Toying with the idea of vegetarianism...but scared

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I joined this group about week ago and have been amazed with much of what I have

read. But I am finding myself paralyzed by my 'old' thought process on what a

complete meal is. Let me explain in full...please bare with me, I really need

the help.

 

This past summer I made the decision to get the lap band surgery. I am 5'6 " and

at my high weight (Christmas) I was at 249. I wasn't always heavy. Over the

last 10 years I have had many monumental things happen. I got married, 2 years

later and a baby, 2 years later had another baby, 2 years later had another

baby, 2 years later had another baby (no there aren't any typos there) I have 4

kids and managed to keep more weight than I wanted. I was desperate to 'be

healthy' and realized that all my other attempts at losing weight did squat for

me in the long run--even if I did lose weight it always came back.

 

So I reluctantly signed myself up for the surgery. It is a long process before

the actual day of surgery and somewhere along the way, I decided that I really

don't want to have surgery. Thankfully, my blood work that is mandatory for the

surgery all came back normal! Amazing considering how unhealthy I am. So after

2 months of tests and such I had decided I wanted to give it another try and

lose the weight naturally on my own. I decided this just before my mandatory

dietitian appointment. I weighed in at this appointment at 242 with a BMI of

39. I told her that I didn't want the surger and that I wanted to lose the

weight before the surgery. I have to weigh myself for 6 consecutive months with

them to have my insurance pay for the surgery (or I'd end up with a $15,000

bill) so as I left the office the plan was to have me lose enough weight in

these 6 months that I wouldn't qualify for the surgery (bmi has to be at 34 or

lower to not qualify.) My short term goal was to lose 5-10 pounds by my 2nd

weigh in (in 4 weeks.) I planned to do this by eating organic food.

 

I ate a majority of organic foods and naturally increased my veggie and fruit

intake. I used to be a HUGE milk drinker (about 1/2 to 3/4 a gallon of whole

milk a day...I know, I know it was my vice.) I switched to rice milk and for

the most part eliminated dairy. I have very little desire for meat...but I do

eat fish 2-3x a week. Well, at my check up I went from 242 to 229!!! I lost 13

pounds in four weeks. This really got me thinking that going towards vegetarian

may be a good thing. HOWEVER...my husband is NOT on board.

 

He agreed to organic eating after he himself realized that he feels better

eating food that is better for him (no pesticides and chemicals.) But he told

me that he refuses to give up meat. I'm not sure what to do about that, but I

think it's because he thing (and to a certain extent, I think) that there aren't

a lot of things we can eat. No tofu (he loathes it) and I'm not big on salads.

 

One thing is 100% for sure, we will continue to eat eggs and cheese. But I

think if I can slowly present him vegetarian dishes that are satisfying and

continue to serve less meat, he may be ok. I'm just at a loss. I feel like a

foreigner who is learning a new language. In truth, I'm scared. I know we'll

catch flack from our families--we did when we said we're going organic.

 

Anyway, I'll end here because I think I just finished a chapter in my

autobiography.

 

Be blessed,

Christine in CT

[Guest guest]

Christine,

Please consider Vegetarianism as a lifestyle and not a diet.

 

There are no quick-fixes when it comes to changing the way you eat and how you

prepare food.

 

No type of food is a " vice " as you stated, but as with anything in life over

indulgence can become a problem.

 

It's a habit and it can be changed.

 

You have little ones watching their mommie and counting on her to set a good

example and give healthy advice.

 

You might note that many in this group raise their children Vegetarian or Vegan.

Many have been raised with this lifestyle since birth.

 

Don't be " scared " , just start *NOW* creating a healthier lifestyle for yourself

and your children.

 

You'll like the members in this group, they are caring and have wonderful

recipes.

 

Sending smiles and hugs your way

Deanna in Colorado

*******************************************************************

" cchristinekrevalin " <chrisk wrote:

Hi everyone,

I joined this group about week ago and have been amazed with much of what I

have read.

[Guest guest]

Hi Christine:

 

I think that you need to read up all you can about vegetarianism before you

jump in. Don't do it as a way to lose weight. I weigh about 219 and my

weight fluctuates between 200 and 230. Like you, I wasn't always heavy. The

good thing is that my blood pressure and blood sugar are low, which is great

because my family has problems with both.

