"How to Eat to Live - Book One: From God in Person" by Elijah Muhammad

Peace my people, this is week 2! I'm giving you some weekly insight on books I have read or listened to every Monday. This book is one of the first books I bought back in high school, even though I did not implement much of what I learned until later in life. I bought this book because Krs One literally says "Read the book 'How to Eat to Live' By Elijah Muhammad, it's a brown paperback" in his song "Beef", which I did without a 2nd thought. After all, at that point in my life, no artist spoke to me the way Krs did.

You can buy the book on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3VicWol

Here are 9 key lessons from the book:

1. Dietary Guidelines: The importance of consuming a simple, wholesome diet consisting primarily of natural, unprocessed foods

2. Nutritional Principles: The book advocates for eating to live rather than living to eat, promoting a diet that supports optimal health and longevity

3. Avoidance of Harmful Foods: Elijah Muhammad warns against the consumption of pork, excess meat, and other harmful substances, citing their negative effects on physical and spiritual well-being

4. Focus on Fruits and Vegetables: The book encourages the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables as primary sources of nutrition, highlighting their abundance of vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients

5. Intermittent Fasting: Elijah Muhammad introduces the concept of intermittent fasting as a means of detoxifying the body, promoting healing, and enhancing overall health

6. Water as Essential: The importance of water intake is stressed, with Elijah Muhammad recommending ample hydration for proper bodily function and toxin elimination

7. Moderation in Eating: The book advises moderation in portion sizes and meal frequency, promoting a balanced approach to eating that supports physical health and spiritual discipline

8. Health as a Spiritual Duty: Elijah Muhammad links dietary choices to spiritual development, teaching that maintaining good health is a fundamental duty and a form of worship

9. Community Health: The book underscores the importance of promoting community health, advocating for education, and collective action to address dietary-related health issues

222 pounds

222 pounds in 2010

In 2010 I was my heaviest weight at 222 pounds. My health was at it's worst with terrible eating habits and terrible sleeping habits. My oldest set of twins were 4 years old and I remember being afraid of what would happen if I didn't make a major change. I started by researching. I spent hours each day looking up diets, exercises etc. After a few months of trying diets, failing, stopping and trying again and again, I finally realized I was fooling myself. I didn't need a diet, I needed a lifestyle change.

I started by cutting out fast food for 30 days. I went back to eating fast food and I hated the way I felt. I felt so much better in those 30 days so I didn't go back. I did the same with pop, energy drinks and all other sugary junk I was putting into my body. In January of 2012 I became a vegetarian and the combination of that and removing fast food and sugary drinks from my diet, is what made a major change in my life. I now have the energy that I want and need, I'm more focused and my weight stays consistent between the high 170's and low 180's.

I share this with you to let you know that YOU GOT THIS!

You just need to follow these steps:

1. Be honest with yourself - Make a change because YOU want to. Never do it for anyone else
2. Research - Don't follow trends or just go on a "diet". Study, learn & see what works best for YOU
3. Set goals - Write them down, study them. You have to know what your plan is to ease your mind and prepare yourself for the journey
4. Follow through and do the work! - Be strong. I started, failed and bounced back a few times before I finally made it happen!

Peace, blessings & good health to you all