The Healing Power of Kindness and Plant-Based Support: Mary’s Story

Early Struggles

My journey to the plant-based way of eating began way back in the 1980’s. I had been an active, healthy child, but I became overweight in high school. By the time I went to college to become a registered nurse, I was overweight (though not obese), and I felt severe shame about it.

Discovering a New Path

In the 1980’s, while working as a nurse, I would spend time in the public library reading all the “diet” books I could find. That’s when I stumbled across Dr. John McDougall’s books and others like his. I learned about the health impacts of high saturated fat diets. From what I learned, I changed my eating habits, lost weight, and for the first time reached the lower range of what the charts called “healthy weight.” I wasn’t fully plant-based yet, but I was eating very low-fat and close to vegetarian.

Family Life and Good Health

I went decades raising my family at what was considered a “healthy weight.” By my late 50s, I was in excellent health, with my only health issue being osteoporosis.

Hard Times and Health Battles

In 2020–21, my family experienced several severe traumas and losses. During this time, I lost a lot of weight without realizing it. By the summer of 2021, I was underweight and developed severe hyponatremia (low blood sodium). That began a three-year battle with anorexia and hyponatremia. My kind doctor tried and tried to help me, monitoring my sodium closely, sending me to the ER twice when it dropped too low, and prescribing other treatments.

A Turning Point with the McDougall Program

My recovery began when I went through the 12-day McDougall Program. I learned even more about the principles of whole food, plant-based eating. I began to understand food density, and I learned how to manage the feelings and struggles that come with making big changes in daily eating habits. With a lot of kind support, I started to gain weight. Today, my blood sodium is near normal, and I’ve re-entered the healthy BMI range.

The Healing Power of Kindness

I believe there is a healing aspect of kindness. That’s why I want to share the impact Plant-Based Support (formerly PBNSG) has had on me. I have felt so much kindness from the community and staff. Anytime I asked a question, I received kind, thoughtful, and helpful information. The community often added supportive comments too.

Gratitude and Hope

I want to send my BIG thank you to this group and community. The support and continued good information are invaluable for staying healthy. Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can be a challenge, but your encouragement, wonderful speakers, discussions, and support groups make such a difference.

Thank you for all you do!