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

On a chilly Saturday morning a couple of weeks ago people were waking up to the sound of alarm clocks all over northern Indiana to attend an all-day Health Immersion at First Assembly in Fort Wayne. It was 7:45 am when I pulled into the church parking lot, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement as lines were already forming for when the doors would open at 8:00. The cold weather didn’t seem to deter anyone. Simultaneously, the catering company across the street was busy prepping 640 nutritarian box lunches to serve at noon. 

My hometown city, Fort Wayne, Indiana, made national news headlines this past fall. Besides earning the reputation several years ago of being one of the most obese cities in the country; in November we earned the title of being the second most artery clogged city of a metropolitan population over 200,000. Considering incoming flights into Fort Wayne International Airport are greeted with a cellophane wrapped cookie upon arrival, and we actually celebrate an annual summer festival with “Junk Food Alley”, it’s no surprise that our claim to fame is disease.

However, history was made on March 10^th when Dr. Fuhrman spent an entire day covering topics such as “Core Concepts”, “Changing Perceptions of Hunger”, “Preventing and Reversing Hypertension, Heart Disease and Diabetes”, “Practical Tips”, “Super Immunity”, and answering personal questions. Myths such as the value of high biological protein, and needing doctors for protective heart health were demolished. Instead, a complete paradigm shift took place in the minds of participants as Dr. Fuhrman instructed how to obtain wellness and health through self-care and personal responsibility; not medical care. 

To be quite honest, when the idea was first suggested to invite Dr. Fuhrman to our city to speak about nutrition and health, some didn’t think very many would be interested in giving up a Saturday to learn about nutrition and wellness; let alone pay a fee to attend. When over 600 people registered for the event, minds were changed! AND even those who attended commented afterwards that they wish they would’ve invited their co-workers, neighbors, relatives, pastors, and entire churches; wanting Dr. Fuhrman to return so they can invite others next time! Needless to say, the catering company was inundated with positive comments also. The day was a huge success.  

Even in one of the most disease promoting cities in the country, people were desperate for Dr. Fuhrman’s message ~ he was welcomed with open arms. We may not have a Whole Foods Market in our city yet, or organic farmers’ markets on every corner, but we are changing! 

The change of one is a transformation. The change of many is a revolution. The revolution is definitely happening; one city at a time!   

• Related Disease Proof post:  "It's time for a revolution!"   

• For information about hosting an all-day Health Immersion with Dr. Fuhrman in your city please contact events@drfuhrman.com.  

image credits; top picture by Steve Federspiel, nutritarian box lunches picture by Don Hall's catering; all others by Emily Boller 

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Wow, it seems like just yesterday we were launching the Six Week Holiday Challenge, and here it is . . . a week into 2011 already!  Between facebook, the member center of DrFuhrman.com, and Disease Proof, it’s exciting to read the many comments that have come in from those whose lives have been radically changed by the challenge. I think it gave all of us the necessary awareness, focus, and inertia to establish new and healthy holiday traditions for the rest of our lives.  

The change of one is a transformation; the change of many is a revolution. While most of the nation gorged on disease promoting foods and became even sicker, we can honestly say, based on the flood of posts and comments, that we truly did experience an exciting and unprecedented health revolution during the holidays!  Decadent holiday binge eating, and resulting bloating and blues, are now traditions of the past for many! 

Enjoy reading a few of those comments . . . . .

• I have lost a total of 15 lbs. I'm sleeping better and exercising more. I feel so grateful to be improving my health during what could have been a treacherous (health wise) season.    -Marie

• Down 16.5 pounds and 2” off waist lost! Yeah!    -Mael

• I’ve been diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis. Before I started the challenge all of my joints were stiff, and I was in a state of constant flare.  My knees felt like there were glass shards in them. Now I only have the stiffness in the morning, and the feeling of glass in my knees is gone and the flaring has calmed down tremendously.   -Christine

• I lost 5 lbs during the holidays when I normally would’ve gained 5 lbs. I feel much more energetic and can think more clearly. My skin is much clearer and no longer extremely dry, and my hair feels healthier and stronger. My husband said that I seem happier and nicer, and it’s gotten easier for me to just say, “No thank you” to SAD foods.  I definitely prefer ETL foods over SAD foods now.    -Katie

• I cut my Topomax (migraine medication) in half, and I’ve stopped using antibiotic acne cream. I’ve also dropped from 140 lbs to 129 lbs and feel great!    -V

• I weighed 177 pounds about 3 weeks ago and now I weigh 160.  My blood sugars are coming down, and I feel better with more energy.   -Amy

• I’ve lost 10 lbs so far, but more importantly, I feel great!  I have no more acid reflux, and I’m more comfortable in my clothes.  My wife called me a ‘sexy man’ last night!  Now that’s some success to share!   -Tom

• My aches and pains are gone, and for the most part my uncontrollable sugar urges are gone. Most importantly my mood is good, I’m loving the winter, my skin glows, and I love the way I look!   -Diana

• Since starting the challenge I’m down 13 pounds, and I can run/walk intervals for 40min and do 1 hour spinning classes. AND I just found out that I’m pregnant! Thank you so much for starting this challenge, because it has given me the start that I needed, and now a great start to the most healthiest pregnancy EVER!   -A

• In November, 2010, I discovered Dr. Fuhrman, his wonderful book, Eat to Live, and I jumped on-board the Six Week Holiday Challenge. Friends have started commenting on my slimmer physique and I now have more energy than I know what to do with.   -Carrie

• I started the Six Week Holiday Challenge on November 20th weighing 311.3 pounds, and now I weigh 282.5 pounds.  My blood pressure was 146/86 and now it’s 121/71. My former acid reflux and swollen feet are gone, and I sleep better and have lots more energy. Arthritis in my knees has decreased significantly, and I’ve lost so much fluid that I was excited to see that I actually have ankles again!  There are nine of us in my family strictly following ETL now; ranging in ages 3 to 65. Everyone has had a reduction in symptoms / illnesses. My dad’s blood pressure has dropped from 150/90 to 127/77 ~ the best he’s had in 15 years!   -Peta

• I’ve dropped ten pounds over the holiday challenge, starting a week before Thanksgiving and encompassing Christmas and New Year's Eve too! Plus, we had a birthday in our family to add in as well, and a lot of parties and things. Ten pounds lost over all that time is pretty satisfying!     -Cindy

• I cannot believe how well I feel! The weight seems to be coming off easily and my appetite is under excellent control; this is the aspect of dieting that has NEVER allowed me to keep my weight off.     -tsmoon

For those reading about the Six Week Holiday Challenge for the first time, or couldn’t participate in it during the holidays, it’s never too late to earn health back. Commit to following the six week plan as outlined in Eat to Live and you will be feeling amazingly great in six weeks also! Go for it and contend for optimal health today!  

image credit:  flickr by Merelymel13; celebration image courtesy of Elijah Lynn

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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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