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

Sometimes it takes the responsibility of being a parent to wake-up to the realization that we want to “be there” for our kids; not just when they are little, but when they’re grown up too. Chris was incredibly wise, because he took the necessary steps while his daughters were young to be the healthiest dad that he could possibly be for them. What a gift he’s giving to his young family! Welcome to Disease Proof, Chris.  

What was your life like before discovering Dr. Fuhrman’s nutritarian eating-style?

As someone who always worked out or competed in sports I never had to think about what I ate.  As I got older and other things got in the way of exercising, I would gain weight fast, because I ate like I was working out.  I always thought I was eating healthy because I'd make sure I ate some kind of animal protein with dinner.  It wasn’t until the birth of my second child that I realized I’m going to be in my 60's when they are in there 20's.  I remember not being able to put my socks on in the morning by bringing my knee straight up; I had to turn it to the side because my belly was so big.  I also remember thinking, “How am I going to carry my two daughters up the stairs when they want me to carry them?”   I didn't want to be that kind of dad.  I wanted to be the athletic dad that could do anything with them, even at a later stage in life.
 
 

How did you feel then?

Being on a high protein diet continually, I experienced toxic hunger really bad and called it “hypoglycemia".  I'd get moody if I didn't eat every two hours. My days centered around eating five meals a day.  I also suffered from adult acne and would catch a few colds every year; and it was no fun looking at myself in the mirror when trying on clothes. It was difficult for me to be out of shape while playing with my one-year-old, especially since I was in such great shape when I was younger. 

How did you find out about Eat to Live?

After the birth of my second daughter, I adopted a whole food, plant-based diet after reading The China Study, and I was going to raise my two girls vegan as well.  My parents and in-laws thought it was a crazy idea, because they were afraid their granddaughters weren't going to grow up to their fullest potential; so I set out to prove them wrong.  I first discovered Disease Proof Your Child, and then found Eat to Live. Eat to Live made the most sense to me of all the plant based books that I had read so it was the lifestyle that I wanted to adopt for my whole family.

How do you feel now?

It's crazy to think that I now weigh the same or less than I did in high school!  My energy levels have never been better.  I no longer have crazy mood swings or adult acne.  I’ve lost 7 inches around my waist and it’s fun to shop for clothes again.  Sometimes I find myself looking for clothes on the rack next to high school kids. 

I started competing n running races again and have won twice in my age division while pushing a double stroller! I’ve also received a "Super Preferred" status from my life insurance carrier.  It’s fun to say that I’m 43-years-old and in the best shape of my life; and my life insurance company just confirmed it.

Do you have any success tip(s) to share with others?

 

• Discover the “WHY”. You need to find out "WHY" you are doing this.  Mine was for my two girls ~ I wanted to be that active, healthy father for them while they were growing up and beyond.  If you have a deep emotional commitment to your "WHY" you can achieve anything. 

 

• Choose the highest scoring, nutrient dense foods. Always find places where you can sneak in the most nutrient dense foods like using cooked collard greens instead of tortillas.

In a nutshell, what has nutritarian eating done for you?

It has made me make conscience decisions about everything I put into my mouth.  If one eats for health, the weight takes care of itself.  I love not having weight issues now or ever again, and I can live life to the fullest.  Plus now I’m competing in running races again and showing my girls how fun it can be.  When my girls are older, I will be able play sports with them instead of just watching, and I know that I’ll never have to worry about having a heart attack.  I’m also eating all the anti-cancer foods to protect myself from ever getting cancer.  I know that I will live a long and active life, thanks to my nutritarian diet.

Congratulations Chris on achieving your goal of being the healthiest dad that you can possibly be! 

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Carolyn was never obese, but she still suffered from middle-age weight gain, sluggishness, and declining health issues. It doesn’t matter whether one has fifteen or one hundred and fifty pounds of unhealthy weight to lose, everyone feels vibrant and well when a lifestyle of eating nutrient-rich foods has been embraced! Welcome to Disease Proof, Carolyn.

What was your life like before discovering nutritarian eating?

I was slender as a teenager, but as I moved into my 40s, I was always about 20 pounds overweight; size 12 at my worst. I felt sluggish, although I exercised often. I ate the Standard American Diet and excelled at making lasagna, bread, cakes, and cookies for my family and friends. I relied on caffeine too much and was drinking 5-6 cups of coffee a day. Plus I drank 2 cups of caffeinated tea with sweetened condensed milk; a habit that I picked up from five years of living in Sri Lanka. I had allergies, frequent headaches, and the beginning twinges of arthritis.

