Since April 23rd, I’ve changed my lifestyle for the better. In January, I went in for standard blood work and food out my A1C was at 11.5. WAY out of the normal range. My doctor wanted to put me on insulin right away. I wanted a chance to do it with a change in diet. I struggled. I couldn’t do it alone. I was a mess. I feared I’d have to go on insulin at the age of only 45 and I was not happy. I lived in dread.
My friends and I met up at the local Panera Bread for an end of school year (even though we had 6 weeks left of school to go) Bible Study celebration. We’d been working on it since August last year, once a week, we’d meet up and share in the word of God. It was great. Well, one friend walked in with a copy of “The Daniel Plan” by Pastor Rick Warren. I said, “Hey, I’m on the waiting list for that at the library.” Hers was borrowed, too and she told me she loved it and wanted to try it out. So, we decided that for the next 6 weeks, we’d continue to meet and give it a try!
Week 4 I had my next quarterly A1C test and it was 7.5. YUP, that’s right! I brought it down. Now, 7 weeks later, they’ve cut my medications in 1/2. I’m doing TERRIFIC and it is all because of the Daniel Plan.
The Daniel Plan is a 40 day jump start program to a new and improved lifestyle. It is based on Romans 8 and uses five basic principals to a new you. Faith, Food, Fitness, Friends and Focus.
Faith is based on using your own personal faith in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to work in your life to create a temple for the Holy Spirit in your body that is pleasing to God. My life is dependent of God’s plan and I am dedicated to being the best person I can be for Him.
Food is all about what we put in our bodies. I learned to read the labels on foods, look for chemical additives that are bad for a person’s health and to change my unhealthy eating habits for better ones. I learned that if it comes from a growing plant, it is good for you; but if it is manufactured in a plant, it is not. No High Fructose Corn Syrup, No MSG, No Trans fats! I learned to pick out the multitude of names that companies use in order to disguise unhealthy ingredients into food products. I’ve cut out gluten based starches cause inflammation in our bodies and I feel better.
Fitness was a hard one for me; because I was feeling to badly to begin with; but I pushed myself. I’ve been riding my bike for the past 8 weeks and am pushing myself further and harder than before. I’m moving easier with a lot less inflammation than before. I’m not a 100%; but I’m making headway.
Friends have been so important. When I have felt stressed and wanted to eat, I instead contacted a friend. If I felt a set back in some way, I could talk to my group of friends, who are also on the plan, and feel better. With friends who hold you accountable, I am more likely to keep to the program and I do.
Focus has helped me to keep it all on God. Scripture, prayer, devotion and love for God keep me focused on a better lifestyle for a happier, healthier me.
Pastor Rick Warren worked with Dr. Hyman and Dr. Amen and consulted with Dr. Oz to help people get healthy. They have the program, a cook book, a journal, and interactive DVD study that keep you on track. At our last weekday meeting, we shared a few recipes for healthy alternatives. It was great. So great, in fact, that I began a second 40 day Bible Study with another group of friends to get them healthy, too. It is wonderful. My excitement about feeling better, getting stronger and staying faithful to God is now helping others to do the same.
I love God for how he is helping me to be a new ME! He is good all the time and I just love Him.