Debi's Story

It took me a while to get where I am. I went down a lot of winding paths, detours, and wrong turns along the way.  Essentially, for many years, I was trapped in a maze that consisted of numerous diets. Of course, I never looked at any of the nutrition facts other than confirming that there was no more than two to three grams of fat per 100 calories. Then, I just got to where I didn’t care anymore; put myself last, let stress and work take over, and ended up putting on over 80 pounds during the next 20 years.   

I stopped going to the doctor after he told me to lose weight and quit smoking. I asked him which one I should tackle first; his one word answer was “both”.  He wouldn’t even discuss what I could do or how I could accomplish this goal.

Around my 48th birthday, I decided I had to make some changes in my life.  I was tired of having to stand on the sidelines and watch others do things that I could not do because I was not physically able.  I decided to tackle the weight problem first.  Initially, I was going to do the low fat diet, but fortunately, I did some research first. I found some articles on “eating clean”.  I cut out all white and processed food and started eating organic.  In the back of my mind, I knew that if I totally embraced organic food that, eventually, I would realize paying $7.00 for a pint of strawberries and lighting a cigarette on the way back to the car didn’t make much sense. 

In August of 2009, I put the cigarettes down and have not had or wanted one since.
I did not count calories; I just ate healthy and over the next 1.5 years lost 30 pounds. I was channel surfing one day and ended up on a PBS station that was featuring Dr. Fuhrman's program.  I was fascinated by all of the information that was given in the program.
I went on-line and ordered several books, CD’s and DVDs.  Among them was Eat To Live (book and CD), Eat for Health, Eating Like a Nutritarian and Super Immunity.  I decided to read and learn all I could and then start the program after the holidays.  The more I read, the more I liked. Towards the end of November, as I was finishing the Eat To Live book, I received the holiday challenge.  I decided there was no time like the present and took the challenge.  I knew I could not reach my initial goal of two years ago, “to be in the best health and shape I had ever been in by my 50th birthday” which was less than three months away. I still had at least 40 pounds to lose, but from what I had read and understood, I knew I would be close.
I quickly fell in love with this new way of eating.  I know I can follow this for the rest of my life.  I didn’t have the dramatic weight loss that some have experienced, probably because I had already cut out processed foods and white products. I lost 13 pounds the first five weeks, but I felt better.  My nose wasn’t stuffy every morning when I woke up. 

I am passionate about my health now; I adore fresh produce.  I am very grateful that I found the truth about being and eating healthy.  I am somewhat angry that I was misled over the years by propaganda and myths about the proper recommended diet.  I can’t look back, but can only look forward at this point; I will say that I wish I had found Dr. Fuhrman earlier.  Twenty years ago would have been great; two years ago would have been wonderful.  But at least I did find him and have since lost 30 more pounds.  And for that, I am thankful.