Yesterday marked the end of my 12th week on the Eat to Live program. Calling it a program doesn’t feel right exactly – but I don’t know what else to call it without sounding hokey. If you are interested in what Eat to Live is, check out Dr Fuhrman’s website for yourself.

I told myself that I would follow the program for the 6 weeks that Dr. Fuhrman promised would change my eating habits forever. After the initial six weeks I would re-evaluate the situation and go from there, but after losing 27 lbs in those first short weeks, I knew I was going to continue the program.

The next six weeks, I’ve lost an additional 9 lbs. Sure, I would have liked to see another 27 lbs down but that’s not realistic. Dr. Fuhrman said in the book, his patients loose an average of 20 lbs the first month, another 10 lbs the second month, and a sustained pound and a half loss each week after that until they hit their ideal weight.

That last statement is why I started the program to begin with. Have you already checked the numbers? I have – If I were to follow that same pattern, I would have to be 36 lbs down after 12 weeks…

I started Eat to Live on 1/2/2012 (on 1/1 I was at a football game with my son and we made some great food choices but I was not following Eat to Live yet). Since I started following this simple diet – I’ve lost 36 lbs. Yeah, that’s right – 36 lbs in 12 weeks, EXACTLY.

If I continue this pattern, in the next 12 weeks, I will be another 18 lbs down – putting me at 234 lbs. I can’t explain how foreign it is for me to even see that number as a real world option. Just over a year ago I exposed to the world that I didn’t believe I could lose weight saying:

I spent so many years trying to lose weight without any success that I eventually just gave up.  I still went through the motions of trying to lose weight but deep in my head and heart, I had lost hope that I even could.  I never admit that I have given up to anyone, myself included. (read more…)

I guess what I’m saying now is that Dr. Fuhrman’s Eat to Live program has given me something better than results – its given me hope. That’s far better than any number the scale can throw at me!

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. [cake, donuts, or pizza]
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: [and eat green veggies]
He leadeth me beside the still waters. [no soda or juice]
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’ sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [due to morbid obesity]
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. [as well as your carrots and celery]
Thou preparest a table before me [of low sodium soups and high nutrient salads] in the presence of mine enemies; [fast food restaurants]
Thou annointest my head with oil; [but put no oil in my food] My cup runneth over. [again, with just water]

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

– KJV [Commentary added by Me]