LIZZETTE REYES DISCUSSES FITNESS AND FACTORY FARMING

 

Click HERE to Find Out How You Can Build Muscle & Lose Fat By Eating Plants

“Living sentient beings are reduced to commodities and it’s truly heartbreaking. Animals on factory farms endure constant fear and torment. Watch Earthlings and you will never want to eat meat again. Factory Farming is misery for animals. Period.”

 

Name: Lizzette Reyes
Occupation: Animal Rights Activist
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Age: 33
Height: 5’5″
Weight: 115 lb.

Q: Tell us the story of how you got turned onto plant-based fitness.

I’ve always been pretty fit, so when I went Vegan a little over three years ago, it was definitely a learning curve for me.

I think like most of us who begin our journey into a plant-based lifestyle, we are concerned about losing muscle and where we are going to get our protein from.

“We just don’t know any better and have been indoctrinated since childhood to believe that in order to be lean and fit, you have to eat animal protein (which couldn’t be further from the truth).

“There is this huge misconception that Vegans are soft and out of shape, and I wanted to prove society wrong by being a walking advertisement to show everyone that Vegans can be fit and sexy!”

Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out on this path?

People often get hung up on what they can’t have on a plant-based diet, instead of what they can. But a great meal does not have to center on meat. Start with an open mind. There’s no surer way to guarantee failure than to go into it with a bad attitude. Stay strong.

“The first few days might be tough, but once you get into the swing of things, it becomes easier and easier.”

Q: What can you tell us about factory farming?

The factory farming industry strives to maximize output while minimizing costs — always at the animals’ expense.

The giant corporations that run most factory farms have found that they can make more money by squeezing as many animals as possible into tiny spaces, even though many of the animals die from disease or infection.

Living sentient beings are reduced to commodities, and it is truly heartbreaking.

Animals on factory farms endure constant fear and torment.

Watch “Earthlings,” and you will never want to eat meat again. Factory farming is misery for animals. Period.

Q: What did you eat yesterday?

I started my day with a shot of wheatgrass and a green juice that consisted of apples, celery, cucumber, kale, collard greens, spinach, ginger, spirulina, chlorella, barley, and alfalfa grass.

I also had a huge bowl of strawberries.

For lunch, I had avocado toast on Ezekiel bread; I seasoned it with pepper, paprika, and red chili pepper flakes.

I had a banana with two tablespoons of dark chocolate peanut butter as a snack.

For dinner, I had a jackfruit bowl that consisted of black beans, quinoa, avocado, tomato, homemade cashew cheese, and salsa.

I drink a gallon of water every day! No exceptions.

Q: What does the first 60 minutes of your morning look like?

I have three rescue dogs, so my mornings revolve around them. I get attacked with tongues all over my face the minute I’m up! I take them out in the backyard and let them play while I prepare their food, then we all go back to bed to cuddle, haha.

Q: Favorite three exercises and why?

I love doing Bulgarian lunges because you really are working out every part of your body in one exercise: shoulders, core, glutes, hamstrings, and quads.

I love doing squats on the Smith machine because I like big butts and I cannot lie!

My most favorite workout, though, is this booty burner workout I do on the Smith machine.

You basically have to get on all fours with your knees directly under the bar and place the arch of your right foot under the bar, press up with that foot until your thigh is parallel to the floor, and then return to the starting position. I do three sets of 12 for each leg. I love this workout because it really isolates your glutes.

Q: Tell us a story of the mentor who played a key role in building confidence in yourself.

My mom has always been my biggest mentor.

She gave me more advice then I can remember, but I think the best advice from her was watching how she lived her life.

She has shown me through example to try my hardest at everything and never give up.

My mom always told me to never compare myself to others because I had my own unique gifts to offer this world.

Q: What is the biggest personal challenge you have had to overcome in your life?

The biggest personal challenge I had to overcome in my life was when I turned 30.

“Everything that I did not think about in my 20s, I suddenly was obsessing over, like marriage and kids and a home with a white picket fence. I didn’t have any of that, nor did I want it. I didn’t even have a career, and I suddenly felt convinced by society that I’m old because I’m 30.”

And instead of enjoying the fact that I’m getting wiser and more inspired, I was being forced to stress over my “fading youth.” I had to tell myself that life does not end when you’re 30, and that getting married, having babies, and settling down are stages of life with no expiration date if that’s what you want.

I was 30 and still not sure exactly what direction I wanted my life to go, and I was okay with that. I was not going to cave to society pressure because I knew I had plenty of time to discover my purpose in life.

Q: Fun fact most people don’t know about you?

I’m a travel junkie! I’ve been to 15 states and 12 countries to date, and I am currently preparing for my Europe trip where I will be traveling to 10 countries in one month.

Q: What three pearls of wisdom would you tell your 13-year-old self?

