A Disease-Destined Mindset Almost Took His Life

Chris Carlton’s Weight Loss and Journey to Wellness With A Raw Vegan Diet

Today Chris Carlton is a posterman for healthy eating, but he had grown up believing he was destined for disease.

In his first-hand account of his journey to wellness Chris says he grew up in a family where sickness was the norm. His father’s side of the family were mostly all overweight with a history of serious illness. His grandmother was known affectionately as “Big Mama.” According to Chris,

“Diabetes, Cancer, Heart Disease and Obesity were just part of the plan. For Dad’s side of the family it wasn’t a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ we would get these diseases. I grew up knowing this is what I would be like too. I never considered that I could be healthy. I was never led to believe it was an option for me.”

Chris says he experienced chronic illness throughout his childhood including sinus trouble that made him susceptible to colds, flus, sore throats, sinusitis, ear infections, and trouble breathing. He was also about ten pounds over weight as a kid and began to develop an identity around his extra fat at an early age. He says,

“I was part of a small group of close friends, there was 6 of us. We were always together and I was “the fat guy” in our group. My nickname was ‘The Fat Man’ or just ‘Fatty’ for short. I accepted this. I went along with it. I played up to it, answered to it, and never thought anything of it. My weight was a constant source of self directed humour. It was a social tool for me that I depended on.”

By age 23 Chris had settled down and began gaining an extra ten pounds a year. He tried the latest fad diets, gym memberships, and home fitness equipment with no results. He said,

“My weight just kept climbing. This was no surprise to me at all. I had expected it to happen for as long as I can remember.”

As his size grew, so did the list of new ailments Chris suffered. His breathing trouble developed into severe Asthma and he also had high blood pressure. He says the colds and flus became more severe and would often develop into pneumonia or bronchitis. During this time he was taking a steady stream of over the counter and prescription medications. He was faithfully popping whatever pills his doctor was prescribing and awaiting the onset of diabetes.

By age 35 Chris weighed in at 363 pounds and was experiencing serious health scares that landed him in the hospital. He has plans for stomach surgery. He said,

“I thought all this was normal. I wasn’t even really concerned.”

Chris’s health destiny began to change when he retired from his job in 2002 and began cooking more of his own food. This was the first time in his life he had cooked his own meals. He says he did so because it was cheap and he had the time. This is when the first thirty extra pounds melted away. He said,

“I felt better too. I was amazed. I thought for the first time that maybe I could do something to improve my health.”

From there Chris traveled to California in his newly purchased motorhome and became vegetarian and then vegan two months later. He recalls,

“I just kept improving my diet and getting more active.”

Then Chris discovered a raw food diet which took his health to the next level. He remembers a woman telling him about the diet and preparing a raw meal of zucchini spaghetti and banana nice cream. His reaction:

“It was incredible and I couldn’t tell that what I was eating was ‘Raw’. I was hooked. I knew that my new goal was to go ‘Raw’.”

As he continued to meet more people practicing the raw diet he says these were the healthiest people he ever met. He became devoted to reclaiming his health through a raw food diet. He met his current partner, also vegan, and they began making their favorite vegan meals for each other. After he told her about the raw diet she wanted to try and they have both been raw ever since.

All together, Chris shed a total of 165 pounds extra pounds, brought his blood pressure and cholesterol back to healthy levels, and says he hasn’t been sick in three years. Chris says,

“At 35, I never would have believed that I could be healthy. Now I know that I always will be. My whole life has changed. I’ve discovered Bikram Yoga, Rebirthing Breathwork and conscious thinking along the way and I am still improving my health every day.
My life and my healthy body is now my most valued possession and no one can ever take it from me. Wow, Wow, Wow! Life is Great! I am so Blessed.”

Chris’s story is one of over 300 testimonials of healing with a whole foods plant based diet collected for this series. Together these stories testify for the amazing healing power of plants and the ability for the human body to heal and reverse illness. Numerous degenerative and “terminal” illnesses are completely preventable through proper diet. A plant based diet can be used to heal many common and chronic ailments including obesity, diabetes, many cancers, autoimmune diseases, and skin conditions. Subscribe to Healing With Plants on YouTube and follow us on social media to stay plugged into the good news.:

Source:
PurelyRaw.com, Chris's Story