"I want to keep being healthy for me."
Camp 21 has been such a blessing in my life. Earlier this year I had been suffering from a lot of pains, aches, and fatigue. I went to have some blood work done thinking that it was just my thyroid acting up again. Well, it was, but I also found out that my cholesterol level was 212 and my triglycerides level was 240, 100 points over the highest recommended level! The doctor recommended that I exercise, change eating habits, and come back in eight weeks.
Well, I did start to exercise and eat better—through Camp 21. After Doug Fowler’s presentation I was torn. I really wanted to participate because I believed in everything it represented: exercise, smaller portions, fruits and vegetables, and water. My greatest challenge was going to be finding the time to exercise for 30 minutes every day. I have a three-year old and a one-year old and work full time as a middle school teacher. I struggle to find the time to keep up with all the responsibilities I have and still have time to spend quality time with my children and husband.
I was up front and honest with Doug about this, but promised to try to make it work. I knew that if I wanted to be healthy I would have to do this—and I have! Sometimes I don’t get the 30 minutes alone at the gym and choose to spend it riding bikes or playing soccer with my family, but I get it in—and if I don’t, it’s OK because I know I can the next day. I used to feel that if I skipped one workout I’d never get back on track again, but life is different now. I have the test results to prove it!
Monday, October 2, I went back for my second round of blood work. I am ecstatic with the results! The doctor was amazed and proud—and there’s nothing like a pat on the back from your doctor. My cholesterol went down from 212 to 166 and my triglycerides from 240 to 115. The doctor thought he had put me on cholesterol medication!
Camp 21 has impacted my life from the inside out. I have more energy because of the exercise and the fruits and vegetables. I found that by the time I finished munching on my fruits and veggies throughout the day, my meal portions naturally decreased. I have loved the freedom to snack throughout the day knowing that my body was receiving energy and nutrients. It takes some time to get used to eating all those fruits and vegetables, but now I find that it’s a habit and my body craves them. I eat less pasta, breads, and other carbohydrates, which have always been my weakness.
Of course, making all these changes would have been (and has been in the past) difficult to achieve without a partner to help and motivate you—and for this I am so grateful to Doug. I don’t like to disappoint people and so I work hard every day to complete all my Camp 21 responsibilities, so that when Doug calls me at 5:45 in the morning I can give him a good report. This accountability aspect of the program is unique and tremendously motivating. Because I was being held accountable I began Camp 21 trying to complete my duties for Doug; now I am doing them because I want to keep being healthy for me. Camp 21 works!
Carianna F.
Seventh Grade Teacher