Can a Vegan Do Body For Life?
When Gigi was a baby, we were perusing the local Borders when I stumbled across a cookbook called Eating for Life.
I wasn’t looking to lose weight at the time, I’d already lost all my baby weight and then some, through skipping meals and acting as a personal all-you-can-eat buffet to a nursing baby. I had no balance in my life, and was basically at a colicky infant’s beck and call, so discovering this way of eating (and exercising in the accompanying book, Body for Life) was a godsend for me.
The general premise of the plan is shorter, more intense workouts (high intensity interval training three times a week and strenuous weights three times a week), coupled with a nutrition plan comprised of six mini meals, each containing a balance of good carbs, protein and fat (you can read more about the benefits/details of the plan with Janetha‘s great description here).
While the plan is generally a weight loss plan, and boasts some Biggest Loser worthy transformations in twelve week challenges,
I actually had a different, yet wonderful, effect of gaining some weight and specifically lean mass.
Great, right? The problem is, my typical day of eating, while balanced on a macro nutrient level, included several chicken breasts, a couple cups of cottage cheese, and many scoops of whey protein. I feel the mucous creeping into my throat right now. I also wasn’t eating many green vegetables and my “free days” were spent with a Burgerville bacon cheeseburger and chocolate hazelnut shake. I was very committed to the lifestyle, though, and I even started my own small business out of my home preparing BFL friendly meals and helping several people lose a lot of weight.
At some point, though, I got away from balanced eating again. I suspect it had something to do with feeling insecure about my more muscular physique.
Who’d win at an arm wrestle there? I’m just not sure.
I lived in dietary limbo for awhile, had another baby, as you all know, and then I found food blogs. After reading Skinny Bitch and Diet for a New America, I became vegan.
While I’ve experienced some great health effects of veganism, including better energy overall and increased immunity to colds and flu, I’ve also experienced loss of muscle tone and an increase in yeast and bladder infections, becoming more of a “Fluffy, Antibiotic Dependent Bitch.” I don’t fault veganism, per se for this problem, but more specifically the way I’ve been doing veganism: lots of fruits (fresh and dried), moderate amounts of nuts, minimal grains and legumes, abundant vegetables, yet insignificant amounts of protein. While I do feel a high amount of protein is not essential to good health in general, for the type of workouts I do and my natural build, I think it is beneficial.
Mmm…sugary.
I also feel I’ve become a little out of whack with that “balance” aspect with both my workouts and meal timing. My weight workouts have become less productive, my cardio has become for a longer duration and less intense, and my eating has become nearly constant, which I believe is my body’s way of trying to capture the nutrients it’s been lacking. I’ve felt a bit weighed down physically from the constant digestion, because while breaking down meat and dairy is more taxing, breaking down two pounds of carrots and a pound of broccoli each day is also work.
So where does that leave me? I find myself being drawn to the Body for Life workouts, the balanced eating and meal timing, but in no way do I want to start consuming meat or animal products again. Though many people have found success with BFL with a vegetarian diet, aside from specifically vegan body builders and triathletes, I have yet to find an example of someone achieving great results in everyday life with a vegan diet. I’d like to try.
For the record:
- I’m not going on a diet and I’m not looking to lose weight. I have no idea what I weigh, nor do I care to know.
- I’m not cutting calories. I’m simply exchanging the macro nutrients of where those calories come from, swapping some fruit and nuts for more grains and lean protein.
- I will be eating more soy, which though controversial, I feel is safe for me. I intend to use soy in its’ least processed forms whenever possible (more organic tofu and tempeh, less Morningstar Chick’n Nuggets), yet look to alternative protein sources as well, like rice, pea and hemp protein, nutritional yeast and sprouted grains (and I’ll be dusting off my copy of Thrive).
- I will be working out less frequently, but with higher intensity, and specifically the HIIT and weights workouts in the book. I’m done grieving the loss of my long distance running days and have accepted that I just physically am unable to do that anymore. I am hoping these shorter workouts will also give me more time to spend with my family and to figure out who these teeny boppers were on American Idol last night.
