When I found out that I had to enroll in the Restore Program I was discouraged and a bit insulted. You might say I went into the program kicking and screaming, though not overtly. After disciplining myself to exercise and change my diet, my weight and blood pressure dropped substantially. It has been an emotional adjustment (I was comfortable being unhealthy) but I feel much better and do not want to go back to my old habits. I am grateful I submitted to the Restore Program.
My journey with Medi-Share began with a desire to get our health care costs under control and to stop paying for the medical care of people who are un-willing to make healthy lifestyle choices. In order to be accepted in the program, I needed to lower my cholesterol. For years, several physicians have tried to get me on statin drugs but I have always refused and basically just ignored the problem.
My naturopath suggested I try a vegan diet for six weeks. Reluctantly, I did and my total cholesterol dropped from 292 to 219. At this point CCMS was willing to accept me in the sharing program with the provision that I work with an advisor. I wasn't very excited about this either but working with Angela Dodson has been another unexpected blessing in my life! I've been so impressed with the total Christian perspective CCMS espouses; they really look at whole body health, spiritual, mental, relationships, and physical. Angela was very compassionate and caring. I grew to appreciate her praying with me after each one of our phone sessions. She was very knowledgeable and always offered me many resources. We worked together for about 9 months; I learned a lot about choices I can make and things I can do to improve my own health. My total cholesterol is now 198 and dropping! Working with Angela and the Restore program, my total health awareness has been raised. I have reccommended this program to many friends and family. Another benefit is that I have lost 30 lbs. and that alone has caused people to ask what I have been doing. Fortunately, my wife, Cynthia, has been incredibly supportivem in making these dietary changes. My son and daughter-in-law have seen the changes and been inspired to make changes of their own. Dr. Joel Fuhrman's book, Eat To Live, and Lowering your Cholesterol, have been very helpful. What started as a suggestion from my Naturopath has now become a lifestyle. For a Kansas farm boy who grew up on raw milk, butter, and meat three times a day, I have come a long way. I am excited about enjoying all the health benefits from these changes and the diseases I am avoiding in the future! Thanks be to God!
Restore was a continuation of diet and exercise changes my wife and I had begun to make several years ago. Most of the material was not new to us since we had done considerable research already. I do appreciate the "wholeness" approach from a Christian organization. Many of our church folk need the Restore program! There is far too much emphasis (especially among older people) on pharmaceutical solutions to health problems.
The Restore program has been something of an adventure, and I'm glad that my husband and I could do this together. Katie Kolb was a delight to visit with on the phone, and we found that we stuck to the program as much for her as for ourselves. We had already begun making the changes in our diet and exercise, so the program was more of a continuing incentive than a great change. Still, setting goals and making regular evaluations has been a good experience.
I enrolled in Christian Care Medi-Share knowing that I wasn’t taking care of my health. I appreciate the proactive stance to be healthy and avoid health problems. Because of my early efforts in the program, I was able to lose weight and lower my cholesterol significantly. My health education consultant, Ron Welsh, was very helpful and encouraging. I was very motivated to work harder. I started walking regularly.
Unfortunately (or fortunately) I had a heart attack shortly after my 50th birthday (only about five or so months after being in the program). I thank the Lord that I survived the heart attack, which I believe was partly due to major diet changes and exercise that I had initiated with Christian Care earlier on. Thankfully, the doctor said that there was no damage to the heart.
Since my heart attack, I have dropped my weight to 180 pounds (since the very beginning of the program, I have lost 25+ pounds). I’m walking a more than a mile just about everyday, plus I’m playing soccer and other activities. My diet has changed radically!!! I do not drink soft drinks, nor do I eat fast food (something I did regularly before the heart attack).
Without any doubt, I feel better, have more energy, and I’m encouraged to be a better steward of my body.
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