I have always been into health stores and foods... even as a young teenager.  As a teen, though, I  had some acne problems and weight problems, as well.  When I  grew up and lived in San Francisco, I got interested in vegetarian cooking.  I did that for 16 years.. I love that way of cooking and I prefer  vegetarian food.  

My face was still broken out!!  Also, I'm  a runner and tennis player, and I found I was always exhausted.. REALLY exhausted..

So, a friend  told me I should look into the BTD... looking for a cure, I decided to  follow it, even though I am an O , which meant a HUGE lifestyle change.

I am in heaven!  I do miss all my vegetarian cooking, but my skin is crystal clear and my weight is great without dieting ..... it was enough for me!!  I am so thankful!  The hardest  thing to give up was the coffee and sugar.  I am happy to say that  I'm doing well on that issue, too.. but it's a battle... best of luck to you.

it s wonderful to read your testimonies, Betul and Sheri!!!

it reinforces our conviction on BTD!!!
thanks!

Until a few days ago, my diet consisted of meat, vegetables, beans, some whole meal pitas occasinally, oats, fruit, fish and yogurt/skim milk. I thought I was eating pretty healthily, and was totally confused as to why I have huge amounts of trouble keeping weight off, even when doing all the "right things" calorie-wise. Also in the last 2 years I have becom increasingly fatigued, and sick, (my bloodpressure is low) so that this year I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue (for lack of other diagnosis) and pulled out of school. I went to all the doctors I could think of but they told me all my test results were normal. So a few days ago I decided I was fed up, and booked an appointment with a naturopath to get his perspective.

Long story short he said I was type A, and should start the BTD. He also said my liver was damaged (I don't drink), and that I am severely anemic, which is strange (he said) because I was eating normal amounts of meat. So that's my story.

After a few days of reading and thinking about it, I've discovered MANY things in my life which corroborate the BTD (i.e. waking up after eating beef for dinner with nausea). So it looks like I'll be here to stay! The vegetarian life is totally new to me. But it's time for a change!

Sorry for the long post!!

I had a baby 3 1/2 mns ago and am trying to lose the baby weight plus 20 more to get to my prefered weight.  I did south beach after my first child, but just couldn't get back into it this time around.  I tried weight watchers, but didn't want to count points.  Tried just counting calories, boring and hard.  Then a friend off another board mentioned the blood type diet and so I checked it out online and found myself getting excited to try it.  So, I sent away for the books.  As I have been reading thru them the past 2 days, I can totally see the truth in it.  I completely see myself in the O blood type profile.  I HAVE to exercise or I get over stressed, cranky, tired, and just a lovely person to live with.  I LOVE to exercise, actually, and most people think I'm crazy because of it.  So, I started this lifestyle because I know that I do best on a low carb diet, I feel alot better without the added sugars in me though it is SOOO hard to get to that point where my body isn't craving it, and I see the logic in it all.

Hi All, Wizza from England. Read the book (left by a friend 2 years agao)whilst cooking. Couldn't  believe the description of  O types. Depression if they don't excercise, thrive on red meat etc... I felt as if a huge weight was lifted from me. I felt as though I had discovered myself, I was allowed to be me! It accounted for a number of my traits.  Even my karate sensei says that I'm wired up wrong, he thinks that I don't appreciate anything unless it's really hard work! Yep , that's me, I love a sweaty gi. And now I know why; I'm an O type who loves meat and salad!

Wizza
 

Hi Maryjane and welcome to the forums.

Goats milk is fine for A secretors unfortunately avoid for A non -secretors, goats cheese is ok for both.

Have you found the typebase 4, top left hand side of the page, it gives the most up-to-date ratings.

To get you started you may be able to borrow Live Right from your local library.

Hope you enjoy your BTD journey.

Sue.

Thanks.  Yes I've looked over it ... I noticed there were several things that were okay for secreters but listed as avoid for nons, so I think it would be a good idea for me to find out!

Hi everyone
had heard about the diet from a physician who recomended it to my husband having cholestrol probs.
[/b]After reading about the diet on the internet found it more logical than the rest  of the diets[b] hence have orderd the book
But couldnt wait till we get the book hence started asking and was happy to get helpfull responses.
GOOD WORK.

