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It has officially started...
Started
by Holly
on January 4, 2010
It's my first day back to work after the New Year since I made my resolution to become vegan. A co-worker was making a breakfast run to McDonald's (the only close fast food to my work) and asked if I needed anything. She commented that she new I was starting a diet (my annual resolution and throughout the year) and I replied "actually I decided I am going to become a vegetarian!" She replied "the last time she checked hot chocolate and a fruit and yogurt parfait didn't have any meat in it" and I came back with "yes, but it has milk and I am quitting dairy products too". I was proud of myself for sharing my plans and looking for support and then it came, those dreaded 3 words..."WHAT ABOUT CALCIUM?" I took a deep breath and replied that a lot of vegetables have the calcium I need and she said in a sincere tone "just don't do one of those crazy diets".
I had to laugh under my breath because this is not a diet, this is not a temporary thing that I plan to stop. This is a new lifestyle for me, this is what I feel I need to do to make myself healthy. I am 28 years old, 5'10" and weigh 300 pounds. I have been on diets my whole life and with no success (obviously). I am only 25 pounds below my overall heaviest weight and have been plateauing here for over 4 months! This could be the change I need to be healthier and happier!
She is the first person I have said something to out loud, other than a brief mention to my mom which she quickly took the protein and calcium road too! I just needed to vent and I know that a lot of you if not all have faced these people along your path. I am glad there are so many people who are going through this "with" me and that any support or guidance is just a "click" away!
Happy Monday everyone.
Hello Holly....
Good for you!!!! I have been eating vegan for a little over a month now.I have had a couple of slips over the holidays because I wasn't prepared enough with vegan food choices. That's a very important part to stay on track. I wish you all the best.You will love how you feel after eating this way.
Hey Holly!! I know how you feel! I have had to explain to co workers, friends and family over and over how this vegan diet IS healthy and i CAN get all my nutrients this way....it is really scary how people think eating whole grains, veggies and fruit is not a suitable diet?!!! It shows how far people have come from eating whole foods and rely way too much on just dairy and meat! Good luck on your journey Holly, you are doing the right thing!!
Way to go, Holly!
Going vegan can definitely be the change you need. Please keep in mind that you can be a healthy vegan or you can be a junkfood vegan. I am finding that I really do have to pay attention to the food groups I choose. I am so used to eating another way and the food groups just automatically happened. With a vegan diet it's all new and I find that, although there are lots of yummy things, I do need to learn to balance it. I expect that in time it will all come naturally.
Keep us up to date on your progress.
Hey Holly!Girl I know exactly what you mean...I am 23 years old, 5'10'' and 267 pounds. I have recently lost 11 pounds though going Vegetarian, and now I am Vegan. My mom was worried about the calcium part but I comforted her too by telling her of the different vegetables and grains that contain calcium. I have been over weight my whole life too, and when I read this book it seriously just all clicked to me.. that this is what I need for myself. Good luck girly, and if you need any support just send me a message, maybe we can help motivate one another :)Hope your year is starting out wellAshley
great job holly! it's so funny, isn't it? "where are you getting your protein from? what about calcium?" we, as people, are so conditioned to just accept what others tell us. this year i'm gonna figure it out for MYSELF. i'm so glad you've broken free! i have been a vegetarian for 6 years and this year marks the change into eating a vegan lifestyle. i'm so excited about it and it feels great! congratulations!
Hey, Holly! Welcome to the club! I started December 1st. It just clicked for me, too. And I second what Erica said, that people have been conditioned away from the very foods that are best for them.
I feel SO MUCH better it really defies description. Stick to the recipes and advice in TKD and you'll do well. Even my husband is liking the recipes, and has way cut back on meat. There's been more in the news lately, too, and he's starting to get the rest of the message, but I'm not pushing yet.
Oddly enough, I haven't gotten the calcium and protein questions, mostly just blank stares and emphatic "Why would you do that?" kind of questions.
Another interesting benefit is that I had been starting to get what I've been calling "pre" panic attacks. Not out-and-out panic, but a whole-body buzzing and twitchiness, coupled with a very unsettled mind, that was decidedly uncomfortable and freaky. Since starting TKD, I've only had one such episode, where before I was getting them pretty regularly.
Congratulations, and welcome!
I am proud of you for taking this step. I am considered obese also. I have been a vegan for two days and already feel better. I have chronic pain, am just as tired when I wake up as I was when I went to bed, depressed all the time, just not living or being who I was meant to be. I found The kind diet book and it opened a new world for me. Finally someone got me, and I found who I am. It is hard when others don't get it. My family doesn't, but I know I am doing the best thing for me. Keep you chin up, let us know how you are doing.
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