I was athletic and leaned through my teens and 20’s, but my eating and drinking habits caught up with me by my late 20’s. I was addicted to sugary drinks and coffee beverages that were more sugar than coffee! I wasn’t obese, yet my blood pressure had climbed to 142/86, and I was handed a script for blood pressure medication. The China Study and Forks Over Knives practically landed in my lap while walking in the woods, and I had my answer! Giving up meat and dairy was so in line with my values; the ethical conviction really helped me see food very differently from the past. I reversed my hypertension, lost 15 lbs, and brought my cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose into optimal ranges, all in about a month!
I walked away from animal products and processed food, including sugar, oil, and alcohol. Still, after some mega life-stress, I got into old habits, and I found myself back into my full-term maternity clothes when my daughter was 1 year old. I started working with JP and found my way to my ideal fitness level in no time at all, with the least amount of effort I’d ever put into it! I lost about 25 pounds and began running for the first time in my life, at age 36, completing several 5Ks, a 10K, 2 half marathons, and at least half a dozen obstacle course races over the next several years!
I felt compelled to share this lifestyle with as many people as possible to share my guidance in implementing changes that so many people struggle to make. I’ve maintained my health and weight for 6 years and counted, and it’s a great joy to be a role model for my daughter and others and be an active participant in my own life! In my coaching programs, I focus on bringing out the joy in life and moving away from the challenge or struggle, and this mindset shift has made such a difference! To anyone who sees my story, I hope that you can see that there is love, laughter, and so much joy just waiting for you to step forward and claim it!
One of my tips is to keep it simple, so I’ve created a recipe template called The Last Recipe You’ll Ever Need because it can help you create variety out of sheer simplicity! To download your free copy, please visit www.theforeverdiet.org/last-recipe
- Healthy Human Highlight: Christin Bummer - August 1, 2020
