Shelly's Story

I lost 51 pounds following the Eat To Live book.  Since childhood I have struggled with my weight off and on. I was never extremely overweight, just chunky enough to be self-conscious, and less confident. I slowly gained weight over the years, especially in my early twenties when I fell in love with cooking, dining out, and discovered wine and tasty cocktails.

Then, I lost quite a bit of weight before my wedding in June 2005, but gained it all back and more. I have also been trying to conceive and am still looking forward to the day that will happen.  I often would lose a few pounds, but always gained it back. I was on a roller coaster, and felt like I was travelling in an endless circle, desiring more knowledge, frustration, depression, hope, discouragement, lack of support, and a deep desire to succeed.  It is actually a very lonely place to be, but the more I researched and the more I learned, the more hope I gained.  

I joined a weight loss program, and also began to incorporate more whole foods and follow a plant-based diet.  I was utilizing some of the information I remembered from Eat To Live, but was not yet fully into the program. About this time, my mom told me that she was reading Eat To Live. Little did she know, I also owned the book, had read it off and on over the past couple years while researching, and had often implemented what I learned in the book. The reason I have the book is my husband's doctor told him to read it a couple years ago, and I went out and bought it. I read it again, and the rest is history. I converted to almost all whole foods, fruits, veggies, whole grains and very little meat, especially red meat. I increased supplementing as well.

As I result, I lost 51 pounds and plan to keep it off for the rest of my life. I feel better than I felt in my twenties, and at 34 years old, I am excited about my future. In the beginning, I didn't realize I was incorporating what I learned from Dr. Fuhrman's book, but in retrospect, it was exactly what I was practicing. I became even more successful after reading the book again and now it is a way of life. I have not suffered from a common cold, the flu, and my allergies have been minimal for the first time in years. I am literally bouncing off the walls with my new found energy and zest for life. I can't help but share everything I learn with everyone I know. It is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing, helping others improve their health through nutrition, and therefore, the quality of their lives. I believe nutrition heals. My life is forever changed, forever healthier, and there is no going back.  Thank you Dr. Fuhrman.