10 SURPRISES after 50 days of VEGAN eating

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Anyone else getting more plant based stuff in the diet? Or still enjoying those burgers that aren't made of beans 😆

[@madiantin]

Interestingly, this was a discussion our family had last night. We had hamburgers. I had a veggie burger...and was hungry afterwards. The discussion was, would I have been more full if I'd had a beef burger? Don't know. Maybe if I'd eaten more salad or something? Having said THAT, when the family goes out to taco bell I get those amazing potato ones and they fill me up no problem. So maybe I should just eat more potatoes.

[@kieransweeney6010]

Moving Mountain Burgers, I didn't think they tasted like meat but more just tasted like themselves (if you know what i mean)

[@ne14cycling]

I am. More from releasing the stigma[?] and just grabbing the increasingly available product. I recall doing a 1,000km backcountry [unsupported] MTB race on the south island of NZ [I've done this one 3x] and I had a thought - "I am NEVER eating lamb again." I was becoming one with the sheep (no not that way) - but I had ridden through and around 10s of thousands of sheep and they always played nice.

[@noggintube]

I'm kind of where you were prior to this. Eat meat but am conscious of choosing welfare over price etc. Good video though and food for thought.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

@@madiantin Protein is filling and I find a meat burger much higher protein than plant based - so I just eat 2 😂 that's my point in the video about hitting protein is simple but it comes with extra calories.

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Agreed with point 10 - I’ve found since not eating meat, that I’m not comfortable with an animal dying for it - and a tad less easy about my kids taking down a burger. Very engaging presentation 👌

[@savegan4005]

good on you brwm. its horrific what they do to those who have no voice.very sad . nice video at Ambleside btw

[@darthvader1494]

2 months as a vegan now and i still coulden give a shit about animals beeing killed. I am still out hunting in the woods with my mates to provide the family with good gmo free meat. I dont condone animal crulity and abuse, but humans get meat and cows exct get to continue as a species

[@GfreshNelson]

You nailed my sentiment Mark. I’m 18 months in. Doing it because I too am very good at eating garbage. Loved fast food. Loved processed meats, ice cream, cake etc etc. Loved it all so much that I almost always had seconds. This cleaned up my diet a lot, though I’ve since learned that there is PB garbage out there too. I can’t say I love the food as much now and because of that, I don’t often over eat. But I really appreciate how much healthier it is. Biggest gain and surprise for me was the lowering of my blood pressure. Down 35/25 and into normal and healthy. I’m running my first marathon in 13 years in mid October. I’m slow AF, but there will be more and they will be faster. Anyway I love your content. It’s witty and inspiring. Keep it up, you’re good at making videos!

[@ben_imaging]

Number one is 100% correct! I was 357 pounds and I had been vegan for 5 years! It was only cutting out all of the crap food and focusing on fresh fruit, veg and pulses that I started to get healthy and lose weight. I added in sobriety and running, and I’m the happiest I’ve never been. I’m 231lbs now and getting loser to my goals. Veganism does not automatically equal healthy, but it certainly can if you want it to.

[@philipknightphoto]

Mark just makes sense, just found this channel. Loving it, and the 80’s clips the cherry on top. Great job!

[@darrenfirth]

You've really positioned this well Mark. I adopted a plant based diet back in 2013 it was purely about fitness and nothing else. But as you state in point 10 over time I allowed myself to 'open the box' and I did not like what was inside. This is now the main driver for me. Great video as always. Even my partner finds you funny!

[@MarkLewisfitness]

It's funny because I always ignored my wife talking about the animal videos she was seeing on Facebook as I did not want to interrupt my burger consumption! Now that I have no need to "hide" that truth from myself.....its pretty bloody grim. I am all in favour of people doing what they want, but I'm also convinced that in 50 years time we will look back a bit amazed at what we used to do in regards of meat consumption/production.

[@joaoluisferreira5118]

I've been plant based for more than 2 years and I can relate to pretty much everything you pointed. My life quality increased 1000%. I also didn't change because of animal exploit, but you do start to think of it the way you said sometime after. Kudos to you on making the change, I'm 27 years old and I just regret for not having made the change sooner. Love your vids, keep it up! 👊

[@mikeskylark1594]

You have such a healthy & mature perspective on things! You surprise me every time! More food videos please! :)

[@silentsupremacy]

I've been vegan for almost 9 months now and cant imagine going back. Once i'd settled on becoming vegan i thought, if i can give up meat (which i loved), i can exercise daily. I'm currently down 50 pounds and I feel better than ever. I also had my blood work done before the switch, and all of my numbers have improved dramatically. Would recommend that anyone thinking about going plant based should do it!