How did you find out about Eat to Live?

During Easter dinner in 2007, I asked my sister-in-law how she had so much success staying trim and fit. She told me about Dr. Fuhrman and how she’d make fresh fruit and vegetable smoothies using a Vitamix blender. I purchased Eat to Live and started following the 6-week eating plan, and continued my exercise program at the gym. Within 4 months my total cholesterol dropped from over 200 to 155, and I slimmed down to a size 8. I bought a Vitamix at the Indiana State Fair that summer and started using it every day for smoothies/blended salads, soups, and frozen desserts.

I had difficulty at first giving up coffee, but weaned myself off over time and gave up meat. I stuck to the plan, and by avoiding all sugar over the holiday season in 2009, I dropped to 128 pounds. (I'm 5'4".) After that success, stress increased at work and my weight crept back up to 135 pounds. I was generally eating nutritarian foods, but eating too much. 

I attended Dr. Fuhrman's Health Getaway in San Diego in 2010, and after listening to the lectures, I decided to give up dairy products; especially cheese so that my weight and cholesterol would return to lower levels. However, I wasn’t able to put this resolution into effect until 2011, because it was an extremely stressful time at work. I lost my job in September 2010 due to restructuring and outsourcing, but was lucky to find a new job within a few months. I moved to another state at the end of December 2010.

How do you feel now?

I no longer have allergies, headaches, or arthritis, and I have a lot of energy to do my daily activities. Plus, my husband and I get up at 5 o’clock every morning to work out at the gym before we go to work. 

I live in the “Midwest Land of Meat”, hot dish casseroles, and bar cookies; but I’ve become almost a vegan, avoid processed foods, caffeinated teas, and all milk products. The sweetened condensed milk that I used to love in black tea now hurts my stomach. In January 2011 my total cholesterol was 210, HDL was 101, and LDL 99. This past month my total cholesterol was 170, HDL 89, and LDL 73. When I started I weighed 145 lbs, and I now weigh 130 lbs and wear a size 6. 

What success tips do you have to share with others?

• My typical daily diet is a blended salad for breakfast; a very large mixed salad with beans, nut based dressing, and fruit for lunch; and cooked greens or cruciferous vegetables, and a nutritarian entrée or bean patty for dinner. 

• Experiment with cooking and eating different vegetables to acquire new tastes and preferences. Increase vegetable intake by putting a bean patty, stew, or casserole over cooked kale or other green vegetable instead of rice or potatoes. 

• I prefer to use spices and flavors from other parts of the world (India, Thailand, Vietnam) to keep meals interesting. 

• I try to locate vegan restaurants and/or health food stores in a city ahead of time on the internet if I have to travel for a conference or vacation. I recently went to San Diego for a week long conference, and I brought along a small bullet-type blender in my checked luggage so I could continue making blended salads for breakfast in our hotel room. I went to the grocery store and bought fruits, vegetables, and soy milk as well as a disposable, foam cooler to keep them fresh, and was reasonably successful.

• Although my husband and I are isolated from other people who follow Dr. Fuhrman’s recommendations, we have found friends who prefer to eat healthy. I maintain my resolution to keep the nutritarian lifestyle by listening to Dr. Fuhrman’s podcasts, follow the discussion threads on the Member Center, and read the blogs on Disease Proof.

   

Keep up the great job Carolyn!

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Whether we realize it or not, we’re always influencing others, for good or for bad, by the choices we make. It’s always fun to read the rippling affects that one person’s wise choices have on many others. Remember Jodi’s interview  from a few weeks back? Jodi not only got her health back, but her actions made a life-changing impact on her younger sister, Jaime, in the process. Welcome to Disease Proof Jaime.  

What was your life like before discovering Dr. Fuhrman’s nutritarian eating-style?

I suffered terribly from migraines. My life revolved around headaches; either having them or worrying that I would get one. Last year I was averaging twelve migraines every month. For years I was on multiple medications for headache pain and preventative care.   I felt trapped. I was taking so many drugs that I didn’t know whether I had major health issues or just lots of side effects from all the medications. I felt like there was no hope for my headaches so I just accepted the suffering, and lived for the next miracle pill. I also ate lots of the wrong kinds of foods and was very self conscious about my weight, and as a result, suffered from low self-esteem.      

How did you find out about Eat to Live?

I knew about Eat to Live from my sister, Jodi.  After many years of hearing about it I dabbled with some of the concepts for awhile, but then quit. I knew how successful Jodi was at eating high-nutrient foods and witnessed her miraculous recovery, but I never thought I’d embrace this eating-style for myself. 

