To All of My Vegans Out There...

NekaMaye88

How long have you been vegan?
Why did you decide to go vegan?
How much weight has been lost from being vegan, even if your reason for becoming vegan has nothing to do with weight loss?
How do people respond when you tell them that "I'm vegan"?


RANDOM QUESTION:

What is your favorite exercise?

Thanks and I hope everyone is doing well today!

bokchoybaby

You didn't answer your own questions!

How long have you been vegan?

15 years

Why did you decide to go vegan?

I decided that vegetarianism was no longer enough.

How much weight has been lost from being vegan, even if your reason for becoming vegan has nothing to do with weight loss?

Who knows. I've been vegan so long I have both gained and lost over the years.

How do people respond when you tell them that "I'm vegan"?

It doesn't come up often. The last time was with my son's pediatrician as he is being raised in a vegan household. She did a little extra reading, which impressed me, so that she could make sure my son's typical blood tests took into consideration anything particular to veganism and to catch up with AAP recommendations. With people who are new to me, I rarely talk about it unless meal plans are being made.

What is your favorite exercise?

Way too hard to choose. I dance, lift, run, bike, use the elliptical machine and enjoy it all.

NekaMaye88

That's awesome! Wish I could say I express the same love for bokchoy. I feel like my friends and family are all foodies so food comes up all the time and my mention of being vegan is always a "shocker". lol

Been vegan for 4 months.

I was pescatarian for 1 year, then tried the paleo diet for a couple of months and realized I hated it. The taste of chicken made me sick to my stomach. Then I did more research on the vegan diet and how it helps animals, the environment and my health so I said I'm gonna do it!

I've lost nearly 20 lbs in this 4 months period. I didn't even realize that until today.

People don't know what it is and think they do but most people think I'm weird and think that I'm starving myself. It actually makes me chuckle.

I enjoy dancing...a lot.

winniethepooh751

I was only vegan for a short while last year, but I actually gained weight doing it because my body doesn't particularly react well to carbs and I was eating brown rice often. I'm sure if I were to do it again I'd lose weight this time. I'm almost vegan except for the fact that I eat eggs now.

TheGymGypsy

I'm a vegetarian. I gave Veganism a chance, but I just couldn't meet my protein requirements for the day without living off protein drinks and bars. I love vegan food though, especially desserts.

catswithcheekbones

Vegan for almost 4 years.
I went vegetarian because of the mini documentary "Meet Your Meat" and stayed vegetarian for a year before going vegan, but going vegan was always my goal.
I lost 10 pounds when I went vegetarian, but nothing when I went vegan. Which is surprising, because I didn't watch what I ate at all while vegetarian and hardly ate any fruit and vegetables!
When I tell people I'm vegan I always get the "Wow! You must have so much willpower, I could never do that" and of course "What do you EAT!?"

And my favourite exercise is running and kickboxing!

Angimom

6 months, but not hard core, like if I am out to eat and an item has eggs in it I will eat it, I only do this by choice.

I had high triglycerites and so I read a book by Dr. Neal Barnard about the benifits of eating vegan so I decided to try it, I didn't really like meat anyways. And I love it. Sometimes it is hard to eat out with my group of friends, but I am not by any means starving! LOL.

I have lost 18lbs, but working out and limiting calories has helped alot also. HOWEVER, my triglycerites have plummeted, my Dr was very impressed with my numbers.

And alot of people have no idea what a vegan is.

Favorite exercise is playing softball or rollerblading.

NekaMaye88

I was only vegan for a short while last year, but I actually gained weight doing it because my body doesn't particularly react well to carbs and I was eating brown rice often. I'm sure if I were to do it again I'd lose weight this time. I'm almost vegan except for the fact that I eat eggs now.

Oh okay. Eggs was particularly hard for me to get rid of. Granted it wasn't a problem for me to let go of meat, but eggs was like my..."go to" when there was nothing but meat on a menu at some dine out place. lol I try to watch my carb intake as best as possible and just do veggie protein and vegetables.

NekaMaye88

I'm a vegetarian. I gave Veganism a chance, but I just couldn't meet my protein requirements for the day without living off protein drinks and bars. I love vegan food though, especially desserts.

After work today, due to a pretty depressing week, I'm going to purchase a vegan oreo cookie shake as a treat to myself. The protein requirement is a bit of a problem I'm working through. Some days I have too much protein and others I don't have enough. Trying to find that balance so I completely understand where you're coming from.

