OldMan&TheWeed

Every summer I go on a back packing trip of 200 or more miles. Last year I did the John Muir Trail with my daughter. This year it was a collection of hikes in the Pacific Northwest. When I return home from these excursions, I'm a new man. I'm thinner, I've got more energy, and I even wake up with a hard-on ready to go at it two or three times before breakfast.

Sadly, as I fall into my old routine of work, commute, and family obligations, I gain back the weight, feel tired, and go back to having obligatory so-so intercourse on the weekends. I don't want to be this way, so I'm making some permanent changes.

While out on the trail, days from a trailhead, I often run into people in there 60s, 70s, and even 80s. These are men and women who have the stamina to go for eight or ten hours a day at altitude with 40 pounds or so of camping gear and food for a week, at a time when many there are are either dead or living diminished lives using walkers etc. Often times I'll ask them, "What do you do different?" Their answer never varies, "I never eat out. I make all my food at home, I don't eat (or rarely eat) meat, eggs, or fish."

My father was already dead at my age. I feel that lipitor has bought me some extra time, but if I wan't to live a happier, longer life, that this is the best thing for me personally. I'm a week into it, and I feel great. No acid reflux, no sluggishness after dinner, and I'm fucking every morning before work. I didn't expect the change to be so immediate.

I miss the dairy. I love ice cream and half and half, but it's not worth feeling like shit all the time. That makes the change a whole lot easier.

Ask me questions.

Wish me luck.

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Nintey-three percent of what I say is brilliant, factual information and seven percent is complete bullshit. Have fun deciding which is which.

Geeno

No half & half???

Aye de mi!

It's my one dairy holdout (besides cheese).

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OldMan&TheWeed

I know myself.

An inch will soon lead to a mile. No sugar either, except on my kids' birthdays.

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Nintey-three percent of what I say is brilliant, factual information and seven percent is complete bullshit. Have fun deciding which is which.

myxomatosis

Word. Been a vegetarian for a good 6ish(?) years now and it hasn't really posed any problems. I've gone through spells of eating a vegan diet or damn close to it. Everyone always seems to think it'll end up limiting your dietary choices but I've found it's expanded mine if anything.

Anyway, good on ya and hope the good health continues.

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and why can't that always be
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SageTree

Good Luck Brother!
Been a vegetarian coming up on a 1/3 of my life soon and I feel great.

About 6 years ago I got some blood tests and my cholesterol was off the charts.... in the good direction

Congratulations and Best of Luck!
If you need and recipes!!! HIT ME UP!!!

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Geeno

I'm thinking about going on a meat and dairy hiatus. Might even help my bank account.

Old man as far as giving up half & half... which half do you miss most?

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deadhead94

We have big brains and pointy teeth for a reason.

That reason being to catch and eat other animals.

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Flamingnun

This. Personally, cutting out meat and dairy on health grounds is a fallacy. For ethical reasons, sure whatever, but health reasons? Nein.

Maybe try just eating good meat and dairy products, rather than blacklisting their entire food because eating burgers, ice cream and drinking cream is making you unhealthy? Cut the ice cream, switch to skimmed milk, eat lean meat, and Bob's your uncle.

I'm surprised to hear someone mention cutting eggs and fish on health grounds as well, since they're pretty much nothing but beneficial (unless you're frying everything...) to your health, and an unbeatable source of protein/fatty acids, which you'll need for stamina on those those long hikes and morning bonings.

Tl:dr, you can get a healthier diet with meat and dairy if you structure it, that's probably going to be easier to stick to (i.e:less cravings) than going all out vegan.

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wellfleation

It's the new thing

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FIGHTPOWER

OldMan&TheWeed

Yeah, we're omnivores. I accept that. But were also meant to walk and run acround a lot more than we do. Our modern sedentairy lifestyle of cars and fast food is not what we evolved for.

My cardiologist was the one that recommended that I adopt a "plant based diet." This means no meat, dairy, or sugar. I'm guessing she knows what she's talking about. She offered to set me up with the dietician, but I didn't want to have to take off from work, so she recommended some books.

