Hello

I'm brand new here and just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm David from South Carolina and I'm in the process of going back to being vegan. I've worked out with weights most of my life since my teens. I then stopped and thought maybe that was a good time to go completely vegan, since I didn't need a lot of protein at the time.

I was completely and utterly vegan for about a year a few years ago and it was ok. I can't even remember why I stopped, but I did go back to working out afterwards so maybe it was that I thought I needed to up my protein intake with animal products at the time.

Anyway, a while back I then went on to experiment with being completely raw vegan. That lasted for a few months and while I was criticized for experimenting with being vegan, I was called "nuts" for trying raw this time around AND working out! It was pretty fun! LOL Unlike the first time, going raw sent me into a detoxing I'd never experienced before and wow did my body have a lot of it to do! I also lost a lot of unwanted fluid and body fat (around 35 lbs) and have never gained it all back.

I'm thankful for both experiences and haven't really been long off of "raw" now that I want to go back to being completely vegan, at least. I'm very sick of all the problems I experience every time I've gone back to animal products. Just random "little" things like joint pain, slight skin break outs, dandruff, dry hair, digestive problems, etc. ALL of that goes away eating just plants, seeds, and fruits.

I have a lot of questions about vitamin issues and so-called experiments that some meat eaters seem to throw around on the internet to tout as "facts" about being vegan (saying it is impossible and insane). But I will leave those for later, as I'm doing my own research and I may even just find what I need on this forum/site.

And BTW I am planning on going vegan permanently this time. That is why I won't be satisfied until my research is absolutely thorough, unbiased, and answers all my questions.

Anyway just thought I would introduce myself. Hope this will be the start of something nice!

David

Wow, David, I know exactly what you mean about the detoxing and losing weight quickly and feeling awful every time non-vegan elements are reintroduced. Sounds like you and I have finally wised up in our decision to feel good. I'm raw now, for the most part, and it feels awesome. (You CAN lift while being raw. I've gained mass and strength while doing it.) You sound determined; you WILL find what you are looking for. Whichever direction you take, welcome.

Baby Herc

Thanks Baby Herc!

So at least one other person here knows my pain. lol

Yea I'm sick of it. I know what is good and what is bad by my own experience. Not gonna judge others for what they do, but for myself its just best to stay with what works for me and that is vegan. Part of the reason I ever tried vegan in the first place was the memory that as a child I didn't have much of a taste for meat, nor would I touch it at school sometimes, but I always loved and ate my vegetables. I didn't understand why the other kids were the total opposite, and they didn't understand me.

I had been made to internalize this feeling of inadequacy for not "eating completely" when I didn't feel like eating the meat on my plate. Of course fast forward to recently when I went raw and lost all that weight and my family certainly knew then something was up! Now that I've announced I'm going to be a vegan permanently my mother was glad to hear it, and is now buying lots of fruits and veggies herself! Its a good feeling!

Glad to hear you've had bodybuilding success while being raw. I have been around the site a bit and the forum and am becoming inspired by what I see and read!

BTW - your hiking blog is fantastic! love your adventures!

And thanks again for the welcome!

David

BTW - your hiking blog is fantastic! love your adventures!

Thanks! I still have dozens left to post. Keep watch on it and there will be new ones every few weeks.

What adventures have YOU had, lately?

Baby Herc

Thanks I will keep a look out for updates. I love how you capture the little things along the way, even some fungus on a tree.

As for me I haven't had any adventures lately. I did used to take walks/hikes in local parks and my favorite by far of all places to be is on a beach at night. I really need to get back to the beach to soak some mineral air up before it gets TOO cold! I like it just as well at this time of year as I would when its warm (don't like it really hot).

Thing that affects me is I have a bit of agoraphobia which renders me behind closed doors most of the time. The only reason I've been out in nature as much as I have is my immense love for it.

So I guess that is a bit more about me y'all get to know! haha!