I'm plant-based for the last 30 years so you can imagine how many times I've heard all of that and much more. I hope this topic will not be coming back too often as I'm here for... well... everything else. :) But the video was well prepared and delivered what needs to be appreciated. Looking forward to your next one about the training.
@@chrisvanbuggenum871 It seems to be a British thing. I don't live there any more but visited a couple years ago in January and was astonished at Veganuary
I've been vegan (yes, not plant-based) for 7 years. 2 years ago I was 357 pounds, and now I'm 210 pounds (and still reducing). That change happened through healthy eating and exercise. I'm proof, if you really needed it, that vegans can be unhealthy and healthy. A wealth of fantastic points in the video. You always manage to cut straight through the bullshit, which is the reason I subscribed originally.
I'm not trying to start an argument here, but i'm just fascinated to learn more. Mark says he didn't consider the lubricant used in the disposable razor for the vegan tattoo he got (which I can understand). What happens with restaurants that do offer vegan choices but essentially exist (survive) by offering meat based products on the menu. Mark mentions he actually goes to vegan restaurants, do vegans avoid places like McDonalds even if there are vegan choices on the menu?
@@msl758 The US have no plant based options at McDonalds, even the fries containing beef. I want plant based alternatives to be as easily accessible as meat products. For that reason I personally wouldn't avoid McDonalds.
You're definitely having a positive "influencer" impact on my life. I found you as I got into zwift but considered myself an all rounder. Running my first ultra in July and duathlon in September... And many Half's before then. I'd say I'm 80% plant based diet now, ideally want to get all the way but I want it to be sustainable and successful. Cheers for this update and varied content.
Most rational explanation yet 👍 my daughter now at uni is a vegan and wants to save the world I don’t think the Oreo and hoops were far from her diet and her weight and skin change showed . We did have a conversation about what she isn’t going to eat but she had not considered what she was going to eat to maintain some form of health. we did purchase her some great vegan books with nutritional info she’s now started cooking and preparing food .I’m not vegan but have no problem with her been vegan we just want her to be the best vegan she can be going to share video with her . Love your site from a 55yr male struggling to get back to some race weight hey may try the big V
Enjoyed the video - agree whole heartedly! People start applying labels to signal they belong to some tribe or other and then the "wars" start. Carnivore vs Vegan; Strength vs Cardio......
Great video mark with some great points, I am not Vegan, infact I am actually a butcher. Your take on the vegan way of eating and the vegan lifestyle is very refreshing, i feel that if more vegan people talked as you did people would listen more and give it a go or at least cut back on meat a few nights a week. Any vegans I have talked to try to make themselves sound morally superior to non vegans and right off the bat people lose any interest and in some cases it drive people to not want to even try. Love the channel mark 👍looking forward to your next video
@@MarkLewisfitness The £1 chicken breasts are sourced in the most horrible industrial factory farms, that's certainly true, but they are also the most efficient way to produce those chickens. That means that they have less environmental on many metrics than "extensive" production. Extensive production uses more land, more water, more energy and produces more carbon emissions than intensive production precisely because its inefficient. So you can choose marginally better welfare or less environmental impact. There isn't a way to produce animal products at scale that provides both.
@@MarkLewisfitness I'm content with chickpeas tbh but maybe that's just me 😉 I've eaten grasshoppers. I'm not a fan! I think the food industry are only just getting started on the roll out of new protein sources using plants. They multinationals like Unilever, Nestle etc can see a very profitable way to turn cheap plants into pricier protein-rich meat alternatives. And in doing so they are parking their tanks on the lawns of the near industry which is controlled by different multinationals. If it wasn't for the subsidies to the meat industry, meat would be way more expensive. As the meat industry loses market share it will lose its pull on governments. And that will erode their insane subsidies. That will drive prices up and make the plant-based alternatives more attractively priced by comparison. That cycle could really put a big dent in the meat industry over the next decade or so.
@@michaelrch yep, as I said in the video, I think anybody hoping to see less meat consumption can safely regard the passing of time as being on their side.
Thank you for a well thought out video Mark. As someone who still plans all my meals around which animal protein they include I find your position and perspective alarmingly reasonable, educational and witty.
As usual Mark you have an incredible way of explaining things (blended with your signature humour!). This video should be rolled out as a nationwide public service announcement to educate people on what being vegan and plant based actually means. I started to cut down my meat intake last year and seeing your videos about going vegan has not only given me inspiration and encouragement, it has helped me to explain my reasoning to others. At the moment I'm only doing two full plant based days a week, one vegetarian day, and the last four days limited to one meat portion per day. I've found I am MUCH more aware of the food I eat and as a result am eating better (save for the odd take away or chocolate bar, but nobody is perfect). Thank again, and please keep these videos coming.
Great to hear - to be honest, if everyone switched to eating like you ..... world/people/health/animals would all be a load happier! Doesn't need to be all or nothing.
This made me hit subscribe. Really good video! I used to make fun of vegans, say I'd never be one. Life made me eat my words, like you I arrived to it from a health and performance perspective, but it wasn't long before I found out about all the rest and decided I would never eat animals again. Thanks for the video. By the way, I'm a proud member of Team Vegan Zwift Community, we do a lot of racing, competitions, and a few IRL meets in the UK, your name and your videos may have come up more than once, you should definitely consider joining our Discord, it's a wonderful community with discussions about training, nutrition, competition, health, etc! Thanks again!
As always, I appreciate this look beyond the buzz words. Dylan Johnson has also made multiple videos about dietary requirements for cyclists and apparently the argument of insufficient protein is just BS. I've been eating a (mostly) plant based diet (not full on vegan but vegetarian) for more than a decade now without experiencing any deficiencies. Whenever people ask me, why I choose to do so, I give them a very generic (e.g. "There are multiple reasons - for example, ecological ones.") and non-offensive answer and ask them if they want to know more because I totally agree that basically accusing others of "murdering pigs" or "destroying the planet" is not helping and also not the full story. Reality is much more complex and requires differentiation most of the time.
I love this video! Fellow vegan here (going on 5 years now, for me and my husband)! I found you while searching for information on using Zwift, not realizing you are vegan too. So I was REALLY hesitant to click on this video thinking it would be the same old blah blah blah about how athletes don’t get enough proteeeeennnnnzzzzzz. Agree with 99% of what you said and for the 1% I have a quibble with, I can totally see your point: “Don’t put people off, just live and let live.” When I thought about this I realized I was swayed to go back to being vegan (I had tried it before - years earlier) by our triathlon coach who is vegan. We were convinced, not because she’s hit-you-on-the-head with it, but because she is kind, compassionate, and accepting. Whenever people say to me “I couldn’t ever be vegan because I can’t give up cheese” I’m all like “Oh yeah, I hear you, I love cheese. I just could never eat it again.” And then I let it drop. Live by example and don’t be precious about it, that’s my style. Anyway - LOVE your videos - even though I’ll never be a Cat B Zwifter, I’ll be happy to get up Alpe du Zwift in an hour and a half. But your example is inspiring nonetheless. Plus, you’re hilarious.
A very well put and we'll articulate video. I'm not on a plant based diet but family members are. It is becoming increasingly more convenient to find alternative or substitute foods, so my use of meat is reducing. Great work 👍
This is one of the most well reasoned and in turn, convincing pieces I've seen about going vegan. I didn't know about the male chicks thing and am rather put off the idea of poached eggs on toast for my lunch 🙈 I have found that over the past few years I've massively cut down on my meat consumption, mainly because I'm cheap and the same 2 chicken breasts (from the butcher so that they're of a decent quality and aren't pumped full of water and who knows what else) that would previously have done only 1-2 meals for 2, now do 3-4 by bulking the rest of the dish out with veggies or beans. I didn't really notice the reduction in meat per portion but I do notice it now if I eat a burger for example, that it feels like a lot of meat. Cheese and milk chocolate are two things I would struggle to give up in order to be fully vegan and I can make my peace enough with parts of the industry (FIL is a beef farmer and I know the cattle are treated with kindness during their time with him- and I enjoy the taste of them when that time is over) not to be desperate enough to make a full conversion, but I wholeheartedly support reducing meat consumption (and eggs after this video).
I tried vegan (plant based), mainly for ethical reasons, I felt great at first but mainly because I was moving from eating cake and turkey to eating predominantly vegetables. I did my due diligence and took all my vitamins but just felt worse and worse as the weeks went on. At the time I was a pro athlete and training 10 times a week (twice a day 5 days a week) so maybe this explains it, in short I just slowly moved back to adding some meat and fish and vastly felt better. Think it's.horses for courses I suppose, I'm slowly moving to eating way more vegetables than meat which for me is the best balance. I've absolutely no issues with veganism and applaud those who can stick to it...I'm just not one of those. Yet another reasoned and entertaining video on what is a very divisive topic. Well done dude.
