Forget Keto - This Plant-Based Diet Helped Me Lose 30 Lbs When Nothing Else Worked
I'd been a vegetarian for years, but still struggled to lose those last 10-15 pounds. So I decided to try going full vegan after some friends had success slimming down. It ended up being one of the best decisions for my health and waistline!
Within 7 months, I'd safely lost 30 pounds on a vegan diet. And I want to share how I did it, to help anyone out there looking to lose weight on plants.
Why Veganism Works
Cutting out meat and dairy does a few things that naturally encourage weight loss:
- You eat WAY more fiber from all those vegetables, fruits and whole grains. This fills you up fast.
- Vegan diets tend to be rich in nutrients that balance appetite hormones, like magnesium. This helps control hunger.
- Going vegan pushed me to ditch a lot of the processed junk in my diet. Whole plant foods are just healthier.
- And obviously animal products like cheese and beef pack more calories and fat than plants.
For me, these factors made vegan weight loss feel effortless. I could eat plenty of food and the pounds came right off.
My Step-By-Step Process
As a long-time vegetarian, transitioning to veganism wasn't too hard.
But I still had to make some key changes to see results:
*Focus On Whole Foods - I loaded my diet with produce, beans, lentils, whole grains, nuts and seeds. These provide bulk, plant protein and healthy fats to keep you full. Variety was important so I didn't get bored.
Portion Control - It's shockingly easy to binge on "healthy" stuff like avocado and nuts if you aren't careful. I weighed and measured proper serving sizes.
Limit Processed Foods - Many packaged vegan items are highly processed junk, often high in fat or sugar. I avoided most, eating them only occasionally as a treat.
Meal Prep - I devoted time each weekend to food prep - chopping veggies, cooking beans and grains, packing snacks, etc. This helped SO much during busy weeks when hunger struck.
Mindful Eating Habits - Dining out was a challenge, so I researched vegan-friendly restaurants. When I ate at home, I practiced mindful eating without distractions.
Exercise & Stress Relief - Cardio and strength training accelerated my results. And lowering stress through yoga helped too, since cortisol triggers fat storage.
Allow Flexibility - I gave myself permission to enjoy vegan treats in moderation without feeling guilty. The occasional indulgence kept me sane and on track!
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My Amazing Results
In just 7 months I lost 30 pounds, got my cholesterol under control, and felt amazing. My skin looked great, I had way more energy, and my digestion improved.
I think this proves anyone can slim down sustainably just by sticking to healthy whole vegan foods, exercising, and allowing flexibility. Give it a shot - it may change your health like it did mine!
Overcoming Challenges on a Vegan Diet
While going vegan improved my health in many ways, it wasn't without some challenges.
Here are a few I faced and how I overcame them:
Cravings for Cheese: As a vegetarian, cheese was my downfall. When intense cravings hit, I opted for small amounts of vegan cheese made from nuts or coconut. Easing off dairy gradually made it easier.
Social Pressure: Many social gatherings center around non-vegan food. I brought my own dishes to share, or ate before events. Letting friends know my diet had health benefits made them supportive.
Eating Out: Finding vegan restaurant options was tricky at first. I researched menus in advance, asked questions when dining out and suggested meeting at vegan-friendly spots.
Added Cost: Some vegan staples like nuts, seeds and plant milks can be expensive. Buying in bulk, choosing affordable produce and limiting pricy meat substitutes saved me money.
With a little creativity and planning, I navigated around these hurdles to make vegan eating sustainable. The health rewards have been more than worth it!
Tips for Maintaining Weight Loss on a Vegan Diet
Losing weight on a vegan diet is one thing - but keeping it off long term is a whole different challenge!
Here are my top tips for maintaining a healthy vegan weight:
- Weigh yourself weekly to spot any creep up - even a few pounds. Quickly getting back on track prevents big regains.
- Learn new vegan recipes and experiment with different foods so your diet doesn't get boring. Variety keeps things interesting!
- Allow yourself occasional indulgences in moderation. Deprivation leads to bingeing, so be flexible.
- Check in with your doctor and get regular bloodwork done to ensure you aren't deficient in key nutrients like vitamin B12.
- Make time for exercise you enjoy so it doesn't feel like a chore. This makes keeping weight off so much easier.
- Focus on how great you feel eating whole plant foods. Ditch any guilt or negative mindset around vegan eating.
Sticking to vegan weight loss long term is definitely doable when your mindset is right. Small slips aren't failures - just get back on track and focus on progress, not perfection!
Either way, eating more real, wholesome plant foods can only make you healthier.
That I'm sure of! Give it a try - what do you have to lose besides a few pounds?