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froggy_girl
May 13th, 2004, 05:29 PM
Hiya
just to tell you all that ive found a vegan weight loss product which can be found on www.ultra-products.com/stayslim (http://www.ultra-products.com/stayslim), its great even if you dont need to lose weight it taste great espec the chocolate drink and when it says there 8 servings i think it really means 24 cos you only need one scoop of powder.

Ive lost a stone on it in a month :)

BeccatheGreat
May 20th, 2004, 04:18 AM
I am a new found vegan, I have now been doing it for 4 days, and i was wondering, how long does it take to lose weight, and are you even suppose to in the first place? and if so..what could i do to maybe speed it up, or eat as healthy as possible


becca

globesetter
May 20th, 2004, 05:53 PM
Hi -

I have been vegan for about 9 months - I did lose some weight in the beginning, but I didnīt try to do it, or plan it. I think going vegan cuts out alot of high calorie foods, like baked goods, meats, and eggs, so you could lose weight if you usually eat alot of those things.


Otherwise, there is nothing particular about vegan that means you will lose weight - there are some vegans who just eat junk food, who are probably not that healthy, and can be overweight.

If you want to lose weight, eating vegan is a great start because you will learn alot of new foods that are less caloric and more nutrient dense, but I donīt think many people become vegan with the goal of losing weight. Its still possible to pig out of high calorie items!!


www.pcrm.org has a great starter menu for going some vegan, that will give you some good menus and recipes. Also, I think when you start reading about the animal product industry, you will understand the full implication of eating/using those products - and be motivated by more than weight.

We are the same person no matter what we weigh - although we may be more comfortable or feel more relaxed when we weigh less. Veganism can be a great help, because when you become aware of the larger issues, it makes it easier to deal with our small ones! You may find weight is not so important to you. As a result, you might end up losing weight without planning on it!

Just eat a balance of veggies, fruits, beans, grains, nuts and seeds, and you will be healthy.

Which reminds me - Iīve been eating at Asian restaurants for two days, and probably need to get myself back on some fresh food!


If you have any specific questions, please ask!

good luck,
globesetter

foxytina_69
Jun 19th, 2004, 10:11 PM
what would everyone recommend to get rid of excess weight? i feel like i need to lose a couple pounds but need sum guidance following a vegan diet.

Artichoke47
Jun 20th, 2004, 12:58 AM
Can we have more to work on? How old are you? What is your lifestyle like? How active are you? How many calories are you consuming daily?

Those questions my possibly lead to the answer, such as regular exercise, being mindful of calorie consumption, drinking plenty of water, et cetera.

globesetter
Jun 20th, 2004, 10:05 AM
what would everyone recommend to get rid of excess weight? i feel like i need to lose a couple pounds but need sum guidance following a vegan diet.


Just stick to eating greens, beans, grains and fruit - and burn more calories that you eat. Add a 20 minute walk or other exercise to your daily routine -


When I want to watch my weight, I eat very little grains - so no bread, pasta, etc - just piles of veggie, beans/tofu, fruit ( a couple of pieces dried fruit if I am craving sweets) -

Also, Iīve found that getting a dog is a miracle for losing weight - fat just melted away after a week or two of walking with her!

You can find out how much you are eating by setting up an account at www.fitday.com - it helped me to log what I was eating for a few weeks.


regards,
globesetter

foxytina_69
Jun 20th, 2004, 01:02 PM
Can we have more to work on? How old are you? What is your lifestyle like? How active are you? How many calories are you consuming daily?

im 18

my lifestyle is pretty much nothing right now because i spent the last two years taking care of my mother who was very ill and she died on june the 7th, so ive bin just at home since then so thats probably why i feel the need to lose weight!

im not very active as im very depressed right now

as for calories i probably eat between 1200-1500 a day. if i used percentages, i would say 60% is starches, (lots of potatoes, pasta, toast) 20% fruits and veggies, and 20% juices.

by the way, globesetter, i have a dog, two actually! i should start walking them with my sister =) thanx for the idea. and ive tried fitday, but i had an eating disorder a couple years ago and used it, so it reminds me of that! however i DO write down everything i eat everyday.

im just scared that along with my depression it will cause me to develop an eating disorder again, as ive bin noticing the same symptoms, so im trying to prevent that by attacking it quickly and healthily before that happens.

harpy
Jun 20th, 2004, 02:20 PM
Verry sorry to hear about your mother, Foxytina.

