Anthony's Story

In December 2005, at 6ft 4in. tall and 33 years old, I was on medication for high blood pressure, had frequent migraine headaches, and a 54 inch waist, weighed 360 pounds, and was having difficulty getting a 20 year term life insurance policy.  I was a long-time vegetarian who thought I ate well.

I had been struggling with my weight since I was 13 years old. Through the years I tried all sorts of diets and weight loss methods in attempts to lose weight. With the upcoming birth of my second son I decided to get serious about becoming healthy once again.

I came across Dr. Fuhrman's book Eat To Live. The information in the book made a lot of sense, and immediately I began making changes in my diet. I gradually added more and more vegetables to my lunch and dinner meals. By the time my second son was born, on May 2, 2006, two months after purchasing Eat To Live, I had lost 30 pounds.

By the end of 2006 I had lost a total of 90 pounds, was off blood pressure medication, was no longer experiencing headaches, and had blown away my goal of losing 50 pounds for the year. I was feeling absolutely great. With all of the newly found energy, I decided that I wanted to start exercising so I began running. I gradually increased my running, continued eating right, and ran my first 5k race on May 10, 2007. At that point I was hooked on living a healthy lifestyle that included eating right and exercising regularly.

In September 2007 I ran the Philadelphia Distance Run half-marathon in one hour 48 minutes and 21 seconds. I now enjoy running regularly, and run races of various distances throughout the year. This desire to exercise is amazing to me. I was never into sports or exercise, and the fact that it is so easy for me now was incredible.

Even with this increase in exercise I continued to lose almost exactly eight pounds a month, every month, until September 2007 when my weight loss stopped just as suddenly as it began. At that point I weighed 197 pounds, my blood pressure was fine without medication, I no longer get headaches, was able to get a life insurance policy, and was in the best shape of my life. Now, my body weight has leveled off, I weigh 200 pounds, bringing my total weight loss to 160 pounds!

I am thoroughly enjoying this extremely healthy lifestyle, and am proud to be a positive role model for my sons. Being able to keep up with them today, and knowing that I will continue to be an active part of their lives for years to come, makes me realize that becoming healthy is the most important thing I have done for myself, and my family.