Hi everyone, I am new to the BTD.  The reason I started, is, I have always followed a healthy diet, eating organically and trying to avoid as much rubbish as possible, and yet never feeling really well, not serious illness but low grade energy, headaches etc.  After years of this, I ended up overweight and with high blood pressure. Started to research diets on the net and when I came to the BTD I realised I was eating a lot of avoids, especially being english lots of tea. So I decided to try it.   The proof of the pudding as they say, and after gradually cutting the avoids and adding as many beneficial as possible especially breakfast, my blood pressure is now normal, and I am losing weight, but best of all I feel a lot better, so I will be sticking to the diet. My main problem right now is trying to find something to put in my coffee, cant drink it black and the soy milk we get in the uk curdles in coffee, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have always had digestive problems and after studying this site a lot and checking out the Typebase4 foods, I realized that I was eating things that could cause the problems; I also discovered the reason why I have never been able to eat things like corn. So, I have started about a month ago. I was not overweight, could have afforded a few lost pounds which came rapidly for me. I was in size 12 now in a comfortable 10. Did not do this to lose weight as I have been comfortable at a 12 because of my height. My only hope is that I don't lose anymore weight because I am older and don't want to look saggy! I love the foods and look forward to every meal, altho some things are limited. I will be sending for my secretor/nonsecretor test soon, but I am eating as a secretor right now and seem to be not having a problem. I don't want to be a nonnie! I am discovering foods that I had fogotten from youth, like fresh spinach. Yummm. Hang in there, it is well worth it. I also have a fast heartbeat issue and it seems the eating change has helped that..fingers crossed!

Quoted from typebdiet

Hi. I'm new to the diet, and am curious about what made some of you start the BTD.  What are some of the benefits that you've found? Gail

A friend mentioned her success (she's now off medication for a chronic health problem) and as many have stated, to feel better and lose weight.  Both of which have happened.  Almost immediately stomach problems were gone and after 10 weeks of serious compliance (along with WW accountability) I've lost almost 20 pounds (    ).  Sure feels good to type that!  I have had weight "issues" since I was 5 and BTD has been the easist; no major hunger attacks nor feeling deprived.

The book resonated with my logical brain (is that left or right side?) and I was surprised at how much I had already been doing.

all your testimonials are so encouraging!!!! )

about a creamer for your coffee kar, I d add a chunk of tofu (silken is best) to my mixer and the cup of coffee for a second.

Before the BTD (at the age of twenty-eight), I had problems with:

* Gas * IBS - constipation & diahrea rotation * Itchy Scratchy all the time * Dry Skin * Daily Headaches * Food Addiction * Bloody Cuticles * Torn Nails * Bad Breath * Depression * Anger Management Issues * Brain Fog * Pale Skin, would not tan * Fatigue * Joint Pain * Muscle Pain * Low Blood Sugar * 30 lbs overweight * Hypothyroid * Ringing Ears

I AM A NEW PERSON!!!!!!!  (age 36 now) (started BTD at age 32)

Because of severe food addictions, I had to go slow and eliminate one thing at a time.

My Remaining Problems:  Hormonal Migraines, Ringing Ears, Gingivitis and Hypothyroid

But the other problems are gone and it is well worth it.  Oh yeah, 8 more pounds to lose.  People compliment me all the time and ask me how I did it!

I started the diet 3 months ago due to several health issues.  I had recurrent urinary tract infections and bronchial inflammation.  I also have been having continual digestive problems including gas and indigestion, belching, etc.

It is my hope and prayer that this diet will improve my health in many of those ways.  I also intend to get my secretor status done soon so I may know better about my reaction to certain foods in my body.

Luana

slyp.,
good to hear you are doing so well!)

I started about three years ago because my curiosity was piqued by some of my coworkers who were into the BTD, so I went to my local bookstore and read the section pertaining to type A at the bookstore (I've since bought the book, because I felt kind of guilty!)  

I've been a vegetarian for about 8 years, and was glad to have the reassurance that I was doing the right thing!  When I eliminated the avoid foods I had still been eating, I lost ten pounds without trying or stepping up my exercise routine, and my energy levels went up.

I used to get a lot of flack about the way I eat.  I now combat such harassment in two ways:  I lend them my copy of the book or I have them over for dinner.  Being a decent cook is a fine tool to have in one's arsenal!

Coffee creamer notes:  Depending on the brand Kar, it helps to put the soymilk in the cup first before adding the coffee, or heating the soymilk before (time permitting or if you have a very nice person working the espresso bar).  Another way to avoid curdling is to avoid extremely light and extremely dark roast coffees, or coffees that are advertised as having a high acidity.  Coffees lower in acidity are less likely to curdle soymilk.

When I first heard about the diet, (1996-1997) I rolled my eyes and thought it was pretty crazy.  I thought I knew everything that was out there, in the alternative health arena.  And then my curosity got the better of me, and I started reading.  I soon came to realize, that Dr. Peter's work was the BEST THING to come out of the naturopathic field in a gazillion years.

When I follow the program, I have increased energy, and I lose weight.  When I don't follow it, I gain, and feel like a slug.

Recently, I started following the specific program for arthritis.  For the first five to six days, I only ate super beneficials.  By day four I noticed the majority of my joint pain was gone.

The BTD changed my life, and most of the old timers here know why.    I met the man who became my husband on the first message board, over five years ago.

http://www.dadamo.com/forum/archivea/config.pl?read=90994

tracers,
great testimonial, thanks!!! )

KK,
good to know your arth. pains are a thing of the past!
very nice...