It doesn't sound as if you eat that much so (especially as you've had an eating disorder in the past) I would forget about "dieting" and try and lose the weight by being a bit more active - walking the dog and your sister :) sounds ideal. Exercise is also usually helpful with depression although obviously it's natural to feel down for a while after a loss.

It might be an idea to tip the balance of your diet SLIGHTLY towards the fruit and veg. For example, if you have pasta and vegetables, think of it as vegetables with pasta rather than pasta with vegetables, if you see what I mean. And have wholegrain bread and pasta rather than white whenever you can as they're more nutritious and also more filling.

Good luck and remember the main thing is to feel well rather than lose a couple of pounds.

ravelston
Jun 20th, 2004, 02:46 PM
so sorry about your mom. if you ever need to talk...

i too had an eating disorder a couple of years ago. i know for me, and i'm pretty sure for other people who have had an ED, in very stressful times i would obsess about food to take my mind off things. it was always my coping mechanism.

hun, maybe i'm way off base but it seems that that's what you're doing. so the best advice i can give you is to deal with your grief not your weight. the best way to do that is by surrounding yourself with support and people you can talk to easily. and if you can't deal with it yet, which is very reasonable, just find positive coping mechanisms ( the great dog walking idea, journaling, art, music anything really as long as it's not destructive). relapsing is horrible! and it can take much longer to get out of it again. good luck! please let me know how you're doing : )

:) crystal

foxytina_69
Jun 20th, 2004, 02:46 PM
thanx harpy :) i aggree on tipping my diet towards veggies and fruits more! i eat way too many starches. and i always make sure i eat brown rice bread rather then white rice bread (cant eat real flour bread, as i have celiac disease) and my pasta is always brown rice too :)

foxytina_69
Jun 20th, 2004, 03:01 PM
so sorry about your mom. if you ever need to talk...

i too had an eating disorder a couple of years ago. i know for me, and i'm pretty sure for other people who have had an ED, in very stressful times i would obsess about food to take my mind off things. it was always my coping mechanism.

hun, maybe i'm way off base but it seems that that's what you're doing. so the best advice i can give you is to deal with your grief not your weight. the best way to do that is by surrounding yourself with support and people you can talk to easily. and if you can't deal with it yet, which is very reasonable, just find positive coping mechanisms ( the great dog walking idea, journaling, art, music anything really as long as it's not destructive). relapsing is horrible! and it can take much longer to get out of it again. good luck! please let me know how you're doing : )

:) crystal

well i am gearing towards an eating disorder which is why im trying to prevent that, even tho i dont think i would ever let myself be that way again (it was horrible), but i do believe if i start exercising and getting outside more and being active ill feel better about myself, and i need to just eat healthier then what i have bin and ill be happier. i can take two roads right now. one would be to have an eating disorder, be inside all the time and be depressed, or just get out there and live life and eat healthy and be happier. and i think the latter sounds ALOT more appealing.

i love to journal and i do it everyday, (it really does help) and i love art and was going to start painting again and i love music and love to sing! its wierd that u mentioned all those things :)

thank u for your post :)

harpy
Jun 20th, 2004, 03:28 PM
You sound as if you're working out a sensible approach, Foxytina, so I'm sure you'll be fine.

