Sick, Fat, and Nearly Dead

meeper123
meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
**** I did not agree with everything in this documentary, but it was defiantly an inspirational and up lifting tale. You will learn something even if you do not agree with everything. It is free to Watch on Hulu.com, is on netflix, and they have their own website at www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/ :) *******







100 pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease, Joe Cross is at the end of his rope and the end of his hope. In the mirror he saw a 310lb man whose gut was bigger than a beach ball and a path laid out before him that wouldn't end well- with one foot already in the grave, the other wasn't far behind. FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD is an inspiring film that chronicles Joe's personal mission to regain his health. With doctors and conventional medicines unable to help long-term, Joe turns to the only option left, the body's ability to heal itself. He trades in the junk food and hits the road with juicer and generator in tow, vowing only to drink fresh fruit and vegetable juice for the next 60 days. Across 3,000 miles Joe has one goal in mind: To get off his pills and achieve a balanced lifestyle. While talking to more than 500 Americans about food, health and longevity, it's at a truck stop in Arizona where Joe meets a truck driver who suffers from the same rare condition. Phil Staples is morbidly obese weighing in at 429 lbs; a cheeseburger away from a heart-attack. As Joe is recovering his health, Phil begins his own epic journey to get well. What emerges is nothing short of amazing - an inspiring tale of healing and human connection. Part road trip, part self-help manifesto, FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD defies the traditional documentary format to present an unconventional and uplifting story of two men from different worlds who each realize that the only person who can save them is themselves.
«1

Replies

  • soulfulsally
    soulfulsally Posts: 326
    I started watching this the other day (still have to watch the rest). If juicing helped this guy, that's great. It's one option to get healthier.

    It'd be awesome to fit in more fruits & vegetables so easily. But doesn't juicing take away the fibrous parts of the produce? (I don't own a juicer, so maybe I'm totally off about this.)
  • deb3129
    deb3129 Posts: 1,294 Member
    I watched this right before I finally decided it was time to make some changes and take control of my life. Though juicing is not for me, it is one of the shows that I credit with heading me in the right direction. The other one was Forks Over Knives. Both of them helped me change my life in a BIG way. 9 months later I weigh 112 pounds less and feel like a new person.
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    I will have to check that out :) Yeah I dont think juicing is the best plan of action eating less junk and more fruts and veggies though? Oh yeah that will help :)
  • Lukefire67
    Lukefire67 Posts: 3
    Thought it was a good documentary. I did it for a week and decided that I was spending too much on produce, and throwing too much away in the pulp. I think an equally effective and more cost effective approach would be to just eat all of the vegetables, save money and still get all the benefits of the veggies in addition to the fiber that you have been throwing away in the pulp.
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    I totally watched the movie, and then went out and bought a juicer as well as a ton of fresh veggies thinking this was a GREAT idea for me and a quick fix to my extra 15 lbs I wanted to lose.

    I lasted a week, and the juicer is in my cupboard-- not used since.


    Anyone need a juicer? I've got one for sale!
  • n2thenight24
    n2thenight24 Posts: 1,651 Member
    I watched it, I was not impressed. I mean, I was by his progress, but not by how he got there. Seems unhealthy and very restrictive to me. Definitely not sustainable.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Thought it was a good documentary. I did it for a week and decided that I was spending too much on produce, and throwing too much away in the pulp. I think an equally effective and more cost effective approach would be to just eat all of the vegetables, save money and still get all the benefits of the veggies in addition to the fiber that you have been throwing away in the pulp.

    We love the juice (not as our only food source) and I use the pulp in baking and cooking. I think I actually end up using more of the fruits and veggies that way than when I just slice them up. Plus, there is stuff I can get my kids to drink that they won't ever eat fresh - cranberries and beets come to mind!
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    You know just thought of something this might not work as an exclusive source of ood, but would it be a good meal on the go? Or good for peaople ( like my hubby) that doesn't much like any veggie? Could just drink it fast? Hs to be better than not eatting any at all right?
  • DoomCakes
    DoomCakes Posts: 806 Member
    I watched this. I know one thing, it was a major eye opener. This documentary is very great, and does offer an option. I noticed not just the weight loss, but the skin and over all well being aspect of how he looked.

