Do you dream of an easy lifestyle that would make you happier and healthier, one you can easily integrate into your daily routine that provides results without calorie restrictions or vigorous HIIT sessions? As did I. I went on countless fad diets, determined to shed a few pounds and become leaner and more toned. But, alas, they were too difficult to stick to, being too restrictive, leaving me hungry or craving for things that I then just over indulge on. Sound familiar?

Welcome to the Happy Diet

I imagine you are here because you wish to transition to a plant based diet. Or are currently on the journey and looking for some further recipes and to share experiences. Read on to hear about how I began my journey to become happier and healthier.

How it began…

It began after reading Scott Jurek’s book Eat and Run. This really opened my eyes to the power of plants, and the amazing performance endurance athletes give without any animal protein. Which has been absolutely driven into my ears since I can remember. You must drink your milk. You must eat your meat.

The book referenced a further two books which Scott Jurek recommended and I followed suit; the China Study and Spontaneous Healing. I didn’t need to read it all to suddenly take the decision to go plant based. I continued my education, reading more books, such as How Not to Die and Fibre Fuelled, as well as listening to Podcasts such as Rich Roll and Simon Hill. All endurance athletes; all plant based; all happy and healthy and thriving.

Plant Power

My transition to plant based began at the start of a 18-week marathon training programme. I almost immediately felt the benefits. My previous training I had always experienced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after any long or hard workout. After my transition, this almost completely disappeared. My recovery had improved. I never suffered an injury during the marathon training block like I did for the half marathon pre-plant based. It genuinely felt like I was thriving. I had become happier and healthier than I ever felt before. Perhaps all coincidence. Perhaps because I had become more experienced as a runner?

The magic of photographs

Below are images that may tell the true story. On the left. my first half marathon, in September 2021, eating relatively healthy but still consuming alcohol, meat and dairy. The middle is May 2022, my second half marathon, with a further 8 months running experience behind me, but still consuming alcohol, meat and dairy. Finally, the last is my first ever marathon in October 2022, just 4 months after the middle photo. The only difference? Zero alcohol; zero meat; zero dairy. I think these photos show not only weight loss and better running form, but a happier and healthier self.

But what about the other benefits? The calorie restriction. The yo-yo dieting. The over indulgence of high calorific food. These had all disappeared entirely purely because plants, beans, grains, fruit, are all less calorie dense whilst providing the body with a wealth of nutrients. I lost half a stone since transitioning to plant based. More importantly, I feel much more confident with my shape, and there is no need to portion control or calorie count.

Is this the lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of?

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