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'My Body Is Rejoicing That I Made This Decision'

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 20, 2007

Mark Parsons, 59, Forest Hills

Height: 5-foot-10

Starting weight: 200

Current weight: 153

Why I did it: Several warning lights went off.

My father had several heart attacks and died of a heart attack when he was 72. Recently, two of my older brothers had stents put in.

All the advice I got is that that's the way it is. That's the way our family was made, that was our DNA, and we'll have to take medications and statins accordingly.

I went to my primary care physician and told him that I was going to make the effort to eat properly so I could prove that my family does not have to have arterial sclerosis.

My cholesterol was always in the 300s; one time my triglycerides were almost at 1,200. My doctor told me I was pre-diabetic. I was motivated not to have my chest cracked open or have open-heart bypass or stents.

How I did it: I called my health care provider and asked if there was a health initiative program. There was. My health care provider also suggested I get the book "Eat To Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. I couldn't put the book down.

I began the program in December. I used to eat a traditional Western diet. I would eat vegetables, but they would be on the perimeter of my meal. Now the heart of my meal is a large, generous bowl of fruits and vegetables.

I began to see drastic results immediately. I focus on eating fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

Foods I avoid include all dairy products, red meats, chicken, fish. I don't eat processed foods such as chips or dips and no white starchy breads and bread products that are void of nutrition. Pasta and white flour are also void of nutrition. So are all desserts made of creams and full of sugars.

It's not deprivation where someone should feel sorry for me. This is all about the healthy self and eating to live. It's not just about weight loss, which is a nice side effect.

There's a formula in the book that's H=N/C, or health = nutrition/calories. You want the most nutrition for the least calories. Everything I put in my mouth is 100 percent good for me.

I'm discovering that arterial sclerosis is reversible. My arteries are not getting clogged, they're getting cleaned.

When it comes to exercise, I get 25 minutes as often as I can. I do landscaping and work with real estate properties. I'm active in my business.

I work with light weights for 25 minutes. I don't like to jog around the neighborhood, so I can do the trampoline with light weights. It's simple. I get on it and jog in place. It gets your heart rate up.

Hurdles: Everybody has struggles. But I've never gone back. I have not gone off my plan at any time — not for a Snickers or a Milky Way.

It's very easy for me because I keep seeing myself on the surgery table with clamps separating my ribs from my chest so they can get to my heart. Whatever motivates you, motivates you.

Going the distance: My doctor prescribed and sent statins to my home, but I'm not taking any medication whatsoever. The doctor said to me, "I've never had a patient like you do this." That really made me feel good. It made me feel successful, and it made me feel hopeful.

I'm excited, I've lost a lot of weight, and I'm so motivated that you can't make me go grab a bowl of ice cream now or eat french fries or Big Macs. I wouldn't eat them if someone gave me a million dollars.

I'm very hopeful my health has turned around. I'm here as an example for anyone who is lost in despair thinking there's no way out.

Best advice: You have to weigh the importance of your health against whatever else is important to you. Isn't health what we all want?

People could have their retirement in place, have everything in place, but if you don't have your health.

You are what you eat. My body is rejoicing that I made this decision.

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