Experiments in Happiness: "Meatless In San Diego"
Monday, March 11, 2013 at 12:36PM 
Last week I talked a bit about my vision board, Happiness Bootcamp, and finding my theme for the year. Today, I'm going to tell you about a pretty substantial life change that I made around one of my theme words, ENERGY.
While for me, "energy" has a few different meanings (surrounding myself in the positive, not being tired all the time, having the mindset to be able to be a good parent and wife, etc) I realized the first step is to make a change to impact the physical part of this theme. Basically, I need to not always be exhausted. Since physical energy levels affect so much of your happiness, I decided to tackle that first. And since energy comes from our food sources, that's where I started. And?
I stopped eating meat.
I know that current diet fads are more about more meat and no grains, and that cutting out meat is not very vogue at the moment, but that is the direction I took. I don't really have a gluten allergy but I do have other health issues, mainly high blood-pressure and a history of heart disease and diverticulitis in my family, that made me weary of eating a high meat diet. After talking with my Doctor, she suggested going to more of a vegan platform, but we both felt that to be a bit extreme for me to launch into. So she challenged me to eat less meat and cut back my dairy intake. We had a follow-up appointment in four weeks, so I gave myself a month to see if I could do it, and if it made a difference in how I felt.
That was six weeks ago. Six bacon, steak, chicken and pork-free weeks ago.
Additionally, it was also 12lbs ago.
It became a challenge to me to see how long I could go, and I just did it. While there have been moments (of PMS) that I have wanted to swing through the Carl's Jr drive-thru and shove a bacon cheese burger in my mouth, for the most part it hasn't been that hard. Since it's a diet thing and not an "animal" thing, I am still eating fish and having the occasional egg.
But contrary to popular belief, I'm not just sitting around eating pasta and grilled cheese sandwhiches. In fact, since I'm limiting dairy, I haven't had a stand alone piece of cheese in 6 weeks either. Yes, I've had cheese sprinkled on things or lightly added into a dish, but I have not sat down and gotten personal with a wedge of brie or a loaf of cheddar in over a month.
So, how do I FEEL?
Actually, I feel good. I'm not bloated anymore and no longer have that "too full" feeling after eating dinner. While I'm still tired a lot, I know it's not from what I'm consuming. What I am consuming is a lot of greens and "clean food"; Kale, arugula, beans and fruit have become a go-to for me. I'm having raw almonds and avocado and some whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and farrow. I've been so bored of food that it's actually been a nice change-up for me. Having to go outside my comfort zone for food, I've discovered a few things that I really like that I hadn't thought of eating before.
I'm not sure this is a permanent change for me, but the funny thing is that I don't think I'll go back to chicken.. I do miss a good steak, and I'm sure this summer I will need to break down and eat carnitas at some point. But right now I'm almost afraid to. My digestive system has adjusted, and I fear what a burger may do to it.
An interesting side note is that it's caused me to start cooking more and experimenting in the kitchen. Tonight I made a toasted quinoa and kale salad, the other day I used "hemp hearts" on a salad (que college drug paraphernalia joke). I've never paid attention to the vegetarian area of restaurants menus before, and I'm kinda digging this change up in my diet.
Experiment Outcome: So far, so good. But I can't guarantee I won't be swayed by a good 'ole Santa Maria tri-tip sandwich in the future.
Reader Comments (13)
I am so proud of you! You are doing a bang up job sticking to your goal and seeing results! Next GNO we will have to head to Native Foods Cafe or Naked Cafe.
Good job girl. Didn't mean to brag about my loaf :). Now share some recipes.
HAHA Randy! It's okay. One day soon I may find myself face down in a meat loaf licking the plate. HAHAHA.
Thanks Nicole! Wanting to try that place!
Woot! Great job girlie!!! Its hard to do but so worth it. And look how long you've kept at it. Im so proud of you! How'd the Fam liking meatless? Do they do it everyday too?
Since Oct I've eaten red meat half a dozen times maybe. I've also lost 16 pounds. I'm slowly weaning myself off meat. And potatoes. And cheese. It sucks but I've got to. I'm also trying to be gluten free to help with bloating. So... maybe we can share recipes. I'm not sure what quinoa is but it looked super yummy!!! And what are hemp hearts? Can ya smoke 'em? *giggle* sorry. Had to.
this is so great. if you ever have any questions - feel free to ask away! good luck and i'm proud of you!
So excited. Getting started is the hardest part but seeing results and feeling better makes you want to keep going. Good luck to you in reaching all of the little steps to get to your goal.
Interesting. I just started eating Paleo. HA! I find it so fascinating that some people feel great on a vegan diet and some on paleo. I think the key is eating real, whole foods and keeping portion sizes down. I find it easier to eat smaller amounts when I'm limiting certain food groups, although I'm not sure why that is. Anyway, I'm happy you've found something that's working for you. And YAY for the 12 lbs!!!
check you OUT!! I agree with Jo-Lynne - some people's bodys do great vegetarian and some do not. I eat poultry maybe twice a month and I still struggle with weight. But I LOVE reading about your energy!
Wow - good for you!!! I do not do well with skipping or limiting cheese but I could do meatless for a while. Congrats on the weight loss.
I have pondered cutting back on meat and dairy but my family loves them so much it would make for more work than help it seems.
Good for you!!
Way to go. I've gone the opposite and increased my meat intake by following a Paleo diet and have lost over 20lbs in 2 months. I think the coming swimsuit season is a big motivator for getting into shape!
I am so food dumb when it comes to experimenting. I need concrete recipes to try something new. I did an experiment two years ago with having a dietician plan my meals to start eating healthier and it worked really well. I gave up caffeine completely and haven't gone back, matter of fact when I tried to drink half a can of Dr Pepper or a glass of tea my body had developed a sensitivity to it and I felt awful. Now I only consume water and do eat slightly better. I eat chicken and some red meats but might try some more raw foods and see how it goes.