Wellness

[SandPiper]

@phoenixbrd DH scrounged around the loaf and asked what meat I used. lol. He ate it but I don’t think he was a fan. I just keep trying. I will not give up on him.

Yesterday

green juice, apple ( even though apple is in juice, I feel like I wanted to chew something)

Leftover loaf on 1/2 grain toast, salad

[Ttownlady]

Hi Sandpiper sounds good the Meatless Meatloaf how do you make it and what is in it? 

Black Beans or other beans? I  hope you can please post your recipe.

I just now started to read this forum today lots of good advice for plant based diet and  salad ideas.Thank you in advance have a great weekend.

[AuntG]

@Ttownlady, I think this thread is winding down. When @SeaMaiden started it on New Years, we had a lot of enthusiasm. Slowly, people dropped out.

[AuntG]

So how did everyone do? I believe the challenge ends June 1st. I wasn't nearly as successful as I had hoped, but I've made progress. Lost 12 pounds and now I get 10,000 steps on my pedometer a day. Breakfast and lunch are generally smaller meals - and healthy. My struggle comes with the evening meal when I want double portions (but I have cut back from last year). I've learned so much from the few diehards that still post. Thanks!

[phoenixbrd]

@SandPiper  Today is our last day.  You deserve a medal for consistency and you have become more plant based as the months progressed.  It has been a joy conversing with you....always pleasant, upbeat, and nonjudgmental.  I wish you so much success in your continued journey.  I know what a challenge it is when not everyone in the home is not on the same page.  Just remain your beautiful self and stay the course.  Here are a couple of changes over the months.

I lost and maintained a 30 pound weight loss (DH 50 pounds).  Both of us increased muscle mass and lost fat.  We have both improved in strength and our weights have increased at the gym.  Our energy levels are consistently healthy.

I am looking forward to the next month as for me this is just a part of my continued lifestyle.  Intermittent fasting will be an important part of my day.  I've been watching/reading a lot of Dr. Jason Fung (as well as others), and although I don't agree with some of what he says, his research is on point with the IF.  It affects weight/health, brain health, and anti-aging.  (Dr. Bergman had an interesting guest presentation on this.... "Intermittent Fasting with Dr. Mike")   I'll be staying a whole food plant based vegan (difficult to imagine that would ever change).  I'll reassess my outcome/goals the end of June.

Love you girl, thanks for hanging in and your support.

Congratulations to those who have been working on their health goals in this forum for the past six months including @tsavorite, @AuntG, @Ttownlady, @hckynut, @Caligurll and anyone else I may have missed.

[tsavorite]

Hi @SandPiper glad to see you are making good on your goals!  I have struggled alot thur most of my own challenge which didn't involve weight loss.  For me it has been about building muscle/strength and upping my energy and so on.  I have had alot of ups and downs lately.  Trying to figure it all out and make progress has been my goal and will continue to be going forward.  Guess it's just gonna take me longer then I had hoped/planned on.

Just today I was at the long needed foot doc appt.  I have plantar facitis....got a painful cortisone shot in my heel (burned...yuk...not doing that again!) then ultrasound, then doc wrapped my foot in kinesiology tape got keep it on for 5 days.  Also a anti-inflammatory for 1 week.  Told me probably do custom orthoics next visit...molds.  

Also began my invisalign journey....1st full day....this has it's own set of issues.  I just hope these 2 choices help me with my ultimate goals.  Correcting the TMJ issues by fixing bite and being able to exercise without injury.

I have been doing what I can when I can....which is some elipitical....total gym.  Can't say I have made gains....I just seem to be stuck right here.  Maybe next month I'll see some gains.

@phoenixbrd @AuntG  sounds like you all made lot's of progess from my point of view....congrats to everyone.

[SandPiper]

@Ttownlady Here is the meatless meatloaf recipe.

• 2 15-ounce cartons of cooked chickpeas (I used kidney beans or you can use lentils)
• 1 small onion chopped 
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• ½ cup red bell pepper, chopped
• ¾ - 1 cup brown rice
• 1 tablespoon chopped thyme (I don’t like thyme so I left it out)
• ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste (I added nutritional yeast instead)

Rinse, drain and smash beans or chickpeas (I used a potato masher).  Add rest of ingredients to smashed beans and form into a loaf. 

Gently press mixture into non stick loaf pan and bake for approx 30 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. If you don’t have a non stick loaf pan and you are using oil, grease the pan and bake. 

Good luck in transitioning to a plant based diet.

[SandPiper]

@AuntG You have made changes and you did make progress.Congrats on your healthy decisions and weight loss. Keep the momentum going. You can do it. It is a lifestyle. 

[SandPiper]

@phoenixbrd Thank you so much for your kind and uplifting words. It has been a joy to converse with you as well. I looked forward to reading your posts everyday. I knew they would keep me on track. And boy did I need to be kept on track. 

Back in January I knew I needed to change and I happily jumped on this thread. I figured I would take the challenge and just lose some weight and be happy with myself.  But to my surprise things started to evolve in a direction that honestly scared me and I didn’t want to fail. Here is what happened in the past 6 months. 

My goal was 10 pounds, I lost 22 pounds. 

I use the treadmill everyday (except when I shoveled snow - yuck)

I started yoga and stretching exercises again. I was doing this before but stopped. 

I started weight training and increased my weights from 5 pounds to 8 pounds. I lost inches and gained muscle. I notice I have more energy and strength. I feel I can finally say “I am fit”.

I was on a “clean” diet when I started this challenge but I am now slowly, very slowly in the process of transitioning to a plant based diet. Thanks @phoenixbrd for all your suggestions and help. Oh and I did find braggs dressing.

@phoenixbrd and @tsavorite both of you are the sisters I never had. It was a pleasure spending the past 6 months with you. @tsavorite I wish you all the best. You are strong and can get through anything. @phoenixbrd You are an angel 😇 love you back @hckynut keep your blades on the ice where you are happy. And thanks for your inspiration and sharing your knowledge. I hope Cindy is better as well. 

I wish everyone on here happiness and health. Whether you stuck with it or dropped out or just read the 80+ pages, reach for the stars. When it comes down to your health and fitness, you can accomplish anything.