I wasn’t an overweight kid. In fact I was quite skinny. But as so many young folks do, I became self-conscious about my body and was calorie counting by the time I was fourteen. I even went to Weight Watchers meetings for a little while.
I was eighteen when Clueless came out. That time in my life was a complete whirlwind. It was fun and so exciting. But it also meant that I was basically going through adolescence in public, which is, of course, not ideal in Hollywood. It was like the world was putting all my imperfections under a microscope and then slapping them on pages of tabloids. Good stuff.
When I was preparing to play Batgirl in Batman & Robin, I was chased through the LA airport by paparazzi yelling “Fatgirl!” The truth is, I was probably within an average weight range at the time. But the pressure I was feeling made me rebel, and I ended up just eating more and more of the wrong foods. I was definitely moving in the wrong direction.
Luckily, over time, I made huge, huge changes in the way I was eating. The effects were dramatic. My original motivation was compassion for animals, so it was super-easy for me to eliminate meats, dairy products, and eggs from my diet and replace them with whole grains, beans, all sorts of great vegetables, and fruits. My body gave me an instant “Thank you.” Before then, I was on a steak and doughnut diet! No joke! Whatever extra weight I had began to melt away; all this by just eliminating the animal products and adding in more whole foods. I discovered that a plant-based diet has so many benefits: effortless weight loss, clear skin, off-the-charts energy, and smooth digestion, to name a few.
People really noticed a difference in the way I looked—and so did I. Since then, I have continued to refine my food choices, but I’ve never felt deprived. I’ve replaced things I may have missed with even better things from the plant-based world, and I swear they satisfy me on every level, not to mention the absolutely delectable desserts I get to eat. The more I learn about food, the more I have been able to take advantage of what it can do for me—and for all of us. It’s our medicine, it’s so important to our health.
I have worked with Dr. Barnard on many different projects for a long time now, helping people understand how to make very small changes that can create a turning point in their health. I’m thrilled by how many people have benefited from the information we have put out there. I’m so pleased to be a part of the Kickstart program as well. In just three weeks, you can shed your not-so-healthful habits and begin great new ones. The process is easier than you think, and the results will be dramatic.
If you struggle with weight, this way of eating is all you need to conquer it. You will have more energy and you will glow, I promise. People will see the difference in you. When you let healthful foods nourish you, you will be healthy from the inside out. This is what you need to start to tackle (or just prevent!) problems like overweight, high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, joint pain, and much more. I’ve seen so many people find great success using the tools Dr. Barnard gives you in this book.
Your goal may be to just drop weight. But guess what? While following this program, you will feel better than you ever have. You will protect yourself from illness and will motivate everyone you know to follow your good example. Not too bad, huh? When I embraced this lifestyle, I was freed from the prison of dieting, and wow, who doesn’t want that freedom? I got my brain, my body, and my life back. We spend all this time worrying about food: Can I have this? and How many calories are in that? With 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart, you don’t have to do that anymore. You are getting more than a new waistline. You are getting a new reality—a whole new way of thinking about food.
Dr. Barnard’s program is easy and effective. In just three weeks, you’ll be amazed by how good you look and feel. Get ready to transform the way you think about food, and get ready to change your life with 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart!
Neal Barnard has helped me answer so many questions over the years. I trust him and appreciate the advice he gives me and others. With his passion, commitment, and brilliant mind, he has long been a hero of mine. In a very short time, you’ll feel the same way.
Best of luck to you. Enjoy the journey.
Alicia Silverstone, author of The Kind Diet