Happy Thanksgiving!
Early this morning, in the drizzling rain and cool temps of northern Indiana, my oldest son and I ran in my hometown’s annual 4-mile Thanksgiving run. Just before the start, the announcer exclaimed with much enthusiasm that a record 2400 runners had come out for run; making it one of the largest Thanksgiving 4-mile runs in the nation this morning! Then the National Anthem was played and I absolutely lost it as tears of gratitude and joy welled up in my eyes. On this Thanksgiving Day, amongst the sea of runners, I was one of them; a healthy athlete ~ a bona fide runner!
Just three years prior, I was 100 lbs overweight. I'd been obese for nearly twenty years and had given up hope. I had heart disease, pre-diabetes, chronic fatigue, depression, lower back pain, achy joints, and shortness of breath from just climbing a flight of steps or walking to the mailbox and back.
Well, those days are over . . . for good!
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Thanks to making the commitment to follow Dr. Fuhrman’s high nutrient eating plan as outlined on p.179 of Eat to Live, I lost the majority of excess weight within ten months. I no longer have heart disease, pre-diabetes, or any of the above mentioned maladies; and even more importantly, I'm now free from food addiction and the resulting eating disorders that had plagued my life for years.
As I was nearing the finish line and making my legs give that final extra push, and the exuberant crowd was cheering, I couldn’t help but think, “I’m an obesity survivor!”
This same freedom is for everyone!
Cheering for all to do whatever it takes to enjoy optimal health this Thanksgiving Day and always ~ you will never regret it!
very inspirational!
Way to go Emily!!!!, Now thats a thanksgiving tradition to be proud of. One that is life transforming instead of life destroying. What a legacy for your friends and family.
"I'm an Obesity Survivor!"
What a great line--that should go on T-shirts!
Thanks for sharing another inspirational story.
This is excellent news. My hat goes off to you. I've been on the program (trying) for 4 days now - still getting used to this new way of eating. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, stents in two arteries, excess weight, elderly (75), fatigue and COPD are conditions I am fighting. Hope it works for me as well as for you. Congratulations.
Sharon
A great inspirational story! Thanks for sharing! How awesome to share great health with your son! We added healthier items to the menu this year and they were well received by the more doubting of the family! we missed the salad which was my oversight. Limited the SAD foods and ate more of the healthier ones. Felt great after dinner instead of a blob!
You are so amazing! This gives me hope to continue!
Great Job!
What a great story to share with us. I love that you celebrated Thanksgiving with a run. I was pleasantly surprised by a fully packed yoga studio on the morning of Thanksgiving. Isn't it interesting that on a day when we could be letting go and giving in to our food addictions we are experiencing freedom from food addiction? I am so grateful for Dr. Fuhrman's message.
What a great way to celebrate your Thanksgiving holiday :0)
So happy for you!!
The most amazing thing is to go to bed on the night of Thanksgiving and feel unstuffed, unbloated, clear minded, and wonderfully fulfilled; AND to wake up on the morning after feeling great, instead of hungover and suffering from brain fog, drowsiness, and fatigue.
I can't think of a better investment into one's quality of life than to eat for health!
Please know that when I counted my many blessings on Thanksgiving Day, Dr. Fuhrman, you, Emily, and the ETL family were, as ever, among them. Heart's gratitude to all!
Emily your story is a great one and it is wonderfull to see you so happy about your health . Being able to participate in a Turkey Trot w/i two years of being obese is a great feat and you deserve all the joy you got from it.
Yea Emily! You're such an inspiration!
Wouldn't it be great to have and "Obesity Survivor" run/walk just like they do for breast cancer survivors? What's that??? You're going to start organizing one? Great!!