Whole Foods (Vegan) & Exercise

danasignaturesvc

Over 16 years ago, after having my last child, I read a great book about eating whole foods for healing which was based on whole grains (starch) as the main course while adding veggies and fruit; no meat, no eggs, no dairy and no oil, but I didn't pay much attention to it. Instead I began exercising and eating less, I lost weight and kept it off, all the while maintaining a very active lifestyle, including running three times a week. Nearly four years ago my activity level dropped down to zero. Call it depression, lack of work, change of lifestyle, needless to say I began to slowly put on weight. I didn't notice much or maybe I just didn't care. I justified buying myself larger sized clothes, knowing I could easily take off the weight if I really wanted to.

Last year I had a scare with potential cancer, so I picked up that book and reminded myself about the medical benefits to eating whole grains (also termed vegan). I immediately changed my eating. I was losing weight without counting calories, my acne which has tormented me most of my life completely disappeared, and I no longer suffered from constant constipation. I fully engaged in this lifestyle. I lost 15 pounds right away, I felt good, but I kept putting off the exercise. My grocery bill was lowered in half and we were preparing tasty meals, but something was missing. I did not have a network of support. My family would constantly tell me I was not getting enough protein, matter of fact, some of them are still convinced that I should be eating the complete opposite a low carb, or no carb diet. I continued eating whole grains and was successful at maintaining a slow and steady weight loss, but that tapered off. My body had adapted and I was no longer losing weight. I began to drink alcohol on weekends out and occasionally treated myself to my favorite sweets. Eventually I began adding cheese to my meals, then ice cream and other desserts. Some would now term as my eating style as vegetarian, because I was still not eating meat, but the weight slowly crept back on. Last July I attended an event where photographs were publicly posted, and that is when it hit me. I was more overweight then when I started.

Just over a week ago, I joined the MFP community (I love having the app on my phone) and I recently joined a fitness club. I have always been an active person, and it was clear that this was the BIGGEST part of my lifestyle change that was missing. Now I record all the foods I take in, even if they are bad foods, and I record all of my daily exercise. After a weeks worth of tracking my progress, I realize that sweets are still my downfall, but MFP is helping me SEE my need to make better food choices. I am so thankful for this site because it has provided me with a tool (phone app) that it easy to use, and I have access to my food/exercise diary anytime, day or night.

This is my journey back to whole foods AND my journey back to being an active person. I want my natural fit body back. I want to feel good about me. Most importantly, I want to avoid the potential diseases that run in my family. Obesity, diabetes, RA and other auto-immune diseases. I know now what it will take for me to achieve that. I am working out 3 days a week and tracking my food choices. I am on a journey back to healthy choices, focusing on whole grain foods (vegan). My goal is to lose 1lb per week. I am about 35 lbs over my goal weight at this time. It may take me a while to get back into the swing of things, but I am glad to know I may find some MFP friends to support me along the way.

If you are a vegan and have good news to share, I would enjoy reading your post.