When Eat for Health came out Jodi sent the book set to me. It sat in the wrapper for three months before I even opened it. One day I decided I was sick of how I looked and felt so I opened the books and read them from cover to cover. Right then I decided I wanted to do this. 

My migraines did not improve though, because I was following the eating plan during the week and eating my old foods on the weekends. I ate this way for over a couple of years. 

Jodi had always suggested that I attend one of Dr. Fuhrman’s Health Getaways, but I never considered going to one. Somehow I ended up going with Jodi to the Getaway in San Diego in the summer of 2010. However, I’d decided beforehand that I would have no interest in the lectures, but at least it would be great being with my sister for a week. 

My life changed that week! Besides the wonderful week with my sister, I met the most amazing people, and Dr. Fuhrman’s lectures were incredible! Also, two moments that were pivotal for me was Sarah Taylor, the emcee, asked us to make a commitment to follow Eat to Live for 30 or 60 days; and that night I made a commitment for 30 days. The other moment was when you [Emily] told your success story and said that one can’t “straddle the fence” and expect to see great results; meaning one can’t have one foot in nutritarian eating and the other foot in the standard American diet . . .  both feet have to be in. That made a big impact on me since I could totally relate. I still think about those “Wow!” moments to this day.

How do you feel now?

I feel amazing! I made it to my first 30 days and was so excited that I committed to 30 more! During that time, I had one headache…one headache in 60 days! 

With each pound lost, I gained confidence as I realized there was a whole different person inside of me, and I liked the new person too!   My personality changed because I was feeling so well and not living under a cloud of headaches. The improvements have been incredible; I saw them instantly and I have never stopped seeing them. I’ve had five migraines (total) since making the commitment to high-nutrient eating, and none were bad or long-lasting. I’ve taken no medications whatsoever; and today, a year later, I am totally migraine free!  

I’ve lost a total of sixty-one pounds, have my life back, and feel great! The weight loss was the bonus to it all!

What success tips have helped you the most?

 

• Making the commitment in short, achievable goals worked for me because I was able to meet those goals and feel the success. 

• I do not look at the Eat to Live eating-style as a diet, but how I live my life.  I never falter in my belief that I want to eat this way for the rest of my life.

• Have a support system. My sister has been my best cheerleader and her support has been unwavering. Also, the members on Dr. Fuhrman’s website have so many tips to share; the people that I've met through the whole experience have helped me so much . . . . support makes a huge difference. 

• I work long hours during the week so I make recipes on the weekend. I love blended soups which are easy to make and then I freeze them in smaller containers. In the cooler weather I'll have soup every night with either leftovers or steamed vegetables. I always have fruit with greens at breakfast and some kind of whole grain. I make huge salads to take to work. I love them. I love all the foods that I eat. 

• Experiment with foods and tastes that you like. Food has to appeal to you. I like sweets so I tend to have dressings, sauces and soups that taste sweet. 

• I also love Dr. Fuhrman’s website for studying recipes and using the recipe rating system.  

• Find what you like to eat and discover what motivates you . . . and enjoy your life!

In a nutshell, what has nutritarian eating done for you? 

Nutritarian eating has truly changed my life! Besides the obvious of eliminating migraines and the weight loss, the total change has brought me such confidence, happiness, and pride. I’m healthy now and a totally different person! 

My husband, Joe, has been so amazing and supportive; and Jodi has been my inspiration, and I can’t thank her enough . . . . . but I also know that I did this . . . . no one else did it for me, and that is the best feeling in the world!   

I had the power and desire to live. 

There is no going back for me.

Congratulations Jaime ~ we are so proud of you!  Keep up the great job!

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Most of the interviews here on Disease Proof have been with those who’ve discovered Dr. Fuhrman’s nutritional recommendations in their recent past, and are elated about their newfound health and freedom from food addiction and disease. Jodi has been following Dr. Fuhrman’s advice for TEN years, and she’s just as excited today with continual improvements in her health as she was ten years ago.  If you've read Jodi's Success Story on Dr. Fuhrman's website, or read a  previous Disease Proof post about her awesome recovery from debilitating psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases, you know that Jodi's healings are medical miracles!  Today Jodi is the epitome of excellent health, and her enthusiasm is contagious.  In fact, she went on to earn her Nutritional Education Trainer (NET) certification and is now helping others in their journeys to get their health restored also. Welcome once again to Disease Proof Jodi!  

