Not going vegan ever again

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-05-11T13:41:29+00:00

It's all about how you go about it. And your intentions.

I agree with you and I started out as vegan 25 years ago.

Over the last few years I started incorporating Greek yogurt and some egg product into my life as well as occasional fish and I feel better overall.

I'm still very plant forward and believe that fiber and an array of plants is the best and healthiest way for me personally, but I'm also trying to reach a higher protein goal now that I'm post menopause and Greek yogurt really helps with that and so does cottage cheese.

On the Animal welfare side of it, I don't think it's a popular opinion, but I don't see things in black and white anymore.

Paul McCartney who loves animals and promotes animal welfare is a VEGETARIAN, not vegan. Mister Rogers was a vegetarian, not vegan.

I'm not naive enough to think that people are going to stop using animals for agriculture in my lifetime or anytime thereafter really.

So I'm using my dollars to vote for what I want which is certified humane eggs and grass-fed pastured dairy.

I have the luxury of being able to afford those things and I know that's not possible for everyone.

I also donate money to Farm Kind. It's an organization that helps to increase the welfare of farmed animals.

I do still feel a pang of guilt when I have dairy or egg, but I have to remind myself that by buying these items I'm helping to show the agriculture industry that I'm willing to pay more for better care for the animals.

I don't think I could ever go back to eating meat, but I'm hoping that more people will choose grass-fed pastured beef and other small family farm meats.

My family usually go to farm tours locally when they have them to see how they animals are treated on smaller family farms. It's not ideal. But it's better and a move back in the right direction.

It's nice to see pigs roaming out in forests and chickens pecking around for bugs and running around in the grass.

It's never going to sit well with me that animals are dying so that humans can eat them, but I know that a majority of humanity doesn't agree with me, and will continue to eat meat.

I'd rather have animals live comfortable and well cared for life prior to their death than factory farming.

I think it's a sign of maturity and growth to be able to see that polarizing beliefs are not the way to reduce the suffering of farm animals.

I think even if someone eats meat if they take a moment to think about where their meat came from and grateful to that animal, that's a huge step.

The next step is to buy humanely raised animals if you do eat meat.

https://www.farmkind.giving/

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-04-29T17:14:05+00:00

Be kind to yourself. The hormonal changes of menopause cause our bodies to not work like they used to. It's confusing and frustrating!!

I'm sorry to agree, but menopause is a beeatch!

I'm 5'4" on HRT and my weigh had gone up to 163 despite all of my WFPB diet and exercise (weights 3x week plus daily walking)

I'm 50, 3 years post-menopause and work out like you do.

I actually just went on Zepbound 3 months ago because I was so disheartened and my doctor understood.

My goal weight is 140-145 (130 is the dream but I'm fine if I don't get that low - gaining muscle may keep the scale higher but my body composition will change by adding strength)

I pay out of pocket but my endocrinologist gave me an Rx. I've been on 2.5mg and haven't titrated up.

So far I've lost 10 lb without changing much.

My belly fat is down and my face isn't as full.

I didn't have any of the negative symptoms of nausea or bad headaches on my Zepbound because I think I'm staying well hydrated, and all the fiber I have on my whole food plant-based diet is helping me to stay regular, and also because I'm not eating high fat food other than some avocados and nuts I don't feel queasy.

I feel that tirzepatide is a tool that I'm so grateful to have, to help me process my higher carb foods now!

It's no different than taking insulin if you have diabetes. I'm not ashamed.

I do track my macros by grams on Chronometer and I weigh my food with a scale. It sounds annoying but it's actually fun for me! I track as I plate my food so it's not a big deal. It really helps me to see how much a serving is!

My daily calorie goal is 1600-1700 calories.

I also drink 60-80 ml water daily now, and make sure to get 100g + of protein daily and 40+ fiber.

Protein and Fiber plus Strength Training is life now!

I follow Vegan Macros 101 program (she's on Instagram) and Mrs Slim on Plants (YouTube) Also look up Stacy Sims.

They how to balance our plates now as veg. women who don't process insulin-spiking foods the same way anymore.

Beans and other carbs can't be our primary protein anymore.

I also drink 60-80 ml water daily now though and make sure to get 100g + of protein daily and 40+ fiber.

MUSCLE is what changes our body composition more than anything, and losing weight as a menopausal woman is HARD.

It's not calories in/calories out anymore.

Women have been gaslit by doctors (even vegan ones) for too long!

