing some weight (in the short run), you are simultaneously starving yourself of the fuel that runs your humanity.

One could even argue that you are, by concentrating almost exclusively on animal food and animal products, depending on animals for food in a way that's de-evolutionary; we wonder why violence, materialism, and predatory behavior are out of control?

We wonder why we treat one another like animals? It might have to do with the way we are eating.

And finally, because the human body needs carbohydrates, extremely low-carb diets may set us up for binges on sweets, bread, or alcohol.

We need carbohydrates to function. They are our natural fuel. It is the quality of the carbs that are key, and whole grains are nicely balanced for the human body.

Macrobiotic eating does not create thin, unhealthy bodies because you are starving yourself of nourishment and going into ketosis.

Rather, as you eat plant-quality, whole, and fibrous foods packed with minerals, vitamins, and energy, you develop a truly healthy mind and body.

Thank you, very much.

Bruce Paine

[lnsestili]

Bruce,
Thank you so much for the article. I completely agree with the practices of Macrobiotics and I know it's a way of life, not just a way to stay slim. I embarked on this journey to find true health and happiness, not to be a stick figure. If I wanted that, I would have stayed on a very low carb diet and continued to make myself sick

I am just wondering if there is anyone has experienced a weight gain with Macrobiotics (if it's normal), and why it would happen. I have had some issues with eating disorders in the past, so although I am feeling better, gaining weight is not something I welcome.

Also, my body has been a bit achy and weak since starting my different way of eating. I feel very healthy and clean, but not very strong. Is this normal as well?

Any suggestions of what I should do to combat these problems?

[cecilia]

Hello Insestili:
I read your post with much interest, having struggled with an eating disorder myself for almost 10 years. After my recovery, I entered macrobiotics, and have been macro for about 1 year now. I can tell you from experience that you will gain some weight. You should, however, not see it as negative, rather it is simply your body returning to balance. After a while, you will realize that you may actually begin to lose some weight, and then stabilize at a weight that is healthy for YOU. It is very positive to hear that your goal is to be healthy. With that in mind, the most important thing you can think about is that your body has been malnourished as a result of your eating disorder, and it is simply returning to what should have always been its healthy balance.
So don't despair! If you are concerned that you are gaining too much, or fear that what you are gaining is fat, you could do some walking, or take up yoga (or any other form of low-impact exercise.) I personally swim when it's cold, and play tennis when it's warm, and enjoy both very much. Trying to exercise will not only lift your spirits, but also keep you healthy, energized, and help you to breathe and focus better. I also have found that it puts me in a great mood
With regard to your body, you should embrace and love it as it is, and keep remembering that you are healthy now, which is way more important than any number or size.
I hope this helps you! If you would like to "talk" some more, you may email me (my address is in my profile.)

[penny]

Originally Posted by lnsestili

Bruce,
Thank you so much for the article. I completely agree with the practices of Macrobiotics and I know it's a way of life, not just a way to stay slim. I embarked on this journey to find true health and happiness, not to be a stick figure. If I wanted that, I would have stayed on a very low carb diet and continued to make myself sick

I am just wondering if there is anyone has experienced a weight gain with Macrobiotics (if it's normal), and why it would happen. I have had some issues with eating disorders in the past, so although I am feeling better, gaining weight is not something I welcome.

Also, my body has been a bit achy and weak since starting my different way of eating. I feel very healthy and clean, but not very strong. Is this normal as well?

Any suggestions of what I should do to combat these problems?

Thanks! I have been on a macrobiotic diet for just one week, due to health reasons, and my stomach looks like I'm pregnant. I'm a very fit person, who has to watch her weight and has done this in the past by eating what I though was healthily, lots of fish, fruit, salad etc, but few carbs. My body has gone into shock I think. I go to the gym 3 times a week and salsa dance twice, so a friend told me that once my body gets used to the new regime I won't have a heavy, grain belly anymore. I know it's bad to be worrying about my figure, but I want to keep it like it is, as well as improve my overall health and just hope that this is possible.

[lnsestili]

Cecilia and Penny,
Thank you both for your encouraging words and advice! I am now in about week 6 or 7 of this new way of life and I feel wonderful. Like I said in my email before, my biggest concern is being a healthy person. I did initially gain weight when eating this way, but it has gotten better. I still have a bit more of a belly than I had before, but I'm trying not to be concerned with it. Cecilia, like you said in your post, I am trying to love every bit of myself and my body. Part of that is feeding it well and keeping it balanced, regardless of how much weight I gain or lose.

