Results of Adopting a Vegan Diet: 6 Months Later!

Today is officially my six month mark of when I changed my lifestyle. On February 13th, I stepped on the scale at my doctor's office and decided that was not a number I was happy about. More importantly, I knew my past bloodwork didn't really give me much to brag about, either. I had already seen Forks Over Knives, my mom had recently been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes (and so had her mother within the last decade) and I was ready to make a change. I picked up the Engine 2 Diet book and ran with it.

The last six months have been challenging. I tried new exercise routines, learned how to cook in bulk and even found a way to satisfy my cheese cravings after falling off the wagon and experiencing a two month relapse with the dairy product. After seeing my doctor in June and receiving some good news, I decided to forgo the cheese and haven't had any since.

Is it hard? Well, sometimes it can be challenging, especially when many people around me don't eat like I do. I slightly miss some products, but now that I've embraced all of the research and information that I've accumulated over the last six months, I now know why I don't want to eat them anymore!

I'm proud of the fact that I've encouraged and influenced some fellow coworkers, friends and family members to think twice about nutrition and have strived to spread the knowledge that I've obtained. I've smiled when people are concerned about my protein and ask me hypotheticals to see if I would fall back into my old eating habits. I've learned so much and messed up a few times, but I got back on track quickly and redeemed myself.

My husband, friends, coworkers and family have all supported me and have kept me going strong even when I feel defeated. So the results are in: I've lost 25 lbs. to date, my total cholesterol has dropped by 80 points, my bad cholesterol dropped by 60 points and my resting heart rate and blood pressure have both improved. I know my heart isn't working as hard as it had to before, my eating habits have improved and I now crave fruit and vegetables instead of greasy burgers with a side of fries.

I'm here to help if anyone has any questions about veganism and I want you to know that you can have success with it, too! Whether you're looking to lose some weight, lower your cholesterol, reverse your diabetes or any other problems that can be solved with this amazing lifestyle, just let me know! It's really worth it when you feel better, look better and are the healthiest you've ever been in your life.

August 13, 2012

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