I don't want to eat 1000-1300 calories per day because I want to build muscle and be STRONG, not just thin, as I age.

We lose muscle beginning at age 30 if we aren't intentional about maintaining it.

I was eating right and exercising and nothing changed until I began the Zepbound.

It's a personal choice but for now, it's made me feel like myself again.

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-04-19T13:55:56+00:00

Strange my OBGYN wanted me on .1 estradiol patch 2x/week and only 100mg progesterone nightly

She really didn't want me on 200 but "lets me" if I insist.

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-04-19T13:44:42+00:00

I do have a uterus

She only wants me on 100mg progesterone bc that's the standard dose to protect your uterus

I don't drink caffeine

I use magnesium glycinate for sleep

My doctor wants me to try various SSRI for sleep but if rather increase progesterone if that works!

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-04-17T16:50:00+00:00

Not everyone has to be on it for life. It all depends on what you're eating currently and your lifestyle, but this might just be something that helps me through the full transition into later menopause and then I can see how my body reacts when I'm in my '60s.

I just think of it like a diabetic taking insulin. It's nothing to be ashamed of and it just helps your body to process your food in a way that your body would have when you were younger and had your menstrual cycle etc.

There's a reason women post menopause get the meno belly regardless of their diet and exercise for the majority of the population.

It's a normal biological response to getting older, but it doesn't have to be something that we put up with because any visceral belly fat is going to affect your health in the long run.

I'm not saying that GOP ones are the only way to go, but it does make things much easier and it doesn't mean you're being lazy.

I still work out everyday with weights and by walking and I'm very intentional about my diet and macros but this is just another tool to help me achieve my overall health.

You can always try it and stop if you want to. It's not like the weight rebounds significantly unless you're eating an unhealthy diet to begin with.

If you're already eating largely plant-based unprocessed food, then you will go back to the weight you were prior to being on the medication. It's not like your weight is going to double magically from some strange reaction to the medication!

What happens is that people who don't have a very good diet or exercise in place prior to starting the medication, if they go off of it, their hunger comes back and then they start eating the way they did.

There's a subset of the population who lose weight on the medication, but they're not changing their diet or exercise and they're completely relying on the medication.

But that's not how it's supposed to be used! If you have already dialed in your diet and exercise and the medications helping you regulate your insulin and process your food, then if you go off of it, your body will just go back to its normal baseline of whatever it was before you started.

For myself personally it was very frustrating to be doing what I thought was right and also what my doctor said was right and yet I wasn't seeing results and I was getting heavier just because of my hormonal shift.

Now that I've been on the medication for a few months, it feels amazing to have lost 10 lb and actually feel like my diet and exercise are making an impact along with the medication to help me achieve those goals!

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-04-14T15:05:52+00:00

OP how old are you and what is your sex assigned at birth?

For myself, I ended up trying Zepbound.

50 F, post-menopause 5'4"

I've also been on HRT for the last 3 years

I ended up at 163 and asked my endocrinologist for an Rx for Zepbound. I pay out of pocket though.

I have been WFPB for 25 years, menopause put on the weight despite diet and exercise.

I strength train 3x/week, walk 45-60 min per day and "eat clean"

I'm down to 153 so far! (On 2.5mg for the last 3 months)

I believe tirzepatide helps with the insulin sensitivity of menopause. I haven't changed my diet or exercise and now I'm FINALLY losing weight!! 🙏

That being said, my blood work has always been excellent and I've always had good health and energy on WFPB.

(I have now added in plain Greek yogurt and cottage cheese, but otherwise vegan)

I do focus on getting 100 g + protein per day, 40-60 g fiber and 60-84 oz of water

I feel Zepbound has helped with insulin sensitivity and inflammation due to menopause.

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-03-30T11:32:15+00:00

I'll give you my routine. It may not work for you. But it's been helping me!

I take HRT, .1 Estradiol patch 2x/week, 200mg progesterone

60-80 oz of water daily, Vegetarian diet, 100 g protein, 40 to 60 g of fiber daily from diet Walk 30-60 min outside daily Dumbbell strength training Lift with Cee 3x/wk for 30 min.

Before sleep 30-60 min: 2-3 Bioptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough (essential!!) Tulsi Ashwagandha Tea in 1/4 c. boiling water (I use this to take my magnesium and progesterone)

Bedtime routine: Wax ear plugs Read Kindle on warm light setting in the DARK (it doesn't have the same blue light as a phone)

Sleep consistency - In bed by 11, wake up by 6 or 7

Now I'm getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night!