    However, it is not nearly as easy as it looks/sounds, and seriously not as cheap as he tries to make it out.

    I did try this, in curiousity (and with my Dr. saying it was ok)

    First thing I noticed... to juice about a glass it was A LOT of produce. It was like, 2 oranges, an apple, a good amount of kale etc. For spinach... you'd need almost two bags to get even a bit in the glass. So, there's the cost.

    Second thing I noticed, where as fruit juices taste great, vegetable juice (pure) is disgusting and hard to swallow. Literally, thought I'd throw it up.

    Third thing, where as for me I was content, a bit hungry... my boyfriend became very VERY moody because he was STARVING.

    It's def. not for everyone, and I'd honestly say if you try it, and you experience anything that will get in the way of your day to day life, stop. But the documentary itself is great to watch and there is still a good amount to learn about health and how important it is to you. Joe Cross is a great guy and he demonstrates serious dedication to his choice!
  • Maximumresults
    Maximumresults Posts: 175
    I applaud his decision to change his life and help others...its better than the alternative anyday
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    I watched this. I know one thing, it was a major eye opener. This documentary is very great, and does offer an option. I noticed not just the weight loss, but the skin and over all well being aspect of how he looked.

    However, it is not nearly as easy as it looks/sounds, and seriously not as cheap as he tries to make it out.

    I did try this, in curiousity (and with my Dr. saying it was ok)

    First thing I noticed... to juice about a glass it was A LOT of produce. It was like, 2 oranges, an apple, a good amount of kale etc. For spinach... you'd need almost two bags to get even a bit in the glass. So, there's the cost.

    Second thing I noticed, where as fruit juices taste great, vegetable juice (pure) is disgusting and hard to swallow. Literally, thought I'd throw it up.

    Third thing, where as for me I was content, a bit hungry... my boyfriend became very VERY moody because he was STARVING.

    It's def. not for everyone, and I'd honestly say if you try it, and you experience anything that will get in the way of your day to day life, stop. But the documentary itself is great to watch and there is still a good amount to learn about health and how important it is to you. Joe Cross is a great guy and he demonstrates serious dedication to his choice!

    That would be crazy up here in Alaska with no real fresh produce most of the year!
  • DoomCakes
    DoomCakes Posts: 806 Member
    I watched this. I know one thing, it was a major eye opener. This documentary is very great, and does offer an option. I noticed not just the weight loss, but the skin and over all well being aspect of how he looked.

    However, it is not nearly as easy as it looks/sounds, and seriously not as cheap as he tries to make it out.

    I did try this, in curiousity (and with my Dr. saying it was ok)

    First thing I noticed... to juice about a glass it was A LOT of produce. It was like, 2 oranges, an apple, a good amount of kale etc. For spinach... you'd need almost two bags to get even a bit in the glass. So, there's the cost.

    Second thing I noticed, where as fruit juices taste great, vegetable juice (pure) is disgusting and hard to swallow. Literally, thought I'd throw it up.

    Third thing, where as for me I was content, a bit hungry... my boyfriend became very VERY moody because he was STARVING.

    It's def. not for everyone, and I'd honestly say if you try it, and you experience anything that will get in the way of your day to day life, stop. But the documentary itself is great to watch and there is still a good amount to learn about health and how important it is to you. Joe Cross is a great guy and he demonstrates serious dedication to his choice!

    That would be crazy up here in Alaska with no real fresh produce most of the year!

    Eww... yea... I don't think I'd try to juice anything less than local grown. I could imagine not so fresh stuff having a disgusting bad fruit/veggie taste lol.
  • soulfulsally
    soulfulsally Posts: 326
    I applaud his decision to change his life and help others...its better than the alternative anyday

    This crossed my mind when the guy in the documentary was telling strangers about his juicing diet. An obese woman replied, "That's crazy." So juicing to regain health is crazy, but obesity isn't? Got me thinking about my own priorities and how I need to get them straight.
  • soulfulsally
    soulfulsally Posts: 326
    I watched this right before I finally decided it was time to make some changes and take control of my life. Though juicing is not for me, it is one of the shows that I credit with heading me in the right direction. The other one was Forks Over Knives. Both of them helped me change my life in a BIG way. 9 months later I weigh 112 pounds less and feel like a new person.

