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Dave Free - "I lost 35 pounds and dropped from a size 44 to 40 waist during my seven weeks session."

Karen Wilson - "I lost weight, but more importantly I learned that the right foods actually heal my body."

James Wilson, Jr., - "I liked the 5 pronged approach and focused on God's Spirit to live a healthier life-style. The most important ingredient, Faith, makes the rest possible."

Betty Swain, -  (Owner of the Lunch Bell for 27 years) "I attended a Daniel Plan Class three years ago. It was a seven weeks class and during those seven weeks I lost ten pounds. I really enjoyed this class and learned so many things about food and how they can become medicine! I worked and managed the Lunch Bell with my Husband Bill for thirty-seven years and never realized how much the food industry had taken advantage of consumers by adding so many unhealthy chemicals in their foods. I continued to read labels and become aware of what foods I was putting in my body. I stopped using vegetables from a can and ate only fresh whole foods. Even though I no longer attended classes I continued to stick with my new life style. I enjoy fresh foods and in the last three years I have lost forty pounds and feel wonderful! 

Eating Gods food has been a real blessing to me and I recommend this program to all my friends. I eat a lot of food but no processed or fast foods. My favorite food is vegetable soup made from only real fresh vegetables. I plan to continue to live Daniel Strong and share this new life style to many people." 

Dennis and Phyllis Neill - "We have both lost 65 pounds each, and kept it off for 6 years. No more yo yo diets for us. We also are both off 5 medications and exercise three times a week with me doing two miles on the treadmill and Phyllis swims a mile a day.

Our doctor is always amazed when we come into the office. She knew me when I was at 442 pounds and now 190. My blood pressure use to be 120/90 now 102/60. Much more energy and we sleep better each nigh."

 Cheryl Baker - wife of Pastor John Baker of Celebrate Recovery, wrote "The Daniel Plan the following letter below, about her trials, triumphs and tips for adopting new healthy lifestyles. She agreed to allow us to share it as a source of encouragement.

"First of all, I am very grateful that Saddleback Church created "The Daniel Plan." I think I needed a way to re-focus taking better care of myself since I am now in my early 60's.

As a young mother, I became very interested in nutrition and tried to cook healthy foods for my family. However, when I went to work full-time and the kids were teen-agers, we certainly spent plenty of time at fast-food restaurants. Even with that "detour," I'm happy to say that both my daughter and my son are very interested in healthy foods for themselves and their families.

However, it was very difficult to get John on board. After dealing with his alcoholism, John felt he was in the best time of his life, and food was a way to celebrate. Although the kids and I tried every way possible to get him to look at his food choices, he simply wasn't interested. When he was diagnosed with Menieure's Disease (the inner ear affects balance), we started eliminating salt from his die. But in the beginning, we were too strict, the food was bland, and John was discouraged. We started learning how to substitute low salt items in our favorite recipes, and John learned to look up menus before eating out. He began to feel that the low-salt diet was easier than he thought. He dropped 20 pounds, felt better, and I think, for the first time in his life, recognized the power of food.

Along came The Daniel Plan, and when you, Dr. Amen, and Dr. Hyman explained in detail what too much fat can do to the body and brain, that was just the push John needed to continue making better choices. He has lost an additional 30 pounds. He plans his food each day, puts his choices on his iPad on the MyNet Diary application to make sure he does not exceed his number of calories, has given up Diet Coke and substituted it with tea and water.

However, something else certainly impacted John's enthusiasm to stay true to the Plan. He began to look at his relationship to food in the same way that he confronted his alcoholism years ago. He realized he was powerless over food, and worked the principles of Celebrate Recovery.

We have a new team that travels with us for our conferences every other week. Every single one of the eight people in his support group is interested in their health and good food choices, so John has an accountability group with us when we are out of town. That accountability group has made the Plan fun, are very encouraging, and they are extremely happy to see John take interest in his health. John recently introduced himself at Celebrate Recovery as a "believer who struggles with alcoholism and food."

It is my opinion that if the diet starts out too strict and regimented, that men, in particular, will not stay on the plan. Gradually, reducing unhealthy choices was the key for us. John had already eliminated salt, and with that, fast foods and frequent eating out. He was ready for the next level. Eliminating other unhealthy foods did not seem to be such a sacrifice while doing it slowly (except for the Diet Coke--that was a gradual and painful reduction!).

Finally, eating healthy requires much more time in the kitchen, so a woman who is working, raising kids and trying to provide balanced meals may find it difficult to provide the best choices. Therefore, men may not feel they have the support at home they need to stay on the plan. If men can help shop and cook the meals, I think families can be more successful. Shopping at farmers' markets and different kinds of stores makes the shopping more fun and can even become a family activity."

