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Everything posted by gian
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Hey everyone, I just wanted to share my experience with being vegan for just over a year now. Before I changed my lifestyle, I used to consume meat and dairy products almost every single day. I had considered becoming vegan for a couple of years based on the science and ethical issues behind it, and also from talking with my cousin who had been vegan for about 5 years (and was in incredible shape) I knew it could be done successfully while still lifting/training, but it seemed too time consuming to make that shift properly while I was busy with work and grad school. I had seen "forks over knives" and other docs like that years ago, and had semi frequently messaged my cousin (he lived out of state) about his diet, so I was already somewhat knowledgeable about veganism I felt. But after watching "Cowspiracy" shortly after it was released and realizing the environmental issues and perceived government cover ups/ big business calling the shots, I decided to go completely vegan. Fortunately, I feel I was fairly well educated in nutrition and had the encouragement/endless information from my vegan cousin to help my throughout my shift. I have talked to many people who have tried a vegan diet and were doing it terribly wrong and felt horrible. I on the other hand felt nothing but drastic improvements in my physical and even mental health quite quickly. I know everyone's body chemistry is different and we all take to different foods/nutrients differently, but I believe the majority of people that live in a society that has the resources for them to adopt a vegan diet should do so or at least try it out in a proper way. My physique has improved drastically due to my diet changes. I have had fantastic strength gains in the gym, my skin is clearer, my mentality has improved, etc. I initially went vegan because of the environmental issues and health benefits, but now realize the HUGE ethics and animal welfare issues. I was always aware of how poorly animals were treated in factory farms and other facilities, but now I feel a much deeper compassion (it just happened subconsciously overtime it seems) that I feel others will attain after going vegan. I really don't feel the need to post studies or explain more scientifically the reasons a vegan diet is the way to go, because the research is so easily accessible and is fortunately becoming more widely realized/accepted by the masses (slowly but surely). If anyone is considering going vegan and has any questions about nutrition, strength training, etc. please ask me and I would be happy to help!
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Hello, my name is Gian and I am a 27 year old male currently living in Cleveland, Ohio. I have been absorbing material from Actualized.org and other self development YouTube channels for several years now and it has all helped me become a much stronger version of myself and aided in a new perception of my life. My current situation: I have my BA in Psychology and received my MBA last May (2015). I am currently working in retail in the health & wellness industry and doing some freelance social media marketing work. I know what my main passions are in life (music, health, wellness, nutrition, fitness) and am getting a better idea about what areas to look into for a better "career" but I still find myself mentally stuck. My background: I am an only child from a middle class family. My parents were very loving towards me but they had a very bad relationship and I witnessed almost constant emotional abuse between them the majority of my life. My father was also disabled which that, on top of other personality traits have effected me in more ways I would like to admit. I had a good social life but struggled with anxiety, major depression, extreme self hatred, and suicidal thoughts throughout my teens and into my early 20's. I am honestly surprised I accomplished all that I have in life with such negative ways of seeing myself and the world. I have had a good number of relationships (serious and casual) with various women throughout my life but I always push them away and distance myself because of my underlying insecurities and feelings of worthlessness that still exist (although others see me as very confident and positive) Since around 2013 I have been watching various personal development channels on Youtube and they have all helped me a great deal. I would not know where I would be today without them. However, life is always one big emotional roller coaster that I have been able to control more and more, but it still hinders me a great deal. This last summer was a big awakening for me when I ruined a potential relationship with an absolutely amazing woman because of my distance and perceived lack of interest. On the inside I felt worthless and inferior, and outwardly I projected interest in only sex, and more of a "friends with benefits" mentality. I really began to realize the extent of my self sabotage not only with relationships, but with my own life as well. I have always felt "different" then the average person (or my perception of the "average person") and I feel I was somehow using that mindset in the most negative way and it lead to my further indecisiveness and lack of action. Although these personal development videos and information are great, I have let myself get stuck into consuming them and consuming them without much action. For the past several months, I have been (semi) consistently meditating, visualizing, writing affirmations, nofap, etc. I