So what do you think? Have you ever tried the Body for Life approach to fitness and nutrition?
I have Day 1 of this revamped approach to eating under my belt and am ready to share, if you all are interested in a food diary style post. I still intend to have my usual posts of recipes and stories, but if you want to see my own personal changes as well, I can throw those in sporadically too.
This is like those fun Choose Your Own Adventure books from grade school:
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Ok so not that I don’t always love your posts but I am seriously excited for this. I have been in need of a serious wake-up call and you just hit me over the head. I am not vegan but am vegetarian and as of January stopped eating dairy so I’m close. Since then “I’ve also experienced loss of muscle tone” and gained 5 lbs, I have been eating “lots of fruits (fresh and dried), moderate amounts of nuts, minimal grains and legumes, abundant vegetables, yet insignificant amounts of protein”
“I also feel I’ve become a little out of whack with that “balance” aspect with both my workouts and meal timing. My weight workouts have become less productive, my cardio has become for a longer duration and less intense, and my eating has become nearly constant, which I believe is my body’s way of trying to capture the nutrients it’s been lacking. I’ve felt a bit weighed down physically from the constant digestion, because while breaking down meat and dairy is more taxing, breaking down two pounds of carrots and a pound of broccoli each day is also work.”
yea just all of that, every single last word. I’ve been whining about gaining weight and feeling fluffy yet been spending an hour plus doing cardio at the gym and been constantly eating all the time, mass gigantic quantities of fruits and veggies (like whole heads of broccoli or salads out of 5qt mixing bowls). Deep down I know I should lift more, and do HIIT, and eat smaller portions (even though my calorie intake is not excessive) but I keep making excuses, so to read this about myself, I mean you, well thanks, I think.
I am so excited to follow you on this journey.
I think you can do it! I will admit that I started eating fish a few months ago because I was struggling with the protein (I’ve been following a low-glycemic index diet, and eating low GI/higher protein as a vegan was HARD, especially since a lot of beans don’t make me happy) but in the end, I had to stop because I couldn’t get over my guilt. I’ve been upping my protein and eating a lot of the recipes from Thrive and am so impressed with how I feel. I think you’ll kick butt
I’m really looking forward to reading about your experiences with this! I do eat meat, but I’m always looking for more ways to incorporate plant-based protein into my diet!
Mama Pea! This is the coolest! Vegan + BFL? I love it. I can’t wait to see what you start putting together. I can bet I’ll be trying plenty of it, because I know for a fact that more protein = a better me, but I am still iffy about eating a lot of animal product, although I am not a vegan by any means. And how’s that for a rambling run on sentence and thought process?
I think Body for Life is a great program. I know lots of friends and have had a few clients follow the program and have seen great results. And I love HIIT! It is my cardio of choice.
I think you have the right idea on diet. What’s funny is that I think we all have to try what works for us. We are all different and we have to find how our bodies and environment work together. When I first became vegetarian (which I never refer to myself as that, but…) I did not do much in the way of protein and I noticed a huge dip in my muscle tone. Now I do a lot of beans and nuts (and quinoa) and I have noticed a huge change in how strong I feel. I am also a lot more energetic. I can’t wait to see how this works for you!
Skinny Bitch was certainly an eye-opener! I stopped eating chicken and meat after reading that. While I do eat eggs and fish occasionally, I still find it hard to get protein in. So I am looking forward to reading how you do!
Can I make a suggestion with regards to bladder infections? Drink 4 oz of 100% cranberry juice (I get it from Trader Joe’s) mixed with 4 oz of water every day. I bet in 2 weeks you will not have another bladder problem again!
i think this will be great for you! I know what you mean feeling unbalanced. Today (in addition to yogurt and a protein bar) i’ve been surviving off rice crispie bars and sugar free fraps and splenda infused coffee. Not exactly balanced but I have a few midterms tomorrow and it keeps me going
Wow! I am dealing with the same issues! I would love to see the changes you’re making because I am beginning to lift and seeing little results because of my high produce diet. What other proteins will you be eating besides soy? Are you cutting your veggie intake? I’ve also been having a ton of digestive issues and bloating from all the fiber so I’d be interested in how you feel wiuh your diet change!
