P90X, vegan diet, and running?

kyledlarson

Hello everyone,
First time post, long time reader. Hoping I can get a few opinions on my strategy to knock off some inches and pounds over the next few months. I am currently at a weight of 190 and at my height, 5'11", that is not good. The weight I am most comfortable at and am usually at is 165-175. So, I have some work to do.

I have been eating a vegan diet for the past two years, but this winter I got really off track and forgot the fundamentals of such a diet, plants and vegetables. I was eating a lot of starchy, fatty meat substitutes and sweets, and animal free or not, those blew my waistline up. The winter months and my lack of motivation kept me sedentary. I've reigned in my diet over the last month, but decided to give P90X a shot in the hopes I can pick my favorite exercise back up, running.

I did the P90X classic schedule a few years ago, but I quit due to a work injury and never picked it back up again. This time I am doing the lean schedule, as I hope to incorporate 2-3 days of mellow running somewhere in the program. I'm almost done with my second week and feeling great. I'm tempted to try and slide some running in next week, but not sure if I am pushing it. So far I have not lost any weight, but I feel much better and I swear my clothes fit more comfortably.

As far as the vegan portion, I have been using the myfitnesspal app to track my intake. My caloric allotment is 1640 and I'm coming in under that everyday. The only problem is my diet is carb heavy and I'm trying to figure out a way to cut the carb percentage and boost my protein. Getting almost all my protein from beans and lentils right now, trying to avoid nuts and nut butters. I try not to eat much soy because it doesn't sit well with me. Any suggestions on how to boost my protein intake while decreasing the carbs? Is there any vegan option to the P90X fat shredder, which is the name of stage one and tells you to cut out almost all carbs.

Thanks everyone. I'll try to keep this thread updated with my progress in case anyone is interested. My ultimate goal here is to slim down, not look like a bodybuilder. I just want to be lean and get back into my running shoes without the feeling of dread.

kyledlarson

Also, I forgot to mention I used to be a regular runner doing between 3.5-5 miles, 3-4 days a week. That's what I'm hoping to work back to.

lrmall01

If you just google "p90x vegan" you'll get all kinds of stuff to read. Here are a few that seemed particularly good to me.

http://www.beachbody.com/product/p90xnl_058.do#
http://myp90xnutritionplan.com/p90x-nutrition/vegan-p90x-meal-plan-and-food-journal/

And I think Scooby has a good writeup on vegan proteins. My only comment would be to maybe skip the soy as it is believed to raise estrogen levels in men.

http://scoobysworkshop.com/vegetarianism/

First step is probably finding a vegan protein powder you like - here's an example:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/nova-forme/phyto-pro-v.html?MCID=CG-PLA-US&CAWELAID=120147270000070059&CAGPSPN=pla&mr:device=c&mr:ad=32938192506&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=58309619466

Good luck.

kyledlarson

Thank you!

kyledlarson

Just found this as well.

http://myvega.com/product/vega-one-nutritional-shake/

I've heard good things about Vega One. Going to give it a shot. I've been making lots of smoothies but they've mostly been fruits and veggies only, mostly veggies.

kyledlarson

Just found this vegan version of the P90X meal plan.
http://fitandfabulouswithrachel.com/p90x-vegan-diet-guide

roanokejoe49

Dude, if your clothes are more comfortable, forget the scale. As a former runner, you know the signs of overtraining. If that happens, back off. Otherwise, kick *kitten*!

kyledlarson

Dude, if your clothes are more comfortable, forget the scale. As a former runner, you know the signs of overtraining. If that happens, back off. Otherwise, kick *kitten*!

Thanks man!!!

kyledlarson

Just picked up a tub of Vega One mix. French Vanilla flavor. Not a big fan of the stevia taste, but as soon as I entered portion in myfitnesspal app it bumped me right up to where I needed to be protein wise. I'm going to keep taking it throughout the duration of this first set of the program, especially if I start running next week. Mixed with almond milk the stuff isn't bad, but I don't think I will miss it when its gone

kristincreate

I've heard a lot of good things about the plant-based, raw, and organic proteins from Garden of Life. I have yet to try them though. I like looking around vitacost.com to find vegan protein powders and they have many, many options.

rjdunn87

I use Garden of Life raw protein powder and like it a LOT more than Vega. I can't take the fake sweetener taste in Vega. I also use a generic Whole Foods brand soy protein powder and I LOVE it, and it's the cheapest option.

balanceandnirvana

Carbs are actually GOOD for you as Longas you eat the natural healthy carbs (: it was hard for me to be vegan when I first started because I tried to do high protein and it just wasn't good. I started the high carb, low fat diet and lost like 13 pounds and began maintaining weight without even trying so I think it got me to the weight my body is meant to be at! The only thing is that you have to eat A LOT on high carb lol but I don't mind