>>Lifestyle Changes Bring Healing
A lifestyle of fitness has many benefits, not the least of which can be healing in our bodies.
Cliff Paden (’82, ’03)
Health issues: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes
Action taken: “I went to the doctor because my left arm started going numb. The EKG showed my heart was fine, but blood tests showed I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and the onset of diabetes. I started to pray, but the Holy Spirit said He’d been dealing with me for three years to lose weight. So my wife and I took a class on how to eat right and basically changed our whole lifestyle. We joined a gym and I work out just about every day, then jog home.”
Weight lost: about 60 pounds (still going)
Results: Blood pressure is down, cholesterol is down, blood sugar is at normal levels. Much more energy, better sleep, less exhaustion at work.
Kris Taylor (’98, ’99)
Health issue: Severe back pain (doctor said it could be a slipped disc)
Action taken: “I started by stretching in the mornings, then found a free on-demand exercise channel on cable. I started with a 10-minute workout. I also found a weight-loss calculator at www.exercise4weightloss.com and when I put in my info, it showed that I was “obese.” That made me mad, so I put in a goal and it gave me a daily calorie goal for eating. I put the mobile site “calorie count” as a shortcut on my phone and looked up the calories in everything I ate. I also started writing down the calories as I took food out of the fridge, and I got the book The CalorieKing Calorie, Fat & Carbohydrate Counter.”
Weight lost: about 35 pounds (still going)
Results: More energy, no more back pain, enjoying life, and what God is teaching through this.
“In my teens and 20s, I was on the thin side and active enough to keep my weight steady. Then I changed jobs from being on my feet all day to sitting at a desk, plus I hit my 30s. My everyday life changed but I didn’t change my eating or exercise routine to match it! Now I’m being retrained on how to eat and live.”
Lyle Becnel
Health issues: High blood pressure, type 2 diabetes
Action taken: “The first thing the doctor had me do was talk to a dietitian. I began to eat more whole foods, get off enriched flour, and cut back on sugar. When I eat out, I look for the healthiest thing on the menu. I started exercising—just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week; nothing strenuous. I started off walking a little bit, then went a little farther, then a little faster, then from walking to jogging 20 to 30 seconds. I do it at lunchtime instead of going out to eat fast food. You have to find what works for you with the amount of time you have.”
Weight lost: about 50 pounds (still going)
Results: Blood pressure is down, diabetes under control with no medication. Look better, feel better.
