Disease Proof

Hi, I’m Gerald…

So, there I am. Look at me…all of me. Too bad the Sopranos ended. I could have been Gerry Bacala! I’m short, fat, out of shape, and I hardly feeling good about myself. Look at me! I’m a mess. I’m not ashamed to say it. What the hell happened to me? Let me explain.

In December of 2005 I was hired to write for DiseaseProof and that’s exactly how I looked at the time. Hard to believe I was going to be a HEALTH-blogger! When at that time I was eating nothing but pizza, boxed rice, cheese, Chinese food, cookies, bread, candy, butter, and a lot, lot more!

Quite the paradox—to say the least! By day I’m extolling the benefits of the healthiest diet on earth and at night I’m gorging myself on the standard American diet. As someone who prides himself on honesty and integrity, I was hardly living up to my DiseaseProof mantra, but that wasn’t all.

I was also sick and had been for many years. I was plagued by some mysterious illness that landed me in the hospital once or twice a year with agonizing stomach pains. It’d been happening since was thirteen with no end or diagnosis in sight. It was a mystery, and, it was about to get a whole lot worse.

A few weeks after I was hired for DiseaseProof, I again landed in the Emergency Room with severe stomach pains and nausea. There I was, in one of those drafty hospital gowns, hurting, and looking and feeling pathetic. All I could do was sit and absorb the heavy doses of intravenous morphine. I hated it, I hated myself.

My health had hit an all time low, but this time it was different, a diagnosis—AT LAST! A physician’s assistant determined I had gastritis—basically a chronic inflammation of the stomach lining—which wasn’t exactly being helped by my crappy diet. I felt so ashamed. What was I doing with my life?

I’d always eaten healthier than my peers, I was in good shape in college, but there I was being discharged from the ER with a lifetime prescription for Protonix, Zofran, and Sucralfate. The guy who hated taking pills was now being permanently shackled to the pharmacy. I was defeated and depressed.

The depression tore me apart, for over a year I did nothing to improve my health. I stayed fat, took my pills, ate poorly, and didn’t exercise. I kept dragging myself deeper and deeper into my own personal hell. Life sucked! The spunky college kid was gone. I was now…a lump.

But one day I just said ENOUGH! I can’t live like this. Everyday on DiseaseProof I was blogging about healthy eating and living. So why was I killing myself behind the scenes? I couldn’t do it anymore. “Gerry,” I said to myself, “Its time to kick some ass…my ass!”

So, I joined a gym and I started going everyday; running, lifting, and sweating my way to a new me. I also began changing my diet; each day I was inching closer and closer to Dr. Fuhrman’s Eat to Live. Within months I was hell bent on not only losing weight and restoring my health, but going above and beyond the fitness prowess of my college years. Soon, my health and fitness revolution was firing on all cylinders!

Now, many months later, I’m reborn. I’m a total gym rat. I eat tons of fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and legumes. I don’t eat any meat or dairy. I cut my hair, shaved my beard, pierced my ear, burned my fat clothes, and changed my look. Just take a look at me now…

That’s the guy I’ve always wanted to be—next to Batman of course—that’s the guy who was frantically trying to claw himself out of the fat-suit I’d eaten myself into. Ultimately that’s the guy who kept pushing me every time I wanted to quit…and stills does today.

At my heaviest I weighed over 240 pounds and as of this morning, I’m a very hunky 178. Ladies and gentlemen, that’s a 62 pound weight-loss! And 12 pounds lighter than my “fit” college weight of 190. Not to mention my flexibility, speed, endurance, stamina, and strength are through the roof. Speaking of strength! All my exercising has definitely helped me pack on some new muscle—pretty cool, right?

In addition to my gym regimen—which includes running, elliptical machines, weightlifting, and lots of abdominal and back work—I’ve also been doing Yoga for over five months now. I LOVE it! Yoga has really helped change my life, both physically and spiritually. Check me out…

Yes, it’s not exactly easy holding yourself in those positions on a brisk and windy November day, especially while your father fumphers with his “new-fangled” digital camera. Yoga pants and a sleeveless shirt do not a warm Gerry make. Speaking of clothes!

Okay, at my worst my pants size was fast approaching a 40 waist. At 5’5 and with a pants length of 30—that’s INSANE! Any fatter and my jeans would’ve been square. But now, I’m swimming in a 33 waist, and, I wear fitted jeans, no more “relaxed-fit” for me!

