Mary Jo's Story

I have been given a new lease on life. Several years ago, I was hypertensive, pre-diabetic, migraine headaches, eczema, painful knees, restless leg syndrome, insomnia, frequent upper respiratory infections culminating in pneumonia and inability to breathe easily. I was fearful about how to sustain employment with so much illness. I was becoming my mother who coughed all evening and all night.

As a nurse practitioner, I wanted to begin treatment with anti-hypertensives. I  wanted three months to change my situation without medication. I began reading about anti-inflammatory diets. I love books and went to a nearby bookstore looking for the answer to my health after prayer and reflection. You will not believe this but it is true,  I looked at rows of books fearful of my spontaneous nature that will buy any unsubstantiated claim. While thinking a book leaped off the shelf and struck my right big toe, by the way I had sandals on, ouch! Momentarily surprised I picked up the book, titled Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. I stared and thought, if you do not have help for a 60 -year- old woman I will not buy you. Guess what? IIdly opening the book I read about reversal of hypertension heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and the story was about a 60- year -old woman. That did it. I purchased the book and it was the best decision I ever made! I did not 100 percent commit to this way of eating at first but do now. I learned about nutritional science and slowly how to implement the nutritarian diet into my life. It takes time to change habits and learn better food preparation.

I lost 65 pounds, but then I stopped losing weight and remained significantly overweight. I realized I was a wanna-be nutritarian! I listened to a lecture in which Dr. Fuhrman spoke about how difficult it is to make a 100 percent commitment instead of 80 or 90 percent. He said just a bit more effort and think of the benefits. Now my message is never give up, make changes you can live with. I was the most addicted person, sugar, diet pop, white flour, processed food, and now I am not! I am surprised how easy it now seems to give up ice cream. However, with dark sweet cherries there is no comparison how much more delicious the real food is. I went out for frozen yogurt with a daughter and grandchildren and disliked the confection, it tasted of bleach. This lifestyle is for everyone who wishes to enjoy life to the fullest.

I joined Dr. Fuhrman's weight loss challenge to place some frosting on the cake, I was 150 pounds and needing to learn what was the appropriate amount of food. Reminding myself that I can trust my body to inform me and with increased nutritional excellence my hunger would guide me. I tended to eat too much for dinner, felt uncomfortable. I gradually learned to modulate intake and exercise after dinner. I thought if I am going to sit to watch TV with my family, I can do something good for me to include power plate and yoga. I swim most days and joined an exercise program called, 'orange theory.' I met previous students, nurses who I have worked with in the past, wonderful people in my world who tell me I am their inspiration and I tell them Dr. Fuhrman is mine! I guess I am quite spunky.  

I am approaching my 70th birthday and my blood pressure is 110/70, No drugs, my knees feel great, I sleep all night, my taste buds have recovered and I can say I love this eating style so much more than my previous addictions. I have lost over 100 pounds. My dress size was 24 wide and now I wear a size 8, which is becoming loose on me. It took me 10 years to find my path and I love the freedom. In the past I was recurrently uneasy, always hungry, and instead of living my life, worried about my next meal and how fast I could obtain seconds.

I am a nurse with a master's degree and currently teach at a health care college. I  infuse nutritional science into every class. I tell anyone who will listen, 'read all of Dr. Fuhrman's books, you will feel and look great.’ Thank you, thank you, thank you.