Find your passion. Look for what inspires you. Find what you love to do and pursue it with all your heart. You may well find a way how to make money from doing it.

Expect to fail. Failure is not fatal.

Learn the lessons, then get back up and try again. Be the person you want people to think you are. Do what you want to be remembered for.

For topics about fitness and factory farming, watch these 2 videos below

Why We Should All Boycott Factory Farming

 

Why I Decided To Go Vegan

 

Author Bio:

 

Chris Willitts (creator of V3), is the founder and owner of Vegetarian Bodybuilding.

 

V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System is a mixture of science and author’s advice, providing users with optimal diet and exercise. This system is designed for vegans and vegetarians only.

 

A lot of research has been put in this program. Furthermore, a lot of professional bodybuilders and athletes tried and tested the program, praising its progressiveness and efficiency.

 

The program is about taking control of your own body and health according to your potential and needs. And worry not; you’ll get plenty of proteins with this system. It will boost you with energy, and you’ll feel just a strong as any carnivore would (perhaps even stronger, depending on how much you invest in your exercise). It avoids vitamins deficiency and provides you with a lot of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

 

Instead of saying things like “I think a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders,” the V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System claims “I know a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders, and I have results to prove it.”

 

To find out more, visit the website at V3 Bodybuilding – Go Meatless

 

What is the Best Way to Cure Erectile Dysfunction as Soon as Tonight?

 

Click on Here to Discover How You Can Increase Stamina and Heal Erectile Dysfunction Without Using Drugs

Cure Erectile Dysfunction as Soon as Tonight - To Fight ED, Should You Do This or That?

Low testosterone level leads to ED.

Being overweight lowers testosterone levels.

High blood sugar (type 2 diabetes) also lowers testosterone levels.

So, to raise testosterone levels, and combat ED, is it more effective to lose weight or lower blood sugar?

A new study published in the Journal Andrology reveals the answer to this important question.

Obesity and diabetes interfere with your endocrine system that produces your hormones, so researchers set out to find which body weight and glycemic controls contributed the most to hypogonadism.

The study involved 71 men with mild-to-moderate ED. They were obese and had uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, meaning that they did nothing to lower their blood glucose scores.

The researchers asked the men to start exercising and to eat healthier diets to start losing weight.

They also gave them prescriptions for glucose-lowering drugs.

They assessed their testosterone levels after three months and again after 12 months.

By the end of the study, only 34 percent had reached a testosterone level equal to or greater than 300 ng/dL, stressing how big a problem obesity and diabetes are for testosterone levels, as normal levels are between 550 and 650 ng/dL.

When the researchers divided them into a group that lost weight and a group whose blood glucose dropped, only the former group managed to achieve the latter testosterone score.

To be precise, 94 percent of the men who had lost 10 percent or more of their weight had testosterone scores of 300 ng/dL or greater. In contrast, none of the men who had dropped their glucose to a HbA1c score of less than 6.5 percent managed it.

This means that dropping your blood glucose is not useful for combatting ED if that ED is caused by obesity and diabetes, not even with the world’s best drugs. Healthy dieting and exercise contribute much more to the alleviation of ED.

Diet and exercise alone aren’t enough to rid you of your ED completely. Cure Erectile Dysfunction as Soon as Tonight - To do this, you need to follow these simple drug-free exercises that take as little as 5 minutes a day to start seeing immediate results…

And to reverse your diabetes to improve your ED and overall health, here is the exact 3-step strategy hundreds of readers have used to completely reverse Type 2 Diabetes in 28 days or less…

Cure Erectile Dysfunction as Soon as Tonight - ED Cured with This Cheap Supplement (helps at least 32% of men)

It’s not a coincidence that the rising tide of ED over the past two decades has happened concurrently with an alarming increase of a specific vitamin deficiency.

Although this vitamin is dirt cheap (actually sometimes free) and available in every store, over 70% of men over 70 are lacking it.

Interestingly, 70% of men over 70 also suffer ED. Connection?

Among men with erectile dysfunction, vitamin D deficiency is so common that some researchers are wondering if there is a direct cause-effect relationship between the sunshine vitamin and men’s sexual health.

By the year 2025, it is projected that, worldwide, 322 million men will suffer from ED, up from 150 million in 1995.

Meanwhile, statistics show that the number of U.S. residents with vitamin D levels of 30 ng/mL – the lowest end of the normal range – dropped by 49% between 1994 and 2004.

One study found that men with vitamin D deficiency are at nearly one-third greater risk of ED. With statistics showing vitamin D deficiency in 40% of men over 40 years of age and 70% of men over 70 years of age, vitamin D could be a significant factor and a simple solution to preventing and treating this common and vexing problem.