You've been following Dr. Fuhrman’s nutritarian eating-style for over 10 years now. How has that experience changed your life?

My original reason for contacting Dr. Fuhrman was autoimmune issues; the most serious was psoriatic arthritis where I had a full-body skin rash and history of joint pain. Plus, I had diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogren's and Hashimotos – all autoimmune conditions.  I consider my success at conquering these ailments as Chapter One of my health journey. [Click here to see Jodi's remarkable before and after pictures of being healed of psoriasis!] Now, Chapter Two is all about the benefits that I've experienced over the years that I did not expect!

Please explain “Chapter Two” to us.  

Year after year as I keep following this high-nutrient lifestyle, I continue to be amazed at how powerful and effective it is. For example, ten years ago I did not turn to Dr. Fuhrman for weight loss, yet I now weigh 32 pounds less than my highest weight.  The picture on the right was taken when I was younger and heavier. 

• My cholesterol is now low, when it had been over 200, and my blood pressure is low, and I take no drugs for either. 

• I breezed through menopause without drugs.

• All sinus congestion and seasonal allergies are completely gone.

• My dentist compliments my healthy gums and how little plaque I have.

• By using morning light therapy, my insomnia is now under control.  

• My bone density has improved. I previously tested in the negative range for osteopenia, the latest score for my spine was ZERO. A zero score is equivalent to the bone density of a healthy, 30- year-old woman. Which means without drugs but following Dr. Fuhrman's exercise advice, I have the spine a 30-year-old....and I'm 62!  [Click here to learn more about preventing bone fractures.] 

• My eyesight is stronger. Twice over the last 10 years the prescriptions for my contact lenses and glasses, which I use for distance, have been reduced; and I no longer need reading glasses, but I did at age 52, (and now I’m 62!)

Are you surprised by these improvements?

As we age, we expect to have achy joints, ailments, medications, drug side effects, doctors visits, etc., and I don't have any of those issues. In fact, I wake up in the morning and nothing hurts: no joint pain, no stiffness, and no arthritis. Yes, I'm amazed...and grateful.

 

Do you have any success tips to share with others?

Ten years ago when I started eating high-nutrient foods, I was already over 50-years-old. My psoriasis and joint pain started when I was a teenager, and I was on potent drugs for almost twenty years. Don't think you are too old to benefit; don't think you are too sick or have been on drugs for too long to see a difference. I am so convinced that the longer you follow this program, and the older you get doing it, you continue to reap benefits...benefits you never expected or imagined!

Thank you Jodi for being an example to all of us of the ongoing healing power of high-nutrient foods ~ you truly are a medical miracle!

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David was your typical, athletic American who thought he was relatively “healthy” . . . until he had his first heart-related incident before the age of sixty. Thankfully he heard Dr. Fuhrman on the radio, and today his health and energy have been restored. Welcome to Disease Proof David! 

What was your life like before discovering Dr. Fuhrman’s nutritarian eating-style?

At age 59, I’ve lived a good life; happily married, manager for a Plastics Company, and a daily runner for the past 30 years. I’m also a golfer and very active as my wife and I have three grown sons who keep us pretty busy! I lost my father to a massive heart attack when I was young so I’ve always been aware that my health was important. However, I felt fairly invincible since I exercised so much, and I thought I was eating pretty healthy. 

However, as a runner I knew I was getting out-of-shape, because it was getting harder for me to run each day. I was slowly gaining weight despite running six mile runs everyday. Then in September 2010, I had chest pains that led to the installation of a stent in my right coronary artery that was 100% blocked. Fortunately, the other two arteries were 100% clear, and I didn’t have a heart attack. This experience was a wake-up call, and I struggled for answers as to how this could have happened. Plus, I did not like all of the drugs I was suddenly required to take. 

How did you find out about Eat to Live?

In late January 2011, I was in the middle of a long drive home from a business meeting, and by sheer chance I heard Dr. Fuhrman on Sirius radio having a discussion on the NYC Docs show about nutrition. His message on eating high-nutrient foods hit me hard. When the show was over I immediately called my son in California, who is a vegetarian and nutritionally committed, and asked him about what I had just heard. He said that what Dr. Fuhrman was talking about was the same thing that he’d been trying to get his mother and me to listen to for years. When I got home I ordered the book. 

How do you feel now?

