Hi everyone!

I became vegetarian back in 1988 or so, then started eating fish in about 1999, now given up fish and embraced a vegan lifestyle. I have suffered in the past from terrible cravings, but since I began eating nutritionally dense food, drinking enough water and making sure I eat healthy snacks I never felt better. Look forward to catching up with you all along our journey!

Peace,

Hi folks, I'm a 51 year-old woman, and I've been a ethical vegetarian since I was twelve. Your stories of catching flack from your families really resonates! I remember going to Burger King with my High school buddies and ordering a burger less Whopper! Now most of these fast food places have veggie patties, and are moving towards other healthier food (not that I visit them anymore). It is one voice at a time asking, asking asking. I ate meat for a short time during my second pregnancy, gained a ton, and of my two kids, that is the one meat eater! I've been vegan for three years now, never felt better. My quick daily nutrition rule is one soy meal, one bean-based meal. Everything else takes care of itself, because I love veggies, and I don't eat white flours or bread (unless I made it). Happy to be here among friends!

Hey guys,

My name's Lisa, nice to meet you all! I'm 26 years old and live in Sydney, Australia. I've been vegan for nearly 4 years. I was previously vegetarian for just over a year before leaping into the vegan lifestyle. I went vegan mainly because of animal cruelty (the same reason that I went vegetarian) but I find that the health benefits, what the vegan diet does for the environment etc makes veganism is even more wonderful.

When I went vegan initially, I lost 10 kilos in 3 months, but I eventually put it back on. I've lost a couple of those kilos again but the rest is a bit hard to get off though, I admit. I've stopped myself from buying biscuits because if I'm at home, I know I'll binge. I have learnt to portion out most foods that I eat so I don't consume so many calories. When I eat vegan chocolate etc, I usually binge like nothing else but I now portion the chocolate out. I know that I can still indulge in it, but just not all the time.

Looking forward to getting to know you all,

Lisa x

P.S. I invited my mother to join myfitnesspal as well and I told her she needs to join this group too (she's vegan as well ). We both feel we need to surround ourselves with fellow vegans that are striving to each their health and weight loss goals. The extra support would be wonderful.

Hello you beautiful plant munchers!
I WAS an off again on again Vegetarian but have, since January, fully assimilated myself into Veganism. I have since (New Years) lost 12 lbs and loving fitting into those jeans that had given up on! I am married to a carnivore who gently teases me but is open to the menus I prepare. I've noticed I tend to feel better and lose weight when I stay away from the starchy foods, salt, and alcohol. I know, I know.. seems like stating the obvious, right? But it's the first time I've actually changed my lifestyle and noticed a change. Low fat, low carb, paleo, weight watchers, south beach all failed for me. Plus I felt tired hungry and a bit light headed on those "diets". Now I eat whatever I want and I am enjoying what the scale is telling me. I am loosely following the 80/10/10 plan. I have two or three pieces of fruit for breakfast, again for lunch and for dinner I'll have some protein (nuts, seeds, legumes, etc) and some nice veggies. Yum! As part of my change I've also increased my water intake to about 128-160 oz. Being hydrated makes such an amazing difference in digestion and weight loss.
Looking forward to chatting with everyone!
Suz

Hi I don't consider myself a vegan but I eat a plant-based diet. I was a vegetarian for many years and about 6 months ago cut out all dairy. I love to cook and I have been having so much fun finding vegan/plant-based recipes. Last week my family and I went to see Rip and Caldwell Esselstyn speak. My mom has also jumped on board and has lost nearly 15 pounds in less than 2 months. GO MOM! When I initially cut out dairy I lost 20 lbs and now I am looking to drop another 20 and then stay there for a long time. I just started the Turbo Fire DVD exercise program and I am looking forward to seeing some changes!

