At the time I applied for Medi-Share, I was already using a popular weight loss program. I was losing weight and considered my eating choices to be very healthy compared to “most people” and my health to be “very good for my age”. Frankly, I was shocked when Medi-Share required me to join the Health Initiatives program. My lab work was all within normal levels and I thought I knew how to eat well for my body’s needs. My initial reaction was that I didn’t want someone to tell me what to eat and do. I know that reaction wasn’t a good sign in itself, so I asked the Lord to help me change my attitude. He showed me that my health, apparently, wasn’t as strong as I thought and that I now had a unique opportunity to work with a personal “health coach” to strengthen my health, longevity and even my finances (no big medical bills). So I warily entered the Health Initiatives program.
My metamorphosis began while I was watching the videos. When one of the speakers said that I could actually choose to be free from heart problems, diabetes and many cancers, I was startled. I was used to reading about all the good foods or exercise that will reduce your risk of heart attack by x%, but I never heard anyone say that you can essentially choose to eliminate the risk. I said out loud to the TV screen and to God, “I want to make that choice!”
I learned from the Eat to Live book that my dietary choices were not nearly as healthy as I thought. True, I made better than average choices, but not the best choices. I had always believed that I needed lots of protein and translated that into being a primal carnivore – consuming lots of meat and trying to make it healthy be eating mostly poultry, fish and some “lean red meat”. I didn’t think that my body could function well or actually be content with less than 8-12oz. of meat a day. I thought that my joint and body aches were “normal arthritis” for my age. I managed them by taking over-the-counter pain relievers almost every night and occasionally during the day.
The program encompasses an entire healthy lifestyle of which healthy eating is a part. I especially like the daily records of my lifestyle – not only what I eat and don’t eat, but how I’m managing my life in other areas essential to good health – and relationship with God and others by doing relaxing, enjoyable things.
The website is a good resource for many things – recipes, information and lots of exercises. When I started on the program, I had struggled with a painful shoulder for a few months. I used a couple of Dr. Evans’ exercises on the Health Initiatives website and the pain disappeared after a few weeks!
I don’t believe that I would have or could have made the dietary changes without God’s grace, God’s power, the achievable health goal in the video, the plan and charts in the Restore materials, and the accountability and encouragement of Bill Tanner, my Health Consultant. I have been greatly blessed by having all those things and now I have better health too! I not only don’t eat meat everyday – I hardly miss it and don’t crave it – I rarely take a pain reliever. Rarely. I don’t wake up stiff and sore in the mornings. That “normal arthritis” seems to have disappeared. I had no idea that meat was doing that to me.
I am grateful for the life change that Health Initiatives had guided me into. I’m not through with the program, I’m just established in it and I’m grateful! Thank you so much for putting all these good things together!
My health education consultant in the Restore Program was a tremendous blessing. She provided great insight, encouragement and accountability. When I had a barrier she was able to help me find a way to break through. I have changed for life and believe this exercise and involvement with my health consultant has added both quality of life and length of life as well.
Comments about Julie Roy: She is a wealth of knowledge, never rushed, always kept scheduled appointments, she was always willing to suggest helpful alternatives. Her experience and knowledge was very helpful and I am undoubtedly in a better place healthwise as a result of working with a health consultant.
*The Health Initiatives Program is a tremendous tool for health and fitness management. I am amazed at the results I've achieved through the faithful and patient counsel of my health consultant, Julie Roy, she is a real gem! I believe that my lifestyle changes will be lasting and permanent fixtures for me. Praise God for you folks!
I have been greatly blessed by participating in the restore program. The books, video, and especially the Wellness Center have greatly educated us in how to live a healthier lifestyle. After having quadruple bypass in 2005, it was my desire to control my cholesterol and totally eliminate the statin drugs and toprol by diet and exercise alone. While at the wellness center, I quit taking the drugs and began a strict vegan diet along with a strenuous exercise program. After about a week I began feeling better than I have in a long time. I had more energy and slept much better. After about 2 months I had my cholesterol tested and it had shot back up from a LDL level of 99 to 169. My doctor has since put me back on the Lipitor and the level has dropped back down to 91. I am currently working to reduce the level of Lipitor. I personally feel that the time frame of two months was insufficient to allow my body to acclimate to the new diet and exercise regimen.
While my objective to eliminate all of the drugs was not met, I have experienced the side benefits of a reduction in weight and an overall healthier feeling. I wish to thank all the kind people at Christian Care Medi-Share for making this possible. I anticipate that the quality and length of my life has been greatly improved.
My husband and I are very thankful to Medi-Share for recommending us to go to Eden valley Program. Most of all I'm thankful to the Lord and His people to provide such health centers. My overall health has improved with diet changes and sticking to recommendations of their programs. They were extraordinary accommodating in all areas of life. I was for the first time in yeas able to lose weight with which I battled for years. Also, my cholesterol went down 24 points in five months. My overall well-being has improved immensely. Thanks to CCM and Eden Valley. God Bless them and may they continue to do a great job.
