Lab Results After Eating Vegan for 4 Months – Was it worth it?

I think the answer will be obvious.

I’ve been anxiously waiting for my complete lab results to be taken. But then again, I have anxiety so I’m pretty much anxious about everything.

Nearly four months ago my gf and I decided to embark on this journey of going vegan. For me, it was all about my health and wanting to see if I could get off of the dozen pills I take every morning.

So before starting, I went to the VA and had my blood work done.

I’d love to say that I was shocked by the results, but in all honesty, I knew that I hadn’t been taking care of myself for years, so I went in knowing they would be bad.

And they were.

But more on that in a sec.

As I mentioned in a previous post, we decided to do this after watching the Netflix show “What the Health.”

Yes, it was over the top dramatic. Yes, there were some things we didn’t quite believe. But it still planted the seed. So we did it.

For the most part, I have been completely vegan the entire time. There was one time where I was inadvertently eating egg, and then there was a week where I did have cheese while on vacation.

I also tried some buffalo wings that week and could only stomach one and a half wings before giving up.

But other than that, I have been strict.

And it has been so much easier than I thought it would be.

A couple months after going vegan, I went to the VA for a follow-up, thinking that I was having a full set of  labs taken, but that wasn’t the case. So I had to wait until last Friday for the results.

The negative – weight loss. More specifically, the lack of it.

I’ve actually gained a few pounds.

I think that I’m eating too many nuts during the day. Yes, they are vegan, but also high in calories, so I have given up my daily routine of snacking on pistachios.

Now the results.

Four months ago (actually three and a half), I had the following results:

Fasting Glucose – 430

A1C – 14.1

Cholesterol – 292

LDL – 253

Blood Pressure – 141/100

So yeah, not good…at all.

Here is where I am now:

Fasting Glucose – 81

A1C – 6.5

Cholesterol – 178

LDL – 95

Blood Pressure – I’m going to use my two month reading since I am battling a cold and it was slightly higher than at two months, but it was 117/77.

Those are HUGE improvements, especially in just under four months!

My doctor was very proud to announce that they must have my diabetes meds on point. He was shocked when I told him I had only been taking half the dosage because my blood sugar was dropping below 70.

According to him, he had never seen such a dramatic improvement with diet alone.

So, is it working? I think the answer is clear.

I go back to the VA in four months for more blood work and to see if I can start coming off of some of my meds.

What do you think? Have you had similar results by adopting a vegan lifestyle?

Six-Week Veganism Results

My highly anticipated (by me) date finally arrived. It was time to make my way to the VA and have my lab work done. It had been six weeks since I began this culinary journey into the depths of plant-based eating.

To recap, initially I was going to try this for four weeks and see how it looked; however, my doctor informed me that she really needed six weeks to see the difference in my labs.

So I agreed.

During this period I did not cheat a single time – although I did unintentionally have a few bites of a meal with egg in it. Once it was noticed, I was done.

As far as cravings – very minimal.

Detox – nothing that I can point to.

Results – well, I wish I had better news to report, but let me explain.

Having had the detailed discussion with my doctor about my lifestyle change, I was very curious to see all of my lab results. Glucose, Cholesterol, Calcium, B12…I really wanted to see the effects.

Unfortunately, all of those labs weren’t ordered. So I have nothing to report about my cholesterol…yet. I go back in two months for a complete set.

So, first off, weight loss. According to my weight at the VA I have lost a little over nine pounds! Additionally, I have lost an inch across my waist.

Glucose – my readings were consistently in the 300’s prior to starting. Yeah – that’s not good. That’s major diabetes.  I am now in the 110’s – 130’s. Still diabetic, but a huge difference in only six weeks.

Both calcium and B12 are in the normal ranges.

I specifically chose NOT to take any supplements during this period as I wanted to see the effects of the diet alone, so that was a welcome result.

A few other changes – my resting heart rate has gone from the mid 90’s to the mid 70’s.

Also, and this was another big one – my blood pressure. I went from 150/91 six weeks ago, to 117/79!

Last week I was noticing my energy level dropping though. So I have started taking a multi-vitamin with B12 to help with that. I don’t know if it really starts working right away or if it’s in my mind, but I do already feel better this week.

So, I consider everything a success so far. I go back on December 8 for more labs and will see how I’m progressing and decide if this is what I plan on sticking with.