 

At any rate, even if you become a vegetarian, if you don't eat enough

protein, you will over compensate with carbs and weight will be hard to lose

(I know firsthand). Like someone else said, think of it as a way of life. If

you think of it in terms of diet, if you slip and eat meat you will beat

yourself up over it and feel a lot of guilt. Just think that you're going to

make healthy choices.

 

I think it's excellent that you're doing organic. I lose weight rapidly when

I do that and when I don't eat processed foods. As for your husband, a lot

of people are adverse to giving up meat. Try cooking with less meat and

maybe do one or two meatless meals a night and then gradually decrease it.

Also, if you cook with meat byproducts, try using a substitute. My family is

from Louisiana and so every thing was cooked with ham hocks or some sort of

meat. When I became a veg, I convinced my mother to use either olive oil or

vegetarian bouillon cubes to flavor foods. It works just as well, and you

can really taste the flavor of the actual food.

 

Lastly, I don't know if this book is still in print, but I recommend " The

Gradual Vegetarian " because the author has a lot of recipes for families

where some are vegetarian, some are vegans and some are carnivores. It's a

great book.

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the responses. I guess I should have clarified myself; I'm not

intending on doing this as a way of weight loss or as a diet. I was referring

to it as a life-style change. I understand the benefits of healthful whole

foods as opposed to the processed chemicalized junk that is standard in the SAD.

 

I feel as though I am leaning toward the vegetarian diet because of how much

better I feel eating more fruits and veggies as opposed to what I have been

eating. I was raised on meat and potatoes with a little veg and dessert.

 

My next step is to get the entire family tested for food allergies. My children

are exhibiting food allergies and behavior concerns that I would prefer to

handle through our diet (lifestyle of eating) rather than medication.

 

With that in mind, I am also fully aware of what this surgery involves. I

shared that information with you so you would understand where I am coming from

and how I have 'stumbled' onto this way of living: organic, simple, the way God

intended us to live (IMO.)

 

Thanks for the advise, though I'm still concerned about my husband. I have

decided to take better control over my children's daily food consumption and do

think I'll be visiting (and posting) here again.

 

Be blessed,

Christine

[Guest guest]

HI Christine:

 

I have been vegetarian for 17 years, my daughter since she was 5 she will

be 20 this December, my son and husband are not vegetarian. I left the

choice to all of them. However my now 22 eats a verity of foods that he may

not have learned to eat had I not been vegetarian. I do not cook meat

unless I can get it from package to pan with out ever touching it. When my

kids were young and we went out to eat the could order what the wanted

however they had to eat what they ordered. When my kids were younger and I was

home, I used to make whatever I was making for dinner and my husband would

by whatever meat he wanted to go with it and cook it when he got home.

 

 

 

In a message dated 10/11/2009 10:23:02 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

chrisk writes:

 

 

 

 

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the responses. I guess I should have clarified myself; I'm not

intending on doing this as a way of weight loss or as a diet. I was

referring to it as a life-style change. I understand the benefits of healthful

whole foods as opposed to the processed chemicalized junk that is standard in

the SAD.

 

I feel as though I am leaning toward the vegetarian diet because of how

much better I feel eating more fruits and veggies as opposed to what I have

been eating. I was raised on meat and potatoes with a little veg and dessert.

 

My next step is to get the entire family tested for food allergies. My

children are exhibiting food allergies and behavior concerns that I would

prefer to handle through our diet (lifestyle of eating) rather than medication.

 

With that in mind, I am also fully aware of what this surgery involves. I

shared that information with you so you would understand where I am coming

from and how I have 'stumbled' onto this way of living: organic, simple,

the way God intended us to live (IMO.)

 

Thanks for the advise, though I'm still concerned about my husband. I have

decided to take better control over my children's daily food consumption

and do think I'll be visiting (and posting) here again.

 

Be blessed,

Christine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Christina: I counsle people,and to me, your fears would be alleviated if you,

instead of jumping into vegetarian, looking in the group file section, looking

and reading, and most importantly, going to your physcisian, or seeing a

nutritionist, or attending a class in the healthy food store. I have lot's of

food allergies. Also, if you have the ways and means, get a CBC done to see your

numbers. (Complete Blood Count).

