Interview on health: Another great success story

This week's interview is with Condalicia. She has gone from a high of 399 pounds to 263 pounds in about 17 months living a plant-based lifestyle. And, while she's not following Dr. Fuhrman's plant-based lifestyle, the changes she has made are remarkable.

[caption id="attachment_469" align="alignleft" width="300"] Condalicia's side-by-side before and after photos (or, I should say 17 months in, because she has another 116 pounds she'd like to lose)[/caption]

Here's a little bit about Condalicia:

I'm 43 years old.  I'm happily married to the most wonderful man in the world.  SMILE.  I have 2 grown kids.  I babysit a 4 year old boy 5 days a week. 

 1) How long have you been plant based and why did you go plant-based?

I started eating plant based April 10, 2011 so a year and 5 months ago.  Main reason I started eating this way this time around was because I had a wonderful doctor that had me do an elimination diet to see what was making me so sick.  Every time we added meats, or added oils or added salts back into my foods I'd start getting really sick again.  I had done McDougall plan many years before and my husband back then now ex was totally against it so I went back to eating the way he wanted me too.   So when I realized adding that stuff was making me sick I quickly went back and haven't looked back.  I'm so much healthier now. 

(If you're interested in reading more about the health concerns Condalicia had, visit her blog.)

2) You are not doing Eat to Live, or at least didn't start with ETL, where did you find your success?

I have been doing The Maximum weight loss program of Dr John A. McDougall's. 
 

3) What changes have you seen?

Oh my I've had so many changes I was so sick that I thought I was going to die soon and now I'm so healthy that I think I'm going to live for many many years yet and give my hubby and kids issues for LONG TIME.  laugh. 

Here is a short list of some of Condalicia's physical complaints pre-McDougall, again, you can find the full list at her blog:

Irritability/Moodiness
Anemia
Stomach upset
Joint pain
Muscle cramps
Tingling and numbing in the legs, feet, arms and hands.
Weight loss/gain
General weakness and fatigue
Hair Loss
Insomnia
Fibromyalgia
Asthma
pneumonia
Bronchitis
High Blood Pressure
Diverticulitis

4) What keeps you motivated to keep on?

The change in my health has been a great motivator and so has my wonderful husband.  Couldn't ask for better support then I get from him. 

5) What's a typical day (food and exercise wise) like for you?

Oh my I pig out on veggies, potatoes, beans and fruit.  I do try to limit fruit since McDougall limits them for the weight loss plan and I need to lose a lot more still.  I've lost 163lbs and have about 116lbs or so left to go.  Exercise I try to do something every day either walking, running on trampoline,  exercise ball, and bicycling.  Mainly bicycling.   I love going for very long bicycle rides.  20 to 46 miles 2 to 3 times a week.  going to be getting a gym membership soon as well.  

6) Any advice to people who just don't think they can go "that extreme" to lose weight and get healthier?

Nothing is too extreme when it comes to improving our health and making us healthy when we get old as well as now.  Once your doing it doesn't feel extreme either.  2 weeks in and it really starts feeling so much easier to do. 

Thanks for taking the time to anwer questions Condalicia.