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New Oregon Vegan


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Hello Everyone!

 

I'm grateful to have found you through Robert's book, "Vegan Bodybuilding."

 

My journey began in 2013, when I decided I needed help to achieve my fitness goals. My entire life I wanted to be lean and muscular, knowing I could "look like a bodybuilder." I find a local IFBB pro and hired her as a personal trainer. She thought I could be ready for the 2013 Seven Feather's show and encouraged me to compete. Not knowing which division my physique best fit, I competed in open bikini and open figure. I was 43 at the time and placed 5th in Bikini and 3rd in Figure. I loved the experience and knew instantly that I wanted to compete again. Training started in earnest and I gained 7 lbs of lean muscle in 6 months. Two weeks into my next contest prep, I was hit with some of the worst constipation I've ever experienced. My body was screaming at me, but because I already signed a contract with my trainer, I ignored the warning signs. I functioned on laxatives for the entire prep. Then, two weeks prior to competition, I started experiencing painful bloating. I asked my trainer if we should change up my meal plan and she said no, since what we were doing was working. By show time, I was 96 lbs and 6% body fat. It turned out that the. Figure division wouldn't hit the stage until 12:30 am! Of course everyone peaked at the 8 pm slot when we were supposed to hit the stage. By the time I got up there, the bloat was noticeable. I felt terrible from dehydration, fatigue, and nerves. I competed in open figure and masters figure, placing 3rd in Open, and tying for 2nd in Master's Figure. I was really happy about what I brought to the stage, but by my first "cheat meal," I knew something was terribly wrong.

 

Pain and bloating got much worse. After nearly a year of going to a slew of doctors, I tested positive for SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), leaky gut, gastroporesis from not producing enough stomach acid and digestive enzymes, hiatal hernia, inflamed iliosecal valve, severe constipation, and hemorrhoids. A serious mess! This -and the corresponding stress, caused significant fat gain, hormone imbalances, adrenal fatigue, and severe depression.

 

Fortunately, my Aunt introduced me to Dr. John McDougall and others who advocate plant -based nutrition. Now I'm devouring all of the science, from the China Study to the Starch Diet.

 

So what I'd like to learn now, is how can I get back into competitive bodybuilding? I've had a very difficult time trying to lean out. Any guidance is greatly appreciated!

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Hi Eiji,

I'm taking pro and probiotics, and eat only whole food. The healing is a "work in progress." I have good days and bad days. I eat the occasional canned, low sodium black beans or chickpeas. I'm having a hard time digesting green leafy vegetables, but seem to do much better when I do smoothies with my plant protein powder. I've been eating whole foods since March, with the occasional fish...but I immediately pay the price. I'm just not absorbing nutrients, and I can tell when I'm "off" because I gain weight, feel tired all the time, lose hair, and get pain/bloating.

 

I just started a new workout routine with my hubby and he's going vegetarian to see if it helps with his cholesterol and blood pressure. Both of us want to lean out. Me more so than him.

 

Any suggestions?

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If I were you...

I would focus on healing, rest, an light exercise until I was ready to go 100%

 

Healing- fasting: a water only fast for a weekend or more if you can take days off will turn on the body's healing process. Then ease into a strict whole foods diet. Veggies, fruits, grains, nuts, legumes and beans if you can digest them. No exercise while fasting then add light exercise while on the Daniel diet.

I is practically impossible not to lose weight eating mostly veggies and I would also suggest not using any supplements. You do not need the extra protein and you really have no idea what it is you're injesting when you take supplements.

 

Rest get plenty of sleep every night. If you find it hard to sleep you may be carb deficient and could stand to increase oats and potatoes.

 

Exercise- walking 30-60min per day

 

After 30 days of this you should be lighter on your feel and chomping at the bit to get under the bar again.

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Thank you so much!

 

Actually, I had hip surgery in June for a torn labrum (left hip cartilage), and fasted for 5 days afterward!

 

I'll give it another try over a weekend. Is the Daniel diet accessible from the Forum? I haven't heard of it, but I'm doing nothing but plant based after the fast. I'm really hoping this gets me unstuck and back under the bar again soon!

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Thank you so much!

 

Actually, I had hip surgery in June for a torn labrum (left hip cartilage), and fasted for 5 days afterward!

 

I'll give it another try over a weekend. Is the Daniel diet accessible from the Forum? I haven't heard of it, but I'm doing nothing but plant based after the fast. I'm really hoping this gets me unstuck and back under the bar again soon!

 

The Daniel diet is from the book of Daniel in the bible. After the water fast eat only raw vegetables and fruits for a week to two weeks. Then add cooked veggies, grains, nuts, seeds, and beans/legumes(if they don't cause problems). No oils or processed foods.

 

This is how I eat except I have: tofu, nut butter, rice cakes, and use minimal oil to aid cooking and olive oil on salads.

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Ohhhh! (Giggle...)

 

Question: can the veggies be blended? I have low stomach acid and digestive enzymes, so raw is difficult for me to digest. I get severe pain, bloating and constipation. Hence, one of the reasons why it's so hard to lean out!

 

Sure. Smoothies are a huge part of my diet. make sure and sip them over time instead of gulping otherwise they tend to increase hunger and total caloric intake. I use them so I can pack in the calories so I gulp them but I would sip if trying to lose weight.

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You rock! Thank you so much for the guidance!

 

The fast is planned to launch tomorrow. I'm also seeing the doc today to get some blood work done. I think I have thyroid issues...but I AM in my mid-40's, so changes are to be expected.

 

I'll keep you posted!

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