I review the basics of how to transition into this lifestyle frequently, (here’s one such post if you need it) but I don’t think I’ve revisited what you can expect during the first few weeks of making the change. Especially if you dive into it all at once. And it’s really good to know this stuff up front.
Positive Changes
You’ll lose weight whether you are trying to or not. For the first few weeks it will seem as if the pounds are just melting away.
Your blood pressure will get lower. If you need it to reduce even more, add just a little bit of aerobic exercise. Power walk or go up and down the stairs or dance or skip. Get your own bp cuff so you can keep track. Take your BP at the same time every day, while sitting down, feet on the floor, legs uncrossed, holding the wrist with the cuff on it at heart-height. Write it down. If you’re on BP meds, you will very likely have to reduce or stop them, but do this only under medical supervision.
Blood sugar levels should also decrease, and this is VERY important for those with diabetes, particularly type 2. Type 2 diabetics can frequently REVERSE their diabetes and no longer require medications.
If you’ve had acid reflux, it will vanish. You can throw out the Tums, and all the other antacids you’ve been taking.
Unless you have other lung issues, such as allergies or asthma, snoring and sleep apnea should disappear.
Cholesterol will reduce so dramatically that you might need to reduce any cholesterol-lowering medication you’re taking, but only under medical supervision.
Dandruff and scalp flaking vanishes.
Your bowel movements will become regular and reliable.
Your sleep will improve.
Menstrual cramps, and menopause symptoms like hot flashes, and night sweats will reduce in both intensity and frequency.
Period cycles will regulate.
Endurance will increase noticeably.
Body odor becomes all but non-existent.
Bad breath also improves immensely.
Joint aches and conditions like arthritis and other auto-immune diseases can show marked improvement within a few weeks.
Inflammatory markers are significantly reduced as shown by blood work.
There’s a mental clarity, a vivid and noticeable clearing of brain fog and mind clutter.
There’s also a reported increase in empathy and compassion that has yet to be studied, documented, or explained. It’s just a a common experience among us all.
Negative Changes
Here are a couple of side effects that are less pleasant. There aren’t many, but let’s address them.
You will have more gas. This is normal and will adjust over time, but it will probably always be more than before. On the up side, and I kid you not, most of the time your gas will not be as smelly as before.
You feel hungry all the time. This is not normal and indicates you need to adjust the volume of the food you eat. It’s very common for newcomers to under eat. You have to consume a greater volume of food this lifestyle to get the proper calories and nutrition. 100 calories of milk is a half cup. 100 Calories of cheese is 1 ounce. 100 calories of broccoli is 5 cups, or 13 cups of raw kale. So you really do have to get over your tiny servings habit. Yes, this is a “diet” where you have to eat more.
To solve the hungry all the time issue, be sure to incorporate plenty of starchy veggies like potatoes, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, winter squash, yams, etc, and plenty of whole grains, like brown rice and whole grain pasta, breads and cereals into your meals. Those are the things that fill you up. Get over your fear of carbs. That’s just programming.People will react defensively. It’s surprising at first how defensive people in your life get when you explain your decision to go whole food all plants. Frequently, the underlying reason for this is that they take it as a criticism of their own food choices. If you can mitigate that when breaking the news, it might help. Be clear you don’t expect anyone to join you in the change or adjust their diet to accommodate you, and it might go easier.
Honestly, that’s it.
This lifestyle literally has zero negative results, and dozens of positive ones. And the learning curve can be negotiated with ease. Once you’ve built up a basis of go-to meals that you prepare over and over again, you’re golden.
Here’s an excellent video about what is happening in your body, one day, one week, and one month into a whole food plant based diet.
Enjoy!
Now that’s a revelation, isn’t it?
GOT BOOKS?
Small-town rom-coms that’ll lift you out of the darkness and leave you feeling good again. Promise.
My new book drops in just a little over two weeks, and I am super excited. Here’s more info on that. Enjoy!
Harrison Hyde and the Runaway Bride is on sale now in paperback and ebook!
Honky Tonk Cowboy releases August 12th in paperback and ebook and can be pre-ordered now!