Became plant-based 10 years ago after reading Eat to Run by Scott Jurek, to see what impact the diet might have on my own activities (Ironman, marathon, trail running), and the more I researched the more horrified I became at my own ignorance of animal exploitation. Was vegan within months. and happily and healthfully still am today. Great video by the way. You get a sub.
A+ rant. 👏 As a vegetarian (not a vegan) for over 20 years, I have to deal with people on both sides. Vegans blasting me for eating milk based products and meat eating friends still treating me as "that vegan". This rant is one of the best I have heard. We need to break down these boundaries and hopefully more people will take decisions that are not based on being opposed to what others do. Your mindset can definitely help many on both sides, I think.
Thanks for posting this , I’m just turned 59 now , I’m in a similar camp to you , just going my own way , been veggie for 40 years . It’s not done me any harm , I’m 6 2” and 200 pounds . Still do 200 push ups a day and run 100 miles a month. You are in tremendous shape . Thanks.
Not a vegan here. Got family who farm and enjoy the products from them. Anyhow I do really appreciate your explanations on your points. Keep it up and thanks for understanding both sides of the coin. That goes a long way.
I'm far from plant based, but you've certainly made me think about it. Each to their own, but I do agree that things will change in the food industry. Brilliant video Mark, now go chew a carrot!😂👍
Love the message Mark, I’m 100% with you. I’m a triathlon / swimming coach, multiple IronMan / marathon / ultra swim finisher, and own a health club where 99% of members have joined for weight loss. Like you I have an addictive / bingeing element to my character - that’s why I don’t drink or do drugs, as for me, just like biscuits, one drink is too many but ten is never enough. So, in a very real sense I’m also a recovering “biscoholic”! My kids persuaded me to try Veganuary 3 years ago, so I’m plant based, not vegan (shoes etc I have no plans to change from leather). In spite of being a nutrition consultant, being half Italian / half Scottish I let the pizza, pasta, bread components of my diet run riot… Though for me Oreos are literally disgusting, there’s other delicious plant-based biscuit solutions eg Biscoff which developed a tendency to jump unannounced into my shopping trolley. Long and short of the story: by my third plant based anniversary my race weight had vanished with my flat stomach, and I’d gained 10kg. So, you’re right, going pant based is no fast track to better health. (NB my technique for getting rid of my 10kg spare tyre - since my 60th birthday on January 1st I was at 95kg - this morning at 85.1kg - is based around OMAD - One Meal A Day, a bit like you on TWOMAD - it’s about resetting my insulin levels ie Intermittent Fasting). Boom! Back on track! I’ve been following your channel a couple of weeks since I chanced upon it and am bingeing on your content- so cheers for the entertainment and fun. You’re awesome. Hit me up if you’d like to become “brand ambassador” to the local IronMan race I organise. I’d offer you complimentary entry of course, and some free swim coaching - you don’t seem to like that element of our multi-sport? It’s my passion!! We’re in south Devon, and the race is on September 18th this year, in its third running. Check out iron2steel.co.uk and sealiontriathlons.co.uk my two websites and you can message me on rory@iron2steel.co.uk if you’re interested. Your journey to one of the hardest IronMan courses in the world would make a brilliant video series. No problem if not, thanks for reading this anyhow and I’m still gonna remain a long term subscriber! Keep up the great work. Rory Aitken
Just to put it out there: I'm vegan, and have been for 13 years now (vegetarian for 16 more before that) on moral grounds. I can't say I'm doing a lot against the mistreatment and killing of farm animals, but at least I want to minimise the level to which I directly finance and enjoy the "fruits" of this industry. I've been vegan weighing 110 kg (at least 30 kg overweight) and I've been vegan weighing 75 kg. In sickness and in health. If it's also, as a side effect, good for my health, that's nice to know, but I'll stay vegan even if it turns out it would make me less healthy. Just saying.
On the eggs are harmless. Lots of people keep chickens and I see eating those as harmless. My parents in law their chickens are quite relaxed and I guess happy? Don't know what would constitute as happy for a chicken. But I love your point of view in the video and how you explain it. The only thing I always wonder about is leather. Atm there is leather as excess from the meat industry. My leather dress shoes live a lot longer (going on 11 years now - I like keeping them healthy) than the few PU ones I have, thus not contributing to waste, same for boots. As long as we are not killing cows specifically for their hide. Is avoiding leather a tickbox for a vegan? My girlfriend and I moved to 'flexitarier'. Which just means that we always eat vegan/vegetarian (ie, the eggs and I still have leather stuff) but if we go to a restaurant or friends we will still enjoy the fine steak. But we no longer mindlessly munch down an animal on a weekday evening. My curry or wok (taking that as it's the only thing I make well) are equally good with a plant based replacement than with chicken. The movie okja had more impact than game changer tbh. But it was good to hear that the bodybuilding and meat part is not necessarily linked. The rest was far fetched and n=1 info.
On the chickens I agree. If I lived somewhere with enough space, I would certainly consider having my own happy chickens laying happy eggs! Leather is one of the many interesting ones where there is a strong argument that can be made either way. I just like to live as straightforwardly as possible so just keep it simple - no animals where possible. Also, my gut feel is that, if something exists as a byproduct of an industry I don't agree with, I probably should be avoiding it if possible. Probably more to do with my love for the simplicity than any high moral standards 🤣
Your comparison of eating some vegan food for a bit and saying "I tried veganism" and eating kosher food for a bit and saying "I tried being Jewish" is really spot on, mate. While I deeply resent your aversion to cats, I am subbing to your channel all the same, good sir.
I like your channel. You have this way of talking about things in a really no bullshit way and with humor I can relate to. I’m glad I’m here before you hit a million subs 💪 Try rock climbing on the channel
This is a very nicely balanced explanation of the process of going and being vegan for a lot of people. I am like you in that I can rely on my partner to do most of the cooking, and she likes learning new recipes. It makes a big difference. My family also went vegan almost be accident. We were mainly motivated by concerns about the climate and environment, so we initially decided to go flexitarian. Once we got used to that, we decided vegetarian would be easy enough and simpler to stick to. After a few more months, Veganuary came along and we decided to try it. Ironically, it was only after we were fully plant-based that we realised that we should actually be vegan. My experience is that it's much easier to care about the animals when you have no reason not to! Overall, the process took about 12 months from omni to vegan. Just one thing I would say on the health stuff. While eating a moderate amount of poultry is generally not significantly harmful, eating red and processed meat actually is, even in relatively small amounts. Switching from these to processed "mock meats", actually is net better for your health. It's still not optimal of course but it is better. Do I don't think because need to be quite so hostile to Beyond Burgers or whatever. They are obviously not healthy but they are still less unhealthy than actual beef burgers.
That was a cracking video from a non subscribers point of view. I try to make my diet a large chunk plant based - even down to the cooking oils etc i use. I try to pick foods that are unprocessed as much as possible - cannot remember the last time i ate a "ready meal" or had a meal from the golden arches for example. That said aside from my cycling one of my other hobbies is BBQ and in particular Smoked BBQ - when i do this i go to a local butcher in a farm shop and discuss with him what cut i want and how i am going to cook it order it and often pick it up the next day or so later. Feels better than just picking a joint up off a random supermarket shelf (wether it is or not i don't know). You very correctly pointed out being totally vegan is as i suspect difficult, its the little things you might miss (eg: razor blade) i certainly do not have the dedication to go that deep into it and as such could never call myself vegan (even without the BBQ) so kudos to you and others for doing so. Just wish the message being put out there for taking your diet in this direction was as well balanced as this video.
We bought an amazing smoker three years ago, pre-vegan - used to smoke all sorts. Was gutted to sell but couldn't find enough things you could smoke in it that were vegetables 🤣
Started watching your videos as a recreational runner for all your running/fitness advice. But I would have to say this is one of your best and most informative videos to date.
Brilliant video Mark and absolutely spot on. Nearly 6 years for me get the blood tests done every 4 months and everything in the perfect range for my age and weight. 75kgs and 50 years. I have a couple of old down jackets a leather belt and a rather dodgy looking Ted Baker leather jacket 🙈. I'm not about to get rid of them (well maybe the jacket). Everything you are saying strikes a cord with me.
