From plantbasednews.org
Fitness enthusiast Maxime Sigouin shares the lessons he's learned from a decade of veganism
In a recent podcast episode, Maxime Sigouin, the founder and CEO of Fit Vegan Coaching, celebrated a decade of being vegan by sharing the most valuable lessons he has learned over the past 10 years.
Sigouin’s candid reflections explore the challenges and insights he gained, aiming to provide guidance for those transitioning to or navigating a vegan lifestyle, and particularly those who are interested in fitness and nutrition. From managing protein intake while training to dealing with criticism, these lessons will help everyone from long-time vegans to newbies to the lifestyle.
Maxime Sigouin has shared the lessons he's learnt from 10 years of veganism - Media Credit: The Fit Vegan PodcastDon’t overcomplicate nutrition
Sigouin admitted that in the early days of his vegan journey, he overcomplicated his diet by trying to include an extensive range of foods at each meal. “I was obsessing over trying to get all the little micronutrients to a small detail every single meal and every single day,” he shared. This meticulous approach, while well-intentioned, made the diet difficult and unsustainable. Now, he focuses on keeping things simple by buying a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains, and rotating them as needed. “If I run out of one grain, I buy another one,” he explained, emphasizing that simplicity can provide the diversity needed for a balanced vegan diet.
Pay attention to protein when training
Lead by example
Sigouin emphasized the power of leading by example. While initially he was more vocal about his vegan lifestyle, he realized that people responded better when he simply demonstrated its benefits through his actions. “If I can stay fit and healthy, compete at a high level… people started asking me questions,” he noted. By embodying the results of a plant-based diet, he found it easier to inspire others to consider the lifestyle without being overly confrontational.
Handle scepticism with patience
Sigouin acknowledged that in his early days as a vegan, he would get into debates with sceptics about protein sources or nutrient deficiencies. Over time, he learned the value of patience. Instead of aggressively countering every argument, he began offering resources and personal anecdotes to those genuinely curious, emphasizing the importance of planting seeds in people’s minds.
Inspire Change through Patience and Empathy
In his earlier years as a vegan, Sigouin admitted to having an “evangelist phase” where he aggressively tried to convince others to adopt veganism. He quickly realized that this confrontational approach only pushed people away. “I was intense with my family and friends, and it made them not want to talk to me about it,” he shared. Over time, he learned that inspiring change is more effective when approached with empathy and patience. Instead of forcing his beliefs, he now focuses on providing gentle guidance and offering helpful resources to those who express interest. By respecting others’ journeys and planting seeds of curiosity, Sigouin found that people became more open to exploring veganism on their own terms.
Consistency Over Perfection
Sigouin also shared a reminder that being vegan isn’t about perfection but about consistency. Throughout his journey, there were times he inadvertently consumed dairy or eggs due to mistakes at restaurants or in product labeling. He emphasized not beating oneself up over these situations, but rather learning from them and moving forward. “It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistency,” he reiterated.
Keep it simple
Looking back, Sigouin’s most crucial lesson is the importance of keeping things simple. From focusing on whole foods to rotating ingredients for diversity, he encourages newcomers not to overcomplicate their transition to veganism. “Eat whole food plant-based the majority of the time, focus on diversity, stay within your calories, put an emphasis on protein, and work out,” he advised. This approach, he believes, can put anyone on the path to better health without the unnecessary stress of perfectionism.
https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/health-and-fitness/lessons-learned-veganism/
No comments:
Post a Comment