Why on earth ?

The first question I feel I should answer is why on earth a confirmed carnivore, hunter & outdoorsman would even consider going “veggie”….. And at times I ask myself the same question….

I’d like to start by clarifying that I’m not having a mid life crisis and doing this out of any epiphany for all the small furry animals I’ve killed, cooked & eaten over the years. Neither am I following the latest trend of many of our “snowflake” brethren who think they are saving the planet by going vegan……. So please park that thought, as I don’t subscribe to either.

The reality is, for the last 20 years my diet has consisted of meat, sugar, caffeine & painkillers and very little else. I’ve also soaked up my fair share of stress, gone through a period of chronic joint pain and neglected my own health, hoping it would just solve itself, The harsh reality is it hasn’t….

Across the last few years I’ve also been all too aware that i’ve seen far far too many friends & family suffer life changing health conditions and worse, as a result of similar neglect.

So back in summer 2019 I started thinking about making some changes…. In October I made the decision to cut meat & most dairy from my diet, and my relationship with food has changed dramatically….

But why Veggie ?

I wouldn’t describe myself as veggie, vegan or anything like that….. The negative connotations of these in fact put me off….. I’d prefer to describe what I’ve done as changing my life to a more healthy mainly plant based diet.

I started off discovering vegetables I didn’t even know existed, and still have the odd piece of chicken or fish, but 95% of what I eat now is plant based……. With a lot more beans, vegetables, nuts, fruit, fibre & soya milk.

So what have I noticed ?

I have to admit thought was going to be starving, craving meat and tired all the time, but how wrong I was……Results have been dramatic……

Not only have I lost a bit of timber, which I kind of expected, the most dramatic change has been a surprise….. What I’ve noticed is that within a few weeks of making a change the pain I’ve been suffering in joints all around my body from years of neglect has notably improved…… Absolutely staggering to actually be able to reduce pain meds, feel more energetic, and generally feel better as a result of a few bits of veg …. mad….. What’s not to like !?

Have I enjoyed it ?

I have to say I have….. Apart from a few disasters, I’ve found it eye opening, and it’s been surprisingly easy….

There’s never been an easier time to make a change like this, as food ideas are all over the place, restaurants have great plant based options and I don’t have young kids to cook for these days, so it’s been a no brainer.

Will I continue ?

I honestly thought I would find it hard. I’ve spent a lifetime on multiple diets, but this is different…. This is genuine lifestyle change ! And the reduction in pain for me makes it compelling…… I also thought I’d find it hard to find things to eat, but it’s opened my eyes to other things and made me question what I’m about to eat…… So my relationship has utterly changed and for the better.

I don’t know if I’ll carry on with the same attitude to it indefinitely, but 4 months is longer than most diets last….. So onwards & upwards ….. Bring it on.

I don’t pretend to claim that this is for everyone, because for me it’s personal…… But give it a go….. It might just help