The protein argument always makes me laugh as it's a question I used to get asked a lot when first moving to a plant based diet over 2 years ago. Similar to yourself in that I weight train, play rugby, cycle and run so getting in enough protein is important. What I have found is that I don't need to consume as much protein to achieve the same results from a plant based diet vs from animal based which I would put down to 3 factors; 1. BV of plant based protein from whole foods is better than meat based protein from whole foods (let's exclude protein powders here) , 2. Greater amino profile of plant based foods vs meat based foods, 3.Eating plant based diet seems to leave blood cleaner and aid better transportation of nutrients to the body.
You make some great points. I've been vegan 20+ years. Certainly it's become much, much easier to eat unhealthily as a vegan in the last few years, as there was barely any processed vegan food available before. You could have still eaten rubbish, just much harder!
Mark, probably the most balanced argument I have watched about being a vegan. I actually ate plant based for 3 years and have only recently returned to eating meat. Long story. If all vegans reasoned their argument like you, it might make people think more. Love the channel mate. We are similar ages and you have inspired me to get fit again. I ran (read walked ) the MDS 15 years and some KGs ago. Oh and you owe me $1700......my Kickr V5 has just rocked up as you made me buy it.
Excellent sense! Everybody needs to see this to understand plant-based, vegan, and your diet. I consider myself plant-based, over 90% of what I eat is plant-based and I keep my animal products to a minimal - I've been like this for years..... but as you've highlighted, too many people just don't understand. People love a label, but can't actually see passed it. Oh, I also think it's very important we understand where our food comes from, the miles involved in it's growth and processing, and seasonality. That's how we'll "save" the environment.
Not just entertaining, but also very educational and in contrast to many opinions I heard in this regard, fairly reasonable and down to earth. Have a great day Mark!
First comment in several years, but you earned the subscription with the best down to earth explanation and rundown of "vegan" lifestyle I've seen so far. Keep this up!
I have been a vegetarian my entire life and I can confirm that there is intense social pressure to eat meat. Especially as a kid/teenager. Now it seems more normal than it's ever been so hopefully kids have it better now.
This is a great video. I've been vegan for 7 years and i'm nearly 30, i'm the only one of my guy friends still maintaining a healthy body weight here in america... i try to eat whole food plant based but i will enjoy myself rarely with some of the specialty vegan products that I know are not the most healthy. I would never argue for "vegan diet" i would argue for whole food plant based, outlines by dr.greger and others.
Really enjoyed that, very refreshing to hear you points and insight. Whenever someone says "I dont have an axe to grind...." I always roll my eyes, but, you kept your end of the bargain so hats off to you. Earned a new sub, looking forward to more :)
Another good video mark Hit the nail on the head with your views, as a newby to training and a healthy lifestyle I am learning a lot from your videos so thanks also good to hear someone talking sense 👍
Awesome Vent and I really like the message. The way you explain it is the way. Like the saying: "Focus on the good and the good gets better". I'm not a Vegan but over the last few years I have reduced my meat intake down at least 70% and feel great. I did that because (like you say) the world is headed that way and all studies point towards meat not being good for you so we all have to jump on the train at some point and I think you will live to see your kids being forced to eat Vegan. Anyways...back to the point of my post here. The key (like you said) is to focus on the benefits. I never talk to people about how meat is bad for them, I simply encourage them to eat more vegetables and I list the benefits. What really blows me away is people who still eat processed meats. The world health organization has basically come out and said "They are bad" and for them to say that must mean they are pretty much deadly but that deli always has a line up:)
You are an inspiration Mark. Love the videos.Truly, there are many reasons to be (not eat, hah) Vegan. I love that you really hammered home right at the start, what it really means to be Vegan, and that being a Vegan doesn't inherently mean being healthy which seems overplayed. Being Vegan doesn't mean you are infallible either. I strive to do as little harm as possible. Feel like healthy eating could be summed up as, eat colorfully, and not from a sealed package.
Two years ago I found myself obese and incredible unfit. I quit smoking and drinking then took up running and watching my diet closely . During this process I wanted to try a plant based diet one week out of every month. I tried it for one week and never went back - whilst eating plant based i started watching documentaries on farming and the Dairy industry and quickly transitioned to a full vegan lifestyle and could never go back. I do monitor what I eat, check my macros and add protein shakes and supplements. Two years on I have lost five stone and run an average of 50k a week every week - most I can run in one go is a half marathon which I try to do a minimum of once a month. I’ve been watching your videos after finding your channel recently and love all your running and fitness info - really inspiring. Then I found this video only to find out your vegan also - amazing ✊ great video breaking down a lot of myths and misconceptions- thanks for the content
Vegan fake sausages and other stuff in the supermarket aren't primarily there for vegans. Only around 3% of the German population is roughly vegan. This group alone would be way too small for all these growing shelfs with vegan products in the stores. But on top of vegans you have vegetarians an especially flexitarians, people who want to reduce meat consumption, and enjoy the comfort of similar products.
Can’t understand being vegan and have grown up around animal slaughter (sometimes partaking myself) but the points are made so pragmatically and in a nonbiased way here that I’m considering trying for a week.
Fantastic video, well spoken! Lol @ the 'because of the Z'. I'm a recent subscriber, came here through one of the Fenix7 videos but have watched a bunch of others in the mean time and like them all. Will share this one with my friends for sure. Keep 'em coming!
What a great vid! I lost 65 pounds by going vegan but have fallen off the wagon. Even though I,m maintaining my weight , running’s and eating healthy, I eat meat on occasions. Not eggs nor dairy, but meat and fish. I feel I will go full vegan but if I don’t, videos like yours don’t make me hate myself. Thank you for doing what you do. As soon as I pay off this medical bill for breaking my wrist in two places after tripping on rebar on an early morning dark run, I will be a patreon (is that the term?) supporter. Also, you’d be happy to know I run with a headlamp now. Geez, I feel rowing was safer. Cheers!
Most people are finding out about factory forming and how bad that is for the environment and I believe just like you do eventually people will say no more I just hope I'm around when that happens thank you Mark for your amazing videos and tell your wife thank you also
New to your channel. Very good way of presenting the WFPB vs. Vegan message! I'm 62+ age group triathlete. I train (swim/bike/run/strength) a couple of hours almost everyday. I've been WFPB (not necessarily "Vegan") for several years (can't exactly remember when the clock officially started for me). It was a bit of trial and error at first (I knew what NOT to eat, but didn't know what TO eat) and gradually re introduced animal products into my diet, and felt pretty good. However, I was determined to rid my diet of animal products for primarily what I believe were good health choices. After further educating myself about what to eat and exploring things in the kitchen, it's all much easier now. As for friends and family... I simply tell them - It's a choice - my choice - and I'm happy with my choice. I hope they're happy with their choices. The environmental aspect came a bit later for me, and it continues to grow in my awareness... Yikes! And for goodness sake, all of the obesity, heart disease, diabetes, etc. Yikes!! Thanks again for sharing your perspective!
OH MY GOODNESS I didn't know you were vegan!!!! I dig it...and I LOVE it! Your points are right on too. It's NOT often easy to be vegan, it's rarely "cool" to be vegan, and there's a lot of piercings, tattoos and weird hair in a vegan restaurant. I'm 60 years old with half my head shaved, face tattoos and pierced septum. I'm fat though ....and THAT's why I just started watching your videos. I've been enjoying the motivation...but now I'm even MORE motivated because ...gah..... VEGAN!!!!!! You're VEGAN! YAY!
It's not that it should matter that you're vegan, but I get tired of watching videos of athletes eating their lean meats and dairy every damn video. Now I can rest assured that I won't see a video of you drinking raw eggs and that's a relief.
What a great video. Fuckin love your channel. Top notch quality, love your humor and how I feel fit and smart just watching you and thinking „yeah I‘ll do that… tomorrow“
Hi Mark, I'd love to see a video on how to balance strength workouts and cardio workouts. I really struggle to get upper body strength while preparing for a marathon.
Loved the video - wasn't expecting such a nuanced set of points with a title like that. Showing the google definition of murder is I think a low bar on justifying murder doesn't apply to animals - I feel one of the points of veganism is to respect the lives of animals more (i.e at all) which I feel makes the use of the word murder appropriate.
Just discovered your channel, thanks for all the inspirational tips & opinions. Pleade can you share your weekly menu plan (that you write on Mondays), or your gym workout plan? And how do you prevent overtraining? Thanks and keep well!