I just wanted to add that cutting back too far on carbohydrates is not necessarily a good idea for someone depressed because they help your body produce serotonin, a substance that combats depression. Mind you I doubt if this is a real hazard for someone who eats a vegan diet - I think it's more of one for people who do Atkins etc :rolleyes: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3522903.stm

foxytina_69
Jun 20th, 2004, 03:38 PM
thank u for the article :) im aware of that affect when cutting down carbohydrates! i dont think i could cut down too much anyhow, i love my starches too much :) but i will cut down a wee bit. ( i dont think i need pasta EVERY day of the week WITH toast!)

julieruble
Jun 20th, 2004, 04:07 PM
I'd agree with the folks who have recommended cutting down on starches. Also, I'd like to mention that I also had a depression sort of illness and my doctor recommended that I start exercising...jogging or something. It helps your body release endorphins and makes you feel better and healthier. It'd also help with weight loss, just be sure to monitor and make sure you aren't exercising obsessively. Maybe you could have your sister help to make sure you're being healthy about your weight loss; it's easy to start being secretive and slip back into old disorders, so maybe just ask her to be aware of your habits and let you know if she thinks you're being unhealthy.

foxytina_69
Jun 20th, 2004, 05:05 PM
good idea. thanx julieruble.

Artichoke47
Jun 20th, 2004, 07:37 PM
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. *hugs*

You might want to try to intake about 250 more calories/day in fruits and vegetables and make sure you are drinking enough water. Exercise is great for your body as well, as was already stated.

globesetter
Jun 20th, 2004, 07:53 PM
im 18

my lifestyle is pretty much nothing right now because i spent the last two years taking care of my mother who was very ill and she died on june the 7th, so ive bin just at home since then so thats probably why i feel the need to lose weight!

im not very active as im very depressed right now

as for calories i probably eat between 1200-1500 a day. if i used percentages, i would say 60% is starches, (lots of potatoes, pasta, toast) 20% fruits and veggies, and 20% juices.

by the way, globesetter, i have a dog, two actually! i should start walking them with my sister =) thanx for the idea. and ive tried fitday, but i had an eating disorder a couple years ago and used it, so it reminds me of that! however i DO write down everything i eat everyday.

im just scared that along with my depression it will cause me to develop an eating disorder again, as ive bin noticing the same symptoms, so im trying to prevent that by attacking it quickly and healthily before that happens.


Foxytina -

sorry about your mom - I am very impressed at your positive attitude - you will get where you want to be if you take one day at a time.

I think it also helps to not to put too much pressure on yourself - i think when we are dealing with a crisis, sometimes there is too much pressure to get everything under control - you probably donīt need to get everything under control! just be good to yourself, and take one step at a time.

Glad you have the dogs :D Greatest health boosters around!

all the best,
globesetter

foxytina_69
Jun 20th, 2004, 08:44 PM
good suggestion artichoke :)

and thanx globesetter. i DO feel like i need to get everything under control lol.

Mystic
Jun 20th, 2004, 10:46 PM
Dear Foxytina,

I am 22 and my Mum died of lung cancer when I was 19. A month later my grandfather (Mum's dad) died of a heart attack...then my grandmother (her mother) was diagnosed that weekend also with lung cancer...two months later I lost her as well. So I have been on my own since (with a great boyfriend though) but as a result, I developed anorexia.

Please don't try to lose weight...you only feel like that because you are grieving. Believe me, I know.

Just eat healthy and don't count/weigh/measure or write everything down. Your calorie consumption is very small, so you must be very small anyway. Your mum just died, so no wonder you are leaning towards eating disorder comforts, but please resist...I don't know how bad you have been in the past, but I know that I nearly died.

I know what you are going through and use your sister and your dogs for comfort, not (lack of) food and controlling your body. STAY AWAY FROM FIT DAY!!!!!

If you ever want to talk, I totally understand and I will give you my email address.