I’ve heard lots of good things about BFL, so I will be watching intently to see how it pans out from a vegan perspective.
I’m tempted to click no just because it’s the funniest answer! I think it’s a great idea, and I’m personally interested in finding out some great new protein sources!!
I’m completely interested in this! I’m vegetarian, but don’t really enjoy eating tons of cottage cheese and whatnot to up my protein. Can’t wait to read what you have to share
Yah! Looking forward to the future posts.
I have tried BFL, and although the higher protein/smaller meals did not work for me, the workouts were great. I think short and intense is the way to go. Long sessions of steady-state cardio will get you no where…and if anything, Janetha’s results are amazing. That’s motivation enough right there! Best of luck Mama Pea – I look forward to following you on your new exercise/eating adventures.
I think the BFL plan is a great way to teach people how to eat exercise, and maintain a pretty balanced lifestyle. I’m very interested to see what it will be like without using any animal or meat products.
I think it’s a positive thing that you have noticed these changes in your energy and that you are going to address it. We MUST be happy with how we fuel our bodies, and it must work for us, or what’s the point of it all?
Best of luck Mama
I started with BFL but it didn’t really work for me. I had NO clue how to eat. It wasn’t until I hired my trainer that I started losing weight. I’ve learned so much from him that I could do BFL and be cool now. I don’t do the free day thing or eat bread for carbs.
I told my hubs you know you are getting old when you don’t know the performers on AI.
I’m really intersted in following this!! I also feel like since going vegetarian, I’ve become a little…softer. I haven’t gained weight, but I feel like I’ve lost a little muscle tone.
Very excited to see how this goes! Thanks for posting, and good luck!
I am intrigued by BFL and have the book but haven’t tried it. I need to look at something to help with the weights part and to do some HIIT since I have not a lot of time lately.
i’ve been contemplating something similar recently, myself! i’ve been tracking this week’s eats just to see what was going on, and i find that i can’t get that 40/40/20 balance, just because all the veggies i eat have secret carbs…not sure how much of a perfectionist you’re going to try to be with those numbers, but i just wanted to share my short experience.
i also want to share this product (http://www.trueprotein.com/Product_Details.aspx?cid=22&pid=6816) that’s made of peas (!), soy-free, and packs some serious protein into one scoop. it’s also not grainy – i’m a huge fan.
another thing i’ve been trying out is adding a lot of seitan to meals since it’s super high in protein and relatively low in carbs and fat. it’s also easy to make if you bake it in foil.
Can’t wait to see what you have planned! good luck
Hooray!! I have been wanting Janetha to do a vegan BFL day! I watch my macros… and it’s hard. I can’t wait to see what you do! Thank you in advance =)
I’m really looking forward to seeing your progress! I have a vegetarian friend who actually does figure contests.. so I have no doubt you can do it!
im already super excited to see how this works. im not sure i believe in the amped up protein thing that seems to be the rage in the US, but then again, i do know that the amount of exercise we do (yes, i just lumped us in the same work out group…heaven help me, i need to get back into that frame of mind, but let it slide for now…) can alter the amount of protein our body’s want. oh and for the record, i dont consider our levels of exercise in the same group as the rest of america’s…so maybe its a bit “healthier than thou” but i doubt the average american is running miles and miles a day.
ok enough rambling. im ready to watch you rock it!
So excited to hear about BFL. I am still trying to lose some baby weight after gaining 80 pounds (my baby is 18 months old). I was always fit (ran marathons/lifted weights/ate fairly well), and ate whatever I wanted to–but then I got gestational diabetes. Because I do not eat much meat, I found it very difficult to follow my gestational diabetes diet–I choked down chicken breasts each day!
