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help! so confused and frustrated!
Started
by Elise Dilger
on January 13, 2010
Hi everyone!
I want to start by saying you're all beautiful people and it's so awesome that so many people are so passionate about something that can be so challenging..so kudos!
I've been stalking this forum since I got the book over a month ago. I'm 22 years old and trying to shove off some weight I gained in college. I'd like to lose between 20-30 pounds but really I just want to stop feeling crappy. I used to get a stomach ache EVERY SINGLE DAY. going vegan changed that! It's amazing and I am so grateful. I don't feel like a trillion dollars all the time, but I'm not miserable with stomach problems either. YAY. The weight loss however, not so much. It was actually really easy for me to cut out meat and dairy (I'm lactose intolerant so...why not?) and I've been vegetarian in the past for animal rights reasons.
I'm wondering what I should really be eating? I feel like I'm eating healthy but I'm seeing no changes (it's been over a month too, I'm trying to be patient). Figured I'd post what I ate today:
bfast: luna bar (not an awesome breakfast but I suck at waking up early)midday snack: banana with peanut butterlunch: sauteed zucchini with caramelized onions and hummus on sprouted grain breadsnack: pineappledinner: 1/4 cup of alicia's couscous with a veggie burger and some avocado
Is it possible that avocado and hummus are my problem? Or maybe almond milk? I'm not expecting this to be easy but I hope it can be possible told lose weight AND have digestion feel better. Is/was anyone else in the same boat and struggled in the beginning? Am I doing something obviously wrong? Any advice would be awesome!!
I understand your frustration. I too am getting to 1 month of vegan meals but no weight loss. I am trying to focus on the important fact that I am getting healthy with what I am eating even if I'm not losing weight. However, I plan to try as much as I can to be superhero and add exercise, even if it is a little, to my day. I am hoping that that will help.
Hey Elise, ditching the meat and all animal products is doing your body wonders--I guarantee it. I really can't gauge what you're daily diet is but of course, exercise is what's going to help you see results ALONG with a healthy diet. Vegan or not--the math remains the same. If you are going to consume more calories than you can burn, you probably won't get anywhere too quickly. Making sure your body is physically fit and full of tone and muscle will help you kick start your weight loss. I suggest yoga. It's so physically challenging, really works the body and mind but also is really great for boosting your immune system, keeps your bowels functioning well and all your internal organs in great shape to help you be at your best. Hope this helps.
It definitely takes time, but the results are well worth it! Stay vegan, keep your portions small, try to work out a little- even low impact exercises such as yoga or walking can have tremendous benefits. To lose weight you can also integrate some "extras" into your diet such as apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and green tea. Good luck. Don't give up!
Allisonwww.holisticvoice.org
I cannot lose weight if I eat banana and/or peanut butter. No matter how healthy I eat, if either of those are in my diet, I won't drop a pound. It's just how my body metabolizes them. Also, are you drinking a lot of water? That makes a difference for me. You may also want to add Alicia's Weight Loss Tea if you want a jumpstart. It really works. Stick with it. It'll happen.
Hey! i feel your frustration- i expected i would loose alot of weight turning vegetarian/vegan but its not always the case. I find to really loose you need to up you quanitity of greens- as much as you can! i put spinach in everything (although im trying to diversify), and also up your quantities of vegetables, and fruit- less refined carbs. Luna bars are a good snack if you have nothing else, but i find fruit smoothies are the best i the mornings- for me.
Try to fill up enough at meals that you dont feel the need to have a snack. And always try a piece of fruit, veggies, or water before going in for the bread. I hope this helps!!
Also- watch your intake of nuts (1-2oz/day) unless you exercise alot.
happy to help if you need any tips or recipes! find me! :)
I have to agree with the above responses. It's pretty simple, but you didn't put the weight on overnight, it won't come off that way either...I know it sucks in this 'instant gratification" society we live in.
My suggestions are to try to cram in as many raw vegetables as you can...with the hummus is fine. You will be SO full and still lose weight. You do need SOME fat, but not much and it's easy to go over. What I am seeing from the small sample diet you provided is it's a little heavy on the grains/breads. These are great to start your day, but remember they will metabolize into glucose (sugars). And walk, walk, walk...that's how I started!
I would def suggest exercise and watching the portions of ur starch. I usually do 3/4 cup and then 1 cup of the protein such as beans, lentils etc... I use a little almond milk in my oatmeal every morning. the steel cut ones not instant and its yummy. Also watch the amount of avacodo its a good fat but 1/9 of an avacodo is a serving. Also hummus only a few tablespoons is a serving and eat more veggies, as many as u like.
i understand your frustration. im techinically very overweight and was sort of hoping that changing my eating habits would change that, though my first priotrity is to just be healthier (and stop eating animals)
I always remember my sister saying that after she became a vegetarin she actually gained weight. french fries, chocolate, potato chips, pasta... all vegetarian!!! so i guess it's not crazy to be vegetarian/vegan and stuff find comfort foods that aren;t necessarily low fat or low cal.
with that said, i personally think your menu looks great. i dont really have much advice, but i just wanted to say that i'm sure you are much healthier because of the good choices you've made. try to focus on that :)
This cinches it....gonna get Alicia's book ASAP!
I have really noticed a difference in how I feel but would now like to drop the excess weight I've been packing on for years.
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