Dr. McDougall was right about fat all along

[CHEF AJ]

I saw your age printed in the article and thought it was a misprint! I too think you look like you're in your 30's! In any case, you look great! Congratulations!

Thank you

[CHEF AJ]

Beautiful inside and out, AJ!! After reading your article yesterday and sleeping on it, you've got me to finally get real with myself and say "uncle" to my hanging onto fat in my diet. I am so inspired by your transformation. I know how you must feel is so much more than the outside (which is amazingly gorgeous as well!) but you have GOT to be feeling really good inside too.

I have to admit, the idea of having NO oil dressings or nuts or seeds was truly frightening. But when I read what you posted about what you eat in a day, I realized I was being really childish. You aren't STARVING yourself, you are eating great food! I realize a few seeds in a dressing (and I do mean a FEW) or water sauteing is not going to kill me. And I love your greens for breakfast eating. I did that yesterday and today with miso soup and rice, and it was great. I have more energy and mentally feel very clear. I'm in!

I had been eating a lot of added fat even still, with nuts in desserts, dressings, popcorn with coconut oil, olive oil or coconut oil for sauteing still (a TBSP per big pot of soup, so not a lot, by why do I need any?) I want to lose another 15 pounds by my reckoning (avoid the scale) and it aint likely to happen if I keep it up.

Just congrats and thanks so much for your courage to "experiment". We all get to benefit from it! As far as naysayers, I know you don't take it personally. Just pray for 'em. If the truth was easy everyone would do it. Thank God you weren't perfect, how would we have ever benefited from your great story? We will never be perfect, and gentleness with ourselves is best. If we slip, tomorrow is another day and a brand new start. God bless!

I actually eat way more in volume now that I eat little fat so I get to eat more and am never hungry.

[amgmmg]

You look great, Congratulations. You inspire me to stick to it.

[CHEF AJ]

You look great, Congratulations. You inspire me to stick to it.

[greentea]

Great article AJ, and you look fabulous!

[CHEF AJ]

Thank you.

[risarisa]

You look amazing, Congratulations. Thanks for sharing. You have truly inspire me to continue on to the finish line.

[CHEF AJ]

Whenever I feel like quitting anything, I think about this poem


THE RACE

Whenever I start to hang my head in front of failure’s face,
my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
A children’s race, young boys, young men; how I remember well,
excitement sure, but also fear, it wasn’t hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race
or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
Their parents watched from off the side, each cheering for their son,
and each boy hoped to show his folks that he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they flew, like chariots of fire,
to win, to be the hero there, was each young boy’s desire.
One boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd,
was running in the lead and thought “My dad will be so proud.”
But as he speeded down the field and crossed a shallow dip,
the little boy who thought he’d win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his arms flew everyplace,
and midst the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.
As he fell, his hope fell too; he couldn’t win it now.
Humiliated, he just wished to disappear somehow.

But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
which to the boy so clearly said, “Get up and win that race!”
He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit that’s all,
and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
his mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again.
He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace.
But then he thought about his dad, who soon he’d have to face.

“Get up,” an echo sounded low, “you haven’t lost at all,
for all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
Get up!” the echo urged him on, “Get up and take your place!
You were not meant for failure here! Get up and win that race!”

So, up he rose to run once more, refusing to forfeit,
and he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he’d ever been,
still he gave it all he had and ran like he could win.
Three times he’d fallen stumbling, three times he rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.

They cheered another boy who crossed the line and won first place,
head high and proud and happy -- no falling, no disgrace.
But, when the fallen youngster crossed the line, in last place,
the crowd gave him a greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud,
you would have thought he’d won the race, to listen to the crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, “I didn’t do so well.”
“To me, you won,” his father said. “You rose each time you fell.”

And now when things seem dark and bleak and difficult to face,
the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all.
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
And when depression and despair shout loudly in my face,
another voice within me says, “Get up and win that race!”