Losing the baby weight has been difficult; my diabetes went away the day I gave birth, but I still need to be careful about what I eat because I am now at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. I can’t just eat a plate of carrots anymore for a snack because of the glycemic index–I really have had to change the way I eat–even the healthy foods. BFL seems like a good option for me because of its recommendations to eat certain amounts of fat/protein/cards, similar to what I had to eat wehn I had diabetes. I am really curious to see how you implement this plan as a vegan! maybe it will give me some ideas and motivation to give it a try!
Have you read any of Kristen’s raw’s blog? She was a former bodybuilder. She and her husband are serious about their protein.
Personally, I feel better with less soy protein, so I go for hemp protein. Nuts and seeds in my opinion are a great protein source.
Good luck and keep us posted!
I have been a reader of yours for some time now (not really sure how long exactly) but one of the things that really keeps me coming back and keeps me interested (other than your hilarity) is how you’re ALWAYS willing to take a look at how youre living your life and make changes where and how you see fit. It’s so beautiful and inspiring. Clearly, you are an amazing woman and I’m so glad you give all your readers a chance to share a little sliver of your life.
OMG I WAS JUST GOING TO START THIS AND HAD NO IDEA HOW! I am also a vegan and I’m just tired of being soft. I’m tired of not wanting to wear a swimsuit. I’m too young (20) to hate my body this much so I’m going to start it not to lose weight but to tone, but I eat too many carbs and fruit
Can you post your daily meals or give me a few sample days when you do it? Maybe we can do a buddy system thing 
I’m really looking forward to this as I’ve been considering BFL and don’t want to incorporate more meat and dairy into my life. (I’m not vegetarian or vegan but I am trying to cut back.) I can’t wait to see how it goes!
Please do share as you go along! I’m exactly in the middle of P90X right now and I’m a vegan and honestly, while I feel myself getting stronger and healthier I do not look leaner and more toned (yet). I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about different protein sources lately and am going to be doing more research on plant vs. animal protein sources as soon as I get a couple free hours. I went vegan for my health, but lately I have been feeling as though my needs have changed. I know for a fact that I am not getting enough protein for a normal person, let alone a highly active individual.
I also have been getting bored with beans, tofu, lentils and protein powder at every meal. I like those things but I’ve been craving more variety. I also get frustrated because the amount of protein is a lot lower in plant-based protein sources, and it’s sometimes grain-based, which I also don’t think helps my plight to lose weight and tone up.
Any way, all that to say I can’t wait to see what you come up with Mama Pea.
I’m REALLY interested in trying BFL…I’m NOT a vegetarian but eat pescatarian/vegetarian 4.5 days a week…If you decide to do it I would LOVE to hear about it. I’m definitely considering buying the book!
Sara
I AM SO EXCITED!!!
I am one week in to BFL and I have been vegan for a year! I am so excited to have another vegan along for the ride!!!
YOU GO GET ‘EM…
I’m interested to read about it! I’m always looking at these different plans, but they’re always so specific and never vegetarian. Of course, I also said I’m greedy and want to see all sorts of posts from you!
I’m intrigued by the exercise portion of this change. More time with the family, and less time working out? I’m in! I would be interested to see you post your workouts.
Love this! I did BFL a while back and had awesome results but haven’t figured out how to apply it to my mostly vegan diet. I’d be really interested in your experience with this.
excited to see the che che che changes!!!
How exciting! I support whatever you decide is best for you, MP! I voted for being greedy
I voted for being GREEDY!!
I also read Diet for a New America, but that was 8 years ago and have been 100% vegetarian/sometimes vegan ever since. That is also when I became “the worst mother ever” in the eyes of some people because I drug my daughter down that path with me. She is a happy, healthy 9 year old now and my 2 year old is just as happy and healthy having NEVER eaten meat.
Sadly, because I do have a 9 year old daughter, I know EXACTLY who those two teeny boppers were on American Idol last night and even sadder – I know words to their music AND what shows they’re on…god help me!!
