The Sherwins are an example of many who have attended Lifestyle Center of America, which specializes in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and its complications. 

Bill Freeh New Jersey resident Bill Freeh was looking for a way to stop the progression of his type 2 diabetes for which he was diagnosed more than 3 years ago. "I just felt like I needed to take care of my diabetes but I didn't know where to turn," said Freeh. He opened a health magazine and read about someone with type 2 diabetes who had recently completed a Stopping Diabetes Program.

Freeh lost 18 pounds and dropped his cholesterol level to the point where he no longer needed his cholesterol medication. "This has been a life-changing and life-saving program for me," said Freeh. "I was able to cut the blood pressure medications in half, and am now completely off the diabetes medication which I have been taking for three years. "

"My blood pressure is lower and I actually feel physically stronger," Yargee said. "When I arrived at LCA, I had problems with my circulation and difficulty walking. Now I can walk over a mile without any trouble."

Helen Leet Safely Discontinues All Heart Medication It has been nearly 2 years since Ms. Helen Leet of Bermuda made the trip to Sulphur, Oklahoma to attend the Stopping Diabetes Program. 

Helen had been having heart problems and her doctor had prescribed a potent medication that has been known to cause liver problems.

This medication was to be used as a "last resort" for people with her condition.  She was able to take it for only 2 days because it made her too hyper and nervous.  A brother of a friend of Helen's had just returned home to Bermuda from LCA, and upon his recommendation, Helen decided to attend the the program for herself.

When she first arrived, Helen would become short of breath when she only walked a short distance.  However, by the end of her program stay, she was walking 3-4 miles a day.  And today, she is completely off all heart medication! 

Having been a vegetarian for years, many of the ingredients and recipes at LCA were not new to her and she found everything to be delicious.  She does admit to having a sweet tooth but the education she received through her personal physician consultations and the health presentations she heard at LCA drove home the importance of eliminating sweets and replacing them with a healthy, balanced diet.

"The staff were some of the nicest people I have ever met," according to Helen.  "I have traveled all over Europe , but visiting LCA was the best holiday I have ever taken!"

"0 to Zoomer" From near immobility to the nickname "Zoomer" tells the story in a nutshell! Tom Green's  experience at Lifestyle Center America (LCA) in the beautiful Arbuckle Mountains of southern Oklahoma was a success.

Tom and his wife Pricilla had already scheduled a visit to LCA upon the recommendation of close friends to help control Tom's type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high triglyceride readings. Exercise had been a part of his life and he loved to swim.  However, without warning, Tom began to experience multiple muscle pains. Soon he needed help even getting up out of a chair.

Still wondering how they could afford the investment to attend the Stopping Diabetes Program, they saw a miracle take place. As Tom explains, "Pricilla is a semi-retired realtor and several transactions developed that suddenly gave us the money we needed to come. And we think this is probably one of the best decisions we ever made in our lives."

Once on the LCA campus, they quickly appreciated the expert and compassionate care they received. One luxury for them: not waiting 6 months for a rushed doctor's appointment. Their physicians back home are well qualified, but they practiced conventional medicine: which dictates that for a problem, you dispense a pill.  The doctors at LCA are also well qualified, but their emphasis is on lifestyle change to help restore the health of those suffering from chronic disease. As a result of the lifestyle changes (which include diet, exercise and massage therapy), Tom's blood sugars are now in the normal range. And they have returned to normal without any medications and the side-effects that medications can cause.

Tom had some personal goals while visiting LCA, which included overall health improvements. However, he also wanted to find a sense of peace and tranquility. With the help of one of the counselors, Tom was able to talk through some past issues and find that peace.

One a scale of 1 - 10, both Tom and Pricilla would give their experience an "11" rating, and they consider their stay at LCA the best investment in health they have ever made.  Congratulations to "Zoomer" and his lovely wife!

Johnny Holmes Johnny Holmes of Middletown , New York , suffering from type 2 diabetes for the past 4 years, recently discovered a new way to live his life and manage his disease.

Holmes completed the Stopping Diabetes Program, program at Lifestyle Center of America (LCA). As a result, his blood sugars dropped from 400 to under 100. Holmes arrived at LCA with high blood pressure. When he returned to his home, he had a 98/80 blood pressure reading. "When I arrived at LCA, I felt weak and moody," said Holmes. "I am returning to New York feeling great and a lot happier."

