My name is Edward L. and I am 46 years-old. My wife, Diane is 42 years-old. Last year, I had already decided that I wanted to lose weight because I thought that it would help relieve reoccurring lower back problems. I am 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) and have weighed as much as 220 pounds (100 kg). The last time I had my cholesterol checked it matched my weight! Diane is 4 feet 10 inches (147 cm) and has weighed as much as 120 pounds (54.5 kg).
On my own I started to exercise and tried to cut down on big meals and late night snacking, which usually consisted of peanut M&Ms that I kept in my nightstand, microwave popcorn and Diet Coke, but I was not making too much progress. Until one day my friend and co-worker came across the book (Eat to Live, which is the first book Dr. Fuhrman wrote regarding the Eat Right America philosophy) in the public library and bought me a copy in October or November, as an early Christmas present. Evidently she was excited about what she had read and would share with me as she read it.
I started reading the book right away and couldn't put it down. I do not read very many books but your book was an eye opener and made so much sense. At the same time, my daughters, now ages 17, 13 and 11, were all fighting different ailments. So I started making drastic changes in all of our diets, of course, not without opposition.
In February, Diane and I went in for our first annual check-ups with excitement. We both had taken your truths seriously, Diane read the book after I did, and knew we were going to hear some good news.
My cholesterol came in at 170 (4.4) and Diane's at 155 (4.02). In June, I went in for a pre-employment physical. My heart rate and blood pressure was fantastic and my weight was down to 175 pounds (79.5 kg). Today, I weigh 168 pounds (76.4 kg) and Diane weighs 97 pounds (44.1 kg). We are always getting compliments from people - even people we don't know!
People are regularly asking us how we've lost so much weight. We tell them that we changed our diet. If they sound interested I buy them the book. It's great to see other people get excited about eating right. The only ones that are not excited about your diet are my kids. We even made our kids watch your video and write us an essay about what they heard. We did the same thing with Super Size Me (2004). It's still tough to get them to eat fruit and salad regularly but they do eat much better than they used to and are doing much better. The sign still hangs on the refrigerator door that "The Salad is the Main Dish".
We know that we still have a ways to go and have our cheat days but we have changed our lives for the better because of you and we thank you. We continue to spread the word that will help others live a better and healthier life. Diane and I are looking forward to our second annual physical to see the progress that following your diet is making in our lives.