I have been a vegetarian for a long long time. And when I became one I did it soley for animal rights reasons. But as time goes by it seems each yr I feel worse and worse on this diet. I would never quit being veggie just the smell of meat makes me sick. But I also don't want to be a bad example of the vegetarian lifestyle. Who wants a sick veggie out telling others to go veggie you know? I am also overweight. And would like to lose 50 or so pounds. This is purely for health reasons. I want to be healthy. And it seems everywhere you look you read about a different type of diet atkins,southbeach, the zone, jenny craig, blood type, etc. What works? What has worked for you? Thanks ahead of time. :sick:

Hi legally blond. Glad to hear of your resolve. :)
Since I became vegetarian I have lost 30 lbs, so I'll tell you what worked for me. I tried the zone diet for a while pre-vegetarianism and it worked for about 10 lbs or so, but I could never keep up with it (a little too complex for me). The only thing that really worked was the common sense approach, diet and excercise. I run very regularly (because I love it; I think, though, that everyone needs to find whatever excercise works for them - whatever they will actually do and what gets them the results they are looking for), and as I lose weight I have to intensify my workout to get the same results. And I have lowered my caloric intake somewhat (though you should keep in mind that if you are working out hard your caloric needs will be different). Crank up the veggies - I eat a ton of 'em, often just raw, sometimes stir fried or steamed. You can hardly go wrong there - and it makes me, anyway, feel great. I don't eat a ton of other stuff, veggies make up the bulk of my diet. I am not vegan (yet), so I do drink milk (skim). For the fats you need, nuts and seeds seem to be best (as you'll know from being a veg for so long). I'm not a raw foods person really, but it does seem like the closest you can get to being unprocessed gives you the best nutritional bang for your caloric buck. So there, that's my experience - it's been trial and error, and I've lost the weight (60 lbs total so far, another 30 or so to go) very, very slowly, but never gone back up. The thing, too, that I have to ask myself constantly - whatever I do, eating, exercising - can I keep this up, if this is what it takes to maintain a healthy weight? If not, I usually realize I'm not doing something right (I spent a week around finals last year eating nothing but power bars and diet soda - lost 5 lbs in one week, but was I going to live like that?).

Wow, Glad to hear you've lost so much weight. It gives me hope. It just seems to be discouraging lately because I meet people on atkins and diets like that and they are losing lots of weight. Then the friends who have done Furhman and McDougall don't seem to lose as much. I am a lacto veg at the moment myself. My big problem is I hate exercise. I love fruits and veggies but they just don't seem to fill me up so I always go for the junk food. But thank you so much for your input. You are a huge encouragement to me. I'll try to find an excercise I enjoy.

Do not do any of those diets! Diets bad! You might lose weight in the short term, but most diets are unhealthy in the long term and when you go off the diet you'll just gain it all back plus more.

Make some lifestyle changes. Eat moderate amounts of a variety of nutrient- dense foods (veggies, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds) and avoid overly refined foods (things made with white flour, white sugar, additives, etc.). I don't eat any refined sugar or flour, but that's too extreme for some people. Eating smaller portions more frequently will make you feel more satisfied. Never go hungry. If you're hungry, eat, but eat something that's good for you. Eat this way for the rest of your life.

Also exercise moderately, even if you just start out walking a few days a week. As Cassiel said, you need to choose types of exercise you enjoy so you will continue to do them forever.

And be patient. If you're eating well and exercising moderately you won't drop off ten pounds in two weeks, you might drop off 1 pound in two weeks, and sometimes not even that. Like me, however, you might find yourself 35 pounds lighter about a year and a half later and eventually level off at your ideal weight.

Good luck!

Some all around good tips:

- make sure your grains are whole grains
- stay away from added sugars/sweeteners
- exercise! it changes your whole outlook!
- eat healthy fats like nuts and plant oils
- eat something every few hours

Good luck! :beatnik:

You say you hate exercise, but I'm sure there's some kind of physical activity you enjoy. I'm not a big fan of jogging--tried several times to get into it, but never could--so I do other things. There are a lot of things you can do for physical activity that will burn a lot of calories and yet won't feel like exercise. Take a dance class--I took tap dancing a couple years ago and it was awesome! Go hiking. Try yoga. Even bowling burns more calories than you'd think. If you mix it up and do something different every day, you won't fall into an exercise rut.