Today I’m 44 lbs lighter and still losing – which is about a 30% weight reduction so far! I now weigh what I did in high school, and I can run like the wind, which is basically effortlessly! My cholesterol numbers have nose dived, my angina is gone, my energy level is up, and I‘ve cut back on many drugs and expect to eliminate all of them shortly. I’ve discovered Dr. Fuhrman's predictions in Eat to Live to be totally true; and it’s only been five months! 

Do you have any success tip(s) to share with others?

• Get the refined sugar out of your life, along with the Diet Coke.

• Eat all of the vegetables, beans and fresh fruits that you want – don't worry about calories or counting things, except for the limited amounts of nuts and seeds.

• Give this nutritional eating style a chance to take hold. The first few weeks are tough, but hang in there, because the results are worth it.  

In a nutshell, what has nutritarian eating done for you?

It’s given me a chance to help my body and has produced a lot of physical freedom. (The compliments on my weight reduction are pretty fun as well!) Plus, I now have new clothes to wear that were sitting around unused for a long time! More seriously, I don't worry about having a heart attack any longer. 

At 5’8” my weight has dropped from 190 to 145, and my goal was 165 lbs! 

Congratulations David ~ keep up the great work!

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What was your life like before discovering Dr. Fuhrman’s nutritarian eating-style?

I was fat, tired, had “brain fog” much of the time, and I felt ashamed of myself. When I first discovered Dr. Fuhrman and the nutritarian eating style, I was 50-years-old, 256 pounds, I had asthma and allergies, and I’d been struggling with my (increasing) weight for a number of years. 

How did you feel then?

I felt hopeless – utterly powerless to change my life and my health. I was always tired and was beginning to have some health issues (a shoulder problem and a sciatica issue), that the doctors affirmed were caused or aggravated by my obesity. 

Most of all, the excess weight had a huge impact on my self-image. I was acutely aware of being fat; it impacted my identity professionally and personally. It kept me from trying new things or going new places as I knew that I would be the fattest person wherever I went. I wondered how people could take me seriously professionally (I’m a minister in a church) when I was so obviously out-of-control with my own eating. Of course, the biggest issue was that I didn’t respect myself.

I also felt sad for my kids that their mom was so fat and inactive; and it certainly has contributed to challenges in my marriage, although my husband has never criticized my weight. 

Tell us about your Eat to Live journey.

In 2005, I had read John Robbins’ book Diet for a New America and committed to begin vegan for a whole spectrum of reasons he addresses so well: heart issues, cancer, world hunger, animal cruelty, environmental issues, and when I joined Earthsave I saw an ad for the first edition of Eat to Live. I ordered the book, found it compelling, lost 40 pounds, but didn’t learn enough about cooking or adapting to challenges to stick with it so I gained back the weight, plus 5 more pounds. Then last spring I realized that I needed to come to terms with my weight problem again. I wanted to feel as good as I had in 2005 while following Eat to Live so I recommitted on Mother’s Day 2010. I lost 20 pounds by Father’s Day and have continued to lose weight at a slower pace since then. Altogether I’ve lost 53 pounds since last Mother’s Day. 

I’ve had work conferences, family visits, and international travel to deal with during this past year, as well as the usual special occasions. I knew that one of the things I was going to have to learn to do is how to decide when to make an exception and eat off-plan, when to go hungry, and how to get back on-plan after an exception. When I committed to ETL again, I made up my mind that this would be for the rest of my life; but I knew that I couldn’t keep the commitment unless I figured out how to make exceptions (as a choice, not as a failure of will) and how to get back on track. 

Someone else may choose to eat birthday cake (I haven’t had to – I make the Healthy Chocolate Cake), or to make an exception for a dinner date with a spouse (my husband hates eating out), or to make foods for children (mine are grown).  I have to eat out at restaurants regularly; I go to non-nutritarian conferences; I get invited to church members’ homes and want to be gracious; and most recently, I traveled through Scotland and England with my son for two weeks and didn’t want to be obsessing about food. Making the choice to eat off-plan in those situations has cost me weight loss, and has sometimes reignited cravings that I had kicked; but this is a commitment that I’ve made for the rest of my life, and I now know that when I choose to eat off-plan there will be a price to pay. For me, knowing that I have the choice, if I want to, to eat a ‘forbidden’ food, helps me keep the commitment.*

I still have a long way to my goal weight so I’m re-evaluating what I’m eating, and trying to get as close to 100% as possible; plus, I’ve realized that I need to be more consistent with daily exercise. 

How do you feel now?

I feel great! I feel such a sense of energy and zest. I feel healthy, resilient, happy, and grateful. I’m no longer defensive or embarrassed, and I can meet people and try new things without fearing that I’ll be thought of as simply a fat person. 