As for shirts, I used to wear large, but now I fit comfortably into form-fitting medium. Which—and not to toot my own horn—is great because I’ve got a decent build and don’t mind showing it off a bit. Ding, Ding, Ding! Dinner’s ready. Come and get it ladies! Growl!

Clearly, my self esteem is also much improved. Honestly, I feel like I could conquer the world. My smart-alecky wit is super-charged, my natural intensity and grittiness is back, and my zest for life and challenge has been renewed! In fact, this past Thanksgiving I ran my first 5K, that’s 3.1 miles. Here’s a picture of me in the runners pack:

Sorry it’s so tiny, but I’m short—unfortunately a nutrient-dense diet can’t fix that! Now, my goal for the race was to finish around 25 minutes; maybe a little more, maybe a little less. In the end, I completed the course in 27 minutes and 17 seconds and I never stopped once. Mission accomplished!

Honestly, I’m shocked enough that I’m doing Yoga, but running? Running has never been my strength. I’m dense, built like a tank—me run? Please! No, seriously. Its piece of cake! I’m a running machine. On and off the treadmill I run about 12-15 miles every week.

As for my diet, I’m now a card-carrying Eat to Liver. I eat my fruits and veggies. I only consume a little low-contamination fish each month. Hardly eat any salt, sweets, bread, rice, or pasta. I avoid dairy like the plague and eating this way is delicious and I NEVER go hungry.

And the best part of all…I’m still losing weight. I’m not sure where I’ll level off, but I’m eager to find out. Although having to buy new pants every few months is a drag, but as much as I hate shopping. It’s a problem I’m happy to have. In fact, very soon I’ll be a size 32 waist, my smallest ever!

Now, a big part of my learning to Eat to Live comes from doing Eating to Live on the Outside. If you follow the series from start until present, you’ll see my diet sensibilities have changed. I went from a casual healthy-eater to downright anal about it—I can be very intense.

But to be honest, that’s the fun part. Learning to eat greatly has helped me discover lots of healthy restaurants; like Just Salads, The Natural Café, Counter, Down to Earth, and my favorite hotspot, Sacred Chow. Feast your eyes on this…

I told you, I really do eat at the places I review—being a guinea pig is underrated—and that’s why I do it folks. My hope is that in some small way I’m doing my part to inspire all of you to stay healthy and encourage others to Eat to Live!

Granted, Dr. Fuhrman—or Joel as I call him—is my boss. It’s his agenda I’m paid to promote, but I’m no mercenary. Just like all of you, I’ve been exposed to all kinds of diets and gimmicks and as coincidence would have it. Dr. Fuhrman’s approach makes the most sense to me.

Sure, you can take that with a grain of salt and I doubt I’ll ever convince the skeptics, but I’ll tell you something about me. My biggest flaw is I’m honest to a fault—just ask all my ex-girlfriends—I wear my heart on my sleeve. When I say something I mean it. I’m no shill. I’m just me, Gerry.

And Gerry is not afraid to put himself out there. Again, being a guinea pig can be a lot of fun. Now, about a week ago Dr. Fuhrman took my blood and ordered some tests. Sadly, I didn’t think about doing my “success story” beforehand, so we don't have any old results to compare them to, but nevertheless, Dr. Fuhrman suggested I flaunt my cholesterol numbers. Here they are…

Dr. Fuhrman was more than pleased with all of my results, but especially these. And I’ve got to be honest. I am really proud of myself. I’m healthy as a horse, feeling physically fit, and mentally rejuvenated, but as I just explained, I wasn’t always like this. Just ask my friend and mentor Henry Abbott of ESPN TrueHoop fame. Take it away Henry…

Oh man. When I first met Gerry, he was a smart guy. He was a hard-working guy. And he was a friendly guy. But was not what you'd call an "athletic" guy.

But man, things have changed. He's so skinny and buff and all that that it's almost hard to remember that he didn't always go for a run, or to the gym, for fun.

You might remember Henry. He was actually DiseaseProof’s first blogger and he’s the dude who hired me to write for blog. So if you don’t like my stuff you’ve got him to blame. Just kidding Henry! Thanks for your ongoing support and infinite wisdom.

