Another "Eat to Live" Thread!

pixiesis

pixiesis

Cathlete
Sorry folks, but I have more questions for the Eat to live-ers out there. I checked previous posts and did not see this info. I'm sorry if I missed something. Anyway, I too am planning to start the 6-week all vegan program. I'm already a vegan so I'm hoping it won't be *too* hard. My weight loss has plateaued and I still want to lose some more (I don't ever weigh myself so I figure I'll know how much when I get there-but I'm thinking in the 25-35 lb. range). Anway, question time:

1. How did you feel (physically/emotionally) during those initial 6 weeks? Were you able to exercise normally?

2. Did you cheat and if not, were you really tempted to cheat?

3. Were you able to continue this way of eating after the first 6 weeks?

4. How many #'s did you lose?

5. Did you go completely crazy eating all those veggies?

6. Did your SO/family support you?

7. Do you have any other useful tips for starting out on this?

TIA!!

Amy
 
RE: Another

>
>1. How did you feel (physically/emotionally) during those
>initial 6 weeks? Were you able to exercise normally?

I felt great the 1st 6 weeks. The toughest thing for me was my long runs, but after consuming gel with protein I was fine in a few weeks. I was doing P90X at the time and was able to do all the weight work without feeling weak.
>
>2. Did you cheat and if not, were you really tempted to
>cheat?

The only way I really cheated was having more fruit for snacks and in the 1st 6 weeks. Fuhrman says not to snack.
>
>3. Were you able to continue this way of eating after the
>first 6 weeks?

Yes I was able to continue eating that way. I don't follow ETL in a strict sense, but I got a few cookbooks after the 6 weeks and tried some things not mentioned in his book. The Vegans/vegetarians already on this Forum were a big help.
>
>4. How many #'s did you lose?

In the 1st 6 weeks, 17.
>
>5. Did you go completely crazy eating all those veggies?

I might not have eaten exactly the amount Fuhrman suggested but close. Not I didn't go crazy...
>
>6. Did your SO/family support you?

My DH was supportive as he did it too. My family was not and still is not very supportive. They seem to think this is a phase.

>7. Do you have any other useful tips for starting out on
>this?

If you have questions that are not answered here try www.vegsource.com there is a new veggies forum there and all of the people are friendly. Get some more Vegan cookbooks like Vegan Planet as you might get bored with Fuhrmans recipies. Besides variety is good!! Good Luck Amy...:)

>
>TIA!!
>
>Amy
 
RE: Another

Thanks so much Carole. I will check out vegsource. I actually have Vegan Planet and every other vegan cookbook I know of, but I'm not great about trying new recipes very often. I know, very silly. But, hopefully that will change soon!

Lately DH and I have been so busy that we have been going for the vegan convenience foods, and I know that this is not at all ideal.

Everything in the book makes sense to me. I'm excited about the weight loss and health benefits. But I might be back for more help because it seems like a pretty big change. I'm a little worried about all the chewing involved! I love raw veggies, but in this quantity it sounds like a workout!

Do you have any restaurant tips? Once I get started, I don't want to have to worry too much about things like that.

Thanks again,

Amy
 
RE: Another

Happy to help Amy. As far as restaurants, where I live Mexican seems easiest as we don't have any special vegan/vegetarian restaurants. I prefer the specialty ones and have driven 2 hours to try one. It was worth it!! I bet Kathryn has some more restaurant tips!...:)
 
RE: Another

> I bet
>Kathryn has some more restaurant tips!...:)

Actually, I very rarely eat at restaurants!: mostly when I'm travelling (and sometimes not even then, since I pack my own food for trips when I can drive).

Your best bet are ethnic restaurants and vegetarian restaurants. Though most restaurants use more oil and processed ingredients (white flour and sugar) than would be 100% ETL compatible, but think of them as exceptions to the diet, and eat them rarely.

If you can find a restaurant with a good salad bar, load up on garbanzo beans (they used to have those in good salad bars, but you don't see them much lately), bean salad, greens and other raw foods. You can request that veggies be steamed, with no added oils. Just tell the waiter what you are looking for and maybe the chef can come up with something.
 
RE: Another

Thanks Kathryn. We live in a small town and it often seems like the only social activity we can have with friends is going to movies and restaurants. We don't do the bar thing. Fortunately we have managed to really cut down on eating out during the week, but we still eat out on weekends. We do mexican, thai, japanese, and go to the vegetarian cafe that we are lucky to have in our town.

I think what I'm most worried about is hunger. When I'm overly hungry, I don't have much control. This tends to happen often after work. I understand that the ETL plan allows plenty of food, but still it is a reduced calorie diet and I'm worried that I'll be the weirdo who still gets hungry and cheats. I know that this won't happen if I can manage to eat all the veggies and fruit though. But it's a lot of produce!

I'm planning to stock up tomorrow and begin this weekend. If the right food is easily available, I think I'll be able to give it my best effort. If the weight loss is really that quick, that will be my motivation to continue. Thanks again Kathryn and Carole for your responses.

