I'm becoming a vegan?

Question

Becoming a vegan was basically a decision for me to just change the course of my life. Choosing to become vegan was a choice to be healthier, like more water, organic foods, exercising, et cetera. I'm just beginning to address the exercise part. Should I walk for about 30 minutes a day, like a nice light walk? Or should it be brisk? I want to lose 10 lbs at the least this entire summer, and I weigh 130 right now. If I stick to my vegan diet and drink water and eat every few hours, should I even worry about exercising? Do you think I could lose the 10 pounds with my vegan diet? I am really trying to purify my body, does a vegan diet fall into the whole "detoxification" idea? Oh, and I am 5'2 so 120 is a healthy weight size for me, so boo! :)

Any vegans on here?

Significant body changes?

Answer 1

Being vegan is not hard and it doesn't mean that you will automatically lose weight. Stick to whole foods and you will naturally reach your healthiest weight.

As far as exercising goes, everyone should do it including vegans.  It is very important for women to perform strength training exercises at least 3 times a week.  After a 5 minute easy walk, you should walk like you are in a hurry for 40 minutes at least 5 times per week.  Also, pick some activities that are fun and challenging like dance classes, hiking, boxing and ball sports.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I was ready to go to bed until I saw this question.

I have almost been a vegetarian for 4 years; it will be in November.  When I started out it was because I was into bands, and concerts and that what a lot of my friends were doing.  However as I got older (most likely due to habit) I kept that lifestyle.  I kept it because it was healthier.   It is healthier to be vegetarian period.  However, I eat alot and I have not have a body mass change.   Vegans can be dangerous.  I would seriously reconsider that option.

Vegetarians can get protein from milk, cheese, eggs, yogurt.  You will have access to none of these.   I know people have different ideas but milking a cow does not hurt it...  I also work out religiously and take alot of whey protein, and energy bars.  You have to be serious about this.  If you do not get enough protein you can hurt/damage yourself.  

You seem concerned about losing weight.  starting vegan cold turkey will slowly kill you.  If I was you I would cut out all meat except lean chicken... no KFC.  No other meat just keep to chicken, and a vegetarian diet.  You will get all the nutrients and protein and still have access to weight loss.  As for the weight loss, you have to get your metabolism up.  Walk 30 min for a week.  Then run for 10 min and walk 30; and so on.  

If that option does not work for you.  Go vegan cold turkey and start running.  But if you do not do it exactly, and I mean exactly.  That means a perfect diet of around 40-60 grams of protein a day, multivitamin pills every day you will hurt your body.  And  depending on how hard you work out you might need 100 grams of protein for muscle gain and not deterioration.

I don't know if thats what you want to hear, but please keep my experience into consideration.  

Night :)

Answer 3

Well, just to clear one thing up, being a vegan does not mean you must exercise...people choose to be vegan for a variety of different reasons. So I'm not real sure what to tell you about HOW you should exercise, but if you're looking for weight loss then it couldn't hurt to add it to your new diet.

Watch out for things with gelatin in them...I was mortified when I found out that pop tarts had gelatin in the frosting (pop tarts were my favorite), but a lot of kelloggs brand stuff had gelatin, you can call though and I guess they give a list of their products that contain it. Also, starbursts have it.

Try searching online for some lists of other things to avoid, I know they're out there somewhere.

Good luck.

Answer 4

ok then......you sound like your wanting to be vegan more for how you personally look more than for animal rights reasons or whatever ........but if your question is where can you get some advice on being a vegan try googling and check out this book called Vegan Planet its pretty good and some sites are

www.vegan.org/resources/index.html

www.veganchef.com

www.veganpeace.com

www.vegansociety.com

www.vegan-info.com

www.vegan.com

Answer 5

I don't think you should become a vegan just to lose weight - vegan is hard to do properly and you really need to do it well otherwise you can get very sick. Why don't you become vegetarian? Then you would till be eating healthy but not as extreme. If you stop eating things like dairy you might start eating more junk food, to fill the void. seriously, you have to be serious to be a vegan - it's hard work. Vegetarianism, however is pretty easy, just make sure you eat lots of grains and legumes - like rice, chickpeas, lentils cous-cous, lima beans. Its easier and actually, its healthier.