Thanks for the words of encouragement that I have received and questions you have asked. Please feel free to continue.

Three Weeks of Vegan Eating!

Three weeks of vegan eating – five words that I never imagined I would say in that order. But, here I am!

Still alive.

My body didn’t eat all it’s muscles because of all that protein people said I wouldn’t get.

To recap – After watching the Netflix documentary What the Health we decided to try a vegan lifestyle for four weeks. The timing was perfect because I was scheduled to have my blood labs done, and I already knew that my cholesterol, among other labs were not going to be good.

After explaining to my doctor my dietary plan, she informed me that she felt I needed to go at least six weeks to see relevant changes in my blood, so that moved the burgers from my lips out another two weeks if I didn’t like what was going on.

Initially I imagined this blog post being the pro’s and con’s to date; however, I am surprised (and happy) to note that I don’t currently have any con’s!

Has it been tough not having animal based foods?

Not really.

Ok…so we have to be more detailed when shopping. But is that really so bad? I mean, I was pretty detailed when picking out the best ribeye.

I almost did have an accident on the very first morning though. I was in a two day meeting and someone brought in two dozen Krispy Kreme donuts. Without even thinking I started to grab one before I remembered what I had embarked on.

As far as cravings go, extremely minimal. Perhaps my biggest surprise so far.

Look, I’ve done just about every diet out there, and usually a few hours in I’m craving everything I’m not supposed to have. But that hasn’t been the case. Yes, when I drive by Wendy’s I remember how good a cheeseburger from there would taste, but I haven’t had ANY urge to cave.

This past weekend we were at a child’s birthday party. They had a ton of Chick-Fil-A nuggets. That was the closest I’ve been to really wanting a meat product. Instead I ate a couple servings of mixed fruit.

I’m not going to be able to say that I’ve gone the entire time without animal though. After the birthday party we stopped at a Thai restaurant for dinner. We carefully explained our dietary needs to the server, who seemed to clearly understand us. (I even tried Tofu again…meh.)

After I was about half way through my Pad Thai, Turtle noticed that I had egg in my meal. I ate a couple more bites, pushing the egg aside before mentally starting to feel nauseous.

Oh well…I tried my best.

As far as weight loss, I’ve been all over the map. I’ve gone up two pounds from my starting weight, and down two pounds. Nothing absolute to report.

But…I have lost an inch around my waist already, so that’s awesome!

I haven’t noticed any of the detox symptoms others have mentioned. So that’s definitely another “pro” in my book.

A couple products that we have used that we both enjoy:

Also – this recipe for slow cooker chili was delish! But to be honest, everything we have cooked is something we will continue to eat regardless if we maintain our vegan lifestyle or not.

https://www.peta.org/recipes/slow-cooker-chili/

So, halfway to my next labs…so far so good!

Please send me your comments or words of support as my journey continues!

Time for (another) Change: Goodbye Animals, Hello Plants

I love me some meats.

I would not be unusual to start off the day with a chicken fried steak (with gravy of course) and three eggs. Follow that up with a massive cheeseburger for lunch and then grill a nice fatty 16 ounce rib eye for dinner. A big bowl of ice cream as a dessert chaser.

Just typing that menu sounds delightful.

Yesterday I became a vegan.

Yes, THAT vegan. The type of vegan that has a bunch of memes like:

Yesterday I went cold turkey…or cold tofurkey…I’m not really sure yet how to speak like a vegan…lol

vēɡən/ veg·an

noun

1.

a person who does not eat or use animal products.

“I’m a strict vegan”

adjective

2.

using or containing no animal products:

“a vegan diet”

So no more meat, dairy, honey…anything that comes from something with a face, I think.

I suppose the question I’ve gotten the most from people is, “Why?”

Understandable.

First off, we watched that Netflix documentary What the Health. If you have seen it you were probably as disturbed as I was. Sure, there were things that were definitely…umm…a little over the top and overacted. There have also been plenty of articles debunking some of what was presented.

Regardless, what it did do was open my mind to doing my own research on the health benefits of a plant-based culinary lifestyle.

Based on the menu of my lifestyle I mentioned earlier, it should be clear that I am not healthy. The timing was perfect since I had to go to the VA and have some new labs tested, so I figured I could try this for four weeks and see if there was a difference. Four weeks should be manageable, right?