Enjoy whatever path you choose – I’m sure it will be the right one for you!
soooo looking forward to this!
I don’t really track my macro nutrients (but I know I should do a better/more accurate job, at least for a little while to get a better idea where I’m at.) I’m trying to get more plant-based protein in my diet, and when I’m planning and conscious I do an okay job (I think).
Have fun figuring out what works for you!
Looking forward to following you along on this adventure! 
I never tried that program, but I’m interested in seeing where this journey takes you.
And, I voted – gosh we’re greedy!!! LOL
I’m planning to do the BFL workouts this summer once my second quarter is over, but without changing my eating (low carb/low sugar). We’ll see how that goes.
I think Janetha has done such a great job explaining the workouts and the proportions. I was not understanding the lifting sequence for the longest time…she described it really well. I’m excited to see how this works for you. I’m a big believer in muscle (though don’t look for any on me at the moment).
Thanks so much for sharing this journey with us! I’m excited to see your progress and hear how you’re doing with changes and transitions
I made some changes (and am still making them as we all are) recently, so it’s always nice to hear about other people’s work. While we always ate healthy, my boyfriend and I both went ‘pescatarian’ (I tend to eat less fish, and def less dairy or eggs), and we dusted off the P90X dvds that we got over a YEAR AGO!
Well, we’re 60 days in and although it’s intense, I have seen some amazing changes in my health, (decreased blood pressure, wooo!) strength and my body shape. I’ve finally got the waist I wished I had in high school and my mental state is so much smoother! It’s really great when changes make all parts of you feel better. It’s even better when you listen enough to your body, to give it what it needs.
While we’re on the topic, I credit blogs such as your own for helping me make this transition easily! I find food blogging to be such a supportive community (even if I don’t have my own blog) and people’s experiences only serve to help strengthen resolve and say “you can do it”, even if not personally. Yours and Gina’s were the first two that I have read consistently and have really helped me along the way.
SO, GO YOU! Looking forward to tagging along!
Wishing you so much luck! There is a book out there that is the vegetarian (not vegan) counterpart but I can’t remember its’ name! I am glad you are getting in more carbs and proteins! You metabolism and body will regulate itself! I added stuff WITHOUT swapping the fruits/nuts and my body settled and I actually lost weight (ironically). I think you are amazing no matter what!
Love ,Barbara
We’re on a parallel post pattern! I posted today about wanting to embark (possibly) on figure competitions…and have posted about it in the past, too. I have also behind the scenes had vegan readers email me saying that vegan bodybuilding is entirely possible (and i am not trying to bodybuild nor are you, just for the sake of protein in sufficient amts it’s a nice thing to know). Kristen’s Raw’s hubs is in amazing shape and she makes these protein “grenades” for him. Anyway this is a great post, Mama Pea and however or whatever you see fit to do, I wish you well!
And just this past weekend, for the first time in 5 yrs, I made and ate tofu. I dont do great with too much soy but a few bites were fine.
And I saw your comment on Janetha’s yesterday and was thinking bout it and now you posted about it!
Anyway, keep up posted. I don’t know anything about BFL or formal terms like that, I just know that as a vegan, the rules are a little different
Well, i am really anxious to see how this works out for you! This sounds like a great plan, and i “like to think” i eat my fare share of protein (mostly from non-soy) sources throughout the day and i do consider my self a “vegan” minus eating a bit of casein every one and awhile. If you are ever in need of some great sources specifically for after a higher intensity workout, i have a few that i have tested over a few years and i find them to be great and all natural (pea proteins, brown rice proteins). Although i do cross train 3-4 days a week, i feel like supplementing my protein intake afterwards on the days i do not run is necessary for muscle recovery. I am with you all the way on this, and i definitely know you are much more experienced than me with creating recipes and finding what is right for you and your diet, but my passion in life is helping anyone and everyone find a great balance between cross-training and cardiovascular while shamelessly promoting a vegan diet
, so you know my email address any time you feel stuck or want (not need) inspiration 
I’d love to see what you have to say. I’m not vegan but pescatarian but I love the idea.
