I’ve always been aware of the nutritional value of food and its benefits. Starting at 16 years of age, Prevention magazine and the Clymer Health Clinic (an alternative health practice) in Pennsylvania was a big part of my lifestyle. Even at that age, and in my 20’s, I would eat grain burgers, mushroom burgers and red zinger teas, etc. I ate organic eggs and collected my grains in glass jars to be displayed in my kitchen. Around the age of 24, I was introduced to the Feingold diet, which made me aware of the chemicals and additives put into our foods and products we use everyday. I was on my way! This lifestyle became who I was and I enjoyed it. I was also drawn to people with the same similarities. Then, when I got married, my in-laws weren’t quite so impressed. They liked the good ole Italian cooking. She was quite the cook. She made the best meatballs, sauce, lasagna, manicotti, etc. Now I had to learn to cook this new way, because I’m not just cooking for myself. Well now, years later, my kids are young adults and I’ve been able to go back to my first way of eating that I enjoyed. I thank you for this program because now I know without a doubt that this is the better way to eat. I’m going to pass this way of living to my children. My family has now adopted more fruits and vegetable, and we’re the better for it. Thanks!
I did not realize what I huge change I could make in my overall health and fitness! I thought that because I am 60 it was normal to gain weight, not feel good and just slowly go down hill. I am so thankful for all the help you have given me and I know all the prayers gave me the resolve and strength necessary to make a life change. My doctor is amazed by the changes in my blood work and health. He took me off all my meds except Zoloft. Thank you so much! God bless!
This program was well worth the time and effort. In fact, I did not even know this type of program was available until I received a letter from Health Initiatives stating that they could help me control my cholesterol.
On the program, I was able to lose some extra weight (which I always thought my waist line was connected to my cholesterol). My colitis is doing better with this diet along with the nutrients that my doctor has prescribed (which is much better than taking the medication that my GI doctor recommended). Prayer has also been a huge factor. So, thank you Jesus for all the people you have put into my life to make me whole!
Thank you for giving me Emily. She has truly been a blessing from God. She has helped me greatly! Her kind words and encouragement kept me on the right track.
Eileen was very helpful to me in this weight – loss program. She did all she could to help me; she answered questions, she listened, she helped me solve problems and she sent me helpful materials, like weight management articles and exercises. Best of all, she was very encouraging as I finally began to make progress.
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.
I've tremendously enjoyed the last 6 months in the "Restore" program working with my health consultant, Emily. In the beginning I did not believe that my cholesterol and blood pressure would improve as much as they did. My Dr. had suggested medication to lower my blood pressure and cholesterol but in the end I did not have to take it because of the improvements I have made, lowering my numbers to healthy ranges. Thank You!
My Health Education Consultant, Emily, was prompt each appointment and helpful, providing answers to some of my questions and directing me to helpful websites. She quickly provided names of health food stores with vegan foods, and other needs. She started working with me just after my husband and I attended Emerald Valley Wellness Center where we started a healthy vegan lifestyle and daily walking (6x/week for 2 miles), which we have maintained and are both much improved physically. We need to get back to out stretching exercises. We have been away from home most of the time since leaving Emerald Wellness Center.
Although I know there could still be some improvements to work towards I feel I have done well overall.
I have found a wonderful friend in my Health Consultant. She has helped me to know so much about "Eating to Live". I only wished I would have known this years ago. I'm sure it would have made a difference in my life. Thank God for someone who knows God and will pray and encourage me in many ways.
The greatest praise of all goes to God, I'm so proud to be His child, He's my greatest help of all.
Emily Thomsen, The Health Consultant was professional, knowledgeable, courteous, loving and encouraging. She always spent an adequate amount of time with me, kept scheduled appointments, and I absolutely believe I am in a better place healthwise as a result of working with her. I wish I could keep her forever.
This has been a wonderful experience for me. My only regret is that I didn't enroll sooner. My results include developing a life long habit and desire to exercise, eating healthier than I ever have, and losing the first 25 pounds toward my ideal weight.
In some ways I am not surprised this accountability system worked for me because I have a "people pleaser" type of personality. While many mornings, early on, I was tempted to skip my walk I went anyway because I had to ask myself, "what will I tell Emily when she calls"?!
Perhaps just wanting to please my health counselor caused me to start healthful habits, but I also leaned many things that should serve me the rest of my life with or without that type of accountability. Perhaps the most important is that I can change bad habits and begin and maintain positive healthful habits- even at my age! Additionally, I learned that to set goals I am going to achieve, I must put them in the positive. In the past I believe I was always telling myself what "not" to do. Setting positive goals like eating 4 servings of vegetables and 4 servings of fruit a day, gave me something to work toward instead of just something to work against or avoid.
Concentrating intently on the diet and exercise changes I needed to make, I have not considered, until recently, how I might apply my new goal setting and habit changing skills to other areas of my life like spiritual disciplines. Using these new skills, I am excited to continue my healthful routines and develop new spiritual disciplines too.
The real test of my success with this program has not been the last 6 months but will be the next 6 months as I continue to progress, but under my own accountability. I hope to have continued good results to report then too.
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