Muscular Vegans

[Koolvedge]

Who say's that vegans/vegetarians find it hard to build muscle? In the city {New York that is} many vegan women are saying that they sometimes prefer slim men, and I've noticed that most of us are, but that's not to say that you can't enhance your build tremedously by natural means. I think the vegan lifestyle lets the body flourish to it's natural capacity, add excersize and muscles will appear.

[SeaSiren]

Who say's that vegans/vegetarians find it hard to build muscle? In the city {New York that is} many vegan women are saying that they sometimes prefer slim men, and I've noticed that most of us are, but that's not to say that you can't enhance your build tremedously by natural means. I think the vegan lifestyle lets the body flourish to it's natural capacity, add excersize and muscles will appear.

:yes:

The Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness calendar is proof of that. There are several competitive Bodybuilders who are Vegan, and they are smokin'! :tame:

[Koolvedge]

:yes:

The Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness calendar is proof of that. There are several competitive Bodybuilders who are Vegan, and they are smokin'! :tame:

I remember the logo on the package a weight set came in when I was a teen, it said, "Lift for Life", and I love fitness. I think the ordinary vegan male probably has a problem with where to get his protien, which isn't too hard.

[ForestGlade34]

I wonder if protein is the main constituent of what makes muscle hard (or firm, in most cases :p) lol, could be/ likely is huh?

Too much protein is taxin on your body is must remembered though, as protien is not retained in the body (or stored in anyway at all other than in established muscle tissues I understand/ I would believe correct!) so if the intake is more than the requirement of a persons need, the waste of which (PROTEIN waste/overload) puts un-necessarty burden on our bodies if protein intake is too high!

[karenlovessnow]

This is very interesting, because since going vegan I feel like I have lost muscle mass. Not that I was ever really muscular, but I have been exercising faithfully for two years, cardio, pilates and minimal weights, and I definitely see a difference since going vegan. I thought maybe my protein intake was insufficient, but then reading all the posts here regarding protein, I think I do get enough. (shrugs)

[SeaSiren]

This is very interesting, because since going vegan I feel like I have lost muscle mass. Not that I was ever really muscular, but I have been exercising faithfully for two years, cardio, pilates and minimal weights, and I definitely see a difference since going vegan. I thought maybe my protein intake was insufficient, but then reading all the posts here regarding protein, I think I do get enough. (shrugs)

I personally disagree with most of the protein posts here. I think someone looking to build muscle needs a higher protein intake. I have definately seen results doing so, anywhere from .8 grams to 1 gram per lb of bodyweight. My protein intake is 100 grams on lifting days. If you really want to ask about fitness and protein intake from some of the professional Vegan bodybuilders and fitness persons I would suggest also asking on those types of boards.

Hey you can always try it, I'd say about 6 weeks and see what your results are. If you truly followed the regimine and don't see results, nothing lost.

[karenlovessnow]

Thanks! Do you supplement with a protein powder or do you get all of your protein from your food intake? I really, really, really, hate the taste of the powders. (I don't do dairy) The only one I can tolerate is the Slim Fast Soy, and I'm sure that isn't nearly as good as the other ones out there, but I figure it's better than nothing and of course, they discontinued it, so I won't be able to get it anymore once I finish what I already have. But I am going to see if I can up the protein intake anyway.

[Koolvedge]

Very true, protien is a part of building muscle, and preventing certain illness, and fighting infections. I use to get about 160 grams a day when lifting, not the 1 to 1 ratio for bodyweight but I saw an improvement. The excersize schedule itslef is very important too, try not to burn as many carbs as you eat, and make sure the excersize is adequate to stimulate the muscle to grow.

[barrylove]

Thanks! Do you supplement with a protein powder or do you get all of your protein from your food intake? I really, really, really, hate the taste of the powders. (I don't do dairy) The only one I can tolerate is the Slim Fast Soy, and I'm sure that isn't nearly as good as the other ones out there, but I figure it's better than nothing and of course, they discontinued it, so I won't be able to get it anymore once I finish what I already have. But I am going to see if I can up the protein intake anyway.

