Vegan/Vegetarians and weight loss

I am interested. My teenage daughter gave up meat and fish, so I gave up meat to go along with her. I wanted to know how she's feeling. I also started some research to help her, now me. So far, (about two months) I haven't missed meat at all which surprised me. I haven't even eaten much fish. I have now beaten that weight loss plateau which was driving me nuts. Speaking of nuts, we are eating more of them now! I definitely would like more help and advice, and recipes!

Sharon

I actually have that book as well! I read it this past summer and it was one of the reasons that motivated me into becoming vegetarian. Vegan would be a huge step for me because I love cheese at this point and I wish I could let it go sometimes. I don't eat egg either (i mean as a whole) and even though I do eat cookies/bread that do contain egg I am still in a sense cheating?

I am glad you are starting this groups, so thank you for this!

I am brand spanking new here and am also a vegetarian (still eat eggs). I have a bit of an extra challenge with my diet because I have multiple food sensitivities that makes figuring out eating plans a bit more challenging. I refrain from, gluten (wheat, rye, barley), soy, dairy, casein, oats, peanuts, cashews, all animal protein, corn, and I feel like I'm leaving something out...lol. Isn't that ENOUGH?!?!?

As I said, it's a bit trickier to be vegetarian when I need to omit soy, but I make it work. I eat a TON of legumes and nuts, the obvious, fruits, veggies, and other random things that omit all above said ingredients.

I have been on the diet roller coaster for OVER half of my life (I'm 40) and KNOW that this time I will finally get the weight off once and for all! It does help that I am so food limited so I naturally do not have as many foods to derail my weight loss goals any longer. I have been aware of my food sensitivities for many years, but only in the last year or so my body finally said NO WAY, NO MORE, so I have NO CHOICE. My poor body tolerated it just barely as I continued to ingest these these foods up until about 8 months ago, and of course, compromised my already severely compromised immune system. I am also limiting my simple carbs and white sugars, but I do, occasionally, have small amounts of white sugars so that I do not feel totally deprived.

On the fitness front: I am finally back on the good ol' treadmill after taking a LONG BREAK, and it feels so good to be moving again! Okay, then. That's enough... I've written a book here.

In my many weight loss attempts I have not typically reached out for support so this is a BIG step for me. So, here I am.

Thanks for reading! Wishing everyone the best of luck on your weight loss journey and health goals and I hope to motivate and encourage others as well along my path to improved health and happiness!

Jenn

Every sunday I sit down and make my dinner list for the week. This also helps me with my grocery list. Here's what I have so far:

sunday: chicken (real for hubby- Quorn sub for me) asparagus and brown rice pilaf
Monday- spaghetti squash
Tuesday-black bean tacos (i use hard corn shells, not flour tortillas)
Wed- veggie stir fry with brown rice

That's all I have so far. I need to find some new recipes!

Thank you for your link. Some nice recipes in there. I miss Asda, (never went to Tesco's much) as I'm here in the US now, so can get all the American ingredients you mentioned, like liquid smoke etc. I don't think I'll go the Vegan route but you never know. I never did like dairy products much, unless they are hidden in something. Thinking back, my mum must've had a terrible time with me, as I didn't like vegetables, fatty meat (which she always got), fish, or anything dairy. I hid all this from my children, and they like most things. Just the one has become a vegetarian so far, of her own choice for ethical reasons. I will keep checking out your blog. Thanks!

Sharon

Hey there! Fellow vegetarian always looking for more support during weightloss. :flowerforyou:

Sorry to mention this, but It took a few weeks for me to notice a difference after giving up meat. I was at my wits end, but finally, a few pounds came off. I've been working hard at exercising too after joining a gym. You just have to keep at it. Don't give up! I almost did!

Hi all Thought i'd join in.

I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian of 12 years. It was a bit difficult for me a few years ago because I became allergic to nearly everything from the age of 14-22 (most vegetables, pulses etc), I only ate cheese, bread and potatoes for the longest time, which i'm sure helped me pile on the pounds. Now I seem to have grown out of my allergies and the only thing I really have to watch out for is Cashew nuts, so i've got a lot more choice.

Only lost .4 of a pound last week so hoping for a bigger number this week.

I love that book. I became a vegetarian without even thinking about it or trying. My mom had surgery and I was taking care of her, her doc suggested limiting animal protein for a while so I went out after hearing great reviews and bought skinny B**** and I loved it. My body did too, I felt like finally it was something that my body liked, I've been hooked ever since although I'm not vegan I still eat cheese, drink milk, and will eat seafood I absolutely do not eat chicken, pork or beef anymore and I don't ever miss it or ever want it. Weird, but it's been great for me.