I’ve been in a somber frame of mind, as I contemplate all the people I know who are ill. These include family members, friends, and clients. Some of us know that we need to make changes to our diet and lifestyle but we aren’t willing to surrender some things. Have you noticed that the things that we refuse to surrender are the ones that are causing us harm?

So, tell me, what are you prepared to do for yourself?

Have you been trying to change by yourself but are not doing so well? Time to get help.

Have you been struggling with diabetes, high blood pressure or another disease? Time to get help.

Do you suffer from constipation (not having a bowel movement for every meal)? Time to get help.

You say, “I cannot afford to get help.”

Can you afford to remain ill?

Diabetes

According to the Diabetes Association, “People with diagnosed diabetes incur average medical expenditures of about $13,700 per year, of which about $7,900 is attributed to diabetes.”

Monthly costs are $4-$100 per month for one diabetes medication (without insurance) to $200-$500 per month for a multi-drug regimen.

Here’s the thing: these drugs aren’t making you well. No; five years down the road, you’ll still be taking them or something stronger.

High blood pressure

For patients not covered by health insurance, hypertension (high blood pressure) treatment typically costs between $740-$1,200 or more per year, with an annual average cost of $454 for doctor's visits, and $407 for prescription medication, according to a report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

One prescription drug may run anywhere from $10-$100 per month for an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE). If you are also given beta-blockers, that’s an additional $4-$168 per month. Add a calcium channel blocker to relax and widen blood vessels, and that’s another $20-$200+. If your doctor determines that you need Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), these cost between $30-$60 per month.

We won’t even talk about cancer medications or kidney treatments.

Tell me, again, what are you prepared to do?

Some clients become upset when I ask this because they would much prefer to hear that they can do whatever they like, eat anything and just pop a pill or two, and all will be well. Well, I can tell you that that won't work. That's a band-aid. Having been ill for many years, myself, with doctors testing and cutting and prescribing drugs, all in a bid to make me better, helped not one wit. In fact, I grew worse. It wasn’t until I received five words that devastated me, that I asked myself the question that I am asking you.

My five words were, “Your organs are shutting down.”

I tell you – those words had the power to make me do something. Placing myself on a program of change, I focused on the following:

• colon hydrotherapy – to clean my colon of old, impacted waste, and allow for a more productive absorption of water and nutrients

• detoxifying my body – using herbs (with monitoring)

• dietary changes – There are so many things to which my body reacted. Food allergies and sensitivities are the liver’s way of telling you that it is overburdened.

• oxygenation – making sure that I provided an environment for my brain, organs, and tissues to get the right amounts of oxygen

• pure, clean alkaline water – Dehydration was an issue but I also discovered that I wasn’t absorbing the water that I drank, and that tap water was contributing to my issues.

• restful sleep – definitely neglected, causing weight gain, lowering my immunity, and a host of other problems

• alkalinity – tied into diet, hydration, and stress levels

• my microbiome – boy, this needed work!

It all comes down to choice and no one can make yours for you. Why should you live with illness and disease? Health covers your body, mind, soul, and spirit. Make health your only choice.