How interesting to see what everyone has said!
I’m an athlete here at Cam, and also a vegetarian/vegan. For the longest time, I wasn’t seeing very many gains in athletic performance. Then I started really deliberately amping up my protein (almond butter? Cashew butter? Lentils? woohoo!) and the results have been amazing. I am faster, stronger and swimming better.
I’ll be interested to see what works for you! xx
I am very interested to see how you do with this, and I have no doubts that you will be successful! I am already planning my post-baby work out regime
(btw, do I HAVE to wait 6 weeks to properly work out after the birth?!)….
and i’ve looked into BFL before after seeing Janetha have such success with it. I definitely think the HIIT workouts are great, especially for those with a family!
i think it sounds like a great plan! sometimes just mixing things up is beneficial. also: you look absolutely gorgeous in every single picture! just sayin’
I really want to see how you do. i mean I know that most people who wants to gain muscles eat way too much animal protein which I think it’s really bad although i’m not vegan. So… PLEASE!!! do a dairy-like post (at least one) to let us have an idea of how a vegan should eat and train.
I follow meals and moves blog and really want to do BFL but I also want to do as a vegan. I have been really researching and struggling to figure out how to do it. I am also interested in Eat to Live but feel I wont have enough protein to recover from my workouts. I also want to continue one longish run in my week. So I am really interested in your blog and any help you can offer in general. Do you recommend getting Thrive too??
You are awesome and inspiring!!!
I have never read (or even heard of) body for life. I do feel that upping my protein (especially in the morning) helps with my energy and satiety. I am excited to hear more about the workouts. And by the way, I think it’s pretty cool if you look like you’d beat your husband in an arm wrestling match.
According to my Self magazine,
“Combining fatty fish with soy foods could help your heart more than eating either alone.” I’m not so sure this is true because I can’t find it anywhere else, but it’s easy to do with Japanese food, I guess!
I worry about soy a lot too
good luck! I’m excited to see your results.
Question for you…you mentioned you could feel the mucous creeping into your throat…is that because you really had a mucousy throat while following the diet? I’m all mucousy in my throat; I rarely eat meat and eat limited dairy. What else could it be??
wow, I am definitely dealing with the same issues with a high produce diet…and am having a ton of digestive issues as a result…This is a great post, if you want to try some natural protein powder (it’s a blend of hemp, pea, and rice) try Vega! So delicious! The protein content isn’t actually that high, but most protein powders make me pretty ill and this one is easily digestible. I’d be interested in hearing what other proteins you’ll be eating aside from soy? I want to up my protein but don’t particularly like to eat grains or beans….or eggs…so…Let me know!
I did the body for life workouts many years ago and liked them a lot. I don’t think I ever stuck to the diet part. Good luck! You look amazing already so as long as you feel better, I’m sure it will be worth it.
I’m so excited to read this post!! It comes at an ironic time, because I’ve been thinking a lot about BFL and how good I felt during the program. Not that I’m looking at it as a “diet” or something to do for 12 weeks…I just like the idea of never letting myself get hungry and eating small meals throughout the day. When you mentioned the digestion issues after eating a lot of veggies I could totally relate. Even though a ginormous salad consists primarily of vegetables, I still don’t like feeling bloated and full afterwards.
I can’t wait to read and hear more about how this works for you! I have no doubt you’ll figure out how to make BFL vegan-friendly. Good luck with everything!
I forgot to add that you have NEVER looked fluffy or too muscular to me (I think you refer to that in the picture of you and Pea Daddy). No matter what you do you’ll always be beautiful..
I’m excited to see how this goes (just like everyone above)!
I look forward to reading along and supporting you on this journey, mama pea! Sounds like it was well thought out and researched
I think you meant to say “beck and call” rather than “beckon call.”
Thank you so much. You know I am a nerd about these things. What a moron I am!