The first thing my physician said was four weeks wasn’t going to be enough time to see a difference in my lab results, so now I had to try this 180 degree food change for six weeks.

When my lab results were back, I’m a mess. Super high cholesterol and sugar. High risk for every side effect you see on those late night commercials.

Except for having an erection that lasts for more than four hours.

So, the path has been set. For at least the next six weeks it’s all plant-based foods.

I’ll post some of the recipes we make and some of the vegan products that I found to be enjoyable. I will also talk about the detox (if I have it), and how I’m feeling, including weight loss and other side effects I have.

I’ll also be sure to respond to any questions that get sent my way about how I’m doing, so don’t be shy about commenting.

I hope to post each week, maybe more, maybe less.

How’s that for commitment?

Final Day for Free Book!

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We Should All Just Drink More Bloody Marys and Tell the Truth

The End.

The Maze

I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching lately.

Ok, more than a lot…

I sometimes feel like I am in purgatory. Not heaven, not hell.

I sometimes get to touch heaven. Taste it. Embrace it. Let it envelope me. Let me enjoy it.

Relax.

Avoid the chaos.

But my life rides on a pendulum. I am only there for a brief moment before I begin the long, agonizing ride back.

My past haunts me.

My present mocks me.

My future is a tease.

I am “starting over” in life. I never spent time thinking about what that meant until recently.

Starting over.

Examining your past. Looking at what you bring to the table. Realizing what you damaged.

I have painfully come to the realization that my accomplishments in life have been small.

Insignificant.

If I had to write down a list of my accomplishments I would not get far past “being a father.”

I get by.

I got by.

And now I have entered a maze. There is the light at the exit, but my past has created the walls.

They are thick.

They are tall.

I can’t see over them.

They have no cracks for me to peek through.

The walls are my past. They keep me trapped. They lead me to dead ends. They tease me with different entrances.

But they always take me back.

For a brief period I see my heaven. I feel the love. I feel the caring. I feel the emotions. I can see such a wonderful future. I think I may finally get there.

But it is short lived.

I return to the chaos.

My pendulum descends.

Tired.

Sad.

Anxious.

Depressed.

Lonely.

My heaven is strong. She is patient. She understands. She gives me hope. She surrounds me.

Can I escape my walls?

 

Smiling Inside

I’ve been learning a lot about myself lately. It’s amazing what you can learn when someone is suddenly paying attention and challenging your ways.

Last week I blogged about happiness and hope.

Happiness is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately…mostly because I have been happy.

A few years ago I went to a comedy club with some friends. When we left one of them asked if I had fun. I said that the comedian was pretty funny.

“But you didn’t even laugh.”

It dawned on me that I’m not very good at showing that type of emotion. I could really find something to be funny, but I would laugh inside.

Just like if I saw something worth smiling, I would just smile inside.

I didn’t have that physical release.

Why?

I think it could be that to show that emotion would be to open myself up too much. I like my masks.

They keep me safe.

Whether I have my earbuds in with no music; pretend talking on the phone; wearing sunglasses on cloudy days; or sarcasm, I use them all.

I’m good at deflecting a conversation to something else.

But that has been changing.

I have found someone where I want to laugh out loud.

I smile all the time – with my mouth.

When I say I’m happy, I’m not deflecting to avoid the truth.

She tells me almost every day that I deserve to be loved.

I’ve had a difficult time accepting that; but really, don’t we all deserve it?

Don’t we all deserve to be so happy that we can actually show it?

Right now I will smile for real just by reading a text. I even “lol”. Sometimes there may even be a snort mixed in there.

That release has been good for me.

Good for my soul.

I’m not coming out of my shell; I’m just enjoying the turtle life more.

Skipping Funerals

There are many things that my wife, the hippy, does as an extrovert that I just don’t understand.

Last week there was a fatal crash in town where a teenage female lost her life.

Tragic, no doubt.

I didn’t know her, nor do I know any of her family members that I know of.

She was the daughter of a friend of a friend of my wife. My wife had never met her. May have never met her parents either…she’s not sure. But when the name was released, my wife went into full emotional crisis mode.

She was calling up friends of hers to let them know the news. She was trying to find out when the funeral was going to be. She was doing everything someone would do who had ties to the family.