If fruits and veggies don't fill you up, try having some protein with them--baby carrots dipped in peanut butter is one of my favorite snacks. Yes, peanut butter is fatty, but having carrots and peanut butter is better than eating chips.

Good luck!

Great advice everyone!
I joined Weight Watchers about 5 weeks ago, and have lost 5 lbs so far. I'd like to lose 20 lbs or more, and am content with losing 1 lb per week. I'm in no hurry. It takes a lot longer to lose weight than it does to gain it! I think that the longer it takes you to lose the weight, the more likely you will be able to maintain your weight when you reach your goal.
Weight Watchers has a website with a message board just for vegetarians. I have learned so much from it, and you don't have to join WW to join in the message board. I didn't at first, but joined later after learning more about the program from other board users.
How it works: all foods have a point value based on the calories, fat grams, and fiber content. You keep track of what you eat (which is always eye-opening in my case!) and stay within a certain amount of points per day. You can earn points by exercising. It seems like a very healthy program to me. It's definitley something I could follow for long term. Basically, I eat the same things I usually do, I just eat less.
Everyone always asks me, how could you be overweight as a vegan? Well, because #1, I have been overweight my whole life, and #2, I love food and I tend to eat too much of it. There are so many vegan treats out there and they are so delicious! Weight Watchers has really helped me see what kind of (vegan) junk I was eating too much of.
You mentioned in the title of this thread that you want to get healthy. Well, fad diets may (or may not) help you lose weight, but are they healthy? No way. You may want to experiement with cutting back on dairy to see if you feel more healthy. I know I felt better when I gave up dairy, but everyone is different.
Good luck and please feel free to PM me if you'd like. :)

As far as exercise goes I like to workout at home when I do actually do something. I just purchased a video called 3 mile walk by Leslie Sansome. I have done it twice this week so far so it may be something i'll stick with.

And thank you SallyK for the info about Weight Watchers. I checked out the message board and they have a lot of great recipes and info on being vegetarian and doing the diet. I may look into it more. I just really want to feel better and I know losing weight will help. So i'll check into that. Do they have an online version where I wouldn't need to attend classes? That's the part I never liked about that diet. Thanks.

Just wanted to add one more thing and reiterate what Rie was saying about exercise. I can NOT emphasize the importance of exercise enough. I would never have lost any of this weight without it. For one thing, it picks up the slack when you slip up in your eating. It also changes your body composition - remember, when you build muscle, you've got more cells that are burning calories all day long. Muscle requires a lot more calories to maintain than fat does. Even though I weigh about 30 lbs more than I ought to, I wear clothes that are smaller and I look different from my sister who weighs less than I do but has very little muscle mass. Exercise creates endorphins, too, which will make you feel altogether better and, for me at least, if I feel better I'm less inclined to eat badly (and I find myself thinking, I ran four @$&*# miles this morning, I am not going to foul that up by eating candy). Find an excercise you enjoy. For me, it had to be running - it had to be hard enough I felt challenged and also was assured of results. It's not always easy, but that's half the satisfaction I get out of it (or any tough exercise). Sometimes, particularly in the beginning, it's just gotta be damned dogged determination. :wall:

what kinds of things do you eat on a daily basis?

Hi there, i too lost about 35 pounds s-l-o-w-l-y, but it hasen't come back in over 3 years, well ,5 pounds here and there just from my own over indulgences,you know christmas, parties etc.

anyway, all the above tips are great i'm just replying to give you some of mine that i think worked for me.