Love the video dude. Go mostly "Plant Based" just because vegans very difficult. No dairy, very careful about meat and mostly fish. Honestly don't miss meat and your 100% with a good bit of beans and veg can hit the spot better than meat for me given the choice. Really found that just the being aware of the food and after id had a year of eating a stupid amount of meat doing natural strongman stuff and contact sports, because it was just the expected way of doing things. Then going 99% plant based, my health improved massively. Endurance shot up, joints stopped hurting, weight reduced but strength remained and explosive speed improved. Might have just been being more aware over a period of time but regardless it did me good. 0 loss i care about, lots of improvement. win win
I like your really common sense approach to veganism. I've been vegan for just over a year and was vegetarian before that. My boyfriend still eats meat. When we met, we both ate meat. I made a change he didn't and that's fine - these are my choices and his are his own to make. Sometimes we eat the same food, other times we don't. I'm the better cook so I'll cook him a meat based meal and just not partake myself. I've got flack from meat eaters for my choice and flack again from the vegan side for 'enabling' a meat eater. I wish more people could be happier to just allow people to make their own decisions without passing comment on others.
Appreciate the positivity and straight-up facts 💪. It's nice discovering a new vegan role model (fit, good sense of humour, etc). Athletically, plant based is a secret weapon. I ran a decently fast 5k last month (17:33) with hardly any training (30km/wk). I couldn't do this on a high fat low carb diet. I'd have to train more and 'diet.' Thanks again for the vid ✌️
I've been vegan almost 4 years - and I can say being vegan IS EASY. but it took a long time for it to be easy. It is very hard at first. Once you have a new routine, just like any routine, it becomes easy over time. the difficulty is in the beginning months learning how to eat, eat out, grocery shop, look at labels, etc.
Excellent video on the matter and the way you handled it made me want to watch it all. I'm not a vegan but I do think about what kind of meat I usually eat. And most of it is self hunted wild game meat. From forest to table. As sustainable as meat eating can get (as in Finland we very much do take care that the hunting is sustainable).
Really great vid mate, definitely agree with you about not shouting about being vegan. I work in construction in Sydney and so there's not much vegan food available when you're out of the central areas, need to plan your eating habits much more. O get a lot of guys at work asking about the vegan diet though, I like to think some of my mates are coming round to it, even the Argentinean friends of my gf are leaning towards it more. They are usually good at reserving us a spot on the BBQ for out plant based burgers too.
As a farmer I think it’s time people learned what it takes to grow all those delicious plants everyone eats. Well, for starters there is a large amount of fertilizer needed and contrary to popular belief there just isn’t enough shite in the world to meet the demand as strange as that might seem. Processed animal and fish parts make up a good amount of the fertilizer demand. The rest comes from petroleum feedstocks and is commonly referred to as chemical fertilizers. So the next time people are munching away on a tasty beet sandwich they should perhaps thank a pig, cow and the petrochemical industry for their meal.
Mark, I've been binge-watching your vids for a couple of weeks looking for inspo and I really love your delivery, humour and common sense approach to all the f%#*wittery in the world. I started with your early vids where you were eating cheeseburger stuffed-crust pizzas and thought 'If I wasn't so entertained I'd switch off'. Absolutely delighted to find this one today 😃👏👏👏 Well said. I haven't eaten an animal for 36.5 years and just celebrated my 10th veganniversary so I've been dealing with crashing bores who tell me to go eat a burger most of my life 🥱 I'm not a gobby, in ya face vegan, I just do my bit. I love party rings and Oreos ... hence looking for inspo here 😩 I'd already subscribed but if I hadn't, I would be clicking that little 🔔 right now 🤩 Thanks for all your work.
Wow I’ve been watching, and enjoying, your vlogs since I’m stuck home iso with covid. Now I find out your VEGAN!! You are even more awesome now 👍👍 Great vid
I agree with your point about social pressure soooo much.... to me 3+ years plant-based it's one of the things I've noticed the most. It's weird that it's so normal to blindly partake in this horrific industry that is creating so much harm, I mean, I did it for nearly 30 years, because it's normal. It's changing slowly though
Great information, having a strict diet isn’t easy, mainly because it gets rather boring and as you elude too the main thing is too eat whole unprocessed food.
Very informative take on veganism. As a vegan and animal rights activist for 6+ years I may disagree slightly with some aspects of your argument, but overall it's very positive, which can only help to encourage others to have an awakening to a lifestyle avoiding rights violations where possible. I also took up running a year ago, and lost 3 + 1/2 stone of excess fat, and am now happily a healthy weight and improving my 5km time every day from 34mins+ to a current 23mins, so I've been loving the running tips since I found the channel recently. Hoping to use the tips to eventually break that elusive 20min barrier. Re your diet, I'd love to know if you have already done, or if you plan to do any what I eat in a day videos, as I find they give me great inspiration to keep my diet exciting by not eating the same thing over and over, and they also give me tips to optimise my health so I can improve my running performance. Keep up the great content!
Just started watching your videos and I'm really enjoying them. I'm personally pescatarian, what I've found that massively helped my diet was moving to a weekly food delivery service (guosto, although others are available ;) ) . I can have very tasty, easy to cook meals made with fresh veg, spices etc etc. This won't work for everyone but it is definitely easier than what a lot of people will be expecting it to be. New subscriber here 👍
Yay, I was becoming a fan of your channel recently and now even more so now. Good explanation of the differences between veganism (avoiding hurting animals) & plant based food usually a diet without animal products in it. Keep up the entertaining content and sharing the message of Peace and Health begin on your plate :)
Thank for this video Mark! I’ve decide to reduce my consumption of animal products considerably..although I’m not quite ready for the jump to full vegan yet. Your video was funny, interesting, educational and honest.
Hi Mark, great vlog. Are you able to do a vlog of your gym workouts, exercises, reps etc. Would love to dee what you do in a week as I'm looking at changing up my current routine. Thanks heaps from New Zealand 🇳🇿
Love this,I am meat eater, but that is my choice, and everyone should be happy for everyone elses choice. Like i have said before the whole part of dieting confuses me, all i currently do is add more fruit and veg to my diet and cut out processed food.
Hate Vegan videos? Chill out, have a steak and skip this one 🤣 🥩
I've actually never heard of veganuary.
I'm plant-based for the last 30 years so you can imagine how many times I've heard all of that and much more. I hope this topic will not be coming back too often as I'm here for... well... everything else. :)
But the video was well prepared and delivered what needs to be appreciated. Looking forward to your next one about the training.
@@chrisvanbuggenum871 It seems to be a British thing. I don't live there any more but visited a couple years ago in January and was astonished at Veganuary
Nah you're good, pluralism is important. How else are we to make progress and grow?
Oh god even Videos are Vegan now? Brilliant common sense one that Mark. OK so common sense is uncommon these days, but you know what I mean.
I've been vegan (yes, not plant-based) for 7 years. 2 years ago I was 357 pounds, and now I'm 210 pounds (and still reducing). That change happened through healthy eating and exercise. I'm proof, if you really needed it, that vegans can be unhealthy and healthy.
A wealth of fantastic points in the video. You always manage to cut straight through the bullshit, which is the reason I subscribed originally.
That is some serious weight loss - well done!!!!
@@MarkLewisfitness And serious animal welfare....
I'm not trying to start an argument here, but i'm just fascinated to learn more. Mark says he didn't consider the lubricant used in the disposable razor for the vegan tattoo he got (which I can understand). What happens with restaurants that do offer vegan choices but essentially exist (survive) by offering meat based products on the menu. Mark mentions he actually goes to vegan restaurants, do vegans avoid places like McDonalds even if there are vegan choices on the menu?
@@msl758 The US have no plant based options at McDonalds, even the fries containing beef. I want plant based alternatives to be as easily accessible as meat products. For that reason I personally wouldn't avoid McDonalds.
You're definitely having a positive "influencer" impact on my life. I found you as I got into zwift but considered myself an all rounder. Running my first ultra in July and duathlon in September... And many Half's before then. I'd say I'm 80% plant based diet now, ideally want to get all the way but I want it to be sustainable and successful. Cheers for this update and varied content.
I've been vegan 11 years and this is one of the most rational and reasonable discussions of veganism/plant-based diets I've heard
WORD #Vegan10Years
Most rational explanation yet 👍 my daughter now at uni is a vegan and wants to save the world I don’t think the Oreo and hoops were far from her diet and her weight and skin change showed .
We did have a conversation about what she isn’t going to eat but she had not considered what she was going to eat to maintain some form of health. we did purchase her some great vegan books with nutritional info she’s now started cooking and preparing food .I’m not vegan but have no problem with her been vegan we just want her to be the best vegan she can be going to share video with her .