This is so intriging! My husband and I did a Body for Life Challenge last fall after he wound up in the hospital with what we thought was a heart attack at 31. It turns out it wasn’t (he does have high cholesterol) but it was enough to make us reevaluate our lifestyles. We both had amazing results (there is a whole tab on my blog if you are curious).
I am VERY curious to see how you manage as a vegan. I would love to find new ways to work quality protein into my diet.
p.s. Right now Janetha and I are both doing the ‘Insanity’ DVDs. You would love it…it reminds me so much of my basketball conditioning days! Suicides, frog jumps, etc.
Oh lawd, I still have nightmares of Speed, Agility and Quickness class. Yes, there was a class for our conditioning. I have vivid memories of throwing up after sprinting the stadium stairs. So in other words, the DVDs sound great!
I am a firm believer in doing what is right for your body. If this is right for you, then do it!
No one else is livin’ with that bod but you, so you gotta take care of the goods, ya dig?
Solid.
I did BFL for awhile. The workouts were intense but I noticed a difference right away!! The eating was hard because there wasn’t much variety!
I would love to see your take on it!!!
I’m really excited about this
I’m vegan and I know I need to tone up and add in more strength (and I feel in the past short intense workouts have really worked for me) but I’ve been focusing all my time on training for a half marathon. Tomorrow is the race though and after I am seriously excited to get back into more high intensity/ weight workouts! Can’t wait to see your progress!
Also, I too feel like my diet can be slightly too vegetable oriented and that I need to add in more other nutrients etc. I’m curious to see how you modify your diet.
I’ve toyed with BLF before but never did it full on.
You know what MamaPea…
Do whatever makes you happy and healthy. That, at the end of the day, is the most important thing.
OH MY GOSH, THANK YOU!!!! I’ve been annoying Janetha and asking her for months to do a vegan BFL!!!
I am so curious as to how eating vegan BFL-style will affect my body and satiety. I started eating more dairy for protein, and I really have seen some oomph in the arms. However, I have that nagging though of “I know better” when I’m eating dairy/eggs. Therefore, I’ve mostly cut them out again.
So you are basically answering my selfish little prayer (ok, not prayer, request), and I CANNOT WAIT to see what your full day was like!
Much love! xoxoxox
Oh man, you and Averie (Love Veggies and Yoga) have twisted my arm – or perhaps arm wrestled me – into responding on this topic of veganism and muscle. Yes, it can totally be done, contrary to what I used to believe.
Check out http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/ – and no, of course you don’t need to be a bodybuilder to want to gain lean mass.
Also, vegan eating coach Ryan Andrews of Precision Nutrition is a huge inspiration for me (I am a former vegetarian and brief vegan, turned omnivore. I highly recommend checking out what PN has to offer. http://www.precisionnutrition.com/ep-ryan-andrews
Cheers!
i can’t wait to hear more about the intense workouts. i feel like that’s what i need to incorporate into my regime cause sometimes running just doesn’t do it!
That is interesting that you have seen a rise in bladder and yeast infections, I have seen the opposite in myself as I moved to a more plant based diet. (I eat fish about once a week, other than that I am a vegetarian and try to limit the dairy I consume.)
Oh I forgot to say – I’m very glad you’re doing this, and I am really interested to see how it goes! Love your blog!
I am definitely interested in seeing what you will be eating now! As a fellow vegan, it’s good to get another perspective.
I’ve been eating mostly grains, some fruits & veggies and a little protein. Grains are great but I would like to get back to a more “balanced” diet myself
I have never really heard of this book (which is weird because I feel like I have read every book out there), thanks for sharing. I look forward in watching your journey. Michelle and I have been changing our workouts as well, we have been doing the Tracy Anderson mat method and love it. We do cardio once or twice a week, and yoga a few times a week. We really like short and intense workouts, we feel we get the best results with them! And we are big fans of THRIVE!
Good luck.
I would love to see some vegan/vegetarian BFL meals and work-outs. I am starting my 12-week challenge on monday!! you’re awesome !
