From YouTube:
Transformation
an art exhibit by Emily Boller
Nine Months Unveiled
life sculpture (c) 2009 by Emily Boller
photography by Esther Boller
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"Every block of stone has a statue inside it,
and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it."
-Michelangelo; one of the greatest sculptors of all time
July 08 May 09
transform (verb): to change in structure, appearance, or character
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
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May 2008 May 2009
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age 46 age 48
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age 46 age 48
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Prologue
July 3, 2008
I am an artist, however, an extremely incongruent one. It has been my passion to create significant works of art in my
lifetime, yet, I have been desecrating the greatest work of art known to mankind, the human body. I am no good to the art world
sick, or worse yet, dead. This addiction to mediocrity is about to change.
A week from today, July 10, 2008, I will embark on a journey of transformation. On that day I am scheduled for a physical
exam by my family doctor here in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It will be the starting point that I have chosen to begin to live again.
Through this art exhibit, I want to address the issue of gluttony head on; the violation, abuse, and desecration of a sacred
masterpiece, the human body. I would never think of smearing mud on a masterpiece painting, yet I have desecrated my body each
time I pollute it with foods that are detrimental to health. It is no longer my desire to merely make significant works of art, I also want
to be a significant work of art. My own obesity will be the point of departure from which this exhibit will evolve.
What will happen to my body as I make wise food choices that support health? Will my art change as my body, health,
and well being transform? Will my own transformation inspire the viewer a desire to change his or her life in some way also?
Just like a painter uses paint, or a sculptor uses clay as mediums to form works of art, I will be following the nutritional
wisdom in Dr. Joel Fuhrman's books, Eat to Live and Eat for Health and use food to transform my body into the work of art that
it was originally designed to be. I have chosen to adhere to Dr. Fuhrman's guidelines because most doctors want to merely control
cardiovascular and blood vessel related diseases with toxic drugs and surgery; and manage type II* diabetes with medications and
insulin, but he wants to completely eradicate these diseases altogether through excellent nutrition.
He’s radical, but so is the current health crisis in America as we continue to commit mass suicide. His scientifically tested
and proven knowledge will save us from the sinking ship of precarious health that is taking our nation under. He's on the forefront of
Homeland Security, and a pioneering hero in this hour. Let us all wake-up to his voice.
Emily Boller
* 10% of diabetics suffer from type I or juvenile diabetes. It is an autoimmune disease that attacks and destroys islet cells
that produce insulin. Juvenile diabetics do not produce insulin, and without a cure or miracle, they have to continuously
depend upon insulin by injection to stay alive and healthy. This exhibit is dedicated to those with type I diabetes, and their
families; for they have no choice but to live day-in-and-day-out with a nasty and expensive disease they cannot prevent.
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The recreational and social pastime for many of us in America:
"Our society needs a cultural shift.
"If we do not change, our children and their children will pay a heavy price."
-Dr. Charles Emerman, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic
(referring to the American obesity epidemic)
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"Are we feeding our children to death?
This may be the first generation of kids
not to outlive their parents."
- a sign on a bus hut in front of Cincinnati Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio
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"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
-Gandhi
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July 10, 2008
Today I am a great specimen and prototype of the American gluttony / obesity epidemic,
and what it has done, and continues to do to our overburdened health care system.
Unfortunately, I am the perfect, desecrated work of art to begin this creative journey.
"It (obesity) is an expensive problem: According to researchers, chronic illnesses
such as diabetes and heart disease account for some $100 to $150 billion in health
care spending in the United States each year." -Steven Reinberg,
HealthDay News
Blood pressure 150/80 (healthy <120/80) stage 1 high blood pressure
Weight 226 (healthy < 160 lbs)
Body Mass Index 35 (healthy < 25)
Waist Circumference 50" (healthy range, <35") obese - high risk for type 2 diabetes
Blood Glucose 110 (healthy range, 70-99) pre-diabetic
Total cholesterol 214 (healthy <150) borderline risk for heart disease and stroke
Triglycerides 203 (healthy 0-150)
LDL Cholesterol 126 (not the worst, but not the best)
HDL Cholesterol 47 (healthy 50-60)
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This picture was taken in July of 2007; one year prior to starting transformation.
For several years, I fluctuated between 225 and 235 lbs, with my highest weight
tipping the scale at 238 lbs in 2005, and at that same time, my highest waist
circumference was 51". Obesity not only robs one of good health, but general,
overall quality of life. Unfortunately, it only takes a daily repetition of a few, unwise
choices to end up in the deep abyss of obesity, but thankfully, there is a way out
of the deadly disease!