Love your site from a 55yr male struggling to get back to some race weight hey may try the big V
Enjoyed the video - agree whole heartedly! People start applying labels to signal they belong to some tribe or other and then the "wars" start. Carnivore vs Vegan; Strength vs Cardio......
Great video mark with some great points, I am not Vegan, infact I am actually a butcher. Your take on the vegan way of eating and the vegan lifestyle is very refreshing, i feel that if more vegan people talked as you did people would listen more and give it a go or at least cut back on meat a few nights a week. Any vegans I have talked to try to make themselves sound morally superior to non vegans and right off the bat people lose any interest and in some cases it drive people to not want to even try. Love the channel mark 👍looking forward to your next video
If everyone got their meat from a good butcher it wouldn’t be so bad! It’s the £1 chicken breasts in Asda that do my head in!
@@MarkLewisfitness
The £1 chicken breasts are sourced in the most horrible industrial factory farms, that's certainly true, but they are also the most efficient way to produce those chickens. That means that they have less environmental on many metrics than "extensive" production.
Extensive production uses more land, more water, more energy and produces more carbon emissions than intensive production precisely because its inefficient.
So you can choose marginally better welfare or less environmental impact. There isn't a way to produce animal products at scale that provides both.
@@michaelrch correct. And with a growing population, it needs an alternative. Who knows what. Insect protein? Lab meat?
@@MarkLewisfitness
I'm content with chickpeas tbh but maybe that's just me 😉
I've eaten grasshoppers. I'm not a fan!
I think the food industry are only just getting started on the roll out of new protein sources using plants. They multinationals like Unilever, Nestle etc can see a very profitable way to turn cheap plants into pricier protein-rich meat alternatives. And in doing so they are parking their tanks on the lawns of the near industry which is controlled by different multinationals. If it wasn't for the subsidies to the meat industry, meat would be way more expensive. As the meat industry loses market share it will lose its pull on governments. And that will erode their insane subsidies. That will drive prices up and make the plant-based alternatives more attractively priced by comparison. That cycle could really put a big dent in the meat industry over the next decade or so.
@@michaelrch yep, as I said in the video, I think anybody hoping to see less meat consumption can safely regard the passing of time as being on their side.
As always very entertaining - come for the show, stay for the introspection.
Thank you for a well thought out video Mark. As someone who still plans all my meals around which animal protein they include I find your position and perspective alarmingly reasonable, educational and witty.
Well as long as I'm witty I'm happy 😁
As usual Mark you have an incredible way of explaining things (blended with your signature humour!).
This video should be rolled out as a nationwide public service announcement to educate people on what being vegan and plant based actually means.
I started to cut down my meat intake last year and seeing your videos about going vegan has not only given me inspiration and encouragement, it has helped me to explain my reasoning to others. At the moment I'm only doing two full plant based days a week, one vegetarian day, and the last four days limited to one meat portion per day. I've found I am MUCH more aware of the food I eat and as a result am eating better (save for the odd take away or chocolate bar, but nobody is perfect).
Thank again, and please keep these videos coming.
Great to hear - to be honest, if everyone switched to eating like you ..... world/people/health/animals would all be a load happier! Doesn't need to be all or nothing.
This made me hit subscribe. Really good video! I used to make fun of vegans, say I'd never be one. Life made me eat my words, like you I arrived to it from a health and performance perspective, but it wasn't long before I found out about all the rest and decided I would never eat animals again. Thanks for the video. By the way, I'm a proud member of Team Vegan Zwift Community, we do a lot of racing, competitions, and a few IRL meets in the UK, your name and your videos may have come up more than once, you should definitely consider joining our Discord, it's a wonderful community with discussions about training, nutrition, competition, health, etc! Thanks again!
Cool - will check it out👍
Love, Love, Love this!!! Thank you for becoming another one of my favorite vegans as of this video❤️
As always, I appreciate this look beyond the buzz words. Dylan Johnson has also made multiple videos about dietary requirements for cyclists and apparently the argument of insufficient protein is just BS. I've been eating a (mostly) plant based diet (not full on vegan but vegetarian) for more than a decade now without experiencing any deficiencies. Whenever people ask me, why I choose to do so, I give them a very generic (e.g. "There are multiple reasons - for example, ecological ones.") and non-offensive answer and ask them if they want to know more because I totally agree that basically accusing others of "murdering pigs" or "destroying the planet" is not helping and also not the full story. Reality is much more complex and requires differentiation most of the time.
I love this video! Fellow vegan here (going on 5 years now, for me and my husband)! I found you while searching for information on using Zwift, not realizing you are vegan too. So I was REALLY hesitant to click on this video thinking it would be the same old blah blah blah about how athletes don’t get enough proteeeeennnnnzzzzzz. Agree with 99% of what you said and for the 1% I have a quibble with, I can totally see your point: “Don’t put people off, just live and let live.” When I thought about this I realized I was swayed to go back to being vegan (I had tried it before - years earlier) by our triathlon coach who is vegan. We were convinced, not because she’s hit-you-on-the-head with it, but because she is kind, compassionate, and accepting. Whenever people say to me “I couldn’t ever be vegan because I can’t give up cheese” I’m all like “Oh yeah, I hear you, I love cheese. I just could never eat it again.” And then I let it drop. Live by example and don’t be precious about it, that’s my style. Anyway - LOVE your videos - even though I’ll never be a Cat B Zwifter, I’ll be happy to get up Alpe du Zwift in an hour and a half. But your example is inspiring nonetheless. Plus, you’re hilarious.
Oh God, I had to pause the video because I was laughing so much at the visual gag about cross fit at the beginning!! 😂🤣 Brilliant!
A very well put and we'll articulate video. I'm not on a plant based diet but family members are. It is becoming increasingly more convenient to find alternative or substitute foods, so my use of meat is reducing.
Great work 👍
This is one of the most well reasoned and in turn, convincing pieces I've seen about going vegan. I didn't know about the male chicks thing and am rather put off the idea of poached eggs on toast for my lunch 🙈 I have found that over the past few years I've massively cut down on my meat consumption, mainly because I'm cheap and the same 2 chicken breasts (from the butcher so that they're of a decent quality and aren't pumped full of water and who knows what else) that would previously have done only 1-2 meals for 2, now do 3-4 by bulking the rest of the dish out with veggies or beans. I didn't really notice the reduction in meat per portion but I do notice it now if I eat a burger for example, that it feels like a lot of meat. Cheese and milk chocolate are two things I would struggle to give up in order to be fully vegan and I can make my peace enough with parts of the industry (FIL is a beef farmer and I know the cattle are treated with kindness during their time with him- and I enjoy the taste of them when that time is over) not to be desperate enough to make a full conversion, but I wholeheartedly support reducing meat consumption (and eggs after this video).
I tried vegan (plant based), mainly for ethical reasons, I felt great at first but mainly because I was moving from eating cake and turkey to eating predominantly vegetables. I did my due diligence and took all my vitamins but just felt worse and worse as the weeks went on. At the time I was a pro athlete and training 10 times a week (twice a day 5 days a week) so maybe this explains it, in short I just slowly moved back to adding some meat and fish and vastly felt better. Think it's.horses for courses I suppose, I'm slowly moving to eating way more vegetables than meat which for me is the best balance. I've absolutely no issues with veganism and applaud those who can stick to it...I'm just not one of those.
Yet another reasoned and entertaining video on what is a very divisive topic. Well done dude.
Became plant-based 10 years ago after reading Eat to Run by Scott Jurek, to see what impact the diet might have on my own activities (Ironman, marathon, trail running), and the more I researched the more horrified I became at my own ignorance of animal exploitation. Was vegan within months. and happily and healthfully still am today.
Great video by the way. You get a sub.
A+ rant. 👏 As a vegetarian (not a vegan) for over 20 years, I have to deal with people on both sides. Vegans blasting me for eating milk based products and meat eating friends still treating me as "that vegan". This rant is one of the best I have heard. We need to break down these boundaries and hopefully more people will take decisions that are not based on being opposed to what others do. Your mindset can definitely help many on both sides, I think.
Thanks for posting this , I’m just turned 59 now , I’m in a similar camp to you , just going my own way , been veggie for 40 years . It’s not done me any harm , I’m 6 2” and 200 pounds . Still do 200 push ups a day and run 100 miles a month.
You are in tremendous shape .
Thanks.
Hope I'm as active as you are at 60 :)
vegetarian?
Love it - thanks for taking your time to record, edit and post it.
