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!
My cholesterol had been over 200 since I can remember – over 25 years. In 2001 I developed high blood pressure. After arguing with my doctor for months, he finally convinced me that I needed medication and put me on two pills for cholesterol and two more for blood pressure. My weight for all of those years was about 178. I’m right at 5’9” so it wasn’t terrible, but still overweight. In the meantime, I lost a great job after 30 years and was paying $800 a month for medical insurance and another $150 a month for medication. This past June I went in for a yearly check-up and my cholesterol was 170. My triglycerides, however, were 280. So my doctor prescribed yet another pill.
Just before my doctor appointment in June, I heard a commercial on the radio about Christian Care Medi-Share. I applied for membership but had not been accepted at the time of my appointment. I had, however, been counseled by a number of folks at CCM and had already been introduced to Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s book “Eat to Live.” I started the six week diet in late June and except for a seldom few meals, have stayed on it since. I also started exercising, diligently, almost everyday, for 1½ to 2 hours daily. In mid July I was accepted by CCM on a probational basis (in other words, get my numbers in order). In late August I went in for blood work. I was really apprehensive about how the results might come in. By now I had lost about 23 lbs. I was eating strictly vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains. I had been off all meat and dairy for over six weeks and I was walking/jogging 4 miles everyday in addition to some weight lifting and stretching exercises. When the results came in, I was pleasantly surprised. My cholesterol was 120 (LDL was 60) and Triglycerides were at 133. I never started taking that fifth pill and now I’m off all cholesterol medication and have cut my blood pressure dosage in half.
I can’t believe how easy it was. I spent all those years living with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and expenses for medication and insurance, when all I had to do was eat right and exercise. The book “Eat to Live” should be motivation enough, hopefully before we every get to the point of being overweight and unhealthy. In addition, my wellness consultant provided even more motivation, more information and lots of encouragement and prayers. What a blessing she has been!
That’s not all though. As I was starting my program with CCM, I began telling several others (friends and family) about the program. I even bought and gave some of them a copy of “Eat to Live”. Even though they were not members, they adopted the six week diet, for the most part, and increased their exercising. My oldest son at 5’8” has trimmed down from 240 to 185. My middle son has gone from 202 down to 185. Another close friend, only 23 and developing high blood pressure, went from 242 down to 198 and his blood pressure is back to normal. My wife exercises faithfully with me and has lost about 16 lbs. We have all been blessed by the ministry of CCM and by the people that work there. It is obvious that they have a passion for helping others. There are many others with whom I’ve shared, because now it’s truly a passion of mine as well. My wellness consultant encouraged me with a letter one day. I will not repeat it all, but this part is really good:
“We are in the army of God. As a good soldier of Christ Jesus…I want to encourage you to prepare your body for battle. This is a war; the enemy of our souls would love for us to destroy ourselves…and often this goes unnoticed and even worse, people are eagerly doing this with their own fork!
Fight the good fight in all areas of life. Whether eating or drinking…do all to the glory of God. Examine everything…read your labels. Use wisdom and discernment as to whether or not it is good; rather than eating on automatic pilot.”
She finished it with this verse:
“No soldier in active duty entangles himself with the affairs of this world so that he may please the one that enlisted him as a soldier.” – 2 Timothy 2:4
Thank you Christian Care Medi-Share for changing my life, and the lives of some people that are very close to me, in some really big positive ways.
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!
Being part of the Restore program has been one of the best blessings of my life this past year and a half. I hear lost over 25 lbs and have no problem maintaining my current weight, have eliminated cholesterol medicine and reduced blood pressure meds also, become a consistent exerciser and changed my eating habits. My consultant Eileen Hafer has been a blessing and a great support to me to help make this possible. I am so thankful to be a part of this great program with Christian Medi-Share.
I have found the eating plan coupled with the guidance of Eileen, my health consultant, very helpful. I was a healthy eater overall cooking fresh foods & balanced meals, but didn't really understand how many animal products we were consuming and their detrimental effect. The changes have been relatively easy to implement and the results have been steadily satisfying. I am so thankful to be part of such a positive program that is focused on prevention. I really had no hope of losing weight or getting off blood pressure & cholesterol meds, but in just six months I've lost 20 lbs. and improved my exercise and I'm no longer on cholesterol medicine. Although I have a ways to go I am optimistic that as a family we are on a new plan that is changing our lives and improving our health. We also have a 32 year old son with Downs Syndrome who has lost 20 lbs. and is experiencing new energy everyday. Thank You, Kay R
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