Well Cell’s Interview with a Nutritarian
By answering the following questions and allowing us to share some of your experience on our blog, you will most likely inspire others and help them to feel supported in their own efforts to change their lives for the better so thank you in advance for participating with us and also for being an inspiration to both Matthew and I.
Please be as honest as you comfortably can since many of our blog readers will likely relate to your feelings, difficulties, if any, and your inspirations.
Why did you decide to make a change in your diet?The reasons I decided to make a change in my diet are many. First and foremost, I’m severely overweight and have been for more than a decade now. And although I’ve been told my weight gain as well as the maintaining of the weight throughout the years served as a sort of protection due to emotional issues, I finally realized that I was in fact slowly killing myself through food. For many years I’d been in denial about having any health related side effects due to my being obese. But I could not ignore the fact that diabetes runs in my family as well as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. In the last four years I was forced to face this reality head on when I became a caregiver to my grandmother on my dad’s side of the family. I had to see my beautiful grandmother deteriorate due to many bad food choices she had made throughout her life. After decades of not eating healthfully, her diabetes was out of control and she had acquired a heart condition. She could no longer walk without the use of a walker and her obesity became a huge burden due to the fact that she couldn’t clean or dress herself. She had to be cared for as one would care of an infant. This was my grandmother who had been so strong and hardworking throughout her life. A woman who raised 11 children and countless grandchildren. Someone who always put everyone else’s needs before her own.
I believe subconsciously, I was thinking about myself at my grandmother’s age, IF I even made it to that age. I started to feel as if there was an onslaught of disease and health problems coming my way. As a matter of fact, in 2007 I began to experience lightheadedness, migraine headaches, and dizzy spells, as well as high blood pressure. I went to see a doctor and she attributed all of these symptoms to stress. But I asked myself, what if? What if these are the first signs to other issues to come. Diabetes. Heart attack, etc., etc.
Another reason I chose to make a change in my diet was due to the fact that I was tired of being fat, plain and simple. I was tired of not being able to do simple things many people take for granted. Fitting comfortably into an airplane seat, a movie theater seat, narrow chairs, rides at amusement parks, and so and so forth. Dancing, playing sports, and other simple physical activities. Wearing things like a bathing suit, or just wearing fun clothes. I was basically tired of not being able to do anything and everything I wanted to do. I felt as if my weight was holding my back and preventing me from REALLY living.
Quite simply, it was just TIME to make a change.
Did you read the book Eat To Live and how did it effect you?
I did read the book. Actually, I’ve always been a sort of stickler for the rules. Dr. Fuhrman recommends everyone reads the books in its entirety before beginning the diet and I did. I even postponed starting the diet at the same time a friend of mine started it since I’d yet to finish the book.
The book affected me in the way that I was very surprised as well as horrified to learn just how crappy we Americans eat. To read the truth about so many things I considered “healthy”. Chicken for example. I was so sad to hear about many of the harmful products, additives, and hormones in many of our foods. At times I even thought it’s no wonder why so many Americans are considered overweight.
The book also inspired me. I loved reading about the many people who had successfully lost weight and who had achieved there goal weight no matter how much they had to lose. I also loved reading about those people who had been scheduled for some sort of invasive surgery as a last resort only to go on the Eat to Live diet and no longer need surgery or medication, for that matter.
What did you change about your diet and how did it affect the way you live?I changed my diet completely. I “detoxified” my kitchen and threw out all of the processed foods I had been consuming on a daily basis. I got rid of the salt, oil, butter, dairy products, meat, and other “no-nos”. I began to eat fresh products only. Fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts.
My life was affected in the following ways: 1) I began to cook more. Before, I hardly ever cooked and did a lot of eating out. If I did happen to cook something, it was basically something quick and easy. Frozen pizza, pasta, bread and cheese, sandwiches, fast food, tuna salad with chips, french fries, and other unhealthy foods.
2) I no longer eat at restaurants. I eat all of my meals at home. I think I will eventually begin to frequent restaurants but once I’ve figured out a way where I can still maintain a healthy handle on my food intake. Restaurants tend to use a lot of the things I no longer want to eat. Oil, salt, creamy sauces, to name a few. The good thing is that in the US, there are many restaurants that are beginning to cater to health conscious people.
3) This goes along with 2, I no longer plan my social events around food. Plus, food is no longer my number one priority. I don’t plan my day around food. My meals are a way to sustain myself but they are no longer the most important part of my day. I’m taking a bigger interest in my hobbies and interests. This actually helps to keep me from giving in to my cravings. I try to do all of those things that bring me comfort and joy that don’t revolve around food and eating. I still get together with friends to watch movies, crochet, and do art, I just don’t plan these things around dinner or lunch as I used to.
What have you learned most about yourself?I think what I’ve learned about myself is just how committed and strong willed I can be. I used to honestly think that I would forever be overweight and that I could not lose weight. I didn’t “like” diets and didn’t really believe in them but I think it’s because I was afraid to set myself up for failure. I’ve always been an overachiever and I felt that this was the one thing I would not be able to do. I learned that I do have it in me to achieve this. I also learned that for me it was not about the food. The food was just a means to an end. I used food to keep myself overweight. I DO like healthy food. I DO like vegetables and I CAN eat super healthy food. Plus, I DON’T need fast food and fatty foods.