Hey, I already know some of you, Thanks for telling me about this group. Ha Ha.
Ok, I am not a vegan. I'm a vegetarian that does not eat dairy, and only eats eggs from the chickens in my back yard. They are so adorable, especially Lady GaGa and Han Solo. This makes me an loco-ovo-vegetarian, or something. I've been a vegetarian for 15 years but only recently stopped eating dairy. (it really was not doing my sinuses and lungs any favors)
I'm trying to eat mostly whole foods, I do like not dogs and will eat tofutti cuties occasionally. But tofu, lentils, and crucifers (i.e. kale, brussels sprouts, etc.)
I am very interested in the health claims of some vegans (i.e. T.Colin Campbell) but really don't see it. I do see the ethical grounds which is enough for me. I also don't understand the position on honey. Still looking into that one also, though I rarely eat honey anyway.
I should shut up now, I'll try to just read this group for a while and see what happens.
-Daz

p.s. I do not like Dayia cheese. Yuck.

Hey everyone! My name is Jaime. I’m 30 years old. I live in Indianapolis with my husband (newlyweds!), three cats, and an adorable elderly Chihuahua.

I describe myself as a lactose intolerant vegetarian who doesn’t like eggs. I’m “nearly vegan.” My husband is vegan and has been for 17 years!

I would say I’ve always struggled with my weight. When I was 11 years old I weighed in at 130 pounds. I’m 160 now, which is where I have been hovering since high school. I reached my peak weight of 180 a few years ago. But that’s when I was playing rollerderby. So even though I was heavier than ever I was also fitter than ever. I feel like my body does not want to be smaller! I was able to drop 15 pounds before my wedding but it’s been creeping back! So I’ve started c25k and back to calorie counting.

I had a horrible relationship with food before I became vegetarian. I have never enjoyed eating meat (looks, tastes, and smells weird). I used to literally cry at resturants as a child because there was nothing I was willing to eat; I was so afraid of food. In high school I had some vegetarian friends but they really only ate junk food. Meeting my husband was a blessing! I didn’t know there was an alternative way to eating and he really showed me how to eat and live. I did gain a lot of weight when I became a vegetarian though. I think that’s because before I was just so afraid of food that I was really on the verge of an eating disorder (I only ate rice, at every meal. True story).


Anyway, happy to be here! Everyone seems really supportive and open, unlike some other, less vegan friendly forums….

Hi! In about three days, I'll be celebrating my two-year veganniversary. I had a few false starts, and then it stuck.

I started losing weight before becoming a vegan, but healthy eating through veganism has really set me down a great path. I've lost over 90 lbs total at this point, and have become an avid runner working toward my first half-marathon this year.

Veganism appeals to me due to my personal ethics, environmental sustainability concerns, compassion, and overall health. Best decision I've ever made!

Hello! I have been vegan for 23 years (since my teens). I was vegetarian for 3 years before I became vegan, but became lactose intolerant, so the transition was easy as I didn't really care much for eggs either. I became vegetarian and then vegan because I could not condone the killing of animals to sustain my life when there was a non-harming alternative. When I first became vegan, I had a lot of time to cook whole foods and enjoy the variety of fruits, vegetable, legumes and grains available to anyone who wants to try them. I always had plenty of energy for hiking, climbing, yoga, biking or whatever else I chose to do. In the past few years, a busy life and the flood of vegan convenience foods (and treats!) has derailed my healthy lifestyle a bit. I am still healthy, but joined MFP to bring my awareness back to the way I feed my body (and family). I want to get back to the whole foods and healthy veganism that has sustained me for decades in the past. I also love that it motivates my to exercise on days when I don't think I can find the time. I am so excited to have found other vegans on this site!

I became vegan a couple months ago after reading skinny ***** and watching earthlings. I was already eating a lot of vegan/vegetarian foods for weight loss. I have lost about 87 lbs this past year. I am married with 2 boys age 10 and 14. My husband is having a hard time with the new me. He thinks I'm being extreme and should be able to eat "humane" raised meat without a guilty conscience. Don't miss meat as much as I do dairy and cheese. Not sure I could afford to be 100% vegan as animal by products are found in absolutely everything. Trying to do what I can in my food choices while getting healthy. Last cholesterol check recently was 120 (not that mine was high to start with-138 I think). Would love to meet new vegans and see new recipes. Advice on vegan/nonvegan relationships might help at this point as well. My husband hates veggies and will never give up his meat so joining me is out of the question. I think he misses when I was fatter and we would eat out at restaurants frequently.