Now, at first I thought it’d be cliché to ask Dr. Fuhrman to comment on my newfound health, but, I slept on it and figured what the hell. So, with out any further ado, here’s Dr. Fuhrman pulling no punches and boy does he let me have it…

Okay, so Henry introduces me to this overweight comedian who is going to write for me. Yeah right, I'm thinking to myself, he'd be more in his element writing for Pizza King or Burger Hut. Reminds me of all those cardiologists and other specialists who say to me, "Yeah, that might work for you, but none of my patients would ever do that."

I'm thinking, just because you don't see the tremendous personal benefits and enhanced enjoyment in life from eating healthy, you assume none of your patients would want to forgo bypass surgery, dialysis and dementia and learn about a great tasting disease-protective, disease-reversing, life extending diet-style.

Yet, I did almost the same thing with Gerry. I figured, about one chance in a hundred I am going to convince this junk-food addicted guy that healthful eating is worth the benefits, I thought to myself. Was I wrong! You can never sum people up and assume anything; they all deserve your best shot.

Let me point out. I actually asked Dr. Fuhrman to be very snarky in his comment. I figured the sappy success story thing was too played out—so this was perfect! This is exactly the kind of tough-talk a guy like me thrives on. Thanks Joel. As I always say, you da’ man!

Alright, its one thing when a friend and a boss tell you you’ve done good, but its something special when it comes from your mother. I mean come on! I’m an Italian guy from Jersey, oh course I’m a mama’s boy! Here’s what my mom had to say about me now…

The first words that come to mind when I look at you now is, happy and confident.

This from the women who used to scold me with a wooden spoon and then seconds later would tearfully apologize for doing it. Love you mom! But seriously, happy and confident? At my most unhealthy I was neither one of those things—far from it in fact. Those words are great to hear and they’re doubly sweet coming from my mom. Thanks mommy.

Don’t worry folks. I won’t close on a sappy note, but I will say this. When you’re feeling down and out, when it feels like life is chewing you up and spitting you out. You got to show teeth. Don’t go quietly. Don’t give in. Don’t let the standard American diet or anything else ruin your life. Don’t be another sad statistic.

Knuckle up! Put your nose to the grindstone and kick some ass. That’s what I did. Whether I’m running a 5k, attempting a difficult Yoga pose, or scanning an unfriendly restaurant menu for SOMETHING Fuhrman-friendly, I know I’ve got what it takes to live healthfully, and so do you! Keep Eating to Live my friends and thanks for letting me share my story.

I’ll be around all day to answer your questions and respond to comments. Please don’t hold back. Anything you want to know, just ask. Oh! And don’t worry. Tomorrow DiseaseProof will be back to normal; with all the news, tips, and smart-alecky remarks you can handle. Peace.

You look awesome! Way to go Gerry! Your story is an inspiration.

Hey Monique-

Thanks for the kind words! I feel all warm and fuzzy.

Peace.
-Gerry

Great story! Thanks for sharing! You look very fit.

Do I smell a new series? ETL Success Stories? ;)

Hey Janna-

Thanks so much. I appreciate it...a lot!

Actually DiseaseProof does have a success story category:

http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/cat-success-stories.html

But we do need more!

Peace.
-Gerry

Gerry, you look jacked! Great job! The turnaround you made gives me hope that the ETL info I give to my loved ones will eventually sink in. Moreover, it has reminded me of the important role exercise plays in my success story.

Hey Scott-

Thanks. Believe me. Lots of hard work. Lots! I was at the gym at 5 AM this morning. Eep!

I've got loved ones in the same boat, I'm really hoping they come around. I fear I may need to use an Eat to Live baseball bat to help them get the message.

Peace.
-Gerry

How's your gastritis now? Do you still need to take any medication?

Hey Charlotte-

Great question! I was hoping someone would ask. I haven't taken a pill in well over a year, in fact, I threw all remaining pills away a long time ago. No symptoms at all! I totally distant memory.

My gastritis was no match for a vegetable-based nutrient-dense diet. Grrr!

