Being Vegan: Why Would You do That to Yourself? (A Rant)

After being vegetarian for about a year and a half, and after doing hours of research, I went fully vegan when I moved out of the house and into the dorms at college. Here in Southern California, people are generally pretty accepting of veganism and there are plenty of food options for me on and off campus. Luckily I met a wonderful group of people who respect my decision not to eat animal products and are pretty respectful of my diet.
However, being an herbivore there is something that I (and many others) grow tired of hearing; and that's the general "I couldn't give up (insert animal product) ever, it's too good," or "how do you live without (animal product)," or even that I "need" to be eating meat to survive/be healthy. I understand people's connection to eating meat and I respect their choice to do so, I don't generally judge people on what they eat and I don't hold my friends in any less esteem for eating animals. This post is not about refuting those comments because that particular set basically creates the debate platform for and against veganism.
Last night, however, one of my friends who didn't yet know I was vegan found out when my suitemate bought me vegan cookie dough because I wasn't eating the one with eggs and milk in it. His response was: "Vegan? Why would you do that to yourself?" I played it off with a casual "I'm into it, it's kinda my thing," but as I was going to bed his words kind of stuck with me, and here's what I have to say:
I'm "doing it to myself" because I care about more than myself. I'm not "doing it" for myself either, I'm doing it for you. As long as people like me are eating the way we are, the world put off it's fiery, polluted doom for just that much longer, whereas as long as people continue to eat like you, the forests will continue to burn, the ocean to acidify, and the air to grow unbreathable. I'm also doing it for them. Who, you ask? The animals, all animals. The cows, pigs, chickens, fish, turkey, and more that you choose to slaughter and consume, as well as the elephants, dolphins, tigers, and apes who's homes are in grave danger. Each day thousands (if not millions) of acres of habitats are destroyed for the purpose of your eating.
Not to mention the adverse health effects meat and dairy consumption has on your body. Cholesterol, obesity, cancer, heart disease, diabetes; these are just a few of the lovely things you can experience on an animal-product diet. The more death you put in your body, the more your body dies.
Eating an animal product centered diet hurts the environment, your body, and everyone and thing around you.
So to wrap it all up I guess I just have one thing to say (ask) to/of you:
Why would you do that to yourself?