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Hi everyone,
I've been vegan for almost 2 months now, but my weight is not moving. I'm super frustrated as I have been sooo good at only eating greens, fruit, and limited starches. Not completely oil free, but working on it. I feel great, my hair and nails are looking much better and so is my skin. So......what is wrong?? So many people seem to see such good results once they eliminate all animal products, and increase nutrition, but I feel "stahled". Any advice would be very appreciated.
It's been tricky for me too because I'm bloating a lot now and I haven't noticed a difference in my skin, but overall I know it was a move in the right direction. I would suggest if you're not already counting calories to keep track for a bit just so you develop a general idea of your intake. You can also increase the amount you exercise accordingly to make sure you're burning enough calories off. Make sure you limit the amount of high calorie foods you're eating like nuts and avocadoes, and emphasize vegetables over fruits. . .good luck!
Thanks everyone.....the ideas and support make a big difference. I agree that you need to burn more than you consume in order to loose. I guess I thought it should be pretty simple since it's mostly fruit/veg. No bread, small amounts of grains etc. Iwill however get serious about the food journal. I think it's a good tool. I feel really great so even tho I am working at the weight, I know that I'm on the right path. I am not going to give up. Btw-watched "Forks over knives", it really affirmed my decision.
See if upping your whole grain servings help at all. Dr. Neal Barnard encourages eating 6-8 servings a day. That's a little too much for me personally, but the point is they make you full faster, and keep you full longer than almost any other foods. So while it might feel like you're eating more carbs, you're actually eating less altogether, lowering your calorie intake. Give it a shot. I actually do lose weight easier when I consistently eat whole grains at EVERY meal.
I lost 90 pounds and am beginning to make progress on the last 60 pounds. I found that my weight stabilized eventually after each major lifestyle change. I currently eat a whole plant based diet as recommended by Dr. Caldwell Esseltyn, Jr. My next phase includes aerobic exercise, free weight training, yoga stretching, and mindful eating.
As a software developer, I'm in the planning a software product that will include a meal and lifestyle planner. This will be accessed through a free web site.
Dan, that sounds so cool!! I am excited to hear about your weight loss! That's quite an accomplishment. You have inspired me, plus your idea on the lifestyle planner is very needed. Can't wait.
I just wanted to post a link about the calories in/out thing, because it makes me go all spikey every time I read someone mentioning it
http://danceswithfat.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/the-calories-incalories-out-myth/
I'm very much for mindfulness, really tuning in while you eat. Have you looked into intuitive eating? I'm not a small girl, I have about 70lbs to lose in an "ideal" world, but the weight is coming off slowly and surely.
Calorie counting does have its benefits, but it's a real pain and drove me completely nuts for the little time I did it. The easier and more beneficial option, IMHO, is to increase your physical activity. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, get off the bus 10 min before your destination and walk, try Pilates, spinning, weight class (great calorie burner!), kickboxing. I personally think getting active is way more fun that worrying about calories...
People in my opinion tend to get frustrated because they assume that a healthly diet will take care of there weight goals. Now in many cases it does work as many who are overweight consume well in excess of there required calorie maintenence and consuming a healthy diet can get them back nearer there maintenence level.
It does come down to calories in vs calorie expended but there are mulitple other issues which influence and effect weight loss/gain such as adrenal and other endocrine disorders(low thyroid), hormonal imbalances(which woman tend to be more prone too), sluggish liver, nutrient deficiencies(iodine, b vitamins etc) which slow down metabolism much like the above conditions do also. If any of the above is occuring and quite often more than one of the above accompanys each other than the calorie in vs calorie expended will do nothing to help.
Amla
Anita, I'm a big believer in portion control and exercise. I'm using the WW points system. It works well with a vegan diet. Unfortunately, I cannot keep the weight off without strict portion control. Intuitive eating does not work for me, nor does just eating healthily unless I do Superhero 100% which is not going to happen. I am very carb-sensitive, have to watch carefully monitor my consumption, even of whole grains.
The Dances with Fat blogger is anti-portion control (which she seems to characterize as semi-starvation). That's fine for her if she's happily and healthily overweight. I've been as heavy as she is (I'm not exactly skinny now) and I really don't want to go there again. It is clear to me that some people are predisposed to be heavy, that there is a genetic component (both my mother and grandmother were obese) so I think being realistic about one's body type is a good thing and I'm not for a neurotic fixation on weight. I just don't want to carry that much weight around.
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