As a little boy in Arizona, I didn't know my weight was a problem.  I had always been heavy and thought I was just born that way and that's the way I would always be. What I did know was that food was my best friend and the solution to all my problems, or so I thought.

But my real trouble started when I was 17 and my doctor weighed me in at 2 pounds shy of 300.  "Obese" was the word he used.  And he said I had to make some changes.  What an impossible task!  I didn't even know what a healthy weight felt like, much less how to reach it.  I was so embarrassed and my self-esteem was so low, I was afraid to ask for help.  So I started out on my own.

It was the summer before senior year and I put off having my yearbook picture taken to the last possible day.  On a quest to lose the weight the "proven way," I started consuming large amounts of lean animal protein.  But the changes backfired.  When the picture deadline came, not only was I still carrying the weight, but I was also sick from the diet.

Any time I ate a little bit of food, I had such a heaviness in my stomach, as if I had swallowed a stone.   A natural doctor explained that my pancreas was overstressed; my stomach and kidney functions were extremely weak and the adrenal-pituitary glands' reciprocal stimulation was distorted.  Everything was connected, causing poor digestion, extremely low energy; and a deficiency of bile from the gallbladder into the stomach to break down the protein.

The doctor suggested I try not to consume animal protein after 2 p.m. to improve my organs' functions.  I started to do so and felt better within days.  Curious about this idea, I began to study the situation in depth.  This is when I came across the concept of plant-based nutrition; but instead of welcoming the idea, I was riveted on finding fault with it.

I put it to the test, excluding all dairy, meat and sugar products.  The result?  A 120 pound weight loss!  I also noticed that my hair got thicker, skin cleared up, energy was high, sleep was deeper; and most importantly, I felt confident about myself.  For the first time in my life, my emotional state of mind and self-esteem were great!

I was finally able to wear a T-shirt in public for the first time at age 19.  Before, I had always been self-conscious and insecure about my image - afraid to be seen - and winter had been my favorite season because I could hide in my clothes.  Now when people ask the cliché “wouldn't you like to have the body you had in high school?”  I immediately say 'NO' with a chuckle.  Now I know how good it feels to be healthy.

In addition, my entire family has benefited from a plant based diet.  I love helping people reach their goals.  I can understand when they fear they can never do it.

So in my quest to find fault, I found an answer to my ailments, as well as a new satisfaction and savoring of foods.  I believe that, if you want to live, why introduce anything dead into your body? ~ Jon