My name's Dani and I'm so new to the idea of online support...but I really wanted to support people out there and in turn, hopefully receive the same!

I'm 23, I'm a new vegan, and I've lost a few pounds but hit a plateau...

I got this confused with the member blog area... so I set that up only to find out it really wasn't the same thing.

I introduced myself a little more there...

So, let's do this!!!

Hi and welcome to 3FC.

Good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

Hi and welcome Dani! I had success in the past on a vegan diet as well. Good luck reaching your goals!

Welcome, Dani! Good luck with reaching your goals. Question, how do you feel your new vegan diet is helping with your weight loss? When I went vegetarian, I actually gained a lot of weight haha, so I'm always interested to hear other's experiences when going vegetarian or vegan.

Thanks everyone!! Still getting the hang of posting on here,etc.

KenzideRhae- Thank you! It's been 16 years of worrying about weight and I'm just glad that I'm well on my way!

Anyway, I was a vegetarian for a good 5 years before deciding to turn vegan a few months ago. It's funny that you mentioned that you gained weight because I had the exact same problem!!! Instead of losing, I gained thirty pounds in college and it was a constant struggle and pain to have to defend myself and make it clear that not all vegetarians are skinny! LOL

Anywho- I just recently read the perfect term for it in a magazine- "carbotarian". Looking back on my vegetarian days- I may not have been eating meat but I definitely was loading up on the carbs- french fries, bread, grilled cheeses from in n out... as long as it didn't have any meat I would think to myself that it wasn't a problem but it really was! So that's why when I read that article- everything clicked. A lot of vegetarians turn into carbotarians, and that's why they either stay the same or gain! :-/

HOWEVER, since I made the switch to vegan, the weight really has been coming off- the first week and a half was reallly difficult because I missed cheese and it was just something new to get used to...I found myself reading a lot of labels and visiting Trader Joes and Whole Foods on a regular basis. There's also that preconceived notion that being a vegan is expensive but it really isnt-it's what you make of it. I'm a full time student with a minimum wage job and I manage just fine!

If you can, I'd really recommend trying to be vegan for at least a month- the weight literally melts off- I should mention that I was working out three times a week as well- for thirty minutes. But if you do make that switch, make sure to take a multi-vitamin and that you're getting enough protein in your diet! If you need any recommendations, I'd be more than happy to help!

I've been a vegan (I've fallen off the bandwagon a few times- freakin cheese! lol) for about six months now.... and I've gone from a 192 to a 169 and it's continuing. You also have a lot more energy and overall, just feel amazing!!

Good luck and I hope I answered your question!

Thank you!!

Haha, that was totally my problem too! I definitely became a carbotarian and gained a good 30 lbs as well. I was heavy before that, thought, "Hey, this will help me lose weight!" and then the rest is history.

I've been doing really well losing weight ever since I started calorie counting (I'm still eating a lot of carbs, but more complex carbs and less simple ones), but I've been thinking about trying to go vegan for at least a little while. I have "vegan days" where I stick to a vegan diet, but those only happen a couple times a month. Just so hard to stay away from the cheese!

Anyway, thanks for answering my question!

haha, yeah!! I had the same reaction when I started gaining!!

And I forgot to mention that I was counting calories as well! Lol I use ************ - its free and has every food I can imagine.

Welcome and good luck!

Dhani

I did all the counting by hand and just Googled stuff I didn't know forever, but I just recently started using Calorie Count. I still like to write everything down in my little book, though, but having a website doing all the adding is so much easier!

Welcome Dani to 3FC, we are glad you are here!