Chapter 8 Living the Lifestyle

I can't begin to tell how much I now believe in the Daniel Lifestyle! When I started, I was a bit of a skeptic, but now I'm sold.  As I type this, I'm eating an amazing bowl of turkey chili that was a cinch to throw together, and includes fresh veggies from the Fresh Fare Farm Delivery service I signed up for. Last week I had my cholesterol checked. After 10 weeks or so on the Daniel Plan and off my cholesterol medicine, my cholesterol is great. I've dropped a few pounds, and I feel really good.

I love the story from the beginning of this chapter about Dee, the director of the Daniel Plan. Just thinking about the losses and challenges in her life: I can't begin to imagine going through what she went through. If she can overcome what she did by reaching out to a small group and following the principles of the Daniel Plan, how much could it help the rest of us? I like how this chapter points out that sharing our pain, stress and grief with others is a first step on the path to healing.  I think we are all tempted to put on a cheery mask and hide our personal struggles, but people often appreciate the chance to lend a helping hand or some kind words: because we've all struggled at one point in our lives, and ...

We are only as sick as our secrets.

    More and more evidence is gathering in the scientific community for what most of us intuitively know: our physical health is tightly connected to our spiritual, emotional and mental health. If we want to be healthy physically, a great amount of power to do that lies  in our own hands: but we have to foster a healthy mind-set and healthy relationships for that to happen.

   Another great part of the chapter is the story of Alonso, a 400 pound man that completely changed his life: and found energy, fuel for his spiritual walk and a whole new way of thinking about God:

If God could get me healthier than I have ever been physically, something I never thought was possible, what else can He do?

       In this chapter, the author points out that if we focus on the good we are inviting and bringing into our lives with the Daniel plan (improved energy, better health, renewed spiritual and mental focus) and not on what we are leaving out or can't have, then our focus will start to shift. We will start thinking of our daily time with God, and our daily exercise and food preparation as opportunities to care for ourselves and not chores to get done.  I have definitely noticed that shift in my own perspective.  Last night I was up late and started feeling hungry for a snack.  Before this journey began, I might have craved ice cream or chips.  Last night, 8 or 10 weeks into this new life change, I found myself truly craving something nutritious. I ended up having a handful of mixed nuts and a banana, and I felt great! And, while I won't say that I'm brimming with excitement at the thought of doing a workout, I see it more as a part of my day (not a chore) and I do really look forward to how good I know I will feel after I'm done.

I like the idea of the exercise in the chapter that encourages us to make a list of things that bring us energy: time with friends, certain fun exercise activities (like biking or hiking), certain foods, and certain healthy relationships, and making a list of what drains our energy: unhealthy habits or relationships, worry or negativity etc. In the exercise we resolve to take away one thing that drains our energy and add one thing that brings us energy.  I think this is easier said than done, but definitely a great way to look at things.

I know that worry and negativity seem to weigh me down and suck the energy out of me, and I find a hard time letting go of them.  I think it boils down to the issue of trusting God, one of my biggest spiritual struggles. So while I work on everything else in the Daniel Plan, I'm going to keep working on trusting God.  I certainly encourage all of you to think of what weighs you down and try your best to remove it from your lives. I can't wait to see what other good things will be coming into my life and what things I'll be letting go of in the weeks ahead...

Friendship

     Friendship is the "special sauce" that makes the Daniel Plan work! That is the main point of this chapter, and the point can't be overstated. I think most will agree: in today's fast-paced world where more and more of our work and social lives are centered around electronic media, I think we are often becoming isolated. Finding time to get together with friends seems to be something that gets harder and harder as I get older.  

       Overcoming isolation is a challenge but it is not impossible. In the book, Pastor Rick offers a radical suggestion: approach somebody at school or work and ask them to exercise with you! Outside your comfort zone? Probably. Welcome to your new comfort zone! If you really want to get healthy and take off pounds, doing it with others is the way to go. 

      I love the story in the beginning of the chapter about Huntington, West Virginia: the "Fattest City in America" according to the CDC.  As the author explains, a pastor in a large church sought to change this statistic: and he did it! He did it through working with the community, one person at a time, and then reaching out to others. 

    Being a health care provider, I also loved the story about a doctor changing the health of communities in extreme poverty through getting people to come together in groups and help one another become healthier. We can each do that: reach out to others in our own communities and work together on principles from the Daniel Plan!

    How about the part about health and illness both being contagious?  Who you hang out with determines your health? Wow, what an eye-opener! It really does mean that if we follow a healthy lifestyle, we are likely to influence those around us to do the same. How awesome is that?  Love and intimacy are powerful medicines: more powerful for reversing disease than the most sophisticated drug. So let's all take the time to follow this prescription: 

Find more love, friendship and intimacy in your life!

    Another point not to be missed: Love is God's greatest commandment. All throughout the Bible, we are encouraged to love and help one another. There is probably no greater act of love we can give for ourselves, our God and each other than to help ourselves and others around us get healthy. 

I am so encouraged by this!

So I would like to reach out to everyone reading here: I want to help you be more healthy in your life. How can I do that? I'd love to have you join us on our weekly walks Sunday evening. Is there another night someone would like me to meet with them to walk? A class you'd like me to come with you to? I will be sharing some more recipes and exercise tips over the next few weeks. I have signed up for Local Fare North: a delivery service that brings a bag of locally grown fresh fruits and veggies each week to my door. I will be writing about this experience. I like the story in the chapter about the women who met regularly to fix healthy foods together and bring them home to their families. I'd be happy to try this out if anyone is interested. 

Let me know! See you all Sunday....