I have read several posts/topics on here and wanted to share my thoughts and personal story.

Two years ago I became vegetarian because of my cousin. She encouraged me to try it and see how I felt. I was anxious to see what my body would do. Turns out I didn't miss chicken, beef, fish, any of it at all! I was hooked! My body felt better because it wasn't trying to break down dead flesh.

I had struggled with asthma and allergies for a couple years by then and it was suggested to me to go a step further and become vegan to see if that would help. I thought 'there is NO way' because once I became vegetarian I was relying heavily on dairy but I tried it and was vegan on and off for the next year. I switched to soymilk and cut out yogurt and eggs but I still missed cheese!!! (That is when I would go 'off' being vegan.) I didn't see a huge improvement in my allergies but there was some. A few months ago I resolved to go off cheese completely and dedicate myself to being vegan for at least a year to see about my allergies...and you know what? I don't miss cheese as much anymore, I never think about it really.

Anyways about a month ago I realized even though I was eating vegan I was still cheating and lying to myself about candy, cookies, and processed treats. (Those are in another category in my book. I wouldn't count cookies with eggs or brownies or peanut m&ms' etc.) HA! I know. Like I said I wasn't fooling myself. I pride myself on health and fitness and my actions just weren't lining up with my beliefs.

Now back to the title of this topic - You Can't Complain About that Which You Allow. I have always enjoyed exercise and tried to maintain my weight (5'6'" and 125 pounds) however I have also gone through ridiculous 'seasons' where I would veer off the path of self control and indulge ridiculously! Here is an example. In the last month I ate 42 ounces of peanut m&m's, 2/3 package of oreos and half a pan of brownies!!! Just want to be honest. Here is an example of the path of self control. I would eat a total of two reeses peanut butter cups a day and be happy. See the difference??!!!!!

Here I will repeat myself and say 'I pride myself on health and fitness and my actions just weren't lining up with my beliefs'. And so I have resolved to now TRULY be vegan and be disciplined to ONLY eat vegan in ALL areas of my diet. You know what my conclusion is? If I am honestly eating vegan (which is purely plant based food) and practicing self control with even vegan desserts (yes, I know there is ALOT of sweets that are vegan see my p.s. at the bottom) then I should not be playing mind games with myself or believing lies about my weight because whatever my body looks like with healthy food and regular exercise is how God intended me to look!!!!! There will be no guilt, no shame, only satisfaction that I am being healthy.

One last thing. I kind of grew up equating food with fun. That can be dangerous. But to me I've come to realize that having a healthy body is fun, fat is not fun. And so to make the decision I've made I will be equating food with health, with fueling my body, and that will be fun and that's the truth!

Thanks for letting me share my story if you've made it this far. I hope this is an encouragement to someone out there and maybe you can encourage me too.

P.S. About the vegan desserts, my perimeters are: it has to be homemade and it has to be the exception not the norm (in other words not every day but a special occasion or celebration). The way I fend off my sweet or crunchy tooth is with sugarless gum, brushing my teeth, drinking herbal tea, snacking on fruits, veggies, baked chickpeas or air popped popcorn.

P.S.S. So if you DO indulge please do yourself a favor and just DON"T complain about it, I won't I promise.