Vegetarian dieting

ayekasong · 01-29-2005, 08:45 PM

Hey again everyone. A few years ago I lost about 40 lbs for health reasons. I've kept most of it off, but I am still not at my ideal weight. I'd like to lose about 30 more lbs by August/September of this year, mainly because I am starting to get paranoid about my future health. I'm only 22, but I've been overweight for a good portion of my life, and well, I'm sick of it and I just want to be healthy.

However, I have quite a few challenges. I am a vegetarian, no meat, no fish. I also live in Japan, so many things are not available to me that are commonly available in the U.S. Rice and noodles are staples here. So, as you can see, unless I want a very limited variety, low-carb is pretty out of the question. Not to mention fruits and vegetables are very expensive...

Portion control is pretty easy here, as the Japanese portions are usually pretty small. I also get a lot of exercise, as I don't own a car and I have to walk and bike everywhere. I also teach little kids which forces me to be quite active. Really, I am looking for suggestions from anyone. I'm also looking for a bit of a jump-start (safe of course) to help me get motivated.

A couple of things to note: my workday goes from 12 or 11 am to 8 pm, so I usually do not leave work until about 8:30 p.m. Therefore, not eating after 6 pm is not a good idea, as it means I will skip dinner nearly every day. I already have a difficult time trying to eat breakfast, and I don't want to starve myself.

As you can see, I have several challenges. I appreciate any advice.

Thank you for reading.

Amethyst · 01-29-2005, 09:27 PM

I don't have much advice to offer in this area, but I will say this...believe it or not, skipping meals will only cause you to *gain* weight. (It puts your body into 'starvation mode', so it saves every little fatty deposit you swallow for future use.) If you're looking to lose weight, you really should be eating 3 [healthy] meals a day. (Yes, sometimes you actually have to eat *more* in order to *lose* weight!)

**annie24** · 01-29-2005, 09:27 PM

Congratulations on your great weight loss! I've also lost about 35 pounds. Eating breakfast is good - you can get in the habit. Just start small, like some yogurt, or half a cup of cereal or something.

Fresh fruits and veggies are good for you, so I wouldn't skip on them even if they are expensive. Try to have at least half of your plate filled with salad or steamed veggies. It will fill you up and look nice on your plate! You could get frozen veggies...

I don't know if Japan has anything like this, but I usually pack some LeanCuisine microwave meals for lunch or dinner. They actually taste pretty good! That, plus a diet soda and an apple, and it helps me keep the weight off and even lose more.

If I go out with friends to dinner, I try to order a side salad and only eat half of my meal (burger or pasta), and save the rest for later.

I like sparkling flavored waters too (0 cal). Or fruity teas.

Non-cream based soups will fill you up because they take a while to eat.

Also, keeping a journal of what I eat helps me not "cheat." When I do "slip" (as I did this week - pizza party at work), I just try to hit the gym extra hard for the next few days.

Sometimes, if I am going somewhere where I know that there will be lots of yummie food (like office parties), I'll have a sensible small meal beforehand so I won't gorge myself on cheese cake and spinach dip.

Make sure to reward yourself for your small victories. For every 5 pounds, buy yourself a DVD or something. After 15 pounds, buy yourself a killer new outfit (you'll need it by then!)

Just keep doing what you're doing!

ayekasong · 01-29-2005, 09:45 PM

Thanks for your replies. I am aware that skipping meals is bad, that is why I don't want to do it. I try to eat breakfast everyday but sometimes i justwake up too late. I am already working on this but I appreciate your concern.

I do my best to eat veggies and fruits as well but it is very disheartening to pay about $6 for a pack of 6 strawberries. Lean Cuisine might be available in larger cities, but I have not seen it where I live.

Thank you! All of your advice is greatly appreciated.

Scout · 01-29-2005, 10:44 PM

Ok, I can't give you any diet advice without know: your gender, how much you weigh, and your height. Also, why do you want to lose weight?

fantasia2004 · 01-29-2005, 11:57 PM

I wonder if eating that way helps your skin eyes and nails and hair inmprove not just weight?

ayekasong · 01-30-2005, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scout

Ok, I can't give you any diet advice without know: your gender, how much you weigh, and your height. Also, why do you want to lose weight?

I'm a girl, about 5'4", I don't have access to a scale right now, but last time I checked (about 5 months ago, not a whole lot has changed since then) I was about 165 - 170. I want to lose weight to to be healthy, and my family has a history of heart and cancer problems. I'm concerned about future health risks of being overweight. I'm not in the "danger" zone quite yet, but my BMI is higher than it should be for a normal healthy person.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fantasia2004

I wonder if eating that way helps your skin eyes and nails and hair inmprove not just weight?

I'm not sure what you mean by this, but if you're refering to a lack of protein, I do eat tofu and the red-bean rice they have here... I'm okay for protein, I had to be really careful of that once I went vegetarian.

HajiMaji · 01-30-2005, 02:56 AM

Hey man, im vegetarian too! What you should get is "the garden of vegan" or "How it all vegan". Both are written by the same people. Everything in that book is vegan and its super easy to make. Lots of vegetarian cook books are very complicated. This stuff doesnt take a whole lotta effort and doesnt call for anything besides stuff (im assuming) you can get in japan.

The food is very good and pretty healthy. I dont know if it will help you loose weight or not, but you should definately get it! Its really worth it.

fantasia2004 · 01-30-2005, 03:02 AM

Quote:

fantasia2004 wrote:
I wonder if eating that way helps your skin eyes and nails and hair inmprove not just weight?

