I was so excited about the program after the initial shock. You must know that most of us are not vegan and taking orders from people who have never met us is to say the least… a jolt! Once I realized how important this would be to better my health, I truly was empowered. Then came the “stuff” that happens in life. After the death of my father, various illnesses, aches and pains, spinal therapy and gall bladder surgery, it was a long 6 months of doing my best to get back on the wellness regime MediShare had for me. I am trying so hard to be healthy and I only hope that I haven’t been too harsh. Thank you all for loving me! God bless!
I found our weekly talks with Julie encouraging. She has helped me with some nutritional advice to lower my blood pressure which in addition to my exercise have been a tremendous help. Her cheerful spirit and willingness to help is greatly appreciated.
I have not seen 220lbs since I was 20 years old. I have tried numerous diet plans and weight loss gimics. Learning how to eat right and the help from the Restore program has allowed me to reach 217lbs and still hoping to lose more. The book, "Eat To Live", and the video opened my eyes to my bad eating habits and both were a tremendous help.
Although I haven't met all the proposed goals introduced to me in March of this year, the Restore Program has proven to be a great catalyst to propel me to healthier eating. I plan to continue eating as recommended by Dr. Fuhrman and know I must increase exercise. My weight and bloodwork is better than it has been in 8 years!
The Health Education Consultant was a joy to work with, she always spent time with me on whatever was needed and always kept scheduled appointments. She always encouraged me in making realistic health related goals and she encouraged me with prayer. God Bless her. She has seen me through dark times!
My health consultant was professional, knowledgeable, and courteous and he spent an adequate amount of time with me over the phone. He assisted me in making specific, measurable, and realistic health related goals. My total cholesterol dropped from 262 to 209, my LDL dropped from 180 to 130 by removing animal products from my diet.
My approach to food is completely different since being part of the Christian Care Health Initiatives Program. During a grieving process due to the loss of a baby I gained over 50 pounds and found myself completely addicted to food, mainly sugar. Since being a part of the CHIP program the way I look at food has drastically changed. Although, I have not reached my goal weight, my eating patterns are totally different. Instead of dairy and meat products, vegetables and fruit, legumes and beans have become what I reach for. That in and of itself is somewhat a miracle because I grew up in a home where meatloaf and mashed potatoes, ice cream and cake, chicken pot pies were "comfort foods". With the help of weekly then monthly accountability (and at the beginning, most of the time I had to do a lot of confessing), my health consultant helped me to understand more and more the benefits of "raw" eating. This program has been life-changing for me because I know my overall health has improved. I have gained great foundational principles of healthy eating and exercise that will carry me the rest of my life. The pedometer is part of my daily clothing now. Fruit and vegetables are now part of everyday eating as well. Meat is now something I can pass on when it comes to my weekly diet. I would recommend this program to anyone how wants to reach optimal health.
Through the Restore Program and my participation in it, I am now experiencing more freedom. My first response to my conditional acceptace to MediShare was a bit of resistance to being told I must go on a diet and exercise. However, I yielded. I was not happy with the way I was eating or with how I felt or looked. I knew, even though I had "feelings" of resistance, that it was God's help for me and so I was thankful. Next, I was shocked when I received the tape, book and workbook and saw it was "vegetarian". But the book was really good and I felt good as I ate more veggies, fruits and beans and less of some other things. My health consultant had the knowledge, experience, time and willingness to make the program work for me. It was personal, and made changes so much easier than doing it on my own would have been. To God be the glory for this beneficial six month period for me. Of major importance to me is the flexibility of the program, as I experienced (and will continue) it. If I go to a party, potluck, have a birthday, or to someone's home for a meal, I am free to have whatever is served that I choose. I am able to go right back to my usual (now preferred for most of the time) low fat, low sodium, nutrient rich foods. A problem I've had in the past with diets is when I would "break it" or "blow it". It was often an excuse to keep on eating all the wrong things. It is different now. Now, I am glad to go back to the plan of the nutrient-rich foods.
The Health Consultant helped me identify barriers to achieving my goals and to come up with strategies for overcoming them as well as helped me arrive at a better place healthwise. The consultant had incredible spiritual, emotional and psychological insight that helped me change my life! I've established a new lifestyle with her help!
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