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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Auburn chapter.

Many people are making big lifestyle changes this year. The one that is most popular is becoming a vegan. They’re realizing the health benefits of veganism, as well as becoming educated on the matter through things like “What the Health.”

Ever since I was young, it was hard for me to eat meat. Although it was good and something I was used to, I could never see it before it was cooked. At one point I tried to become a vegetarian, but being that my mother was still cooking my meals and I didn’t know what I was doing, I reverted back to meat eating.

In high school I watched a documentary in class called “Food Inc.” and went right back to my vegetarian ways. This time I kept it going for three years and it was honestly a wonderful journey.

I lost a lot of weight and just felt lighter with more energy. The longer I kept it going, the more it changed me. At the time I was eating of lot of Morning Star alternatives, spinach and salad.

I reverted back to meat eating once again; Chick fil A was calling my name. I ate meat for a while and I gained whatever weight I lost back.

That wasn’t my biggest issue though; now that I look back I felt heavy and had less energy. When you feel heavier than usual it’s not fun because it feels like it takes more energy to move and as if you’re moving more than your body weight.

If you think about it you are you’re lugging around your body weight as well as the chicken you just ate or the burger. Think about that when it comes to eating three meals a day.

I decided to change my eating habits when I came across a man named Dr. Sebi. He was an herbalist who had what he called the Alkaline Diet.

After doing research and hearing what he had to say, I started making small changes like cutting back on meat. A friend came home from California and she was vegan and was also saying a lot of what Dr.Sebi said or stood for.

I took this as a sign to make a change and I did. I will say she helped me tremendously because she already had life hacks that I could just jump on to. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made and I recommend trying veganism for a week and seeing how you feel.

Don’t think it wasn’t hard, because it was. I had many cheat days and I still have cravings, but that’s where discipline and your reasoning come in. I also was forced to stop cheating because after a while I was getting sick from cheating and just had to stop.

 It has definitely been a tough, interesting yet wonderful journey that isn’t over yet. I’m still learning how to change up my meals and learning different vegan meals. I’m still learning what I can and can’t eat, and yes there are days when I am sick and tired of eating a certain vegetable or fruit.

Overall though it’s so much fun especially when it comes to cooking and you feel like a million bucks. I don’t get as sick as I used to, I really can’t remember the last time I had a cold.

I feel lighter and when I eat I’m not ready to go and take a nap. When I eat I’m not full but not stuffed and I’m satisfied. I see the difference and how some of the foods we eat can make us gain weight just because they don’t nourish the body like they should.

Veganism is something I believe everyone should try or at least cutting back on meat. If you want to know more on the animals involved in your food, do your research. I can’t stress that enough because if you don’t you’re more willing to cheat or give up. Remember it’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle and you won’t regret it.

Cathlene is a senior studying journalism and women's studies at Auburn University. She has been a part of Her Campus Auburn for three years and is in her first year as Campus Correspondent. When she isn't studying and working on Her Campus, she enjoys baking desserts, reading young adult fiction and watching Netflix (mainly Friends, The Office and The Great British Baking Show). Some of her favorite things include Disney, desserts and fluffy animals to cuddle. Cathlene aspires to write for a magazine once she graduates and hopefully move back to Los Angeles.