Discussion Board

Definitely improved. The weight loss has made me feel more physically confident, for one thing, which is really great for our relationship. For another, I've taken over the cooking almost entirely and this has smoothed over the stress of figuring out who's going to cook every day. My husband has not become a McDougaller, but he HAS been eating almost totally vegan and is kind and appreciative of all my cooking. This has been a great improvement. (If only I could shake his love of tofu and olive oil, all would be perfect.)

We have a wonderful ritual of going to a restaurant where we can get low fat vegan food together -- all the waitstaff know us now -- it's been really fun! I feel like changing our diets together has really enriched us.

However, it's the early causal dinners which lead to the deeper levels of caring and commitment. So now what?
However I went out last night with an old friend I hadn't seen for several years and he remarked on how much better I looked, and how much more energetic I seemed from the last time he'd seen me.

I can't vote because all 3 apply. My husband and daughter have been very supportive, but my husband and I have had many arguments about my not cooking or buying food he wants, and my vegetables crowding out the refrigerator and freezer. but then he went to he Advanced Study Weekend with me, an he has come on board. So right now, we are doing things together again and it's good!

My daughter lives with us with her boyfriend. She is extremely supportive, but she is not like me, and doesn't like most food. She is not trying my way of eating. But this hasn't changed our relationship.

When my mother, two daughters and I became vegan 18 years ago, my father asked my husband if it didn't bother him that I was cooking vegan. My husband said, "no, of course not! I buy a burger on the way home, and then eat whatever Laura cooks!" Take care, LauraA

Jubilee, would you please tell us more?

Can there be a fourth option..."sometimes" affects my relationships.

I'm thrilled that I get 100% support on this WOE from my loved ones. I prepare for my family and sometimes it goes over well, sometimes they don't like it. And sometimes they go out to eat their junk. Like when I was just out with the flu, they brought food in, it caused more distention on my part to see the junk.

It can also be a challenge as one family member has dairy, others avoid it, etc. There are a lot of different eating styles and tastes in our family so there's a lot of accommodation going on.

I got serious about this WOE in August 2008, for health reasons. I lost about 30 pounds, got off some medications and lowered my blood pressure. DH was very happy with the results. He's not a picky eater--he eats whatever I cook, and always has. I did not demand or suggest that he change his eating habits, and he ate whatever he wanted when he went out, and sometimes brought meat dishes into the house. No problem.

Some months ago DH decided he wanted to lose weight, and we both went on Mary's mini together. He dropped like a rock. So did his cholesterol. He recently saw his doctor, who was surprised and concerned, and asked if the weight loss was intentional, but admitted that his numbers were very good--i.e., the best in his life! DH's bmi is about 21. Yes, he looks thinner. That's what healthy looks like folks. Even our doctors are so used to seeing fat people that they don't know a healthy one when they see one.

Other relationships have not suffered either. Instead of going out for lunch with colleagues, I invite them to join my walking group.

And, of course I have met many new friends as a result of this WOE via this board.

Some people thing I'm weird, but some thought that before. I don't talk much about it unless someone is genuinely interested. I have helped a few people. Some still think I'm weird. Whatever.

Yes, when 2/3 of adults in the country are heavy and 1/3 are obese, it is easy to imagine that many doctors see few thin patients! Many still seem to associate a plump face with health. Maybe this also gives some an excuse for not changing to this "weird" diet--fear they will wreck their health!

I expect that many here were once in that camp--fearing they were not getting enough! Now we know that those who always get "enough" are likely to get diabetes and cardiovascular disease!

VO, I am glad you and your man are showing others how to do this "weird" diet!

I guess it hasnt had any effect. Everyone in my life, family and friends, saw the hardship I went through with my health. Almost died from out of control Graves.

When they found out I changed my WOE to vegan, they asked why. I responsed my health. Everyone seems to understand and has been very supportive with making adjustments at family/friends dinners and get to togethers.

None of them eat the way I do but thats ok.

I feel incredibly fortunate. I had been semi-vegetarian for 16 years and my two daughters, ages 7 and 8, did not want to eat animals either. My husband was an avid meat-eater, but didn't give me grief about what I cooked. He even went with me to watch the movie "Forks Over Knives" in June of 2011.

To my shock, we both left that theater as vegans. Even our daughters embraced the switch. It took a few months to learn the difference between junk food vegan and "whole food plant-based". Our whole family is closer now than ever before. My husband lost over 50 pounds and I am now down 68 pounds. He is off all his blood pressure, anxiety and acid reflux medications. His breath is nice now.

I still have a lot of weight to lose and I try my best to eat as perfectly as possible. My husband will still eat a whole large bag of pistacios in one sitting and put Earth Balance on his corn, but those are his choices and I am glad to live with that. Having him embrace this WOE with me has been more than I could have hoped for.