carreannjoe

awwww! thank you!!!!

Thank you for a response!! I just started to switch my meat eating diet to a vegan diet (planning to incorporate as much raw foods as possible. The progress I've made (as seen in these pictures) is purely from a meat eating bodybuilding diet. I would eat a a 4oz. portion of protein from chicken or fish combined with green veggies. Low sodium everything. Only did 1/2 cup of oats after my workout. I would do about 3 protein shakes per day. An isolate. I used almond butter or olive oil for my healthy fats. I always have a bloated gut it seems like. I'm certainly not fat. I workout consistently and do plenty of cardio. I have been researching how the heck to rid my bloating issues. I kind of ended up looking at a lot of raw food 'diet' suggestions. I watched Food Matters - the documentary, and well it all seems just to make sense, in so many ways. I want to compete in figure next March so I have some time to get prepared. I don't know how to put together a vegan diet for my particular size and calorie needs with the goal of building lean muscle in mind. I was hoping someone would be able to help me figure out what my macro's should be, then I can start researching which protein sources and such are best suited for muscle building and leaning out when that time comes. Are there certain foods that spike insulin levels that should be avoided..things like that. Hope all this makes sense, and I sure hope someone is able to help! Thanks in advance, CArre.

Hi all! I am new to this forum and also to eating a vegan diet. I'd like to incorporate as much raw food options as possible but aiming for a vegan diet at least. I am needing some help putting together a daily diet specific to building muscle right now. I will be competing in my first figure show in March of 2012. Up until then I would like to figure out how to eat properly to fuel my muscle gains and maintain low body fat %. Up until my show, I am hoping to educate myself enough to know how to properly enter into the cut phase, in regards to nutrition, during the last 10-12 weeks prior to my show. I have been trying to read as many posts that I can find on this site. Can anyone tell me a formula for macros that should be ideal for my goals right now? I am 5'2, 119 lbs. , 36 years old. I have been training on your basic bodybuilding diet for the past two years. (lots of meat, and protein shakes) I dont' want to wing it, I am hoping to find out the right formula to follow.. I'm attaching some pictures of me now. I'd like to lean out some in the belly and continue to build muscle. Thanks in advance for any input!!! Attachments:

thanks girl! I'll try that!

I've gotten lots of views, but no responses..should I post this in a different section of this forum? thanks, Carre.

ANYONE??? LoL!

ANYONE??? LoL!

Hi all! I am new to this forum and also to eating a vegan diet. I'd like to incorporate as much raw food options as possible but aiming for a vegan diet at least. I am needing some help putting together a daily diet specific to building muscle right now. I will be competing in my first figure show in March of 2012. Up until then I would like to figure out how to eat properly to fuel my muscle gains and maintain low body fat %. Up until my show, I am hoping to educate myself enough to know how to properly enter into the cut phase, in regards to nutrition, during the last 10-12 weeks prior to my show. I have been trying to read as many posts that I can find on this site. Can anyone tell me a formula for macros that should be ideal for my goals right now? I am 5'2, 119 lbs. , 36 years old. I have been training on your basic bodybuilding diet for the past two years. (lots of meat, and protein shakes) I dont' want to wing it, I am hoping to find out the right formula to follow.. I'm attaching some pictures of me now. I'd like to lean out some in the belly and continue to build muscle. Thanks in advance for any input!!!

Thank you for the response! I sort of got 'sold' after watching food matters, the documentary. I have always been health conscious, and after watching this, I felt convinced this was the way to go. They advocate raw. I'm reading parts of all three books right now..china study, and the two thrive books. I'm gathering information! I'm doing really well but also easing into this way of eating, although I have not consumed any meat since I watched the documentary. That isn't hard for me at all. It's all about being as healthy as possible for me. I want to share that with my family. We've been experimenting with different 'green smoothies' and loving it! Thanks for the website tip for protein powder that isn't so damn expensive! The one I ordered seems fine but I will go through it fast so I need options to explore!

Hi all, I am trying to adapt to a raw vegan lifestyle and I need to learn so much, I know. I am currently reading the China Study, and I have Thrive, the vegan nutrition guide and Thrive fitness on my kindle, waiting to be read! I embrace the reasoning behind this type of 'diet' and now I really just need to know how best to apply it. I need recipes and things I'm hoping my reluctant, meat eating husband and children will accept.. My big thing too is that I weight train 5-6 days a week. I have been looking at figure competitions as my personal goal. I really want to know which raw vegan foods I should buy, and consume, specifically with building muscle and low body fat in mind. I have some protein powder on the way. Is this a good one? Lifetime Life's Basic Balance Protein? Anyone heard of this one? If not, any recommendations that are not $75 ??!! I went to my local health food store and HOLY COW things were expensive! It was discouraging to be quite honest because we are on a budget, for sure. I lift as heavy as I can right now for a max of 6-8 reps and do 30 of cardio daily. I've been eating very clean according to your typical competition diet. I eat lots of protein via protein shakes (3 per day) and the rest of the day is only carbs right after I work out and lean protein like chicken or tilapia. Of course, my concern is how to make sure I build enough muscle and get as lean as I can in order to be the best competitor that I can be on stage by March 31st of next year! I'm 36 in May and I'm about 5'2. I'm not sure my exact body fat %. It has to be around 15-17%. I also am not sure of my current weight - no scale in my house! I'm very excited about this site and can't wait to devour all the information there is to offer on here!!!!