My New Year's Resolution

This year I am making a vow to myself, and to others. This is the last year I am making a resolution to lose weight and "get healthy". I have all the tools, all the support, etc., and I have let my laziness get the better of me. The main reason for my "last year of weight loss resolution" is that I am sick and tired of letting my confidence and self-worth be valued by my pants size. I've let that negative self talk convince me that I am insignificant and that my weight should embarass me and make me hide in my house (which I have done on occasion b/c I'm afraid of being in the company of others). So I vow to do two things; lose weight and stop beating myself up.

I am sure I will enjoy too many treats on the cruise, but I am greatly looking forward to returning to a healthier lifestyle. I have been following a vegetarian diet for the past 3 weeks in preparation for the cruise, and although cheese tastes like Heaven, I am really looking forward to return to MD a reborn Vegan. And although my knee is in no shape for running or even brisk walking, I look forward to a slow but steady return to the gym...a habit that I have let go over the years, but realize it is important. I want to be healthy darnit, and I want to fit in my old clothes-both of these things are important to me, but the healthy part is most important. I want to have kids (eventually, still need that ring, marriage, etc.) and figure now is the time to be healthy so I can be in good physical (and mental) health when it's time for childbearing.

I realize I'm ranting a bit, but I'm also asking for some help. I would like you, dear readers, to be my accountability partners. The way I will do this is with a once a week HONEST blog about the challenges, victories, etc of the weight loss, as well, GASP, my weight. Yeah, I will admit my real weight, and although it starts out a little embarassing, I am hoping that soon I will be proud of the changes I've made. So I thank you in advance. I'm done with this yo-yo b.s. I'm ready to enjoy my life- heavy, slim, healthy, active, etc. I want my life back, no more wallowing in chocolate.

The 30 Day Vegan

After reading the book, Skinny Bitch, I was propelled into returning to a healthy lifestyle...it's been about 10 years since I was a vegetarian, but I want to try eating a vegan diet. I was reading a lot about the environmental and social impacts of eating meat, and I was ashamed of myself for "forgetting" the treatment of animals that stopped me from eating meat so long ago. Unfortunately, I'll be pulling a Tawnya (say it isn't so!) and will not cease to eat sushi. I won't eat fish as a meal, per se, but I will not eat any animal product with one exception-raw fish. I took a long, hard look at myself and realized that there is no way that I will give up my sushi; not for health, not for the environment, not for my love of all animals, even the slimy kind.

Vegan isn't the only thing. I am going to completely eliminate all refined and processed foods. I just want to see what happens. I know that processed and hydrogenated foods aren't good for a person, so I'm going to try to cut them out of my diet.

I want to make a clarification. I am not doing this to lose weight. I can lose weight if I just follow Weight Watchers and exercise (two things I haven't been doing well this year, but I CAN do it-I've proven that before!), but I'd like to be healthy. I'd like to treat my body with the respect it deserves. So let's see what happens. I'm going to start on Monday, as I've already agreed to attend a lovely Easter feast care of Mircea's mom and I don't think I can convince her to keep it vegan. In fact, I'm sure of it.

I created a blog The 30 Day Vegan, but it might not work for a few days because it was flagged as a "spam blog" but Blogger assures me that since I'm a real person, it will be fixed and I'll be able to keep a log of my 30 days.

I'm Working on a Plan

I’m not quite ready to begin my journey into veganism. I’ve been reading some different books and articles lately and I feel that it will be a healthy lifestyle, but I’m just not ready to give up my sushi. In fact, I’m pretty sure that after the 30 days, I will once again eat sushi, but I will probably attempt to avoid all other animal products.

Although I wish to lose weight, I am not looking at this as the way to lose weight. I really would like to maintain a healthier lifestyle. I don’t want anymore trans fats, processed foods, or refined carbohydrates. I’m sick and tired of feeling like a pig eating sweets, when the happiness from those items is only temporary.

There will be a lot of obstacles on this journey. I have a Romanian boyfriend who is in LOVE with meat, all kinds of meat. Seriously, we eat cows stomachs (tripe), and he eats pig’s ears and the like. So whether or not I eat meat, I’ll still be around it all the time, and that will be tempting (other than the pig ears). I am also going to be traveling to San Diego in a few weeks and I want to dine at my favorite sushi restaurant, so I’m considering easing into the veganism, but still partaking in sushi for that trip. I just couldn’t give up my sushi…I can switch to brown rice, but I can’t say no to my raw fish!

There will also be a lot of help on this journey. I have a friend who is trying to cut out processed foods and we will help each other with some tips and tricks for finding the good stuff. I also have a friend who read the same book as I did and propelled herself into a healthier lifestyle, so I will use her for support as well. Finally, I started an organic vegetable garden. I’m not sure how it will turn out, but if it goes well, I will have a wonderful, fresh bounty to enjoy in my new lifestyle.

When I do begin, I will post how I’m feeling, how the food is affecting me, etc. I’m sure I’ll have a bad attitude the first few days, but in the end, I will be a lot happier and healthier.