Thanks for the invite! I'm Heather and I live in Los Angeles Ca. These are my babies. I have about 80lbs to lose. On my first go around with myfitnesspal I lost 93lbs. I gained a bit back but I'm ready to tackle it again and learn that when I have emotional issues happening I don't have to resort to food to feel better. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for over 2yrs now and my doctor asked me to give up Carbs and any type of sugar besides the sugar and carbs you get from natural foods. It's been a challenge but I feel so much better already!

Hello! My name is Leigha and I'm from southern New Hampshire. I have two cute little kitties named Kip and Ollie that are like my children (crazy cat lady). I have had a mostly vegan diet for about 10 months now. I do consume eggs from my neighbor's house where I can see the happy chickens roaming around I do think it's a health benefit because it's the only natural B-12 in my diet aside from my supplement.

I am getting married at the end of August and want to lose about 15lbs ASAP. My problem is, and always has been, my lack of exercise. I sit at a desk 8+ hours a day, have an hour commute both ways and feel exhausted by the time I get all my daily chores done at home. I also really enjoy lounging about so I can't blame anyone but myself! My diet is pretty good for the most part but I'm back here to start tracking again to make sure I stay on track. If anyone has any advice for weight loss I would love to hear. I have a dress fitting at the end of this month so it's getting real and I need to start taking charge!

My name is Andrea and I do have fur babies, but i also have a 3 year old and just turned 1 year old. After my 2nd I was having terrible hormone imbalance problems (weight gain, insomina, night sweats, etc). My naturopath suggested I give a vegetarian / dairy free diet a try for 6 weeks. I am 3 weeks in, and feeling great. The switch has been super easy for me. I thought I wanted meat more than I did. I decided to cut out eggs also after watching a few documentaries, so I guess I am now full vegan, although I just call myself plant based. Everything is new to me, but I'm always looking for resources and friends!

I've been a vegetarian for almost ten years. I'm completing my PhD (dissertation to be defended next April), am living in the Bay Area working part-time as an adjunct instructor and doing freelance translating, and am planning an October wedding with my (meat-eating) fiancé. No kids, no pets (allergies). I've lost about 40 pounds from my heaviest weight 2.5 years ago, about 30 of it since starting MFP in July 2013. Turns out that the life of a grad student/instructor largely involves sitting at a desk reading or staring at a screen, and that really caught up with me. It's been a wild, arduous, slow ride trying to lose extra weight and regain the energy I used to have. I'm glad I took my time because I've developed a lot of habits that are much healthier, and unlike all previous crash diets this lifestyle approach seems to be sticking. I try to exercise for 30-45 minutes at least 5 times a week and walk to the store/library/bar (ahem) whenever possible. We're lucky to also have good hiking here, so I get to climb a mountain every week or two. I'm trying out a 5k for the first time this weekend--here's hoping I just don't fall on my face.

girlofsun26 wrote: »

How did the 5k go?!?

Well, I didn't fall on my face! And I also fulfilled my goal of not stopping to walk--though I now know and promise to embrace that there's nothing wrong with walking during "runs." I'm a noob. I didn't know. I ran a very steady but slow 37:53 time, with my "run keeper" app reporting that my three miles were almost perfectly evenly paced (I don't know why I think that's cool, but I guess I'm proud of not slowing down). I'm going to keep primarily using my elliptical and walking and hiking because lower-impact activities are where it's at for me right now. But I'll also sign up for another 5k soon and will aim to shave 10% off my time. I think I can do it. And even if not, I feel really happy just having done it once already: everyone was really supportive, the crowd was cheerful, it was a great and rewarding day. Would recommend to anyone--walking included--for a somewhat celebratory health & wellness activity.

I'm a little late into the conversation, but am very excited to have found this group!

