Personal Trainer New York City, NY - Vegetarian Partner Article - Vegetarian Diet

So maybe you're at a point right now similar to where I was a couple years ago... You have decide to start taking your physical fitness seriously. You have formulated an exercise regiment, and you have been able to maintain a level of consistency with it. You are proud of yourself as you seem to be taking all of the correct action... yet you are not seeing the changes in your body that you wanted. You have been exercising, so what's wrong with this picture?!

Yes, it is a tough truth to handle, if you did not consider making a bigger commitment to your health than just a 30-minute workout here and there. The inescapable fact is that diet and exercise are both equally important in shaping the body that you want. 

It was hard for me to accept this as well at first, as that four-letter "d" word is usually the deal breaker. But I was determined to finally make a plan and stick to it this time. I had been overweight for most of my life, and I finally felt compelled enough to make a change. I started to research nutrition and different dietary plans. I threw out all of my old junk food and went shopping for all sorts of new foods that I had never before eaten. I was going to do it 'by the book' and follow a proven diet plan to every last detail... The only problem was, that there was so much conflicting information. 

I tried low-carb dieting, removing all bread, rice, and pasta from my old dinner options. 

I tried high-protein dieting, eating massive amounts of shrimp, tuna, and grilled chicken. 

I tried starving myself for 20 hours a day and then gorging myself for the other 4-hours, in an experimental method of 'feast and famine'. 

All of these worked to a certain degree. I was losing weight, and along with my consistency in the gym, I was in the best physical shape of my life.  I had stuck to the dieting because it was such an ingrained habit, almost an obsession. I liked the changes that I saw in the mirror and the compliments I received from friends and family. 

But I felt horrible! My stomach was growling at all hours of the day, I had practically no energy, and I would still frequently binge as the depravation from being hungry would get the best of me. I knew that it was only a matter of time before I would fall off the horse. I knew that I would soon be back to my old, overweight self, as I could not sustain this way of eating forever. 

After a long period of experimenting with unstable, and possibly unhealthy eating plans, I happily settled on a balanced vegetarian diet that works best for me.  I have found that an eating plan that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole-grains and plant proteins, is a healthy 'diet' that I can stick to. One great advantage of plant-based whole foods is that they are high in fiber, which leaves me feeling more 'full', while actually eating less. I am able to eat a variety of foods, while keeping calories low and still maintaining a healthy ratio of macronutrients. 

Maybe this is something for you, maybe it isn't. But a well-planned, varied, and balanced vegetarian diet is a healthy lifestyle choice... not just another 'fad'.

If you are interested in more information about vegan and vegetarian eating, tons of quality recipes, and more stories from my life, please visit me at www.become-vegetarian.com.

Vaibhav Sharma