Tomorrow, Mountain Goat and I are going vegan. Mountain Goat is already a vegetarian. I might as well be. If I take a bite out of chicken, it’s always undercooked, or I snag that horrible nasty part of the chicken breast (I could yak thinking about it now.) I find weird things in my burgers. Fish I will miss. I will probably eat shrimp because they don’t really feel like animals (go ahead, call me a quitter already).
I went completely vegan back in 2009. Made it six months. Even made it through Thanksgiving and the holidays without dairy, meat or animal by-product. Had a rockin’ 30th birthday, Top Chef style, at Woodfire Grill and Craft Atlanta (which is now closed?? what?). Lost 20 pounds. Anyway, I think of my Vegan Period fondly.
But, even back in 2009, I rapidly became a pretty rotten vegan after the first four months of total dedication. I went four months, not touching a single animal product, including right down to my shampoo. I religiously read No Meat Athlete. And then one day, I fell off the wagon due to work stress, and I was downing ice cream and shopping for knee-high leather boots.
And a month after that, I was chowing down on a burger, and couldn’t remember where I lost my way. And suddenly, there’s the twenty pounds again. Oh, there you are, plus five. Okay, ten. Total = thirty.
A common theme in my life.
But as celebrity chef Tal Ronnen says in his book, even one day of veganism makes a huge difference in your health, and the world. One day at a time. Also a big theme in my life.
See, I’m not one to do anything in moderation. Can’t eat or drink in moderation. Can’t exercise in moderation (must attempt crazy feats of idiocy and training). I’m all in…. or I’m completely o-u-t.
For now, meat and dairy are out. Out out out. Because I have to get this forty pounds off off off. And really, at this point… cutting out everything in my diet that I love is the only thing that makes sense. I can’t moderately eat anything. So I just can’t eat. Well, nothing with any real calories.
Two awesome things about veganism for me:
1) I can seriously nosh all freaking day long and you can’t gain weight. I mean, can a person get fat on broccoli, apples and salad with vinegar? On lentils and black beans? On cashew cream sauce… mmmmm, okay maybe.
Still. Veganism is unique…. in the fact that I could really eat all day long and I was losing weight like gangbusters. And even then, I was spinning and running a little – nothing like this training. And my immediate need is to peel away my fatsuit.
Tonight, I stare longingly at pizza, ice cream and cheese… pictures on the net. Food porn. And I realize that I have to break free of the food addiction. And in the long run, I know I will be better off.
Yay! I'm excited – your post is getting me pumped up about this. I am just going to look at this like another crazy goal we've decided to undertake. I am exactly like you – I absolutely cannot do anything in moderation. So I'll be diving right in psycho style too! I probably won't go out of my way to see if there's honey or gelatin in something, but I should be good to go on most fronts. The fridge is already stocked with unsweetened almond milk, and the whole way home I had visions of recipes I wanted to send you! I am also doing NO fried foods (I always try to do this, but those damned tortilla chips – but without cheese, who needs them now). My real addiction is sugar, but I think that will have to wait until a week or two of no cheese! I'm also not eating any soy or fake meats, etc. That stuff is yucky and over processed! OK, time to go eat up all the chocolate so I'm not tempted later 😉
Wait. Honey!??! We don't even let the bees make us little presents….. OMG.
But otherwise yaay! I am just so saddened that I can't smell your stinky lentils.
That didn't come out right…
You are hilarious! I am a vegetarian- no meat, no dairy, but eggs if they are cooked in to products. Still do honey and can't let go of my coach purses, so one day at a time is the right approach! Good luck!! And yes- I do eat ANYTHING i want and mostly don't gain weight, excepts fro the holidays!
Veronika! I didn't even think about the stupid purse. I'm not giving up Louis or my giant leather couch… I mean, that would just be wasteful since those have already been purchased… right? What about shoes going forward? Not like there are nice non-leather heels. Oh lawd… help me (fanning myself in proper southern style)….
Wow! This is very impressive and I support you all the way! I'm not a vegan, but I do try to eat some vegan friendly things because they are healthier in general. For example, SO Delicious coconut milk icecream(unsweetened) mmmm…and Agave nectar in place of honey, and of course almond milk.
I love the blog Peas and Thank you! She cooks a lot of vegan food and it's sooo good! http://peasandthankyou.com/
Good luck Mere!!! Stay strong!
Thanks so much for the encouraging words on my blog, Big Girls Don't Tri…or do they? I really appreciate it and look forward to reading your blog too. Good luck with going vegan. It's on my list but haven't been able to manage it yet!