| Some people have found that animal meat and | | | | protein, if going completely vegan. Take two to four |
| byproducts don't fit their lifestyle, whether it is for | | | | weeks to make the complete transition. |
| spiritual, health, or other reasons. They remove these | | | | The numbers matter |
| products from their life, and find better health or | | | | Count the calories. Watch the macronutrients. If your |
| happiness as a result. Some are known as | | | | caloric intake drops off by 1000 calories per day, you |
| 'vegetarians', and choose not to eat meat, but will often | | | | will lose muscle. Likewise, if your protein intake drops |
| consume dairy products and other animal byproducts. | | | | from 350 grams to 50 grams per day, you will lose |
| Others, known as 'vegans', choose not to eat any | | | | muscle. Track your numbers as you substitute soy and |
| foods in which an animal has been consumed in any | | | | other products to ensure you stay consistent to keep |
| way. They do not eat dairy, and many even abstain | | | | your muscle. |
| from whey products. | | | | Take your vitamins |
| Bodybuilding is known for its rigorous physical demands | | | | Consult with your doctor and take all required |
| and enormous meat consumption. What happens | | | | supplements to ensure you don't miss out on any vital |
| when a bodybuilder determines that a vegan or | | | | vitamins and minerals. Be sure you supplement your |
| vegetarian lifestyle is right for him/her? How should he | | | | diet with adequate B12, Calcium, Iodine, and others. |
| make the transition? Are there any long-term pitfalls of | | | | Watch for any health side effects over the coming |
| which he should be aware? | | | | weeks, and be prepared for setbacks if your health |
| Make the change gradually | | | | falters due to a nutrient deficit. |
| If you've been consuming two pounds of meat and 4 | | | | Enjoy it! |
| protein shake a day, changing over to a meatless diet | | | | Finally, make the best of your new, cleaner diet. |
| overnight will be have a tremendous negative impact | | | | Remember that vegetarianism, like bodybuilding, is a |
| on your body. Remove meat slowly, perhaps scaling | | | | tool designed to improve the quality of your life. |
| down to fish only for a week. Then remove whey | | | | |