The connection might have to do, in part, with vitamin D’s effects on the vascular system. Both vitamin D deficiency and erectile dysfunction are recognized as risk factors for cardiovascular disease and, since an erection relies on proper blood flow, cardiovascular health is key to achieving and maintaining healthy erections and a happy sex life.

You get enough vitamin D by spending 25 minutes out in the sun daily with about 25% of your body exposed. If you don’t have enough sun, you can get vitamin D supplements in every health food store. Many types of fatty fish such as trout and salmon are also high in vitamin D.

Vitamin D is, however, not the only thing missing for most men suffering erectile dysfunction. Oftentimes low testosterone, other hormones and other vitamins are keeping your manhood down.

Cure Erectile Dysfunction as Soon as Tonight - But there is another method much more powerful than popping pills (natural or not). In fact, this simple technique has been proven to help over 93% of men suffering erectile dysfunction…

Cure Erectile Dysfunction as Soon as Tonight - Why ED is NOT a Natural Part of Aging

Many couples believe that ED is inevitable as they age. Accordingly, they scale down their sexual activities. Or descend into a misery of recriminations, silence, or expensive drugs with side effects.

None of this is necessary once you understand that ED is not a necessary part of aging. In fact, your stamina can easily grow stronger with age.

ED is not a natural part of aging. Instead, it is a natural consequence of several diseases and lifestyles. Consider the following as just a sample.

1. Men with type 2 diabetes are much more likely to struggle with ED than those who are healthy. A large Harvard study in the journal Diabetes studied 31,027 men over the age of 50 and found that the risk of ED increases along with the duration of the diabetes, and that men with poorly managed diabetes have the largest risk of all.

Those who have not been diagnosed with diabetes, but have metabolic syndrome with high blood glucose and some insulin resistance, are also more likely to have ED, according to a 2015 study in The Ageing Male.

Diabetes damages the nerves and muscles required for an erection, and significantly decreases your testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels.

If you have type 2 diabetes, learn how to reverse it in 4 weeks here…

2. Researchers have known for decades that high cholesterol is a predictor of ED. for example, in 1994, a research team demonstrated in the American Journal of Epidemiology that every one millimole per liter of cholesterol (or 38.598 milligrams per deciliter) increased your risk of ED by 30 percent.

Men with borderline high cholesterol level of 6.21 millimoles per liter (or 240 milligrams per deciliter) had an 83 percent greater chance of ED than men did with a normal level of 4.65 millimoles per liter (or 180 milligrams per deciliter).

To get your cholesterol under control and clear out clogged arteries, follow this strategy…

3. A recent survey in the International Journal of Impotence Research discovered that approximately 67 percent of men with high blood pressure have some degree of ED. even worse, thiazide diuretic and beta-blocker treatments also contribute to ED, so if you want to have your healthy sexual life back, you simply must drop your blood pressure by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Here is (by far) the easiest and simplest way to bring your blood pressure below 120/80 – starting today…

4. A recent study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine is only the last of a long list of studies to conclude that people with a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to suffer from ED than people who exercise regularly.

According to the authors, people who exercise for 18 metabolic hours per week (the equivalent of two hours strenuous exercise) enjoyed much better sexual function than those who exercised less or not at all. In addition, ED medication works better for people who exercise than for those who do not.

5. In a huge study in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the authors calculated that overweight and obese men with a body mass index of over 28.7 had a 30 percent greater risk of ED than those with a body mass index of below 23.2. They also established that men who smoked, drank a lot of alcohol, and watched a lot of television had a higher risk than those who enjoyed only a moderate amount of these pleasures.

Losing weight is a breeze following this little trick…

6. A recent review in the British Medical Bulletin concluded that depressed men were more likely to struggle with ED than non-depressed men were.

There are even some studies that demonstrate that men who take antidepressants and men who receive psychotherapy for the depression are equally likely to have ED. Many men tend to develop depression as they age, especially once they stop working.

In fact, all the above diseases are considered age-related diseases. But they don’t have to be. You can reverse diabetes, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, get in shape, lose weight and stay happy no matter what your age is. And with that, drastically improve your erection and stamina.

For more ideas to cure erectile dysfunction as soon as tonight, watch this video - Discover a Natural & Proven Fix for Erectile Dysfunction - See & Feel Fast Results!

Cure Erectile Dysfunction as Soon as Tonight - If that’s not enough, here is a bullet proofed trick to completely reverse ED in as little as 3 minutes – starting today…

 

This post is from the Erectile Dysfunction Master Program, which was created by Christian Goodman for men who are looking for the best erectile dysfunction natural remedies.  This is an all-natural system that utilizes the power of exercises to permanently cure erectile dysfunction. By following the techniques in this program, you will be able to get hard fast without pills and maintain stronger erections for hours so you can enjoy sex again. 

