david's Story

I began to notice after eating I felt like I had been drugged. I could not keep my eyes open. I had been thin all my life until I hit 30 years old. Then many things changed, I went from a very physical job to an office job, I quit smoking, and eventually, with my new job duties, I started traveling the world a lot. The weight was packing on. From high school (where I was very athletic) through my early 30's, I weighed 185 pounds.

By 2010, I weighed 280 pounds. I was tired, out of shape, and headed for my father's fate.  Before his death, I watched my father deal with his obesity and diabetes. His life consisted of checking his blood sugar, taking a variety of medications, eating, sitting on the couch (falling asleep), waking up, and doing it all over again. Having been diagnosed with hypoglycemia in high school, it seemed that diabetes was waiting for me. 

I decided that something had to change and started with the basics.  I cut out caffeine, alcohol, fast foods, deep fried foods, soda, junk food, etc. I also changed my physician, as the one I had kept giving me the "at your age" lines when I would approach her with various issues. When I started with my new doctor I had already dropped about 20 pounds and he recommended a book for me to read.  The book was Eat To Live and just the title resounded with me.

The information was so refreshing and well supported that I decided it would not take much for me to take the steps to achieve superb health. To the amazement of my friends and colleagues, I changed my life-plan. I own two smokers and a large BBQ grill; I loved my meats. This was a big change. When I returned for a follow up visit with my new doctor after being on the diet for two months, I had lost another 30 pounds. I felt great and was very motivated to keep going. The 30 pounds felt like they simply melted off of me. This was during Thanksgiving and heading into the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays. I had been properly armed with the knowledge I needed to make the right diet choices for myself. I breezed through the holidays without any issues.

The next hurdle was eating when out of the country. I travel internationally for work and taking fresh fruits and vegetables with me is out of the question (customs won't allow it). So I  plan with my colleagues in the country I am visiting to  take me to a local grocery store, where I load up with fruits and veggies that travel well (apples, oranges, carrots, green beans.) I bring an extra travel bag that I carry these items in. When at a restaurant, they assist me in translating to the server what I want, and if it is not possible, I always get a salad and fill in from my travel bag later. My weight loss has slowed a bit, but I don't worry about it. I look at my weight loss the same as investing in the stock market you have to be in it for the long haul. You can't jump in and out of a plan because it is hot.

I have referred countless people to Eat To Live. I am sure, at times, I seem like a fanatic about it, but when you can eat all you want, lose weight and feel great, what is not to preach about. I have probably listened to the audio book 30 or more times by now and I will still put it on occasionally when I am out walking, just to reaffirm my commitment. I am so grateful to Dr. Fuhrman for providing me with the knowledge I needed to make the right choices in my life plan. Now I just need to find clothes that fit me again.