I'm looking forward to going back in the future and would strongly recommend for anyone to give it a try, rather then use medications. May our Lord bless all the workers and the individuals responsible for the program. It really makes a difference if you are willing to do your part.
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.
I just want to share what a blessing it has been to have CCM's help in restoring my health. I was very apprehensive when I first found out that I would have to "report" to someone every week. That meant that I would be accountable to someone. Yikes!! My weight has been a life-long struggle for me, and the only way I have been able to lose weight before was by not eating. Having someone call every week has kept me on track. She has offered much needed help and a listening ear. It hasn't always been easy, but I am grateful I haven't had to do this alone. CCM has great programs and a wonderful website full of helpful information. I know that I am equipped now to never see 172 lbs. again. For that I praise God! Thank you so much for this ministry. I believe it has prolonged my life and taught me how to honor God through how I treat my body.
When I was first notified about the Restore program, I was less than enthusiastic. In fact, I was negative. But, I have thoroughly enjoyed and I've benefited greatly from utilizing the Restore Program. I have lost 26 lbs. and have maintained the weight loss. My cholesterol levels have been reduced to acceptable levels and my over-all health is very good. It has been very beneficial to work with a health consultant (coach) during this time. The accountability factor has been huge.
This has been one of the great blessings in my life! I've lost weight and feel great and am now on a regular walking program and much more conscientious of my diet. I am convinced God providentially worked in my circumstances to bring me to Christian Care and Emily, my consultant, has been superb in guiding me to a loss (officially today of 24 pounds and 6 inches.)
I just wanted to share a few words about how the Health Initiatives Program has and is changing my life.
My wife and I served with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Cameroon, West Africa for many years. But since we returned to the US in 1996 my weight slowly crept up and up as my eating habits got worse and worse. Buy last April my weight had climbed up to 205 pounds and my total cholesterol had risen to 248. My blood pressure was high and the truth is I was beginning to feel that my health was on the brink of serious decline if I didn't do something about it soon.
I began the health Initiatives Program in May and within one month my total cholesterol had dropped from 248 down to 151! I could not believe my eyes! I was prepared to be quite happy if I had gotten near 200!
My weight also began to drop dramatically. In 4.5 months my weight has gone from 205 down to 172 and still falling.
Energy? I used to love to run but had not done so consistently in the past few years. Since the beginning of June I have gone from 0 to 4 days a week ( and walking 3 times per week). This past Saturday I ran 15 miles on the trails in our local state park! By the grace of God and with the inspiration of the Health Initiative Program I am aiming to do a 50 mile trail race by March 24th of next year.
I cannot thank you enough for the thoughtfulness of your program and for the encouragement along the way. I often say I feel that my life has been redeemed from the brink of health disaster and I owe a great debt of gratitude to you.
Katie Kolb was extremely helpful to me during the last 6 months. She has encouraged me and helped me set goals. She did not set the goals but let me set my own goals. Katie was and has been prompt to call on every scheduled phone conference.
I came to a point where I was looking forward to her call so that I could report the good news of my weight loss and advances in my fitness level. It might sound funny but I did not want to have to tell Katie that I had not achieved my goals. This was an added incentive for me. I have achieved my goals but am continuing to set more and work harder to start running in short races 5K-10K. I am currently tail running on the hills of the Colorado National Monument. I have been able to run (jog) 1.8 miles all uphill.
It's great. My diet has changed considerably. Berries for breakfast, salad/fruit for lunch and mostly salad and other veggies for dinner. Grilled veggies on the barbi, veggie chili and home made salsa to spice thing up.
I have to say that 6-7 months ago I was not able to run more than a block. I started working to lose weight, walking 2-3 times a week. At first it was slow progress but there was progress. As I continued on I started trying to run/walk (mostly walk. I was noticing after about 2 months that I wanted to go out and workout. As more time went by I was able to run up Devils Canyon and walk back. I was excited and felt so much more energy in my leg, heart and lungs. At this point, about 4 months after starting the program, the afternoon heat was coming on. 95-105 degree was not unusual but I continued to workout. I was now challenging myself and starting to lose 4-5 pounds/week. My clothes were getting pretty loose.
My daughter was getting married in Kauai in early August an d I told her that I would get down to 200 lbs by the wedding. I was 230 when I started to workout and by wedding time 195-196. I had to buy all new clothes for the wedding. All the guys at work asked me how I lost the weight and commented on how slender I was getting. My wife really likes the change and has been a great help and encourager. She works with me on preparing meals and tries to go with me to workout as much as our schedules will allow. It's a blessing to have support when you make changes in your life.
Thank you Katie Kolb, health consultant Thank you Laurie, my wonderful wife Thank You Medi-share Ministry for the push Thank God for my health
I've worked with the health consultant over the past 6 months. She gave me many helpful suggestions over the past 6 months and was very encouraging with me; never pushy or insisting on doing things her way. She always tried to incorporate the suggestions into my lifestyle and work schedule. It was a very pleasant experience and we plan on keeping in touch from time to time.
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