“Bookstores don’t need another diet book,” I’d exclaim to some class participants as they urged me to write a book based on what I teach in my “Reclaim Health & Energy” classes. Besides, I knew nothing about publishing and marketing a book. But the seed was planted. The Holy Spirit kept nudging it to sprout despite my lengthy list of objections. With every excuse, the Lord gently reminded me of who He is and what He is capable of doing. If I’d offer my availability, He would provide the ability and equip me with whatever it took to get this job done.

I simply didn’t see the need for a book about diet since the bookstores are already full of them and diets generally don’t work long-term anyway. It didn’t make sense. As I argued this with the Lord one day, He whispered, Trust in [Me] with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek [My] will in all you do and [I] will show you which path to take (Proverbs 3:5–6, NLT). Trust and obedience don’t have to make sense. I wasn’t being called to understand, but simply to obey.

I had attended and later taught a class on Absolute Surrender, a book by Andrew Murray. Where was my surrender? I had read and shared dozens of copies of Lysa TerKeurst’s book Radically Obedient, Radically Blessed. Where was my obedience? They were wrapped up in “I, me, and myself” and in fear—of failure, of what others would say or think. It seems so silly to think that way. “Fear God, not man,” the church marquee proclaimed around the time I finally surrendered to obedience.

Two events happened within the same week that broke my stubborn resistance. On Thursday, September 22, 2005, I reflected on a newsletter from Tom Randall, the chaplain for the PGA Champions Tour. He shared about numerous opportunities the Lord had opened for him to speak. My thoughts shifted to an earlier vision I felt God had given me of speaking to a large crowd. I silently asked, “Are You really going to open doors for me to speak?” Instantly, my heart heard, You haven’t written the book yet. I tried to ignore and forget I heard that.

The following Tuesday at some point during the night, I shuffled to the bathroom, still
half asleep, and holding my right arm because my elbow was in agonizing pain. I moaned and whined, “Why is this hurting so bad?” Instantly, I heard, Because you are not using it for the purpose I ask. I was wide awake after that, and there was no way I could ignore this issue any longer.

Once I made a commitment to start writing, it wasn’t long before I understood that the scope of Forget the Die-its—Learn to LIVE-it! was not about just another diet. It was to go much deeper than simply addressing the physical state of health. The Lord has taught me that my physical health and how I care for His “temple” influence all areas of my life. Forget the Die-its—Learn to LIVE-it! is about real healing, becoming whole, and loving God, ourselves, and others—completely.

I believe most diet plans ultimately fail because they are based on deprivation and restriction of calories for a short-term goal of losing weight. I call my program a LIVE-it because it is based on principles, education, and encouragement advocating lifestyle changes for long-term, overall health improvement—mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. One of the first Scripture verses that got my attention on the matter of my health was Mark 12:30. If I am called—commanded—to “. . . love the Lord [my] God with all [my] heart, . . . soul, . . . mind, and . . . strength” (NLT), does this not cover all aspects of my health?

When I began teaching the “Reclaim Health & Energy”classes in 1999, it didn’t take long to realize that most people are looking for a simple solution, a quick fix. They are usually too busy and don’t care to take the time to study the details. “Shuck it down to the cob and give me the bottom line,” they ask. While that is what I try to do in this book, I know that without some explanation of why I recommend what I do, there won’t be enough knowledge to empower and motivate making the necessary changes. Education must precede motivation. Without a viable belief system and an understanding of what the healthier choices are and why, actions probably won’t change, habits won’t become healthier, and therefore, neither will the lifestyle.

Forget the Die-its—Learn to LIVE-it! is divided into three sections. Section 1 is the story of my journey of being delivered from my enslavement to food, forty years of wandering through the “desert” (mostly desserts!), and into freedom from daily battles with food temptations. This story sets the stage for the rest of the book—so don’t skip over it.

Section 2 contains the basic foundations for launching your own journey. It is divided into twelve chapters, each one corresponding to a month of the year. Topics include water; plant-based versus animal-based programs; fasting and prayer; fiber and the real “bread of life”; the truth about protein; ideas for children; exercise and sunshine; rest; eliminating garbage foods; sugar sabotage; being thankful; and setting goals. Read the entire book first; then focus on one change each month so that after one year, your lifestyle will have been easily altered and you will be well on the way to reclaiming your health and energy!

Section 3 will provide the “nuts and bolts” to put together your adventure. It offers helpful hints, a glossary, recipes, a sample week of my family’s menus, and resources for further study.

This adventure has brought, and is still bringing, healing in an area that millions suffer
from: bondage to the taste buds! Otherwise, the epidemic of diseases and obesity that exists today would not be happening. Most people choose the things they eat and drink because of taste, not because the choices promote wellness. Our taste buds have been tainted, but the wonderful news is that they can change. Once we focus on eating for the purpose of fueling the body for health and energy, healthy foods will taste great!

The nutrition principles in Forget the Die-its—Learn to LIVE-it! are designed to put an end to counting calories and grams of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. At first, you will need to read labels and be aware of what to look for and what to avoid. Eventually, you will be able to forego the labels and also throw away the scales. The progress will be evident in the way you feel, think, and look. Let go of immediate, short-term gratification and focus on long-term lifestyle changes to achieve the ultimate goals of better health and abundant energy.

Each time I hear a lengthy list of prayer requests or the news of another divorce or stories of domestic violence, child abuse, murder, suicide, drug overdoses, behavior problems with children . . . my heart is burdened. Because of what I have experienced, learned, seen, and heard, I understand that what we choose to fuel the body with has a much broader impact than just the size of the clothing we wear. Many—most—areas of life are influenced in one way or another by the state of our health. Are you making choices that invest in your wellness, or do they contribute to illness? I challenge you today to be proactive about your health—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.