Before I started Eat to Live, I was plagued with allergies (ragweed, cats and dogs) and took Zyrtec everyday.  Now, even during ragweed season, I rarely take it.  I used to also have awful gastric reflux/heartburn and carried a large bottle of Tums with me everywhere: work, car, home, etc.  Now, I'm not even sure if there are any in the house, because I don't need them.

Do you have any success tip(s) to share with others?

 

• Most important ~ “know yourself”. Some people do better asking a lot of themselves; others do better succeeding with one change at a time, and then building on that success. 

• Join and be active on the Member Center. Nutritarian eating is very counter-cultural, and having the support of others who are making it work is really helpful. I have now met in- person five people from the Member Center, and some of the other members have been so helpful to me over the past year – not only in nutritarian eating, but in everything from recipes to travel tips to sharing clothes and knitting tips! 

• Learn new recipes. In my life, I can get away with not much variety – I like the same smoothie most of the time and the same salad most days. But even this week I changed the salad completely, and learning a variety of soup and main dish recipes has been critical to succeeding…especially when my family is around and I cook for them.

• Be gentle with yourself. I try to treat myself to non-food treats as part of learning how not to be a food addict. For example, I bought a beautiful, African grass basket to take to the market; I get a massage regularly; and I try to buy clothes that make me feel pretty, even though I won’t fit in them very long. If I feel good about myself, I’m better at staying on-plan.

• Don’t worry about pleasing others. I still struggle with this, because of being a minister and not wanting my own food choices to be seen as judgmental of others, but most of the time, I’m able to do this part.

• Exercise. Again, I am “in process” on this – but I know it’s important, and I am going to make it work. 

• To the extent that you can afford it, buy good tools to make cooking fun. I purchased all new pots and pans for free with points from my debit card. I bought a couple of good knives, a VitaMix,  and a small food processor. These tools make cooking much easier.

• Plan, plan, plan, plan…and don’t forget to plan. When I’m hungry, I don’t always choose as well, so I need to plan ahead so that I will be able to make good choices. If I remember to take along beans, some seeds, dressing, etc., then even a bowl of lettuce can be satisfying.  

• And when you fail, start right back the next choice (not the next day).

• Seek help and advice from those who are successful and more experienced. 

• Keep a food log.

 

In a nutshell, what has nutritarian eating done for you? 

Nutritarian eating has given me my life back, and it’s given me hope, energy, wellness, and joy.  It’s enabled me to leave shame behind – I never even knew I was feeling shame all the time.

Congratulations Suz for recommitting to eat for health for the rest of your life!  

* Dr. Fuhrman says that planned compromises are permissible on occasion as long as they do not become consistent choices.  Such compromises should involve just one meal, or one dish, not stretches with days or weeks off the program.  The achievable goal is to make repeated excursions into the standard American diet not something you would prefer or tolerate.  Many nutritarians have evolved to find such SAD meals repulsive. Marginal weight loss results and lack of protection against diseases later in life are the result of repeated compromises. 

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This past December, Anthony, a recent high school graduate, was 67 lbs heavier than he is today. He was given a copy of Eat to Live and the rest is history! You will be inspired by this young man’s passion and determination to get his health and life back. Welcome to Disease Proof, Anthony.

 What was your life like before discovering Dr. Fuhrman’s nutritarian eating-style?

My life was not how I wanted it to be at all. I was obese and felt horrible, and I couldn’t participate in any physical activities. My emotions were thrown off, I had no self-esteem, I had no confidence, and I was mad that I had let myself get so big. I was eating fast food at least five days a week, and I didn’t have a clue what was good or bad food. It was extremely hard for me to accept the fact that I was fat, because I was thin until age 14. Then I started to get the nickname, “Pudgy,” and I hated it so much. Although I had zero self-confidence, high school wasn't too bad because I had an outgoing personality. However, I discovered that peers view fat people differently.

The last month of my senior year we had a Government project where we had to take pictures, and I was stunned when I saw images of myself. At 6’1” I weighed 263 lbs and had a triple chin. I was so heartbroken and disgusted that I joined a gym and tried to lose weight. During the month of June [2010], I started dieting and worked out five days a week, and only lost 6-7 pounds . . . so I quit. 

How did you find out about Eat to Live?

This past December 17^th, my aunt gave a copy of Eat to Live to me and I committed to follow it. I’ve lost 67 lbs so far, and recently I began sessions with a plant-based wellness coach, and I’m continuing to lose weight. 