[@harryn5891]

Really enjoyed this Mark, very eloquent and clearly spelled out. Your description of wanting to keep the box of abattoir nasties well sealed is exatly right and is something I have noticed but hadn't put into words yet.

[@Ecoroof1986]

I've been plant based for 5 years now. Turned 50 last week and feel superb. Running quicker longer and recovering better. I know exactly what you mean about making the connection between whats on the plate and where it came from, that feeling gets stronger. It did/does for me. Get used to people saying oh go on its only one biscuit whats the harm! Oh go on whats the harm its only one joint of crack cocaine! A bit extreme but you get where i'm going. Great vid Mark

[@stripe2204]

Congratulations, you and Jenna are now eligible to race for Team Vegan in Zwift! 🌱 That was a well balanced summary. I wasn't at all fit when I jumped from vegetarian to vegan 7 years ago and I noticed a huge improvement in the way I felt. I realised dairy made me feel bloated and tired. After around 3 weeks of plant based food those symptoms had gone. I hope you manage to stick with plant based food and it would be great to see you on a Team Vegan ride soon (Sunday Smoothies are always good for a C cat social ride)

[@MarkLewisfitness]

The dairy is good one - there were no surprises there to note. Skin better. Asthma better. Stuff I had noticed before when dropping dairy.

[@duckyluver12]

The woman showing you the cow's milk cracked me up. I went into a pub and ordered a burger when I first went plant-based years ago and asked them to replace the meat with a veggie patty, assuming they'd replace all the meat. Nope it showed up with a veggie patty topped with bacon. I couldn't stop laughing.

[@savegan4005]

mark, regardless of where you go from here, I now know, you have had your eyes opened ,to what its like to be vegan.for this I appreciate you and what you are trying. you can definitely be vegan and not have to wear sandals and socks. trust me I know.good luck with your future endeavours dude.

[@paulmorrison30]

I know my way around a whopper and the classic movie inserts are exceptional and way above average, I laughed so hard 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@DarenC]

As a "for the animals" vegan, it's great to see that following a plant-based diet might be a gateway to thinking about the morals of intensive farming and the ethics of killing a sentient creature who doesn't want or need to die. Dairy and egg industries are as bad, arguably worse for the abuse they put animals through.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Funnily enough, if I did go backwards with my eating-I can imagine eating ethically sourced meat more easily than anything from the dairy industry. (I appreciate ethically sourced meat sounds like an oxymoron)

[@DarenC]

@@MarkLewisfitness It sounds like it because it is, I'd say, but I try not to get _too_ "preachy vegan" no matter how much I want to. :D We all draw our lines in different places. You very much strike me as the kind of person who researches things enough to make informed decisions, so if you do revert I'm sure it'll be for good (to you at least) reasons :D

[@lornadoell]

Maybe this side effect of caring for the animals, is why the meat and dairy industry are pushing back so hard. If too many people figure out that they can have all the upside without the cruelty, they will go out of business, even with all those tax payer subsidies.

[@jinx6493]

My wife and I went plant based 3 years ago and the only thing I remember at the beginning is it took a few weeks for my taste buds to adapt and embrace the new diet. We both love it and haven’t looked back……well……apart from cheese…..I miss cheese 😢😝

[@eddiesenior2010]

One thing I wasn’t prepared for after I turned vegan is how bad meat being cooked smells. The smell of scrambled eggs used to be amazing, now it just reminds me of flatulence. Stuff like mince makes me feel nauseous. I was at my partners house and they were roasting a chicken. It smelt awful and I had to shower and was my clothes when I got home as the smell was all over me. Once your brain loses that connection between the cooking meat and the nutrition, everything changes!

[@MsRafanatic]

This! When I was vegetarian I liked eggs. Now if I order something in a restaurant and it is possibly cooked in the same pan as eggs, I can smell it and it turns me off. And I used to love cheese! Now if I see a pizza with a thick layer of cheese I find it vaguely disgusting.

[@madiantin]

3:48 OH MY GOSH! I just watched American Werewolf in London last night. Hadn't seen it in literally decades. It's as good as I remembered. Those special effects man! For being ... 40?? years old, they're amazing. Edit 6:28: Laughed so hard I wheezed. Further edit: Your video inserts were hilarious. Also, a general update on how things are going diet-wise would be helpful. It would be interesting to see how much further veganism simply becomes part of your lifestyle, or if over time you add animal-based products and your reasons for doing so. It's interesting to observe the process. Also, fascinating how you are slowly getting a bit more grossed out by meat. Huh. Would like to see if that reaction increases or not.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

You say that (and I agree) but I made my kids watch it for Halloween last year and they thought it was rubbish 😂. Idiot children 🤪

[@madiantin]

@@MarkLewisfitness LOL! Not to worry, in 40 years they'll be all, "Hey kids, come watch this amazing film from my youth" and they'll be all, "Oh Dad! That's so dumb! No holograms and you can't even smell it." or something.

