Meet Suzy. She’s a determined person who decided to start a healthy plant-based diet to lose weight. Just like many others, she faced two common problems that made it hard for her to succeed. In this blog, we’ll talk about these challenges and give some tips to help Suzy and others like her reach their weight loss goals.
Two Common Mistakes When Starting Plant-Based Eating:
1. Eating primarily salads and other non-starchy veggies (yuck)
2. Not eating enough food (thinking hunger equals success, which is also yuck)
Starches Help with Feeling Full and Energy
Suzy was excited to start her plant-based diet to lose weight, but she quickly ran into the first problem: Eating the wrong foods or should I say, not eating enough of the right kind of plant-based foods. She thought that only non-starchy veggies like salads, broccoli, and carrots would help her lose weight. While these veggies are important, Suzy soon learned that she also needed to eat foods like sweet potatoes, brown rice, regular potatoes, squash, and beans. These foods are not only healthy but also give her the energy she needs and help her feel full. I made the same mistake when I started my plant-based journey to lose weight over 7 years ago. Remember, it’s not just about salads and non-starchy vegetables.
With this newfound knowledge, Suzy embraced a more balanced approach to her plant-based diet. She discovered exciting new recipes that incorporated a variety of plant-based foods. For instance, she learned to make hearty sweet potato bowls with black beans and roasted vegetables, and comforting lentil soups. These meals not only satisfied her taste buds but also kept her feeling full and nourished.
Being Full Leads to Sustainable Lifestyle Change!
However, Suzy’s challenges didn’t end there. She encountered the second common pitfall: the fear of eating too much. Like many individuals trying to lose weight, Suzy had grown used to counting calories and minimizing her food intake, even when she was still hungry. Suzy thought being hungry was a sign that she was doing this “right”. She soon realized that this approach was not sustainable. She was very accustomed to both calorie counting and experiencing hunger when she was on a “diet”. With plant-based eating, neither one of these is necessary or recommended.
Intuitive Eating
To overcome this fear, Suzy began listening to her body’s hunger and fullness cues. She learned to trust herself and eat when she was truly hungry and stop eating when she felt comfortably full. Suzy discovered the beauty of intuitive eating, where she nourished her body based on its needs rather than rigid calorie restrictions.
Implementing intuitive eating principles into her plant-based weight loss journey was transformative for Suzy. She no longer felt deprived or anxious about food. Instead, she enjoyed her meals mindfully, savoring each bite and appreciating the nourishment her plant-based diet provided.
Suzy’s success story serves as a reminder to others pursuing a plant-based weight loss approach. It’s not just about what you eat, but also how you nourish your body. By incorporating a variety of foods, including complex carbohydrates, and overcoming the fear of eating too much, it becomes very possible to achieve their weight loss goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Start Small
If you find yourself in a similar situation to Suzy, remember that small changes can make a big difference. For example, you can begin by focusing on just one meal such as breakfast a few times a week. Experiment with different recipes and explore the wide range of flavors and textures that plant-based eating offers. It could be a simple recipe such as 1,2,3 Oats which takes less than 6 minutes to prepare.
Experimentation Mindset
Embrace the concept of experimentation. If it doesn’t work, no worries. It was just an experiment. Shift your focus from calorie counting to mindful eating, paying attention to your body’s signals of hunger and fullness.
Pursuing a plant-based weight loss journey can be a transformative and empowering experience. However, it’s important to avoid common pitfalls that may hinder your progress. Suzy’s story highlights two key challenges faced by many individuals: (1) Not eating the right kinds of foods and (2) Fear of eating too much.
Here is a video that I recently made about the topic of common pitfalls when beginning a plant-based journey to lose weight.
(Apologies for the goofy look on my face… lol)
By incorporating a variety of plant-based foods into your diet, including complex carbs like sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, squash, and beans, you can ensure that your body receives the necessary nutrients for sustainable weight loss. Remember that non-starchy vegetables are essential, but they shouldn’t be the sole focus of your meals.
Throughout your plant-based weight loss journey, embrace the beauty of mindful eating. Enjoy your meals, savor the flavors, and appreciate the nourishment that a plant-based diet provides. Remember that success is not solely defined by the numbers on a scale but by your overall well-being and satisfaction with your healthy lifestyle.
Support
Remember, you are not alone on this journey. Seek support from a health coach, join online communities, or connect with like-minded individuals who share your goals. Together, you can navigate the challenges, celebrate the victories, and create a sustainable and fulfilling plant-based lifestyle.
Now is the time to take charge of your health and embrace the incredible benefits of a plant-based diet. Start by making small changes, experimenting with new recipes, and learning to listen to your body. Your plant-based weight loss journey awaits, and with the right mindset and approach, success is well within your reach.
So, are you ready to overcome the common pitfalls and embark on a transformative plant-based weight loss journey? Let’s embrace the power of plants and unlock a healthier, happier you.
If you find this information relatable and want to talk more about it, please don’t hesitate to contact me for a free 30-minute call, and there’s no pressure to commit to anything. Over the past five years, I’ve assisted many individuals in improving their health and shedding pounds by adopting a plant-based way of living. During our calls, we cover practical details, goals, building good habits, and maintaining long-term success.
You can also watch a video where one of my clients, Clare, shares her plant-based journey and the fantastic results she achieved.
To you Better Health!
You Got This!
This blog is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to CoachMikeThomas.com