Healthy Living in Connecticut Blog
The Reason For Not Cheating On The Way I Eat
I think the attached picture explains why I don't cheat, but I thought I would write about it anyway.
Back in 2011, I was over 350 pounds, having tried many different diet plans and feeling hopeless. I was addicted to unhealthy foods. I was eating fast food everyday, eating candy in huge quantities and not feeling very healthy.
When I lost weight in 2012, I had already started my health journey... it was about a lifestyle change and was the reason I lost 150 pounds, most of which was during the first year.
The thing is though, I wasn't fully plant based yet. Although I ate a ton of fruits and vegetables, avoided candy, red meat, processed meats, gave up aspartame, etc., I still ate turkey, yogurt, eggs and cheese. As happy as I was that I lost the weight, I was not happy with my loose skin, especially around my abs. Thankfully, I always challenged myself to keep eating cleaner, which is what led me to becoming whole food plant based.
I would do week long challenges of being vegan. This helped me realize how great I felt while doing the challenges. Eventually, it would lead me to research. If I ever wanted to tighten my skin, I would need to eat as clean as possible, which includes giving up animal products.
So, ever since September 6th, 2016, I haven't had any animal products that I'm aware of. And I never felt better. My muscles have been responding really well to this way of eating. My skin has gotten tighter around my neck and under arms and I have a lot more confidence. I hear my skin looks healthy and I have that "healthy glow". So how can I cheat on my eating plan?
I also became an ethical vegan during the process of becoming plant based. Now, if something has animal products... no way will I consume it.
A co-worker asked me why I never cheat and don't I ever get tempted to have a donut or candy? The answer is no... I don't crave those foods. I crave the healthy foods. And even if I didn't, I wouldn't want to eat something that has animal products in it. He just thinks I'm doing the "vegan" eating to be healthy, but there's a lot more to it than that.
As Dr. Greger once discussed, I don't believe in moderation. Why? Because I don't want to have moderate heart disease or moderate diabetes. I strive for the best health possible, which is what I think everyone should strive for.
About the author
Richard Hubbard was once over 350 pounds. After a doctor's physical and finding out he was pre-hypertensive, he decided to make changes and avoid medication. Over the course of a year, Rich lost the first 120 pounds of his incredible 150 pound weight loss. He ate healthy foods based on Dr. Joel Fuhrman's book "Eat To Live". He was mostly plant based, but switched to completely plant based in September of 2016. He also became a vegan in the process as his compassion for animals increased. He credits bodybuilder Robert Cheeke for influencing his decision of going vegan. Rich aspires to be a vegan bodybuilder and is planning his first half marathon this year.