To All of My Vegans Out There...

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.

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

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.

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.

Been vegan for 18 years and vegetarian for 26, I think. I went veggie as a freshman in high school after listening to too many Smiths records! So, at first it was ethics, but later, as I learned more, it was also about health.

How long have you been vegan?
In total eight months. Due to moving overseas I changed my diet back for a while but now I am one hundred percent committed.

Why did you decide to go vegan?
- My health and nutritional needs over the years combined with my intolerances (dairy, gluten and heavy foods like potatoes)
- For a healthier lifestyle (eating Vegan gives me more energy and I love to workout and do yoga as well as having a clean, clear mind)
- I am highly interested in the nutritional values, diet and lifestyle.
-.The feeling of knowing I am not killing a living being to enjoy a meal.

How much weight has been lost from being vegan, even if your reason for becoming vegan has nothing to do with weight loss?
When I first went vegan I lost eleven kilos and since returning to being Vegan I have seen a lot more tone and shape and less inflammation. Most of my weight loss is due to both exercise, a new job and my diet.

How do people respond when you tell them that "I'm vegan"?
- Friends accept that it's my diet and lifestyle choice.
- My family don't quiet understand but accept none the less.
- My partner is supportive and doesn't question much or pester.
- Strangers and work colleagues either just nod and change the subject or do the million questions about where I get nutrients etc though most just roll their eyes or shake their heads at my 'overly healthy' meals.

What is your favorite exercise?
At the moment my favourite exercise would have to be cycling. It's my mode of transport so it helps! I also enjoy yoga though need to enjoy much more.