More on diets... and gaining weight.

One of the many things that call my fascination is the issue of weight loss/gain. There are many, many aspects to these. From the image related ones to the health related ones, going through psychological, cultural, etc. etc.

I am not an expert on the topic. However, it is interesting that the research I have done usually brings more information on suggestions and ideas for people wanting to loose weight, not gain it. Have you ever talked to someone that wants to actually gain weight? They would tell you that it is very, very difficult. Some have attempted to eat all day (in fact some do eat quite a lot) but they just cannot gain weight.

So this post has my total support for them, not the weight loosers. Must say, though, I wonder if the key for both is the same. By accident I found a comment on a you tube video that mentioned some system (they didn't talk about the specifics) that helped people loose weight through working directly with the hypothalamus.

This is totally new for me (although it is pretty obvious when you look at it closer). The hypothalamus is the one that regulates some functions related to metabolism and the Autonomic Nervous System. In relation to weight, it sets the 'program' that specifies the 'normal' weight for that person (whatever that may be, even if it does not seem 'normal' nor 'healthy').

I was reading wikipedia (which, yes I admit is the basic of basics, but can give a general idea on something). It says the following:

The hypothalamus is responsible for certain metabolic processes and other activities of the Autonomic Nervous System. It synthesizes and secretes neurohormones, often called hypothalamic-releasing hormones, and these in turn stimulate or inhibit the secretion of pituitary hormones. The hypothalamus controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, ^[1] fatigue, anger, and circadian cycles.

The hypothalamus is a complex region in the brain of humans, and even small nuclei within the hypothalamus are involved in many different functions. The paraventricular nucleus for instance contains oxytocin and vasopressin (also called antidiuretic hormone) neurons which project to the posterior pituitary, but also contains neurons that regulate ACTH and TSH secretion (which project to the anterior pituitary), gastric reflexes, maternal behavior, blood pressure, feeding, immune responses, and temperature.


As I said before, I know very little about the topic, which seems immense, so I will post some open questions that perhaps will seem odd, but might bring some clarity in the future.

The questions come from thinking about a person I met recently, and linking this person's case to other people I have seen that cannot gain weight. They also arise from combining my interests in astrology and emotional issues and my general interest in people's issues. Some, however, are just questions to which I would have to write a whole treatise if I wanted to explain how I came up with them.

I'll call the person in this case 'FB'. FB is someone that cannot put on weight. FB is usually hungry and eats quite often, not limiting the diet, except for red meat, which only is included very rarely.
When talking to FB, a single woman in her 30s, other possible clues come to the surface. She mentions that she doesn't have a good relationship with her mother and that she has trouble sleeping at nights. She also says that she often has trouble digesting food and that she feels tired despite taking a nap in the afternoons.

From an astrology perspective, an astrological influence that seem to jump out is the moon. The moon has to do with nurturing (this includes food), the mother, and deep rest and letting go.

Now thinking about another couple of cases (one of them a man), they also had issues related with their mothers. In his case, his mother died when he was young, leading to deep grief and loss. In her case her mother was absent through her childhood due to work.

So, my questions:

- could there be a relationship between the hypothalamus and the moon astrological force?
- is it possible that by working out the mother issues these people carry, their weight would go up?
- what is really happening in the hypothalamus of these people or people like them?
- what could be done in the hypothalamus to change and influence a different 'normal' weight and a metabolic balance that will target their perfect weight?
- could genetics be the main factor here?

Suddenly I am fascinated with the hypothalamus.

Perhaps someone with more knowledge will read this one day and point to something that might be a key to solving the issue of weight gain or loss in this case.

Raw foods retreats

These are some resources, available online. I found some of these very interesting and appealing. There is a whole range from only classes to full retreats with services and therapies as part of their program. I feel that if I were to do something like this I'd probably go for the full thing and experience it on a retreat setting. The more beautiful the place the better. However there are programs for all types of people, ranging from very serious, medically based ones to programs in which people share their personal healing experiences resulting from living a raw food lifestyle.

The list:

USA

ARIZONA

http://www.treeoflife.nu/

This is a community centered around a Dr. called Rebbe Gabriel Cousens. They offer different programs and options with a spiritual focus. I can't fully comment on something I haven't experienced myself, but this seems a little new agey for me.


CALIFORNIA

http://www.therawretreat.com

The place looks very beautiful and what they offer seems interesting, but the website seems out of date. It is also focused on individual needs and not for groups.


http://jinjee1.securesites.net/retreat/

This place is still under construction. The place also looks beautiful in a different way. The owners/developers seem to be very convinced about the benefits of raw foods and they have build a whole website with pictures to prove it.



