The KInd Life Community Forum

I have been on a diet since junior high. That's 25 years of dieting - that is no way to live! I have tried: calorie restriction, starvation, liquids only, the Cabbage Soup Diet, the South Beach Diet (BAD!), Nutri-System, Weight-Watchers, vegetarian and even a healthy eat-right diet (which always led to cravings, cheating and guilt). I tried OTC weight loss pills. I even went on prescription appetite suppressants! THAT has been my life! My thoughts were always about food, calories, fat, and weight. Food wasn't enjoyable anymore; I had turned it into a scientific nightmare. Over the years, my weight yo-yoed between 142 & 180 pounds (I am 5'6"). This yo-yo dieting killed my metabolism, and I have been spiraling downward into depression. I am only 37!

Alicia's book made so much sense to me. First - I am an animal lover. Reading first-hand experiences of the meat industry in "The Kind Diet" and "Skinny Bitch" hurt my soul. I still can't get some of those images out of my head. Second, my system was completely weighed down and backed up. Seriously, I have been constipated for the last 5 years. I felt down and depressed, and my weight was rising again.

I went vegan cold-turkey! In just over a week, my health has improved significantly! My mood has improved; I don't feel weighed down; I am no longer constipated; my skin is glowing; and I am even enjoying cooking again! And I have lost 7 pounds! I have not had cravings for the first time EVER, and I even feel full and satisfied.

I honestly don't see myself ever going back. I don't count calories anymore; I am actually enjoying food. I feel so happy this way, physically AND emotionally. THANK YOU, ALICIA!

This is so awesome to hear!!! I haven't tried as many diets as you have, but I have tried a few extreme things and a few not so extreme things and just haven't found anything I could actually live with. What is so awesome about this "diet" is that you can eat whatever you want within the major four vegan food groups (whole grains, veggies, fruits, legumes); as long as you steer clear of too many processed foods, fats and sugars, you will have a gentle but steady weight lose. The best part is that even though I've only been doing this for a week, I feel like I can really do this for the rest of my life!!!! Sure I may have times when I eat more sugar or vegan "junk" food than I should, but the community and support here is amazing, and the cause goes so much beyond just me. Knowing that my actions affect the whole globe gives me more resolve to stick with this!

I so understand what you're saying! I've tried all those diets, had an eating disorder, therapy.....the whole shabang. I've been doing this for a week now & it's almost like learning to eat all over again & doing it right this time. I don't have the emotional response to healthy food the way I do to the bad stuff. It's working & I feel better than I ever have. This is amazing, huh?

Yes! I've also battled weight my entire life and tried all sorts of diets. I've made huge strides in the past four years but was still struggling with an extra few pounds...I went vegan back in November and seven pounds have melted off. I'm feeling great and can't believe I made it through the holidays without gaining weight (first time EVER!). This is definitely the way to eat -- the way to LIVE! :)