Name: Amanda Grace Wing
Year of Birth: 1984
Height: 5’ 7’’
Weight: 131 (80 + lbs lighter than my heaviest weight of 214 in the 6th grade)
Birthplace: Sunny San Diego
Current Residence: Upstate New York
Sports: Running, boxing, weight training

About me:
Social media expert. Marketing Professional. Writer and blogger. Plant-based gym rat. Cruelty free health, wellness, fitness, fashion & food enthusiast. Living life with Grace & Balance.

Currently getting my personal training certification and studying holistic nutrition. My website and blog, www.amandagracewing.com will be up at the beginning of 2012!

Why did you become vegan?
I was raised vegetarian and was vegetarian most of my life. My mother was vegetarian when she was pregnant with me. However, growing up I ate a lot of dairy. Eventually I became lactose intolerant and started trying meat (which I never liked). My weight was a struggle for me since I was very small. After trying everything, I started eating a clean diet and returned to a mainly vegetarian diet which helped me lose 70 lbs.

I read Brendan Braizer’s book Thrive many times before becoming fully vegan. At the time I wasn’t eating dairy or meat except fish and eggs very occasionally. Everything in the book rang true for me nutritionally and I wanted to commit fully to a vegan lifestyle. Ultimately my decision to become fully vegan was a moral and environmental one.

When and why did you become interested in fitness?
I always wanted to be active or participate in sports but being overweight most of my life, I felt uncomfortable in my own skin and didn’t know where to start.

I started working out seriously January 3, 2010. I could only run for one minute at a time.

The main reason I became interested in fitness was to lose weight and gain a sense of self confidence and pride in my body. I never imagined it would take me so far. From a slow and steady start, I built up to running half marathons, boxing, lifting weights and participating in any aspect of fitness I could find! Our bodies are capable of so much more than we realize!

How would you describe your nutrition program?
Food is my fuel. I’m disciplined with my nutrition program because I know that only with the proper fuel, will my body run its best. My nutrition has evolved greatly over time. I now rarely eat anything out of a package. For me it’s always whole foods, high raw. Fruit is wonderful and I love the energy it gives me.

I eat small meals every three hours so I always bring my food with me in a cooler and plan ahead so I’m never without clean, vegan food.

My system is sensitive and doesn’t do well with soy or lots of nuts. For protein I usually chose quinoa, hemp or pumpkin seeds, leafy greens and beans.

My average food intake in a day looks like this:

AM: Large green smoothie

AM Snack: Quinoa and chia breakfast with berries

Lunch: Large salad with beans of some kind for protein

PM Snack: Fruit

Dinner: Large salad, quinoa or beans for protein

After dinner: Fruit

How would you describe your training program?
I love being active and pushing my body to its full potential. Now that fitness is such a huge part of my life, I always make time to work out. I typically go to the gym early in the morning or do a road run before the sun comes up. In the evening I usually take a boxing class or do Zumba. I lift weights 3x a week, box 2-3x a week, run 4x a week, and take Zumba 1x a week. I always take a rest day to recover.

What kind of supplements do you use if any, and why?
For a long time, I used lots of protein powders and took several different kinds of vitamins. I’ve moved away from taking supplements and using protein powders everyday because eating a clean, plant-based diet gives me everything I need.

I now only use Vega products - but don’t rely on them daily. I take vitamins D & C and a multi- vitamin.

How do people react when they find out you are vegan?
Most people are curious and ask some of the questions you’d expect about protein sources, calcium, and B12. I like to lead by example and strive to include those around me in my lifestyle rather than pushing it on them or making them feel judged. Of course, there are always those who don’t understand.

What are some common misconceptions about veganism?
One common misconception about vegans is we are judgmental or try to force others into the lifestyle. Another is the idea that a plant-based diet is inferior, lacking or restrictive. Some believe vegans are weak, sick, or don’t get enough protein and think it is hard to built muscle being vegan. These are of course, simply, misconceptions.

Have you had success in promoting veganism / vegetarianism to others? If so, how did you go about it?
I recently got married and we had my bridal shower catered by our local co-op with lots of delicious vegan foods. Our wedding had lots of vegan food, but we included standard options as well. I used my wedding as a way to show off my amazing lifestyle without pushing it on anyone. I’m passionate about healthy, vegan food and love to cook and prepare delicious things to share. I think food is a great way to show off the lifestyle gently. At my wedding, I was blown away by how curious, receptive, and excited people were. It started so many conversations because people wanted to know more! They were asking me for information! I wasn’t hitting them over the head with it!

What do you think the most important aspect of training is?
Enjoyment and consistency.

What do you like best about being vegan?
I love the vegan, plant-based fitness community. I am so blessed by all of the amazing people this journey has put in my life.

What do you like best about being fit?
Being fit is a way to show everyone that vegans are strong and powerful! I love that my body can do things it was never capable of before!

What advice do you have for people who are just starting out with training?
No matter where you’re starting, begin to view yourself as an athlete. Fitness magazines and websites like this one are great resources. Put together a plan for yourself. Write it down and commit to consistency. It doesn’t have to be perfect or big. Just by starting somewhere you’re already ahead of where you were the day before! And if you stumble, don’t wait to get back up. Don’t wait for ‘I’ll start on Monday’.

What advice do you have for people who are thinking of becoming vegan?
Find a mentor. Educate yourself. Research. Do it for the right reasons! Making a slow, steady transition is fine and may ensure a long-term commitment. Faux milks, meats and cheeses are a great treat, but strive for a clean diet as much as possible. Don’t rely on packaged foods as the staples of your diet. Fresh fruits and veggies can’t be improved upon.

What motivates you in life?
I was overweight most of my life and then struggled with under eating. My first diet was in the third grade so I’ve tried just about everything out there. I’m so passionate about living a balanced life which includes whole food nutrition and fitness. Paying it forward is what keeps me motivated! If I can help one person achieve his or her own health and fitness goals, my own struggles seem 100% worth it!

What do you think of veganbodybuilding.com? Has it helped or inspired you?
When I first became vegan and starting taking my training to the next level, I began checking the site every day for updates. I sent Robert Cheeke a message saying, “I read your site every night before bed.” And it was true. The information on each of the profiles was my nutrition bible. It helped me connect with athletes whose results I admire and who I look to for inspiration like Claudia Lailhacar.

Do you have any other thoughts you’d like to share?
Please keep an eye out for me website coming soon! Check www.amandagracewing.com.