Angimom

I think you should also add: What is your favorite meal?

Mine is, Quinoa, tomato, onion, black beans and avacado with sriracha, YUMMM. I eat this ALOT!

NekaMaye88

6 months, but not hard core, like if I am out to eat and an item has eggs in it I will eat it, I only do this by choice.

I had high triglycerites and so I read a book by Dr. Neal Barnard about the benifits of eating vegan so I decided to try it, I didn't really like meat anyways. And I love it. Sometimes it is hard to eat out with my group of friends, but I am not by any means starving! LOL.

I have lost 18lbs, but working out and limiting calories has helped alot also. HOWEVER, my triglycerites have plummeted, my Dr was very impressed with my numbers.

And alot of people have no idea what a vegan is.

Favorite exercise is playing softball or rollerblading.

That's awesome! Today is my 4 month-iversary. haha I tried to do as much research as I possibly could before I made the short leap into veganism. I haven't done any blood since last year so I should probably do a little follow up and see where all of my numbers stand. That's cool that you love being vegan. I do, too, and I thought I was odd for really, really loving it! haha

NekaMaye88

I think you should also add: What is your favorite meal?

Mine is, Quinoa, tomato, onion, black beans and avacado with sriracha, YUMMM. I eat this ALOT!

That sounds amazing! I'm gonna have to try that. I enjoy tofu scrambles with as much leafy vegetables as possible. I could live off of tofu scrambles haha

sydoe94

How long have you been vegan?

About a year and a half now, but I've been vegetarian for almost 10 years.

Why did you decide to go vegan?

It's bad to cause unnecessary suffering.

How much weight has been lost from being vegan, even if your reason for becoming vegan has nothing to do with weight loss?

It's hard to say. I was never really big to begin with and since I went vegetarian so early in childhood it's hard to tease out which lifestyle choices resulted in my weight. Maybe I would've been bigger if I was never vegetarian. Maybe it had no impact. But I lost about 10 lb off the bat going from vegetarian to vegan.

How do people respond when you tell them that "I'm vegan"?

It depends on the person. I think it makes people uncomfortable because lots of people feel like they should be vegan but aren't, and so they get defensive. Often they act like they're worried about me and are like "where do you get your protein?". Sometimes they try arguing with me. I always try to be respectful and answer questions and respond to concerns concisely and honestly because I feel like veganism makes the world a much better place and I don't want to turn people off of it by seeming preachy or defensive.

RANDOM QUESTION:

What is your favorite exercise?

Walking. XP

erickita89

bump for later because I'm very interested in becoming a vegan..... I. am transitioning into being a vegetarian... i'm still giving in to my "meat urges" about once or twice a week though. It's hard to let go... im slowly easing into it though....

jennifervalentinebcc

I've been vegetarian for 15 years and vegan for the last 8 of those.

I decided to go vegan as a 30 day challenge. I didn't like feeling addicted to cheese, yogurt and ice cream, and wanted to prove to myself that I could live without them. By the end of the 30 days I was feeling great and never even thought about going back.

I did not lose weight by going vegan, but didn't have any I needed to lose.

The response to "I'm vegan" depends on where you are. In more progressive circles it's totally normal or even respected. In meat country people just don't get it. But usually when I make it clear that I'm not trying to convert anyone (live and let live) it's all good.

My favorite exercise, by far, is running. I run competitively and I LOVE it!

My favorite meal is probably this one http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2012/04/citrus-quinoa-tempeh-plate-with-avocado.html or this one http://mjr.earthbalancenatural.com/lemon-tofu-with-pasta-vegan-cream-basil-sauce/. But I omit the peppers (not a fan).

evgenythe2nd

I have 8 angus beef burgers in fridge. i will eat them tomorrow all day. Instead of cheesecake.

Humans are hunters and gatherers, not hipsters by our DNA.


Beef burgers need to pepper their angus




jk not srs. respect to nonmeat eaters for their choice, but a lean meat or fish is required for good fitness and looks, for men at least

bokchoybaby

That sounds amazing! I'm gonna have to try that. I enjoy tofu scrambles with as much leafy vegetables as possible. I could live off of tofu scrambles haha

I love tofu scrambles with greens. Have you tried Indian black salt yet? It imparts a slightly eggy flavor. It's great in scrambles.

Mslmesq

I'm a vegatarian, does that count?

