Disease Proof : Disease Proof : Health & Nutrition News & Commentary : Dr. Joel Fuhrman

Eating for health is a mindset. We make firm choices based upon correct information that’s been proven to restore health to the body.

However, if food choices are determined by our circumstances or fluctuating emotions, we will suffer the consequences of decisions that will never lead to optimal health.  

When I first started the journey to get my health back, I was obese, unfit and didn’t feel well. It was an effort just to get out of bed in the mornings, let alone enthusiastically eat for health. I knew that if I was ever going to succeed, I had to have something simple and concrete to follow. 

After thoroughly studying Eat to Live, using a small font, I typed out the six week eating plan on page 179. I then printed off three copies, and laminated them at an office supply store. I kept one in my purse, one next to my bed, and one under a magnet on the refrigerator. The plan made all of my decisions. Period.

• Those first couple of weeks I didn’t feel like eating romaine lettuce, collard greens or brussel sprouts. I followed the plan.

• I was heavily addicted to salt, creamy cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, and crunchy peanut butter. I followed the plan. 

• I craved diet cola and diet pudding. I followed the plan.

• I was addicted to creamy ranch dressing. I followed the plan.

• My bedtime snack was always a large bowl of cereal and milk. I followed the plan.

• My son became seriously ill. I followed the plan.

• Life suddenly became an out-of-control roller coaster. I followed the plan.  

• He had to be transferred to another hospital in another state. I followed the plan.

• I had to find my way around in a new city. I followed the plan.

• I hit rock bottom with sadness and fear of the future. I followed the plan.  

• The hospital cafeteria food looked comforting and inviting. I followed the plan.

• The candy in the gift shop called out my name. I followed the plan. 

Three months later, back home, I got on the scales. Even though the picture on the left shows the strain of crisis on my face, I was forty pounds lighter; and more importantly, I was no longer addicted to toxic foods. I now craved fresh greens and fruits. Diet soda, diet desserts and salty foods tasted disgusting to me. I could walk for ½ hour every morning and evening, and feel great. My body was thoroughly refreshed after a good night’s sleep, and brain fog had completely disappeared.

The crisis eventually subsided. My body was well-nourished. I had newfound energy to try recipes. I had a bounce in my step to attempt challenging exercises. I knew I was well on the way to getting my health back. I was free.   

“Success or lack thereof is not based upon circumstances; therefore, excuses are irrelevant.”  Emily Boller

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Are you sick and tired of a medical culture that's influenced by drug reps trained in communication skills and research funded by pharmaceutical companies instead of scientific nutritional research?

Are you fed up with a health care system, including dietitians and food service personnel, who see absolutely nothing wrong with serving pizza, fried chicken, beef 'n noodles, dinner rolls, butter and jelly, cake, ice cream, and pudding to severely ill patients?

Are you disappointed that our educational system values and prioritizes college and career preparation over instruction in optimal health and longevity? How fulfilling and productive is a career intermingled with food addiction and hangovers? What enjoyment and satisfaction is there in a beautiful home and nice car mixed with alcoholism, eating disorders, heart disease, depression, chemo treatments, pain meds, diabetes, and broken relationships?

Are you saddened by a social culture, including religious, academic and athletic; that models, by example, and promotes gluttonous pleasures and indulgences? What will happen to a society in which eating for disease has run rampant? 

Are you disturbed by the fact that a quarter of a million dollars can be spent on a preventable heart surgery, and $110 for an unnecessary vial of insulin, while entire families go to bed hungry? Is it even ethical to squander such financial resources?  

The change of one is a transformation.

The change of many is a revolution.

Change begins with you and me. 

It’s time for a revolution!

“We are free to choose our actions. We are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.”   -Steven Covey

image credit: montville.net

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Ronnie is an amazing example of the dramatic results that nutritarian eating can have on the body.  Not only did he lose over 140lbs in one year and get his precarious health restored, but is now completely off $600 a month of medications!  You will be astounded by his remarkable recovery. Welcome to Disease Proof, Ronnie.

Tell us about yourself and the events that led up to getting your health back?

In 2005 I had open heart bypass surgery, and two years later I had three stents put into an artery. Soon after being released from the second hospitalization, I was still experiencing chest pain.  I typed “reverse heart disease” into an on-line search engine and discovered the web site of Joel Fuhrman, M.D.

At that time I weighed over 300 lbs and couldn’t perform even the simplest of tasks without shortness of breath and chest pain. I was getting affairs in order for my impending death, including preparing my wife to take over our business.   