Not a vegan here. Got family who farm and enjoy the products from them. Anyhow I do really appreciate your explanations on your points. Keep it up and thanks for understanding both sides of the coin. That goes a long way.
I'm far from plant based, but you've certainly made me think about it. Each to their own, but I do agree that things will change in the food industry. Brilliant video Mark, now go chew a carrot!😂👍
Are you kidding - I have Oreos and Party Rings 🤣
😂tuck in lad!
Love the message Mark, I’m 100% with you.
I’m a triathlon / swimming coach, multiple IronMan / marathon / ultra swim finisher, and own a health club where 99% of members have joined for weight loss.
Like you I have an addictive / bingeing element to my character - that’s why I don’t drink or do drugs, as for me, just like biscuits, one drink is too many but ten is never enough.
So, in a very real sense I’m also a recovering “biscoholic”!
My kids persuaded me to try Veganuary 3 years ago, so I’m plant based, not vegan (shoes etc I have no plans to change from leather).
In spite of being a nutrition consultant, being half Italian / half Scottish I let the pizza, pasta, bread components of my diet run riot…
Though for me Oreos are literally disgusting, there’s other delicious plant-based biscuit solutions eg Biscoff which developed a tendency to jump unannounced into my shopping trolley.
Long and short of the story: by my third plant based anniversary my race weight had vanished with my flat stomach, and I’d gained 10kg.
So, you’re right, going pant based is no fast track to better health.
(NB my technique for getting rid of my 10kg spare tyre - since my 60th birthday on January 1st I was at 95kg - this morning at 85.1kg - is based around OMAD - One Meal A Day, a bit like you on TWOMAD - it’s about resetting my insulin levels ie Intermittent Fasting).
Boom! Back on track!
I’ve been following your channel a couple of weeks since I chanced upon it and am bingeing on your content- so cheers for the entertainment and fun. You’re awesome.
Hit me up if you’d like to become “brand ambassador” to the local IronMan race I organise.
I’d offer you complimentary entry of course, and some free swim coaching - you don’t seem to like that element of our multi-sport?
It’s my passion!!
We’re in south Devon, and the race is on September 18th this year, in its third running.
Check out iron2steel.co.uk and sealiontriathlons.co.uk my two websites and you can message me on rory@iron2steel.co.uk if you’re interested.
Your journey to one of the hardest IronMan courses in the world would make a brilliant video series.
No problem if not, thanks for reading this anyhow and I’m still gonna remain a long term subscriber!
Keep up the great work.
Rory Aitken
Just to put it out there: I'm vegan, and have been for 13 years now (vegetarian for 16 more before that) on moral grounds. I can't say I'm doing a lot against the mistreatment and killing of farm animals, but at least I want to minimise the level to which I directly finance and enjoy the "fruits" of this industry. I've been vegan weighing 110 kg (at least 30 kg overweight) and I've been vegan weighing 75 kg. In sickness and in health. If it's also, as a side effect, good for my health, that's nice to know, but I'll stay vegan even if it turns out it would make me less healthy. Just saying.
Yeah one of my mates went vegan a decade ago and he's put on loads of weight. People are shocked when he tells them he's vegan
My new favourite UA-camr. Fantastic content. Engaging, clever, funny, inspiring and very informative. Great stuff Mark 💪
On the eggs are harmless. Lots of people keep chickens and I see eating those as harmless. My parents in law their chickens are quite relaxed and I guess happy? Don't know what would constitute as happy for a chicken.
But I love your point of view in the video and how you explain it.
The only thing I always wonder about is leather. Atm there is leather as excess from the meat industry. My leather dress shoes live a lot longer (going on 11 years now - I like keeping them healthy) than the few PU ones I have, thus not contributing to waste, same for boots.
As long as we are not killing cows specifically for their hide. Is avoiding leather a tickbox for a vegan?
My girlfriend and I moved to 'flexitarier'.
Which just means that we always eat vegan/vegetarian (ie, the eggs and I still have leather stuff) but if we go to a restaurant or friends we will still enjoy the fine steak.
But we no longer mindlessly munch down an animal on a weekday evening.
My curry or wok (taking that as it's the only thing I make well) are equally good with a plant based replacement than with chicken.
The movie okja had more impact than game changer tbh.
But it was good to hear that the bodybuilding and meat part is not necessarily linked. The rest was far fetched and n=1 info.
On the chickens I agree. If I lived somewhere with enough space, I would certainly consider having my own happy chickens laying happy eggs! Leather is one of the many interesting ones where there is a strong argument that can be made either way. I just like to live as straightforwardly as possible so just keep it simple - no animals where possible. Also, my gut feel is that, if something exists as a byproduct of an industry I don't agree with, I probably should be avoiding it if possible. Probably more to do with my love for the simplicity than any high moral standards 🤣
Your comparison of eating some vegan food for a bit and saying "I tried veganism" and eating kosher food for a bit and saying "I tried being Jewish" is really spot on, mate. While I deeply resent your aversion to cats, I am subbing to your channel all the same, good sir.
I like your channel. You have this way of talking about things in a really no bullshit way and with humor I can relate to. I’m glad I’m here before you hit a million subs 💪
Try rock climbing on the channel
Done a TINY bit - just waiting for the climbing wall centre to not need masks.....summer hopefully.
Kosher food comparison really illustrated what vegan is. I've eaten kosher and vegetarian, but I''m not a Jew nor a vegan. Good analogy.
This is a very nicely balanced explanation of the process of going and being vegan for a lot of people.
I am like you in that I can rely on my partner to do most of the cooking, and she likes learning new recipes. It makes a big difference. My family also went vegan almost be accident. We were mainly motivated by concerns about the climate and environment, so we initially decided to go flexitarian. Once we got used to that, we decided vegetarian would be easy enough and simpler to stick to. After a few more months, Veganuary came along and we decided to try it.
Ironically, it was only after we were fully plant-based that we realised that we should actually be vegan.
My experience is that it's much easier to care about the animals when you have no reason not to!
Overall, the process took about 12 months from omni to vegan.
Just one thing I would say on the health stuff. While eating a moderate amount of poultry is generally not significantly harmful, eating red and processed meat actually is, even in relatively small amounts. Switching from these to processed "mock meats", actually is net better for your health. It's still not optimal of course but it is better. Do I don't think because need to be quite so hostile to Beyond Burgers or whatever. They are obviously not healthy but they are still less unhealthy than actual beef burgers.
That was a cracking video from a non subscribers point of view. I try to make my diet a large chunk plant based - even down to the cooking oils etc i use. I try to pick foods that are unprocessed as much as possible - cannot remember the last time i ate a "ready meal" or had a meal from the golden arches for example. That said aside from my cycling one of my other hobbies is BBQ and in particular Smoked BBQ - when i do this i go to a local butcher in a farm shop and discuss with him what cut i want and how i am going to cook it order it and often pick it up the next day or so later. Feels better than just picking a joint up off a random supermarket shelf (wether it is or not i don't know).
You very correctly pointed out being totally vegan is as i suspect difficult, its the little things you might miss (eg: razor blade) i certainly do not have the dedication to go that deep into it and as such could never call myself vegan (even without the BBQ) so kudos to you and others for doing so.
Just wish the message being put out there for taking your diet in this direction was as well balanced as this video.
We bought an amazing smoker three years ago, pre-vegan - used to smoke all sorts. Was gutted to sell but couldn't find enough things you could smoke in it that were vegetables 🤣
Just a little note, try to stick to olive, coconut, or avocado oil when you can. Gotta keep that omega 3 and 6 ratio in check
Started watching your videos as a recreational runner for all your running/fitness advice. But I would have to say this is one of your best and most informative videos to date.
Agree 100%! You are, as always, the voice of sense and reason.
Brilliant video Mark and absolutely spot on. Nearly 6 years for me get the blood tests done every 4 months and everything in the perfect range for my age and weight. 75kgs and 50 years. I have a couple of old down jackets a leather belt and a rather dodgy looking Ted Baker leather jacket 🙈. I'm not about to get rid of them (well maybe the jacket). Everything you are saying strikes a cord with me.
Ha! I have a Ted Baker belt that’s staying 😂
The protein argument always makes me laugh as it's a question I used to get asked a lot when first moving to a plant based diet over 2 years ago. Similar to yourself in that I weight train, play rugby, cycle and run so getting in enough protein is important. What I have found is that I don't need to consume as much protein to achieve the same results from a plant based diet vs from animal based which I would put down to 3 factors; 1. BV of plant based protein from whole foods is better than meat based protein from whole foods (let's exclude protein powders here) , 2. Greater amino profile of plant based foods vs meat based foods, 3.Eating plant based diet seems to leave blood cleaner and aid better transportation of nutrients to the body.
the pool party joke was very well set up 10/10
This is the kind of positive feedback I want! Jokes don’t just write themselves 😁👍🏼
You make some great points. I've been vegan 20+ years. Certainly it's become much, much easier to eat unhealthily as a vegan in the last few years, as there was barely any processed vegan food available before. You could have still eaten rubbish, just much harder!
