The KInd Life Community Forum

Hi there,

So Ive been vegan now around a month. I was doing great (though I havent lost ANY WEIGHT) but these past 2 days Ive been hit with crazy cravings for something sweet (and its not that time of the month!). I noticed this morning that I had in fact, despite being vegan and eating less as a result, gained a few pounds! I've read on some of the threads here that people who go from veg to vegan sometimes/often gain or their wt simply doesnt change. So I want to begin the Super Hero diet but Im afraid I wont be able to stick to it. I believe though that its the only way I can lose wt.

Has anyone else out there become vegan and either not lost wt or gained wt? Anyone on Superhero or want to begin with me?

Cindy

Hi Cyndi,

When i first went Veg, I lost a lot of weight, but over time 11 years or so, I started to gain weight. Post Baby and Post BF'ing and just getting older. I felt Genetics kicking in and even while training for a 1/2 marathon, I gained weight. I thought I was eating healthy so I just chalked the weight gain up to genetics and age catching up with me.

Then I went mostly Vegan (I already wasn't doing eggs or milk though) and switched to mostly raw foods. No Processed sugar or grain, only fruits, veggies, nuts, and beans... Eventually I've incorporated some back, and I'm not all or nothing anymore. But by switching, I lost all cravings for pasta, rice, breads, sugars.... And now only have any of those on occasion. I've lost 20+ pounds and 4 pant sizes, but its been a year process.

I feel better then I have my whole life. And will soon probably taper off at a good weight, and a diet that I can manage happily. This is only my story, but what I've discovered is all our bodies are different. And by experimenting you can find what works for you. For me, I realized that i was eating WAY WAY WAY to much pasta and rice and sugars... Even as a Vegan, I was getting unhealthy. My body didn't like those things.

I've learned that I can Change what genetics had in store for me. My hubby said the other day that he can't believe the difference. He's not real good for compliments, but he told me that I was reversing time. And on our 19th anniversary, I looked better then our 1st... Awwww!

All that to say, you can find what works for you too. Its definitely worth it!

HI Cheryl, Lately my typical day has been very wishy washy just because of timing, travel and schedule changes. But normally I start every day with a Full of fruit and Greens smoothie. Sometimes I throw in coconut, avocado or hemp seeds for added nutrient perks.

A couple hours later, I will munch some fresh cut apples or other handy fruits, so my Mornings are all Raw.

I'll have different kinds of salads and variety of Veggie Snacks, raw green beans for example, carrots, I like the crunchy stuff. Beans, seeds, grains of different kinds. And I try to keep lunch mostly raw. But if I do have some non-raw foods for lunch, then I will usually have raw food for dinner.

A couple hours later, I'll have another glass full of smoothie (I make two and take them to work)

I still like sweets as much as the next guy, so I make raw cookies, raw ice cream or eat a Dark Choco Squares when the cravings hit.

Here are some picture examples of a few lunches + snacks on a typical day:

http://www.vegmom.com/my_thoughts_and_your_opin/2010/05/a-raw-vegan-tiffin-lunch.html

http://www.vegmom.com/my_thoughts_and_your_opin/2009/09/lunch-a-little-of-this-and-that.html#tp

http://www.vegmom.com/my_thoughts_and_your_opin/2009/09/fridge-and-a-tiffin.html#tp

http://www.vegmom.com/my_thoughts_and_your_opin/2009/08/tiffin-variety.html

I know it isn't perfect, but it works for me. Hope this helps

Hi Cheryl,

Yes I'm totally filled up and eating LOTS. In fact I eat so much during the day and early evening that I stopped my night eating completly which used to be my down fall.

But I'm not so super hero since I do eat a lot of fruit and veggies along with other things. I'll add things to my smoothies, or have a day that contains more bean dishes if I'm feeling lagging.

I can't explain it, but I don't need those fun foods anymore. I used to want want want... I could seriously eat an ENTIRE pan of Vegan lasagna. Now, i may have a tiny bowl if I really really feel like it and that is all I can handle. Same with Vegan pizza. I used to make an entire pan of a baked italian rice dish. Last week I was craving it, so I made a single serving bowl using brown rice.

I guess i allow myself to eat what I feel like, when I feel like it. But since that isn't the norm, I don't feel like that stuff much anymore. So I stick to what makes me feel good.

hi cyndi!

i'm in the same boat...vegan is easy now...the transition to superhero is tougher than i thought! my goal is to be superhero for the month of july and evaluate the benefits at the end of the month. keep me posted as to how you're doing!