How did you feel before committing to nutritarian eating?

I was always hungry and I felt lethargic all the time. My brain seemed to be in a continual cloud of confusion, and every joint in my body ached.

What’s happened to your body and how do you feel now?

I committed to Dr. Fuhrman's high nutrient diet-style on July 10, 2008.  During the first seven months I lost 110 lbs.  By July 2009, I had arrived at my ideal weight; a total weight loss of 140 lbs! 

After a couple weeks of nutritarian eating I had renewed energy and hope. I gradually lost all aches and pains, and toxic hunger completely disappeared. Each morning I woke up with vitality for the day.

My chest pains have completely ceased. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides have all been reversed to a healthy range. With Dr. Fuhrman’s careful oversight through Ask the Doctor on the Member Center of DrFuhrman.com, I’ve been able to completely stop all medications. (Medications for blood pressure, high cholesterol, blood thinners and more.) As a result I’ve been able to save over $600.00 a month in out-of-pocket pharmaceutical expenses!    

Now I can:

•         do heavy weight strength training 4 x week
•         do interval cardio training
•         play tennis
•         ride a bike 

These are all activities I couldn’t even dream of doing two years ago! 

I’m no longer a patient that needs medications; I’m fit, healthy and well!

Ronnie, do you have any success tip(s) you’d like to share with others in their journey to health?

I highly recommend joining the Member Center of DrFuhrman.com. I couldn’t have done it without the lifesaving and valuable support from Dr. Fuhrman. He personally answered every question that I had along the way, and his continual guidance and oversight was always reassuring.

Also, don’t just read Dr. Fuhrman’s books, put them into practice!

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

It’s always the darkest before the dawn. There is life in all of us if we will make the choice to live it! Nutritarian eating works! Don’t live your life always looking in the rearview mirror. Let the past be just that; the past. 

Our journey to optimal health is always in front of our eyes, and we sit at that intersection every new day. Go forward to freedom! Forget past failures and always keep your eyes on the prize of great health and vitality through excellent nutrition. 

I asked Ronnie’s wife, Peggy, if she had anything to add. She responded with the following note written directly to Dr. Fuhrman:

Dr. Fuhrman,

I want to add my note of appreciation to you for your hard work and devotion. I now have a new husband! 

Who can ever know how life can change? Over a year ago I was sure that Ronnie would not be with me much longer. Through his own doing, he was a prime candidate for a stroke or heart attack. Now, through his dedication and hard work, and the knowledge that you have given to him, he is not only (hopefully) going to live a long life, but he is living it to its fullest! His commitment to nutritarian eating is an inspiration to all of us.

None of this could have been possible without you.

Peggy 

                                *Ronnie weighed more, but 300 lbs was his scale's limit.

                                * He now wears a size smaller in pants (30) than he did in high school (31)!

                                *300mg of Avapro and 200mg of Toprol for high blood pressure

                                * 20 mg of Lipitor for high cholesterol

Congratulations Ronnie!

image credits: capturedimage.net

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This year is coming to a close in less than forty-eight hours.  For those of you who have been waiting for the infamous Times Square ball to drop to commit to getting your health back, the most exciting adventure of your life is about to begin! 

If you commit 100% to nutritarian eating as taught by Dr. Fuhrman in his books, newsletters, lectures, teleconferences, and articles, you will eventually live in freedom from toxic food addiction and get your health and life back.  Guaranteed. 

You must become a serious student and give it your all as if your very life depended on getting an ‘A’ in Overcoming Food Addiction; because without a doubt, it does!  (Note: 100% commitment does not mean that you will never stumble along the way.  However, it does mean that when slip-ups happen, you'll get up quickly, dust the dirt off, and keep running towards the goal of optimal health.) 

Excess weight will drop off, and medical stats will improve significantly as a by-product of replacing artificial and toxic substances with excellent nutrition.   

In 2010, don’t settle for anything less.

Go for it!  You can do it!

I wrote the following on July 9, 2008; the day before committing to nutritarian eating:

I feel sluggish most of the time with a cloud of malaise overshadowing my energy, even after a good night’s rest.  The bones and joints in my feet hurt.  My knees ache.  My feet, hands, and face are puffy. I’m bloated and my belly is extended.  I could pass for looking eight or nine months pregnant.  My lower back gets stiff and hurts after I sit for any length of time. I never have a break from this burden of obesity unless I lie down.  I carry it around day in and day out.  It is with me wherever I go.  The slow spiral into this dark abyss has arrived ever so slowly.  I am now bound and gagged in its prison cell.  Stuck.  It’s time to climb out and feel the sunshine on my face, and breathe fresh air again.  It’s time to live again. 