[@AndyBrownTripleYourClients]

Mark this is such a great video. The point about friends and animals at the end was well made. As a keen follower of David Goggins I believe KZbin used this to recommend your 4x4x48 video. Having watched that I was hooked on your channel. I’m an inch shorter and only a few years older so can definitely relate to what you have to say. I didn’t realise you were vegan / plant based until I had watched quite a few of your videos. I went vegan at the beginning of 2018 and thought wow I going binge the plant based videos as well. I also keenly follow the KZbin as a business industry and loved your question and answer video. It was reassuring to learn about the effort you put into each effort. Previously I was watching and thinking there is no way you can knock a video like this up in a couple of hours. If you had been, that would be super human. Massive lesson in being consistent over many years that you see with a lot of successful KZbinrs. I see your subscriber count has grown massively since that video. Ultimately the best thing is you have motivated me to get my running shoes back on.

[@SuperMike1098]

Great content,and love they way you explain so everybody understand,keep up the good work

[@kieransweeney6010]

I know my way around a Whopper. Superb

[@noggintube]

Almost needs to be on a T-Shirt ;)

[@paulmorrison30]

🤣 Classic! I love it

[@richardvaughn168]

It's a circle - how hard can it be to get around, no way to get lost!

[@WHEREAMI42]

Make your own hummus - it's basically just chick peas (with garlic and a dash of oil) mashed with a fork, much healthier and arguably(!) tastier than the shop bought stuff... though the pita bread will still be pita bread.

[@pizzathehut2001]

2 things, i have no link to flora but do recommend the plant based butter and cream we have switched at work for use in cooking and customers have not noticed and the shelf life for the cream is longer, and the stuff tastes good 2nd thing the use of the word nugget, burger, sausage etc is no to replace meat but to describe the size and shape of the item

[@MarkLewisfitness]

I will check out the butter! I agree about the words to describe the shape, but it is very clear that the companies are using the words to deliberately entice people across. I don't really mind it, it is more that I just find it a bit odd that people need that link to their old diet, even though they have often left it because they dislike the concept of what it consists of.

[@timwells3056]

Hi have you considered doing a food recipes book? Booklet etc ? Thanks Tim

[@Rickalicious]

Keep it up Mark! Also Nutritional Yeast is amazing, protein and nutrients ✔️

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Normally, not a topic I would watch. I laughed my way through this. Comedy gold!

[@MarkLewisfitness]

If I can get people to watch stuff that they wouldn't normally watch - I consider that a job well done!

[@The_G]

Business Card - ‘Mark Lewis - Whopper Expert’ 😂 Some good thought provoking stuff there thanks for sharing and also not getting on the ‘right/wrong’ argument regarding vegan/meat. 🍔

[@accidentalactivist9633]

As an ethical vegan (for 10 years) and someone who was also relatively fit and stayed so this is an interesting video and point 10 illustrates your acknowledgement of the cognitive dissonance most meat eaters have. Remember we are programmed to believe that eating meat is good but of course the reality is different. Things are changing for the better and agree with your point in the comments that if the human race survives we probably will look back on eating animals much as the same way as we now do with say . . . slavery. On the health side of things its easy now as a vegan to be fat and lazy but when I transitioned I did feel I was recovering quicker than before and as a general health thing am pretty happy where I'm at. I can chase a fox hunt all day on foot carry kit and still have time to escape from a fat gammon hunter trying to kill me by riding over me on a horse or driving a 4x4 and I'm 52. As a side really enjoying the videos (ignoring your americanisms Zee/Zed) and have started running regularly and doing park runs. Might try a half marathon and see how that goes . . .

[@waynemaman7418]

I love this video, the way you did not try sell Veganism to everyone and its your personal experience. This is informational, thank you!

[@Nayz13]

I tried to find a plant based protein powder but they all tasted like crap- any recommendations?

[@MattChapple]

I’ve been veggie for 6 years, don’t eat a lot of dairy (only what’s in things I buy rather than straight cheese/milk). I’ve always found eating out tricky because I’m the only veggie in my family (inc. partner’s family) - you can’t expect people to change where they want to eat for one person. On your point about things branded as alternative sausages/burgers etc - I’ve talked about this with friends quite recently and they don’t get it but that’s because they assume a burger/sausages HAS to be meat where really it’s just the shape of a food and style of food. I do wish companies would stop using ‘non-meat’ and the word chicken in their branding though.

