Debbie's Story

I celebrated my 60th birthday in October 2013 and weighed 278 pounds. I had tried every diet, some more than once, with little to no success.  I work for Whole Foods Market and decided it was time to give myself a birthday present by going to one of my company's Immersion Programs with Dr. Fuhrman.  Debbie, a good friend of mine had attended a year before and lost over 100 pounds.  I thought that if she could do this, maybe I could too. 

The week of Dr. Fuhrman’s Immersion was a life changing experience.  I began my Nutritarian lifestyle and felt better than I had in years.  I was actually eating more than I was used to; the difference was I was eating the nutrients my body needed.  That first week I was able to stop taking meds for high blood pressure, acid reflux, and high cholesterol, and I have never looked back. In fact, I have not taken any medication for over a year and I feel better than I have in a very long time.

I jumped into the Nutritarian lifestyle with both feet.  It was not always easy, but the more I stuck to it the easier it became.  I remember telling Randi, Dr. Fuhrman's Motivational Outreach Counselor, that I was afraid, and, she lovingly, but very firmly assured me that I could succeed following the Eat To Live lifestyle.  She motivated me and kept me on track.  I had what I call the little monsters that sit on your shoulder and try to get you to stray.  I would knock them off and stay on track and they eventually subsided.  

I had a lot of motivation to change my bad eating habits.  My mom suffered a massive stroke in 2012.  I witnessed her declining and not bouncing back.  She was never overweight like I was, but she had smoked and she ate the SAD (standard American diet). Having spent a lot of time in the hospital, rehab, and the nursing home with her, I knew that I did not want to do this to myself or my family.  I have daily motivation right before my eyes.

The first year of my Nutritarian lifestyle I walked throughout my neighborhood to exercise.   At the one year mark I joined a gym and got a trainer.  I make myself go and workout four to five times a week.  This is not easy for me, but I know it is good for me and I'm getting stronger every day.

It has been a little over fifteen months since I attended Dr. Fuhrman's Immersion and the changes have been immeasurable.  Having lost 117 pounds I can walk up and down stairs like a normal person without knee pain and I don't look for an elevator. I can sit in an airplane without having to use a belt extender and I can pull down the tray table.  I fit in any and every seat now.  A bath towel will fit around me and overlap. My grandchildren are now keeping up with me and not the other way around.  I shop regular size clothing and I have enough energy and stamina for two people.  On New Year's Day 2015 we walked to the very top rows in the Cowboy's Stadium, no elevators were involved and I was actually passing people on the way up.  The longer I am a Nutritarian the better I get.  Who knew that 61 is the new 16.

I did not attempt the Nutritarian lifestyle alone; I had Dr. Fuhrman's book and cookbook to refer to almost daily.  My husband joined this journey after he saw me having success.  Just this week he said that following the Nutritarian lifestyle is the best thing we ever did for our health and he thanked me for it.  Several family members are following the Nutritarian program due to my success. Customers at work seek me out to see how I'm doing.  Some have told me that I have inspired them.

Recently my oldest son paid me the best compliment ever.  He said that his wife's parents who have never been overweight and eat the SAD were really slowing down and it was a huge contrast to what we were doing eating Nutritarian and growing stronger and better!

I will never call the Nutritarian way of life a four letter word (DIET).  Diets do not work.  This is the easiest and most satisfying way of eating I have ever experienced.