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For the past eight years, I’ve followed a plant-based diet.
I didn’t start out with a master plan. It began as a short experiment: just a week or two. I wanted to see what it felt like, how I’d respond, what would happen to my body and lifestyle. The reasons I tried it were a mix: primarily health concerns, a growing awareness of climate change, animal rights, and having choice and control. But I didn’t commit to this new lifestyle until I had the full experience of it, until I felt it in my gut, literally.
Once I experienced what eating this way actually felt like, something clicked. It wasn’t an abstract idea anymore. I knew I could do it, because I had done it. Not because I had unlocked some secret discipline, but because I had tried it, and it made sense in my body. It wasn’t only willpower; it was embodiment.
Coaching Lessons: Early Stumbles and Surprises for a New Vegan
At first, I ate “defensively.” I was afraid I’d be hungry, so I overcompensated. I filled my plate with too much food and ate more frequently, just in case. The result? I actually put on some weight in those early months.
That surprised me. I thought people lost weight when they went vegan. But the fear of hunger made me override my own signals. Eventually, I learned to trust my body again. I got better at noticing how much I really needed. My eating habits recalibrated naturally, and my body followed.
This wasn’t just about food; it was also about awareness and learning.
Coaching, Commitment, and the Power of Choice in a Vegan Life
What sustained me wasn’t any single reason, but the accumulation of them.
- I felt better physically.
- I aligned more deeply with my values.
- I saw the environmental and ethical impacts more clearly.
- I proved to myself that I could do something different and keep doing it.
This can be a powerful exploration – experiencing the difference between extrinsic motivation and internal knowing.
In the beginning, the external motivators helped – documentaries I watched, articles I read, supportive meals with friends, even fear of negative health consequences. But for me, the lasting change required a personal tipping point. Mine came not from logic, but from lived experience. And this took time, it wasn’t instantaneous. I needed to let things unfold until it felt right. Once I felt the change, the choice became mine.
Choice (aka balance or agency) is one of the main principles of how I coach and how I live.
I didn’t keep eating this way because I had to. I chose to. Again and again. Every day. Every meal. Every snack. Even and especially when no one was watching. That’s not quite right – someone is always watching: me. I am always accountable to myself.
Quiet Integrity
There’s a particular kind of joy that comes from staying in alignment with yourself. Especially when no one else is keeping track.
For me, that joy is about integrity, being consistent with my own commitments. I know.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being honest with myself. I know why I eat this way. I don’t need to evangelize or defend it. I live it.
That said, I’d be lying if I said it was always easy. Sometimes it’s hard. But even when it’s hard, it’s worth it to me. I don’t want to eat any other way.
Navigating A Vegan Lifestyle: Seeing Family and Food Through a Coaching Lens
In my household, we don’t all eat the same way. I’m the only one who’s vegan. So yes, it can cause friction, especially when we’re on the go or trying to find a quick, convenient meal.
But here’s the beautiful part: my family supports me. They accept me and my “foibles.” They don’t try to change me, even when it’s inconvenient.
And I return the favor. I don’t ask them to change either. We find ways to make it work.
There are some concepts in coaching such as boundary setting, values alignment, and mutual respect that come into play. We all need space to be who we are. That doesn’t mean conflict disappears; it means we learn how to live in it without losing each other. We have found a way to disagree and still accept each other.
“I Could Never Do That”
People sometimes say to me, “I could never go vegan.”
I don’t judge. That’s not my place. I’ve learned not to assume what someone means by that. It could be about taste, texture, culture, or tradition. Food is deeply personal and deeply social.
Some people grew up in communities where eating meat is a core part of family identity. For others, it’s about convenience, cost, or connection. I get it. I lived that way myself for most of my life, too.
When I hear that comment, my internal response is simple: I can.
It’s a quiet reminder to myself: I made a choice. I followed through. And that matters.
If You’re Just Starting Out
If you’re thinking of trying a dietary change, plant-based or otherwise, there are a few things I’d want you to hear:
- It takes time to learn. There’s a curve. You won’t get it all right at first. That’s okay.
- It has to be yours. You don’t need to follow anyone else’s timeline. Look inside. Choose when it’s right for you.
- It’s doable. You can live a full, delicious, joyful life on a plant-based diet. You’ll discover new favorites. You’ll surprise yourself.
But only if you want to.
That’s the part I keep coming back to: want. Not shame. Not pressure. Not performance.
Want.
If you truly want something, you’ll find a way. It’ll fit into your life and your identity. And if you don’t, there’s probably something else worth honoring.
What Coaching Is Teaching Me About Change, Learning, and Commitment in My Vegan Lifestyle
This story isn’t just about food. It’s about identity, resilience, and living in alignment.
It’s also a mirror:
What’s something you tried that turned into a commitment?
Where have you overridden your instincts out of fear?
What values guide your decisions, especially when no one’s looking?
What does nourishment mean to you?
Change doesn’t have to be loud, or instant, or public. Sometimes, the most profound and personal transformations happen one meal at a time.
And sometimes, they begin with a simple experiment.
Just a week. Just a taste. Just enough to wonder:
Where’s this going?
For Further Reading
Check out this article: Embracing a Plant Based Diet
Or see other common coaching topics.
A Note From Your NYC Personal Life Coach, Whenever You’re Ready
If something here resonated and you’d like support as you sort through what comes next, I’m here. I’m an online life coach based in New York City, working with people across the United States on mindset, clarity, and joyful personal growth.
Reach me anytime at [email protected].
We can start with a short consultation to help you get clear on one meaningful next step.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, dietician, or licensed nutrition professional. This article reflects my personal experience with a plant-based diet and is not intended as medical advice or a recommendation for any specific dietary approach. Everyone’s body and needs are different. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or health routines