Actually I'm not vegan, but eat that way most of the time. Wanted to add that soba noodles are good as a switch up from quinoa. Love both! And especially with siracha.

MorningWhispers

I'm vegetarian, not vegan.

Been a vegetarian for two full weeks - challenging myself to go 8 weeks just to try out the lifestyle. I do indulge in seafood when I am feeling the need for meat but try to limit how often I eat that.

I am doing this for my health - I wanted to see if I felt different with meat out of my system and so far I feel great. At the end of 8 weeks I plan to reassess and either continue as a vegetarian or go back to eating meat. Right now I'm leaning towards staying vegetarian.

My favorite excerise is swimming at the gym. I also like walking and as the weather cools down I will be walking more.

My favorite meal - I am still trying different vegetarian recipes but so far my favorites are baked squash and sautéed green beans and carrots with sesame oil and soy sauce.

chainone

How long have you been vegan?

Over eight years.

Why did you decide to go vegan?

For the animals, for my wellness, for cheaper food, etc. Animals primarily.

How much weight has been lost from being vegan, even if your reason for becoming vegan has nothing to do with weight loss?

At first I lost about 10 pounds without doing anything. Since I've been vegan for so long, I haven't had vegan-related weightloss for a while.

How do people respond when you tell them that "I'm vegan"?

Most people give me the standard "where do you get your protein/iron/calcium/other mineral" bull, but generally the reaction is "oh. okay."

RANDOM QUESTION:

What is your favorite exercise?

Thanks and I hope everyone is doing well today!

I don't exercise, but when I did I loved lifting.

Mihani

I've been vegan almost 2 years and was vegetarian for quite a few years before that. I did it entirely for animals, and the weight loss and health benefits were a welcome surprise. I lost about 30 pounds in a matter of a couple months when I went vegan. Dairy was really my main source of fat so I think that is why I lost so quickly. I wasn't trying or expecting it.

Most people are cool with me being vegan, although you always have a few who make a big deal and want to start an argument. I have perfected allowing my eyes to glaze over while planting a sad and resigned smile on my face. They usually get the hint to drop it. lol Generally I try not to mention it because in group gatherings it can become the main topic of conversation and I've had that conversation 1,000 times already. Nobody ever commented on my diet when I was downing veggie pizza and beer all the time and getting fatter!

I just started doing some lifting and strength training at the gym and love it!

waffleflavoredtea

I've been vegan (falling off the wagon here and there, especially since my hubby and everyone I know kept trying to force it on me till I finally got the courage to say no) for about a year now.
I've been a low fat raw vegan (80/10/10, 30BAD, fruitarian, whatever you want to call it :P) for two weeks!

I decided to go vegan to heal my somewhat broken digestive system, as my body became intolerant to casein and lactose, wheat/gluten, onions and garlic, and most types of grains. I also wanted to remove the personal guilt I felt when I ate something that used to be alive. I come from a family of farmers so this is a foreign concept to everyone I know, but after doing what I felt in my heart, I feel so at peace and happy.

I don't weigh myself often because I'm at a healthy weight, but I know I've lost at least 5 pounds of fat, gained some muscle (I'm strength training and doing cardio 4-6x a week), and lost 1 inch off my thighs, 1 inch off my waist, and 1 inch off my hips after switching from cooked high protein moderate fat vegan, to 80/10/10.

My favorite exercise is walking REALLY fast on 15% incline on the treadmill, closing my eyes, grabbing the handles, and dance-walking to my cranked up iPod! xP hehe I also love any strength training involving quads or leg presses.

My favorite meal currently is either:
1. A head of romaine lettuce cut into 'chips' with two huge bowls of mango salsa and a giant banana-date-jackfruit smoothie on the side (I'm talking giant, 800-1000 calories)
2. "Fruit-shi" (hehe). Basically I mix reduced fat shredded organic coconut with really ripe mango puree and jalapeno puree for my delicious 'rice', spread it onto an unroasted nori sheet, add medjool dates, julienned cucumber, tomatoes, lychee fruit, raw sweet corn (basically whatever sounds like a flavor explosion), and roll it up with my sushi mat and add some homemade agave hotsauce or chili mango sauce on top.

Morn66

Lessee...

