How I Lost 300 Pounds - My Weight Loss Story
By Rob
Vegetarian
Becoming a vegetarian was a big step for me. I had grown up on meat and for someone to tell me that meat was bad was like finding out I was hatched, not born. Not possible.
I read some philosophies about animal products, animal factories, unclean food supplies, animal stress, the amounts of land required to raise the animals and the drugs used or given to the animals so they can produce more food or heavier meats. These same drugs make their way into us, as does the stress the animal goes through. It can be a very unpleasant experience for the animal simply to put some meat on our table.
I took it in stride and from what I learned, decided to give it a go. I was told that I was still going to be able to live a normal life while not eating meat and a much higher quality life at that!
Vegetarianism taught me very valuable lessons about health, about choices and about really doing whatever it takes to nourish ones body. I found that in my city, it was much simpler to make choices and have access to some options, but in my home town – nope. Some times my choices for meals were nothing more than baked potatoes, toast and oatmeal.
Do I recommend vegetarianism today? Not necessarily. I believe that to be a personal choice and that it can be done in serious health conditions to aid the body in recovery. Do we need meat to live. Not sure about that one either. I’ve lived both sides of that coin and have fared well. If I ever was to be in a serious health crisis, I’d drop meat in an instant.
I remained vegetarian for 12 years of which 2 where completely vegan (no egg, no dairy). Most of the 12 years were vegan with the exception of times I’d have bread with some dairy in it, or the very odd pizza which had cheese. For any vegans in the world, being strict is what it’s all about, so, I was a very strict vegetarian with many long bouts of veganism mixed in between.
Although I have gone back to eating meat, I am so totally respectful of what the animal has provided for me and I eat only the cleanest possible meats I can find. My food intake on a weekly basis is about 80% vegetarian and 20% meat. I’ll eat 5 to 7 days of vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds and then have a few meals of animal protein. I won’t think twice about going a month eating a 100% plant based diet, however, I eat eggs almost every day.
Clean - Free Range Meat
When I eat meat, I eat only free range chicken, bison and eggs when I can mixed with wild fish, nothing farm raised. Wasting of any meats is such a disrespectful act to a being that was raised and then died to be thrown away without a thought. As for the term “free range”, I know… the law does not really regulate farms that allow them to say this and the animals can be kept in quite terrible conditions, and be able to say they’re free range. I buy from local farms, from my local farmers market, from farmers where I’ve seen the conditions myself or know someone who’s been to the farm. It’s that important to me to know I’m supporting farms that are trying to make a difference. For more information on natural grass fed animals visit EatWild.com
I learned so much about health and nutrition from my vegetarian ways. I learned about various types of grains and the history of ancient people and what they did and overcame to keep growing their grains to feed their people. A little intrinsic, I know, but there’s so much history to the simple grain Amaranth. Bet you never even heard of it.
It was somewhere here that I began to learn about other food philosophies and began to put them into practice.
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This entry was posted on Sunday, May 27th, 2007 and is filed under Weight Loss, Fat Loss.Tagged: fit for life, food combining, juicing, protein, vegetarian, weight loss, weight loss story
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June 29th, 2007 13:18
hello
how fascinating! wow I would like to congratulate you on this weight loss. I am not fat at all but I am dieting because I don’t like having some weight to what I am used to.
I am planning to lose 20 pounds during 2 months.
when I diet, I only eat yogourts and fruits and drink water and juices.
I know it is crazy but last time I dieted I was very happy with myself, tall and thin, it was in 2004, I kept it off for at least 2 years but I think I let myself go because of some problems but I didn’t take too much back.
by the wa, you are very different in the 2 pictures, you are an example and I really love that you did that, that proves you have strenght.
take care
candy
September 7th, 2007 07:14
Hey, I was about 45 pounds overweight, then I got type 2 diabetes, pretty much got my act together overnight, after that…..NO MORE SUGAR, seriously, this works like a charm. cut out sugar and high and medium glycemic foods. Im sure we’ve heard it a thosand times but the weight will fall off within months, even without additional exercise.
Just have patience.
All the best. Dave
December 30th, 2007 01:37
what a compelling story. I need to hire you for my website - http://www.LoseWeightInCollege.com
January 18th, 2008 07:44
ohhhh that s un believable and I think I should be motivated from you.
I was really 95 kg and Want to loose 15 kgs i have various problems like Bloated stomach and Trap wind kinds of problems but I have n ‘t make my self to loose that out. I think your 1st point starting from the decision is the only thing which i need to do it. I seriously want to add your article in my Website : in the Tag you.
Can I.
January 18th, 2008 07:57
Rob Cooper Great Buddy You have done that thing which in this world are rarest. I think You should be awarded Great Implementor in this world. I truly respect your Spirit.
January 25th, 2008 19:45
Rob,
You are a very, very intelligent man, and I admire that you never gave up. Thank you so much for writing your story here; you’ve truly inspired me. I hope I can be as motivated as you, and believe in myself more, so that I can lose the weight I want to look and actually feel good about myself one day.
All the best, and again thank you. :]
January 30th, 2008 03:53
Great story Rob.
February 1st, 2008 04:25
Mr Cooper
You seriously rock. Thanks for the inspiration and thank you for taking the time to create this blog. I really appreciated reading the honest description of your journey
Kind Regards
Some random fat f*** soon to be fighting fit
February 21st, 2008 15:44
How I Lost 300 Pounds - My Weight Loss Story…
The true story of how I lost 300 pounds going from fat to lean and healthy using food, nutrition and exercise…
February 23rd, 2008 12:05
Rob,
A very inspiring story for anyone. I have a question… After you lost the body fat and began bodybuilding, did you still practice the same food combination principles?
I weight train regularly and play sports and have always eaten healthy foods, but hadn’t paid attention to the correct food combinations (ie. no protein with starches). Now I’m having trouble designing meals that don’t combine foods that will hinder digestion.
April 11th, 2008 21:04
Rob,
Wow! What an inspiration you are! I am in the middle of my own weight loss journey. While I am currently in a bit of a plateau, I’ve already lost over 50 lbs!
I just want to say that I admire how you just keep at it every single day! Good for you, man!
April 15th, 2008 02:04
“It all began with a decision”
“I began to use the power of my mind to attract success. I used creative visualization, affirmations and the power of the written word to set intentions. I learned a unique concept regarding thought - that I could create my life exactly the way I wanted it, just by believing it to be so.”
I like this parts the most because that’s the way I live my life too.
What mind believes the body can achieve.
April 15th, 2008 10:21
Karlo, thank you for your comments. I appreciate your input.
I’ve had a look at your website and I’m afraid that I have to say that I won’t link to it any longer.
I DO NOT approve of weight loss drugs or pills as your website clearly promotes. It’s the policy of my websites not to link to any pharmaceuticals as they’re simply poisoning the body and creating the environment for ill health.
I completely welcome your comments, however, I will be pulling the links effective now.
April 15th, 2008 10:35
Ok, no problem mate I won’t put a link onto my comments anymore.
cheers
Karlo
April 19th, 2008 07:52
Nice story rob, i very enjoy to read your story!
hope you dont mind that i forward this link for my friends.
great work!
April 19th, 2008 09:19
Glad you liked it Stewart. I’ve removed the links to your diet pills website as it’s my policy to NOT link to pharmaceuticals or weight loss pills.
Thanks for your understanding
April 20th, 2008 01:30
Now these are the kind of stories that we all need hear so that we can stay encouraged. I admire Rob’s spirit and commitment which obviously seems to have paid off big time.
Nothings impossible!