Carol is down 77 lbs in less than four months!

before and after pics of an obese female 

Tell us about yourself and the events that led up to making the commitment to get your health back.

My name is Carol and I’m almost 59-years-old; mother to five, and grandmother to three.  I had been a yo-yo dieter for most of my adult life.  I would lose 30 lbs and then soon after gain more back.  Food was always a comfort and escape for me.  I didn’t need to be hungry to eat as long as the food was tasty.

Last summer I had reached a point where being on my feet for more than an hour meant lots of pain and discomfort for the rest of the day and into the next.  My skin felt bruised when touched.  I had to plan activities around how much walking was involved, and I was becoming more and more homebound.

 

How did you learn about nutritarian eating? 

Emily Boller lives in my hometown and I was inspired by her transformation; however, I thought nutritarian eating would be too hard for me.  In July, I read Eat to Live and believed it was the answer to my health problems.  I finally got desperate enough to attend a library talk that Emily facilitated, which motivated me to make the commitment to change.  Soon afterwards I joined the member center of drfuhrman.com and read Eat for Health.  That book set taught me more valuable information about reversing disease through excellent nutrition and being in control of my health destiny. 

The rest is history . . . .   on July 22, 2009 I weighed 345 lbs and my waist was 55”.  Now, less than four months later, November 15, 2009, I weigh 268 lbs with a 48”waist.  That’s a loss of 77 lbs so far!

 

How do you feel now?

First of all, the weight is coming off easily!  I feel better now than I have in years.  Being on my feet is no longer a problem, and it doesn’t hurt to be touched anymore.  I sleep better and have lots more energy.

Food always meant comfort to me.  Whether I was hungry or not, I’d eat a lot. Now I eat only when hungry, and I’ve discovered how enjoyable natural foods can taste.  I enjoy life again because food no longer controls me.    

 

Success tips you’d like to share with others in the journey to health?

  • I purchase bags of dried beans and make a large pot of bean or vegetable soup on the weekend to last the next week.
  • I buy lots of frozen vegetables and fruits to have on hand.
  • I make smoothies and great tasting salads. 
  • I don’t let eating away from home worry me like it used to when I was yo-yo dieting. I make wise choices; no longer feeling defeated like I did for years.

 

Is there a final thought that you would like to share with anyone who is discouraged or has given up hope?

 Just do it! 

Start however you can. It may sound overwhelming at the beginning, but in all reality, nutritarian eating is the easiest way to lose weight and feel great at the same time. It will change your life!

 

Congratulations Carol!  We are cheering for you as you continue on the journey of getting your health back! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving table setting 

                                                                                         

I took the above picture as I was preparing our Thanksgiving noon meal today.  I bought the Pilgrim statues years ago at a garage sale.  Arranged with candles, artificial leaves, squash and apples, it makes one of my favorite holiday centerpieces.  My immediate family (minus my oldest daughter who lives out east and will be home for Christmas) will be gathering with my extended family later this evening at my Aunt’s house to catch up on the happenings of everyone.

I started a new Thanksgiving tradition for myself early this morning.  I ran a 4 mile run, appropriately named the “Galloping Gobbler”, with my oldest son.  Three of my children, at various times, have run in this race for several Thanksgivings now, and it has been my goal for a long time to be able to join them someday. 

Well, today was that someday.

 

                                                  

Words are inadequate to express how wonderful it feels to have health back. 

It was a tough course with hills that I hadn’t trained for, but wanted to give it a shot anyway.  As I was approaching the finish line, and the bystanders were cheering, it felt so good to be able to stretch out my legs and run.  Two years ago, when I was obese, I couldn’t even jog to catch a fly away ball in our backyard. 

If you are sitting on the fence of indecision, I encourage you to give nutritarian eating your all. 

To be free from food addiction and get health back is something you will never regret.

Ever.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  

Success Tips

before and after pic of Emily Boller

What would life be like

if we had no courage to attempt anything?

-Vincent van Gogh

Someone recently wrote on my facebook wall, “When you started (referring to nutritarian eating), what was most helpful?”

I began the journey to get my health back on July 10, 2008.  At that time, what helped me the most was taking the prior month of June to thoroughly study and assimilate Dr. Fuhrman’s book, Eat to Live.  (Eat for Health was not available yet.)  

Now, fifteen months and plenty of battle scars later; plus observing many who have successfully overcome food addiction and made it to their weight loss goal and restored good health, my resounding response to everyone is, “Members’ center, members’ center, members’ center!”

I got free from food addiction and have successfully maintained excellent health because of the ongoing support of Dr. Fuhrman on “Ask the Doctor”.  The hurdles of life have been overwhelming at times, and Dr. Fuhrman’s nutritional and health guidance has helped me navigate the many obstacles that I’ve faced:

  • advice during the hospitalization of a child
  • guidance in overcoming food addiction, including several relapses
  • practical instruction during a weight loss plateau
  • advice concerning a major surgery
  • navigating pain relief, bloating and continual weight loss after that surgery
  • pain management after a serious bike wreck
  • and a myriad of other bumps in the road

He gave straightforward and helpful answers that I couldn’t have received elsewhere.

Now I encourage everyone who is serious about living in optimal health to get involved in the members’ center of drfuhrman.com:

  • read the tutorials
  • listen to the teleconferences
  • participate in the member forums, phone chats and Ask the Doctor
  • share recipes, success tips, struggles and victories with other members

Dr. Fuhrman’s books and the members’ center are so much cheaper than medications, diabetic supplies, surgeries, frequent visits to doctors’ offices, rise in insurance premiums, weight loss meetings, and missed work due to illness. The investment will maximize and extend the quality and productivity of life for years to come!