1. exercise, do something, anything everyday,even if it's just a brisk walk after dinner
2. take the stairs when you can as opposed to elevators and moving walkways,oh yeah for the extra burn take 2 stairs at a time(good for the butt)
3. make sure your done all of your eating within 3 hours of going to bed,it's a good thing to wake up hungry hence the name break/fast.. ** to help me with this after i finished eating i would immediately, brush,floss the works to condition myself that should i eat anything from then on i'd have to go through that entire process again.
4. drink water like it's going out of style, yes, you may pee alot but there's nothing better for you to drink
5. ALWAYS have some sort of breakfast, ALWAYS
6. eat something about every 3-4 hours like they said

It took me a while before i saw any improvements but then it just all clicked, your system just has to get used to the extra exercise and used to the idea that you are eating so it doesn't have to go into starvation mode, so it'll let go of the fat alot easier.
- everyone wanted to know my "secret" and when i basically told them good diet and exercise, they didn't want to hear it, everyone wants the quick fix nowadays and your body is much smarter than that
treat your body with respect by giving it good foods and exercise when you can because your heart and lungs will thank you, not to mention the great glow you will get after a good workout (anything that makes you sweat)

so, i'm sorry if this is long winded but i hate to see people get discouraged and fall for those BAD BAD diets (we all know what they are)
- it can be done, you CAN do it, you just have to not try so hard, and be good to yourself when you are choosing what to eat, and have patience, if your good to yourself it'll happen, the slwoer the better.
good luck :sunny:

Epinephrine

I don't eat many fruits and veggies. I eat lots of soy products. Here's my past 2 days food.

Yesterday

B - nothing (never have time)
L - veggie blt (bacon, lettuce, and tomato) a small bag of lays and a diet coke
D - a serving of mac n cheese casserole water
S- a cookie and orange juice

Today

B- nothing
L - faux turkey sandwich w/ lettuce, tomato, and onion soy mayo and mustard
chips and diet coke
D - tuno sandwich and diet coke
S - oj


Tofulina
Thank you so much for the support. I need it. It sounds so much better to have a quick fix. But I know also that it's not healthy and won't last. I did the southbeach diet as a vegetarian and it worked but I gained back the weight. So I guess the truth is I just need to start exercising more :mad: and eat better :p Hopefully, that will help me feel better also.

In addition to the things that the others have mentioned an important componant to long-term weight loss is weight training. If you build muscles, your body will use more energy and burn more calories, even when you're at rest. You don't have to do a ton of workouts, or lift a ton of weight to see results. My boyfriend and I are following the workout plan in Body For Life, and we really like it. We lift weights 3 days a week and do cardio for another 3 (I do extra cardio on my weight lifting days too, but that's optional).

I used the Leslie Sansone tapes for my cardio, I like them because they're simple and good intensity in a short amount of time. If you can find someone to work out with, that really helps keep your motivation up. My boyfriend and I keep each other in line and when one of us is slacking off, the other is there to give a nudge.

One more thing, you should really try to eat breakfast. Even if it's just a smoothie you eat on your way to work, it's so important to get your metabolism going and give your body some fuel for the day. From what you say you're eating, it's possible you're not getting *enough* calories. You should be eating around 10 calories for every pound of lean mass. Anything less than that, and it's going to be really hard to make your body let go of any energy reserves (aka fat) because it's afraid of starving. Adding in some more whole grains and veggies can make a world of difference.

legallyblonde,
Yes! WeightWatchers has an online program you can follow - rather than going to meetings. I have chosen the option where I go to meetings, but I know that lots of people on the vegetarian message board do the online program and have had great success. I like going to meetings and having the official weigh-ins because otherwise I know I'd cheat.

As Jess said, you need to eat breakfast! A typical breakfast for me is 2 bowls of cereal with soymilk, an apple, toast, and generally a large portion of veggies (today it was 1/2 a cabbage, an onion, and a bell pepper).

Also, eat your veggies! Eat lots of em! When you're hungry, they fill you up with relatively few calories, and they're so good for you!!!!

My bf has always had weight problems and three months ago he decided he wanted to try hard to lose weight. I wanted to make our diet healthier anyway so we changed our diet for the better. Here's what we do:

-cut out overly refined and processed foods - eat only whole grains

-eat lots of veggies and fruit, include as much raw as possible

-fill up on legumes

-eat some nuts and seeds every day

-cut out wheat (this was a staple of every meal before so it was the clincher for changing how we thought about food--we couldn't live on sandwiches and pizza anymore).

I rarely eat nutritionally 'empty' foods. Sometimes a square or two of my favourite chocolate (green + black's :lick: ) I don't indulge often so when I do I want the best!

