Finding the ‘Fabulous Fatties’ Saved My Life

Name:  Kate E.
Age: 55
Location: Penticton, BC, Canada
Reboot: Occasional/currently 60 days
What Health Issues apply to you? Arthritis, Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Migraines, Obesity

How did you learn about Reboot with Joe?
On yet another depressing day, I was going through the channels on the TV and spotted Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead on the cooking channel and it looked interesting.

What inspired you to do a Reboot?        
I watched Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead 4 times over a two day period. I had a juicer stored in my cupboard, and access to fruit and vegetables, so there was nothing stopping me…except me. But, this time, nothing was standing in my way.

How did the experience go for you?
On April 9, 2013, I started juicing for breakfast and lunch with a hearty bean soup for supper. At first, I knew that if I went on a 60-Day Reboot, my emotional-eating, food-addicted brain would make me fail miserably. I continued on like that and lost weight very quickly and easily. Once I got used to the idea of juicing as a new lifestyle, I started doing intermittent juice fasts – anywhere from 5-27 days. I’m currently doing my final 60-Day Reboot. I say ”final” because – at this point – I won’t ever have to do anything this drastic again.

I found a discussion group called Fabulous Fatties in the Reboot with Joe community and the women (and occasional men) were the greatest support group anyone with over 100 pounds to lose could ever hope for. It was wonderful to have a place to share victories and defeats, joys and sorrows.

I started a blog here to document my progress and it has been a blessing to me. I’ve been able to share my struggles and success.

Juicing is a way of life. It has changed my life and for that, I am forever grateful to Joe Cross for his life-altering documentary.

How has my experience gone? It’s the journey of a lifetime. It’s made me realize that through juicing, I now have the power to turn my dreams and wishful thinking into my reality.

How much weight did you lose (even if that wasn’t your goal!)?
I’ve lost 162 pounds/73 kg so far!

I started this journey weighing 408 pounds/185 kg and as of today, I weigh 246 pounds/111 kg. It’s absolutely mind boggling at times.

When I see the pictures that go with success stories, my ”fat” brain still thinks ”I wish I could do that”. Wish I could do that? I have done that.

I have a mere 66 pounds/30 kg to go. I have to pinch myself to make sure that I’m not dreaming.

Did you have any notable health or physical improvements?
The most exciting change in my health – besides losing so much weight – is that the night before I began juicing, I injected 105 units of insulin before bed. Three months later, I went off insulin completely. Now, I’m down to 1 Metformin a day instead of 5 and by the end of this Reboot, I’ll be off of it altogether.

– my 25 year sleep disorder is gone,

– I am pain-free,

– I can breathe / no inhaler,

– my aura migraines have disappeared,

– I have increased energy,

– I am not depressed,

– I am happy, and really, what more could a person ask for.

I have been – or I should say I WAS obese most of my life. I weighed 288 pounds/130 kg when I was only 14 years old and I have discovered that there was an athlete living under all that fat. I’m letting her come out to play now.

What was the toughest part about the Reboot experience?
The toughest part is that I am a great cook and I still have to prepare meals for my husband and daughter. Sometimes, I have to leave the house when they’re eating their supper because I simply can’t stand it. They’re helpful though and will put away leftovers so that I don’t have to look at it.

What habits have you maintained and kept a part of your everyday life?
I juice daily whether I’m doing a Reboot or not. When I’m doing a modified plan, I juice for breakfast and lunch. When I’m eating, I attempt to stay as vegetarian as possible. I check my blood sugar daily to make sure that I’m always on target. I weigh daily for the same reason.

My lifeline is the community here and I am in contact with my support network daily. If a person sails the ocean solo and falls out of the boat in a storm, there’s no-one there to help rescue them. It’s sink or swim alone. No-one ever has to be alone here, and for that, I am forever indebted.

What is your lasting impression of the Reboot experience?
Rebooting has been my saving grace. It has not only changed my life, it has saved my life.