 Lisa Gorham, "In the Daniel Plan I have learned how to eat better with their recipes, encouragement, emergency kits smart phone apps, support, information, shopping list suggestions, exercise fitness and my own commitment."

Bob Taguding - "The ideas/principles in the Daniel Plan helped in almost all areas of my life I knew that this would not be just a short term fix. it became a transformative,  life enhancing lifestyle that helped revolutionize my health and well -being. I heartily recommend the ideas to anyone seeking to Improve their quality of life."

Angela Futrell  - "As a result of the Daniel Plan, I truly understand what it means to say “this temple belongs to God.” Through the Daniel Plan, instruction, scripture and fellowship; I have a new sense of my God, the Creator of All.

How God loves me so much that He created me in His very own image and because of that love, I should do any and everything to make my father proud. I should and do want to incorporate all of the pillars of the plan into my daily living; fitness, food, focus, family and most of all faith. I want to eat foods that are of a plant, blessed by Him. I want to focus on those things that are pure, true, right, lovely and honorable. These things will bring my Father joy and make Him smile. I want to exercise to keep this temple fit in order to do and perform the gifts that God has given me. I want to share the goodness of God with my family and friends. Most of all, I want my faith to continue to grow in order to grow my temple spiritually.

Thanks to the Daniel Plan I know, understand and believe that this  temple belongs to God and I will do His will to keep it healthy!!!!"

 Larry and Marie Biermann - "The Daniel Plan has changed our eating habits life. We are eating healthier foods and enjoying better digestive health.

My wife and I have lost 31 pounds between us, and up to three sizes in clothes.

Also, and most important -- the Christian foundation in all its teaching puts us closer to the Lord and each other. We now allow God's Power to help us in our food choices, not our will power."

Amber and Michael’s Daniel Plan story began in February 2014.  Some friends wanted to start a new plan to get healthy and invited them to take part in "The Daniel Plan".  It is amazing to see how far they’ve come in such a short time, and that with God incredible change is possible.

I took a look at The Daniel Plan and decided right away it wasn't a plan I could stick to. I could not eat vegetables. I had an aversion to them as long as I could remember and they made me gag. There was no way I could make half of my plate veggies. BUT, I decided to read the book with my friends, pray a lot, and see if I got any new insights.

The Book Changed My Life
The Daniel Plan is the most inspirational book I have ever read—full of scripture. A new excitement was unveiled in me, and I wanted to start the plan. I prayed to God daily for weeks to give me a taste for vegetables. I told God that I had tried many "diets" and failed but that this was going to be different. I wanted to make this plan a way of life. I wanted to be good to my body and glorify Him. I went through the detox, not eating many vegetables, but staying away from the foods that were not allowed.

The Detox Changed My World
The detox program allowed me to reset my taste buds, getting all the junk out of my system.  Through prayer and detox, I was able to eat vegetables for the first time in my life!  A miracle! I never wanted to look back.

The friends who started with us slowly seemed to stop following the plan, but we decided this was working great for our family and we wanted to stick it out. My husband and I are definitely each other's strongest support systems aside from God.  We push each other to wait until our designated cheat meals to have things not allowed (following the 90/10 rule). It makes those cheat meals so much more enjoyable.

Faith is the biggest of the 5 Essentials for us so far. Once we had the faith that this was going to help us and this was our new way of life, everything else was easy. I had a talk with God and told Him that I had tried and failed for years and knew I could not win the battle of weight on my own. But I knew through His power, I could do anything.

100+ Pounds And Counting
It has now been a year and a half into our journey of health.  We have really embraced the Daniel Plan way of life.  Our entire family is benefitting from the changes we have made.  I now have the energy to walk/jog 5 miles every day and 10 miles on Saturdays along with several days a week of strength training. 

I am now down 90 pounds myself and my husband is down 65 pounds for a total of 155 pounds...and we still aren't done!   We are continuing to live and love life and teaching as many as we can about the Daniel Plan way of life.   I have led several connect groups and I am excited about the new 5 Essentials Series and the lives I will help to influence as I help encourage and inspire as many people as I can.  I feel like health and wellness is the ministry God has called me to and I'm blessed to live it out.

You Can Do It Too
Don't ever count yourself out. I almost didn't even try this plan because I didn't think there was a chance I could even come close to following it. Now not only do I follow it, but it is simple and it’s something my husband and I feel like we can do for the rest of our lives.
 