 

Erectile problems can be physical or emotional. If your problem is physical, you need to exercise the muscles around the genital area. If your problem is emotional, then you need to learn relaxation techniques. Erection Master will teach you steps that can help get rid of your erectile dysfunction for good. As long as you're willing to commit 30 minutes of your time, 3 to 7 days a week for 1 to 2 months, they'll work for you. You can practice the steps alone or with your partner. 

 

These techniques are far more effective than Viagra, Cialis or other drugs for erectile dysfunction. The drugs only help about 40% of men who use them and can also cause very serious side effects. 

 

To find out more about this program, click on Cure Erectile Dysfunction as Soon as Tonight from Home

Go Meatless - POWERLIFTING CARNIVORE TRANSFORMS INTO A HEALTHIER, MORE ENERGIZED VEGETARIAN

 

Click HERE to Find Out How You Can Build Muscle & Lose Fat By Eating Plants

Plant-Based Lifestyles Still Carry a Heavy Stigma

“I’ve been a long-time follower of VegetarianBodybuilding.com and really love your posts. I currently run a plant-based lifestyle website aimed at empowering people to become the strongest version of themselves and cause less harm.

“I recently shared my story on my website and thought it could serve as some extra motivation or inspiration to any younger powerlifters/bodybuilders out there.” —Jonathan Gilbert

Jonathan recently reached out to us, and we wanted to honor his journey and repost his story:

[Jonathan Gilbert:] In powerlifting and bodybuilding circles, plant-based lifestyles still carry a heavy stigma. Tell someone in the gym you’re a vegetarian, and you’ll be sure to evoke the typical “how can you get enough protein without meat, you’ll shrink!” response. But getting strong and looking and feeling your best doesn’t require a meat-heavy diet. Just ask Jonno Gilbert — a 24-year-old vegetarian powerlifter from Australia with an inspiring story to tell.

Up until six months ago, I was a self-proclaimed powerlifter with one goal in mind: to lift as much heavy stuff off the ground as I could. It didn’t really matter if it came at the detriment to my body or my health. I just wanted to be big and strong, with a body to match.

I blindly bought into the myths perpetuated by the fitness industry and ate enough protein to account for half the planet’s population — and then some. Staple foods in my diet were chicken breasts, canned tuna, whole eggs, minced meat, milk, whey, and even kangaroo. Yup, the cute little guy on my nation’s emblem.

Aesthetically, I looked physically fit, but man, I can’t even begin to tell you how crap I felt. I was constantly tired and stressed. Every joint in my body ached. Stomach problems were a daily occurrence, pimple breakouts would pop up all over my body, and I had bags under my eyes.

Looking back, it was really only a matter of time for me stop eating meat. I typically avoided pork and lamb and couldn’t stand to prepare raw chicken most of the time (it really grossed me out). But meat eating was so deeply ingrained in me that it would take much more than just a little poor health to change my ways.

It would take two starkly different yet equally transformative events to make me realize the damage my diet was inflicting on myself and the people around me: (1) the day I met my beautiful partner, Gwen, on the beach back home in Australia and (2) the moment I found out I had lost my best mate, my dad.

So what do these events have to do with my diet choices? Well, they shed light on what was really important to me. I discovered it wasn’t how good my body looked or how much weight I could lift — those things were inconsequential. What really mattered was truestrength.

The kind of strength it takes to step out of your comfort zone and take action to support what you truly believe in. The kind of strength it takes to achieve something bigger than yourself, and place health, relationships, contribution, and happiness first — and superficial goals last.

In order to do that, I had to stop living in a way so detached from my core values and beliefs. How could I love animals yet go out and eat a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder? How could I care about the environment while my food choices were directly contributing to the destruction of the planet? Worst of all, how could I consider myself healthy when I was eating food that was so unhealthy? I had to stop eating meat.

Since I only personally knew one vegetarian (and she somehow managed to avoid eating actual vegetables in her diet), I turned to the internet to absorb as much information about plant-based eating from as many different sources as I could.

I watched documentaries like “Cowspiracy” and “Forks Over Knives.” I spent countless hours poring over subreddits like r/vegetarian and r/veg and followed inspiring activists like James Aspey on social media. I also watched the controversial “Vegan Gains” on YouTube (although I don’t agree with his approach on educating the public, his message definitely moved me).

After a few months of toying with the idea of a meat-free diet, I finally took the plunge and completely cut all meat out of my diet on Nov. 12, 2015. I didn’t wake up one morning and say, “I’m going to become a vegan/vegetarian/insert label here,” I just naturally followed what felt right for me.

Admittedly, I continued to drink milk and ate dairy products like whey, cheese, and Greek yogurt for the first few months, which made the transition much easier (I definitely recommend cutting out meat and dairy products gradually over time to anyone ready to take the next step to a plant-based diet). Eventually, I replaced normal milk for soy, almond, and coconut milk (yum!) and brown rice protein powder in place of whey.