There are really good protein powders, two of them being Geni-Soy (natural) and JBN Soy Protein. I make them with frozen fruit, a banana, slivered almonds and 2 scoops of the powder. DELICIOUS! Once you add the banana they turn out really thick!

As far as muscular vegans - I have maintained my current weight of 177-180 since going vegan. The biggest difference is the way my body looks. I am much leaner compared to the dairy days.
One thing I can tell you is that I hate talking about myself (i think we all are insecure in some way), but I do know that not one person that I tell I am vegan can believe it. Forutnately, I have converted many individuals to 'no dairy'.

Here you can check me out in one of my videos. Just click on your connection speed. This was filmed at the awesome Farm Sanctuary! :)
http://www.filmbaby.com/product_info.php?a=b&cat=41&products_id=693&page=1

[SeaSiren]

Barry don't be humble, you look great and have vast knowledge on the subject. :)

I have also heard good things about Gen-Soy, but haven't tried it yet. I am currently using GNC's soy protein 95 and really like it. This coming from someone who hate's "liquid food". I don't like smoothies or even juice, so that's saying something. You can mix it with soy milk if you like it creamy tasting and I always use ice. I prefer to mix it with water lately, because the soy seems to "heavy". I also mix it with flax oil, but some of the bodybuilders prefer hemp.

If you REALLY can't stand the taste of shakes, you can do tofu scrambles etc. I also take creatine when I lift, this is new to me and so far I feel that I "recover" faster and am making gains. I also know one builder who was really into Lite Life Smart Dogs, which are really high protein. He used to eat a few packs per day and made gains that way. I don't think I personally would go that route though.

Also, I take my protein shakes straight after lifting (sit down) and another about an hour before bed on lifting days.

Be sure to include the calories in your shakes into your daily calorie count.

[barrylove]

Barry don't be humble, you look great and have vast knowledge on the subject. :)

I have also heard good things about Gen-Soy, but haven't tried it yet. I am currently using GNC's soy protein 95 and really like it. This coming from someone who hate's "liquid food". I don't like smoothies or even juice, so that's saying something. You can mix it with soy milk if you like it creamy tasting and I always use ice. I prefer to mix it with water lately, because the soy seems to "heavy". I also mix it with flax oil, but some of the bodybuilders prefer hemp.

If you REALLY can't stand the taste of shakes, you can do tofu scrambles etc. I also take creatine when I lift, this is new to me and so far I feel that I "recover" faster and am making gains. I also know one builder who was really into Lite Life Smart Dogs, which are really high protein. He used to eat a few packs per day and made gains that way. I don't think I personally would go that route though.

Also, I take my protein shakes straight after lifting (sit down) and another about an hour before bed on lifting days.

Be sure to include the calories in your shakes into your daily calorie count.

blush blush

You mean I am not 'SMOKIN' like the calendar dudes?? :( LOL JK

thanks...a good way to get protein is the tofu pups (tofu hot dogs), but I agree... I would not recommend lots of these everyday. To much processed food.

[healthnut32]

Do be careful with the protein-it is very hard on your kidneys.

[barrylove]

Do be careful with the protein-it is very hard on your kidneys.
Very true

I agree...there is a misconception that we need tons of protein.
Always remember to drink plenty of water if you increased you protein (should always drink plenty of water0 to flush the kidneys. If your urine is yellow or bright yellow - DRINK MORE WATER! This is a sign of protien build up in your kidneys. Your urine should be very clear.

[SeaSiren]

Do be careful with the protein-it is very hard on your kidneys. You are correct, in excess it can be very hard on them. I have heard of bodybuilders (omni) who were drinking 6-7 protein shakes a day plus all their other high protein intake. That's just insane! Monitoring your intake and drinking lots of water (like Barry said) is the best bet. But that's really with anything, there is enough, and there is too much.

