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Tom’s Journey
In 2000 at the age of 41 I was diagnosed with a partially
blocked artery near my heart. Since then I have been on cholesterol, high blood
pressure, and other heart-related medications. Throughout the past few years
I've tried to diet but always reverted back to my same eating habits which
consisted mostly of processed, sugary, and mainly junk food. As I maintained my
regimen of taking heart medicine daily, I noticed that my weight continued to
increase. At my heaviest I weighed 232 lbs, but that is only what I was
measured at the doctor’s office – I’m sure that I was closer to 250 lbs. In
2010, I began having severe knee pain and sought out an orthopedic doctor. In
June 2011, I had arthroscopic surgery on my right knee but it didn't work and in
December of the same year I had a total knee replacement. As my knee healed I
had plenty of time to think about what I was doing to my body but once again I
did not have the willpower to stick to anything. Another year went by of eating
whatever I wanted and not really enjoying it.
Last summer, (2012), I watched the Joe Cross film, “Fat,
Sick and Nearly Dead” and wished I had the willpower like those highlighted in
that documentary. I tried juicing in the past but hated the mess it made and
the cleanup of the juicer was a pain. I then began to notice the infomercial on
the Nutri-bullet and thought that I would like to try it. However, it probably
would have been another fad diet gadget that would just sit around the house
after using it twice, like the juicer. It was also during this time that I
began to notice a huge change in our good friends, MR & MRS. Both MR. and
MRS. were losing lots of weight and talked about doing it while they ate “clean.”
I thought that it sounded like a crazy concept and went back trying to drown
myself drinking gallons of water each day and still eating whatever I wanted,
thinking that the water would wash the pounds away.
Finally in October 2012 after feeling miserable about myself
I was at Target and saw the Nutri-Bullet and decided to take a chance. I
brought it home and I distinctly remember my wonderful wife looking at me knowingly as if
it would be used twice then put it away with the juicer. Even so, my wife was
supportive and began to help me by purchasing more fruits and vegetables which
I could pulverize in my bullet to make a nice green smoothie. This actually
took off and I began to eat 1-2 green smoothies per day. I them began to follow
MR. & MRS. “clean” eating style and began viewing a variety of clean sites
and redesigning our recipes. During this time my wife began to change our
dinner recipes and adopted a Paleo concept. In a month I had already lost 8 lbs
and I was motivated more than ever.
I began researching more about healthy eating and took more
of an interest in green smoothies. After a few months of using the Nutri-bullet
I decided to upgrade to purchase a Vita-Mix and once I had this gem… I was on
my way. Now I start my day with a green smoothie and I either make one for
lunch or take leftovers that I make into some type of salad. For dinner my wife
will have a Paleo-style meal ready and I am able to stay full throughout the
day. Unless I’m too busy at work to have my snack, I usually never go without
eating something for more than a few hours. I love grapes, almonds, cucumbers,
fresh fruit and any non-processed clean type of food. I was the type of person
who would drink a case of soda in a week and eat a large bag of chips in one
sitting. My favorite snacks were a glass of cold milk which I could dunk not
one but several cookies in.
For those who believe they don’t have the willpower or for
those who fall off the wagon, take it from me… you can do it. We all have our
cheats and that’s fine, but eat clean 6 out of 7 days in the week and you will
achieve your goal.
Now 10 months into this journey and 60 lbs lighter my doctor
has taken me off all my meds… This was my ultimate goal – not just
losing weight but getting off the meds. I thank God everyday for the work he
has done with me and I pray that he continues to bless me.
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Okay, me again! I am so happy for Tom that he has been allowed to go off all of his medications, and has had to get all new clothes! You can do it, too! You may need to start in baby steps, or go all in from the beginning... whatever works for you. You can do it!
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