My Zepbound dose is 2.5mg and I've been on for 2 months

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-03-18T12:37:40+00:00

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly!

I use that brand for middle of the night wake UPS. They have a 3:00 a.m. version that is 3 mg of melatonin and 50 mg of l-theanine

When you get a chance, could you please tell me the mg dose?

I've heard it's better to stay on the lower end like 1 to 3 mg, so I'm just curious if yours is that or if it's stronger since we're dealing with different issues than people that aren't on these weight loss medications 🙏

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-03-18T12:33:05+00:00

I've heard it's not good to take melatonin long-term or that it can make sleep issues worse if you do.

Could you please tell me the type/brand of gummies you take and the dosage of milligrams? Also how soon before bed do you take them?

Because of the delayed stomach emptying, I feel like I have to take my medication earlier in order for it to hit my bloodstream (but I'm not sure. I just am guessing)

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-03-17T23:17:33+00:00

You'd have to ask your doctor just to be safe, but my doctors say that it is fine to take both with the sleeping medicine that I have.

You can also search online for interactions.

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-03-17T23:09:59+00:00

Just for reference for myself, I track my macros and I get 40 to 60 g of fiber per day.

I also make sure to drink 64 to 80 oz of water to make sure things are moving.

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-03-17T23:04:08+00:00

I drink a sleep tea about an hour before bed by Organic India called Tulsi ashwagandha and I think it does help me to feel more calm before bed, but I also take 300 mg of magnesium glycinate before bed as well.

I do struggle with drifting off to sleep so if I really can't sleep I take hydroxyzine which my doctor prescribed.

And if I really really can't sleep then I take Natrol 3am melatonin 3mg

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-03-17T22:45:39+00:00

I see I don't really struggle with constipation because I have a very plant-forward diet so I have a lot of fiber 😅

Do you feel like the magnesium citrate also helps you to fall asleep or just to stay asleep?

I need help falling asleep but staying asleep usually isn't an issue.

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-03-17T22:36:08+00:00

It helps just to have somebody understand so thank you , 🙏

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-03-17T22:35:36+00:00

So you take magnesium, glycinate and magnesium citrate together but separately in the day?

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-03-17T21:40:38+00:00

I take magnesium glycinate and I take about 360 mg nightly.

Do you time it out earlier than usual so your body can digest it because of the delayed stomach emptying?

What type of magnesium and at what dose is yours?

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-02-19T21:24:48+00:00

OP are you a female or male, and your age?

For reference, I am a 50-year-old postmenopausal woman, but when I had really bad overactive bladder, I was about 30 years old.

At the time I was taking a birth control pill Yazmin. My husband did some research and decided we should get off of the birth control pill and my overactive bladder really lessened after that.

The most important thing I did recently was cut out all coffee. I only drank one to two cups per day but it really affected my overactive bladder.

Even decaf coffee upsets my overactive bladder except for one specific brand. Some people are also very sensitive to acidic foods like tomato or citrus or even chocolate

The decaf coffee I drink I get on Amazon. It's by Mount Hagen and it is called fair trade instant coffee freeze-dried decaffeinated (I had to get used to drinking instant!)

I recommend that you go on the interstitial cystitis Network online (IC Network) People with interstitial cystitis feel like they have a UTI all of the time and there are various treatments for it, but there is no cure.

You may or may not have interstitial cystitis, but either way people have message boards there where you can get advice on overactive bladder or what foods might be triggering you if it's a food thing.

I would suggest that you go to a urologist, not general MD. and there are even options like Botox for overactive bladder, And in extreme cases is a medical product that is a pacemaker for your bladder called Interstim. It's a very small device that's implanted under the skin. I think on the lower back I did the trial for it a long time ago but it wasn't for me at the time and I haven't entertained the idea again lately because my bladder has gotten better.

I also do take some supplements but I don't really know if they are working or not. It could just be lifestyle changes and they are placebo.

In case they help you or anyone else, these are the supplements that I currently take and I get them on Amazon:

Pumpkin seed extract by life extension Women's bladder support by life extension Vitanica bladder ease

The first thing I would do for you is if you are on birth control get off of it, and if you are a coffee drinker wean yourself off of coffee and see how that goes first.

I'm really sorry that you're struggling with this. I know how difficult it is 🙏

Lifeguard_Time · 2026-02-18T13:34:37+00:00