WAG Member Tere Hernandez-Bonet: Counting Macros on a Vegan Lifestyle

Q: Why did you decide to join Team WAG?

A: I didn't recognize myself anymore. About a year and a half ago I started Perimenopause. It was awful. I gained a ton of weight, lost my energy and my endurance and basically just felt like crap all the time. Imagine having PMS symptoms. ALL. THE. TIME. I have had successful weight loss before, but this was different. There were so many changes happening in my body that I was unfamiliar with. What's up, hormones?! I knew I had to take a different approach. And I needed help doing that. A good friend was already kicking butt on the WAG program so I finally decided to give it a try. I started 35 weeks ago.

Q: Was there anything about the program that surprised you?

A: So much data! Haha! I was already familiar with meal tracking, but I think the biggest surprise was how much I love my weekly check-ins. I love the accountability. And I know that no matter what challenges I face each week, my coach (Hillary) was, and is, ALWAYS supportive and positive. Also, there are a lot more fellow vegans than I'd expected :)

Q: As an athlete, your training schedule is intense and varied. How have you managed to stay on track while balancing all of your commitments?

A: This is always a challenge. But it gets easier. I've been working with my coach on eating breakfast and meal timing and pre and post-workout nutrition. Fueling my body at the right time with the right nutrition keeps me focused on things other than food. Consistency. Pre-planning is everything. I can't stress that enough.

Q: How has your performance in the gym been affected by tracking, if at all?

A: Oh man. My energy was the first thing that came back. It was crazy. When I started WAG, I had just run a marathon and was now in my running off-season. It was so difficult to motivate to do anything. I had no energy to run or to CrossFit. But it felt like flipping a switch. All of a sudden, my cravings went away, no "crashing" and I had the energy to work out again. My running got faster and my endurance has improved a lot.

Q: What has been the biggest change you've made in your lifestyle since joining?

A: I am more mindful of my food choices. I take the time to try and listen to what my body needs. I don't let my emotions dictate what I eat or drink. I am in charge. I used to drink a lot of wine haha. Now, in moderation. It's a big mental flip, for sure. I have also learned to focus more on the positive. I haven't been able to run for 2 1/2 months due to a stress fracture. So I learned to love swimming again and biking. I'm on the mend, but I was able to focus on what I could do rather than what I was missing out on. I only wallowed for a little bit. ;)

Q: What advice do you have for other people considering hiring a nutrition coach?

A: Do it! But be ready to trust the coach and the process. Be kind to yourself. I'm vegan so I always thought these programs weren't for me. It seems like everyone is always pushing meat and dairy. Being vegan can be a challenge (more so for non-vegans haha), but it is totally worth it. I have learned so much about food as medicine and fuel and how it affects me. And being my healthiest self is what it's all about.