A theory goes that hunger is partly your body's cry for nutrients. If you're not giving it what it needs it will keep giving you signals to eat. Feed your body what it needs to build itself and work well. Then it'll stop bugging you :p

Eat breakfast -- it will get your body going. Yep, you'll get hungry quicker, but that's a good thing -- it means your body has burnt what you've already fed it. I usually eat a bowl of home-made muesli - half a chopped apple, half a chopped banana, a brazil nut (for selenium), a tbsp of walnut pieces (omega 3's), a small handful of raw sunflower seeds, a teaspoon of blackstrap molasses and top up the bowl with oats, served with calcium-enriched soymilk. Very tasty and very nutritious!

Drink loadsa water :D Carry a refillable bottle around with you and take sips all day. Often people confuse thirst for hunger.

If you do this it means you can start listening to your body and trusting it to tell you when and how much to eat.

We're both steadily losing weight: me at about half a pound a week, and my bf about a pound a week. It'll take my bf about a year to get to the weight he wants to be, and sometimes he gets frustrated, but then he remembers that it's more likely to work in the long run to do it this way :)

Stay positive :)

Everyone has had really great advice so far! I'd like to add that a lot of your success will come from your attitude and outlook on the whole thing. See the positive changes you make as a lifestyle change that you'll keep for the rest of your life, not a temporary thing.

The only other thing I'd like to suggest is that you keep an exercise/food journal. At least for a while, write down all the exercise you do daily as well as what you eat. This will really help you to be more aware of your habits and will help you see where you need any improvement.

Again, as others have said, eat breakfast!! This is *so* important!

Good luck and keep us posted on how it's going!

I'm another fan of the eat small meals throughout the day.

Also, as others have urged you, eat breakfast! Eat a snack between breakfast and lunch too! These can be easy, like a luna bar or an apple or carrot sticks. You can eat all these things on the run and in your car. If you eat more throughout the day, this will prevent you from binging later in the day.

If you are feeling so yucky and down, try taking a good supplement in place of the fruits and veggies you don't eat. After a few weeks, you may feel a lot better.

Also, try replacing junk food with "healthier" junk food. For example, substituite chips with baked chips or pretzels.

One thing I try to do is eat more real food, in place of junk food. For example, instead of having chips with your sandwich - eat another 1/2 or whole sandwich.

It is better to fill up on 2 sandwiches then chips. And it's more filling too!

Also remember that caffeine from soda dehydrates you so drink lots of extra water! Drinking lots of water always makes me feel better.

[QUOTE=legallyblonde]Epinephrine

I don't eat many fruits and veggies. I eat lots of soy products. Here's my past 2 days food.

Yesterday

B - nothing (never have time)
L - veggie blt (bacon, lettuce, and tomato) a small bag of lays and a diet coke
D - a serving of mac n cheese casserole water
S- a cookie and orange juice

Today

B- nothing
L - faux turkey sandwich w/ lettuce, tomato, and onion soy mayo and mustard
chips and diet coke
D - tuno sandwich and diet coke
S - oj


Girl,
You really ought to eat breakfast!I think I would pass out if I skipped breakfast!
You might also want to drop the coke and drink water instead.Too much sugar is no good either.


VM

Im with SallyK
weight watchers is really great
like its more of a lifestyle change but without being like an actual diet
although im not on it i know how it works and i know tons of people on it and for every singleperson on it i have heard nothing but good stuff
well whatever you choose good luck on your diet !

One thing I try to do is eat more real food, in place of junk food. For example, instead of having chips with your sandwich - eat another 1/2 or whole sandwich.

It is better to fill up on 2 sandwiches then chips. And it's more filling too!


I definitely agree with you here.

I'm also doing Weight Watchers, like SallyK, and so my points are precious now!

I worked out that, if I pack in all the crisps (potato chips) I eat during the day, I can easily have two tofu/bean sandwiches at lunchtime instead of one and stay within my points. And they're much tastier and more filling too. Another trick is to have a big bowl of veggie soup before lunch or dinner - practically no calories, loads of extra veg, and it stops me overeating afterwards.

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the feedback. I am looking into Weight Watchers. Will probally start that soon. Will keep you posted.

hey legallyblonde! I hope you join WW! Even if you don't, you could head over to the free message boards. I don't post often but you can look for me on there if you want - I'm SallyK664. :D