Hi Everyone
Happy New Year to all from Canada.Wishing everyone a healthy ER4YT years ahead.I am a registered nurse and always interested in food and nutrition.I work in maternal and child care
so mostly see healthy clients.I became interested in ER4YT about a year ago when I was diagnoised with osteoporosis  when I had my bone density test done,I went to a naturapathatic
and she recommended the diet.I have found that if  Iconsume too much of the avoid foods I get alot of gas  in my upper chest area and generally don't feel well..Once during christmas I was invited to someone's house for chile  after a christmas staff   party,I had  the chile and sorry for it the next day,I felt miserable for two days with gas discomfort and lethargic feeling,I guess the meat and tomatoes  did not agree with me .So I have decided that I will try to stick to the diet
as much as possible . I have found that when I do follow the diet I have more energy and generally feel betteralso their are alot of things I agree with for the typeA I always enjoyed yoga
tai chi,line dancing ,not high intensity exercises and I  have been drinking  soy milk and  drink green tea  for the  some time now but I ate too much wheat progucts.now I experiment more with different type of flours.  
                                  Buttercup

welcome BC!! )

happy to hear BTD is working for you!
keep it up......don t forget to post your new recipe creations!

When I first saw the book title Eat Right 4 Your Type, I thought that made about as much sense as "Eat Right for Your Hair Color," so I didn't bother reading the book.  Several years later (Summer 2005), a friend who had been worrying me by bouncing on and off the Atkins diet said she'd found a much more satisfying diet that worked at least as well, based on one's blood type, and mentioned several foods she had stopped eating.

I noticed a copy of the book in my chiropractor's waiting room, and borrowed it, thinking it would be fun to figure out what blood type my friend is from her list of forbidden foods.  Instead, I became fascinated by the description of the rationale behind the diet, and decided (in October 2005) to give it a fair trial.  I wasn't overweight (despite a few pounds of squishy fat that had recently appeared on my tummy), but did have some chronic health problems, including something like Chronic Fatigue.

I have been a vegetarian since 1989, so was delighted to discover that I'm an A.  (My friend is an O, by the way, which explains why Atkins had worked fairly well for her.)  After just a short time, I noticed that my bladder control had improved (a pleasant surprise!), and soon thereafter, that I was feeling more upbeat.

During most of the time since then, I have been living with considerable stress, which made it all the more surprising that I kept noticing new pleasant surprises, such as my slacks getting looser.  My life is easing up now, so I am eager to see what new surprises await me!

great Carol!!
It can only get better.)

I got interested in the BTD the first time I picked up the book at the Wal-Mart in Kerrville, Texas in 1998.  I knew immediately that it was the right diet, the only one I should follow, and went out and bought some organic meat in Blanco.  Previously I had tried several diets, including veganism, macrobiotics, and the Zone.  I was on the Zone in the late 90s but wanted to go back to macrobiotics.  I wanted to find grains that would "work" for me.  (yeah, right)  My bowels were very messed up; I knew my diet had something to do with it but wasn't sure what to do next:  whether to continue on the Zone or to go back to a strict macrobiotic diet.  When I saw the food lists in the Eat Right book I realized they were made up partly of my favorite foods and also of foods I didn't eat regularly (meat).  Something told me it was the right system.  Also, the exercise:  I'd been an aerobics fanatic in my late teens and early 20s; that was what saved me I always told people.  So more or less I knew the whole blood type concept was true immediately.  

Now if only I could follow it better.  

I decided to add another post; I feel like I left out too many details as to why I started.  In the early 90s I did Fit For Life, the food combining diet that advocates nothing but fresh fruit before noon.  This is how I got started eating salads, smoothies, etc.  For whatever reason, this diet was mostly fruit and veggie based, though it did allow grains for lunch and dinner, often accompanied by a salad or steamed veggies.  It really worked for me.  I was heavy in to aerobics at the time, and somehow, for a couple of years, managed to exercise like a maniac while eating mostly salad, fruit, and a few and blue corn chips.  I lost weight initially but eventually became ravenous for sweets.  At the end of the Fit For Life period my body fat was 30%.  (gee, must have been all those healthy low fat meals)

For about 2 years after this I tried macrobiotics but also gained weight and developed severe acne.  Actually, my skin problems at that time were more like pus filled lesions than acne.  

I decided to do the Zone in '96 at the suggestion of a friend who said it would help my candida.  In 1997 I went dairy free with great results.  I lost weight & had more energy.  Still, something was wrong.

At the end of the 90s I found Dr. D's book.  The first time I picked it up I knew it was the right diet because of all the success I'd had with the fruit, veggie, heavy exercise approach.  Also, I saw that figs were recommended.  I'd picked up on figs in the early 90s and loved to eat whole bags of them at a sitting with few or no digestive problems. It made sense to me also that meat was included.  I'd wanted to have meat in my diet for a while but was too afraid.

So here I am all these years later.  I didn't eat my meat or exercise last year  :--(  but this year am vowing to do better.  Have been having some meat in my diet lately and feeling much better.  It is hard to get over the guilt though; I've had so little meat in my diet for 20 years.  But, I also have the beginnings of the health problems, both physical and mental.