How To Reverse Type 2 Diabetes, Overcome Depression, and Lose 130 Pounds
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Adam overcame a lifetime of depression, drug and food addiction, and low self-esteem by choosing to get proactive about his health.
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food.” By now, everyone has heard this infamous quote by Hippocrates. The phrase might be overstated, but the wisdom applies now more than ever.
Every year, the death toll caused by unhealthy dietary and lifestyle choices increases. At least 40% of annual deaths from each of five leading US causes are preventable, reports the CDC. This statistic is concerning for a number of reasons.
Not only are children now expected to live shorter lives than their parents, those born in the ‘Baby Boomer’ generation are beginning to experience the effects of a diet high in refined sugar, trans fats, excess animal proteins, and artificial fillers and sweeteners.
The manifestations of a body out of balance range from Diabetes and Cancer to Heart Disease and insomnia. Unfortunately, most people aren’t aware of the extent a poor diet can affect their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being.
There is positive news, however. The body is a resilient, self-regenerating machine, and when given the proper tools (nourishing food, stress-free environment, daily movement, and a calm mind), can heal itself.
Millions of people have bettered their lives by choosing to get proactive about their health, and it is estimated that at least 1,000,000 lives have been saved just from adopting smart eating habits.
One such individual is Adam Sud, who was able to heal his Type 2 Diabetes, overcome years of drug addiction and depression, and lose 130 pounds in the process. He shared his success with Forks Over Knives, and his personal account follows:
“My weight didn’t become a problem until I was about 24 years old, but I have always had an unhealthy relationship with food and a poor self-image. Unfortunately, those weren’t the only things I struggled with. I was also a drug addict and suffered from severe depression, and by the time I was 30 I had developed a severe fast food addiction and weighed 300 pounds. I basically never left my apartment except to go get fast food or drugs. I was never suicidal, but I also didn’t care about living anymore. I remember waking up one morning and just being sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I called my father and asked for help with my addiction to Adderall (a prescription drug used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy).
I checked into rehab in August of 2012, and while I was there I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Interestingly enough, the diagnosis affected me more than coming to terms with my drug addiction did. Luckily, I had attended one of Rip Esselstyn’s Engine 2 Immersions a year or so prior to rehab, so I knew that I could reverse my diabetes with a plant-based diet. There and then, I made that my mission.
Once I left rehab, I moved into a sober living home in Santa Monica, California. While there, I put myself on a strict plant-strong diet and never cheated. I also started going to the gym four times a week. Within the first two months I had lost almost 40 pounds, and my blood sugar level had dropped from 300 to 120. What this showed me was that I am the one who changes my life! If I accept responsibility for my situation and do the necessary work to change it, my life becomes better (even if it’s uncomfortable at first). Recognizing that, I applied the same method to my emotional recovery, which for me was the hardest part, and I saw the same results. Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable is the essence of recovery, whether physical or emotional.
I reversed my type 2 diabetes within six months, and I lost over 100 pounds in a year. I have since become a holistic lifestyle coach, and I teach nutrition as a tool for recovery and relapse prevention to recovering addicts. I have had the honor of being a speaker at Rip Esselstyn’s Engine 2 Immersion (May of 2014) in Arizona and have been a guest on the Rich Roll podcast.
Today I am three years sober, I weigh 170 pounds, and I am in the best shape of my life. Plant-based eating has not only saved my life, but it has allowed me to create an entirely new one. Everything has changed: the way I see the world, how I perceive people, and how they perceive me. It’s an incredible feeling. I can say for sure that the struggle is real, but the rewards are immense. I love my life, and I look forward to every new day!”
If you’re inspired by Adam’s story, invest in your health today. Not only does it cost just over a $1 to eat healthier every day (here’s the evidence to prove that statement), the process can be extremely rewarding.
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I found this article perfect for my needs, it contains wonderful and helpful information, thanks the author ~~
Diabetes is a lifelong, but also a controllable disease, In most cases, diabetes can be well reduced or controlled by diet and physical exercise, The diet should be fiber rich carbohydrate foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, cooked dry beans, and peas, Junk food should be totally avoided, Eat four to six small meals/snacks during the day, and Exercise at least 1 hour per day.
Good for him with that weight loss. He lost a whole me and then some. I’ll bet he feels oh so much better not having to cart around all that extra weight on his body.
My brother did something like this, but didn’t do the holistic thing. He went on a major diet, something like described, starting exercising like a fool, and got involved with all sorts of organizations. He lost 138 pounds in two years and has managed to keep it off. Looks and acts like a different guy.