But she really doesn’t.

And this is not a unique circumstance.

She attends more funerals each year than I have attended in my entire life. It’s not that I don’t care; I just don’t want to go to a funeral for someone I don’t know. They are sad enough as is.

Plus, being the introvert I am, I don’t want to have a conversation begin with a family member or someone who truly cared for and loved the departed where it becomes obvious I didn’t know them.

I am uncomfortable attending birthday parties for people I don’t know. I am uncomfortable attending weddings for people I don’t know.

There should be no doubt that I would be uncomfortable attending a funeral for someone I don’t know.

Instead I will be leaving work early to pick my son up from school since my wife will be going.

Reflecting on the “what ifs” in life

After a week in Washington DC, and then a week in Dallas, I decided to take back-to-back four day weekends.

It was VERY needed.

Too many after-hours “get togethers”, hot temps, high humidity, and airports.

One thing that I completely enjoy living here in Montana is the ability to go fishing for some massive trout.

Fishing is an interesting activity, especially when doing it by myself. Each day I spent at least four hours out on the water with nothing to do but think…and recharge.

After the mandatory thoughts about if my bait is still on after casting, do I have enough leader, is it the right bait, and if I should put on bug spray, my mind started wandering to more reflective thoughts.

Mostly I spent many hours thinking about “what if”.

Having just recently turned 42 and dealing with depression, I have been doing a lot of reflecting on my life, and how it would have been different with some of the decisions I made through the years.

Probably the most important decision I made early on was to join the Army. I joined the summer of my senior year in high school, mostly because I really didn’t have any plans for when I graduated. I wasn’t the best student, and honestly I never really considered what was going to happen when I was no longer in school. College wasn’t an interest, but neither was working in fast food.

It’s hard for me to imagine my life had I not joined. The Army allowed me to travel the world. It allowed me to see how my life growing up was really sheltered to the struggles people in other nations suffered. This was way before the Internet age, so the only real knowledge I had about poverty and suffering was the commercials about the drought and starvation happening in Ethiopia. That was basically it.

I knew nothing about Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, or any other war-torn country. Terrorism was something that was happening in Ireland. Racism and gangs were newspaper articles.

But much of my time reflecting on the “what if” goes back to the day I decided not to reenlist. Where would I be in life had I decided to stay in? As much as I struggled in High School, once I was out I became a sponge for knowledge. I re-took my ASVAB and scored very high. In fact, when it was time to reenlist the recruiter told me that I could have nearly any job I wanted in the Army and could choose whatever base I wanted.

I was seriously considering becoming a combat photographer. But I was too young and dumb and figured I could just get out and become successful wherever I landed.

It was a major wake-up when I landed here in Montana with no skills, no job, and no money.

That was 20 years ago.

A lifetime ago.

Where would I be had I stayed in?

We have been in war forever. People I served with have died in battle. Would that have been me too?

Would I be married? Would I have children?

I know that I wouldn’t have the son I have now. Wyatt is the most important thing in my life. Yes, he even rates above my wife. That may sound harsh, but it’s true. I think she would say the same about me.

That’s one thing that I always thought about in the movie “The Family Man” with Nick Cage. He ends up with the woman he should have, but the children are not there. Yes, they will probably have them, but would they be the same?

I always think back to that time in life when I made that big decision. Many times I think my life may have been better, but a major piece would be missing.

I think I made the right choice.

The power of introverts — Curlygirlabroad

This post was inspired by a TED talk I watched this week, with the same title. (you can watch it here). Susan Cain decided to ‘speak dangerously’ and tell us why being introvert is more than ok! The main difference between introvert and extrovert people lies with how they get and spent their energy. It’s […]

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There’s a common myth going around that the vegan diet is expensive. And while that is possible, the vegan diet can also be the cheapest diet out there. Knowing which foods to buy, where to shop, and what to avoid will make it easy for you to eat vegan on a budget. Whether you’re a […]

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6 Reasons Winter Is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year to Be an Introvert — Introvert, Dear

Even an extrovert couldn’t possibly find fault with going straight home after work when it’s too cold to feel your face. The post 6 Reasons Winter Is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year to Be an Introvert appeared first on Introvert, Dear.

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Six-Week Veganism Results

Source: Six-Week Veganism Results

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