[@alanocallaghan5472]

Happy Cow app is great for vegan restaurant recommendations. Point 6 god yes. Had a good friend give my yards recently because I declined a chicken ball she offered me from the Chinese. Didn't say why, just said no thank you. She went wild trying to guilt me about my choices, even though I've never said anything like that to her. Point 10, with my socks and sandals literally on: absolutely. There's research that shows people actively avoid thinking about or learning about animal sentience when they eat meat. Like if people have just eaten a burger, they're less likely to think that cows feel pain and fear than at other times. Once you stop engaging in it, something changes, your eyes open.

[@69camaro19]

After almost 6 years on a WFPB way of life, I have not lost any strength and the old joints feel way better. :) Oh ya, I am 57yo.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

I keep hearing stuff like this. Good to know👍

[@jamesspo]

Very well put together video.

[@java6727]

Not sure why I watch it but I love your content, man! True and too funny!

[@mot0s896]

Nice Video like each time. In the moment my zwift is canceld. 30° and more so im outside

[@laughoutloud7619]

“I’m gonna open it” 🤣🤣

[@1matzeplayer1]

Love the content!

[@andrewbonhomme8069]

Great analysis loved it.

[@richardvaughn168]

Great explanation (and excellent movie inserts). Unrealted question from a guy that has his KICKR bike in the garage - what is the max temp in the (unconditioned) garage that will stop you from riding?

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Once it is high 20s (in the UK) it starts to get pretty uncomfortable even with all the fans on. At that point, I would rather wait till later in the day and run or keep the rides short and fast.

[@richardvaughn168]

@@MarkLewisfitness Same here. I can handle 80-85 F but it's not sustainable for high intensity work even with fans. Much prefer winter temps!

[@darkflamejam]

Over here in Malmö every place has a lot of vegan options, even vegan only restaurants. I'm pretty heavyily plant based, but cheese, vegan cheese is awful. One of the things I find great about plant based food is that it's a lot easier to clean and cook than meat. I'm If you haven't tried it, I recommend using the happy cow app. Oh also, socks and sandals is the default in Sweden. Weirdos.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Checking out HappyCow now!

[@thp8485]

Number 10 was my biggest surprise too

[@simongrainger2008]

It’s good to see another good guy becoming ‘aware’ - think the final scene of The Matrix. 😉

[@AGDaws]

I’m here for the callback to American Werewolf in London.

[@ggoben]

Do you write your dialogue beforehand? Or, Is this all off the cuff? Good stuff all around

[@lucyparde3160]

You have mentioned you were put off by Game Changers but I am curious if you have liked other documentaries like Forks Over Knives? I dropped meat because of not wanting cancer, heart disease, etc. It is taking me a bit longer to give up the processed crap though.

[@JakeGT1000]

Do you find it easier to avoid something like a chocolate bar because you're plant based compared to just avoiding junk food on a free diet?

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Completely - most choc is not vegan so I cant eat it - simple. The kids often have stuff in the house I would snack on, can't eat it. "Just" avoiding junk on its own always felt to me like quitting smoking by only smoking a few.

[@alan5555alan]

Hey Mark I really enjoy the videos. Check out scott pilgrim vs the world vegan edge movie clip.

[@patbriggsmbr]

Some great info in there👍.

[@davidlewis8104]

I think it’s important to distinguish between vegan/plant based and whole food plant based diets. All these vegan processed foods/ice cream etc would not fall under whole food plant based, which might yield more positive benefits for you (as it has for me, been WFPB for 60 days FYI and never going back, also just registered for a Sprint Triathlon, first endurance event ever)

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Good point-for most people, simply understanding the difference between plant-based vegan is a challenge! I try to limit my consumption of processed foods as much as possible, as I did eating meat to be fair.

[@hannahmitchell87]

You said in another video you were vegan, not plant based but that you still buy leather? Or did I misunderstand? @@MarkLewisfitness

[@MarkLewisfitness]

@@hannahmitchell87 no. I’m Vegan (and plant based as a result). No leather.

[@coolhandluke1978]

Seriously loving the content Mark, keep it coming…. However, as an Ex Royal Marine, and in keeping up with above average, surely a Marine or Para fitness test is what you meant ;)

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Ha! This summer I am going to rattle my way through all sorts of tests. A series of videos called “could I be a …”. No doubt Marine will be one! But I have a cool reason for doing the US Army one first 😀

[@Roboturnerlol]

3:00 did mark just get shorter?