I'm Lauren and from Oklahoma. I have been a Vegetarian (almost Vegan, except for very little organic cheese) for 1 year this Sunday. I am a Vegetarian for health reasons and animal rights...whoa now, don't make that face. I'm not going to go Carrie on you and throw blood lol I don't force my views on anyone else. I just love animals and hate the idea of eating them. I of course knew animals were hurt being slaughtered etc. but one day I watched Forks Over Knives and couldn't get enough. I watched all the animal friendly documentaries I could find and have researched hundreds of hours into all the bad side effects meat brings into your body- cancer causing agents etc.
Anyways, I am the only Vegetarian I know besides my awesome hubby who converted with me, his was for health reasons though (awesome getting so much crap and not being able to vent with friends, not) and I am always looking for recipes, tips etc. to new recipes and staying as healthy as possible. I have a vegetarian subscription to Blue Apron and that has opened up a whole new world of recipes. I don't have any veghead friends on MFP (actually just opened my account back up from a year off) and would love to be able to talk, share diary entries etc.
Thanks for reading my ramblings

I am Christine and I live outside of Philadelphia. I have eaten a mostly vegan diet for the last 4 1/2 years. I changed my diet because of health, and concerns about the sustainability of factory farming and compassion. Although it took me a long time to commit to changing my diet, I had long been troubled about why we keep some animals as pets but eat others. I am mostly plant based except for very small amounts of organic, local eggs and small amounts of the highest quality organic cheese I can afford. I have been subscribing to Lindsey Nixon's Happy Herbivore Diet since January and about a third of my weekly meals are from her food plan. I have a husband, two teenagers (17 year old son and 13 year old daughter) and an elderly rescue dog. The rest of my family are all omnis but everyone eats less meat since I became plant based (except maybe the dog!) I LOVE fruit but it is higher in carbs and sugar. I had my thyroid removed some time ago and find if I have even one extra banana a day, I gain weight. Crystal, you don't say how many servings of fruit you are eating a day, but experimenting with reducing your intake gradually may have a positive impact. Another strategy that might be effective is eating fruit with a lower glycemic index (such as choosing an apple or a cup of blueberries versus grapes or dried apricots). In any case, I am happy to meet everyone, I have an open diary and always welcome new friends.

Hello Everyone, My name is Sophie...Glad i found this group. I have been vegan for over a year and a half now, i have done mfp before but have had some injuries and well i just stopped using the app and gained more weight. So here i am again and although i did have 2 more surgeries this week and will not be able to workout for sometime i will be tracking my meals and hopefully i can workout soon. I have two yorkies, a shepherd mix and two precious Lion head bunny girls. I remember the last time i had trouble eating up to 2000 calories my dietitian put me on and was having trouble meeting my protein which i needed because i was lifting weights. Anyways i am starting at a low caloric intake of 1240 but will increase it, as my workouts increase. Please feel free to friend me as well, if you'd like...Happy to meet everyone..

Hey guys

I'm Chellie all the way from Ireland been on MFP for years now and love it About a month ago I decided I no longer wanted to eat meat, have seen too much cruelty and cannot stomach it anymore Went AWOL for a few months but back today ready for the journey to begin again

I am mum to 3 Bichons (Bonnie 14, Mollie 9 and Lacey Lou 7) and 2 kitties Oscar (my boy) and Jaspurr (adopted from my bro after he passed ) Went on a downhill spiral after losing my bro ... so time to get the "old Me" back again.

Look forward to getting to know everyone here

C

The Girls

Jaspurr

Oscar

Hi , my name is Hope, I'm from Michigan. I'm a new inexperienced vegetarian. I say 90/10%, it's a journey, but I've been on it for about 6 weeks, and lost about 13lbs . Looking to learn and support along this journey.

allaboutthefood wrote: »

Hey everyone, I have been vegetarian for a few weeks now and making the switch to vegan. I have noticed this group is not every active. WHY?

Good question..........

Hello. I'm Justasia and I currently reside in Cleveland, Ohio. I'm relatively new to keeping a vegetarian diet, in fact this is my first week. I love photography, reading, cooking, and cycling. My goal is to get healthy, be more active and lose 50 pounds.