Today, six months on without eating any meat, I feel incredible. I haven’t lost strength or muscle. My sex drive is still fine. The world hasn’t imploded. Pretty cool, right?

In fact, I’m fitter, happier, and healthier than ever before. With meat no longer the center of every meal, I’m forced to prepare more of my food at home and include more fresh fruit and veg in my dishes.

Another indirect side effect of a meatless diet is that it’s generally much harder for me to resort to eating junk food if I’m in rush (although I’m aware there’s plenty of white bread and cheese vegetarians/vegans out there, don’t be one). I even discovered new foods and recipes I would never have considered before (Indian-style spinach and chickpea curry, yes please).

Whereas my old meat- and dairy-heavy eating habits had me feeling bloated and lethargic, my new meat-free, lower protein diet has me feeling lighter and energized to do more of the things I love, like lifting weights and cycling.

Best of all, my food choices allow me to live in accordance to my ownbeliefs and values, not someone else’s. The simple act of taking accountability over the food I eat allows me to make a positive difference to the lives of others, no matter how small, every single day. And that in itself is a good enough reason for me.

To anyone thinking about going meat-free, I offer you this piece of advice: Don’t do it based on what someone else told you. Do it because it feels right for you. Honestly ask yourself:

“Does the way I’m choosing to live align to my core values and beliefs? Is my diet adding value to my life and others?”

If you answer no, then you definitely should take the next step. Go out and educate yourself as much as possible and come to your own conclusions on what will work best for you. That might mean adopting a vegan or vegetarian diet or simply going meatless a few days a week.

You could even opt for somewhere in between (pescatarian). Labels are irrelevant; all that matters is that you take action.

I did, and it turned out to be best decision of my life.

For topics related to go meatless, watch this video - What Happens When You Stop Eating Meat | 1 Month Vegetarian Weight Loss Transformation

Author Bio:

 

Chris Willitts (creator of V3), is the founder and owner of Vegetarian Bodybuilding.

 

V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System is a mixture of science and author’s advice, providing users with optimal diet and exercise. This system is designed for vegans and vegetarians only.

 

A lot of research has been put in this program. Furthermore, a lot of professional bodybuilders and athletes tried and tested the program, praising its progressiveness and efficiency.

 

The program is about taking control of your own body and health according to your potential and needs. And worry not; you’ll get plenty of proteins with this system. It will boost you with energy, and you’ll feel just a strong as any carnivore would (perhaps even stronger, depending on how much you invest in your exercise). It avoids vitamins deficiency and provides you with a lot of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

 

Instead of saying things like “I think a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders,” the V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System claims “I know a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders, and I have results to prove it.”

 

To find out more, visit the website at V3 Bodybuilding – Go Meatless

Fitness Vegan Diet - HOW TO STAY VEGETARIAN AS A BODYBUILDER OR ATHLETE

 

Click HERE to Find Out How You Can Build Muscle & Lose Fat By Eating Plants

The belief that competitive athletes and bodybuilders need to eat meat to be successful is slowly fading away as science backs up the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. While many fitness buffs recognize the health benefits of a vegetarian diet in theory, some still struggle to stay committed to plants in their own lives.

Studies and surveys reveal that the challenges of leaving meat behind are physical, mental, social, and economical. Dramatically changing your diet creates an internal and external transformation and alters the way you approach food and live your daily life.

Since the nutrition needs of athletes and bodybuilders are even more demanding than those of the average person, it’s important to develop a customized meat-free strategy that works for you.

Breaking Old Habits, Building New Ones

It’s an obvious understatement to say that breaking old habits is hard, and this is certainly the case when you’re trying to make the switch from meat to plants.

It takes some people time to adjust to the tastes of meat substitutes and devote time to plant-based meal prep. If you prepare meals for more than just yourself, it can be a challenge to get everyone in your household on board with your new commitment.

The key to making your plant-based diet stick is to acknowledge and embrace your personal reasons for making this dietary change and to always eat with purpose. Every bite you take is an opportunity to improve your body, mind, and spirit.

Writing down small and large nutrition goals is a great strategy that helps many aspiring vegetarians keep track of their trigger points and breakdown moments.

Accommodating Your Active Lifestyle

One of the best strategies to staying committed to plants is to master the art and science of plant-based meal planning. This is even more important if you’re an athlete or bodybuilder who can’t afford to lose your edge at the gym.

For a successful transition, fully develop your new plant-based meal plan before disrupting your old one.

On a plant-based diet, you will need to consume more protein-dense foods — like beans, seeds, and nuts — to build and sustain muscle.

Fortunately, the protein that comes from plant-based sources is more natural and results in an improved muscular shape without the additives and preservatives found in meat.

The Power of Protein Alternatives

As all athletes and bodybuilders know, protein is crucial to productive workouts, recovery, strength, and stamina. Protein comes in many forms, and a majority of them aren’t meat-based!

