I have been eating as vegan since Jan. 31st and I can't seem to get away from only a 10 pound weight loss.  I have not cheated by eating any meat, dairy or sugar.  It seems that if I have wheat or bread I gain what I lost from the previous day.  I have been making soups that are totally veggies like a split pea soup that only had onions, carrots, split peas and an organic veg. broth.  I make a veggie pizza using either wheat flour, yeast, water, olive oil and then pile the veggies on it with a little veggie cheese.  I divide the dough into 2 balls so I can make 2 pizzas.  When I make the pizza I cut it into 4 or 6 pieces...depending on how big it is, but I only eat 2 pieces and usually with a salad.  I just don't know what to do.  I don't want to eat the way I used to because I really like the food and I feel good about eating this way.  Please help someone.

hi laura-  you say what the problem is yourself in your post!  "it seems that if I have wheat or bread I gain what I lost from the previous day" - I see this a lot - people who are doing everything right but can't shift off that weight, and its so often a wheat issue - you don't have to be downright celiac or allergic to wheat to have enough of a sensitivity to cause issues.  What I would do is to take a solid week and eliminate everything wheat from your diet - it will be a royal pain in the ass, guaranteed - read every label you would not believe what its in!  See how you feel - and what your weight is doing - after that week, and take it from there.   These days so many people have wheat/gluten issues that there are a lot of substitutes available in the market - you could get some Bob's Red Mill all purpose Gluten free flour and still eat your pizzas - it cant' hurt to try -

I should definitely try that.  Do you think Spelt flour would affect me the same as the wheat?  That is another flour that I use.  You are right it will be a pain because I LOVE bread...but even though I do, I had been trying to have more veggies than I do the breads and even the fruit.  I will make myself not have any type of bread for 1 whole week and see if it makes a difference.  Do you eat a lot of salads or what do you do on a typical day of eating.

Laurie, I sympathize with you, as I struggle with the same things. I think what we need to remember, at least speaking for myself now, is that just because we are eating vegan, that doesn't necessarily guarantee weight loss. There are many healthy-eating vegans out there that simply maintain their weight.  Changing to a healthy vegan diet results in the most weight loss,  the more unhealthy the previous diet. If that makes sense... for me, when I eat strictly vegan, I don't lose weight, I might even gain, because my "normal" diet before was lots of fruit, veggies, whole grains, fish, and white-only turkey, beans. If I sub the animal with whole grains, veggie meats, etc, ww pasta and bread, I will gain. ( I am post-menopausal, and I do exercise). So I focus on salad and more veggies, beans, some fruit-especially berries and melon, very small amt. nuts( for the health factor), and try to limit my starches, to 1-2 servings a day, primarily oatmeal and brown rice. I hope this helps, as I said, I too, am struggling, but hoping if I can lose the last few pounds with this, then maintaining will allow me the "normal" healthy vegan foods.

I struggle with the same thing? i thought maybe I had a thyroid problem. I exercise, eat veggies, fruits..low sugar etc..
can NOT loose weight? i am going to try the no wheat thing as well.

I DO have a thyroid problem and I take medication.  However, if I eat wheat products or fruit I magically balloon up.  Getting the thyroid diagnosis and taking the medication doesn't guarantee a weight balance.

I can only eat veggies and I have learned to adapt my diet to that.  I'm pretty darn creative, too, when it comes to varying my veggies and how they are cooked!  Some people just have a genetic makeup that prevents them from the ability to indulge in wheat products or fruit sugars.  Good luck! 

It is good to know that I'm not alone.  I really hope that laying off the wheat products and eat more veggies, brown rice, etc. that things will be different.  I have about 150 pounds to lose and I really want it to come off.  I will keep you posted and you all do he same.  I will be anxious to see if we all have the same results.  Thanks again for all the feedback.

