I’d like to claim that I became vegan for humanitarian reasons, but the truth is that I was motivated by the weight loss possibilities. Making the transition to veganism was no easy task for this Texas girl born and raised in the heart of big beef and pork country. Barbeque, brisket, and bacon were basic menu choices at my house. After trying many different weight loss plans, I stumbled onto a series of YouTube videos in which people had experienced dramatic weight loss and health gains by following the vegan advice of Dr. Joel Fuhrman.
The primitive brain and its addictions
A first important step for me was to learn that the human brain often forms food addictions. Dr. Fuhrman explains that your “primitive brain” can be addicted to junk food and may interfere with your quest to change.
Nutritionally dense foods can make you sexy
Kale is a great detox food, high in protein, low in calories, and filled with minerals and vitamins. It is in fact one of the most nutritionally dense foods available. I watched my tummy get slimmer, my energy level go up. I began hunting for the most nutritionally dense vegan foods available.
I watched documentaries to stay motivated
I began watching documentaries like “Vegucated” and “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.” Seeing other people struggle with the vegan challenge and overcome obstacles galvanized and inspired me to persevere.
Some strategies that worked for me
- I kept a calendar on the fridge and entered my daily weight loss. I was averaging a half pound weight loss per day.
- I bought a juicer and made fantastic juices for a full feeling and an energy boost whenever I needed it.
- I became educated about the animal food product industry. It was hard to eat bacon after some of the things I learned.
- I bought myself beautiful vegan cookbooks.
Be patient with yourself
Within six months I had shed 50 pounds and looked radiant! But then a painful personal tragedy derailed me, and I lost quite a bit of ground, returning to old habits and gaining back much of the weight I’d worked so hard to lose. It would be more than six months before I would recover. What I learned is this: Be patient with yourself. Life will happen. Learn to bend when you need to bend. The benefits of a vegan lifestyle stayed with me. It was a powerful enough experience to beckon me back to try again.
