Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead is a film about Joe Cross, an Australian man, who was fat and sick and needed a serious change.  At 310 pounds he was depending on all sorts of medication for years just to get by, so he came up with the idea of fasting for 60 days.  This movie documents his progress as he travels throughout the US talking to people about their nutrition and experiences with fasting meanwhile sharing his personal mission to get healthier.

It is sad to see how many people during the interviews were reluctant to the idea of change. A great deal of people said something along the lines of, "If it's my time to go then so be it, God will decide that, but until then I'm going to live and eat whatever I like."  It hurts to know that people couldn't care less about their future and the consequences of their actions of today.

After 60 days of drinking juice made with tons of fruits and vegetables, the Australian has his first solid meal in a hot air balloon 2000 feet above the earth.  And guess what, it is a green apple.  HA!  Love it.

One of the people Joe manages to touch is a truck driver named Phil.  Coincidentally, they both have the same exact medical issues called Urticarial Vasculitis, a rare autoimmune disease.  Joe offers Phil help and he desperately accepts it knowing very well that if he does not make drastic changes in his life he will end up suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, a worse case of sleep apnea and possible heart failure.

With Joe's help, Phil ended up going from 429 lbs to 227 lbs 10 months later.  That's a total weight loss of 202 lbs!  Phil is now committed to inspiring people everywhere to add more fruits and vegetables to their diets, including his own brother who suffered of a heart attack.  Since the making of this film, Joe and Phil have inspired thousands of people to Reboot their lives (Reboot : to detox by fasting and juicing fruits and vegetables).

I highly recommend this movie!  Watch the trailer below!

Some key points I got from the movie

1.  Statistics of what the average American eats:  About 60% processed foods, 30% animal products, 5% whole grains and white potatoes, and just 5% of fruits and vegetables.

2.  Fruits and vegetables are the most enriched with micronutrients and macronutrients, which are required in relatively large amounts by living organisms for proper growth and development.  Without such nutrients in our bodies, we are weakened which makes us susceptible to diabetes, strokes and autoimmune diseases.

3.  The Foods Highest in Nutrients per Calorie:
     - Green Vegetables
     - All Raw Vegetables
     - Beans / Legumes
     - Eggplant, Mushrooms
     - Tomatoes, Peppers
     - Fresh Fruit

4.  "You can't escape from the biological laws of cause and effect.  What happens to you is the same thing that is going to happen to every other American."  This is a crucial quote from one of the doctors Joe spoke to.  Why?  Because everyone wants to think that they are an exception, that they won't suffer the things other people are suffering.  Truth is, you are what you eat and if you decide to eat junk foods, fast foods, and processed foods all the time then your body is doomed for destruction.

5.  "70% of the diseases that affect us now are caused by our life choices: how we exercise, if we smoke, what we eat -- our saturated fats, carbohydrates, salt and alcohol.  Now can you have some of it?  Sure.  But most people have too much of it."

6.  Results from those who have tried this fruit and veggie juice fast:  increased energy, healthier skin, better sleep, weight loss, less rash/hives breakouts, less temptations to eat fast food, no more migraines, no more medication, better moods, better focus, inspiration to help others

7.  Phil's "Mean Green Juice" which I definitely plan on trying sometime, along with these other recipies:
     - 1 bunch of kale
     - 4 stalks of celery
     - 1 cucumber
     - 2 granny smith apples
     - 1/2 a lemon
     - ginger root

8.  "Permanent results only come from permanent changes in your life."  That doesn't mean you have to juice for the rest of your life, it simply means making healthy changes in your lifestyle.

9.  By changing your ways you can really inspire others to change too.  And when you do the simple act of helping just one other person, they feel the need to help someone else too.  It's a chain reaction that starts with you so make it a positive one and you will eventually make a positive difference in the world!  As is the case in this film, Joe started off with a sickness and decided to make some positive changes in his life to get himself out of his situation.  He then shared his knowledge and experience with others which in turn inspired some people to change themselves.  Then, they continued to inspire others, and so on... As Joe says in the film, "the best way to change the world is to change yourself."

10.  As is the case with all health and wellness programs, it is important to consult a physician before starting anything, including a Reboot.  

Cheers to happy and healthy living!