know I am going in the right direction, but I still find myself wasting time regarding my new job search, constantly comparing myself to others, paralyzed by anxiety and negative thinking (conspiracy theories, the well being of my parents, what others think of me, etc). It's like I go for a few weeks with great productivity and ambition, then others (like now) I feel very depressed, drained, and hopeless. Sometimes I feel like "I am in a great spot I am 27, just got my MBA, I am very intelligent and have so many opportunities and goals I want to accomplish...the world is at my fingertips." Other times I feel like "I am 27, I don't even have a good paying job yet, I cant decide what to do, I am immature and should be so much more successful right now, I cannot hold a relationship, I am constantly worried about the well being of my family, what's the point anyway the entire world is collapsing before all of our eyes, I am a failure." I feel like I am an intelligent, fit, attractive, and passionate man and understand my own psyche as well as the world around me, the reason for my hangups, abstract concepts, etc....But, I just don't know where I am or what to do at times. I feel bad for even posting this self loathing mess of run-on sentences because I am so lucky to have everything I have and should be constantly filled with gratitude. I have come such a long way mentally, but some days I feel like I really haven't come far at all. If you have read all of this, I sincerely thank you. I know this is somewhat of a long jumbled mess about someone you don't even know, but being able to express my current feelings to a positive community like this is so amazing. I guess all I am asking for is some feedback, personal experiences, and/or advice. Thank you so much and I am very excited that this forum has been created and get involved in future discussions. -Gian-
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@Dhana Choko Thank you very much for the uplifting words. I know many people like ourselves are going through similar situations and to hear directly from another that they are feeling the same means so much. I really do have a deep down feeling that things will work out, it is just a matter of bringing it to my conscious state and living with that vibration more and more each day. Best of luck to you as well!
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I have been attempting nofap for wow....about 3 years now? My longest streak has only been 28 days and I feel pretty ashamed about that. I am good for a week or so, feel that intense improvement and energy from not fapping and then I always end up looking at porn and giving in.... mind you throughout these years I have had multiple female partners and have not had any problems whatsoever in the bedroom. (Except when I was 21 I could never finish which I realize now was due to my excessive maturation and porn consumption) The main issue I feel is porn, not so much masturbation (w the exception of that "addiction" to the constant dopamine release. I feel I have had such a hard time (no pun intended) quitting porn was because I used to fap every single day from probably 14-24. Was I was in my younger years I was very depressed and always felt worthless. PMO was my stress reliever and the only thing that made me feel good. I now realize how sick I was. But throughout the years, even only having a pr of 28 days, nofap has worked wonders for me in so many ways. I recommend that everyone try it.
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@JustYou thank you! This is a very good perspective to have regarding "bad" days, emotions, etc. I really need to focus on that mindset more frequently. Much appreciated.
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@Leo Gura Thank you so much, Leo. I feel like I am getting a better idea of my life purpose from your videos and other resources I've checked out and work I have done. Right now my passions lie in health, wellness, and nutrition and educating others about it. And how nutrition and lifestyle choices can improve life dramatically. I currently have a retail position in this area, but am stuck in taking it to the next level as I have an MBA and not a nutrition degree (even though I feel very confident in my knowledge on the subject). I am looking into corporate wellness jobs and related areas, but I find myself losing motivation thinking Ill just get stuck in something I won't enjoy (also from not getting any replies back) But I know I need to step out of my comfort zone and my fear is getting in the way. I have already turned down a few good paying positions in sales because I knew my heart would not be in it and I would be "selling out" I feel like all I am doing is making excuses and I know I am responsible for where I am in life right now. I know I am going in the right direction I just feel like I am never enough nor am I ever doing enough (when most of those around me think I work too much) Anyway, thank you for the positive words and I know I will find my path in time.
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@Aylathank you so much for the response!
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I have been doing IF for close to 5 months now and I absolutely love it. It really didn't even take me long to get used to. I went from eating something every few hours since as long as I remember to a 16 hr fast and 8 hour feeding window. I've lost fat without changing diet or exercise plans, my training has even improved. I am also a vegan and I feel the combination of these 2 lifestyles can work wonders for anyone willing to give it a try!