I Am Never Hungry ? ?

My Personal Journey To Good Health

Until you become vegan, you will probably never understand this quote:
The only thing you ll regret about going vegan, is you didn t do it sooner!
I am 38 years old and I have been vegan for just over 2 years.
Growing up I had never even heard of a vegan and all my beliefs growing up were th
at vegetarians were hippies.
Like most people I had been indoctrinated to believe from birth that consuming a
nimal products was healthy, natural, necessary and of course normal. After all,
without milk how would I have strong bones and I needed meat for protein, or els
e I would fade away to nothing.
Up until I was 29 my life consisted of plenty of partying, which included heavy
boozing sessions and then feasting on fast food, chocolate and soft drinks the n
ext day. I was also smoking up to 40 cigarettes per day. This continued cycle of
abuse was playing havoc with my body.
I was overweight, I was suffering depression, I was physically sick including ha
ving peptic ulcers on the lining of my stomach, I had no energy left and I was f
ull of bitterness and self-hate.
I would love to say I became vegan at 29, but my story is a long story of self-d
iscovery, self-forgiveness and learning to love myself inside and out.
Fighting inner demons can be a long walk
My first battle was to give up alcohol, which I did cold turkey, this was an ext
remely hard time in my life as I had to cut off all my friends to end my partying
ways. Slowly but surely I started to become mentally strong and came to the real
ization that all things are possible. Gradually I learned to love myself inside
and out, I quit smoking and eventually I began to give up junk food.
I began attending a large weight loss program where I lost my weight through a c
alorie-controlled program. I was starting to feel extremely happy within myself
as I was proud of all my achievements. Through what I now call the four D s. Desir
e, Discipline, Dedication and Determination, I managed to lose 27kgs in 26 weeks
.
Because of my success I was approached by the company to join them as a consulta
nt. I was more the exception than the rule and in most cases it was nothing but
the old take it off put it back on again regime for most participants. Like many
of my clients I simply wasn t eating enough. I was living on Diet Cola for energy
(which also gave me anxiety) and due to consuming the high levels of protein I
was breaking out in terrible acne. The worst part of this type of programme was
the mental anguish from the constant battle with the scales. I was fighting to k
eep my weight off, but there was also one other major problem, I was HUNGRY!
I was reverting more and more to binge eating because my body was lacking essent
ial nutrients. This constant starvation on a calorie controlled diet and extreme
ly heavy exercise to counteract the eating was making me lose my mind. I was get
ting tired of pretending that this lifestyle was healthy and sustainable, I felt
like I was a fraud.
I was scratching my head trying to find solutions to be healthy, clear my skin,h
ave energy and to keep my weight off, surely there had to be a better way?
I took it upon myself to discover as much as I could about weight loss. I starte
d to study and research nutrition and by doing so the more inconsistencies, cont
radictions and poor health practices being peddled by this company were being re
vealed to me. So much so, even after being presented with national awards and ac
colades from my peers I could not any longer in good conscience continue to repr
esent them?
I had not in any way lost my love of the health and wellbeing industry but I wan
ted to find out the correct approach, a healthy approach where not only I but al
so my clients could sustain not only their weight loss but live a healthy, vibra
nt and satisfying life.
Upon leaving I continued with my studies and completed Diplomas in Nutrition and
Advance Nutrition, as well as a Certificate in Vegetarian Nutrition. However I
still needed to find a way where I could eat enough to be satisfied, but manage
to keep my weight off.
Thank God for social media! I started to find out more about plant based diets.
I was very skeptical at first because in my mind not eating animal products equa
lled nutrient deficiency. I wasn t ready to make the switch just yet, but I came t
o the realization that Diet products are toxic for your body so I removed them f
rom my diet.
Not having the Diet Cola to keep my energy up, I started to increase my eating a
nd I started to gain weight that I ve lost.
Just over 2 years ago my daughter asked me to watch Earthlings. I don t think I ve e
ver cried so much in my life. From that day forward I became an Ethical Vegan.
Health just wasn t enough for me to sustain this lifestyle. I needed a true solid
purpose. The inexcusable cruelty the animals endure every second of every day, g
ave it to me. I finally had a personal conviction.
I started to follow Dr s like Dr Colin Campbell, Dr Greger, Dr Barnard, Dr McDouga
ll and Dr Garth Davis and I immediately embarked on a high carb plant based vega
n diet which I truly believe is truly the healthiest way for everybody to eat, i
n fact the World Health Organization in 2015 attested to this and the same year
the Dietary Guidelines Advisory committee released a scientific report acknowled
ging the power of a plant based diet to fight obesity, reduce the risk of heart
disease, high blood pressure and other common health problems.
Once again I wanted increase my knowledge in eating this way so I returned to st
udy and received an Advanced Diploma in Plant Based Nutrition. I continue to res
earch, study and learn every day of my life. I don t think you can ever have too m
uch knowledge.
My Diet Today
Today I follow a fully raw, plant-based diet and I eat an abundant amount of fru
its and vegetables. Plant based eating helps to keep me young, vibrant and energ
etic. I have not had the hint of even a sniffle in over 18 months. I believe all
the added vitamins and minerals in my diet are keeping me healthy and strong.
My skin has cleared. I have lost the excess weight I was carrying. I no longer h
ave anxiety and I am happier than I ve ever been in my whole life.
I fight daily for animal liberation, after all Vegan-ism is far more then smooth
ie bowls, kale chips and vegan food porn. I attend protests, write articles and
spread the vegan message as far as I can.
People often ask me if my lifestyle is extreme? I answer Yes! Extremely healthy an
d extremely happy!
I am never hungry. I have an abundance of energy. I am a picture of health. I li
ve a life that fulfills me in every possible way. I have a clear conscience as I
am causing the least possible harm to the environment and to all living beings
on this planet.
Do I regret not going vegan earlier? Yes, but I can t change my past. Each day I m
ake a conscious effort to improve my health and continue to be a voice for the v
oiceless Because the animals are worth it and so am I.
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