#30DaysAVegan
There comes a point in every woman’s life when she realizes that a change has to be made and new proverbial leaves must be turned over in order to implement this change. This does not happen to be one of those times. In fact, as I write this; I’m dreaming about ripping apart an entire boat of sushi rolls, but I find myself in need of a way to lose weight. The weight in question is a pesky 10 pounds that I was recently awarded due to my diligence and perseverance in the art of eating, sleeping and generally engaging in activities that require minimal to no effort. In any case, there is a supply of fat; therefore, there exists a demand for a proper diet and exercise regimen.
My wakeup call came soon after I saw the amazing bodies of the ladies who play Carnival in Trinidad; they have rock solid abs and their jiggles only jiggle when they want them to. I was having a discussion with my editor about it, as he just came back from the very same Carnival I was watching online. He confirmed that it is not Photoshop and those women are, in fact, that ripped! But really, though, tell me how you really feel, boss. The more I stared at those women, the more I became ensnared by the idea that I would have to be covering St. Maarten’s carnival this season, because I just love volunteering for Kamikaze assignments.
It’s much easier being behind the camera, where there is no evidence of your weight gain, but what happens when you have to go outside and you can’t shake meeting people you know? They’ll give you those not so subtle glances up and down your body as they circle and lock eyes with the new gut you’ve developed. I might as well walk around with a huge neon sign flashing: “Insecure about my gut.” In addition to my pudge, which for the sake of being a bit more light-hearted I will be calling Gutty, I knew that I would have to be sampling and reviewing booth food for the paper. Food in the carnival booths is never aimed at health in the way it aims to please and satisfy the palate. Gutty would have a sister soon and she would take me up a few dress sizes.
I really screwed myself. I haven’t gone shopping in a long time, because avoiding the full-length mirrors is much easier than facing them. Also, I’ve never been the type to try to cloak my new weight with larger clothes, partly because I’m inexperienced about how to dress up my pooch and not to mention it’s not healthy to avoid and cover up something that is clearly uncomfortable.
Usually when there is a problem, Google is the first place people run to. They try to overload themselves with information, but that is the last thing I would recommend anyone do. Do not Google weight loss or how to lose it. That’s a rabbit hole nobody is ready for. Everyone is guaranteeing how his or her product will take you from Uncle Fester to Lurch in 10 days or how this miracle fruit can cure weight gain forever. There is no healthy way to lose weight immediately and no singular product that will cause you to lose weight in a healthy way. But how do I get rid of Gutty?
I knew the answers and feared the reality bomb I was about to drop on myself. It was at that point I closed my laptop, sat back and reassessed exactly when I started gaining and what I was doing or wasn’t in addition to what I was eating and what I wasn’t. I knew the answers almost as soon as I’d asked myself. A younger version of myself went through the same thing one summer, and I dedicated myself to losing the weight that offended me so badly. I had vowed to make myself the best version of me I could be, Army recruitment style. I binge watched documentaries on healthy eating, veganism and everything in between. I did extensive work in the gym and managed to lose and keep off the weight. That was when I had more time on my hands to do what I wanted, when I wanted and there was access to Whole Foods right around the corner.
The Rules:
I really can’t bare exercise. It was much more fun when I was younger and briefly played with the idea of becoming a fitness blogger, but I soon found out that I lacked the motivation and attention span required to be someone who plans meals and schedules gym time. Now, I have a job and every free hour I get is spent sleeping. Because of this, I do have a handicap, but I am very diligent when it comes to other things, like debunking myths and doing projects. If I am able to fool myself into thinking that I am doing this for the sake of my readers and research, I may be able to get some great results.
1. One day must be dedicated to physical training of some sort, as the weeks increase, so will the number of required workout days. Week 1 means one day, week 2 means two days, etc.
2. No meat, eggs, dairy or any other animal by-product.
3. Anything consumed must have very minimal processing. Vegan alternatives to a lot of food can be found in different places, which are helpful during the transitional phases from meat eating to veganism, but for my own purpose, the best idea is to stick to vegetables in their natural state.
4. Water. Lots of water. I will drink all of the water. Everywhere. Or maybe just a gallon bottle.
5. Once a week will be dedicated to detoxing/fasting of some sort, e.g., all-day water fasting.
6. Very little alcohol and refined sugars. These are enemies that people consume on a daily, but are unaware that they contribute to weight gain in a big way.
What I expect:
I want to look like Jourdan Dunn! No, not really. I’m too short. But I do expect to lose a lot of toxins from my body. The ideal outcome will be to lose the 10 pounds I gained and tone up the remaining muscle mass. In addition to that, I would like to discover how easy it is to be vegan on St. Maarten, the island where the national dish is chicken legs and Johnnycakes. Can it be done? Can I really transform Gutty into Abby?
Tune in to the next editions of Health & Beauty to see my progress, pictures of the food and some essential recipes that I altered to fit my needs. For more updated posts follow my official Instagram @revelry360 where I post daily about different experiments I will be trying in the name of journalism.