Thanks for being so honest about this, lady. While I certainly love your cookies and your laughs (I voted “greedy”) I really appreciate your sharing this. I know that you’re not being negative about raw(ish) veganism, but it’s pretty controversial to even say that for YOU, you need more protein. So, as always, thanks for being the Mama I love to read.
I am SUPER interested, because I sometimes wonder if a lack of protein is why I feel tired sometimes…
I love your posts, Mama, no matter what… so share away! I can’t wait to hear what you’re up to.
i’m so excited to see some protein-packed vegan meals!
I’m a vegetarian And I know I crave protein a lot and I get very tired to veggie burger patties.
It’s always so fun and informative to read your posts
I’m so excited to see some protein-packed vegan meals!
I’m a vegetarian and I crave protein a lot and get very tired of veggie burger patties.
It’s always so fun and informative to read your posts!
Hey!
I’m probably paraphrasing a lot of what has been said, but I think more soy is GREAT for you (organic, non-GMO tofu–there are so many good brands nowadays–as well as tempeh, edamame, and selective soy products), as well as lots of oat bran, quinoa, beans, etc.
I didn’t experience any muscle decrease as a vegan, but I was eating so close to vegan beforehand that this doesn’t surprise me. And oh yeah — I was never super muscular before
xoxo
I would love to see how you do this! I am not vegan, but prefer not to eat a lot of animal protein. I feel constant hunger if I don’t get some kind of animal protein in my day.
If you want quick, effective workouts check this out. It has really been working for me.
http://getfitandyummy.com/blog/
Good luck!
WOW! This is crazy that you have brought up BFL in your blog. I followed BFL hardcore for about 2 years and lost 75lbs. I met many amazing people over on their website. Eventually I got burned out and was sick of eating the same foods over and over again. I was scared to eat a banana because it had too much sugar in it. LIke you, I also was eating lots of chicken breasts and cottage cheese. YUCK! Anyways, I also became vegan about 6 months ago and have really been enjoying the freedom to eat a banana whenever I want to without freaking out about it. I have tons more energy and feel proud of what I eat. What I have been struggling with is that I still have about 40lbs left to lose. I feel like I have lost some after becoming vegan, I don’t know if I can lose that kind of weight while eating a vegan diet. I’ve incorporated lots of walking and am doing 2 days a week of weight training (one lower and one upper body day) and I guess we will see how things go!
I’m excited to see your progress and eager to learn new recipes and meal ideas from you! Also, you might want to check out Transformation.com for some awesome support and info. That is where you can find Bill Phillips nowadays…
Thank you for addressing this issue. I did a figure competition last fall –and did really well- placing in two categories. Right afterwards I made the choice to become vegan. I’m up about 10 pounds from where I want to be, but my strategies for weight loss all involve high protein. I’ve been using soy, hemp and brown rice, and have experimented with seitan, and lots of legumes, but I’ve been plateaued for a month and a half now. I finally decided to calorie count again too. Sigh. Any experimentation you can do will help. That link Allie gave (in her comment) of the guy on Precision Nutrition was pretty cool–thanks Allie -but women are different I think, and let go of fat a little slower.
Mama Pea, get out of my head!
I’ve been reading Janetha’s blog for awhile now and have really wanted to try BFL but didn’t really know how to do it as a vegan… about a week and a half ago I was going to check out the BFL and EFL books from la biblioteca and see if I could modify it to fit my vegan diet. (Yeah, still have to do that…) Love that you are doing this too!
This is awesome! I am struggling with some of the eating mentioned in this post. I understand the eating smaller meals, adding protein, etc., but I have yet to find a meal plan that does not include a ton of animal protein. I simply cannot eat that way! What types of protein powders are you using? I am using several different brands, but am always open to new suggestions.
I use Olympic Labs Pea Protein, Nurtibiotics Brown Rice and Spriutein’s 3 part blend of soy/rice/pea. Check out my BFL pages for more details!