Changes

As a runner I have tried many different ways of fueling my body and I finally found the right fit! I decided to go whole foods, plant-based about 5 weeks ago. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it’s a lifestyle (I don’t like to use the word “diet”) that eliminates any animal products and replaces them with plants (fruits, veggies, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains…).  So that means no eating ice cream, yogurt, chicken, fish, cheese, eggs, milk, etc.

                You might think that sounds crazy and impossible, but it really isn’t. My main motivation was, and still is my mom. She went plant-based a few years ago, and we all saw amazing results. She lost weight, lowered her cholesterol, became more toned, her skin was basically glowing, and she had (and still does have) more energy. After seeing only positive results I started to get more serious about my health related decisions. I decided to join my mom and go down the plant-based path of life.

                One of the biggest obstacles for me right now is the fact that I’m a teenager. All of my friends are eating pizza, ice cream, milk shakes, and chocolate. I mean, that is the standard American diet so it’s nothing surprising but, sometimes it’s just a challenge.  The temptation is sometimes brutal but, every time I say no to an ice cream cone or cheese burger I’m winning a small battle, and the victory is oh, so sweet. The victories add up and changes in your physical appearance start to become noticeable. For me it was my stomach. It has gotten a little smaller and flatter every week. I decided to document my changes by taking a picture at the end of each week. This way I have been able to see the small changes. Not only have I gotten fitter, I have also seen my skin clear up. To all you teenagers out there who struggle with acne: IT’S ALL ABOUT YOUR DIET! By eliminating meat and dairy from your diet, you are avoiding the consumption of hormones (from cows) and bacteria that can cause acne http://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/the-dairy-and-acne-connection/.

Now trust me, I’m not perfect when it comes to eating all the right foods. I might have a slice of vegan cake or some French fries on the weekend. Just remember that it’s progress not perfection! This will make it much easier to live this new lifestyle! I Promise!  If you happen to be looking for a sweet treat to kill your cravings check out my (N)ice Cream post!

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