Excellently said! I couldn't agree with you more and I'm a vegan for 10 years myself! Great speaker you are, Mark!
Mark, probably the most balanced argument I have watched about being a vegan. I actually ate plant based for 3 years and have only recently returned to eating meat. Long story. If all vegans reasoned their argument like you, it might make people think more. Love the channel mate. We are similar ages and you have inspired me to get fit again. I ran (read walked ) the MDS 15 years and some KGs ago. Oh and you owe me $1700......my Kickr V5 has just rocked up as you made me buy it.
You owe me $1800 because that's what I charge for inspiration.....so let's call it even 😂. Enjoy the kickr!
Excellent sense! Everybody needs to see this to understand plant-based, vegan, and your diet. I consider myself plant-based, over 90% of what I eat is plant-based and I keep my animal products to a minimal - I've been like this for years..... but as you've highlighted, too many people just don't understand. People love a label, but can't actually see passed it.
Oh, I also think it's very important we understand where our food comes from, the miles involved in it's growth and processing, and seasonality. That's how we'll "save" the environment.
For health, what you’re doing is probably as good as it gets.
Not just entertaining, but also very educational and in contrast to many opinions I heard in this regard, fairly reasonable and down to earth. Have a great day Mark!
First comment in several years, but you earned the subscription with the best down to earth explanation and rundown of "vegan" lifestyle I've seen so far. Keep this up!
Rarely comment on anything but that was an awesome watch. Thanks for that. Agreeing 100% on that!
I have been a vegetarian my entire life and I can confirm that there is intense social pressure to eat meat. Especially as a kid/teenager. Now it seems more normal than it's ever been so hopefully kids have it better now.
Yep - same with drink. Better now, but still had to stand up to a group suggesting you do otherwise.
Great point.
This is a great video. I've been vegan for 7 years and i'm nearly 30, i'm the only one of my guy friends still maintaining a healthy body weight here in america... i try to eat whole food plant based but i will enjoy myself rarely with some of the specialty vegan products that I know are not the most healthy. I would never argue for "vegan diet" i would argue for whole food plant based, outlines by dr.greger and others.
Really enjoyed that, very refreshing to hear you points and insight. Whenever someone says "I dont have an axe to grind...." I always roll my eyes, but, you kept your end of the bargain so hats off to you. Earned a new sub, looking forward to more :)
Another good video mark
Hit the nail on the head with your views, as a newby to training and a healthy lifestyle I am learning a lot from your videos so thanks also good to hear someone talking sense 👍
Awesome Vent and I really like the message. The way you explain it is the way. Like the saying: "Focus on the good and the good gets better". I'm not a Vegan but over the last few years I have reduced my meat intake down at least 70% and feel great. I did that because (like you say) the world is headed that way and all studies point towards meat not being good for you so we all have to jump on the train at some point and I think you will live to see your kids being forced to eat Vegan. Anyways...back to the point of my post here. The key (like you said) is to focus on the benefits. I never talk to people about how meat is bad for them, I simply encourage them to eat more vegetables and I list the benefits. What really blows me away is people who still eat processed meats. The world health organization has basically come out and said "They are bad" and for them to say that must mean they are pretty much deadly but that deli always has a line up:)
You are an inspiration Mark. Love the videos.Truly, there are many reasons to be (not eat, hah) Vegan. I love that you really hammered home right at the start, what it really means to be Vegan, and that being a Vegan doesn't inherently mean being healthy which seems overplayed. Being Vegan doesn't mean you are infallible either. I strive to do as little harm as possible. Feel like healthy eating could be summed up as, eat colorfully, and not from a sealed package.
Love your channel and this video. You have a great delivery style. Keep them coming!
Two years ago I found myself obese and incredible unfit.
I quit smoking and drinking then took up running and watching my diet closely . During this process I wanted to try a plant based diet one week out of every month. I tried it for one week and never went back - whilst eating plant based i started watching documentaries on farming and the Dairy industry and quickly transitioned to a full vegan lifestyle and could never go back.
I do monitor what I eat, check my macros and add protein shakes and supplements. Two years on I have lost five stone and run an average of 50k a week every week - most I can run in one go is a half marathon which I try to do a minimum of once a month.
I’ve been watching your videos after finding your channel recently and love all your running and fitness info - really inspiring. Then I found this video only to find out your vegan also - amazing ✊ great video breaking down a lot of myths and misconceptions- thanks for the content
Vegan fake sausages and other stuff in the supermarket aren't primarily there for vegans. Only around 3% of the German population is roughly vegan. This group alone would be way too small for all these growing shelfs with vegan products in the stores. But on top of vegans you have vegetarians an especially flexitarians, people who want to reduce meat consumption, and enjoy the comfort of similar products.
One of your best points and one that is supported by science, eat more veggies and less animal products.
Can’t understand being vegan and have grown up around animal slaughter (sometimes partaking myself) but the points are made so pragmatically and in a nonbiased way here that I’m considering trying for a week.
Fabulous down to earth approach!
Fast becoming my favorite youtuber.
Fantastic video, well spoken! Lol @ the 'because of the Z'. I'm a recent subscriber, came here through one of the Fenix7 videos but have watched a bunch of others in the mean time and like them all. Will share this one with my friends for sure. Keep 'em coming!
The world needs more of Mark Lewis balanced opinions. Politicians should ring you up before implementing new policies. Cheers.
What a great vid! I lost 65 pounds by going vegan but have fallen off the wagon. Even though I,m maintaining my weight , running’s and eating healthy, I eat meat on occasions. Not eggs nor dairy, but meat and fish. I feel I will go full vegan but if I don’t, videos like yours don’t make me hate myself. Thank you for doing what you do. As soon as I pay off this medical bill for breaking my wrist in two places after tripping on rebar on an early morning dark run, I will be a patreon (is that the term?) supporter. Also, you’d be happy to know I run with a headlamp now. Geez, I feel rowing was safer. Cheers!
Most people are finding out about factory forming and how bad that is for the environment and I believe just like you do eventually people will say no more I just hope I'm around when that happens thank you Mark for your amazing videos and tell your wife thank you also
I’ll pass it on….. she’s currently making some sort of vegi taco that looks amazing! Makes being vegan very simple!
New to your channel. Very good way of presenting the WFPB vs. Vegan message! I'm 62+ age group triathlete. I train (swim/bike/run/strength) a couple of hours almost everyday. I've been WFPB (not necessarily "Vegan") for several years (can't exactly remember when the clock officially started for me). It was a bit of trial and error at first (I knew what NOT to eat, but didn't know what TO eat) and gradually re introduced animal products into my diet, and felt pretty good. However, I was determined to rid my diet of animal products for primarily what I believe were good health choices. After further educating myself about what to eat and exploring things in the kitchen, it's all much easier now. As for friends and family... I simply tell them - It's a choice - my choice - and I'm happy with my choice. I hope they're happy with their choices. The environmental aspect came a bit later for me, and it continues to grow in my awareness... Yikes! And for goodness sake, all of the obesity, heart disease, diabetes, etc. Yikes!! Thanks again for sharing your perspective!
Both entertaining and informative at the same time..well done Mark👍🙂
Absolutely loving this channel. As a plant-based eating, training-for-a-marathon ParkRunner in his 40s, it's hitting the mark for me, hehe.
OH MY GOODNESS I didn't know you were vegan!!!! I dig it...and I LOVE it! Your points are right on too. It's NOT often easy to be vegan, it's rarely "cool" to be vegan, and there's a lot of piercings, tattoos and weird hair in a vegan restaurant. I'm 60 years old with half my head shaved, face tattoos and pierced septum. I'm fat though ....and THAT's why I just started watching your videos. I've been enjoying the motivation...but now I'm even MORE motivated because ...gah..... VEGAN!!!!!! You're VEGAN! YAY!
I keep it low key so as not to annoy the meat eaters 😂
It's not that it should matter that you're vegan, but I get tired of watching videos of athletes eating their lean meats and dairy every damn video. Now I can rest assured that I won't see a video of you drinking raw eggs and that's a relief.
