From 30-day experiment to life-changing results: My journey with whole food plant-based eating
Discover how my 30-day experiment with whole food plant-based eating led to transformative health benefits, improved fitness, and a renewed sense of vitality.
"It's often the case that the solution is right in front of us, and it’s usually simpler than we imagine."
I visited my GP on 21 June 2024, as I have been doing annually, near my birthday, so I don’t forget, for the past few years.
This year, I went to the same General Practice but with a different GP. I asked the doctor to review all my test results and the like with a fresh set of eyes, which he did. They were all good, with no issues. Yet, given my height, he said, “Your overall health would benefit from losing some weight to get closer to your ideal BMI. "
He suggested I try a whole food plant-based (‘WFPB’) approach to eating for 30 days and see how it goes.
We discussed it some more. And away I went.
After 30 days, I felt great. I kept going.
After 60 days, I could see the benefits visually, and some close friends noticed, too. So, I kept going.
After 90 days, I’d dropped 8.5 kg and felt fantastic.
Five months later, I’ve just completed the Kosci 50 in 8:37:45. It’s a 50-kilometre trail running race at Kosciuszko, with 1300 metres of elevation, long technical sections, stair climbing, and technical stair descents, all in very variable weather conditions. I achieved 6th in my category.
I believe the key for me and the bit worth sharing is that by adopting a WFPB approach to eating, I’ve stopped eating many things: muffins, banana bread, and biscuits. Essentially, I've stopped eating sugar, fat, highly processed flour, and preservatives, too, because I don’t crave such things, and I don’t crave sugar.
I’m lighter. My training is so much better. My legs don’t ache when I drive over two hours in the car. I’ve purchased business shirts, one size down. I’ve purchased business pants, one size down.
As I read more about this, including around big pharma and big food, I see the benefits of a WFPB approach.
As I step away from my previous way of eating, I am now conscious.
This consciousness gives me agency over my health, which is the most important thing to me. Well, that and the fact that even at the 47-kilometre mark of the Kosci 50, I was feeling fantastic and planning my Tuesday run with my run group and Wednesday run with a friend.
For dinner last night, I prepared a delightful pasta dish with a variety of fresh vegetables. Cooking and enjoying this healthy meal was truly satisfying.
I tried WFPB for 30 days as a fun project. It’s been positively life-changing.
Author: David Brown
Image: David at Kosciuszko