As a hardworking athlete, your body will benefit tremendously from a varied and diverse set of protein sources to fuel your workouts and give you the strength and energy you need. A balance of protein and carbohydrates fuels working muscles and powers up your training sessions.

These are a few of my favorite protein sources* that are meat-free, easy to prepare, and absolutely delicious:

• Lentils
• Broccoli
• Tofu
• Hemp and chia seeds
• Quinoa
• Spinach
• Asparagus
• Almonds
• Greek yogurt made with sheep or goat milk

*All of which are the organic and non-GMO versions.

Meat-Free Meal Prep Tips

Any healthy diet, whether vegetarian or not, requires a certain amount of advance planning. If fitness is important to you, don’t leave your body’s fuel up to chance and simply “wing it.”

To start, clean out your fridge and pantry to get rid of all the unhealthy options just waiting to tempt you. You need a game plan before you hit the market, so make a list of protein sources, fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, sauces, and spices before leaving the house.

Buying in bulk and batch cooking will save you time and money if you have extra storage space. This is also the time to invest in divided containers, cooler bags, and freezer packs to establish a meal management system that fits your schedule and lifestyle.

Sunday is a popular meal prep day for focused bodybuilders and athletes to get on the right track for the week ahead.

When you have a little extra time, make a big batch of healthy snacks, cook base foods like quinoa and sweet potatoes, slice and chop veggies for snacks and meals, and prepare protein shakes and smoothies in jars or plastic bags to freeze for later use.

The key is to make your weekly meals easy and ready to go without a hassle, so you stay committed and don’t make excuses.

Surround Yourself with Plant-Eating Warriors

It’s important to be patient with yourself as you transform your diet and recognize that important changes like this don’t happen overnight.

In fact, a study conducted at the University College London found that the average time to adopt a new habit is 66 days; however, individuals varied anywhere between 18 and 254 days.

After fighting your own internal battles, there are social pressures to deal with as well.

Not only is it a challenge to resist old habits when you’re alone, but those pressures get multiplied when you’re not surrounded by a community of people who eat like you.

That’s why it’s important to talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling and always listen to what your body is telling you.

One of the best ways to embrace the vegetarian lifestyle is to surround yourself with like-minded individuals who also care about their health, fitness, and environmental impact.

Become a regular at local vegetarian restaurants and chat with the staff and other patrons about meat-free dishes and nutritional balance. To get creative in the kitchen and have some fun, sign up for a vegetarian cooking class.

And never leave home without some healthy snacks, so you won’t be tempted to give into cravings and reverse your progress.

The road to a plant-based lifestyle can feel challenging and isolating at times, but just know that you are on the right path and that others will follow your lead.

For more ideas about fitness vegan diet, watch this video - HIGH PROTEIN VEGAN MEAL PREP

Author Bio:

 

Chris Willitts (creator of V3), is the founder and owner of Vegetarian Bodybuilding.

 

V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System is a mixture of science and author’s advice, providing users with optimal diet and exercise. This system is designed for vegans and vegetarians only.

 

A lot of research has been put in this program. Furthermore, a lot of professional bodybuilders and athletes tried and tested the program, praising its progressiveness and efficiency.

 

The program is about taking control of your own body and health according to your potential and needs. And worry not; you’ll get plenty of proteins with this system. It will boost you with energy, and you’ll feel just a strong as any carnivore would (perhaps even stronger, depending on how much you invest in your exercise). It avoids vitamins deficiency and provides you with a lot of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

 

Instead of saying things like “I think a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders,” the V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System claims “I know a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders, and I have results to prove it.”

 

To find out more, visit the website at V3 Bodybuilding – Fitness Vegan Diet

 

DITCH TOFU - 10 GOOD REASONS WHY SOY SHOULD BE ELIMINATED FROM YOUR DIET

 

Click HERE to Find Out How You Can Build Muscle & Lose Fat By Eating Plants

For many years, vegetarian bodybuilders and athletes have incorporated soy into their diets, believing that it is the perfect form of protein to repair and build muscle. Even we have advocated it on VB (there still be articles that we have to revamp on here actually).

Among the more popular beliefs regarding soy is that it is a rich source of protein and even helps in the prevention of degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis.

Soy and soy products are heavily consumed in most Asian countries, so it can be bothersome enough to see people (especially vegetarians) consume them in significant amounts.

A primary ingredient in vegetarian meat substitutes such as tofu, soy can also be found in a wide array of common food products: milk, cereals, peanut butter, chocolate, and even nutritional supplements.

Contrary to popular belief, soy isn’t truly a health food. In fact, soy can be harmful to the body because it contains dangerous anti-nutrients and toxins. Scientific studies reveal that high levels of soy consumption can actually be unhealthy.

