For 4 weeks, I have stayed the course on what I said I would do except for two lemonades and a handful of chocolate chips at Leah's. The first week was a little hard, but I stayed on the diet (my GI tract was in shock). The second and third weeks, I was at Leah and Paul's but I stayed on the diet. When I came home, we ate out several times but I stayed on the diet. After four weeks, I don't think I can go back now. I feel too good, I have more energy than I have in a long time, I have dropped 9 pounds........and ..........wait for it..........My total cholesterol has dropped 100 points!!! That's right, folks, from 320 to a not so scary 220. My LDL dropped from 235 to 148!! YAY!! I am super excited and really committed to following this nutrient rich program that is making my arteries smile. I am going to give a shout-out for Dr. Joel Fuhrman, whose book, EAT TO LIVE, was recommended to me by my son-in-law, Paul, and my daughter, Leah. The book basically says that if you eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans for 90% of your diet, you can eat other stuff for 10% and you should be good to go. Well, I decided to skip the 10% and go for it. And it paid off. And now that it worked, am I going to go back and eat cheeseburgers now? NOPE. I am a believer that you are what you eat. And it is a life decision, not a "diet". And anyone can do it. In the last month I have learned so much about our American diet and how we are so sadly malnourished and how our arteries are sick because of the way we eat. And now that I have lived it and experienced feeling better, I will not go back. I still have some numbers to crunch, my LDL goal is to get to 100 or less, but I feel that I can do that in the next months ahead, and I love a challenge! So there you have it folks, a testament to eating healthy and gaining huge benefits with no meds!!! Didn't see this one coming either!! Anybody want to raise a cup of green tea with me?????
PS I do not find it necessary to use psyllium husk. The fiber I get from fresh fruits and vegetables and oatmeal is more than enough for a healthy digestive tract. I guess if you were not eating a large amount of fruits and veggies,you would need it.