Peace.
-Gerry

Wowza! You look great, Gerry! Best of all you sound great. Very funny stuff in there too. I also love Dr. F.'s no-nonsense, no "let's-make-this-easy" baloney -- he's straight out with it: You gotta DO IT. And you did. Congratulations on getting well and off those awful medications. Isn't working out its own "high"? Once you get into it, it's awesome.
What a great story and transformation. And what happiness nutritional excellence can bring, ha?
(I wish I could get into yoga. I only do 10 minutes of yogic exercises a day. You look like a real yogi there :D)

Hey LLouise-

Thanks. I like egging on Dr. Fuhrman a bit. In fact, I do identify myself as his hired wise-ass.

Yoga has really become the cherry on top of my fitness sundae. It’s a great workout, gives me a wonder sense of peace and spirituality, and, lots of pretty girls take Yoga…hehehe!

Peace.
-Gerry

Gerry

From a fellow Italian struggling to stay even remotely on the same PLANET as ETL, thanks for posting this and congrats on the success!

Michael

Hey Michael-

Great comment. For a while I struggled with the typical Jersey-guy image. My extended family still looks at my oddly when I tell them I don't eat cheese, sausage, pizza, and other traditional foods, but, I learned through my journey that I am no less a Jersey-guy because I don't eat meat and pizza.

I'm just me, Gerry. An Italian guy, living in NJ, who does yoga, works out, and doesn't eat meat. Who cares about supposed social labels...you know?

Just be you, and be happy about it!

Peace.
-Gerry

Gerry you look great. I have been training many years and you have one of the best improved vitality looks I have ever seen. You need to bottle whatever made you change. I could give it to some friends and family. You are a credit to the "Eat To Live" family. All My Best , Pete

Hey Pete-

Thanks so much! I'm working at it. I still want to drop some more pounds. I've chosen to go super athletic. So, I want to get a six-pack and all that, which is really tough, but I like a challenge.

Well, there were lots of things that made me change. The most obvious is the weight-loss, but as I tell Dr. Fuhrman and my friends and family, I want to live forever. What's better than life! Even when it gets hard, you can't beat it.

In Yoga they say that even when a pose gets hard, find the softness, see where/what you can relax. I believe that applies to life too.

Peace.
-Gerry

Awesome Gerry ! Just totally awesome !

Good story ! Thanks for sharing more proof and motivation !

Jayson

Hey Jayson-

Thanks! Was it better than who shot J.R.? LOL!

Peace.
-Gerry

Sure was Gerry ! Sure was !

I am really glad to hear about your story. I remember when first reading this blog you you had a bit more tolerance for going outside the lines. I am really impressed by the transformation and it really shows.

I heartily agree that it is a plus being able to wear the form fitting clothes, it really has its perks :-D

Hey Jayson-

One of the huge perks and the tight clothes help. Is I am actually confident enough to date again. Although its still a train wreck. LOL! Somethings never change.

Peace.
-Gerry

Gerry,
Thanks so much for sharing your story.I really needed the hope! I've been struggling with ETL this past week. Breaking all of the old habits and learning how to cook enough new dishes that I don't bore myself and my family to death.
I have one question...what was the most difficult change you made?
kim

Hey Kim-

Thank you very much! The hardest part? Probably giving up bread. I've said it on the blog before, but, I love bread. For a longtime I was still eating a lot each week. I'd make huge veggie sandwiches. Sure, the veggies were great, but, the bread was spoiling it. So one day, I just started cutting back, little by little and now, I only eat bread as a treat, maybe once or twice a month and only the really crusty hearty stuff.

When I stopped with the regular bread consumption I really did drop a bunch of weight. More proof that refined carbs are junk!

Oh! And sometimes I break down and simply must have some chocolate...mmmmmm...Peanut M&Ms.

Peace.
-Gerry

Thank you for sharing your inspirational story! Your transformation is spectacular and I bet you are a chick magnet now! I am two weeks into my own transformation and loving it - with great results. Thanks for spurring me on with your fantastic results!

Karen

Hey Karen-

Thank you, thank you! Chick magnet! I wish. You won't find me on a magazine cover shirtless and oiled up anytime soon. LOL!

Peace.
-Gerry

Hey Kim,

My advice for starting this type of lifestyle is eliminating all the unhealthy choices in your house, the hardest part for me was in getting my kids to understand why we were eating differently. It is hard sometimes, but explaining it and talking to them about made the transition easier.

Gerry, got your flax seed oil handy ? lol !

