Vegan Challenge: Halfway Point

FLORENCE, Mass. (WWLP) - It started as a new year's resolution to be healthier and by February first, it became a challenge between 22News at 11 Producer Kara Dominick and Reporter Elysia Rodriguez to try out veganism. 

Now two weeks in, we've successfully cut out all animal products but we're quickly learning that going vegan is more than just what you eat.

Adam Hagerup has been vegan for more than a decade.

He told 22News, “As a vegan you have a number of reasons to become a vegetarian no one reason is a good reason to become vegetarian." 

In his case; it was for environmental reasons, in our case; it was health and weight loss.

Eating all plant-based, whole foods, I was convinced I would wither away in no time, but so far, even though I feel great, I haven't lost a pound.

Star Drooker owns a vegan restaurant in Florence, but he credits his health to more than just food.

He said, “I've been an athlete my whole life and been a vegetarian for 35 years, I'm 50 but most people don't' think I'm 50 years old."

Hagerup said it takes time. 

He explained, “It's not very hard to become vegetarian if you do it in small steps the way you are doing it is difficult that's a state of transformation or a state of matter change. ”