vegan weight loss?

i'm a recent convert to veganism, and while weight loss wasn't my biggest motivator, i'll admit it was a factor. i've been meat/dairy free for a little over a month now, and while i feel 100% healthier, i also feel 100% the same weight :). has anyone had a similar experience? is there something else i need to be doing? i'm committed now to maintaining my vegan lifestyle regardless, but i would be interested to hear other perspectives...

Hi acarr...weight loss was a big motivator for me as well.  I have lost about 25 pounds in the past 3 months since becoming Vegan.  I just try to keep my calories down but I don't count any calories that come from fruit or veggies.  Just things like couscous, beans, etc.  I measure everything according to what is a serving. 

Not sure if that will help you or not.

When I stopped eating dairy, the kilos fell off dramatically. But now that I'm eating healthily, it's a little harder to lose.

If I cut back on fats and carbs (by skipping a beautiful vegan dessert, say) that has a small effect. So basically, calorie counting helps me lose now.

I intend to restart swimming  (now that my suit will fit comfortably again!) and hope that will shape and tone the weight I have. Maybe even add more in muscle!

i have previously GAINED weight as a vegan and know others who have, too.  unfortunately, just because something is vegan doesn't make it healthy!  vegan fare can still be loaded with fat, sugar, salt, etc.

make sure that you are getting almost more fruit and fresh veggies than you can stand!  make it your goal to fill up on fruit and vegetables as much as possible.  they are full of fiber, protein,  GOOD carbohydrates, and important phytonutrients that you can't get elsewhere.  the more fruit and veg you eat, the less you will crave other foods!  apart from that, eat a wide variety of beans and whole grains like brown rice, millet, bulgar, barley, QUINOA. 

it's best to keep it simple and natural; combine wth moderate exercise, and you should start looking as good as you feel in no time.  just make sure that your calorie intake stays at a suitable level [pretty much in the 1200-1700 range depending on your stats] and drink lots and lots of water!

just by cutting out meat and dairy, you wont lose weight if you make up for those high calorie foods like red meat and cheese, by eating a lot of carbs... which convert right to fat if you arent excersizing enough :) Ive noticed a lot of people who are vegan eat tons of bread products and pasta because they are filling and easy ( i used to). you may also try getting the light variety of tofu, if you eat tofu, and look at calories in sauces and stuff... and dont have it fried! also, vegan butter and a lot of the "fake" meats and cheeses are really not very good for you, or low in calories. this goes with vegan butter spread and vegenaise.

hopefully that is helpful :)

oh, and eat a lot of salad.

Soya cheese and icecream are very high in fat. Beans and lentils are very good for you - in moderation. My son has been vegan for years but when he first started he put on a terrific amount of weight and I found out he was using lots of oil in his cooking - he said that olive oil is good for you - it is but not by using lots of it in everything you cook. Soya cheese on toast and big wedges of home made pizza was his favourite standbyes followed by ice-cream.

He has now lost the weight and looks at the packets of everything he buys now he has realised how much fat he was eating. I don't eat dairy products and meat but still watch what I eat - keep to smaller portions and keep it low fat. Lots of salads and stirfries with small portions of protein and carbs.

you have to remember just becuase its vegan doesnt mean u can eat all you want...that was my issue

...i thought that vegan food (because it was basiclly all plant based) meant there where not to many calories WRONG...theres alota high calorie vegan foods out there...
(im also gluten free so those bread are also high in calories and carbs)

...but my hardest thing to give up was potatoes & olive oil...i love them ( to the point of eatting them everyday)...but they are high in calories and carbs....

...as well be carefull of how much grains you eat and make sure there whole grains ( not that refined white crap)...also the vegan substitues usually arent too good for you (some even have trans fats in them) so eat those in moderation...

im now realizing most of this was covered...lol...well i guess ill add my 2cents anyway 

good luck :)

I was over weight as a meat eater and as a vegan. I recently lost 50 lbs, still vegan, by cutting out fat, refined or processed foods, sugar, and measuring portions. I have been eating alot of bean and veg soups because they are filling and nutritious but relatively low in calories. I do not eat bread or pasta at all. I think you can eat any vegan food if you are conscious of portion size and calorie intake. I just personally find carbs and sweets addictive and more-ish

Feeling the same weight is no substitute for getting on the scales and seeing what the reality is.  That's probably the first thing to check.  And if it turns out you need to lose weight then you'd have to do what everyone else does...... watch the portions (or count the calories), eat slightly less than you need to maintain your weight & do more exercise.

 

It's easy to gain weight or stay the same while maintaining a vegan lifestyle, there is a ton of really yummy junk food and other convenience items that will help with that. So you just have to watch what you eat and move more, kind of like in any other situation. When becoming vegetarian and vegan I was in my teens and early twenties, I think my weight was still adjusting itself as I was growing and maturing into adulthood so that wasn't something that I focused on. Try to eat healthy and enjoy treats in moderation, I tend to keep to a mostly whole foods diet with a few "meat" or other processed things added for convenience and to keep things interesting. It's really great that you are committed to this no matter, it's a big change in lifestyle even if the scale stays the same. Make sure you are eating balanced meals and getting all that you need to be healthy and happy.