About six weeks ago, we started a new wellness ministry at our church called Weigh & Pray. There are about a dozen or so of us (men and women) who get together for 30 minutes every Wednesday evening to chart our weight loss and exercise goals. Everyone sets their own goals and keeps their own personal chart.We talk about our challenges and our successes from the past week, and we share the things we're learning. We don't all follow the same plan or strategy, and none of us are experts on weight loss or exercise, but all of us are interested in hearing from each other and from others in our church who have had long-term success.
Last week, our friend, Michelle, visited the group and gave us some information about a special diet that seems to be helping her family eat healthier. Ted, one of the guys in our group, talked about a book he has read and the nutritional diet principles he's been following. He's had such good success in the first couple of weeks that I thought I would check it out for myself.
The book is called Eat to Live and is by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. After hearing Ted talk about it, I bought a copy for my Kindle. It's easy and informative reading. I'm only a few chapters into the book, but have already found it to be both informative and motivational. I'm going to have my wife read it too to see what she thinks. One thing is sure, I'm at a point in my life where I really do need to need to get a healthier approach to food and fitness. Maybe Eat to Live will help me with the food part of that equation.
If you've read the book or have reactions or opinions, please post a comment. Thanks.
Publisher's Weekly:
In this new edition, which incorporates the latest scientific nutritional data, Fuhrman's restrictive diet plan is designed for clinically overweight people who suffer from a spectrum of lifestyle/obesity-induced conditions like diabetes and heart disease and need to drop a significant amount of weight fast—about 20 pounds in the first six weeks.
The basis of Fuhrman's program is Nutrient Density, expressed by the simple formula health equals nutrients divided by calories. Fuhrman's "secret" to optimum health and permanent weight control is giving the body only what it needs. An aggressive six-week vegetarian plan segues into a regimen that includes a limited amount of animal products, like lean fish or egg whites once a week. Although proven and sound, this guidebook is not for someone who wants to lose those last 10 pounds or fit into her wedding dress; this is a serious undertaking for dieters whose umpteen previous efforts have failed and whose health is endangered.
Dave, I think I am still early on in the program (about 2.5 weeks), but I thought I could share some pros and cons. Pros- I have lost almost 15 Lbs so far, my arthritis pain has definitely decreased and I am feeling well. Not having to weigh food and count calories is great. Cons- getting used to not using salt, food prep (you have to work hard to vary your veggie intake to avoid boredom). It is very different from the way we are used to eating!
ReplyDeletejena and I (Brian) have read this book, and we both continue to eat this way (low fat, plant centered diet). The thought of eating vegetarian has so many connotations that I don't prefer the word. The thought of straying from the meat centered diet I grew up on seemed absurd a year ago. But one thing I've learned, our over stimulated taste buds DO get used to certain tastes, and those tastes can and do change. Its to the point now that I can barely stand salt on my food, something I thought would never happen.
ReplyDeleteThey did a study and found out that most families only rotate between 9 different meals, 4 of which are already vegetarian, although most families don't realize this. So it's not as drastic a change as some may think. When I used to think of vegetables, I cringed at the thought of my moms frozen green giant peas, corn, etc. That's what I knew of vegetables. It turns out, most Americans actually don't know how to prepare vegetables in a tasty way. As a word of encouragement, at about the 2 week mark, your tastebuds start to prefer healthful foods it currently doesn't!