The Plants Told Me to Do IT

[Trying to Make it Work]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Cole - I am 36 years old and having been trying to transition to a vegan lifestyle for the past six months. I actually started in this endeavor while on a San Pedro cactus trip, and the spirit of the plant told me that I needed to stop drinking coffee, stop watching pornography and stop eating animal products. I've had a contentious relationship with food for most of my life, and have been overweight for many years. I have about 30 pounds to lose. Unlike many people, I don't seem to lose weight very easily on a vegan diet. In years past, when I ripped, I had to eat very low carb to get down anywhere close to 10% body fat. I am determined that I can find a balanced vegan diet that I am able to lose weight one. Part of my problem is that I only stick with it for about three weeks, and then I get discouraged that I am not losing any weight. I've had a very strong junk food addiction for many years, and that is also hurting my streak/compliance with the diet. I decided to join this online community to read about other peoples' successes and struggles, and also to use this page as a journal to track my progress and process my thoughts. Thanks in advance!

 

[Lou]

That's interesting. When I have had revelations on hallucinogens - I don't think I ever did anything life changing.
Anyway that's cool. all those things are good goals no matter what the incentive.

First off, a vegan diet is not necessarily a weight loss diet. Plant based can be compatible with weight loss - but its not a gimme.

Ten percent body fat is a good aesthetic goal. but not really a good healthy goal.

I don't think its a good idea to quit dieting after 3 weeks of not losing weight. A better strategy is to take another look at your eating habits and try something different.

Have you actually tried any of the plant based diet plans? If you can stick with one of those you might have better luck. Most of them are about 3 weeks long, too.

Dr Fuhrman has a 3 week long diet plan that is pretty structured. Check out his book, Eat To Live. Dr Gregar has a plant based diet plan that is not that structured - and its more of a rest -of -your- life diet. check out his book How Not to Die. or How Not to Diet.

 

[Blues]

. I I've had a very strong junk food addiction for many years, and that is also hurting my streak/compliance with the diet. I decided to join this online community to read about other peoples' successes and struggles, and also to use this page as a journal to track my progress and process my thoughts. Thanks in advance!

Maybe you could try and examine the cravings/addictions to the foods (junk) you have.
There might be some underlining issues that you might be masking.

 

[Emma JC]

welcome to the forum

In addition to @Lou suggestions I would consider looking at Dr McDougall's website and meal plans etc.
Here is a link to people that have had great success - Click Here

Emma JC
Find your vegan soulmate or just a friend. www.spiritualmatchmaking.com

 

[christen_g]

Welcome! Nice to meet u.

Definitely gotta get that addiction looked at. Not good for u, weight loss or not. But getting it ironed out may make weight loss easier.

Im in a similar boat. I keep expecting veganism to regulate my weight. I get easily discouraged but for me, if i really think about it, i know its because i have a messed up relationship with food (ive never eaten "normally" my whole life), so im nervous all the time about it. Gonna see a professional soon (hopefully). Ill let you know how it goes! In the meantime i might count calories or do WW again since that actually worked and i miss being ten pounds lighter. But i might first give a rly hard go at regular exercise and getting excellent sleep while on a standard vegan diet (was doing whole food only which sapped ny energy hard).

 

[Brian W]

I actually started in this endeavor while on a San Pedro cactus trip, and the spirit of the plant told me that I needed to stop drinking coffee, stop watching pornography and stop eating animal products.

If plants are sentient, perhaps you shouldn't eat them...?

 

[Col]

I have been considering your situation,
I feel it is very possible for you to occasionally lapse from losing weight whilst still eating only plant-based food.
I would advise indulging in something plant-based and filling that you like sometimes. For me it might be a hot lentil curry with walnuts if I want to be full and bulk up - for you it might be a vegan takeaway if you live in New York.
Then you can keep strong and vegan.