    That's awesome it inspired your weight loss success! Documentaries like these are motivational, even if we don't buy into the diets hook line and sinker. Forks Over Knives is another one I want to watch...waiting for it to get in at the library.
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    I really want to see that as well is it on netflix?
  • sunnyside1213
    sunnyside1213 Posts: 1,205 Member
    I started watching this the other day (still have to watch the rest). If juicing helped this guy, that's great. It's one option to get healthier.

    It'd be awesome to fit in more fruits & vegetables so easily. But doesn't juicing take away the fibrous parts of the produce? (I don't own a juicer, so maybe I'm totally off about this.)

    I think you are right about the fiber. This is why a do smoothies in the blender instead.
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    that works even better I love smoothies <3
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    I like to chew my food.
  • melodyriddle17
    melodyriddle17 Posts: 11
    That movie is amazing. I love juicing. The same day I saw the documentary I bought a juicer and we juice usually for breakfast. I am in the works of doing my own juice fast soon.
  • Barbellerella
    Barbellerella Posts: 1,838 Member
    I had a sexy friend with great muscles, who watched this movie then get some hair brained idea to juice for 30 days. Yeah he burned through like 30 pounds of lean body mass. Looks like a weakling now. No thanks!
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    How do you get sufficient protein and fats if you only eat fruit and vegetables?
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    I prefer to drink my calories in the form of lattes or wine.
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    Every time I saw the guy in the movie drink that green junk, I nearly threw up. It breaks one of my cardinal rules, or actually two that I have for my lifestyle food plan:

    1. I stay in my calorie levels for losing or maintaining.
    2. I eat mostly real, unprocessed food that provides a variety of important nutrients.
    3. I enjoy everything I eat.
    4. I can sustain the plan for the long haul. (time, expense, satisfaction)

    Juicing breaks rules #3 and #4. Actually, if you consider that it is a low fiber diet, it breaks rule #2 as well.
  • supertracylynn
    supertracylynn Posts: 1,338 Member
    Did you also watch Forks Over Knives?

    I also don't agree 100% with them, but both Certainly got me thinking!
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    How do you get sufficient protein and fats if you only eat fruit and vegetables?

    Shrug nuts in a juicer would be strange
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    Did you also watch Forks Over Knives?

    I also don't agree 100% with them, but both Certainly got me thinking!

    not yet but thought I might later :)
  • supertracylynn
    supertracylynn Posts: 1,338 Member
    How do you get sufficient protein and fats if you only eat fruit and vegetables?

    Shrug nuts in a juicer would be strange

    Believe it or not, there is protein and fat in veggies, except I believe it's called a "healthy fat"
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    I still have to watch this! As for his methodology...it worked. I've never had an autoimmune disease. I was obese, but never morbidly obese. So I can't judge.

    I do know i don't have the patience or the room in my fridge to start juicing. I dump a scoop of Shakeology in some coconut milk and get the same, prolly even more, benefits. Juicing for the lazy chick! lol I only drink it as a supplement, though, around a mostly healthy eating plan.

    I lost my weight back in the 80s by exercising, eating soup every day for lunch and portion control. To each his/her own, so long as they can maintain it and don't develop an eating disorder. And he used his story to help others.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    How do you get sufficient protein and fats if you only eat fruit and vegetables?

    Shrug nuts in a juicer would be strange

    Believe it or not, there is protein and fat in veggies, except I believe it's called a "healthy fat"

    I know. And to get a decent amount of protein or fat I think you'll be eating at least 5lbs of veggies per day. (not to mention the fact that the protein is not a complete protein)
  • Mitzimum
    Mitzimum Posts: 163 Member
    I watched this show ages ago and thought it very inspiring! It so great to watch someone's success story. I didn't do the full juice diet but I did start juicing for breakfast. Some mornings that was all I had and sometimes I'd have food as well. The differences I noticed were my energy levels, I was suddenly so energetic and I started losing weight simply because I was more active. It was also great to have in a drink bottle in the middle of a lecture or at work if I got hungry. I found it cost me about $15 a week which really isn't that much and that was just having it for breakfast and maybe once throughout the day. Its certainly not for everyone but I definitely think its at least a great supplement for most people.

Categories