I was talking to a macrobiotic counselor who just moved in next door to me and she said that not chewing your grain well enough can cause bloating. I try to really think about chewing, but when I'm working 12 hour days and eating at my desk, it's hard sometimes.

I do work out with a trainer a few times a week, do yoga, and run a little. I also started taking Dr. Schultze's Super Food which has given me so much added energy.

Cecilia, how are you feeling after a year of macrobiotics?

[foymula]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned exercise aka. "the enemy of weight gain"

Just go for a brisk walk, 30 minutes each day and you shouldn't have problems with weight gain, eating less also helps.

All the best.

[Nancy]

Insestili,

Upon starting macrobiotics most will usually notice the increase in good mood and stable moods (minimal ups and downs). This comes from the different food from the SAD, Standard American Diet -- of predominantly complex carbohydrates which offer the body long sustained, even, energy.

During the first month, you might notice some pleasant fatigue. This is from the change of balancing at the extremes of yin and yang, which the SAD does -- to a balance that is slightly more yang, or salty. This creates alkaline blood which is a healthier than acidic blood, the cause of many human diseases. Your body is changing from taking its nutrition from the foods you previously ate to the new foods you are eating. The passing of this pleasant fatigue is usually about four weeks. You are adjusting to several new foods with increased salt such as miso, shoyu, gomashio, umeboshi plums, pressed salads, and also sea vegetables such as wakame, kombu, etc. This transition to more yang, vegetable quality foods, causes sleepiness, temporarily. Recommended Book: Carolyn Heidenry's, "Making the Transition to the Macrobiotic Diet".

Swelling of the belly may be due to bloat especially from the introduction of beans, daily. Remember beans should be a minimal amount, only 5-10% of a balanced meal. There is a definite adjustment to intake of complex carbohydrate foods, whole grains, beans, etc. with many more B Vitamins. There will be an intestinal reaction which will also pass. It is recommended to eat less quantity of food if you are gaining unwanted extra weight. Meals of complex carbs, whole grains, vegetable fiber, and beans...will bulk up inside until the food digests and passes through the intestines. On the other hand a meal with meat as the main entree will produce a very compact protein substance that passes through the intestines. In fact, meat often becomes impacted in pockets in the bowels and causes diseases of the bowel.

Starting the Macrobiotic Way, due to the purity of the foods, whole grains, organic vegetables etc. -- it is a body cleansing diet. You will be discharging toxins from a former impure way of eating, chemical additives, dyes, sugar, etc. There will be some weeks of discharge which cause tiredness, aches, and pains. Discharge is a healthy bodily process. Some have skin rashes as they discharge toxic substances from organs deep within. There are as many symptoms of discharge as there are individual people.

The only way to gain weight on the Macrobiotic Diet is to eat too large a quantity of food beyond what you need, and to cheat by continuing to eat candy, chocolate, french fries, the occasional hamburger, etc. combining the SAD diet with the SMD, Standard Macrobiotic Diet. It is very hard to gain weight or get fat on grains and vegetables, keeping within the quantity of food your body needs for only its daily fuel.

The Key to Good Health: Control over the quality and quantity of food you consume.

George Ohsawa recommends that one reduces food intake to only that which is essential and anyone will be quickly surprised at the immense freedom this provides.

Nancy

[Dorf]

Hello Everyone.

I just HAD to comment on this. Well, I am not a macrobiotician, but I am a strict vegetarian. I live off of rice and bread. I drink so milk, and I also supplement my diet with protein juice twice a day. Things are fine and I have no cravings. Your diet is a little more different than mine, but what I can suggest is this:

1. Try to eat more fruit.
2. Eat whole grains.
3. Do not sleep before bedtime (NO NAPPING). This is so, because most people are hungry upon arising. Force of habit?
4. Eat more vegetables than grains.
5. Try to get some protein. Like maybe organic sooy protein juice. Is this tolerable for macro living?

And as a few people have mentioned above, exercise is the KEY. Unlocl the door to staying fit and healthy, both mentally, and of course physically. Myself I practice Yoga, Situps, Pushups, and barbells. Daily, and I work and go to school. On days that I can afford the time, I walk. Usually a brisk walk for 20 - 60 km. This helps.

And I forgot to mention, I EAT LOTS OF FOOD. So I can exercise this much and not have it negativly affect me. You will gain weight if you consume more than you can expend. Simple.
Eat well. Live Gloriously.