Introduction

[fenderprecision]

Hi all,
Just writing to introduce myself. I've been vegetarian for nearly 19 years, starting when I was 20 years old. Dr. McDougall was one of the main reasons I did it. When I did the McDougall program at that time I lost 60 pounds in about 6 months, from 240 to 180. Though I have stayed vegetarian, over the years I have been on and off with dairy. For the last 4 years I have been nearly vegan, but not McDougall. There are just so many vegan treats out there that weren't temptations for me in 1990. I decided to get serious again and cut out the fat in my diet. Since July I have lost 22 pounds. The weight loss seems so much slower now that I'm almost 40 years old! But I am sticking to it and going to 24 Hour Fitness 3 or 4 times a week. I'm proud of myself, but I've lost 20 pounds before (twice in the past 8 years!) and gained it back... So now is when I need a group like this. I will try to check in here and keep some kind of journal. I would like to get down under 200 pounds and have 16 to go to get there. Thank goodness that there's a forum like this.
Jason

[hazelrah]

Hi fenderprecision,

It's pretty clear that vegetarian/vegan isn't enough anymore. With all the new phony sausages and Earth Balance margarine, it's pretty easy to turn into a vegan Haystacks Calhoun. You seem to be losing weight at about the same rate as I have been since May. I feel quite the opposite, though. I am shocked by how easy it is to lose weight eating this way. I had always heard that once you hit 40, it's impossible. I thought it would be a lot tougher than it has turned out to be, and, more importantly, I've found that this way seems sustainable for a lifetime. And, you're right, these forums can provide a good deal of motivation to keep on keeping on.

Welcome (back?) to the forums.

Mark

[Letha..]

Hi Jason,
Congratulations on your 22 pound loss. You’re doing great! Starting a journal here is a great idea. I’ve had several journals this past year and it’s been a wonderful way to focus on my health goals. There are lots of supportive and knowledgeable people here and I’m glad you found us. Best wishes.
Letha
_________________


Turtle Energy: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

[pinkrose]

Welcome, Jason! You have come to a good place to find lots of losers/winners! Ha ha!!!!

Be patient with yourself in regard to the rate of weight reduction. Five years from now, if you are healthy and vigilant, will it really matter if you lost the excess weight in six months or a year?

Keep us posted on your progress!!!
_________________
Pink rose
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OptimalNutrition/

[glook]

Welcome Fender Precision!

(strat or tele?)
_________________
glook

[fabiosmith]

Welcome to this special spot in the universe. A great place to share and gain the support you need for whatever your needs are. I just joined a couple of days ago, people seem real involved here, have a look around.There is some serious stuff, but also some real funnies. Everyone is really friendly and helpful on here. I look forward to getting to know you.
_________________
creatine

[fenderprecision]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. A little more about me... I am very vegetarian minded so meat/chicken/fish won't be a problem. My problem is with sugar and vegetable fat (vegan pancakes, soy meat products, peanut butter, vegan tofu tamales - wow, I really have cut back on a lot of my faves!) You're so right that in 5 years it won't matter how long it takes me to get down to my ideal weight as long as I cherish the lifestyle. I'd been "sort of" living this lifestyle on and off for many years, but for the last 4 months I've been strongly living it and it shows (and I feel it in my sore legs). I'm starting to fit into the thin clothes I bought a couple of years ago last time I did this, making it all worth every sacrifice I've made. It is a sacrifice though and won't deny that it is. Sometimes it seems like in the books McDougall tries to make it sound like it's easier than it is in order to sell people on the process. My goal is to not quit when I get to a certain point and say "that's enough, I want to start eating soy ice cream every day again." I don't know why I give into that and stop going to the gym and blame it on not having the time to go. So I've kept the habit for 4 months now and I need to keep doing what I'm doing. 5 pounds a month is great, but I know I'm going to have to keep going to avoid the yo-yo.

My parents were overweight people who both passed on in their 50s (heart attack and cancer). I feel like I'm fighting the genes. I was raised on meat and dairy and quit it when I was 20, but I wonder how much of my tendencies were already set in stone by then. I know I've turned so much around like blood pressure, cholesterol levels etc. I know also I need to stop the yo-yo and get down under 200 for the last time, and maybe keep going to 190 and then even 185.

My wife is so perfectly thin. She has never weighed above 120 and is going to live to be 120 years old. Before she met me she had no inkling to be vegetarian, but now she is almost completely vegan. She is a great example for me because she takes care of herself so well, but it's tough in some ways because it looks so easy for her that I get discouraged.

I do all the cooking so there's no meat around anyway. Now I'm just cooking without the olive oil and it's making a difference.

I am up to an hour on the cardio machine. I feel like I'm accomplishing something when I take the time to get on that monster. This week it will be 5 or 6 out of 7 days that we'll be going. The only thing that keeps me from going is band practice or a meeting of the board of the non-profit organization I belong to (Houston Mod, a modern architecture preservation group)...

My Fender is a 1998 Precision Deluxe Bass. My profile has my band's website if you're inclined to listen.

Thanks for reading my ramblings. I'll post more when I have time. I may have some demons I need to get out there.