Amy
 
RE: Another

Hi Amy-

I am a non met eater and followed ETL for in the spring. I will tell you up front thatI nvere gave up seafood; I like it. It is also what I often order in restaurants.

So I am not a purist, but I do try to eat all those veggies. I also eat a lot of legumes and some soy. When I am my most disciplinned I eat fruit for a snack late afternoon. It might be two medium to large apples and a cup of coffee for example.

lately my family has been wanting chocolate chip cookies home made. I ahve a hard time resistingthem, but I limit myself and move on.
PS- the traditional toll house recipe works well with egg replacer.


Judy "Likes2bfit"


If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.



http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce27b3127cce94279e1404fa00000016108AatHLZo3buN

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=9978144&uid=4817615&members=1
 
RE: Another

Don't mean to hijack your thread, but my question is on ETL....
has anyhone else ever eaten like they say for a couple of days and then they weren't hungry? I haven't even followed it completely yet, I would say 80% and I have lost much of my appetite. After I ate my lunch salad the first day I was filled to uncomfortable. The second day better, but still full and no appetite for the next 24 hours to speak of. Just wondering if that is weird?


http://www.picturetrail.com/luckeelaydee

Paula
 
RE: Another

Hi Amy--

Okay, to answer your questions:
1. I felt pretty good those first 6 weeks. I was on sort of a high, because the weight was flying off and I found that really motivating. Because I was recovering from an awful bout with achilles tendonosis, I could not do a lot of cardio, so I'm not sure how I would have felt if I'd had to do that. I was, however, lifting really heavy weights (had abandoned Cathe to lift with my hubby in the garage with the smith machine) and made great muscle gains.

2. I did not cheat the first 6 weeks and I was not really tempted to.

3. I found it really difficult to keep up this way of eating after 6 weeks, but I broke down partly because we went on vacation and I never eat well on vacation. Also, I hosted a couple of dinners during the period after my 6 week initiation. Then I felt deflated because I'd blown it. My eating habits are definitely better than before. And I continue to make his style of eating my goal. I'd say, that barring the occasional really bad day, I eat the ETL way for about 80% of my calories. I've also added in more whole grains than the one serving per day allowed during the first 6 weeks because I'm back to doing a lot of high impact cardio and my body seems to need the carbs.

4. I lost 18 lbs in the first 6 weeks, but I've plateaued (or maintained) since that point. My body really loves the weight that I'm at and I'll have to work really hard to lose the "last 10" proverbial pounds. I'm pretty satisfied with my body overall.

5. No, I did not go crazy eating all the veggies. I was amazingly satiated. However, the large amounts of salad did begin to bore me and the huge amount of fiber I was eating aggravated my irritable bowel syndrome at first. It did get better with time.

6. My husband was/is amazingly supportive and has even become interested in adopting many of Dr. Fuhrman's suggestions into his own life style. Many of the meals I prepare are vegan or almost vegan. Meat and dairy are treated like a garnish rather than staple. We do consume more whole grains and pastas than Dr. Fuhrman recommends. And we still enjoy the occasional dessert. Our children have been more resistant, but they don't buy the food:) and I've tried to find things that are healthy and tasty to them.

I was really impressed by this book. It has really motivated me to healthier eating. Keep us posted on your results, if you choose to follow it.

Maggie:)
 
RE: Another

That wasn't a hijack, Paula! :) Anything ETL is interesting to me. You haven't been hungry at all?!?! That's what I've been worried about (being too hungry). But are you finding it hard to eat enough? Would you mind letting me know what you're meals have consisted of? Maggie, thanks for answering all my pesky questions. Very helpful info. The fact that you still do it 80% of the time and that you maintained your weight loss is really excellent. :)

Today I need to go to the store to stock up on my new staples. Not nearly enough green stuff in the house. Did not get off to the best start this morning. My sister's b-day present arrived this morning (before breakfast :( ). She just moved to Germany and sent lots of German cookies that we both loved as kids! Awesome timing huh? I had a few :9 , DH had more than a few, and the rest went in the freezer. Now, no more cookies for me! I'll try to keep ya'll posted as I begin my ETL journey. Happy Saturday.

Amy
 
RE: Another

Amy:
I am on day three and I have "normal" hunger (not ravenous) I think I just had to get used to digesting all those greens.
The first day I had oatmeal for breakfast with an apple. Huge salad with a few almonds and organic split pea soup and some clementines (like tangarines?) for lunch. I can't remember what I had for dinner. Basically salad and steamed vegies.
One day for lunch I had an Amy's organic tamale pie (vegan, mostly beans & corn) and a huge salad with some fruit. I haven't really started the six weeks in earnest with the recipes and all. I will probably do that next weekend. But I will try to follow the principals as much as possible till then.
Good luck to you and please post. I am interested in seeing how other ETL "newbies" are doing.
Paula
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top