Just caught this documentry , about an obese Aussie with sickness , he changes his life around through raw juices , inspires others, worth a watch especially if you want some weight loss inspiration .

Hey Jonny, where did you catch this documentary - was it on the internet?

I watched this a while back and at risk of sounding like a stick in the mud I wonder what he really thinks is so unique about his approach. The deal is that he is super fat eats garbage and then suddenly drinks nothing but fresh juices *duh* of course your going to lose weight ;) I think that it is good for the veg movement of course but don't find it that unique really.

As someone who lost 50 kilos myself through healthy eating, initially with animal products then eventually becoming vegetarian/vegan. I'm always amused by people who say they can't lose weight and the old chesnut of "oh I've tried every single diet imaginable". Really?? Have you tried a vegan diet for 6 months?? Of course you havent. It boggles the mind that places like Jenny Craig continue to rake in the dollars when it's such a simple thing (all be it with dedication and hard work) to lose large amounts of weight.

Sorry for the delay jools , I dont think you can view this one online anywhere i downloaded it via a popular torrent site. But strangly enough I saw a stand selling this dvd in the fruit and veg isle in my local woolworths store .
I agree with what the others of you have to say its no revolutionary idea its common sence really but hey if it gets people to consume more plant based foods im all for it !

Thanks jonny, will have to keep my eyes out for it at the shops.

Brad, being vegan does not necessarily mean weight loss either - I know for a fact :)

I'm sure you still look better and healthier than the vast majority of meat eaters Jools:)

The Brisbane "Raw Food & Healthy Living" Community Group has a Movie Night for "FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD!"

It's on Wednesday 14th December at 6.30pm at the Banyo Library and costs $5 per head.

Go here for more info:

http://www.meetup.com/rawfoodforhealth/

I heard an interview on Radio National's Life Matters with Joe Cross regarding Fat Sick and Nearly Dead. Here's a link to it:

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/joe-cross-fat...91648

I caught it on Channel 9, I found it really inspiring, especially the truck driver from Iowa who then went on to inspire the people in his community.

My conception was that crushing up vegetables destroys all their nutrients? If Juicing is easy, why isn't everyone doing it? Why hasn't groups like Jenny Craig incorporated it into its plan?

I'm a bit confused.

Bradd 77 (if you're still around :) )

"As someone who lost 50 kilos myself"

Did you have any problems with saggy skin?  I lost 26 kilos a couple of years ago and was left with this not-too-pleasant problem.

my Ex Wife lost 50 kilos or so, but she wont let me see her naked anymore ;). She said the skin looked BAD. I can only imagine.

I was in Woolies this morning and saw that they have the DVD for sale now.

If you liked Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead you might be interested in the documentary - Hungry for Change - it can be watched free online but unfortunately finished at 2pm aest today.

http://www.hungryforchange.tv/online-premiere

I managed to see 20 minutes of the documentary this morning.  Dr Mercola - what are peoples thoughts on him please?

I would find it hard to pay US$35 after it had been free for 10 days.  I'm sorry I missed it.  

After a Google search, I can see it's been really hyped and, without having seen it, I can't help wondering if it's another US-style marketing con.

Is it any different to the fads it knocks? Does it really say anything we don't really know like sugar, fries, Macdonalds etc. are bad for you?

I have found the Hungry for Change documentary on Vimeo.  Will watch it this afternoon!

Ron-Kat the problem is that most Australians don't realise exactly what they are putting into their mouths. An example is an 18 year old table tennis player I spoke to last Friday night, whilst I was at table tennis.  He purchased a can of Pepsi Max and I asked him if he realised it contained Aspartame - a nerve toxin.  He didn't care - just said it tasted really good!

My daughter's friend's 15 month baby eats Nuggets from McDonalds.  In Nuggets, there is dimethylpolysiloxane, an anti-foaming agent made of silicone and tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), a chemical preservative so deadly that just five grams can kill you? Only 50% of a McNugget is actually chicken. The other 50% includes corn derivatives, sugars, leavening agents and completely synthetic ingredients! The problem with McDonalds is that it is now offering the small change menu - these Nuggets can now be purchased for $2.  

At TAFE I'm studying the Obesity epidemic and understand that Germany is coming first, USA second and Australia third.

Most health conscious people, like us in this forum, realise what foods to avoid but there are the rest of the population who don't.

The less chicken in McDonalds "chicken" nuggets, the better, and I don't really care what they use to bulk them out.  If people are silly enough to eat there, they deserve what they get.

I think most people who become vegan are more concerned for the animals and the much wider picture than primarily for their health.

I watched the free Hungry for Change.  It's probably good for a beginner that needs to get off normal junk food and on to real food.  But as it had David Wolfe on it my guard was up, because something about him alerts my snakeoil salesman detector.
I think Eat To Live by Joel Fuhrman is the best book someone can read to get of the Standard American/Australian Diet and improve outlook on healthy eating.  It looks like a weight loss book but is really about health.

Finally managed to meet someone on a fruit diet but unfortunately not strict or vegan.
Was working with a bloke (three weeks) who eats basically (live?)fruit especially for the first two meals, it was great to actually finally find someone, very interesting ideas and theories and probably ok in the city (Melb) but really in the remote situation we were in very impractical or impossible in the long term.
Even with having some meat and veges etc for the last meal IMHO he struggled with the job for longer than 10hrs and it was not a high physical requirement just concentration for short periods (driving tractor), possibly because he would not consistently use water to hydrate because he thought he could get all his requirement from fruit but...
His argument that we are not omnivore except for survival purposes because our digestive system hasn't changed from the orangutan doesn't hold water unless you want to live the lifestyle of one IMHO.
When this bloke left his job was taken over by a 60 yr old (very) overweight bloke who worked 15 hr days and did it easily plus organising everything else despite not eating breakfast.
The biggest obstacle was actually fruit being available despite him bringing 4 eskys and topping up after a bit over a week on a trip back to Melb or IMHO he would have had a melt down.
Great to actually talk to someone in person on an alternative diet LOL.

If you are in Brisbane, there is a talk to be given by a woman who has been a fruitarian for many years, and raised children that way.

I think it will be on 19 May at City Sqaure Library at 2 pm (?)

People on fruitarian diets aren't getting all the nutrients surely?  Also what about the fructose content - that would be too much for people.

I also always wonder about the banana man eating 70 bananas daily - he did have drug and alcohol issues in the past ....... maybe he's gone bananas!  LOL

Have no doubt you can survive well on a fruit diet but it would have to be dependant on constant supply of fruit and the activities or lifestyle, even worse than trying to survive on a vegetarian diet while conducting a lifestyle and activities of others in this modern world especially in a remote situation.
Interestingly the bloke I was working with had no problems with using animals and was and has been for many years on an almost total fruit diet (in the city) because it initially helped him lose a lot of weight and change his lifestyle and also because he is thinks that it will help him stay young and live longer than eating an omnivore diet.
He is adamant that you can get all you need from "live fruit" I would dispute you can get enough moisture or energy under extreme conditions without massive intake and great logistical problems in many circumstances.