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BeforeAndAfter

Visit www.LoveChard.com to learn more about Bethany and Zane

There is nothing I love more than sharing inspiring stories of transformation with you.

Though the particular circumstances of each story is different, the core message is the same.

Each and every one of us has the potential to change our lives, radically transform our well-being, take charge of our health, and wake up every day looking and feeling incredible.

It’s never too late. No step is too small. It’s just about deciding to own your well-being and continuing to show up, day in and day out.

Whew, I could go for hours, but before I really launch into a sermon let’s segue shall we?

Today, it is my privilege to introduce you to Bethany and Zane.

Bethany-WeightLossBeforeAndAfter

As she describes it, Bethany had been on one diet or another for pretty much her whole life. She counted calories, watched portions, skipped meals, but nothing ever stuck. She would eventually cave and go back to her old ways.

She talks about the struggles of being overweight — how little things like tying shoes, getting in and out of the car, climbing a flight of stairs, or crossing legs at a table used to be a challenge.

Finally, in the summer of 2013, she watched a Dr. Fuhrman documentary on PBS about the power of a plant-based lifestyle and everything clicked.

She switched to a plant-based diet and quickly lost 65 lbs.

Her then fiance, now husband, Zane was supportive of the changes that she was making, but he wasn’t yet willing to jump on board.

Finally, on a drive back from Seattle, Bethany asked Zane join her for a 100-day challenge that she was about to embark on, and he agreed. He never looked back and went on to lose over 70 lbs in just six months.

Zane

They have since lost a combined total of over 150 lbs! Bethany dropped from a size 18-20 to a 6-8. Zane dropped from a size 38 waist to a size 31.

In addition to the weight loss, they report feeling stronger, more motivated, and positive. They go on mud runs and hikes, and their relationship is better than ever.

I asked Bethany and Zane to share their story, and we dive into some of the challenges they faced and how they overcame them.

There are many valuable nuggets in this interview, but I think one of the biggest lessons we can learn from Bethany and Zane is how to change your lifestyle without giving up your social life.

They share how they manage to be social AND stay on track, and Zane has an especially important insight to share on how he got his friends to support him.

BethanyAndZane-WeightLossBeforeAndAfter

Watch the interview and learn: 

  • (1:18) How Bethany and Zane lost a combined total of 150+ lbs, and what convinced them to change their lifestyle.
  • (9:40) The detox symptoms that Zane experienced and how he moved through them.
  • (16:40) Bethany’s tips for attending social events (and what she sneaks into movie theaters)
  • (20:10) The brilliant technique that Zane used to get all of his friends on board with his new lifestyle.
  • (21:21) The subtly undermining comments that Bethany received, and her tips for getting friends and family on board.
  • (23:00) Why Bethany and Zane decided to start the Love Chard community and where you can learn more.


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Show notes:

Keep up with Bethany and Zane on their new website

Bethany and Zane’s transformation  inspired them to help others by starting the Love Chard Community.

They offer support for the transition into a healthier and happier lifestyle through coaching, pantry and fridge overhauls, offering shopping list and guides, helping you work through obstacles, setting and achieving your goals, exploring new whole foods, and learning how to prepare dishes and create recipes.  

Visit www.LoveChard.com for more information.

What did you learn from this success story that you can apply in your own life? Let us know in the comments below. We read every single one.

Help inspire others with your success. Have a success story to share whether big or small? We’d love to hear about it.


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BenjiKurtz3

For more information on Benji, visit his site at www.WholeFoodPlantBased.info

Last week we talked about going big and breaking through — looking at what it takes to create massive transformation in one year.

Today, I have the pleasure of sharing with you one such story of transformation.

Benji went plant-based, lost over a hundred pounds, dropped 21 pant-sizes, and brought his cholesterol and blood pressure into normal range.

His story was so compelling that it was picked up by CNN.

I would say that Benji’s story is amazing or incredible, except that after personally supporting dozens of transformations like this, I know that this is just what happens when you change your lifestyle and follow through.

But the reason why I’m so excited to share this interview with you, is because Benji shares some very specific and applicable tips that allowed him to be successful.

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Watch the interview and learn:

● (1:12) What it felt like to lose that much weight and how Benji’s life has changed.

● (4:22) The health improvements that Benji saw after switching to a Plant-Based Lifestyle.

● (5:11) How Benji’s tastes changed and what he finds himself craving now.

● (8:34) – How Benji and I strategically use transition and comfort foods to enjoy life and ensure that we stay on track.

(15:40)- How Benji manages eating out and his go-to restaurants to stay on track while traveling.

18:18 – How Benji transitioned to a plant-based diet, and how he accelerated his weight loss to lose the last 60 pounds.

What did you learn from the interview that you can apply in your own life? Share your biggest takeaway in the comments below!


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PlantBasedSuccessStory-Sophia

I’m often blown away by the success stories I hear from those who have adopted a plant-based lifestyle.

Almost everyday I read about someone who has lost 20, 50, or even 100 lbs, reversed their type 2 diabetes, reduced or eliminated blood pressure or cholesterol medications, and generally improved their quality of their life to the point where they feel like an entirely different person.

I want to start sharing these stories with you.

As you know, it’s not the easiest thing to stay on the path, especially when making health a priority can make you a bit of a social outcast.