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August 10, 2008
I have eaten so well this past month. Previous to eating the Eat to Live and
Eat for Health way, I was literally starving myself to obesity. Now I'm truly enjoying
eating again, and my meals are free from calorie, carb, point, or exchange counting;
weighing and measuring; and restrictive, chemical-laden diet foods. My energy level
is up because my body is finally well nourished for the first time in my adult life.
blood pressure before 150/80; now 140/80
weight before 226; now 206
body mass index (BMI) before 35; now 31.5
waist circumference before 50"; now 45"
cholesterol before 214 (borderline risk for heart disease and stroke);
triglycerides before 203 (high risk for heart disease and stroke);
HDL cholesterol before 47; now 43 (I need to add Omega 3 oils to increase this number to healthy range.)
fasting blood sugar before 110; now 102
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August 25, 2008
I'm sooooo excited today, because even during a season of intense personal stress,
my blood pressure dropped to 118 / 69! (healthy range!) This past March, during a
time of low stress, my blood pressure was up to 157 / 94. Scary. That was one of
those "reality checks" that triggered me to seriously start doing something about
changing my lifestyle.
I've been eating nutrient dense foods for only six weeks now, and I'm feeling like a
new person. Seriously. Again, numbers don't lie. I'll post my weight and other stats
on September 10th.
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September 5, 2008
Due to a family emergency beyond my control, I will not be available to post updates
of my health stats on September 10th. My apologies for the inconvenience. Know
that I am delighted with my progress, and I'm achieving better health each day!
My "three month" (July 10 - October 10) updates will be posted on October 10th.
Added later: On September 5th, in the wee hours of the morning, I was fighting
for the life of one of my children that required immediate medical attention at a
children's hospital in another state. During that critical moment, I had a pivotal
decision to make; either stick with eating for health, or forgot the whole thing,
and go back to my old way of eating high fat, low nutrient, processed foods.
The rest is history. I put a cooler in the trunk of the car, and literally dumped
the fruit and vegetable drawers from the refrigerator into the cooler. During the
three weeks of living temporarily in another city, I was able to keep the cooler
stocked with nutritious foods on fresh ice from a grocery store near the hospital.
From that experience, I learned that eating for health can be successfully achieved,
in any situation, under any circumstance.
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October 10, 2008
Since I had repeatedly failed at trying to follow nutrient restrictive diets, I finally
resigned myself to accept the many incremental changes that I had to make in order
to adjust to the burdensome handicap of obesity. Now, three months later, I realize
how extremely misguided I was with those proven-to-fail diets, because my body was
desperately craving nourishment! Below you will see my numbers, which are improving
each month, but what you won't be able to see are the vibrant colors and explosive cart-
wheels of joyous freedom that I'm experiencing within!
weight on July 10, 226 lbs - obese / high risk now, 186 lbs - overweight (healthy <160 lbs)
blood pressure on July 10, 150/80 - stage 1 hypertension now, 112/70 - healthy!
Body Mass Index on July 10, 35 - obese / high risk now 28.3 (healthy < 25)
waist circumference on July 10, 50" - obese / high risk now 40" (healthy < 35")
Note: I'm no longer in the obese category!
(These pants fit me on July 10th, and they do not have an elastic waistband.)
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November 10, 2008
I am amazed how well I feel these days. My blood pressure dropped down
further to 108/60, and I no longer have shortness of breath after climbing a flight
of stairs. My weight loss slowed down this month, which the body's temporary
plateau adjustments are perfectly normal from time to time, but I lost another inch
around my waist. Recently, I ate a small slice of my youngest daughter's prize winning
cheesecake, and felt miserably sick afterwards for an entire night. My favorite food
now is a delicious blueberry /spinach smoothie. (recipe on p. 107 of Eat for Health)
Yum! My taste buds have definitely changed, and I'm literally transforming into the
work of art that I was originally designed to be.
starting blood pressure 150/80 now 108/60 (healthy)
starting weight 226 lbs. now 184 lbs. (healthy <160 lbs.)
starting waist circumference 50" now 39" (healthy <35")
starting body mass index 35.0 now 28 (healthy < 25)
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December 10, 2008
I've been displaying my stats since starting transformation on July 10th; and although
I'm thrilled that my weight, blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol, waist circumference, etc.,
have all dropped significantly since then, a comment that Dr. Fuhrman wrote to me
recently in response to a question that I had sums up the reality of what has happened
in my life since choosing to eat for health.
