Why?
- Why take time to thoroughly study Eat to Live and Eat for Health?
- Why read Dr. Fuhrman’s newsletters?
- Why listen to his teleconferences?
- Why ask Dr. Fuhrman medical or weight loss questions when they arise?
- Why post struggles/victories and receive encouragement from others?
- Why seek extra help through the withdrawal phase?
- Why persevere through the toxic cravings?
- Why learn true hunger signals?
- Why get up and keep going when a slip-up happens?
- Why stock a cooler with high nutrient foods when away from home?
- Why learn to make delicious bean soups, smoothies and homemade ice-creams?
- Why go to the gym in January when it’s below zero and dark outside?
- Why ask family and friends for their support?
- Why eat differently than 99.9% of the rest of the population?
- Why put forth the effort to earn health back?
- Why even bother when one can take meds for just about anything?
Sleeping Bear Dunes, one of the largest sand dunes in the world; located on the northwestern shore of Lake Michigan. Many from the Midwest make their annual trek up its steep slopes to see the breathtaking views from the various summits. I’m no exception. It’s become a part of my summer tradition since childhood.
However, as food addiction and resulting malnutrition took over, I felt like the ‘real’ me became trapped in a body that I no longer recognized. I became a stranger to myself and climbing the dunes was a thing of the past. I became a lawn chair spectator of others from the distant island of captivity. Obesity and poor health robbed me of so much, and truly, only in hindsight, do I now realize how much I missed for twenty years of my life and my family’s life. Unfortunately, the food addict and his/her family adjust to the many handicaps of poor health, and both parties become accustomed to the negative changes.
Last week, not only did I make the 3.5 hour round-trip hike up and down sandy dunes out to Lake Michigan and back, but it was exhilarating and I did it with much ease! [The picture on the left was taken at the bottom of the final descent.] I was finally a participant in my family’s life at Sleeping Bear, and someday I hope to be an active participant in my future grandchildren’s life also, if/when that time comes. I refuse to be found sitting on a lawn chair by myself at the parking lot . . . . .
- testing blood sugars and adjusting food and/or medications accordingly
- out-of-breath due to physical exertion
- fatigued from sleep apnea and the non-stop burden of carrying around excess weight
- nursing achy joints, feet, and chronic back pain
- experiencing muscle weakness from heart meds
- living in constant fear of an impending heart attack
- depressed and feeling hopeless due to all of the above
So why do the things that have successfully proven to get many out of food addiction and restore health?
As I was leaping down the final descent, a Dad and Mom with four children were attempting to climb up. Both parents were morbidly obese and the late morning sun was starting to pelt down on them. They looked exhausted and their energetic children were ready to explore the great outdoors. It was in that moment that I realized once again, the reason why I’m committed to doing those things that Dr. Fuhrman recommends to live in optimal health!
Tell us your reasons for choosing optimal health.
image credits: personal.umich.edu; tripadvisor.co.uk
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