Jessica’s story (in her own words):
I was about 200lbs my junior/senior year of high school.
I’d just moved home from Germany and was glad to be back in the states, but the heavy German food I’d been consuming for 3 years was taking a toll on my late-puberty-hitting self. I was disgusted with myself. Seeing all the girls in the States made me realize that I was no longer the thinnest crayon in the box.
In Germany, I looked fairly healthy, as I was eating what everybody else did. I had to do something about it. I’m far from the extreme type. The eating disorder type, that is. I could never do it. I’m a closet foodie and am terrified of throwing up.
So I decided to talk to my Mom. She said she’d help me by not allowing me the fast food indulgences that were all over the place.
I cut out the junk. Cold turkey. Seriously.
It was nearly unbearable for the first two and a half weeks: no soda, no french fries, no mercy. I was determined.
By the time I walked across the stage for graduation I was where I needed to be. I’m 5″7 and muscular, I’d dropped a whopping 45 pounds, just by cutting out the junk and replacing it with healthy food and tons of exercise.
I was outside all the time, walking, biking, hiking, anything. Snacking on raisins and almonds instead of McDonald’s.
I was not only looking healthier, I was feeling so much better every moment of every day. I was addicted to water and all natural fruit juices, as soon as my body recovered from not having its usual processed junk – I was a new woman. It was wonderful.
Granted, I’ve had a cheeseburger or two since then, but over the last 5 or 6 years, I’ve changed my life, eating better made me more optimistic, a better student, a better person all together. I’m so excited that this store is here, it’s only going to help me stay strong and encouraged! Thank you!
Great story and way to go Jessica! You bring out a very good point that you had to go cold turkey. I know you mentioned you had been living in Germany, but it is very easy in our society to become conditioned and addicted to the salt and sugar in processed junk/fast food…the more you eat, the more your body wants. Conversely, the more healthy foods and drinks you consume, you can reset your body to want more of those things as well…but you have to completely get rid of the junk. I just wish more people would make the commitment and share their success stories as you did. Again, way to go!
Tanya
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:06 ampermalink
Thanks, @Tanya!
earthfare
July 23rd, 2010 at 11:19 ampermalink
That’s awesome, Jessica! Positive attitude, positive action, positive results. I appreciate you sharing your story. Keep up the clean lifestyle and let’s set a healthy example for all.
Cori
July 23rd, 2010 at 2:00 pmpermalink
Jessica, that’s great. I’ve been on a Plan B diet, myself for a year, much like yours.
You can’t do it unless you’re ready to, though. Right?
I shop at the EarthFare in Athens, Ga. Mangos instead of even a 1/4 bagel w/ cream cheese, which was killing me.
Charlotte Ashurst McDaniel
July 25th, 2010 at 11:28 ampermalink
I have a question. If health food stores care so much about health, why don’t they have someone in the produce section telling people what all the different fruits and veggies are what wonderful things they do for our bodies and not just have people in the pill section? Why aren’t they willing to help a persons every effort for health and vitality? I am so sad….
Michelle
July 26th, 2010 at 2:58 pmpermalink
@Michelle, we have knowledgeable employees in all of our departments! Our produce team is great at answering questions and making suggestions
earthfare
July 26th, 2010 at 3:28 pmpermalink
WOW – and not in a good way.
I stopped in at the new store in Auburn on Sunday.
Having shopped at Whole Foods for more than 7 years I could see that Earth Fare basically just copied everything Whole Foods does.
Well, except the attitude of the employees.
The young girl at the “sample” area was about as bored looking as a, well – piece of board. She had not life, no smile and really didn’t care if anyone tried whatever she was not pushing.
I passed several other employees who looked like they were just going thru the motions of work.
Poor imitation of a good chain.
Think I’ll stick to Whole Foods and Publix.
david greene
July 26th, 2010 at 5:11 pmpermalink
@David, I’m sorry to hear that your experience was a negative one. We take pride in our employees knowledge and attitude — I’m forwarding your comment to our Auburn store manager, and we’ll be sure to take your feedback to heart. Thanks for letting us know what we need to work on!
earthfare
July 26th, 2010 at 5:39 pmpermalink
Jessica
I enjoyed your story. Congratulations on your success.
I know going cold turkey is the only way I will be doing great and one meal off the healthy path makes me ravenous. The junk food has chemicals etc. that are added for us to crave. I have learned I really do not like the old comfort foods and the way they make my body feel However mind over matter. When I am depressed I want a sinickers bar.If i resist the temptation and eat healthy I feel better and the depression leaves fasterl
Keep up the good work. Each meal is a choice and because I am diabetic I refuse to eat sweets that hurt me
Susan Tate
July 28th, 2010 at 9:58 ampermalink
I think this is a very important story for people to read. You don’t have to go to extremes. Cutting out ( or even just cutting back) the junk and moderate exercise makes a HUGE difference. You don’t have to buy any fancy, expensive foods or go on any of the new fad (and nearly all of the new diets are fad diets) fad diet to lose weight and feel better.
1) Don’t eat fast food. Its not that its inherently evil, its just that its about 3x the calories you would probably normally eat in a meal.
2) Don’t eat junk food. Potato chips have a ton of fat and calories, yet do little to fill you up. You could easily eat your 2000 calorie allowance in potato chips and still be hungry. It is similar with all junk food. Thats way its called junk.
3) Eat real food. Did you know that a medium sized potato has only 100 calories? Even if you add 200 calories forth of toppings, you still have a snack that is far healthier, tastier, and more filling than potato chips would be.
4) Avoid extremes. I had several of my good friends go on the trendy low/no carb diet a couple years ago. The result in all cases was a decrease in health and energy. All but one gained all of the weight back as soon as they went off the diet. That one was very large because of a previous condition, and she still gained most of it back. The way to a healthier life and trimer wastline is in changing to a healthier life style.
David
July 29th, 2010 at 5:42 pmpermalink
Great points, David!
earthfare
July 30th, 2010 at 9:12 ampermalink