Our story so far

It's about two months into this journey. Where am I exactly?

Food: I am sticking to Dr. Joel Fuhrman's basic plan of gluten-free, sugar-free(ish), animal-free, low salt, low oil, high veggie eating. I am more or less doing OK on it. I am not doing too well on the four fruits per day or on the pound of cooked vegetables per day. I am probably over-eating on grains and beans - chiefly lentils. But I am not giving it up.

Weight-loss: Down about 20 pounds. Have been at the same weight for almost two weeks - due, I think, to under-eating vegetables and over-eating grains and beans.

Arthritis: It was arthritis pain that got me in to all this. During my late-April, early-May trip to Wales, I was less able than anyone on the trip, even an 80-year-old woman with a hip replacement -- and two canes. Man. This led to considerable emotional pain in addition to the physical pain. And we all know that pain drives change.

The desire to change led me to this plan of eating. It is supposed to reduce all sorts of inflammation - including arthritis.

The verdict? I wish there was such a thing as a painOmeter. If I had one, I could say, for example, that I was a 47 in early May and am a 34 now.

But I can only report anecdotally.

I feel somewhat more pain-free.

(It is my understanding that human beings are incapable of fully remembering pain. We can remember that we felt pain. But cannot re-experience it. Good thing, too. But it makes even my subjective evaluation a little imprecise.)

I seem to be able to walk better. At least I do not stop to contemplate and evaluate before attempting to walk. I just set out walking, much as I imagine "normal" people do. I seem to experience less pain trying to sleep. I have not had to take Advil in order to sleep in weeks.

As an example of the improvement, the other day while having a shiatsu massage I was able to lie on my back without putting a pillow under my knees. That is a Big Deal to me. It has been a very long time since I was able to do that.

In general, I am encouraged.

Blood Pressure: Another claim of the diet is that it will reduce high blood pressure. I had mine taken the other day and was disappointed in the result.

I ran out of blood pressure meds while on vacation and did not refill the prescription, hoping for a change brought on by diet and exercise. No such luck. At least so far.

I had my prescription refilled on Sunday.

I will report more as I know more.

Support System: I am convinced that people need a support group in order to be successful in making any significant change. So I am seeking one out.  Or perhaps it is seeking me?

I saw the movie Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead before heading out on vacation. There I met Jane Van Benthusen of the Kansas City Raw Foods Union and Green St. Goods who was speaking at the screening. She told her story of losing 80 pounds and curing her cervical cancer through an earth-based diet, using raw foods and juice.

That movie was the beginning of my mental change. So Jane has been a distant presence and Facebook acquaintance throughout this journey.

On July 12 she is starting up a weekly Health and Happiness support and motivation group at the Westside Temple. (She is doing a Sunday night group in Lee's Summit as well. I just live closer to the Westside than to Lee's Summit.)

She promised to share recipes, motivation and little treats. I could use some recipes, motivation and little treats. I plan to be there. It is only a 12 week commitment so it is not too scary.

Oh, and I am going to start up juicing again in a few days, I think. Maybe a three or four day juice fast to get back on track? Stay tuned.