 

How I do it is: I cook mine, aside form everyone else's.I'm the only vegetarian

in a family of 4. I don't mind if they aren't. --Rhonda

[Guest guest]

I am also the only vegetarian in a family of 4. I make lots of meals that can be

assembled to suit everyones' tastes. Mexican food seems the easiest. I make

tacos, nachos etc. with everything out so people can add the taco meat and

cheese or not. I do cook some things that are just vegetarian, but they are

things everyone likes. Vegetarian baked beans with cornbread (rice milk

replacing dairy). Last night I made 2 versions of sloppy joes; one non-veg and

one with black beans and everyone could choose what they want. It really isn't

that hard. I don't cook much meat at all. For our family of 4 (including a

teenage boy bottomless pit) we buy 1 pound of turkey bacon, one pound of ground

turkey and one pound of lunch meat every two weeks. Everyone is satisfied and we

are all healthy. Meat is used as a condiment or flavoring for some dishes they

eat. It is rarely if ever the main part of the meal. It has taken almost 4 years

to get to this point so I didn't just tell them how it was going to be. Tastes

change gradually and the eating habits follow.

 

Michelle in NV

[Guest guest]

I just want to add that my stepdaughter & I recently went vegetarian together,

and no one else in our house did (there are 4 others). Although my husband is

extremely supportive, he's adament that he has no intention of giving up meat.

What we're working toward is a veggie dish as the main course, and meat (for

those who want it) as a side dish. That way everyone is happy.

 

And I completely understand being scared. I've been on a health kick for a while

now (organics, supplements, naturopathic doctor, etc.)...vegetarianism is just

the logical next step for me. But I haven't even told my family yet (and I just

saw them this weekend). But I certainly don't miss meat, so I just keep arming

myself with information & recipes so I can maintain my choices.

 

Also, my biggest fear was being hungry & low energy (esp because I'm a runner),

but I've found that if I eat some protein at each meal I don't have any

problems. ; )

 

Best wishes to you!

Ashley

[Guest guest]

Hi Christine,

 

I think you are making a wise choice by wanting to change your eating habits

versus the easy way out with a potentially harmful surgery. I understand how you

feel about your weight - I am 5-6 and was 205 a couple of months ago - and I

wasn't always this way either.

By simply eating foods that you can understand what the label says and if it

gives you energy - go for it! I am not a full time vegan but it took a long time

for me to become a part time one too (by part time I eat seafood 4X a week and

no other animal products). I have lost 20lbs in 2 months by this new way of

eating and an hour of exercise every day.

My hubby is a total meat eater - so I get where you are coming from

too. Gradually introduce vegetarian dishes to your family once or twice a week.

And don't forget that you don't always need to eat what your family wants

either. I ususally eat differently than others I cook for. Slowly, over time,

your family will adjust to the new recipes and will be healthier too. You will

surprise yourself by how creative you can be! Good luck to you and your journey!

 

Kris

[Guest guest]

One thing that may help is to use Smart Ground crumbles if you can find them in

your store. It looks just like cooked ground beef, but it is soy. It doesn't

taste the same, though, but it is good. You can use it in spagehtti instead of

meat, use it for tacos and even season it if you like. Your husband may even go

for it if you don't tell him it's not meat before he tries it.

Also, just make a lot less meat dishes. I make this good spinach lasagna and a

tortellini dish with no meat. You can also make burritos and eat a lot of those

(we do!). I wasn't big on salads, either, but found that if I added a lot of

things in them, I was more apt to eat them. Use Romain lettuse and add things

like avacados, red onions, bell peppers, a little cheese, boiled eggs, in

addition to the tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, red cabbage, etc. The more I add

to my salad, the better it tastes.

When I was eating all veggie, I lost about 4 pounds initially. I have since

" fallen off the wagon " and am eating meat on occassion. It is a hard transition,

but if you want to do it for your health, do it. Your husband may not go along,

but you will find there are many people on this site that have mixed families. I

was the only veggie in my family when I did it (although my husband is a former

veggie. go figure).

Good luck and congrats on the weight you have already lost! It sounds like you

are doing a great job!!