In order to lose weight, I've found eating as "superhero" as possible really helps.
Peace,
Cassi

I have felt like I had been eating that way.  I just got my book out to look it up.  I have really wanted to try the miso soup, but I am having a hard time finding it.  At the health food store they have a box that has some miso soup that is probably something I would just add water to or veg. broth.  Isn't miso a spice that I would be able to buy to add?  What they have in the health food store doesn't look like what I thought this book talks about using.  I would be open to suggestion on that.  I am going to try to stay away from the wheat this week to see if it makes a difference.  I only use rice milk, and I don't eat fruits as much as I used to.  I also think I need to stay away from the natural peanut butter, or at least cut back.  The only sweetners that I use are agave nectur and brown rice syrup.  Since I can't find the miso yet, should I just fix me a soup that has everything in it but that?  Like carrots, celery, onions, maybe even some tofu?  I don't have a problem eating veggies at breakfast because I used to do that with an egg white omelet.  There are times I just fixed the veggies like for stir fry and just added some tofu to it.  Please tell me if it sounds like I am doing right and please tell me if it sounds like I am doing something incorrectly.

I feel your pain! The only way I am able to lose weight is if I stay very low carb. I consume little amounts of fruit and then ony blueberries, strawberries and plums. I can tell friuts like apples and pears spike my blood sugar (which will halt weight loss). I am completely gluten free and stevia is the only sweetener I use. It is the only sweetener that has a zero glycemic index. My salvation was discovering Zevia sodas. They are the only ones that are sweetened with stevia, are completely natural and have zero glycemic impact.  
And even with all of that I will gain weight if I eat more than a couple bites of rice!  I also have to exercise every single day. Even if my food is perfect, my weight will not drop if I don't get about 45 minutes of cardio in. If I ever ate any bread (even gluten free) I would gain weight. It can be depressing at times but I'm glad to have a group like you guys who face the same challenges.

I can sympathize Laurie,  I have actually gained weight going vegan.  Sounds like you're doing better than me, I lost the first few weeks in october, but have almost steadily gained since, I'm up like 10-15 lbs!!!!  I really like eating this way and don't want to stop.  I was going to kind of weight watchers this way of eating, just by eating the same foods but measuring and writing down my portions to keep it in check, but I never followed through.  Journaling is supposed to help but with 3 small kids, I find that too hard.  All I can say is sometimes I think I eat a larger portion or more often than I realize,  could you be doing the same thing??  My new plan is to just eat 3 meals a day, with no seconds, and 2 snacks.  I think the nibbles off the kids plates, seconds and bedtime snack, even if it's vegan/superhero is what sabatoges me.  Not to mention starbucks.  I'm also going to try to eat with a plate half full of veggies, 1/4 grains, 1/4 protein.  One thing I think the book has done to me is made me feel like I could just eat as much of this stuff as I want, but I think that alicia probably has never really had a weight problem and it's hard for others to understand how much we can really eat, and how hard it is to cut back our overall consumption to lose weight.  I think it's more of an effort than just eating vegan, b/c I am really struggling too.  Those are my best ideas, hopefully something might help you.  I need to lose about 50 lbs so I understand how frustrating this can be when you feel like your eating so healthy and trying so hard.  Good luck!

Oh, one other tip I've heard of if using a smaller plate:)

You only need a certain amout of calories daily to maintain weight & function. If you eat more than that your body will make stores.
Maybe you could do some exercise burn more calories and eat just the same.

Laurie, Miso paste can be found in the refrigerated section, and is generally located near the meat substitute products. It usually comes in a plastic container and it really does look like a paste. The dry miso soups are fine, but usually have higher levels of sodium so you are better off making your own using the paste. Also it never hurts to ask the folks at the store, they can by invaluable at health food stores where there's a million things I have never heard of. Hope this helps, good luck. 

Everyone else has given really good tips.  I just wanted to say congrats on losing ten pounds!  I think that your body is naturally moving towards its ideal weight but if you want to accellerate, (other than the possible food sensitivities, which sounds smart).  Focus on any new energy you have and add some more exersise.  I think alicia doesn't emphasize it because she doesn't think intense workouts are necessary, but long walks and getting your heart rate up and some yoga or something is fantastic for you and boosts your metabolism while also burning calories.  I think it helps to wake up your body to lose wieght and detoxify.