How practical are resolutions?

January 15, 2020 – According to fitness trainer Florian Wuest of Quality Gains, resolutions are good only if they are based on knowledge, commitment and accountability. So our New Year’s resolutions, if we make them, need to be grounded in evidence.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM.org) has reports of plenty of studies that show that a plant-based food plan benefits us, including less risk of diseases. Trainer Wuest adds six additional benefits: improved confidence, increased sexual attraction, better self worth, enhanced focus, improved sleep and increased well-being. Somehow, without that animal cholesterol, we feel better and others notice our inner glow. With the fiber from plants, we keep our digestive system chugging along. Good-bye, Constipation!

But knowledge by itself will not sustain our resolve to stick with eating plants. Nutritionist Deepa suggests that we practice self-awareness, set small realistic goals and select one small change on which we have the time to focus.

Registered dietician Lee Crosby of PCRM offers the following specific steps, especially to avoid breast cancer: get enough iodine (from iodized salt or sea vegetables); eat a mushroom per day (to lower the risk of breast cancer by 64 percent); replace soda pop with green tea; favor meatless meals(take the free 21-day Vegan Kickstart from PCRM); move your body with your doctor’s okay. Her last three tips can help anyone, whether he/she is high on the probability of having cancer or not.

For example, I switched from sea to iodized salt when my test results revealed that my iodine was low. Since several urban farms are in my area, I’ve tried different kinds of mushrooms. I found the Kickstart helpful in providing variety to my food plan; now I’m not afraid of making a mistake with a new recipe. I used to run, but after I injured my foot twice within a year, I switched to walking.

Meetups are an enjoyable way to reinforce commitment (December 15, 2019 article). The ones I attend don’t pressure me in any way. As a result, I don’t pressure other people into my vegetarian lifestyle. Meetup members give and receive moral support from other vegetarians. For example, I gave up pizza because I wanted to avoid wheat, tomatoes and cheese, but then some meetup members told me about two chains that offer gluten-free crust and vegetarian options for build-your-own pizzas. I was delighted. Meetups have also taken me to restaurants that I ordinarily would not visit. I’ve tried different ethnic foods that I didn’t know had plant-based options. What I like most about the meetups is that I meet new people every time.

My commitment to the revived Plant Based Southsiders has kept me planning monthly by listening to what members want. From the first two meetings, I learned that members who no longer work usually want learning and eating events before dark during the week; if they are still employed, in the evening on weekends. Thus far, we’ve met monthly: eating at Soul Vegetarian in December, learning from Dr. Mason in January and eating in February at Good Foods Deli. (See February Events.)

Attendance has increased from three to 21. I only gave a week’s notice December, so I upped it to two weeks in January. Maybe later we can stake a spot in the park or meet in homes for potlucks like the early Southside vegetarians did. Collaborating with the National Vegetarian Museum and Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church also increased attendance for our first learning event.

Accountability comes with the healthy results. When I started a plant based lifestyle in the 1980s, I didn’t realize its benefits until I noticed my increased energy while I was running: I didn’t run out of stamina. More recently, my ophthalmologist was amazed at my lack of inflammation after surgery with no anesthesia; he then checked the results with other vegetarian patients and found similar results. Even my former primary care provider was amazed that my annual blood test showed low triglycerides.

How have your resolutions for a better life played out? How can you reinforce your resolve to increase your vegetarian way of life? Which of the three components for strengthening your resolution is missing?