It’s my hope that hearing from others who have stuck with it and changed their lives will inspire all of us to keep moving forward.

So today, I’m happy to introduce Sophia Dubrovsky and our very first success story!

Not only did she get her pre-pregnancy body back in short order, but she also wrote a beautiful and informative post about how she did so.

I loved how she touched on the joys and struggles of being a new Mom, and I highly recommend you give it a read.

I invited Sophia to share a little bit about her plant-based journey. Enjoy!

Hi Sophia, can we get a quick introduction?

Hi, I’m Sophia Dubrovsky. I’m 31, and I used to work in finance where the job was 7AM to 6PM. I’m “leaning out” of the corporate world to focus more time on raising my kids. This change has given me the opportunity to discover my real passion of nutrition and help others with their dietary journeys.

What inspired you to go plant-based?

I was pregnant with my first child when I read a couple of books by doctors advocating this lifestyle.

They were seeing incredible results in their patients reversing advanced stages of various diseases of affluence. It was the first time in my life that I read unbiased nutritional information. The revelation was life altering.

It was personal to me. I was about to become a mom. The responsibility of raising healthy children weighed heavily on my shoulders, and being healthy parents was equally important.

Just like any other parent, my husband and I want to be around as long as possible to see our kids grow up. If that meant eating more plants… it was a no-brainer.

How long have you been on the journey?

3 years.

What benefits have you noticed?

I finally felt like I had control over my body. For almost a decade I suffered from terrible headaches. Initially they were sporadic, but became a weekly occurrence toward the end of my Omni days.

After switching to WFPB, they have become a distant memory.

I no longer worry about gaining weight, even if I can’t make it to the gym. My skin is softer. I have a lot of energy, which is critical to keep up with two boys.

My blood work also improved.

How has your life changed?

My entire perspective on food has changed. I became a reading junky about anything nutrition related, and gained a much deeper appreciation for the work our farmers do. They are the foundation to our health care industry.

I began writing a book to share what I’ve learned with other families.

I also started Plant Based Made Easy out of my desire to help other people who are tackling food issues. It’s a career path I would have never thought I’d be making 5 years ago.

Your pre-plant-based self is interested in making the jump. What do you tell her?

Don’t think twice. Go buy a couple of new cookbooks, and a new pair of smaller sized jeans!

Is there a place where we can learn more about you?

My facebook page is Plant Based Made Easy, and my website is PlantBaseMadeEasy.com


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Nora’s post is shared with her permission and referenced in this article: The Great Diet Hoax (And What To Do Instead)

Nora H.

September 14 at 7:31pm

I had been morbidly obese all my life. As you can imagine, my life has been one failed diet after another. For me, a diet never lasted more than three or four weeks and I ended up gaining the weight back and then some! I was so miserably fed up with diets and failing that I swore I’d never diet again. I said I would be happy just as I was and to hell with anyone that didn’t like it. That mentality worked for awhile. I felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from me. However, my weight continued to climb and before I knew it I had hit the 410 lb. mark.

I accepted it because I had no hope of ever losing weight and I wasn’t going to go on another diet. My health began to decline and I was miserably depressed. There wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t think about suicide. I had no hope. I didn’t want to live one more miserable day in the state I was in. I felt my only option was to end my miserable life.

I was sitting in front of my computer one night crying and planning my suicide. I started browsing Netflix and happened upon, “Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead”. After watching, I suddenly had TWO options! I could die or I could LIVE. I chose to live!

It was a few months after that that I read Eat To Live by Dr. Joel Furhman. I was ecstatic that I never had to worry about dieting again. I literally screamed it at the top of my lungs, “I NEVER HAVE To DIET AGAIN!!!” I jumped into [the Eat To Live program (ETL)] gung-ho and did well for three or four weeks and then I came crashing down and went on a three or four week binge. I started over and did well for three or four weeks and crashed again, going on another few week binge. I became very discouraged and continued starting over, binging and starting over again.

I thought ETL wasn’t working for me. I was failing miserably. What was I doing wrong??? I was doing everything right, I thought. I was weighing and measuring everything. Scrutinizing over everything; weighing in every day or so and I was failing…

Within in the same week I had come across two quotes that were basically a slap in the face to me. The first one was, “To have something you’ve never had; you must do something you’ve never done.” Hhhmmm… So, in order to succeed I must stop doing the same failed method over and over again expecting to succeed… The next one was from ETL where Dr. Fuhrman says, “Focus on getting healthy, not losing weight.” I suddenly realized that even though I had screamed I never had to diet again; I was treating ETL exactly like a diet. I knew then what I had been doing wrong. In order to have something I never had, (health and weight-loss) I had to let go of my diet mentality and “live” ETL. When I learned to do that, great things began to happen. I was getting healthier AND losing weight – 170 lbs. so far. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this could ever happen.

It doesn’t matter from what state of mind you’re coming from. It doesn’t matter how many times you fall down. Tell yourself resolutely that you’re going to change your life no matter how long or how hard you have to work on it. Accept that you’re going to fall down and when you do, GET UP!! Don’t start over, don’t tell yourself what a failure you think you are. Look forward! Take a tiny step forward! Onward and upward! I KNOW that if I can come this far from a place of misery and hopelessness, you CAN!!

Nora’s post is shared with her permission and referenced in this article: The Great Diet Hoax (And What To Do Instead)


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