This past month I ate what would be classified as a typical holiday indulgence for me:
turkey, dinner rolls, butter, cheese, salad slathered in creamy dressing, pumpkin pie,
Christmas cookies, and fudge. Several hours later, I got violently sick, (and that's
putting it mildly.) The pain inside my gut felt like a continual stabbing from sharp knives.
After my body naturally expelled its contents for about three hours, and broke into a
feverish sweat, I immediately felt fine.
In response to my question about the episode, Dr. Fuhrman congratulated me on
getting so healthy that my body now reacts violently to protect itself, when abused.
For years, I had abused my body with unwise food choices on a daily basis, and didn't
even realize it! I had gotten so accustomed to feeling blahhh, that I didn't feel well
unless I was eating the toxic foods of the standard American diet, which is basically
high fat, low nutrient, processed foods. He calls this kind of addictive response,
"toxic hunger." My body is now free from the addiction to toxic hunger! Yeah!
Yes, I'm happy about numbers dropping, clothes fitting, joints not aching, and even
feeling youthful again, but freedom from the addiction to toxic hunger, and the general
malaise that goes along with it, are the results that I'm most excited about! Cartwheels
and flip flops of inexpressible joy! I've been rescued from chronic malnutrition and toxic
indulging that was leading me straight down a destructive path of unnecessary and costly
suffering, and premature death.
starting weight 226 lbs now 175 lbs
starting waist circumference 50" now 38"
starting body mass index 35 now 26.6
starting blood pressure 150/80 now 122/78
July 08 December 08
Merry Christmas!
May you give yourself the precious gift of health;
for no one else can give it to you!
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January 10, 2009
Six months ago today, I embarked on the most life-changing adventure of my life, and six
months from today, on July 10, 2009, I'm confident that my blood tests will come back normal,
and most importantly, I will have my health back. By God's grace, diabetes, a nasty disease
that I hate with a passionate vengeance, will never be a part of my life. Ever.
I'm thrilled to have lost two more inches of cumbersome "belly fat" this past month; even through
a couple of birthday celebrations, a major ice-storm that totally disrupted life by knocking out
most of Fort Wayne's electrical power for several days and nights, Christmas and New Year's
gatherings, and the many holiday traditions centered around high fat, low nutrient, processed
foods.
I'm at peace. Tranquil. After years of striving, I've finally found a simple and economical way of
eating for health that works; even through life's many unpredictable circumstances and changes.
beginning weight 226 lbs. current weight 172 lbs. (healthy < 160)
beginning waist circumference 50" current waist circumference 36" (healthy <35")
beginning body mass index 35 current body mass index 26.1 (healthy < 25)
beginning blood pressure 150/80 current blood pressure 96/60 (healthy < 120/80)
July January
“The girl who looked back from the mirror was a total stranger,
yet she had always been there, waiting.”
by Elizabeth George Speare
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The following excerpt I wrote the day before starting transformation:
July 9, 2008
"I feel sluggish most of the time with a cloud of malaise overshadowing my energy,
even after a good night’s rest. The bones and joints in my feet currently hurt. My
knees ache. My feet, hands, and face are puffy. I could pass for looking eight or
nine months pregnant. (Seriously!) My lower back gets stiff and hurts after I sit
for any length of time. I’m carrying around ninety extra pounds of fat on this frame;
never a break from the burden unless I lie down. I carry this weight around every
day; day in and day out. It is with me wherever I go. This slow spiral into the dark
abyss of obesity has arrived ever so slowly. I am now bound and gagged in its prison
cell. Stuck. It’s time to climb out and feel the sunshine on my face, and breathe
fresh air again. It’s time to live again."
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February 1, 2009
Due to a major surgery that I'm scheduled to have on February 9th, and recovery time
afterwards, I will not be posting progress updates until April 10, 2009. Thanks for your
patient understanding. I will be preparing and freezing blueberry/spinach smoothies,
anti-cancer soup, and lentil stew so that I can have plenty of nutrient dense and nourishing
foods stocked up for the journey ahead.
FYI, I had to get my blood drawn to check iron levels for surgery proceedings, and when
the nurse called with the results, she asked what I was doing to get such good iron levels,
because my number was way above most women's normal range. Go Eat to Live and Eat
for Health! Go greens! I'm so thankful to be facing this surgery with excellent health,
ideal blood pressure, and fifteen inches of belly fat gone!
