Another Attempt at Veganism

Hey Everyone! As I've stated before this blog isn't just about fashion; it's about all things that are pretty and lovely, and that includes our bodies. I had been thinking about veganism for quite sometime and I took a 14 day vegan challenge in January. I was pretty excited and I knew that it would definately be a challenge I was up to seeing through. I did the challenge through CrazyUrganVegan. You can find her on IG under that surname or visit her website www.crazyurbanvegan.com.  Everybody has their own reasons for changing their diet or rather incorporating a healthier lifestyle. Mine was simply because I know what food does to you. Eating a cleaner diet not only helps to combat diseases but you feel better. There's so much info on plant based diets right now and I'll say what really brought it home for me was watching the documentary Forks Over Knives. When I truly understood what food was doing to my body, I knew that this was something I had to do. I thought about my father having cancer and realized that diet does contribute to a lot of diseases. Now, I'm not saying that him eating bad foods is what caused the cancer, but we all have to take responsibility for what we put in our bodies because it does have an effect on your overall health. It's always said that African Americans have the highest rate of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Experiencing my father's illness had got me researching natural remedies and no matter what I came across, it was always "natural food diets". Carrot cleanses, herbs, etc. I could go on and on. Needless to say, I was shocked to find that a plant based diet could do all these things. Cure aches and pains, give you healthier skin. I was in! Besides, I was turning 40, and I wanted a healthier lifestyle anyway so the vegan challenge came right one time. I will not sit and say it wasn't easy. The recipe choices were great and there were times I got so weak, that I almost quit. I ordered pizza (Papa Johns) and wings for my family one night, and I opted to eat a vegan pizza. I had to literally leave the room when they were eating the wings because I wanted one so bad lol. I made it through the challenge and here are some of the benefits I saw.

-I had more energy
-My skin was glowing ( I didn't experience any breakouts during this time)
-I was drinking ALOT of water
-I didn't have any issues going to the bathroom (I know TMI, but I had to say it)
-OVERALL, I FELT BETTER!!

Sooo.. what happened?.. Well, I was so amped and I was all ready to continue with this vegan life; but the deprivation I'd had in just 14 days of not eating sugar and meat had me going crazy! I realize now that my body was simply becoming weaned off all that stuff. All I kept thinking about was a burger; and Im not a burger person like that! Strange! But I wanted it. I fought it as long as I could and lets say about a week later, I was back to my junk again. Slowly but surely, I was incorporating those same junky foods back into my body. WTH??! All that for nothing and that's when I started to see the changes. My skin broke out?.. Huh?.. , I was tired as hell, I think I was even grumpier lol, and I didnt even want to try to work out. During this time, I even combed my locs out ( another story later), but this didnt have anything to do with that. Although, I think if I'd stayed on my vegan diet I may have still been loc'ed. Soooo... I got tired of seeing my face looking crazy, tired of being tired and I HATED the way I felt (guilty, sluggish, sick) after eating Krispy Kreme donuts, pizza, burgers, bacon, and all the junk food I loved and decided this was it! So... I am BACK at another attempt. This time I know what to look forward to. The first go round it felt like unchartered territory. I will take this slow and not rush it, because I know it's a process.  Some may ask why not just become a vegetarian or even another one I pondered; pescatarian?.. I found that I'm really not a fish eater like I thought I was; I like shrimp but not to the point of having to have it. I think I'm better off doing vegan. I will be updating on my progress monthly. I know there will be highs and lows on this journey, but my health is truly a priority for me. I have to make the best effort I can. Wish me luck!!!