To read more inspirational stories like Amber’s visit www.neilldanielplan.com

Scott Rutland  "I found the Daniel Plan on my church calendar. My wife and daughter were doing wedding flowers out of town, and I realized I had nothing going on and no friends to call. My job had eaten my life.

The thought of eating healthy and exercising with the support of a group sounded good. Something to commit to. I obviously wasn't going to commit to myself. I felt that there was little or no discipline left in my life...where there had been in the past. No exercise, eating and drinking whatever I wanted...maybe I could be encouraged by a group of people looking for the same changes I was.

I am not one to ease into anything. The detox diet was the hard core dead end I needed for my anything goes diet. I fully embraced it and started loosing inches and pounds right away. But there is much more to The Daniel Plan.

The 5 F's are all important. Each one has it's own unique benefit from this lifestyle change program. It's not a diet...It's the whole package you are looking for. All 5 F's supporting each other.

FOCUS - Discipline your mind by renewing it, to resist negative thoughts and self doubt.

FOOD - It's not about what you can't eat, but the abundance of good choices that are available to you. Eat healthy, feel better, honor God with good care for the one body he has given to one and only YOU.

FAITH - As you trust God to change you physically, you will trust Him more fully in other aspects of you life. Trust God to make the changes in the desires of your heart. We've all tried will power. How's that working for you?

FITNESS - Better mental attitude and feeling better just from eating better make it much more likely that you will seek out ways to enjoy some form of fitness. This was my biggest struggle. But my good cholesterol is up, the bad is down, I am off my Ambien and sleep mask, and my doctor thinks I can go off my blood pressure meds in the next 3-6 months with increased cardio.  My sugar is below the diabetic level I was at 6 months ago.

FRIENDS/FELLOWSHIP - We have met a new group of very caring and sweet people. People that are struggling with the same issue and obstacles that we are. Some amazing imperfect people, just like we are...

I can absolutely see why some people take this class multiple times. To take a healthy reboot with the Detox, to take victory with one of the 5 F's to the next level, or to draw on the support of others to have the courage to tackle one of the 5 F's head on. (that maybe you shied away from in previous classes). This is a life changing class that I would recommend to anyone looking for a fresh start or life re-boot. 

By the way...I did loose 20 pounds in 8-9 weeks. 

Imagine your life healthier. With more energy and mental clarity.

I have more energy and mental clarity to start taking my life back from my job.

You owe this to yourself and to anyone who loves you.  

Jump in!!

 Dear Food,

"Ever since I can remember you've been
one of the greatest loves of my life.
You were my bridge over troubled waters;
my shelter from the storm.

Thousands of times my cravings for you were uncontrollable
and I ran to you with open arms.
We were together everywhere; in the car, living room,
kitchen, bathroom.
But somewhere along the way, you turned on me,
and I began to grow up.

Growing pains at any age is painful,
but I had to face some realities.
Your price tag was too high.
You helped me bury all my feelings, but you also buried me.
You made promises you could not keep

Whenever we spent the night together,
I couldn't respect myself in the morning.
And Although I loved you, I never wanted to be
seen with you in public.

I became a sneak just to be with you,
and it grew into a cheap back-alley affair.
I'm writing this letter to let you know it's over.
AND I'M FREE....FREE A

Kendal Rock: Daniel Plan Devotee Takes His Message on the Road 

David Jahr

As of April 2, 2019, Kendal Rock is down 38 pounds—from his beginning weight of 325 to his current 287. “Ten more pounds and I’ve GOT to get some new clothes—darn!” Kendall said, showing off a T-shirt he hadn’t been able to fit into in over a year.

Wherever he goes in his dog grooming travels, this Daniel Plan evangelist eagerly shares his success “secrets” with curious clients. Several, he said, are in the same place he was when he began this journey—with out of control weight, diabetes, and other weight and diet-related health challenges.

“I tell them I’ll bet you’re angry with the television, short-tempered, out of sorts, and feeling like there’s nothing you can do about it,” Kendal said. “And they’ll say, ‘You’ve got me nailed!’ So then I tell them ‘get off sugar, get off white stuff, get off artificial sweeteners, get off the fast-food carbs. They’re killing you!’ One guy is already down five pounds.”

Since his last update, Kendal has added another gym to his routine, making sure he is never far from a workout. While he’s plataued a little, he’s continues to be pumped about his success. So successfully has he turned around his diabetes, he now has to be careful not to let his blood sugar get too low! “If I get a little grouchy, I know that’s not me. So I grab an apple or an orange and I’m right as rain again.”