From a post in the old thread:
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Originally Posted by suzanne
I'm in it for heart health Long boring story - I've been very concerned about my health lately due to a heart condition. (I've had it for 25 years but I'm getting ready to turn 50 and realize I'm not as invincible as I might have hoped )
I don't have any specific conditions that I know about, but I am in my later 60s, and don't want to hit 70 like a bug hitting a windshield.
I am fat - about 220, and while physically active, full well know that being a short female at this size is not conducive to a long life. I too was not feeling invicible and feared something bad any day. Not a good way to live. So when I heard Dr Fuhrman on pbs early one morning.. it was like hearing a solution.
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I watched Forks over Knives and learned about Dr. Esselstyn and also watched the Dr. Gupta's special on CNN with Bill Clinton and learned he followed Esselstyn's plan.
I think the CNN special is still available to see at their site. I did not see it. At the time even watching something like that was too frightening.
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I bought his book but it is far too restrictive for me to follow I know from experience that if I try to force a drastic lifestyle change that I won't be able to stick to it, and I have found that easing into a new lifestyle works better for me.
Same here. I eased into it so slowly, most would not have recognized that I was following any plan. All I had was the verbal directions from the pbs special. I have since checked out the book from the library.
Dr Fuhrman does have a good site. Lots of stories and articles to read. Unfortunately his forum is expensive, and I've heard not very good. Too many food ****s.
Shudder. Not good for someone with an 80% goal.
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At one time, I had the same thought about ETL. My food patterns evolved over time as I eliminated first land animals then sea animals. By the time I finally tried ETL, I was ready and it was easy to follow.
I think that if go back to ETL for a while that I can gradually evolve into Esselstyn's plan. Right now I eat too much oil (actually not much but Dr. E allows none), more grains and starchy vegetables than I should, and I do eat some sweets. I eat mostly vegetables but my balance is still all wrong. ETL should help me get it back in check and then I hope to keep evolving towards Esselstyn's program.
You might want to also check out Dr McDougalls program. Though his books are harder to find. I think he has a new one coming out. His belief is most large human populations with good health have followed a starch-based diet. He allows more grains and starches such as potatoes, and the results seem to be the same. Still low fat,vegan. There are some good video talks of his available on computer. Can't tell you where exactly, but I could refind them if you like.