When you look deeper into the chemical composition of soy, you will see that it can inhibit the body from absorbing essential minerals and even cause hormonal upsets.

Most of the proteins found in soy are actually compromised due to the extensive processing required to eliminate phytoestrogens, goitrogens, phytic acid, and other anti-nutrients from soybeans.

Furthermore, heavily processed soy can be unpalatable, so manufacturers of soy products typically use artificial flavoring and MSG to improve its taste. As a result, even more toxins can be found in the final product.

Nonetheless, there are soy products that offer some nutritional value when incorporated into our diets. A few examples of these commercially prepared food items are fermented soy products like soy sauce, miso, natto, and tempeh.

It is good practice to check labels and take extra care and effort when looking for the best sources of fermented soy. Some of them may have been sourced from genetically modified (GMO) soybeans or have undergone heavy processing that can create further toxins.

No matter what, you should never use unfermented soy. Surprisingly, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not even awarded a “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) designation to unfermented soy, so it should be avoided at all costs.

Below, you will find 10 good reasons to avoid soy products. They are listed in no particular order of importance, and it is prudent to give equal attention to each.

1. Soy inhibits the body from absorbing essential minerals and nutrients.

High phytic acid levels in soy reduces the assimilation of vital minerals that include calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc. Calcium is essential for optimum bone health.

Osteoporosis and other bone-related issues can arise from a deficiency in calcium levels.

A healthy level of iron is vital for the production of hemoglobin and transport of oxygen to every cell of the human body.

Zinc stimulates the activity of approximately 300 different enzymes in the body and is vital in maintaining a healthy immune system.

Phytic acid, which is found in high levels in soy, is classified as an anti-nutrient because it inhibits the absorption of these vital minerals essential for maintaining optimum health.

2. Because of the intense methods involved in the processing of soybeans, many toxins are present in final soy products.

As mentioned earlier, significant levels of phytic acid are found in soybeans and they need to be inactivated. This can be done through intense industrial processing, which involves washing soybeans in acid using aluminum tanks.

The procedure can cause harmful chemicals to leach into the end products. The beans are then treated in an alkaline solution, which could result in the formation of lysinoalanine, a toxic compound that can reduce the bioavailability of proteins and lead to severely impaired digestibility.

On top of that, the spray-drying process that follows tends to encourage the formation of carcinogenic nitrates.

3. You will not get good protein from manufactured soy products.

We won’t refute claims that soybean is among the few foods that contain all nine essential amino acids, making it an excellent source of protein. This is 100 percent absolutely true.

The body cannot produce essential amino acids, therefore it has to source these from certain foods. Examples of these foods are meat and eggs, but if you’re looking for a complete plant-based protein, soybean is a perfect choice.

The problem, however, is that we only have access to manufactured soy. Soybeans undergo an intensive manufacturing process that triggers chemical changes in essential amino acids.

Furthermore, the fragile proteins are denatured and possibly destroyed during high temperature processing.

To sum it up, good protein that contains all nine essential amino acids in an absorbable state can only be derived from soy that has not been subject to intensive processing. That said, there are some good quality soy isolate protein powders that are minimally processed and worth taking.

4. It is likely that MSG can be found in most soy products.

Despite measures to reduce soy’s natural bean-like flavor, it still comes with a strong and nasty aftertaste after all that heavy processing. Manufacturers often tackle this issue with the use of artificial flavorings and Monosodium L-glutamate (MSG).

MSG has the inherent ability to enhance taste sensitivity so artificial flavorings will overpower the unpleasant beany aftertaste of soybeans.

The sad part is that MSG has been proven to be toxic, with a number of scientific studies linking it to brain lesions, obesity, diabetes, adrenal gland malfunction, and a host of other health problems.

5. Soy contains phytoestrogens that can cause breast cancer.

Among the most disturbing ill effects of soy on health has to do with its phytoestrogens. Specifically, a phytoestrogen called genistein found in soybeans can mimic the effects of the female estrogen hormone*.

These phytoestrogens disrupt endocrine function and have the potential to cause infertility and promote breast cancer in adult women.

*Granted, a man would have to eat a truckload of this stuff for it to negatively affect him… but still it’s worth mentioning.

6. Goitrogens are also present in soy and these can cause thyroid issues.

Soy contains goitrogens, which are basically potent anti-thyroid agents that can inhibit iodine uptake and block your synthesis of thyroid hormones.

These can cause depressed thyroid functions, which can lead to hypothyroidism or thyroid cancer. Proper thyroid functions are critical in regulating metabolism and cellular growth.

7. The FDA has not yet issued a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) rating for soy.

With all the soy and soy-based products you see in the market, it is puzzling that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration hasn’t even granted most soy products a GRAS status.

The only two soybean products that have received a GRAS rating so far are protein isolate and soybean oil, but that’s only under the category of “substances migrating to food from paper and paperboard products.”