PS I now fit comfortably into size 14 pants; down from size 22 last summer, and I've broken
through the 170 pound mark. I weighed in the 160's prior to starting a family over 21 years
ago. One could accurately say, after having five children, that I've now lost all my "baby fat!"
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February 23, 2009
I'm posting before April 10 to give a brief, "recovery" update. I am grateful the surgery
went well, and I'm glad it's over! The surgeon removed a large, non-cancerous tumor that
was the size of a cantaloupe, and of course I lost five or six pounds instantly, but it definitely
wasn't fun. I'm getting stronger each day, and so thankful that I was relatively healthy going
into surgery . . . . another reason to eat for health; one never knows when an unexpected
surgery may occur. Oh, and by the way, my fasting blood sugar is now at 85; way in the safe
range for being non-diabetic. Considering I was pre-diabetic in July, I'm doing cartwheels
and flips just thinking about not needing to prick my finger, or give a shot of insulin every time
I eat someday!!! (Not to the mention the heavy financial burden, rise in insurance costs, and
serious medical complications and suffering from it.) There is freedom in getting health back!
Sincerest blessings of health and well-being to all!
5 days post surgery
14 days post surgery
By the way, just to maintain 226 lbs, I had to eat a whopping 3700
calories a day! (As compared to only needing 1800 or so calories a
day to maintain an ideal weight for my height.) That's near double the
amount of calories, and wear and tear on the digestive system, kidneys,
liver, pancreas, circulatory system, and heart. In fact, I was so addicted
to high fat, low nutrient, processed food that I didn't feel well unless I
was stuffed and bloated from eating that crazy stuff. No wonder I could
not sleep well through the night, and woke up miserably exhausted. My
body is now thanking me. Ahhhhhh.
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Eating for health really does bring vibrancy and life to the body,
regardless of life's many, stressful circumstances.
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“By teaching you how to achieve superior health, your ideal weight will follow naturally.”
Joel Fuhrman, M.D.
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"Be transformed by the renewing of your MIND."
-Apostle Paul; Romans 12:2, NIV Bible
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April 3, 2009
I won't have access to my computer to post updates on April 10, so I'll post some basic
stats today. My waist circumference is down to 34", (it was 50" in July), body mass index
is 23.7, weight is 153 lbs, fasting blood sugar is 85, and a recent blood pressure was 92/57.
(It was 157/94 a year ago.) I no longer wear plus size 22, and I fit into size 10 with much
ease now. I can climb flights of stairs without getting shortness of breath, my knees and feet
no longer ache, and I can comfortably ride a bike again.
I possibly have 10 more pounds to lose, but I'm not focused on losing huge amounts of weight
anymore. My next goal will be to tone unused muscles, and lose the last ten pounds or so over
a few months' time. I will get my blood retested in late June so that I can officially post my "after"
health stats, including complete blood work, by July 10, 2009; the one year anniversary of the day
I began the exciting journey to get my health back.
This journey has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever done in my life. Seriously.
I knew in my head and heart that eating for health would transform me, but I had no idea "how much"
I would be changed; it has literally revolutionized and saved my life! Understatement.
It will be exciting to see what my blood work will reveal at the one year anniversary of transformation
as a result of changing the foods that I put into my body.
Interestingly, I wrote the prologue to transformation on July 3, 2008, and today is April 3, 2009;
exactly nine months later. I feel like I've just delivered a new baby, and her name is Health!
Please stop back for a visit in July to view the official "one year anniversary" postings! I'm sure
we will all be amazed at the changes; especially me!
April 2009
The completion of my first, non-stop, two mile jog in 22 years.
Freeeeeeeeeeedom!!!!
"Seeds of compromise sown into the soil of our lives will reap a harvest of addiction. Guaranteed.
Seeds of abstinence sown into the soil of our lives will reap a harvest of freedom. Guaranteed.
Abstinence, not perfection, equals success."
-Emily Boller
June 2009
June 29, 2009
Greetings to all! If I could do back flips and cartwheels, I would post
a video of me doing them today! Know that I'm silently screaming with
great joy and excitement on the inside right now!
Last week I had my blood drawn, and I just returned from a physical
exam by my family physician here in Fort Wayne. I am healthy!
The doctor noticed that my abdominal skin, after losing so much belly fat,
retracted back to normal; which he doesn't typically observe with patients
who lose a lot of weight. He also commented that I've taken at least fifteen
years off my age. Thank-you greens, beans, fruits, nuts, and seeds!