Hey Jayson-

My goodness. Flax seed! I eat SO much of it. I'm surprised I haven't pooped a flax plant yet. Not to mention sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and walnuts. I actually think I'm becoming part squirrel.

Peace.
-Gerry

pretty girls take yoga.....huh????

Hey Younohooo-

In this country Yoga classes are mostly filled with women and a lot of them are quite nice on the eyes.

Peace.
-Gerry

Great job Gerry!! I have witnessed your hard work and perseverance and I am so proud of you...you look great!!!!love you..Mom.

Hey Mom-

Oh geez mom! Embarrassing me in front of my friends. Geez!

LOL! Thank you mommy, love you too.

Yes everyone, that really is my mom.

Peace.
-Gerry

HI Gerald,

Congratulations on your success.
About those M&M's, I used to love 'em too, but (I don't know if this is allowed here, but since I know these posts are filtered...thank goodness...)
M&M/Mars are doing disgusting, cruel animal tests in the name of candy. If I wasn't already not eating their stuff, I'd boycott them, now! I just thought you should know. Again, I'm not trying to post inappropriately, I hope this is okay for me to say...
You can see for yourself at MarsCandyKills.com

Take care,

Heidi

congratulations!! what a great story. your honesty and candid story is just perfect for everyone seeking someone to relate to!

Gerry- I'm impressed with that side plank and tree.

You are awesome! Can you come live with me and teach my children and grandchildren all about E2L? I haven't made a dent.

Wishing you continued success. Waiting anxiously to hear the next chapter in your journey to improved health and weight loss.

Hey Heidi-

Thank you very much! I had no idea about Mars.

Peace.
-Gerry

Hey Isabel-

No...THANK YOU! For letting us use your success story on the new site. YOU ROCK!

Oh what the heck, thanks for the kind words. ;)

Peace.
-Gery

Hey Sara-

Thank you, but you should have seen me in the beginning. My tree looked more like dead wood. LOL.

I can actually do headstand now, the world looks so much better upside down.

Peace.
-Gerry

Hey Greenie Grannie-

Thanks! You'll appreciate this. Right now I am eating Fuhrman-friendly brownies with lots of spinach in them...SO GOOD!

Peace.
-Gerry

Gerry,

Congratulations on your success and thanks for sharing your story. I'm curious when did you actually start hitting the gym and when did you start eating ETL? It sounds like you've been blogging here for about 2 years but made the lifestyle changes somewhat more recently.

Hey Mom ! Good kid you got there !

You must be beaming with delight !

Good on you Gerry !

Hey Bob-

To be 100% honest I don't really have the dates pinned down, nor have I really been paying attention to my exact weight-loss. I just kind of made the switch. For example, when I weighed myself yesterday morning, that was the first time in many-many months. But here's a basic time line. Well over a year ago I started casually going to the gym without really changing my diet, but, around a year ago I started going to the gym a lot (A LOT) and shortly after that I started to really button-up my diet, and in the late summer I started doing Yoga.

Dr. Fuhrman was most impressed by my approach. Rather than making a stark switch (almost the way people get on crash diets) I "backed into the diet" and just naturally adjusted my lifestyle.

Does that answer your question?

Peace.
-Gerry

Hey Jayson-

Yeah, she's thrilled with me. Especially when I bring her my Fuhrman-friendly brownies. LOL!

Peace.
-Gerry

Hey Gerry -

I've enjoyed and admired your writing on diseaseproof.com for some time. But this - your personal story - is the best yet! Wow!!

Congratulations...you are an inspiration to us all. Not only do you talk the talk, but now you walk the walk.

You 'da man!

Vic in Chicago

Hey Vic in Chicago-

Thank you so much! Oh, I'm not the man, I only play one on TV. LOL!

Peace.
-Gerry

Ummm...spinach brownies? You holdin' out on us, Gerry? Eh? You holdin' out? You know what happens to guys who hold out on Fuhrman's Gang?
Pony up that recipe, Gerr... Soon.

What a great sory Gerry. I love reading about amazing transformations and I bet your mom is so proud of you. Keep posting your progress and let us all see the spunk inside. have a great day and well done!

Hey Llouise-

Yeah, you're probably right. I should type it up and get it up here.

Peace.
-Gerry

Hey Jocelyn-

Thank you very much! Don't worry, I've got plenty more surprises up my sleeve. :)

Peace.
-Gerry