Vegan Diet

by Sarah
(Tennesee)

As far as diets go, I've tried them all: Alli, Green Tea Pills, Wu-Yi tea. Needless to say, none of it worked. I am six feet tall and I weigh 145 pounds... but last year I weighed 165. I gained 20 pounds in three months last year from eating under stress. Finally, I read a book which explains living as a vegan: no meat, dairy, or products that come from animals.

I know what you're thinking, I CANNOT GIVE UP STEAK! Trust me, I was a carnivore too. Two days before Christmas I went vegan. I ate only vegetables, fruits, rice, peanut butter, rice cakes, beans, and a few vegan dishes from a health food store... yes they make vegan cookies! Tofu wasn't really for me... I took "before pictures" on my mirror as encouragement to lose the weight I wanted. I did this diet for two months. I lost twenty pounds in two months... and I ate! I ate five times a day, and I was never hungry. I simply ate until I was full.

You may say I cannot give up.. starbucks or going out to eat... Thai restaurants and most Chinese places have vegan dishes... If not, just get rice with grilled vegetables. Try a soy latte at Starbucks. Go to Moe's southewestern grill and get a personal trainer salad with rice and beans! Go to Panera bread and get their vegetarian black bean soup and a side salad.

TRUTH BE TOLD: I eat everything that I used to eat. Meat, dairy, bread.... and guess what, I am still 145 pounds. I have not gained a pound, and I have not exercised to the point of exhaustion.

If you don't think you can do it for a month, try if for a week! I dropped 3 pounds my first week, and it just kept getting better. It's not as hard as it seems. All your doing is "tricking your body." Your body predicts what you are going to eat 3 days ahead of time based on what you have been eating previously. If you change this food up.. you will see results, and you will keep the weight off.

Take my advice, don't waste money on fad diets, try the vegan diet for a week. Don't cheat, and watch the results.