Fell off thge wagon.....help.... (transitioning veg*n)
A couple of months ago I was diagnosed w/ scoliosis along with my already existing bulging discs, and began chiropractic treatments which also required me to stop all physical activities (I was training for a 1/2 marathon, working out on a regular basis..) Anyway, I had been eating a vegan diet for a couple of months at that time, also one that was high in carbs due to my activity levels, (albeit complex ones for the most part, but still..)and when I stopped exercising I began to gain weight back FAST. I returned to a Southbeach diet tactic, and incorporated lean meat and fish back into my diet in an effort to cut back on so many carbs. I had initially went vegan primarily for health reasons, but soon came to embrace the ethical part of it as well. My back is much better and I have been easing back into running and cycling, but I am not doing well with returning back to the vegan diet, and I really want to. I am NOT losing the weight that I gained, and have been so depressed over my "dilemma" that I guess I just need a kick in the ass to get me back on track (??). I have a ton of vegan cookbooks, literature, etc, so it's not as if I'm clueless to what I'm doing to my body, or the effects it has on environment/animals, etc. Its as if I got hooked on crack while in recovery, and I still managed to pack on pounds! Any help/advice anyone can give me would really help me out here. I really would like it if people didn't "yell" at me too much if they respond...I already feel guilty enough and it was hard to come back here and admit this and seek support. Thanks-
Daffodil
When I first became a vegan, I did it cold turkey (or tofurky, I guess you could say). I completely purged my fridge/pantry of all non-vegan products so the temptation to cook with those items was removed and I stocked up on beans, rice, whole grain breads, etc. I purchased A LOT of fresh fruit and vegetables - that way, I felt compelled to create meals out of the fruit and veggies because I didn't want them to spoil and go bad. I try to center my diet around veggies and fruit with carbs and protein on the side
At first, I had a really hard time because I constantly craved dairy products and other unhealthy, convenience foods made with animal products. However, after a couple of weeks, I found I really didn't crave them so much anymore and instead craved more healthy vegan alternatives (fruit salad, stir frys, etc).
I take one day and plan out my meals for the upcoming week. I shop for any items I might need for the whole week so I have everything on hand and ready to go. I'm pretty dilligent about packing my lunches when I know I'm going to be away from the house (do this the night before if your morning shedule is tight). Also, one day each month, I have a cooking marathon. I make many items in one day and freeze them in 2 serving portions (because it's just me and my husband) and I also freeze a few single portions to cover me when I don't have anything else to take for lunch. Some things I make are chili, pasta dishes, casseroles, pot pie, enchiladas, stews, mock "meat" loafs, and easy desserts like cookies, bars, cupcakes, etc. When you're in a bind and need something quick and easy, you can just pull from the freezer.
If none of that helps, you can always re-read your vegan literature or watch Meet Your Meat at http://www.meetyourmeat.com. Even though we "know" why we're vegan, I find that re-watching this movie and re-reading vegan websites helps to remind me.
Best of luck to you.
the thing that makes it hard for me is that i procrastinate like its my job, so then when i'm hungry i want a meal right in front of me with little effort. what helps me is making a meal plan. i figure out exactly what i want to eat during the week, and then buy the ingredients i need to make them. just like littlecrystal i have cooking marathons where i freeze a lot of prepared food. also on the weekends i pre-make a lot of my meals all the way up to the cooking part, put it in the fridge, and then all i have to do is slap it in a pan (or pot, or the oven, or whatever). this whole process not only makes it easier during the week, but it also forces me to eat the foods i picked out over the weekend. as long as you can be make vegetarian decisions one day, you sort of have to make it all week :)
I struggle with this frequently now. After having been a full-fledged vegan for about a year, I slipped for no apparent reason and I've been getting back on track lately. As others have mentioned in this thread, buying fresh produce is a really excellent way to get all kinds of nutrients and avoid animal products. If I have veggies around, I make sure to cook them because I hate to see them wasted. Focusing on getting enough fruits and vegetables and really making them the center of my diet has been really helpful for me.
I didn't lose any weight when I went vegan, although that can probably be attributed to excessive drinking rather than a flaw in the vegan diet itself. I'm working on that now as well.
Dafodil,
I just read about a cookbook the other day I thought you might be interested. It is called the "Carb conscious Vegetarian". That might be of interest as far as the carbs go. I have not read it so I can't comment on it.
As for difficulty in getting back on the wagon, maybe you should evaluate what kind of obstacles you are encountering and come up with a strategy to overcome them. Such as planning your meals and buying accordingly. Packing lunches ahead of time. Trying new or re-trying veg foods that you had stopped eating and becoming re-aquainted with them.
I don't know what kind of obstacles you have but if you give us an idea maybe we can brainstorm for you.
I hope my suggestions were of some help.
Good luck and let us know how it's going.
Delia
ecodel22
I switched to a veggie life a few months ago and lost 15 pounds almost effortlessly. However I've fallen off the health wagon and have spent the last couple of weeks eating veggie but eating crappy. I'm not implying this is what you do but for me it was all about the veggies. Veggies first, carbs/protein second. A friend had asked how I counted carbs and when I said I didn't at all they were surprised. The carbs I ate before were all whole grain if at all possible and now I've found myself at a fast food restaurant for some tasty horrible french fries.
Hang in there. Continue to heal. This post was a good reminder for me to make the veggie choice because it's what is good for me, the rest will fall into place. Good luck.
Sarah