PUERTO RICO
http://www.annwigmore.org/

Also based on Dr. Ann Wigmore's ideas (and they make sure you know it), who according to the website spent time there teaching, when she was not in Boston (or elsewhere). They don't have retreat facilities, but you can stay at nearby apartments and hotels. They are close to the sea. Their focus is educational as they are not 'a spa nor clinic'.

FLORIDA

http://www.hippocratesinst.org/

This is a fully fledged program, probably the most professional. They have spa services and intensive workshops leading to certification. The original Ann Wigmore's school. If I were serious about raw foods, I'd probably give this one a chance.

http://rawfoodsretreat.com

This is more of a luxury type, personal retreat place. Things get organized around the individual needs.

http://www.circle-of-life.net/

They offer individualized programs in Florida as well as group retreats in other parts of the world. They focus too on juice fasts. The Florida programs do not offer accommodation as part of the retreat.


GEORGIA

http://www.livingfoodsinstitute.com


The owner/teacher seems very upbeat and willing to teach anyone. Her transition into raw foods was due to an illness. This is also mostly educational (although she offers therapies and treatments - colonics, reflexology, Bach flowers, etc) as part of the program. People stay at hotels or nearby homes as she does not provide retreat facilities. Her prices are a bit higher, but she offers different packages to match different budgets.

HAWAII

http://www.vacationinnparadise.com

They provide you with everything so you can do it yourself.


ILLINOIS

http://www.naturesrawenergy.com

Five and 12 days detox retreats based on classes. Their prices seem to be affordable and include room and board and classes.
Based on Dr. Ann Wigmore's ideas.


MICHIGAN

http://www.creativehealthinstitute.com

Based on Ann Wigmore, they offer teaching retreats and support afterwards.


NEW MEXICO

http://www.wigmore.org/

Very secluded. Also based on Ann Wigmore's philosophy.

PENNSYLVANIA

http://www.purejeevan.com/

Individual guidance with raw foods or some group retreats done in a separate place.


TENNESSEE

http://www.serenitycove.com/

Also focused on individual needs. The owner offers other services. One that promised interesting results was a massage based therapy called chi nei tsang.


TEXAS

http://www.roylretreat.com/

They are closed at the moment, but including it since they seem serious enough.

WASHINGTON

http://www.cedarsprings.org/

The are looks beautiful, probably close to Canada. They make emphasis on the weight loss aspect of eating raw foods. They also have programs with horses.

OTHER:

http://www.optimumhealth.org/

They have two places one in San Diego and one in Austin. They hold full retreats, but focused on teaching, not on spa therapies. Their philosophy is Christian based.


OUTSIDE THE US:

AUSTRALIA

http://www.alivefoods.com/

They offer detox retreats on a yatch and other similar classes (not specific to raw foods).


BELIZE

http://www.vidaclara.com/

They offer water fasting, raw food retreats and Natural Hygiene programs, in beautiful lush surroundings. The retreats are individual with the support of one of the owners, Dr. Sniadach who offers personal support and assistance.


COSTA RICA

http://www.pachamama.com

They are a community based on Osho principles and practices. They offer raw detox as part of one of their longer workshops. The place looks beautiful.

http://www.waterfallvillas.com

They are not specifically raw food oriented. It is more like a spa retreat where they also have raw foods.

PANAMA

http://www.tanglewoodwellnesscenter.com/

Their specialty seems to be water fasting. Not my piece of cake, but perhaps some people will find it interesting.

THAILAND

http://www.dharmahealingintl.com/

Their program is a spiritual in nature and includes raw foods. These are some of the activities they advertise as part of their program: Meditation, Yoga, Qi Kung, Water Exercise, Raw Food Preparation, Spiritual Nutrition, Vibrational Sound Healing, Dharma Talk, Kundalini Colonic-Acupressure, an Iridology reading and personal psycho/spiritual counseling. Might be a good option if you can afford the trip to Thailand.


UK

http://www.livingfoods.co.uk/

Their focus is day in day out. They offer courses, consultation and practitioner trainings.

http://www.suradetox.com/

They seem to know what they are doing. Their retreats are for 7 days in countryside UK. They put emphasis on colonics and they have a lot of information about them on the website.

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If anyone reading this has any suggestions or comments regarding the above, please share!