From Mexico to veganism…
Righty-o, so I went to Mexico this past August and as suggested, instead of worrying over which foods I should and shouldn’t be eating, I just ate– whatever! I mean you only go out of the country how many times in your life right? My outlook on food unsoiled by my normal and often frequent thoughts of “weight loss,” “diet”, and “calories”, truly let me enjoy my vacation to the fullest. I also got in a healthy dose of exercise between climbing Myan pyramids, bike riding, as well as swimming in cenotes (sinkholes filled with ground water and lots of tiny fish- ew). I even managed to utilize the work out facilities at the hotel I stayed at! I probably exercised more in Mexico than I do at home– pathetic.
Once I got back home, I knew I’d have to focus once more on trying to maintain a healthy weight. The good news, I didn’t gain or lose much weight while I stuffing my face in MX. I stayed at about the same weight. The bad news, I still didn’t have any drive, any motivation, to really fully commit to weight loss. It’s not like I was still eating enchilladas and refried beans everyday but i felt a little lost. Perhaps this is the reason I stayed away from BuddySlim.com for so long. I figured what was the point of me logging on if I’m not losing weight? If I’m not going anywhere? I want to share weight loss success with people… not mope around the site looking for “inspiration.”
Of course there was my job and first year of college… I was concerned about my busy schedule: What would become of my eating habits? Then nearly about a month ago I was browsing through diet books at Books a Million. Two books with red sale stickers caught my eye: Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin and Eat This, Not That: The Supermarket Survival Guide by David Zinczenko. I had heard good things about both and decided to purchase them. I consumed Skinny Bitch like a fat kid would cake. The day after I bought the book I decided to follow the authors’ advice and go vegan, at least for thirty days. I was so desperate for a drastic change, it seemed this was my calling.
So I signed the online pledge on GoVeg.com. 27 days later and here I am, still vegan… and honestly… loving it. In almost a month I lost seven lbs and recently gained three back due to a Halloween Party. 
Nonetheless I might of lost more if a) I exercised, b) I didn’t eat so much bread, and c) if I watched my portion control. I recently realized I needed to adopt a “MORE PLANT. LESS BREAD” philosophy. Clearly there are such things as overweight vegans just as there are overweight meat-eaters. Who knew? Hahaha!
Oh and contrary to popular belief, a vegan diet can be just as filling and nutritious as a meat-based one. Not only has it been scientifically researched, but take it from me, a former carnivore. I would not have stuck to it if it wasn’t good!
So here I am, back on track, sans animal products, my coach bags (sadly they’re made of leather), and four pounds of fat! I’m ready to share my progress and struggles with fellow dieters and continue losing weight.
By the way, any other fellow vegans/vegetarians out there? After my thirty day trial is up I still plan on continuing the lifestyle. I would love to know your thoughts, advice or tips on striving to be a healthy vegan!
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i dont think i could go vegan.. but im slowly trying to go vegetarian.. im only eating chicken and fish meat wise. Its fine so far but i will miss those lil sausages wrapped in bacon at christmas time lol! Hmm that book skinny bitch ive heard great things about it. i will join goveg.com tonight and congrats on your weight loss!xx
I would make sure that while you both are transitioning that you make sure and have blood work done to make sure your bodies are still healthy. You would not want to end up anemic.
hey! i am a vegatarian as or 4 months ago and i feel great, and definantly DON’T support the meat industry AT ALL but i do eat milk and eggs….eggs are my favorite food of all times so it is really hard to give it up…can u tell me a typical thing u would eat during your day being vegan?? it seems very difficult….share ur experience…
yeah i think i may get my blood tested anemia’s def something i dont want.
raverbaby: honestly I never thought I could go vegan either… until I just did it LOL. I’m not saying it’s that easy. I quit meat cold turkey (haha) and still a month in I smell fried chicken and though I don’t salivate anymore, I still think it smells good. My biggest thing I miss is dairy. I miss my cheese but each day gets a little better!
autumnmansfield: blood work might be a good idea… I just hate needles. :-/ I am making sure I eat a well-balanced diet though so I think I’m fine for now. I know in a couple of years I will have to start taking vitamin supplements though.
savagelife64: Funny, I LOVED EGGS too– and dairy! I won’t sugar coat it. Yes it CAN be hard but the mentality I acquired from Skinny Bitch helped a lot: It’s not that I CAN’T have certain foods, I CHOOSE not to but them in my body. I believe that has really helped me stay on my vegan path. I LOVE food and I LOVE to cook- as long as it’s something easy.
So depending on the day for breakfast I might eat vanilla soy yogurt (a little tart but delicious might I add) with Back to Nature Original Granola mixed with pecans. I might throw in some apple slices. For lunch I will eat homemade garlic hummus with pita bread, a spinach salad with lots of veggies and Asian ginger dressing and for dinner vegetable stir-fry with cashews. For snacks I might eat organic blue corn tortilla chips with a homemade salsa or bean dip. They key is using the right ingredients and spices to come up with the best tasting meal! My mouth was watering just describing it! 
I try not to get bored so I try to spice it up day to day. I also eat lots of other things. Best thing I ever did was find a vegan restaurant in the area! Then I can eat all the things I’m too lazy to make (all the naughty vegan indulgences) like pizza, cookies, cake, and lasagna! YUMMY!