Dr. Jerry Wilson Dr. Jerry Wilson, a retired orthodontist from Alabama, who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes ten years ago, recently discovered a new way to manage the disease and improve his health. Wilson by completing the Stopping Diabetes Program.

As a result of the Program, Wilson lost 15 pounds, and eliminated the need for the many medications he had been taking. According to Wilson, he no longer required 2 diabetic medications, 2 blood pressure prescriptions, a prostate drug, a cholesterol medicine and an anti-inflammatory medicine.

"The best part of it all," said Wilson "is the mental clarity I've experienced as a by-product of the program. If a person is a diabetic and they're worried about their future, Lifestyle Center of America is not a destination, but a first step in a journey to a healthy lifestyle."

Lynda Hendershot Lynda Hendershot of West Virginia , suffered from type 2 diabetes for 37 years.

For years, Hendershot's blood sugars were averaging well over 200. "I am thrilled that they now average 87," said Hendershot. "I lost 10 pounds, and have been able to cut my use of insulin by 10 units each day." Hendershot claims there has been a dramatic improvement in her lipid panel.

During her time at the Center, Hendershot worked with medical professionals, a nutritionist, fitness specialist, a behavioral health counselor and other health professionals to develop new lifestyle habits to stop the relentless progression of the disease.

Dottie Wood Atlantic City 's Dottie Wood, who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 30 years ago.

As a result of the Stopping Diabetes Program, Wood has lost over 20 pounds, 12 of which she lost while she was at LCA. Wood's blood sugars tested at well over 300 when she entered the program. "Now they are just over 100, said Wood. "I feel energized with the new knowledge I now have on how to manage the diabetes."

Jan Cotter Experiences Pain Relief Chronic pain and near immobility brought Jan Cotter to Lifestyle Center of America (LCA) in Sulphur , Oklahoma . Her fibromyalgia, arthritis and blood clots, as well as neuropathy in her legs, were keeping her from enjoying her grandchildren. They were also keeping her from enjoying life.

Through careful medical attention, exercise, dietary changes and her own inner-drive, Jan's life has seen a complete turn around. After concluding the program, she can now walk three-miles a day. For 10 years, Jan has not been able to sleep through the night due to pain. Now, for the first time in 10 years, she can sleep through the night.  In the morning when she awakens, she is virtually pain free. Her test results tell the rest of the story: cholesterol levels have dropped 60 points and liver enzymes have decreased by 4 times.

She particularly appreciated how the staff cared for her as an individual. Everyone from the massage therapists to the fitness experts took a special interest in adjusting the program to fit her individual needs. Since she had several severe food allergies, the chef took the time to carefully adapt LCA's gourmet recipes for her. 

"Use your last penny to come down here," urges Jan. "No matter what it takes, you have to get here." Jan heads home to grandchildren and a new life!

Brenda Hargrave Now Glows with Health When a dear friend died, Brenda Hargrave of Louisiana , took a look at her own health and thought she would be next. "My friend's death really affected me not only because I cared about her so much, but also because she was the first person in my 'age group' to die."

It was at that point that Brenda realized that she needed to do something to improve her own health. "I'm a registered nurse and have owned/operated a home health care agency, taking care of individuals with various illnesses, including diabetes. Furthermore, I have diabetes myself, so I thought I had read everything on the subject. But when I received a postcard from the Lifestyle Center of America, I read how lifestyle changes can positively impact your health."

Despite being hopeful, Brenda was still not convinced that the Lifestyle Center could help her. "I was skeptical at first. The approach of the Lifestyle Center was not what I had learned from my professional and personal experiences with traditional medicine." Brenda did a lot of research before enrolling at the Center. "I investigated the Center by calling the Better Business Bureau and City Hall. I prayed to the Lord to give me guidance. I compared the costs of my annual hospital visits (with deductibles & co-payments) to the cost of a program at the Lifestyle Center , and I realized the program cost was less and there was a chance to actually improve my health."

At the end of her program, Brenda had lost 15 pounds and was no longer dependent on insulin. "When I got off the plane, my family didn't recognize me. I had that Lifestyle glow; I was glowing with health."

"I'm thankful to God that I have diabetes because a lot of times the first symptom of heart disease is death, and the first symptom of a stroke is paralysis. With diabetes, you can not only do something about it, but you can improve your overall health with a new lifestyle program."