1 & 2) I've been vegetarian pretty much all my life. From the time I was a small child, I could not abide the texture of meat, any meat. And I really hated fish because of the smell and really REALLY hated seafood because of both the texture AND the smell. Eventually, while growing up in the 70s in the Midwest, I learned to tolerate chicken, but only the breast meat and only if it wasn't tough or stringy. I did that only because at the time in the Midwest, there was no such thing as a "vegetarian option" on a restaurant menu. But all the while I loved dairy and eggs. So, I was ovo-lacto.

I've been vegan since mid-April. I transitioned because I was diagnosed with heart failure and heart-failure-induced liver failure. My doc recommended cutting animal protein to spare wear and tear on my liver as well as my kidneys. So, I dropped the eggs and dairy. The latter was easy. The former...not so easy. But it was made a lot easier when I discovered black salt to put on Ye Olde Tofu Scramble. The sulfur in the salt mimics the sulfur in egg yolk, infusing the tofu with an egg flavor. Add some nooch and turmeric for color and BOOM! I honestly can't tell my tofu scramble from real scrambled eggs anymore.

3) I really can't say how much weight I've lost. Much of my "weight loss" lately (probably about 45lbs since the beginning of April) is because of impaired metabolism. Unfortunately, I've lost muscle mass because of that. I'm smaller, but my body fat percentage is up. But it's also true that I retain water like crazy, so my weight is all over the place. It's not uncommon for me to gain and lose (sometimes both over the course of the same day!) 5 lbs a day, just from retaining or purging fluid. So, I don't really pay attention to weight because for me it's very meaningless. The overall trend is downward, though.

4) I work in a department of five people. Of the five, three (including me) are vegan, one for ethical reasons (She's also Ayurvedic), one for health/nutrition reasons (she's also celiac and gluten-free), and one (me) because I have to be. We annoy the other two with our "vegan talk," but they're certainly not averse to eating our food when we bring stuff to share among us! Aside from that, I live in an area that's sort of hippie-ish in the US Southwest, so it isn't surprising here when you say "I'm vegan." In fact, the servers in the restaurants will say, "Oh, awesome. Here's our vegan specials for the day." So, no big deal.

5) My favorite exercise: Walking my two dogs on cool evenings after the afternoon thunderstorms have gone through. I walk them slowly. It's pretty much the only exercise I can do for more than 5 minutes without having to sit down and gasp for breath for 10. I also do some light upper body strength training, trying to stem the tide of muscle wasting, but I can't say that I enjoy that. Really, it exhausts me.

Carnivor0us

How long have you been vegan?

Zero years.

Why did you decide to go vegan?

I will probably never go vegan because suffering isn't a zero sum game.

How much weight has been lost from being vegan, even if your reason for becoming vegan has nothing to do with weight loss?

Truthfully, I can say none.

How do people respond when you tell them that "I'm vegan"?

They would probably laugh because they know I'd be joking.

RANDOM QUESTION:

What is your favorite exercise?

I love the elliptical machine.

presentlymadi

How long have you been vegan?

Just about 11 months~ I'll be hitting my 1 year mark on August 31st

Why did you decide to go vegan?

I've always loved animals. It just made sense. When I found out all the cruelty that goes on in the animal product industries I made the decision that I couldn't keep eating animals or their products.

How much weight has been lost from being vegan, even if your reason for becoming vegan has nothing to do with weight loss?

Unlike a lot of people when they go vegan, I gained weight. Something like 2 or 3 pounds. Bummer, but I was eating a lot of sugary, really fatty foods, so I guess it should be expected. I'm getting on the right track now, though

How do people respond when you tell them that "I'm vegan"?

-:noway: "Wow, you're CRAZY. I could NEVER give up meat. I mean, c'mon, BACON. HOW DO YOU LIVE WITHOUT BACON??????? AND CHEESE? AND ICE CREAM???? WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR PROTEIN?"
-:huh: :grumble: "Vegan? Are you trying to play God? Did you know that humans are animals too? Would you get mad at a lion for eating a zebra???"
-:laugh: "Did you know that vegetarian is apache for bad hunter?"
- "As long as you don't judge me for eating meat! I LOVE meat."

What is your favorite exercise?

I like running and swimming most

NekaMaye88

How long have you been vegan?

Just about 11 months~ I'll be hitting my 1 year mark on August 31st

Why did you decide to go vegan?

I've always loved animals. It just made sense. When I found out all the cruelty that goes on in the animal product industries I made the decision that I couldn't keep eating animals or their products.

How much weight has been lost from being vegan, even if your reason for becoming vegan has nothing to do with weight loss?

