Day 5

Ok, I know yesterday was a successful food day, in terms of being able to eat tasty vegan products, but I'm sorry to say the honeymoon is over.  While I was pretty happy about getting my hands on delicious dairy free chocolate and inhaling the mouthwatering soy chicken nuggets, I have to say, this will be my last week on this diet.  

Why?

For one, just the absolute length I have to go to for EVERY SINGLE LITTLE THING.  I do not live in SF, DC, or NYC, where vegan products are much more accessible and easier to get by.  I am pretty limited in what's available for vegans in my neighborhood and frankly this diet does not seem sustainable in this particular area.  Chocolate is a necessity for me (I'm sorry, I can't help it!).  To have to drive 30 minutes for a dairy free chocolate bar is ridiculous.  For more vegan friendly entrees, again I have to venture out to the local specialty market, which putting an hour of to/from commute time, is just not realistic.  There are some vegan choices at my nearby grocery store but they are minimal and after time, I'm going to need to have a more diverse menu.  I know I am coming off as selfish and weak, but I feel I am being practical for my circumstances.

Secondly, since I've been on this diet, and yes while it's only been a few days, I have put on weight.  I have kept my exercise regiment the same (work out for 45 to 50 mins a day, 6 days a week) and have had the same amount of food intake, but the main difference is I've switched all my dairy options to soy options.  I was trying to figure out why in such a short amount of time I had gained 2 lbs, why my jeans were so tight and why my belly was getting fat, and then I did some research and came across a couple of different thoughts on soy, the effects of soy, and weight gain related to soy:

http://www.vegancoach.com/is-soy-healthy.html

http://rickosborn.com/soy-can-negatively-affect-your-weight-health/

http://hiddensoy.com/

This experience I am sure would be vastly better if I was in a different location (say a bigger city!).  Attempting this in the South was a stretch and I can say I gave it an honest and good try but it's not working for me.  I'll stick it out and finish tomorrow and Sunday as a vegan, but from Monday on, I'm back to the old ways, with less dependence on cheese though =)