The following was written one year later; July 9, 2009:

Soon after a professional photo shoot (below) to document the one year anniversary of beginning my transformation, I celebrated by going on a bike ride.  Not using the best of caution, I zoomed down a hill on a gravel road.  My front tire lost control in the loose stones, and you can imagine what happened next. I ended up in another photo shoot, in a hospital radiation lab, lying flat on my back under an x-ray machine.  Although I was in excruciating pain and feeling miserable, I leapt with joy on the inside when I overheard the technician instruct his assistant to reposition my body because I was thin!  (Thankfully, I had no broken bones or serious injuries.)

"Thin." That’s spelled, "T-h-i-n." 

That four letter word was music to this woman's ears; the perfect ending to an adventuresome year of transformation!    

                     "What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?"    -Vincent  van Gogh

One year of nutritarian eating:

Let's hear from you.  Are you committing to nutritarian eating in 2010?  Dr. Fuhrman recommends making your intentions known to at least four people.  Here's a great place to start!

image credit:  digi-hound.com  

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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! 

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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!  

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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!     

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Preface:  Over the next year or two, I'll be following the weight loss journey of Stephanie, age 39, who is 200% committed to getting her health back.  Her husband died recently and she’s currently raising four young children under the ages of nine, plus attending nursing school.  Stephanie has courageously volunteered to share her thoughts and medical stats with DiseaseProof readers as she undertakes the journey to optimal health.  Welcome Stephanie!

Why have you chosen to commit to nutritarian eating?  I currently weigh 398 lbs (5’10”) and I’m tired all the time.  I cry a lot and get easily irritated and aggravated.  My knees hurt, I have constant headaches and acid reflux.  My local doctor feels that I’m unable to lose weight on my own and is urging me to have gastric bypass surgery.  I want to play at the park, ride bikes and be a fit and healthy mother for my children.  Most importantly, I want to BE HERE for them.

What are some of the events in your life that have led you to this point?  I’ve been overweight my entire life, but have steadily added more pounds each year; especially after having babies.  Last year my husband died after a battle with congestive heart failure and a failed heart transplant.  In an instant, I became a 38-year-old widowed mother of four children ages eight to three, and the stress has been overwhelming.  During this past year I have been diagnosed with premature osteoarthritis in both knees, high blood pressure, ADHD, and major depression. 

Describe a typical day for you:  My alarm goes off at 6:45 am, but I hit the snooze button four times before I drag myself out of bed.  I struggle to pull myself together and prepare the kids’ breakfasts and get them off to school.  I plan my day by prioritizing how much energy and/or steps it will take to do an activity.  It’s difficult to do much with my children, because I’m unable to move fast due to my size. 

                                           I feel like I’m a prisoner in my own body. 

• Weight  398 lbs.
• BMI  57.1
• Blood pressure  140/100
• Waist measurement  58”
• Cholesterol  180
• Triglycerides  98
• HDL  48
• LDL  112
• Fasting blood sugar  87
• currently taking anti-depressants, amphetamines for ADHD, and medication for urinary incontinence

Stephanie’s “official” starting date is November 1,  2009, and I’ll be posting her progress updates the first week of every month.  We are cheering for Stephanie and wish her all the best as she takes this courageous step to get her health and life back!    

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It’s time for your weekly shot of inspiration! Inspiring stories are all around us. It could be a stand up comic with Cerebral Palsy or a nerdy guy dancing his way around the world. Maybe it’s the unifying power of music or intergalactic robots doing battle. It can even be a rousing speech like this.

Listen, I know Braveheart is just a movie, but a scene like that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It’s great! I can’t sit still after something watching it, but what about you? What gets your blood pumping?

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Alright nerds, listen up. Are you sluggish? Can’t drag yourself to the gym lately? Ate something you shouldn’t have. Or just feeling lazy? Well, fire up your geek radar, time to get inspired! If an evil horde threatened your home world, what would you do? Cower in fear? No. King Aragorn wants you to fight!

I know, I know. This is totally dorky, but millions of people get charged up over the Rocky movies, so why not the Lord of the Rings too. Whatever it takes! Like me, I’m a huge music fan. Blasting heavy metal or great classic rock gets me going and helps me knock out the extra mile. What works for you?

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