But why?
This time last year Tom and I were following a plant-based, low alcohol, high exercise life...
Looking back at before and after photos, I can see even more clearly now, how much my body changed during that time. Running regularly and cutting out animal products actually worked for me, I saw a transformation, but I also felt great inside. Not only that I loved finding new recipes, trying new foods, and being more aware and in control of what we consumed.
I have exercised regularly for many years and consider myself as a fit, active person but have always struggled to shift the excess around my middle, but after upping my running game and trying a new way of eating I could not believe the changes I saw and felt. I know this all sounds so cheesy, but it is only now, as I sit and consider where I am at today in comparison that I remember how I felt last year - leaner, fitter, more confident than ever, and happier in myself. I even felt taller!
But, as with most things life got in the way and that's okay, because it's life. Ever changing and unpredictable. In fact an adventure got in the way. Tom and I walked 2189 miles from Georgia to Maine in the USA and even that did nothing for my muffin tops!
A year later, I am still running and doing lots of HIIT sessions, but the love handles persist and I know that is down to eating, especially Christmas cheese, chocolate, and booze.
BUT plant-based eating takes time?!
Yes, it does take time, and preparation was key, but we got into a great routine of bulk cooking for the week as well as making a week's worth of lunches for both of us on a Sunday evening. Despite this taking up a little more time from our weekend, it saved us time during the week. We had lunches already made, and some dinners, giving us extra chilling in the evenings and more time spent together. We felt great, and we certainly did not starve. In fact we were eating all the time, and yet I saw changes in my body I had never expected.
I'm from Africa, I was raised on meat!
The funny thing was, I had always stated quite adamantly that I could never be a vegetarian, let alone even consider veganism. But when we decided to try it, we went into it with a mindset not of restriction, but of opportunities and options. It forced us to discover many new recipes that just happened to be meat/dairy-free and we loved it! And I never missed the meat. When people asked... "So what do you eat and where do you get your protein?" We happily told them lots, and we meant it. And not to worry, because you get plenty of protein from many foods including beans, lentils, quinoa, seeds, and nuts.
So...?
Despite having restored motivation to follow a more plant-based lifestyle, it may not be possible to follow it 100% right now but that is okay, we can do as much as possible, but I think the key is to have the motivation and mindset to do it when we can.
Intrigued... Even a little?
Although at the time I didn't feel an instantaneous change for the good as many people claim, I really did see and feel changes after a couple of months, so I urge anyone at all interested finding out more about a plant-based life to do some more research, watch the documentary, or even give it a go for a few weeks and see what it does for you.
I am no nutritionist, I only know what has and hasn't worked for me, and I understand that we can only make decisions based on our own bodies, but I do think it is important to keep an open mind, and every now and then re-evaluate our assumptions, because times have changed, and we know and understand a lot more about food and nutrition than we did 20 years ago.
So, a very Happy 2018 to everyone, and why don't we all reassess and see if there are any positive changes we can make in our lives? After all a small change in eating could make a huge difference to our lives. I know that sounds cheesy, but I have experienced it myself.
Check out 'What The Health' and many other interesting documentaries on Netflix now:
Netflix - What The Health
Netflix - What The Health