I'm not sure what you mean by this, but if you're refering to a lack of protein, I do eat tofu and the red-bean rice they have here... I'm okay for protein, I had to be really careful of that once I went vegetarian

I meant is it good for your body? can it improve your body beesides weight loss for better health? I wish I was like lance armstrong after cancer.

01-29-2005, 08:45 PM	#1
ayekasong Offline Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wisconsin Age: 27 Posts: 564	Vegetarian dieting Hey again everyone. A few years ago I lost about 40 lbs for health reasons. I've kept most of it off, but I am still not at my ideal weight. I'd like to lose about 30 more lbs by August/September of this year, mainly because I am starting to get paranoid about my future health. I'm only 22, but I've been overweight for a good portion of my life, and well, I'm sick of it and I just want to be healthy. However, I have quite a few challenges. I am a vegetarian, no meat, no fish. I also live in Japan, so many things are not available to me that are commonly available in the U.S. Rice and noodles are staples here. So, as you can see, unless I want a very limited variety, low-carb is pretty out of the question. Not to mention fruits and vegetables are very expensive... Portion control is pretty easy here, as the Japanese portions are usually pretty small. I also get a lot of exercise, as I don't own a car and I have to walk and bike everywhere. I also teach little kids which forces me to be quite active. Really, I am looking for suggestions from anyone. I'm also looking for a bit of a jump-start (safe of course) to help me get motivated. A couple of things to note: my workday goes from 12 or 11 am to 8 pm, so I usually do not leave work until about 8:30 p.m. Therefore, not eating after 6 pm is not a good idea, as it means I will skip dinner nearly every day. I already have a difficult time trying to eat breakfast, and I don't want to starve myself. As you can see, I have several challenges. I appreciate any advice. Thank you for reading.

01-29-2005, 10:44 PM	#5
Scout Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Colorado Gender: Female Age: 40 Posts: 7,292	Ok, I can't give you any diet advice without know: your gender, how much you weigh, and your height. Also, why do you want to lose weight? __________________ If your dog is fat, you're not getting enough exercise. * * * One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today. - Dale Carnegie * * * Bob Ross rules! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOpF_ZGD4Ps

01-29-2005, 11:57 PM	#6
fantasia2004 Offline Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: now if I told you then it would not be a secret anymore! Gender: Female Age: 37 Posts: 1,319	I wonder if eating that way helps your skin eyes and nails and hair inmprove not just weight? __________________ That consciousness is everything and that all things begin with a thought. That we are responsible for our own fate, we reap what we sow, we get what we give, we pull in what we put out. I know these things for sure. Madonna, O Magazine, January 2004

01-29-2005, 09:27 PM	#2
Amethyst Offline Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 31 Posts: 496	I don't have much advice to offer in this area, but I will say this...believe it or not, skipping meals will only cause you to gain weight. (It puts your body into 'starvation mode', so it saves every little fatty deposit you swallow for future use.) If you're looking to lose weight, you really should be eating 3 [healthy] meals a day. (Yes, sometimes you actually have to eat more in order to lose weight!)

01-29-2005, 09:27 PM	#3
annie24 Online Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Age: 29 Posts: 26,833	Congratulations on your great weight loss! I've also lost about 35 pounds. Eating breakfast is good - you can get in the habit. Just start small, like some yogurt, or half a cup of cereal or something. Fresh fruits and veggies are good for you, so I wouldn't skip on them even if they are expensive. Try to have at least half of your plate filled with salad or steamed veggies. It will fill you up and look nice on your plate! You could get frozen veggies... I don't know if Japan has anything like this, but I usually pack some LeanCuisine microwave meals for lunch or dinner. They actually taste pretty good! That, plus a diet soda and an apple, and it helps me keep the weight off and even lose more. If I go out with friends to dinner, I try to order a side salad and only eat half of my meal (burger or pasta), and save the rest for later. I like sparkling flavored waters too (0 cal). Or fruity teas. Non-cream based soups will fill you up because they take a while to eat. Also, keeping a journal of what I eat helps me not "cheat." When I do "slip" (as I did this week - pizza party at work), I just try to hit the gym extra hard for the next few days. Sometimes, if I am going somewhere where I know that there will be lots of yummie food (like office parties), I'll have a sensible small meal beforehand so I won't gorge myself on cheese cake and spinach dip. Make sure to reward yourself for your small victories. For every 5 pounds, buy yourself a DVD or something. After 15 pounds, buy yourself a killer new outfit (you'll need it by then!) Just keep doing what you're doing!

01-29-2005, 09:45 PM	#4
ayekasong Offline Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wisconsin Age: 27 Posts: 564	Thanks for your replies. I am aware that skipping meals is bad, that is why I don't want to do it. I try to eat breakfast everyday but sometimes i justwake up too late. I am already working on this but I appreciate your concern. I do my best to eat veggies and fruits as well but it is very disheartening to pay about $6 for a pack of 6 strawberries. Lean Cuisine might be available in larger cities, but I have not seen it where I live. Thank you! All of your advice is greatly appreciated.

01-30-2005, 02:56 AM	#8
HajiMaji Offline Gold Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,081	Hey man, im vegetarian too! What you should get is "the garden of vegan" or "How it all vegan". Both are written by the same people. Everything in that book is vegan and its super easy to make. Lots of vegetarian cook books are very complicated. This stuff doesnt take a whole lotta effort and doesnt call for anything besides stuff (im assuming) you can get in japan. The food is very good and pretty healthy. I dont know if it will help you loose weight or not, but you should definately get it! Its really worth it.