Like most people, I suppose, I had always thought of myself as a fairly healthy person. Oh, I could tone up a bit, maybe drop about 20 lbs. Then it seemed that once I hit the big five-oh, I started breaking down. I was starting to feel old, tired, with chronic aches and pains. Was this normal aging? Was this the way it was going to be for the rest of my life? Hopefully another 30+ years...
Then things took a turn for the worse. I was having circulation problems in my right leg. I could barely walk 50 yards without serious discomfort, and that distance was shortening. Ok, this was getting serious and I was beginning to get worried- my mind was racing to remember those damned drug commercials (I hate those!) about PAD. I finally, stubbornly, went to my doctor. Diagnosis- atherosclerosis, prescription- surgery, stent. Done.
That was in March of 2006. Jump forward almost 3 years- the problem returns. Worse. This time it has extended to the left leg, too. Surgery, two stents. Done. Follow up prescriptions- statins, Plavix. Was this the way it was going to be for the rest of my life? Hopefully another 30+ years...
Then, one Sunday morning I saw this on television...
After seeing this story I pondered my own declining health and came to the conclusion that this might just be the real answer.
After seeing the piece about Rip Esselstyn and The Engine 2 Diet on TV that fateful Sunday morning it was off to the internet and particularly Amazon.com to search for answers.
The answers are here:
In addition to The Engine 2 Diet from Amazon, I ordered:
- The Mcdougall Program: 12 Days to Dynamic Health
- Eat to Live: The Revolutionary Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss
- The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health
- Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure
After the books arrived they sat for a month as I procrastinated over the big change ahead. There was even the danger of backing out, but my fear of clogged arteries returning won out. Finally, I picked up The Engine 2 Diet and started reading.
This book is very accessible for the beginner and is also quite motivating. I like Rip's easy style and straightforward approach. The recipes were really appealling too, and full of Tex-Mex style dishes. Check out the reviews on Amazon. I love the title of one review- "Welcome to the era of "self care"., ". Man, if that isn't the truth!
Ok, I was getting fairly primed to start. I chose Eat To Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman next. He starts the book with alot of clinical information about the dangers of consuming animal fats and proteins, processed foods, all oils and high fructose corn products (which are hidden in just about everything sold in a bag or a box). This is powerful stuff and will really help convince you that you are doing the right thing. He then lays out the main principle of the book which is Nutrients > Calories= Health. Take in more nutrient dense foods than calorie dense foods. It's almost so simple it's genius! Simple and effective, this concept has stuck with me. Then I got to the actual food part- the eating plan, and I began to waiver a little bit. Whoa, this is strict. This is basically a salad diet with some beans, or make a soup from your salad (with some beans). I've oversimplified it, but that's the basic gist of it.
I had already begun the change over to plant based foods when I began reading the third and most influential book of the group. The Mcdougall Program: 12 Days to Dynamic Health by Dr. John A. McDougall was the book that put it all together for me and made it a real lifestyle plan I could follow. This book has the scientific and clinical muscle of Eat To Live with a more realistic eating plan that is founded in culture and history - a starch based diet fully supported by fresh vegetables and fruits. And the recipes looked filling and great. Beans, brown rice, potatoes, and whole grains of every kind, corn tortillas, salsa and, did I mention potatoes? Baked, not fried, thank you. Plenty of healthy hearty food. Comfort food. Health food. And eat all you want - this is nutrient dense low calorie eating at it's best. It's almost embarrassing how stuffed I would get at dinner, yet the pounds started to just melt away.
I'm not very organized so I didn't log exact weights and measurements, but when I started the McD plan I was somewhere between 210-220 lbs. and my jeans waist size was 38 (very tight) pushing 40. Oh, and I'm 6' 2" tall. Six months later- I'm wearing a 34 waist jean and the weight is holding steady between 175-180. Wow, I look and feel good!
more to come...
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