[Ipunchedyourkid]

does anybody have any experience with veggie diets? i am a strict vegetarian (vegan), and would like to drop to 155 naturally. i currently walk around daily the 170's, im 5'9", and im a little soft lately, but still pretty well fit. i never have a problem gassing, and my cardio is through the roof, but id like to drop to 155 so i feel more in control during my fights, and basically just as a personal preference. any help or ideas? thanks in advance everyone!
X-eric-X

[Mr. Sinister]

You're either vegetarian or vegan, not both. There's a HUGE difference in the two.

And it's going to be EXTREMELY difficult. My co-worker is Vegan and is facing the same problem.

You're consuming mostly carbs. And the protein sources often used by Vegans aren't entirely complete proteins. Then, the food combinations necessary to make complete proteins tend to increase carb intake and overall caloric intake.

You could just try upping the cardio and consuming less calories per day, but because of the ****bolic disadvantages of limiting your food intake so drastically, you run the risk of only further shutting down your ****bolism.

I don't mean to sound discouraging, but there are very few options because of the limiting of caloric intake.

[Ipunchedyourkid]

oh trust me, i know the difference between the 2, its just most people who experience people with this diet dont. ive been vegan for years. its easier to explain vegetarian as a diet, and have the comprehension from most that you eat rabbit food.

i try to cut my caloric intake down, and i dont really do as much running anymore, but it could possibly make a difference, but its just become so boring. i like to do more anaerobic exercises, and keep muscle mass so i dont feel tiny. but i do appreciate the response. hopefully i can make the best of the situation.
X-eric-X

[Madmick]

Rice Protein Powder is an absolute must for you. Always mix in oats with your rice protein shakes. Also get some wheat germ for your protein shakes.

Beans and lentils are a major part of any vegan athlete's diet (so I hope you like curry). Also get tempeh (a fermented soy product) and seitan (a wheat protein). Your other staples are peanut butter (or cashew or almond butter), nuts, seeds, bulgur, quinoa, spinach, and broccoli.

This page has some useful information. Ignore his references to RDA's and soy:
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.htm

This page is particularly useful for information on the EAA's (essential amino acids):
http://www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/protein.htm

This site has a little more detailed information:
http://www.beyondveg.com/

And here are some popular vegetarian sites in general:
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/:
http://www.vrg.org/

But the fact is, if you're gonna be a vegan, you're gonna have to buy a book. I'd recommend this one on spec (I haven't read it, but it was published by Human Kinetics in 2006, so it's up to date, and the author is a Ph.D. and R.D.):
Vegetarian Sports Nutrition

[Ipunchedyourkid]

wow, thank you so much madmick. i really do appreciate it. ive been vegan for about 4 years, and vegetarian for 10. i wrestled in high school and the beginning of college, and was a solid 135-150 for the years that i wreslted, but after all that and once i got into MMA and jujitsu, i started to concentrate on weight gain and muscle building, but it seems for the last 2 years that ive gained good muscle mass, ive also gained a fair amount of extra weight with it. my arms and chest stay defined, and i still retain my obliques, my quads got huge, but i always have a little extra on my ass and my stomach...? i can cut down for touneys and fighting, but like i said, i really want to drop to 155 naturally, and possibly maintain that weight for good. i can probably drop water weight and get to 145 for fights after that. either way, thank you once again for the dedicated answer, ive already been reading thru most of it, and the first few things ive been following for the extent of my diet already, and i LOOOOOOVE curry.
X-eric-X

[Madmick]

Are you on soy?

After all I've read on here posted by other members, I've come to suspect it for everything bad in vegetarian's life. Cut out any unfermented soy products. You might have elevated levels of estrogen that are causing you to retain water and fat.

Like K said, it's also gonna be hard to get adequate protein without superfluous carbs. Plus it's tough to get any truly low-carb meals. Those are always useful for a ****bolism boost, although i believe in higher carb diets on the day.

You may consider adding eggs from grass-range chickens or dairy products from grass-fed cows. These animals aren't abused.

[Ipunchedyourkid]

i try to stay away from as much soy as possible, but ufortunately being vegan its hard to completely limit it. i drink rice protein shakes, and add wheat germ, but ill try the oats thing. i usually have a bowl of oatmeal in the morning with a bagel. i do try to eat alot of brown rice and steamed veggies. thai food is also on my list of weeklys, usually pineapple curry, or sesame tofu.

ive contemplated going to a free-range dairy diet, but i just dont know if mentally i want to commit to that yet.
X-eric-X

[xConorx]

If you haven't already, you could try http://www.veganfitness.net
There's some pretty knowledgeable vegans on there too.

[brownboy]

ya if your chubbing up around ass stay away from the soy...