How do you feel now?

I’m loving life and have a 360 degree attitude change! I feel amazing; it literally feels like a completely different life!  

Do you have any success tip(s) to share with others?

 

• Do it for yourself. Do it for your family. That’s all the inspiration you need. Don’t do it for the people who judge you. 

• Don't be afraid to go to a gym, because everyone there is doing the same thing.

• I like Dr. Fuhrman’s words, "If a motor is running at full speed compared to a motor running at half-speed, the engine running at half-speed will last longer." Basically, if your metabolism is slow, and you are healthy, you will live longer!

• Have a support system. I am so thankful for the support of my father, mother, brothers, and aunts; all of them have made the journey so much easier and I couldn’t have done it without them.

   

In a nutshell, what has Eat to Live done for you? 

It has completely changed my life!

Congratulations Anthony ~ we are so proud of you for choosing to eat for health at such a young age! Keep up the great job!

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It’s been a privilege to interview such a variety of nutritarians of all ages, from all walks of life; and especially fun to meet young adults who have embraced the healthy eating style. Natalie is a junior in college and has learned the art of eating high nutrient foods while living in a dorm on campus - it can be done! Welcome to Disease Proof, Natalie.

What was your life like before discovering Dr. Fuhrman's nutritarian eating-style?

I ate like a typical “healthy” college student. While I had vegetables and salad every day, I also had my fair share of dairy, meat, and occasional desserts. I usually had three servings of dairy a day, cereal with lots of milk in the morning, yogurt with lunch, and a glass of milk with dinner. After every exam my friends and I would eat ice-cream, cookies, or some other treat to celebrate. Although my friends considered me a healthy eater in general, I was far from healthy. I often got really tired in the afternoons around “nap-time” and would need something to pick me up and keep me going until dinner. I also had exercise induced asthma that I controlled by inhalers, and I had eczema on my upper arms.

How did you find out about Eat to Live?

I initially read The China Study and it fascinated me. A friend gave me a CD copy Eat for Health, narrated by Dr. Fuhrman, and my mom and I listened to it while driving over spring break. We were so absorbed in it that we didn’t want to get out of the car.

How do you feel now?

I feel fantastic! I have a ton of energy and no longer get sleepy in the afternoons. I also don’t need inhalers any more, and my running times have dropped dramatically. I am on the Endurance Racing Team at school and last spring we ran a relay race across New Hampshire, and I also placed 3^rd overall in a ½ marathon in the fall. The eczema on my upper arms is improving as well. 

Do you have any success tip(s) to share with others?

 

Go all the way. If you try to limit yourself to one non-nutritarian treat a week or so it won’t work. Certain foods are addictive and once you have them you want more and more. Simply set boundaries for yourself and stick to them. Also, if others know you stick to your boundaries they won’t push you as much to eat unhealthy foods.

 What is it like being a nutritarian in college?

It’s hard but far from impossible. My dining hall has a good variety of beans and vegetables in their salad bar. Most of the time I can also get a side of steamed vegetables or a sweet potato. The more challenging aspect is trying to get a variety of foods. Having the same vegetables available day after day can get tiring, and I always look forward to going home where I can cook delicious meals. On the weekends when there are not as many options available in the dining hall I often bike to the grocery store. I get food for the weekend as well as nuts and seeds for the week. This year I invested in an electric rice cooker that I can use in my own room and I use it every morning to make breakfast. I also often use it to steam vegetables. Next year I am hoping to be out of the dorms and live in an apartment with my friends so it will be much easier. I’m looking forward to sharing healthy recipes and meals with my friends!

While none of my friends are fully nutritarians, they support and respect my decision to be one. I’ve also been able to encourage many of them to eat healthier, and they often come to me for healthy recipe ideas. They’ve dramatically increased their fruit and vegetable consumption and don’t eat as much dairy. I was talking about the benefits of kale once, and a friend tried it the next day and said it was one of her new favorite foods. On my birthday my friends surprised me with a delicious, nutritarian, zucchini muffin!

In a nutshell, what has nutritarian eating done for you? 

 

Nutritarian eating has provided me with the nutrients for my body to optimally function as it was created!

Congratulations Natalie on making wise food choices early in life! We applaud your commitment to health - you are truly a role model to many!

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The most wonderful benefit of nutritarian eating is that it helps all ages and body sizes, from normal weight to morbidly obese get optimal health restored. Susan, a mother of seven, grandmother of 47, and great-grandmother of eight (and two more on the way!) is no exception. To meet her in person is a real treat, because she’s the epitome of youthful vitality even though she’s in her elderly years. Welcome to Disease Proof, Susan.

