Star McDougaller Vance At 53 years-old, I was on a downward spiral: gaining weight, chest pains increasing daily, high blood pressure, chronic gout arthritis I had suffered from since birth, bad bursitis, and constant blood in my stool. A new symptom seemed to appear every day. I knew, at the very least, I was close to a heart attack or worse. In a moment of clarity I Googled, “can heart disease be reserved?” Dr. McDougall came up and I started to watch and read everything I could get my hands on – driving the family nuts! Well, I thought, “what do I have to lose (pun intended)?” I dove in with 100% compliance so I could rip it apart when it didn’t work. Just to make sure it really didn’t work, I stopped my gym workouts one week in. Everything Dr. McDougall claimed, to my surprise, was true! I was very surprised when I received my lab tests back from 6 weeks of eating the McDougall way. Although I was still obese, my cholesterol dropped by 120 points (from 230 to 110) and triglycerides from 340 to 135! Ridiculous! During my fitness days, when I only had 10% body fat, my cholesterol never dropped below 160. My blood pressure was now perfect too, and I never put the saltshaker down! I knew right then and there that I had made the right decision to change the way I ate. Four months later I was down 92 pounds! Even my testosterone went up from 170 to 600! Not to mention a long list of benefits that I didn’t see coming!! Bowel movements are so comfortable and easy I almost look forward to them! Being completely off all gout medications and moving around as if I haven’t aged is a blessing. I feel better than I remember feeling as a young man. Even after all the years of basketball and the toll it took on my knees, I no longer have pain! I also do not experience any inflammation in my calves anymore (a symptom “Hoopers” are all too familiar with – walking down the stairs sideways to take the pressure off those patellar tendons). I stopped needing my CPAP machine as well. Sleep is much more comfortable. I also no longer binge on food and can easily go long periods of time without eating without losing any energy. The best part of feeling healthy is showing up to my son’s basketball practices and playing with him! At my age it’s a blessing to be active with my son again, and he is very happy too! This made our close relationship even better! Not only do I move better on the court, I am able to run around doing roof inspections for the remodeling company I own. Who knew this would improve my business? My confidence with potential customers improved and I am relaxed during sale presentations. Never have I felt better! I had been looking all my life for an eating lifestyle plan that allows you to eat as much as you want, love the food and not gain weight! The McDougall diet is the best thing that could have happened to this know it all! I am eternally grateful to Dr. McDougall! It definitely is “The Food!” Vance |