Twenty-seven Albert Lea area residents made a tremendous change in their health last spring in a local program called the Coronary Health Improvement Project. The program is set to begin again this fall on Oct. 13.

Last spring, the class of 27 took part in this comprehensive lifestyle modification effort. The program emphasized the eight lifestyle habits known to lead to longevity. These simple lifestyle habits are common to all long-lived populations and include healthy eating, exercise, sufficient water, sunshine, temperance, fresh air, good sleep, and emotional health. Participants learned to create an optimal lifestyle for themselves, that could be integrated into their current lives on a long-term basis. The results were far-reaching health benefits.

Because the program includes personalized health assessments before and after class, participants were able to measure their own progress. The average cholesterol drop in the five-week program was 10.6 percent — a drop that decreased the participants’ chance of heart attack by about 30 percent. Those who started the program with dangerously high cholesterol levels had the most benefits, with cholesterol lowering up to 20 percent.

Participants also noted other health improvements with the implementation of an optimal lifestyle. The average weight loss during the 5 week class was 10 pounds. Bernie Benson, a local retired jeweler, reported, “When I saw my doctor at the VA hospital last spring, he had a lot of bad news for me. Besides being near-diabetic, I was overweight, and had heart and breathing problems. I couldn’t walk up one flight of stairs without being out of breath. He said I had to make some serious changes or I would have to go on blood-sugar lowering pills. Now, I’ve lost more than 30 pounds, and my blood sugars are in the normal range. For the first time in many years I can mow my own lawn. I am continuing to live healthfully now — and I can’t wait to see the look on my doctor’s face when I see him this fall.”

Another Albert Lea area couple, Bob and Tonia Lauer, also completed the five-week program. Tonia, who works at the medical center, lost some weight in the program. She also had significant cholesterol lowering. Bob, who owns a computer business in town, has had open heart surgery in the past. He reports that the program contributed to a “revolution” in the way he views his own lifestyle. Severely limited in his activities due to peripheral artery disease, Bob reported that he could not walk more than 300 yards without severe pain in his legs. Since he is now implementing simple lifestyle changes, especially in the way he eats and exercises, he is able to walk a mile at a time without pain. He walks an average of two miles a day now.

Moraa Knoll came to this country several years ago from Kenya, and is a student at Riverland Community College. She was also in low spirits because of her declining health. She was recently told that her cholesterol was dangerously high, and she would also need to go on blood-sugar lowering medicine. Moraa took the program to heart, and had a 10 percent drop in her overall cholesterol in five weeks. She continued to live healthfully, and her doctor had her cholesterol drawn six weeks later. At that time she had another drop of about 10 percent. Moraa faithfully walks every morning, and now has blood sugar levels in the normal range. Moraa says, she is committed to living healthfully now, and she is extremely thankful to the CHIP program for helping her to develop a lifestyle that leads to health.

The fall CHIP program begins Oct. 13, and is held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Albert Lea. Dr. Stephanie Nainani, the class coordinator, has limited the class size in order to provide individual attention to each member. To obtain registration materials by mail, call (507) 373-0622. There are also two informational seminars where those interested may find out about the program and register. They will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 16 at Thornecrest Retirement center (supper provided), and at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 18 at Crossroads church.