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!
Anita, I understand your frustration. What attracted me to the book and this way of diet in the beginning was because of the notion that calorie counting/tracking days would be gone, especially since you're not eating all that nasty stuff. I thought following the book and having 1/2 plate of grains and the rest greens and beans would be the magic cure!
Sadly though, it doesn't matter what kind of diet/lifestyle you're on. It's all about what Sarah mentioned above "calories in vs calories out."
So, I started tracking what I'm eating along with following the plan about 90%, and I finally saw the scale move. But I don't agree with the limiting of fruit. I've been eating 3-4 pieces of fruit a day, and I've been successful at losing thus far.
Good luck! And remember it's lifestyle changes that makes weight loss successful - not the short term ones.
Vegan isn't a get thin quick diet - contrary to popular belief. If you're eating whole greens, lots of veggies, lots of proteins like beans or tofu or the like and getting the cals/carbs/protein/fiber your body needs, it will happen. I lost weight when I went vegan and a lot of other people have. For many, going vegan is the first time they're eating foods not out of a box and eight servings of it at a time!
Just keeping doing what you're doing and enjoy your new lifestyle - the weight loss will come with time.
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.
Really? You're going to take the word of a blogger/dancer over years and years of science that proves if you eat less calories than what you're burning, you'll lose?
I know everybody here believes their own version of science here, but there's a reason why tracking what you're eating and your activity levels tend to work with losing weight. Otherwise Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers and any other cal in vs cal out program would be out of business because it wouldn't work.
If they don't, either you have a medical condition or are not facing the true facts on your exertion level when exercising or the portions of what you're eating.
You also keep mentioning "limited starch" - does that mean you aren't having a lot of whole grains? Right there - that alone might be your problem. Try to hae whole grains at every meal and see if you feel - and start to look - better.
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.
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.
There's also a reason why people keep going back to things like Jenny Craig, WW etc. Because they don't address the real issues people eat too much. For those who can Point, and Syn, and follow other diets, and keep the weight off it's a great thing. But for many, many people they are constantly looking to the next new diet, and failing like they did on the last. Because the real reason they're carrying extra weight is FAR more complex than they're simply eating too much. And I gave the link to one blog, because it gave a simple explanation. There are thouands of sites with scientific basis, so no I'm not going on one blogger's opinion, but I appreciate your concern.
Intuitive eating isn't about portion control, but if you really, trully tune in to eating, you realise you need less. But also things like smaller plates help. Crockery is huge these days. Part of me wants to chuck out all my current plates and bowls and get smaller ones (secondhand from the 60's and 70's maybe?), because when we eat with our eyes, if we're eating from a plate only half filled with food, it can send a message to our brain that we're starving ourselves
Exercise is a big thing though. It's something your body loves and appreciates, but it really should be something you enjoy so you actually benefit from it physically and mentally! Whether it's running, the gym, or an exercise DVD, or cycling, or skating, find something you love to do and do it!
I'm not saying my way is the only way to do things, but the OP asked advice so I'm offering mine.
Tuning in, mindfulness, choosing to eat healthier choices isn't a quick fix solution, and in this day and age it takes far more concentration. Most of us are zoned out far more than we're zoned in. And little things like sitting at a table, turning the tv off while you eat, can make a huge difference to how much you eat