January 1, 2014… I weighed at least 305 lbs.  Even the slightest exertion wore me out.  Doctors told me diabetes was knocking on the door.  2014 was another new year of taking medication to prevent diabetes from happening, reduce my level of anxiety, and lower blood pressure.  As someone considered “obese”, my laboratory measures of health were out of whack.  And that’s an understatement.

I would have many believe that this realization happened  because I weighed too much  (which I certainly did).  My life’s state was also reflected in my lack of activity and at best low levels of exercise.  Every advisor in my life offered some suggestion – albeit very gently – that I get some things straightened out.  Truth be told, I just didn’t care about much of anything and certainly wasn’t motivated to make any changes.

What I realize now is that my situation was rooted in the sense of an unbalanced life and an unstable mental state.  Still,  I needed to do something about it… something to improve my health.

I was stubborn and fragile all at the same time.

What most don’t know is that I struggled far beyond my health concerns and lived a sort of paralell life of destruction.  You see, for way too many years, I drank too much. It was part of my life in business, in my travels and whenever I had the opportunity.  Reflecting back on the years leading up to 2014, I am surprised my health concerns didn’t grow more out of control or that I didn’t put myself or others in more danger.  But by the grace of God, I was blessed enough to sustain the relationships of those closest to me.

So, January 1, I quit drinking.  I had some medical assistance to get me through the rough part and then have been working on refocusing my energy ever since.  I am part of an online community that helps.  My wife and family are supportive.  I go back to the stage in late June.  I want to learn to play the guitar…

My life has evolved into a new and different dynamic that seems more positive and satisfying than I’ve realized in a very long time.

Today is my 140th day sober.  In large measure, this change has reset all the lab metrics to “normal” levels.  I’ve also lost weight, improved energy, increased strength and become present in my home and life again.  My decision to quit drinking is certainly a major reason for my health improvements.  Yet…

I give Advocare credit as part of my journey too.

While my commitment is to not drinking, I also appreciate  a whole new way to live and love my life.  Advocare taught me to understand my body and what I needed.  It created a sense of balanced energy and nutrition that sustains me.

Yet, the benefits of Advocare go far beyond health meausres, energy level and nutritional balance.  I am grateful for the opportunity to share my story with others while offering a platform and foundation on which to build a future.  For all the benefits I’ve experienced in nearly five short months, my chance to pay it forward is what matters most to me.  Many of us are up against a challenge in life – healthwise, or otherwise.  My response – and I pray yours too – is to rebuild my life around healthy concepts.  And so in this way…

Advocare is a means of grace for me – and you -to become a new creation.

Blessings Abound,
Max

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! -2 Corinthians 5:17