[Koolvedge]

I think soy protien is good but an issue that concerns me very much is genetically modified soy, well really GM anything. Over 80% of soy is GMO, and it's very important to take this into consideration. I'm not sure if the reason Geni-Soy names their product that is because of the modification but it's worth the call to the company. I called a soy company {willow run} and they took three weeks to get back to me but when they did I wasn't glad to know that they mix GMO soy with conventional and organic crops. I discontinued their product promtly.

The film, "Future of Food", and "The hidden dangers in kids meals" {which applies to us all} show us just how serious the GMO issue is. I recommend at least looking it up on the net, it's shocking. A great workout to you all, and power up with some organic protien, your body's worth it. The only wealth is health.

[SeaSiren]

You don't have to use soy protein if you are allergic or not comfortable with it. You can also use, hemp, rice, or pea.

[Koolvedge]

You don't have to use soy protein if you are allergic or not comfortable with it. You can also use, hemp, rice, or pea.

This is very true, and there's alot more non-gmo hemp, rice and pea than soy, and as far as the kidneys go, I've heard that a good rule is don't consume more than 40 grams in 4 hours. This gives them time to process it, and there's the issue of bio-avalability to consider also. Some protien will fit you better than others, just like workouts and shedules.

[karenlovessnow]

Lots of great info. Excellent!!

[bluegrrrl79]

You don't have to use soy protein if you are allergic or not comfortable with it. You can also use, hemp, rice, or pea.
Has anyone here tried any of these types? I wonder how they taste. I know the rice protein I've seen contains less protein per calories then soy, I don't know how the other 2 are. I feel like if I were to supplement, I would probably try these kinds since I already eat soy fairly often.

By the way I eat minimumly lacto-ovo, and I'm getting muscle just fine :D Just the other day I did 30 pushups, and I've only just started going back to the gym! Also my bf is a personal trainer, he's slim and strong, and is also minimumly lacto-ovo. (no neither of us are vegan but the amounot of dairy/eggs we consume wouldn't really have an affect on muscles since it's so little)

[purrpelle]

I use Pure Advantage's Pea Protein(the regular and the Vegan Complete)- and they taste way better than any soy protein I have tried.

If you go on Cosmo's they have the nutrient profile but I know it's got 23 grams of protein per serving.

[ForestGlade34]

Lots of great info. Excellent!!
Some more info here! :hamster: :D Protein Overload Advice....etc
http://www.nealhendrickson.com/mcdougall/040100puproteinoverload.htm

[rawfigure]

This is a good article. Thanks. Experience says it is valid. I am as musclular now being Raw Vegan as i was 6 years competing eating 125-180 grams a day. Eventually that caused me some serious digestive issues, thus reverting to my veggie diet of long ago. I did not lose any mucle going from high to minimal (40-60 grams a day).

[cherylhill]

Hemp protein is the way to go! Hemp's protein DNA structure is almost identical to human protein's DNA structure. Plus it is plant based, absorbed and utilized by the body, and alkaline. Hemp protein powders are nothing more than hemp seeds ground into a flour- pure, single ingredient. I mix it in with my fruit smoothies.

Word of advice to soy and dairy folks- both contain high amounts of estrogen, not known for building muscle mass.

[CarlaVeg]

Has anyone here tried any of these types? I wonder how they taste. I know the rice protein I've seen contains less protein per calories then soy, I don't know how the other 2 are. I feel like if I were to supplement, I would probably try these kinds since I already eat soy fairly often.

By the way I eat minimumly lacto-ovo, and I'm getting muscle just fine :D Just the other day I did 30 pushups, and I've only just started going back to the gym! Also my bf is a personal trainer, he's slim and strong, and is also minimumly lacto-ovo. (no neither of us are vegan but the amounot of dairy/eggs we consume wouldn't really have an affect on muscles since it's so little)

I really like Nutribiotic Vegan Rice protein. That's what I'm having now. It's kind of grainy but it's good with fruits :)

[cherylhill]

Try Thor's Raw Power Protein Super Food. Its 100% vegan and raw. Conatins Brazil nut protein, hemp protein, maca, and some other super foods.

www dot rawfood dot com (sorry for the lame link but I'm so new I can't yet post real links)