Unlike a lot of people when they go vegan, I gained weight. Something like 2 or 3 pounds. Bummer, but I was eating a lot of sugary, really fatty foods, so I guess it should be expected. I'm getting on the right track now, though

How do people respond when you tell them that "I'm vegan"?

-:noway: "Wow, you're CRAZY. I could NEVER give up meat. I mean, c'mon, BACON. HOW DO YOU LIVE WITHOUT BACON??????? AND CHEESE? AND ICE CREAM???? WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR PROTEIN?"
-:huh: :grumble: "Vegan? Are you trying to play God? Did you know that humans are animals too? Would you get mad at a lion for eating a zebra???"
-:laugh: "Did you know that vegetarian is apache for bad hunter?"
- "As long as you don't judge me for eating meat! I LOVE meat."

What is your favorite exercise?

I like running and swimming most

Congrats on going nearly one year Vegan! That's pretty amazing! I can't wait until my one year in March 2014. I know as the transition to veganism happens, it is very easy to get caught up in eating a lot of fat and carbs to compensate from what you're taking away. I slipped up a few times with consuming too much sugar, but I am certainly watching my intake everyday. Oh the things people say! How rude, mean, and inconsiderate on a choice that YOU decided to make for yourself. It bugs me how people can be afraid of something they're not used to. But anyway, Thank you for sharing! Congrats again!

NekaMaye88

I have 8 angus beef burgers in fridge. i will eat them tomorrow all day. Instead of cheesecake.

Humans are hunters and gatherers, not hipsters by our DNA.


Beef burgers need to pepper their angus




jk not srs. respect to nonmeat eaters for their choice, but a lean meat or fish is required for good fitness and looks, for men at least

Haha I appreciate the respect, bruh!

Wade406

jk not srs. respect to nonmeat eaters for their choice, but a lean meat or fish is required for good fitness and looks, for men at least

Haha I know a whole lot of vegan atheletes that would dispute your assertion. Rip Esselstyn, Carl Lewis, Mac Danzig, etc, etc.

Wade406

How long have you been vegan?

7-8 months (Technically, I'm not a vegan. I eat a whold foods plant based diet, essentially a vegan diet. I do this for health reasons, not ethical or moral reasons.)

Why did you decide to go vegan?

I watched Forks Over Knives, then validated the claims made in the documentary by several channels and lines of evidence. I decided to try it for 3 weeks. At the end of the 3 weeks I felt good and wanted to go another 3 weeks. At the end of the 6 weeks I decided I should try it for 6 months and see how I felt, since 1) I was setting PR's in cycling and skiing, and 2) I felt REALLY good. At the 6 month mark (June) I decided to go 6 years and reevaluate.

How much weight has been lost from being vegan, even if your reason for becoming vegan has nothing to do with weight loss?

I lost 20 and have gained 10. I'm approximately 20 pounds overweight right now.

How do people respond when you tell them that "I'm vegan"?

I tell people I eat a vegan diet, but that I'm not a vegan. I just eat like one.

RANDOM QUESTION:
What is your favorite exercise?

mountain biking in the summer, and AT skiing in the winter.

Sieden76

I was raw vegan before for 6 months and fell off of the wagon due to bad influences in my life. I've been back to being a vegan now for 2 months and plan to stay that way for good.

I decided to go vegan for my health, to try to cure my uterine fibroids and hormonal imbalances.

The first time, I lost 30 lbs, this time I haven't counted how much that I've lost since I went vegan, only the amount that I've lost since being on this site.

The last comment that I heard from someone when I told them was "oh your're one of those people"

I also often feel funny if I want to wear one of my vegan shirts and my boyfriend wants me to pick up something for him at the store. I don't want to end up in a photo of "The People Of Wal-Mart" in my vegan T-Shirt with a chicken in my basket lol.

My favorite exercise is surfing and riding my road bike

Brige2269

I am making my way to vegetarian. I have meat maybe once a week. I researched into veganism and there is just too much processed vegan foods. I want my eggs and cheese. I just try to make sure they are natural as I can find. I know exactly where my eggs come from and what the chickens eat. I buy from a farm a mile away. She showed me the organic feed she uses and I read the label. The chickens are free to run around. She has two huge coups for them to sleep in. Cheese is a hit and miss, imo.

I only want to stop eating meat due to the crap they put into and force the animals to eat. You can imagine what they do to our bodies after seeing what they do to the animals bodies.