going vegan and working out.

[jameswhitley]

I have been vegetarian for about two years and am considering going vegan.
However i have an extremely active lifestyle doing mixed martial arts, playng rugby and working out near enough to everyday. Is it possible for a vegan diet to sustain the energy and protien I need to keep going, for example, for 80 mins of an intense rugby game or 3 rounds in a cage. Any help would be greatly appreciated

James

[SyrLinus]

I don't see any reason why not. There are certainly Vegan bodybuilders and I know of vegan cyclists. Heck, I'm a long distance cyclist. It will get down to finding the foods that are long burn and using those to help sustain you.

[Mr. Sun]

Lots of athletes featured in my thread: http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=77739

There are bodybuilders and MMA people. And boxers and Ironman triathletes.

Example:


JAMES SOUTHWOOD - RAW VEGAN SAVATE KICKBOXING CHAMPION


London 10 April 2006 --- James Southwood of North London, a vegan of ten years and more recently of a raw food diet, defeated all opposition at the British Savate kickboxing League in March.

Boxe-Francaise Savate is a ring fighting art that uses fists and feet in quick, athletic strikes. To win, a fighter must be skilled, aware, physically fit and flexible. At the recent Great Britain Savate Federation League meeting, held in Cambridge on 19th March, James won all his fights to lead the field in ranking points. James chooses the raw food vegan diet for its optimum health-giving edge.

"Training five times a week as hard as a professional athlete, I need the right sort of nutrition." says James. "I would feel less able to do this without the nutrients available on a raw food diet and the health and well-being it provides.

As any of my opponents will tell you, my fitness and endurance are my big advantages in a fight. As I don't weigh myself down with unnecessary animal products or processed food, working flat out in the ring or in training is no problem."

http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1805801&postcount=52

[Mr. Sun]

Two more MMAs from my thread:

14. Mac Danzig* -- Mixed Martial Arts http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1807181&postcount=56
15. Luke Cummo* -- Mixed Martial Arts http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1849135&postcount=64

[Mr. Sun]

Luke Cummo fight on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-3PVV8W4FQ

[Jon_Veggie]

Also endurance athletes such as Brendan Brazier and Scott Jurek.

[jeezycreezy]

Also endurance athletes such as Brendan Brazier ...

Speaking of which, you'll probably find this book useful.

http://www.brendanbrazier.com/book/index.html

[Mr. Sun]

I love that Brendan Brazier really kicked some but in the 2006 Canadian Ultramarathon:


1) 3:10:51 Brendan Brazier North Vancouver BC
2) 3:31:52 Ryne Melcher Waterloo ON
3) 3:33:27 Bob Fontaine Campbell River BC
4) 3:37:38 Scott Turner London ON
5) 3:38:10 Paul Trebilcock Hamilton ON

http://www.acu100k.com/Rankings/2006/2006_50k_male_final.htm

I mean, come on, that's not even a race!

More on him: http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1801550&postcount=26

[Hag]

I work out in some way pretty much every day, I am a tri athlete, and play rugby for my local club.

In a normal day I eat
about 6-9 servings of fruit
about 3-5 servings of veg (collard greens are the best vegetable ever)
2-4 pieces of whole wheat multi grain bread
Beans or lentils (soup/ chili/curry)
Brown rice
oatmeal
Smoothie - add silken tofu/soy milk for protien
Soy milk
Some kind of nut butter
clif bar
Cereal from brendan braizers book

Everything in there except the fruit and veg will have protein and get you more than enough. I find grabbing a banana and either smoothie or clif bar before a game or workout keeps me going.