Modeling isn’t as easy as it looks. There are early mornings, late nights. and hours of posing in uncomfortable settings, clothing, make up and hair… And then there’s the staying thin part. If you are a working or aspiring model who wants to be successful in the industry you’ll need to have a sustainable way to stay looking and feeling great so you can go out there and dominate the fashion industry. Here’s how going vegan can help you do just that.
Energy
One immediate change you should notice once you go vegan is that you have heaps of energy. This is essential in getting through those long days of castings and shoots that last for more than 6 hours. I haven’t been a morning person since I was a kid but I find myself waking up with so much energy, lately, that it forces me out of bed ready to get things done. This is perfect when I have a lot going on, especially if I’ll be modeling that day. Energy will give you that edge needed to make you stand out from the rest. Your true personality will shine through and you will radiate positive energy. Clients love this!
Side note: Make sure to always keep food (i.e. fruit) with you in your model bag so you can recharge your battery whenever needed.
Weight Loss
Within a week of cutting out dairy I lost 10 lbs and the weight hasn’t returned (I’m 6 months post transition to a vegan lifestyle). Dairy is loaded with saturated fat and meat takes longer to digest than fruits and vegetables. Without meat weighing you down and saturated fat collecting around your waistline and thighs, you will more easily be able to maintain a healthy body weight. In addition, fruit is loaded with fiber so this will keep things moving while supporting a flat belly. And overall you will be more lean with a low fat, low sodium vegan diet because you will retain less water and inflammation within the body will be highly reduced, if not completely eradicated.
Skin, Hair, and Nails
My skin was flawless in high school. Just after college, however, I started noticing blemishes popping up all over my face. It was so frustrating and quite a confidence kicker so I resorted to using Proactiv. This worked for awhile but then it slowly stopped doing the trick. I went on to try using the stuff again years later only to find that it just didn’t work much at all. Now that I don’t eat meat and dairy I maybe get a bump here or there every now and then and it usually is very small and goes away quickly. It’s gotten to the point where I feel completely confident, again, not even wearing powder on my face. And my nails? Just the other day I took a photo on Snapchat and looked back at it only to realize that my nails were long and healthy! When they do chip it is always a clean break rather than the peeling I use to experience with my weak and brittle nails. And those white marks that I use to get (which is a sign of calcium deficiency) are completely gone. Also, my nails grow fast… really fast. As far as hair goes, I’ve noticed that it is also growing faster, is thicker, and stronger. And all this from a vegan diet!
A model’s job to exemplify beauty and health. When you are constantly chasing your imperfections it can be a huge distraction. Eliminating a lot of them by improving your health will save you time and money. I no longer waste dollars on products that are filled with chemicals and promise to make me look better. Instead, I fill my body with the right foods and it does what it’s naturally designed to do; keep me feeling and looking healthy. Now when I am preparing for a modeling job it’s often as simple as pulling back my hair, rinsing my face off with water, putting on some mascara and eyeliner (unless makeup is going to be provided), throwing on some clothes and walking out the door.
Free Mind
If you are new to the vegan lifestyle, one thing you might start to notice is that many vegans rave about an increase in mental clarity. There are many reasons why a vegan diet can have this affect on a person. Most of the meat and dairy in the mainstream food industry is loaded with hormones given to the animals to increase their body mass and produce more meat to sell, food coloring to make the finished products look more appealing (did you know that packaged beef is dyed pink so that it looks fresh? Gross!), pesticides ingested by the animals that eat sprayed crops and so on. When you stop consuming animal products that contain these toxic particles, your body is able to function more efficiently. The human brain is highly sensitive to toxic substances, just look to any drug addict or alcoholic. for example. The chemicals used in animal products, as listed above, are no exception. So it should be no surprise to discover that the fogginess you might experience (forgetfulness, fatigue, sluggishness, anxiety, depression etc.) will dissipate as you detox and rid yourself of the harmful chemicals to which the human body is naturally allergic. Having a clearer mind will help you navigate the fast-paced modeling world. You will make better decisions as to the types of situations you put yourself in and will be able to focus on being fierce.
Natural High
As mentioned earlier, eating more whole and healthy foods can increase energy and reduce mental fogginess which can inevitabily lead to the lack of need for stimulants such as coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs. You may be very familiar with the modeling industry being saturated with young girls and guys who stay thin by guzzling coffee and slim teas, smoking, and snorting cocaine. That type of lifestyle isn’t good for anyone and isn’t sustainable. When your body has adequate calories, nutrients, water, and fiber it will have no need for stimulants to help keep you awake and ward off extra pounds; it will regulate all of this for you on its own.
Quick Recovery
Sick? If you’re vegan it won’t be for long. You won’t be filling your body with crap and it will thank you in return. Getting plenty of water, rest, and an abundance of fruits and veggies will keep your body in working order. You don’t have time to be stuck in bed, after all, you’ve got castings to attend and bookings to conquer!
Forever Young
Vegans age slowly. It’s true! When your body gets the nutrients it needs and everything is working as it should, your body isn’t going to degrade as quickly as the bodies of your meat eating counter parts. Need proof? Check out these vegan elders: former model Sunny Griffin (75), raw foodist Annette Larkins (73), body builder Jim Morris (78), and former model Karyn Calabrese (68). Who says you have to retire at 24?!
Still not convinced? Did you know that there are quite a few Victoria’s Secret models who eat a vegan diet (specifically the Sakara Organic Meal Delivery food plan) to stay slim?
When you are healthy you are able to focus on being present in the moment rather than worrying about whatever is ailing you. Speaking from experience, stomach pains from poor digestion and headaches from drinking overly sweetened beverages can make pushing through with a smile quite challenging. Your health comes first over everything in life and the better you treat your mind body and soul the better job you can do in your industry. So all of that said, I wish you health, happiness, and a great modeling career!
If you need more inspiration check out these awesome vegan models:
Ali Michael
Jenny Meister
Anthony Anderson
Kat Hessen
Larisa Braun
Sheridyn Fisher
Renee Somerfield
Essena Oneill
Vanessa from FluffyPinkGlam
Ellie Gonsalves
Also, make sure to check out this Vegan Models forum on 30 Bananas A Day!
Photo Credit: Lola O Photography