[@WhenWillILearn]

I live in hope that one day we have a '96% there' XL bacon double cheese burger

[@amilawstudent]

Have you tried your secret pulled pork rub on shredded jackfruit?

[@richslaney]

Brilliant as ever

[@dayalandoraisamy3859]

are you still plant based , 6 months on ?

[@vincentcrowley5196]

Have you noticed any improvement in the gym or running since trying vegan diet? Just wondering if it would help

[@MarkLewisfitness]

No change

[@crieverytim]

Wish you did time stamps!

[@craigstanley9974]

Nice video.👍

[@simondaniels2043]

Great video Mark. Random question, but what is the watch on your wrist? Looks like a Master of G? #watchnerdfitnessguy.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Frogman Borneo toad special edition 🐸

[@simondaniels2043]

@@MarkLewisfitness Bought an Amazfit T rex Pro yesterday. Not quite a Fenix 7, but its a start. Done 4 trail runs this week. Hard but good. Cheers 😁👍

[@ccamire]

Always love your balanced comments. No matter where you go from here, do like you always do and measure your health biomarkers. I understand the ethics and other considerations that many people have. If you want to live longer and healthier i measure and follow the trends of my biomarkers. We all react differently to food but far too many many people either follow trends or celebrities for their diet choices. Every year i get a detailed lab test and i make adjustment to my nutrition strategy just like i follow my evolution with my strava and zwift numbers. Continue on the interesting content.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Actually, that reminds me - I am about due for a full set of bloods. I will give it a few weeks more so that I am three months in to plant-based and then see where I'm at.

[@klaashermans]

I'm not vegan, but I do think it is peculiar that many meat-eaters feel the need to openly criticize plant based diets, to the point where vegan/vegeterians constantly have to defend their choices. And you in these videos going out of your way not to hurt the meat-eaters feelings, because you know how sensitive a topic this is for many of them. Anyway, have another flapjack or whatever veggie based monstrosity you were having...

[@mauricetremblay1324]

As always insightful and entertaining. I will now have to consider a more plant based diet. Your arguments are compelling.

[@calonstanni]

You're the best. that is all.

[@johanWallgren]

Can’t remember if you have answered this in an earlier video but why plant based and not vegetarian? Because of the wife?

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Two reasons - a) The wife is full vegan. She is now relocating bugs on the plants in the garden to nearby fields instead of killing them😂) and b) it was always dairy that I had a bigger issue with than meat. The very idea of it just never sat right with me. Just seems so unnatural a thing to consume as an adult animal. In fact, if I ever go backwards - it would be to meat, not dairy.

[@richardvaughn168]

also 404 error on the "wahoo stuff" link

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Hold off on your order of four bikes until I fix that 😂👍🏼

[@richardvaughn168]

@@MarkLewisfitness I was thinking about the Wahoo towel you 'accidently' had displayed on the bike in the background.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

@@richardvaughn168 that new camera makes my product placement so much sharper 😂

[@timwells3056]

I was a vegetarian for 15 years 18 years ago when it wasn’t fashionable. The thing that annoys people if you say .” I can’t eat that “ “ im a vegetarian/vegan” Best just say no thanks ! Much better People don’t care what you eat . But they hate you telling them !!

[@nobodyshero200]

Motorbikes, ebikes, drones, KZbinr and vegan. Weirdo. We have lots in common, although I am plant based.

[@alasdairmurray2899]

Above average for a vegan video.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Tis my only aim😁

[@peermancolin]

unsubsribe myself, ha ha love it

[@garyharvey3545]

Its funny I am a carnivore and I too find myself drifting occasionally into "fundamentalism". I even cringed them you said plant nutrition which to me is an oxymoron and walking. through the supermarket all that green stuff I don't even think of as for any more. Bottom line is what works for you and what you eat is your business. Nutritional science/ research is a joke and personal experience is king.

[@lcr2382]

Agree me too!! All the veges I PASS .. fat and meat are so good !

[@kpasskenvas]

How much for the pork rub recipe? 🙈

[@MarkLewisfitness]

a milllllllllion pounds (Dr Evil style)

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

There is no lamb, salmon, cheese and eggs vegan……and that is enough not to become vegan. I will not eat every day that kind of stuff……just now and then…..

[@isomochyn1]

Shame you have to keep re-iterating that it's your opinion and it's what works for you, you'd hope that would be obvious but apparently it's not. Well I'll be staying subscribed but continuing to eat meat however I won't be surprised when the video of a 100 mile race with Vibram 5 fingers a beard and a man bun is released

[@MarkLewisfitness]

I get enough of IG messages after a vid like this to know some people see it and take it as "you must eat VEGAN NOW"........ joys of social media!