:p - I hope you feel better

foxytina_69
Jun 21st, 2004, 02:11 AM
wow yeah my grandfather died 23 hours before my mom so i know what its like to lose both!

i wont get into anorexia again so its okay. im just being cautious this time and preventing it before it happens. thank u banana :)

orchidprint
Aug 11th, 2004, 12:57 PM
I was a vegetarian my whole life, and after going vegan, I gained ten pounds (105 to 115). This may very likely have been because it coincided with my infamous freshman year of college (the "freshman 15"). I work out every day (aerobics and lifting weights) and I've barely lost 2 pounds in 2 months. I don't eat any more than I did when I was vegetarian. I know that adding muscle can cause weight gain, but it still doesn't make much sense. It's true that everything I eat involves bread, rice, potatoes, tortillas, etc., but could the culprit really be carbohydrates? Does anyone know why I can't lose any of this weight?

Artichoke47
Aug 11th, 2004, 01:16 PM
What kind of carbohydrates are you eating? Try to eat wheat/whole grain bread, brown rice, minimal amount of potatoes, and whole wheat tortillas. That will pack in the protein, too. :)

About how many calories do you eat a day?

ConsciousCuisine
Aug 11th, 2004, 01:33 PM
I was a vegetarian my whole life, and after going vegan, I gained ten pounds (105 to 115). This may very likely have been because it coincided with my infamous freshman year of college (the "freshman 15"). I work out every day (aerobics and lifting weights) and I've barely lost 2 pounds in 2 months. I don't eat any more than I did when I was vegetarian. I know that adding muscle can cause weight gain, but it still doesn't make much sense. It's true that everything I eat involves bread, rice, potatoes, tortillas, etc., but could the culprit really be carbohydrates? Does anyone know why I can't lose any of this weight?
Potatoes are basically sacks of sugar. You would likely be better served by eating high carbohydrate foods that are also high fiber. Also, what type of tortillas are you eating? If they are white or even whole wheat or corn, ditto! Unless you are eating only sprouted whole grain tortillas, only brown rice you could be getting many empty calories with little fiber or protein.

A healthy vegan diet centers on vegetables and fruits first, and adds the other items as a smaller part of the whole.

Also, are you lifting weights every day? If you are, you are likely overtraining! It is best to lift weights on an alternating schedule. Daily cardio-work is fine.

Could you have been underweight before? How tall are you? I have known some to gain weight when beocming vegan due to deficiencies that existed while being veggie or omni.

Good luck sorting it all out!

orchidprint
Aug 11th, 2004, 02:13 PM
Thanks for your posts!
I would say I eat about 1500 calories a day. Sometimes up to 2000. I'm 5'2", so 105 is a healthy weight. And yes, I alternate days for weight training.
I'll usually have a bagel for breakfast and some type of tofu/bean/veggie dish with rice or on a bun for lunch and for dinner. So you really think switching to wheat/whole grain will be the difference between 105 and 115?

lolakey
Aug 11th, 2004, 02:24 PM
I was a vegetarian my whole life, and after going vegan, I gained ten pounds (105 to 115). This may very likely have been because it coincided with my infamous freshman year of college (the "freshman 15"). I work out every day (aerobics and lifting weights) and I've barely lost 2 pounds in 2 months. I don't eat any more than I did when I was vegetarian. I know that adding muscle can cause weight gain, but it still doesn't make much sense. It's true that everything I eat involves bread, rice, potatoes, tortillas, etc., but could the culprit really be carbohydrates? Does anyone know why I can't lose any of this weight?
The same thing happened to me, but I know why.

I've been vegetarian and vegan off and on growing up (because of family choices, not mine), but I was never healthy about it. When I decided to go vegan, I also quit smoking, started working out and eating more...better, but more. I gained about 10 lbs, but everyone tells me I look better and I feel better now too. I'm not too worried about how much I weigh as much as I am how I feel.

They are right about the carbohydrates....try to eat the good ones and stay away from the bad ones.