Health and Healing

I have attended meetings of the CHIP (Coronary Health Improvement Project) for the last two summers.  Last summer, however, I wasn't able to attend all of the meetings, but I did really enjoy the meetings I did get to attend. 

Dr. Hans Diehl is a fascinating person.  Quite warm and patient in person, yet he is quite to the point when it comes to health and can bring a person to recognize when they are giving excuses for their health.  I so loved that about him!  I suppose one could get upset that he was so to the point, but I loved it.  He does it with a smile and he still loves the person whom he is talking to.   I think I also liked him because he reminded me of my grandfather... his face was shaped much like my grand-dads and that is likely because they have similar ethnic backgrounds, plus I love his German/Swedish accent.  LOL!

Anyways, the first year I attended the meetings, my heart wasn't with the meetings.  I found them full of truth, but it was truth I wasn't searching for so it seemed so irrelevant.  This year, however, I just ate up every morsel of health information.  What was the difference?  I noticed that I was tired in the afternoons, more than normal... more like when I was pregnant... and I'm not pregnant!  I realized I had put on weight and if I let things continue, I likely would become one of the statistics on the power point presentation.  Also, my husband had a couple episodes of not being able to catch his breath very well after moving some heavy farm equipment.  He just chalked it up to getting older, but he is only 39 yo and his symptoms were early symptoms of some clogging arteries.  That got my attention!  We have a 3yo and we both want to be around to watch her grow up!  So these meetings met a need for our family.  A need to be healthy and to live a strong vibrant life, not one of tiredness and complaints. 

The CHIP program is outstanding.  I see at the website you can listen to short health presentations online.  Do so... they are very good.  I was encouraged that taking steps towards better health is possible.  I was encouraged that simple changes at home can deter one from having to partake of costly medical treatments.  I was encouraged that the simple changes produce results! 

The CHIP program focuses on a low-fat, high fiber diet.  Because of these talks we are giving up many of our white flour favorites and opting for more whole grain alternatives.  Also trying to keep some raw foods in our diet to increase our fiber intake is another way we have made changes.  Thirdly, getting that daily exercise.  There are other aspects, but the main focus is living a life that is optimal in health.  Encouragment is given for baby steps as well as the giant steps that one can make towards improving their health. 

This program can reverse heart disease, without pills, without stress (unless you really stress over the diet!  LOL), and the results can be seen quickly.  To find out more about the program, click on the link at the beginning of the post. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

Sunday, October 12, 2008 - been there!

Posted by elliepea
I have been trained to be a CHIP trainer. I haven't had an opportunity to work in an actual CHIP program yet, but we do have lots of cooking schools and supper clubs where we use our knowledge.
Good luck on your healthy endeavor!
Margie

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by puttycat
CHIP sounds like a great program. I have lost 66lbs so far in 10 months or so. I new I had to do something after the birth of my 10th baby. I feel so much better. I am still losing and hoping to lose 25 more lbs.

Monday, November 3, 2008 - Exercise, blech!

Posted by daughterofgrace
Melissa, It is the daily exercise part that always gets me. I despise exercise just for the sake of exercise. I just feel exercising for the sake of just that is vanity (something left over from my childhood, I'm sure). I don't mind working hard and getting exercise that way, but to just stand in front of a tv and flail my arms and legs around seems......prideful and vain to me. That is why I plan on planting a garden next spring. Of course, we need to try to curtail our grocery budget, but I mainly NEED the physical exercise that is involved with it. That and I don't mind walking....but anything else? I might TRY it for awhile, but eventually give up. Hadn't popped by your blog yet, thanks for adding me to your friends list.
Denise, Daughter of Grace

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - Sounds Great!

Posted by HopefulHeart77
I am so proud of you for diving into this program. It sounds great! This is pretty much the lifestyle we already live. We get exercise mostly by working but we walk too. These walks are fun for my husband and I. The only time I do not care for walking is when it is extremely cold. We could still stand some improvement but we are getting better as time goes on. Bless the Lord!

Friday, December 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Schatzi
I'm not sure if I have visited your blog before...can't seem to remember. But I will definately be reading your past posts. My best friend was just diagnosed this week with breast cancer and she is not doing well mentally....I too am feeling the "change our diet" coming on before I get sick....her diagnosis really scared me also. We are quite healthy eaters, but I know for a fact we could do better.

Will check back often.

Have a blessed weekend.
Connie