October Challenge

When I tell people I’m a vegetarian, I am immediately bombarded with one of two reactions – either a question or a defensive posture, and sometimes both.

The first, based on how often I am asked it, seems to be an obligatory question, "How do you get your protein?" Generally, I don’t respond to this question with any sort of detail. I just list a couple of high protein foods, that, had they taken a moment to think about it, they would have already figured out.

Secondly, I’ve determined that eating animals makes people feel guilty. At least that’s what I’m guessing based on how thoroughly folks defend themselves when they learn that I’m a vegetarian. It usually goes something like this…

Them: "Where’s the meat, bro? All you’ve got on that plate are a bunch of vegetables and some fruit!"

Me: "Yeah, I’m a vegetarian."

Them: "What, really!?"
　

Me: "Yes, really.

Them: "Man, I could never do that. I like meat too much. It would just be way too hard."

And so it goes…



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Most people come up with a reason of why they simply cannot be a vegetarian, and they volunteer this information freely. It’s not as if I had asked them to join a cult where we worship road signs. In fact, I typically don’t even get to the part of where I explain why I chose to become a vegetarian.

Allow me to digress just a bit here…
　

Soldiers love a challenge. It doesn’t matter their background, their rank, or even whether they’re deployed or in garrison. Tell a soldier he is unable to accomplish a task, that he (or she) doesn’t have what it takes to challenge their own insecurities, and he will likely do everything in his power to prove you wrong. Typically, common sense goes right out the window.

Apparently, the month of October is a perfect time for one of those challenges. A couple of my soldiers began floating the idea around in the office after they heard another Non-Commissioned Officer had successfully completed the 30-day vegetarian challenge. The challenge is simple enough. Go for 30 days, and don’t eat meat. Eat whatever you want – just don’t eat meat.

(Author’s note: The "real" challenge is one that is unable to be undertaken in a deployed environment, where the 30 day challenge is abstaining from eating anything that contains animal products – meat, dairy, eggs, soda, many sweets, etc. This challenge is substantially more difficult, but much more rewarding in the end.)

Word spread like wildfire, and before long, multiple soldiers had agreed to take the "October Challenge" as it has become known.

This brings me to my point behind writing this article. Vegetarian does not equal healthy. Read that last sentence again.

Some will fail, even if they succeed

French fries, chocolate brownies, chips, Monster® energy drinks, and grilled cheese sandwiches are all food products that do not contain meat, and are therefore permissible in this challenge, but I don’t need to tell you that none of those foods mentioned above would ever be misidentified as "health foods".
 
Now, take a little break from reading this article, and list five foods you know are good for you or are often described as "healthy foods," but just one catch…don’t list anything that comes from an animal. Ready? Go.

Seriously. List five healthy foods, just off the top of your head.

Chances are (if you actually did it), the foods you listed are fruits, vegetables, beans, and maybe even some nuts or seeds. And some of you can see where I’m going with this…

While cutting meat out of one’s diet, even if it’s just for 30 days, is an excellent way to cut out unnecessary fats and cholesterol, just abstaining from meat is not enough if you’re trying to be (or get) healthy in the process.

Supplement meat with as many fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, and nuts as possible. Down an extra soymilk or two. Drink a protein shake if you’re overly-concerned about your protein intake, but however you choose to do it, wake up on November 1st knowing that you did something you never thought you could do.

To be truly successful at any challenge, whether it’s the "October Challenge" or something much more daunting, success begins – and ends – with you.

So, whaddaya say? You up for a challenge?