I also learned that I’m a product of my society and my family. I was never taught the importance of eating a healthy balanced diet and the few times that it was mentioned at school with the whole “food pyramid”, it was completely misleading.
What have you learned about the world around you?I’ve started to see just how unhealthy peoples diets really are. I line up at the grocery store and I’m amazed at what people are buying. I see how children are being taught unhealthy eating habits. I see just how unaware people are about what they put in their mouths and into their bodies. I also see how amazing and wonderful the world is without the need to eat all the time. I no longer eat all of those things I used to “enjoy” eating and I’m still enjoying my life.
What were or are the obstacles or difficulties you face with changing your diet?I think a big one is not being able to eat at restaurants and travel is greatly affected by this. I know that eventually I WILL be able to eat at restaurants and there are ways to get around traveling while maintaining a healthy diet but I still feel a bit vulnerable and not quite ready to do it. Another thing I’ve found difficult is sticking to an eating schedule. I used to eat whenever I was hungry or when I finally had the time. Most of the time I never even ate breakfast. I would have two meals a day, lunch and dinner and as I said, they weren’t ever at a set time. I would eat late into the night and go to bed right after. I was never one to snack in between meals but I would overeat sometimes when I was very hungry.
Another biggie has been knowing what to eat and how to make it. As I’ve said before, I was never much of a cook and that has presented a few problems for me. There have been a few times where I don’t know what to make or I don’t have the drive to cook something and I will just end up skipping the meal altogether. Little by little I’m overcoming that since I have been getting cooking lessons from Ruth. I do still get anxious sometimes when I run out of stuff to eat and have to make more but every week I’ve had a lot of leftovers and have been able to survive on these delicious dishes I’ve learned to make.
Sometimes cravings pose a problem, as well. I haven’t had many cravings but sometimes I can’t think of anything but getting a big cheese burger and some onion rings with ranch dressing. Thankfully, I’m in France and I can’t really get that here. Plus, they don’t last very long, these cravings, and I just ride them out but God help me when I’m watching TV and I get a craving. I obsess about what everyone is eating.
Do you feel better/worse? Do you think you look better? I feel GREAT! Really. I no longer have any dizziness, headaches, or “food coma” symptoms. My clothes are super loose and I can do little things like cross my legs. I don’t get very tired after a long day of teaching and climbing the stairs at the university, here in Rouen. I’ve been told my face has really thinned out and I can now notice it in the mirror. My cheekbones are more defined. I still have a long way to go but there is a marked difference which only serves to inspire me and fuel my fire. At night I sleep harder if that makes any sense. I was having a hard time sleeping but that is all changing which is great since I’ve always liked to sleep and I believe sleep is so important to one’s body and good health.
Was or is there anything about changing your diet that has surprised you?Yes, I can REALLY taste food now. I’m constantly surprised at how sensitive my taste buds are becoming. I love the flavors of the vegetables, fruits, and nuts I’ve been eating.
I was also surprise at how easily I was able to change my diet completely and give up regular coke.
Has your decision to change your diet affected other people in your life? How?My sister was inspired to do the diet with me. I also feel closer to people since I’ve made it a point to be more honest with myself and about my thoughts and feelings. Slowly, I’ve been exploring all of the reasons I let myself get to this weight. My sister and I created a blog where we share our experiences. Whether good or bad, these posts have served as a sort of therapy as well as further inspiration. By talking about these things, I’ve been able to process a lot of baggage I’ve been caring around. This questionnaire is a part of that and I hope that it helps other people make that first step to a better, healthier life. Courage!
Ruth and I know that so many of our readers are hungry to learn more about how to navigate the complicated world of modern medicine and scientific research. That's why we gladly recommend Overdosed America, by John Abramson of Harvard Medical School, the detailed account of "how the pharmaceutical companies are corrupting science, misleading doctors and threatening your health." Not only is Abramson's advice and research clear and science-based but it cuts through the lies and inaccuracies that have led us as a nation down the path to chronic disease and financial ruin.
The idea is, of course, not to avoid all drugs but rather to return them to their proper place. That is to say as a last resort and only until more effective modalities can be substituted. The body is a miraculous, self-healing wonder when allowed to do its job. Yet we have succumbed to the temptation to treat it as a piece of machinery with a pill for each and every little thing that ails us. If the result was greater health both individually and collectively it would be hard to find fault with this approach. But in a nation where 73% of Americans are obese or overweight, where 58% of Americans die needlessly of cardiovascular-related disease and where our collective health is threatening the economic survival of our nation, I'd say there's a problem.
That's why we as individuals must do more to promote the lost idea that nutritional intervention and lifestyle changes are not only more effective but far more affordable in avoiding, treating and even reversing the vast majority of the diseases that are bringing this nation of ours to its knees. Not only is it good science, but it makes good sense for everyone involved: our health care system, our communities, our families and ourselves.
