Excitement and an air of celebration permeated the audience of more than 3,500 people who gathered Saturday at Saddleback Church on the Lake Forest campus and online for the third Daniel Plan rally. For the first time, all three Daniel Plan doctors, Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Mark Hyman and Dr. Mehmet Oz joined Pastor Rick on stage to share startling facts about physical health in America, demonstrate how to prepare some very “difficult” recipes and arm the audience with tools to make positive, daily changes.
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Baked Oatmeal Bars, By Kay Warren
Pastor Rick’s “Difficult” Fruit Sorbet
Top 10 Timesaver Tips, By Robert Sturm
Avocado Cacoa Creme, By Jenny Ross
A truly powerful moment occurred as members from the crowd took to the stage, holding signs that indicated the number of pounds each had lost. On the other side of each sign was the benefit each person had gained from the weight loss, such as: No more headaches! I can get off the couch! More energy to teach! Longer life!
Pastor Rick’s sign said, “50 pounds,” and on the reverse, “Smart and Sexy.”
These were just a few of the incredible success stories that inspired the crowd to get started on the Daniel Plan. To date, Daniel Plan participants have lost over 250,0000 pounds. The program has started to make a ripple effect through the nation and the world. Over 5,000 people from outside of the United States have signed up to participate in the plan online, and the success stories keep rolling in from around the community.
“The Daniel Plan is unique from other plans and diets,” said Dr. Mehmet Oz as he addressed seminar attendees. “It builds community.”
Dr. Hyman, a leading functional medicine doctor, interviewed Chiquita Seals who lost 100 pounds since starting the Daniel Plan in January.
“For me, I reached a point where I knew I had to make a change,” said Seals. “I weighed 260 pounds and through the power of community, I am where I am today.”
Dr. Hyman reminded attendees of an African proverb that encourages utilizing community in health efforts: “If you want to travel quickly, travel alone. If you want to travel far, travel together.”
“I feel like I am at the top of my game!” said Karen Quinn who lost 40 pounds since January.
“Eating healthy and working out gives me more energy in all areas of my life, my family, my job, and all of my relationships.”
“By making small changes, we can make profound effects,” encouraged Dr. Oz. “Once you do a mile, you realize I am good enough to do this! And you don’t necessarily have to walk, you can swim, or bike. The most important thing is to do something that makes sense to you.”
Dr. Amen, a leading brain specialist, reminded the crowd of the huge connection between our physical and mental health. “Get your brain right! The decisions you make everyday either drive your health or drive your illness.” He tells us about the dinosaur syndrome, big body small brain. “As your weight goes up, your prefrontal cortex you brain function goes down, and that will scare the fat off anyone!”
Physical activity and healthy eating are vital, but it is also important to add the spiritual element to these changes. Pastor Rick took to the stage on Saturday and explained to the audience how to make this happen.
“The single most important thing you can do is to renew your mind,” said Pastor Rick. “This is done through a daily quiet time in the word of God.”
Saturday also showed attendees that the Daniel Plan isn’t just for adults. As their parents learned from the doctors, kids were learning from Austin Andrews, from the hit NBC TV Show “The Biggest Loser.” Austin encouraged the kids to, “move everyday, play with your friends outside, and start healthy habits now.”
Many people began their Daniel Plan journey this past January, but if you haven’t yet started, or need to get back on track, you can do that today! Your body’s health is the key to your life being in balance. For many, the Daniel Plan rally was the catalyst for life-long change, for others it was the inspiration to finish strong through the holidays. Wherever you are on your health and fitness journey, it is important to remember that The Daniel Plan is not a diet, it is a lifestyle.
Today is the day to make healthy decisions that will enable you to live a stronger, healthier and happier life. Visit www.DanielPlan.com to get tips and motivation to make and maintain healthy changes in your own life!