What was your life like before discovering Eat to Live?

I'm 77-years-old, and my cholesterol was over 250 in October 2008 so I decided I must do something to bring it down. I was never overweight, but I was starting to have shortness of breath after climbing steps.  One of my son-in-laws was also having difficulty with his cholesterol so in December of that year, he and I started following Eat to LIve. [We had both learned about Eat to Live from my daughter-in-law who forwarded an email from you about the fantastic results you were experiencing from following it.]

How do you feel now?

After just a couple of months following Dr. Fuhrman's recommendations I no longer had the shortness of breath, and I started losing weight.  I am 5' 6" and weighed about 135 lbs when I started so I didn't anticipate that I would lose much weight. However, within five months I was down to 118 lbs. and have stayed about that weight ever since.  I’d never had a pair of jeans before, because I didn't think I would like the way I'd look in them; but after losing the weight from my hips I bought my first pair at the age of 75!

Do you have any success tip(s) to share with others?

I have a smoothie that includes spinach nearly every morning, and at least five days a week I have vegetable soup for one of my meals.  I make large batches of soup and always have at least a half dozen containers of soup in the freezer at all times.

In a nutshell what has nutritarian eating done for you? 

When I had my cholesterol checked this past October it was down to 175.  My HDL was fairly high at 71, and my TC/HDL ratio was 2.5; which is very good.   Previously I had some problems with aches and pains, but they are totally gone now.

 I feel better now than I did ten or even fifteen years ago!

The picture above is Susan's family (minus ten members plus several new babies that have been born since it was taken.)  What an awesome clan!  We are so happy that she's feeling her best to fully enjoy many more quality years ahead with all of them! 

[Susan's son-in-law, Rod, was interviewed last year on Disease Proof.  Click here to read his story.]

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Candee was first introduced to Eat to Live at one of my library talks in Fort Wayne, Indiana; but like many successful nutritarians it took her awhile to fully commit to following the eating plan. However, once she made the commitment, she took off running at full speed! She lost fifty pounds and now feels like she has her life back! Welcome to Disease Proof, Candee.

What was your life like before discovering Eat to Live?

I have always struggled with my weight, and I’m a lifetime member of two other weight loss programs.  In my thirties I was thin and worked out after work everyday, and I ran 3 or 4 miles several times a week. At that time I didn't have a husband or kids. In my forties the weight started creeping on and I did lose most of it on the Atkins Diet; only to gain it right back and then some. I struggled with sugar, and over the last ten years I quit trying to get healthy and had pretty much stayed at the same (overweight) weight. I felt like hiding and didn't want to participate in physical activities, because it was too much effort and I was always tired.

I bought Eat to Live as soon as you told me about it, and read it while on vacation. I had good intentions to start following it as soon as I got home, but the commitment wasn’t a solid one. However, I did start drinking blueberry / spinach smoothies. 

How do you feel now?

I feel like I have my life back!  I no longer have sugar cravings, and I have lots of energy and confidence now. I feel like the real me is here again because I’m not embarrassed by how I look anymore; plus I’m not afraid to try new activities again. This past summer while on vacation we climbed Sleeping Bear Dunes in northern Michigan. The summer before I would have been waiting in the car!  I also had to go horseback riding with my daughter on Mackinaw Island because my husband is allergic to horses, and I was able to successfully do it! 

Do you have any success tip(s) to share with others?

 

• Make the decision to do it. 

• Change the way you think. It’s about getting healthy; not just losing weight.   

• Eat to Live gives a good plan to follow. I planned out what I would eat everyday and it has never been a problem for me. I eat oatmeal and fruit for breakfast. I always make a big pot of bean or vegetable soup to eat for lunch, and salad or raw veggies and a hot vegetable dish and nuts/seeds for supper.  I try lots of new recipes, and it has really helped me to have a handful of favorites that I know also fit the eating plan. 

In a nutshell, what has nutritarian eating done for you? 

I’ve lost 50 pounds, and went from size 16 down to a size 6; plus, my cholesterol dropped 60 points! I no longer have acid reflux disease, of which I had taken medication for 20 years. I’m still taking blood pressure medication, but I’m hopeful that I’ll be off of that entirely this year. I’ll turn 57 this month and I feel like I’m no longer getting older; I’m getting better!!

Congratulations Candee and keep up the great job!

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