Thank-you Dr. Fuhrman for blazing the trail to get America's health back!
Food really is an artistic medium to restore the body to its original design and
function. A well-nourished body truly is a work of art! May we all fully embrace
the incredible journey to getting our health and lives back!
BP: 110/68 (taken at the Y) now healthy last July - 150/80 (highest 157/94)
Weight: 139 lbs. now healthy last July - 226 lbs. (heaviest 238 lbs.)
Height: 5'8"
BMI: 21.5 now healthy last July - 35
Waist circumference: 31" now healthy last July - 50" (heaviest 51")
Fasting blood glucose: 80 now healthy last July - 110
Hemoglobin A1C: 5.3 (4.9 in 2010 ~ yeah!) last July - pre-diabetic
Total cholesterol: 157 now healthy last July - 214
Triglycerides: 68 now healthy last July - 203
LDL "bad" cholesterol: 87 now healthy last July - 126
HDL "good" cholesterol: 56 now healthy (50-60) last July - 47
The following images were taken to document the one year anniversary of
transformation. The photo shoot was fun and lively! I've even included a
picture of me in the photography studio to document the freedom that's been
unleashed to get in front of cameras and lights. Obesity not only cloaks the body
with layers of burdensome fat; robbing one's quality of life and health, but shrouds
the mind with much shame and embarrassment. I always hid from cameras when
I was obese.
All images (except the obese one) were shot by Jeff Crane, artist at Tim Brumbeloe
Fine Art Photography in Fort Wayne, Indiana. May these pictures inspire you in your
journey to become the significant work of art that you were originally designed and
created to be!
"Obesity will be the point of departure
from which this exhibit will evolve."
-Emily Boller, July 2008
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lights. camera. action!
"It is no longer my desire to merely make significant
works of art, I also want to be a significant work of art."
-Emily Boller
Freeeeeedom!
. . . . . the end.
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"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?"
-Vincent van Gogh
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Epilogue
Soon after these photos were shot in downtown Fort Wayne, I celebrated by going on a wonderful bike
ride in my neighborhood. Not using the best of caution, towards the end of the ride, I zoomed down a
hill on a gravel road. My front tire lost control in the loose stones, and you can imagine what happened
next. Yep. The entire left side of my body hit the road at full force, and the side of my head, shoulder,
elbow, and hip were the victims of impact. And nope. I was not wearing a helmet. (My new motto:
Eat to Live. Eat for Health. Helmets for Safety!)
Well, I ended up in another photo shoot, only this time in a hospital radiation lab, lying flat on my back
under an x-ray machine. Although I was in excruciating pain and feeling terrible, I leapt with joy on the
inside when I overheard the technician instruct his assistant to reposition my body because I was thin!
(By the way, totally by the grace of God, I had no broken bones or head injuries!)
"Thin."
Spelled, "T h i n."
That four letter word was music to this woman's ears; the perfect ending to an adventuresome
(understatement!) year of transformation.
"And she lived happily ever after."
The End.
Emily S. Boller
July 9, 2009
female artist, wife, mother, friend, gardener, biker chick, outdoor enthusiast, and thin!
PS I got the wild and crazy brainstorm for producing this exhibit while visiting a dear friend's
art studio. I had absolutely no idea at the time how much my body would radically change as
a result of putting nutrient rich foods in it. I'm now 100% convinced that if the right foods
are eaten, the human body can become the significant work of art that it was originally meant to be.
First, 4-mile run; September 26, 2009
"Only in excellent physical and emotional health can a person’s full human
potential be realized. Emily Boller is a true artist whose inner beauty of spirit
was trapped inside her by the shackles of her food addictions, now set free.
I am so proud of her." -Joel Fuhrman, M.D.
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Yearly update picture: July 2010
My hemoglobin A1C (diabetes test) dropped further to 4.9!
I'm thrilled as I'm even further off the radar screen for diabetes!
2006 2010
To download a flyer of my story to share with family and friends, click here.
Click on the book below to learn more about eating for health.
"No food or activity, no matter how pleasurable,
is worth the pain and sorrow of toxic food addiction."
-Emily Boller
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To read the latest, most up-to-date research on health and fitness;
or to read interviews with other people who have successfully earned
their health back, it's all on Dr. Fuhrman's blog, Disease Proof.
Emily Boller Fine Art
Soli Deo Gloria