Isabel is now fit and healthy thanks to Following Eat to Live!

Every once in a while I'm amazed. I felt so depressed, and things seemed so hopeless the day that I pre-ordered Eat to Live . Now, it's like "wow" I'm doing this, and I love it.

Not only has Eat to Live helped me lose weight, but it has helped me avoid depression. I hated myself, and I'm liking myself more and more — thanks to Eat to Live . In December of 2002, I was tired, unhappy and very mad at myself for continuously failing at losing weight and keeping it off. I was 31 and had weight issues for as long as I can remember. Originally, I wanted to be at my ideal weight before I hit 30, and by that time I was so depressed because I was at my heaviest ever.

When I was 17, I lost about 40 lbs and wore a bikini for the first time in my life. I was so happy. Needless to say, marriage, having children and running to food when the stresses of life caught up with me or celebrating with food when I was happy, resulted in me weighing a little over 200 lbs. I'm only 5ft tall, and I weighed almost the same as my husband and more than my father!! Each time I tried to lose weight, I'd reach half way and ruin everything. I tried so many different diets, but nothing ever stuck.

Once again, I hated myself and hated the task of leaving home and facing people. I would have locked myself in my house if I could have. I was tired of people making fun of me, the stares from others and the lack of self-esteem. My skin was a mess. I was always the "big girl," and there always seemed to be someone around to remind me of it.

On December 8, 2002, I came across information about Dr. Fuhrman and looked up his books on the internet. I thought that I needed a fresh start and something to kick start me into a new way of living. I was interested in Eat to Live , which was about to be printed, so I bought it and Dr. Fuhrman's fasting book Fasting and Eating for Health . I started a fruit and vegetable fast on January 4th, 2003. A few days later, I received Eat to Live , and I was so impressed by it that I could not put it down. I really appreciated the proof provided to stand behind what was written. I quickly read it and immediately started the 6 week plan a week after having started my fruit and vegetable fast. Once I got organized, I found everything easy to follow and couldn't stop telling friends and family about it. By Feb 18, 2003 I had lost 19lbs.

I was so thrilled, but little did I know I was going to hit some major bumps along the way. My blog http://moonscorner.spaces.live.com has them documented in photos. When I joined Dr. Fuhrman's Member Center forum in August of 2005, I was at a low point again. I had regained half of the 50lbs I had lost, and I was getting scared. I didn't want to have a weight issue forever. I used to look at my husband and say "I'm going to be fat forever!"

I realized that I needed to plan ahead so that I had the right food available to eat. Also, for some reason things really clicked when I stopped focusing on numbers. I stopped setting weight goals. I stopped freaking out if I didn't lose weight fast enough, and it relaxed me. I trusted that each day I ate according to Eat to Live guidelines that I was getting healthier, and I "let" my body do it's thing.

So many things have changed for me over the years while on Eat to Live

I rarely get migraines

• I have less back issues in my lower back, sciatica
• I am no longer an emotional eater
• My relationship with food has changed – it doesn't soothe pain or help me hide
• I have less leg pain due to a pesky varicose vein that threatened to pop out
• My skin has cleared up
• I have better mental clarity
• My self esteem and self confidence have improved
• I have energy to exercise and tackle life's challenges – even to go to a fitness retreat and exercise up to 4 times a day!
• My current weight loss is now 77lbs and my overall body fat has been reduced from 47% to 25%
• I feel fantastic, and my blood tests are great
• I look younger

I always did this for me, my health, and to set a good example for my children and never to show anyone else what I could do. I am very proud to have people approach me now and ask me for help and motivation. I still haven't figured out what I want to do when I grow up, but one thing I know is that I want to help people be the best they can be and to see their eyes light up with joy when they transform their health and their lives.

The road has not been smooth. Some days have been horrible, but slow and steady wins the race. Never give up, and your tastes will change. You'll crave healthy, nutrient-rich foods, and you'll feel soooooo good! From a former couch potato addicted to chocolate... take my word and dive in!