terrenceobrien1 Member

I don't have any belly shots, but look how much FACE I've lost! First picture is from around Christmas 2014. ~205 pounds. Second picture from last week, just under 180 pounds. Even with a beard, the neck rolls are noticeably smaller.

I had to look more closely to see that both pictures are in fact the same person. You look younger and happier. Well done!

I've recently transitioned to plant based foods.

I concur. Alcohol is very prevalent in almost all societies. That does not change that fact that it is a mind altering drug. Consumption of it affects so many facets of life and one's perception of life-- it's more than just belly fat.

I think it depends on the form of supplement you're taking. I take 60mg of Zinc gluconate every day, with the understanding that very little elemental zinc is actually absorbed. I've been considering just adding some raw pumpkin seeds to my diet for zinc. http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/types-of-zinc/

Alcohol abuse and its associated depression halted any progress. I would drink heavily and eat heavily, then pass out. I would wake hung over and eat junk. I would get bouts of depression from alcohol and eat heavy fatty foods for temporary relief of the symptoms. I lived off of pizza for weeks at a time. Oh, the stacks of…

I had to quit drinking in order to stay on track with proper nutrition. I was, unlike the poster above, unable to moderate. If I were to have two pints of quality craft beer, I would most certainly have seven more. Then I would be drunk, and eat a whole pizza and pass out. I would then eat junk food to quell the hangover.…

I make a big batch of Tomato lentil stew. It lasts 10-12 days in the refrigerator. I usually combine it with some steamed broccoli and peas in a 2 quart pyrex bowl. Minimal effort, and convenient. 28oz Can no salt stewed tomatoes (2) 28oz cans no salt tomato puree 1.5lb lentils (cooked seperately) 1c medium grain rice…

From a yard sale for only $3, I picked up a high quality hard cover copy of Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. Just started it.

Healthy home made meals for the work week are possible with effort. Key word effort. Looks delicious! ...some of my co-workers run for fast food 3-4 days of every week! I'm a very odd blue collar worker with my vegetable stew, beans, and greens, let me tell you. :)

I have been eating a whole foods (mostly) plant based diet for a while. It is feasible to eat fruit, veg, and beans with no added salt, but it takes a good bit of discipline to start off. I've whittled my sodium intake down to ~1,000-1500mg/day. The only food with added salt I consume is store bought almond milk. I have…

Perhaps you could find ways to up your fiber intake. Fiber usually quells the hunger pangs. Try an apple and a handful of almonds or walnuts-- maybe an apple with almond butter.

You have to eat a good quantity of a wide variety of greens and fruits to get the ~5,000 mg most of us need. Supplemental potassium causes gastric problems so you won't see it in doses higher than 99mg. Take a look at my diary.

I just bought a Ninja Ultima. I made a smoothie blending raw beets, dates, frozen spinach, frozen kale, frozen collards, 2 bananas, chia seeds, and almond milk. It is very powerful, and very loud. $160 US. I am uncertain if they are available outside of the United States.

I am 100% plant based, and my diary is public. I don't eat anything too exciting. No added oil, salt, or sugar. Just fruit, veg, beans, and a little grain sometimes.

The Happy Herbivores: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/45-happy-herbivores

The hard way: It is possible to reset your threshold for saltiness. You eat plain fruits, vegetables, and beans with no added salt. After a couple weeks formerly dull bland foods taste fine, and salty foods-- something like potato chips taste very, surprisingly awfully salty. It's a neat experiment.

I agree with Joana. Sugar from fruit is NOT the enemy. Take a look at this article from Dr. Michael Greger's website citing various medical journals. The body metabolizes whole fruits differently than a teaspoon of table sugar. http://nutritionfacts.org/video/if-fructose-is-bad-what-about-fruit/ I do log my fruits,…

I began eating an avocado with my breakfast just last week. They're fabulous! I slice each half into squares and scoop them out with a spoon, then eat with a sliced apple and an orange. The creamy avocado fat really enhances the flavor of the other fruits. Avocados are A+. I'm bummed I hadn't tried them earlier.

Two words: Well done! :)

I'll share with you what I start my day with. 913 calories, 120g carb, 57g fat, 17g protien. Breakfast Shake: Blend with stick blender. 2 bananas 2 tbsp raw cacao powder 1/4 cup walnuts 1 tbsp whole flax seed (ground in coffee grinder. whole flax seeds must be ground to get any benefit.) ~2 cups unsweet almond milk Bowl of…

Tea is a very simple beverage. Its simplicity is the very reason you should take the steps to brew it properly. Get a coffee/tea press like jgnatca mentioned. Get an electric kettle and a thermometer. Get some loose leaf tea. Loose leaf teas make a better cup; they expand quite a bit in the tea press. If you're willing to…