Debbie's Story

I discovered Eat To Live in August, 2004. At the time, I had grown (literally) sick of the Atkins and South Beach diets. I initially lost weight on them, but quickly gained it all back after returning to the normal SAD diet. I was back to being fifty pounds overweight, bordering on obese for the first time ever. I just couldn't stand the constipation, bad body odor, sluggishness, and skin problems I had developed while on high protein diets. I felt awful and was ready to do something truly different.

After reading Eat To Live and a couple of other books, I decided to eliminate all animal products from my diet, cold turkey. I had never even heard the word "vegan" before. I looked upon it as an experiment, fully expecting not to be able to stand giving up my cheese, cream sauces, milk, ice cream, steak, chicken, pork, fish, lobster, etc. I decided to give it a chance for the recommended six weeks. Just a personal challenge, nothing more. Maybe I would lose a few pounds in the process before going to the next fad diet.

Within six weeks I had lost my taste for dairy and meat. I could get a little ice cream on my fingers while preparing someone else's cone, and not even want to lick it off. I could stand in front of a plate of cheese and crackers at a party and have no desire to put the yellow greasy stuff in my mouth. Cravings and desires for meat and cheese were simply gone. I could not find them anywhere in my mind or taste buds. I was astounded, but still doubtful.

I had no more constipation. In fact, I think I started having normal elimination for the first time in my life at 35 years old. My period that month had no PMS and no pain, something I thought was just a normal scourge of all but the luckiest women. I was sleeping better, and feeling refreshed and energetic all day. I found I did not need a pick-me-up of coffee or candy at 2:30 like always. Miraculously, I had not had a single headache after the first couple weeks of detox despite at least biweekly migraines or headaches for the past ten years. Oh, and I lost ten pounds. Enough to buy new clothes.

Based on how I felt, I decided to continue on the vegan version of Eat To Live for just another month or so. Then just another month turned into a year. By that time I had lost 50 pounds, and kept it off for several months without cravings, hunger, or much effort. I did not experience PMS, constipation, or a migraine for months. I felt more positive about life and myself. I discontinued talking Celexa. I took on more work and recreational activities. My rosacea, oily skin, and dandruff had all but disappeared.

I ended the vegan experiment around that time, but in the years since, animal products is a condiment in my diet than a main focus. About 75 percent of my meals are vegan. I still avoid dairy, since I found it brings back PMS, constipation, and skin breakouts in a hurry. Who needs that?

I don't find it difficult to eat what I want, emotionally, or any other way. Kale has become my favorite vegetable. I find salty, sugary, and greasy foods unpalatable most of the time. Such a change, for just six weeks of experimentation. I'm still astounded that it could be this easy.

Maybe Dr. Fuhrman would look at my diet and call it less than ideal following the Nutritarian program. I call it feeling, looking, and eating the way I want, preventing disease, and being forever freed from worrying about my weight.

Results may vary.