As far as backsliding goes, I feel great a week off the animal products. I don't want to go back to the sluggishness and pain I experienced just a week ago. If I were attempting this in a better state of wellness, then motivation would be more of an issue.

I'm not advocating this for anyone else, but it's working for me now. I go in for blood tests and the doctor again in December. We'll see how it goes then.

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Nintey-three percent of what I say is brilliant, factual information and seven percent is complete bullshit. Have fun deciding which is which.

deadhead94

You do know that the sugar you are referring to comes from plants, right?

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OldMan&TheWeed

Yea, like cocaine comes from coca leaves.

Like I said, I trust my cardiologist, and this is what she recommends if I want to avoid bypass surgery or sudden death.

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Nintey-three percent of what I say is brilliant, factual information and seven percent is complete bullshit. Have fun deciding which is which.

deadhead94

You do know that the extraction of cocaine is analogous to the production of hash or oil from cannabis right? Do you have a problem with those too?

Also, I'm taking issue with your classifying sugar as a non plant based food. That's where it all comes from.

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OldMan&TheWeed

The doctor said that the sugar raises my triglycerides. It has nothing to do with Sugar coming from a plant.

And thanks for reminding me about the hash. I think I take a hit, go down stairs, and make myself a smoothy.

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Nintey-three percent of what I say is brilliant, factual information and seven percent is complete bullshit. Have fun deciding which is which.

AnimalLover420

Good luck, Old Man! I've made some changes to my diet too lately. I've been eating "healthy" for many years now, watching my calorie and fat intake. But I was eating waaaay too much processed shite that was leaving me without the energy that food is meant to give us. I've been directing myself away from packaged goods and toward raw fruits and veggies, and it's definitely been a positive thing. I feel better, my body is a tab bit leaner (although weight loss was not really my goal), and even my skin has taken on a more healthy appearance.

I think the important thing is to consume foods with as little human interference as possible. I hope you find lots of benefits to this lifestyle change!

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SageTree

I didn't stop eating meat because of health reasons, for the record, and sake of the conversation.
I stopped out of personal feelings/issues.
I DO still partake of eggs and dairy from reputable sources.

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stoneric

It takes big brains to grow food as much as it does to catch and eat animals. How fast do cows run and where are their hiding places? The pointy teeth are also used for friut and veggies. Ever try to gum an apple?

And think intestines. Ours are long and red meat is hard to digest. Colon cancer anyone?

Mafoo

they just opened a vegan place in the food court of the mall in my town. ive been eating there probably once a week. i wouldnt say its terribly healthy but i always feel good after eating there. alot of the food is fried in a wok so its probably not the lowest fat, but i do appreciate the lack of processed foods they use. they seem to be kind of like fast food chinese (the standard chow mein, fried rice etc) but everything is made from tofu or soy proteins in various forms. they even have a dish thats meant to be kind of like orange chicken, but instead of battered and fried up chicken, its cauliflower dipped and fried. SO delicious! i usually get chow mein, fried cauliflower, and this spicy tofu and cabbage dish.

also, there isnt that much debate about it. eating a diet of red meat is not good for human beings. meat protein is difficult to process and taxing on our bodies. also meat require the most energy input, as far as energy per pound of protein produced. if you eat more plant proteins, they are easier for your body to process, and they are more "green" because you dont have to feed a cow thousands of pounds of grain just to get a side of beef.

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PLUR
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return

SageTree

Did evolution stop....




Anyone?????

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OldMan&TheWeed

I'm doing this for the most selfish of reasons.

Animal welfare, or whether humans are naturally carnivores, omnivores, or herbivores has little to do with this decision. My doctor recommends this, and I have decided to comply for my own welfare.

There are the benefits so far at day eight:

Pants are not tight
No more indigestion
Less time in the bathroom
Waking up with an erection
No sluggishness after I eat

I'll post my numbers (before and after) after my next check-up in December.

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Nintey-three percent of what I say is brilliant, factual information and seven percent is complete bullshit. Have fun deciding which is which.