@@calonstanni ha! No eggs here 😊
@@MarkLewisfitness OMG you saw my comment and responded? WOW! thanks!
What a great video. Fuckin love your channel. Top notch quality, love your humor and how I feel fit and smart just watching you and thinking „yeah I‘ll do that… tomorrow“
Hi Mark, I'd love to see a video on how to balance strength workouts and cardio workouts. I really struggle to get upper body strength while preparing for a marathon.
My next video is on my hyrox training - and that covers it!
Loved the video - wasn't expecting such a nuanced set of points with a title like that. Showing the google definition of murder is I think a low bar on justifying murder doesn't apply to animals - I feel one of the points of veganism is to respect the lives of animals more (i.e at all) which I feel makes the use of the word murder appropriate.
Just discovered your channel, thanks for all the inspirational tips & opinions. Pleade can you share your weekly menu plan (that you write on Mondays), or your gym workout plan? And how do you prevent overtraining? Thanks and keep well!
“Especially if it’s a pool party” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Probably one of the best videos IF NOT THE BEST video when it comes to explaining the whole vegan and plant based diets. Well done good sir!! 👏🏾
Wow, thank you!
Love the video dude. Go mostly "Plant Based" just because vegans very difficult. No dairy, very careful about meat and mostly fish. Honestly don't miss meat and your 100% with a good bit of beans and veg can hit the spot better than meat for me given the choice.
Really found that just the being aware of the food and after id had a year of eating a stupid amount of meat doing natural strongman stuff and contact sports, because it was just the expected way of doing things. Then going 99% plant based, my health improved massively. Endurance shot up, joints stopped hurting, weight reduced but strength remained and explosive speed improved.
Might have just been being more aware over a period of time but regardless it did me good. 0 loss i care about, lots of improvement. win win
Awesome to hear. So much of what we do is just because that’s the way it’s always been done and so it’s nice to break out now and then.
I like your really common sense approach to veganism. I've been vegan for just over a year and was vegetarian before that. My boyfriend still eats meat. When we met, we both ate meat. I made a change he didn't and that's fine - these are my choices and his are his own to make. Sometimes we eat the same food, other times we don't. I'm the better cook so I'll cook him a meat based meal and just not partake myself. I've got flack from meat eaters for my choice and flack again from the vegan side for 'enabling' a meat eater. I wish more people could be happier to just allow people to make their own decisions without passing comment on others.
Appreciate the positivity and straight-up facts 💪. It's nice discovering a new vegan role model (fit, good sense of humour, etc). Athletically, plant based is a secret weapon. I ran a decently fast 5k last month (17:33) with hardly any training (30km/wk). I couldn't do this on a high fat low carb diet. I'd have to train more and 'diet.' Thanks again for the vid ✌️
I've been vegan almost 4 years - and I can say being vegan IS EASY. but it took a long time for it to be easy. It is very hard at first. Once you have a new routine, just like any routine, it becomes easy over time. the difficulty is in the beginning months learning how to eat, eat out, grocery shop, look at labels, etc.
Excellent video on the matter and the way you handled it made me want to watch it all. I'm not a vegan but I do think about what kind of meat I usually eat. And most of it is self hunted wild game meat. From forest to table. As sustainable as meat eating can get (as in Finland we very much do take care that the hunting is sustainable).
Really great vid mate, definitely agree with you about not shouting about being vegan. I work in construction in Sydney and so there's not much vegan food available when you're out of the central areas, need to plan your eating habits much more.
O get a lot of guys at work asking about the vegan diet though, I like to think some of my mates are coming round to it, even the Argentinean friends of my gf are leaning towards it more. They are usually good at reserving us a spot on the BBQ for out plant based burgers too.
This guy’s like the British version of George Carlin if Carlin was a fitness UA-camr. 👍🏽
I’ll take that comparison!! 😂
Informative, highly entertaining and thought provoking. Great clarity on the topic, nice presentation🙌 and keep up the great work.
As a farmer I think it’s time people learned what it takes to grow all those delicious plants everyone eats. Well, for starters there is a large amount of fertilizer needed and contrary to popular belief there just isn’t enough shite in the world to meet the demand as strange as that might seem. Processed animal and fish parts make up a good amount of the fertilizer demand. The rest comes from petroleum feedstocks and is commonly referred to as chemical fertilizers. So the next time people are munching away on a tasty beet sandwich they should perhaps thank a pig, cow and the petrochemical industry for their meal.
Congrats on hitting 30K subs 🎉🤘🙌😎
Mark, I've been binge-watching your vids for a couple of weeks looking for inspo and I really love your delivery, humour and common sense approach to all the f%#*wittery in the world. I started with your early vids where you were eating cheeseburger stuffed-crust pizzas and thought 'If I wasn't so entertained I'd switch off'. Absolutely delighted to find this one today 😃👏👏👏 Well said. I haven't eaten an animal for 36.5 years and just celebrated my 10th veganniversary so I've been dealing with crashing bores who tell me to go eat a burger most of my life 🥱 I'm not a gobby, in ya face vegan, I just do my bit. I love party rings and Oreos ... hence looking for inspo here 😩
I'd already subscribed but if I hadn't, I would be clicking that little 🔔 right now 🤩 Thanks for all your work.
Wow I’ve been watching, and enjoying, your vlogs since I’m stuck home iso with covid. Now I find out your VEGAN!! You are even more awesome now 👍👍 Great vid
Great video Mark. Where did the T-Shirt come form, I need now.
One of my kids found it online! Hang on - I'll ask them.......ok, VEGAN OUTFITTERS I'm told!
I agree with your point about social pressure soooo much.... to me 3+ years plant-based it's one of the things I've noticed the most. It's weird that it's so normal to blindly partake in this horrific industry that is creating so much harm, I mean, I did it for nearly 30 years, because it's normal. It's changing slowly though
Great video and really resonate with your comments on a healthy diet - meat or plant based. Damn those party rings looked good.
Yeah my ex was VEGAN, absolutely no animals were harmed for her lifestyle. Except for me.
🤣
Great information, having a strict diet isn’t easy, mainly because it gets rather boring and as you elude too the main thing is too eat whole unprocessed food.
Very informative take on veganism. As a vegan and animal rights activist for 6+ years I may disagree slightly with some aspects of your argument, but overall it's very positive, which can only help to encourage others to have an awakening to a lifestyle avoiding rights violations where possible.
I also took up running a year ago, and lost 3 + 1/2 stone of excess fat, and am now happily a healthy weight and improving my 5km time every day from 34mins+ to a current 23mins, so I've been loving the running tips since I found the channel recently. Hoping to use the tips to eventually break that elusive 20min barrier.
Re your diet, I'd love to know if you have already done, or if you plan to do any what I eat in a day videos, as I find they give me great inspiration to keep my diet exciting by not eating the same thing over and over, and they also give me tips to optimise my health so I can improve my running performance.
Keep up the great content!
i found this amusing as a fellow compulsive binge-eater with a weakness for party rings...
Just started watching your videos and I'm really enjoying them. I'm personally pescatarian, what I've found that massively helped my diet was moving to a weekly food delivery service (guosto, although others are available ;) ) . I can have very tasty, easy to cook meals made with fresh veg, spices etc etc.
This won't work for everyone but it is definitely easier than what a lot of people will be expecting it to be.
New subscriber here 👍
Thats a great idea - If I didnt have an awesome wife cooking my stuff I'd do the same!
Nice to seeing a refreshing take on veganism. I am a vegan and bloody hate the preachy, moral high ground that comes out of a lot of vegans.
Absolutely brilliant video, very well explained
That chin up clip 😂
Cant watch it without laughing 😂
@@MarkLewisfitness Same, I had to replay it a few times as well 😅
Very good way to explain your plant base diet, loving your work
Yay, I was becoming a fan of your channel recently and now even more so now. Good explanation of the differences between veganism (avoiding hurting animals) & plant based food usually a diet without animal products in it. Keep up the entertaining content and sharing the message of Peace and Health begin on your plate :)
Thank for this video Mark! I’ve decide to reduce my consumption of animal products considerably..although I’m not quite ready for the jump to full vegan yet.
Your video was funny, interesting, educational and honest.
Hi Mark, great vlog. Are you able to do a vlog of your gym workouts, exercises, reps etc. Would love to dee what you do in a week as I'm looking at changing up my current routine. Thanks heaps from New Zealand 🇳🇿
Love this,I am meat eater, but that is my choice, and everyone should be happy for everyone elses choice. Like i have said before the whole part of dieting confuses me, all i currently do is add more fruit and veg to my diet and cut out processed food.