kim's Story

I want to thank Dr. Fuhrman for the education he provides. He helped save my life.  I lost weight and took control of my destiny.  My highest weight was 244 pounds.  At my heaviest, I was busting out of a 1x/size 20. This was around my daughter’s high school graduation in 2010.  Now, at her college graduation four years later, I am a small, size 4-6 and over 100 pounds lighter.

My weight loss journey began in 2011.  I was watching TV, flipping through the channels and came to the PBS channel featuring Dr. Fuhrman talking about the Nutritarian diet style.  A light bulb went on and I realized I needed to change my eating, it was time. Next to my bed was a machine I was supposed to use for sleep apnea, part of the problem caused by my weight, but so far I had refused to use it. I started thinking about the fact that my doctors were saying I was overweight, obese, very obese, and how I really couldn’t believe they were talking about me. This coupled with the fact that a co-worker suggested I go on the big girls dating website. That certainly hit me in the head like a frying pan.

I bought Eat for Health and Eat To Live and when the Eat To Live Cookbook was published I bought that too and was so happy to finally get it.  One of the first things I did when I started reading the books was make a sign for my refrigerator that said “Salad is the Main Dish” and it is still there.  In Eat For Health Dr. Fuhrman talks about balance.  Making sure you have good nutrition, exercise, socialization and brain activity.  I started bringing these things into my life.  I started cooking his recipes, and eventually memorized my favorites, started swing dancing again, which I still do, rode my bike, went to a Scrabble Club at the local library and joined Toastmasters International.  

One of Dr. Fuhrman's statements that has stayed with me is when you eat the Standard American Diet you get the diseases that most other Americans get.  That is scary.  During my life, my weight had been pretty normal with a few fluctuations. The real problem began after my divorce in 1998.  Eating became my way of coping and I gained an average of one pound a month for ten years hence being about 115 pounds overweight.

I also suffered from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other undiagnosed bowel issues for about fifteen years. Once I started Dr. Fuhrman's meal plan they began to resolve themselves.  My digestion took a little while to adjust, but I started with more soups and cooked vegetables and practiced chewing and eating raw foods in small quantities.

Right from the start of following the plan I got my kitchen ready...new knives, cutting board, herbs and spices and safe plastic containers, all of which contributed to my success. I keep my home stocked with healthy foods. I learned to chew my food better, slow down, grocery shop only in the aisles I need.  My son said the new foods I am preparing are so good I should open a café.  With this program I do not go to bed hungry. I know I can have unlimited fruit, vegetables and beans.  I love kale and never knew it. I never had it before following the Nutritarian plan.

When my budget is tight, I know I can still eat healthy; a bag of frozen broccoli with a homemade peanut sauce is perfect for dinner and all for about $2.00. I have reread the books as reminders of why I am doing what I am doing and encourage this practice in others.  In the early stages of losing weight, I joined a gym and the trainer told me I couldn’t do it.  I was shocked to say the least.  I proved him wrong.  Co-workers always say my lunch smells great and sometimes they try it and I share the recipes.  I tell them about Dr. Fuhrman's books.

I am grateful to have been educating my children about healthy eating the past few years especially since my daughter was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) last year.  She knows how important her eating habits are to staying healthy. 

I recently gave a speech at my local Toastmasters Club sharing my success story.  I gave a handout of Dr. Fuhrman's food pyramid and the government’s and, of course, my before and after pictures. I know my success story has already inspired others to follow the Nutritarian plan.  Not only did this program change my life, but it changed my children’s lives.  I will be forever grateful.