For over a century now, soy has been widely used in making cardboard boxes but was never widely used on food products. It wasn’t until the 1950s when so-called “health benefits” of soy products were introduced to the public via brisk marketing strategies by its manufacturers.

The fact remains, however, that soy has only been diagnosed as safe for cardboard boxes and not as consumable food products.

8. Practices employed in the propagation of soybeans are harmful to marine life.

Soybean is cultivated as a mono-crop, a farming practice that basically entails propagating a single species in a specified land area. Such a method goes against the law of nature and can be harmful to the environment, mainly because it destroys otherwise nutrient-rich topsoil.

For topsoil to remain rich and fertile, there should exist what we call “perennial polycultures.” These are incredibly biodiverse environments where symbiotic relationships among animals, plants, and microorganisms take place.

A perfect example of this is a forest where the earth’s topsoil is constantly regenerated by mutually beneficial processes among its inhabitants.

In contrast, soybean farming can deplete topsoil and chemical fertilizers have to be introduced. On top of that, herbicides and pesticides are heavily used, and all these can have a negative impact on the environment.

In the U.S., runoffs from fertilizers and chemicals used in farming make their way through interconnected waterways and into bodies of water that were once rich in marine life.

A stark example of this is 12,000 square miles of dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. A dead zone is an area where no marine life can exist or survive. Fish, corals, dolphins, and other live organisms may either have been poisoned or forced to migrate.

9. Most of available soy is genetically modified (GMO).

Ninety-nine percent of all available soy is generated from genetically modified soybeans. Ever wondered why there’s this current demand for food products bearing the label “GMO-free” or “contains only non-GMO ingredients”?

That’s because genetic modification is a highly dangerous practice. It’s breaking down nature’s genetic barriers by permitting the transfer of genes from viruses, bacteria, plants, and even animals, with unforeseen and often harmful consequences.

In the case of genetically modified soybeans, they have become quite resistant to herbicides and toxic chemicals, which have been linked to a wide range of health issues ranging from allergies, infertility, low birth weight, birth defects, and even higher offspring deaths, among others.

Genetic modification is a precarious way of trying to control nature and forcing things to behave the way we want.

Rather than pay a hefty price and destroy our planet, man should be working harmoniously with nature through mutually beneficial relationships that will reap long-term gains.

10. The belief that Asians reap a wide array of health benefits from high soy consumption remains a myth.

Soy is popularly used in Asian cuisines, and that’s probably the reason behind the belief that people in this side of the world live longer lives due to the health benefits of soy.

But the truth is, soy is used in very small amounts in most Asian dishes, primarily as a condiment and never as a staple.

It was the Chinese who first discovered fermented soybean as a potential food source during the Chou Dynasty (1134-246 B.C.).

The fermentation process itself removes most of soy’s toxic anti-nutrients, and therefore it should be noted that only fermented soy products may be considered as health foods.

The most common soy-based foods used in Asian cultures include miso, natto, tempeh, and soy sauce. They are said to offer health benefits because they contain vitamin K2.

Vitamin K2 has demonstrated positive effects in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and this is probably the source of the myth that soy products may support strong bone formation.

While it is true that fermentation diminishes the anti-nutrient properties of soy, most soy products are subject to heavy processing.

As a result, commercially available soy products, such as soy sauce, are loaded with preservatives and other additives that can be harmful to one’s health.

Unless you are absolutely sure that the soy products you consume have been sourced from non-GMO soybeans, it is best to steer clear of fermented soy products.

Besides, intensive manufacturing procedures and exposure to high heat shaves off much of the protein from soybeans, rendering most soy products lacking in nutrients or even toxic.

Soy industry bigwigs have put in a great deal of money to fund intensive marketing campaigns that have created the biggest misconception that soy is a rich source of essential protein.

For related topics about why soy should be eliminated from your diet, watch this video - Soy to Eat & Soy to Avoid

Author Bio:

 

Chris Willitts (creator of V3), is the founder and owner of Vegetarian Bodybuilding.

 

V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System is a mixture of science and author’s advice, providing users with optimal diet and exercise. This system is designed for vegans and vegetarians only.

 

A lot of research has been put in this program. Furthermore, a lot of professional bodybuilders and athletes tried and tested the program, praising its progressiveness and efficiency.

 

The program is about taking control of your own body and health according to your potential and needs. And worry not; you’ll get plenty of proteins with this system. It will boost you with energy, and you’ll feel just a strong as any carnivore would (perhaps even stronger, depending on how much you invest in your exercise). It avoids vitamins deficiency and provides you with a lot of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

 

Instead of saying things like “I think a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders,” the V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System claims “I know a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders, and I have results to prove it.”

 

To find out more, visit the website at V3 Bodybuilding – Why Soy Should be Eliminated from Your Diet