What changes should you expect to see in your body after becoming vegan? The real answer to this question I would answer with another question; what changes do you want to see in your body from swapping to a vegan diet?
So, I became vegan several years ago in response to discovering my then very young daughter was dairy intolerant. I read books such as ‘The China Study’ and ‘How Not To Die’, I watched documentaries such as ‘The Cowspiracy Theory’ and knew plant based was for us. I wanted us, my husband daughter and I, to live as long and as healthy a life as possible. That was my initial goal.
We cut out all meat, fish, eggs and dairy. We lived on vegetables and fruit, some nuts seeds, beans lentils and pulses. The only vegan products available at that time were soya and almond milk so we used those. I lost some weight, my long-term problems with acne cleared up and I felt good, my daughter’s symptoms really improved too. But there was a downside, at the time I was heavily into CrossFit. Basically, I was training hard in the gym weightlifting, cardio and gymnastics and I found my strength and stamina decrease a little due to my now plant-based diet. At the time I was not a personal trainer and had only read a couple of books mentioned above, I knew I needed to know so much more about the vegan diet if it was to work for us in the long term. I looked for a vegan coach or personal trainer to help me with no avail, that’s when The Vegan Coach was born. I couldn’t find one, so I had to become one.
My goal had changed or evolved; I wanted to be healthy and live a long life, but I also wanted to be lean and muscular with good strength and fitness performance. I embarked on a one-woman mission to gather as much information as possible, get my personal training qualification, attend nutrition courses and seminars, watching documentaries and reading books then trying these theories out on myself. Over the past few years through consistently applying the principles I’ve leaned I have achieved my goal; I’ve built the strong lean muscular physique I strived for, I perform well and feel powerful in the gym and remain free from ailments and illness.
To answer the initial question; what changes should you expect to see when swapping to the vegan diet? My answer is; If you’re not careful and don’t have a goal in mind to strive for it is literally potluck. You may gain weight; you may lose weight. You may become healthier; your health may decline. This is especially true in 2020 when vegan products are everywhere and without due care and attention you may end up consuming a largely processed food diet high in calories and devoid of nutrients. We live in a world where vegan food is available in Gregg’s, KFC, McDonalds, Vegan Ben and Jerrie’s…and if you look back at your goal and see you wanted to lose some weight and improve your health I’m sure you’ll find these vegan foods will move you further from that goal.
I now work helping people in a one to one capacity online and in my private gym to improve their health and fitness through a plant-based diet. Promoting a way of eating that in primarily based around plants and not vegan food products. I help people manage their calorie and protein intake and give them the tools and knowledge to nourish their bodies correctly to achieve their goals. I’ve written a recipe eBook which my clients use and regularly post recipes and training tips on my social media platforms.
https://www.instagram.com/stellawoodwardthevegancoach/
https://www.facebook.com/stellawoodwardthevegancoach
If you’d like me to help you reach your full potential through plant-based living then contact me by completing the contact form on my website.
https://www.thevegancoach.co/online-coaching/
Another blog I’ve penned that may be of use whether you’ve lost or gained weight when becoming vegan;
https://www.thevegancoach.co/overweight-and-vegan/
