By: April Harker
I’ve struggled with my weight throughout my life. I’ve tried different pills and fad diets that never worked. I’d lose weight and gain it all back. Being overweight is just a depressing way to live. I hadn’t learned how to eat nutritiously, and I struggled with binge eating and severe food addiction.
In January of 2014 I was diagnosed with Hashimotos and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Within a year of diagnosis I gain over 100 lbs. I was sick, depressed, hungry, tired, and lethargic all the time. It took everything I had in me to just get out of bed in the morning.
On July 19, 2015 I decided to start a health journey and get my life back. I started out doing swimming at our local gym and did my best to change my eating habits. I lost a significant amount of weight, but I just wasn’t feeling good. I’m not sure how to describe it, but it was as if my body was trying to tell me something. I had become brainwashed by the health and fitness industries that I needed huge amounts of protein. I was consuming two whey protein shakes a day and two meals loaded with animal protein. Although the weight slowly started to come off, my diseases hadn’t gotten any better, and my body just felt miserable.
Fast forward a year to August 2016. My father ended up passing away due to 30+ years of battling food addiction and diet-related disease. I struggled losing him knowing he could have had a much more enriched life if he just would have been willing to make some changes. Losing him sparked a fire in me. I didn’t want to follow in his footsteps, and I was determined to break an unhealthy cycle in regards to food. I dove into nutritional research at home and school, and watched just about every food documentary I could find searching for answers. I felt similar to Joseph Smith searching for which church was true, except I was searching from truth in regards to nutrition.
Like Joseph, I too found myself on my knees praying for answers. After a few days of study and prayer I came across those amazing verses in D&C 89:
Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
It was as if the Lord himself was speaking directly to me. I’d never read those verses together and understood them as they should be read. It pleases the Lord when we abstain from eating animals! I knew it was time for me to reflect on the choices and decisions I had been making with food, and I wanted to desperately to heal myself of the thyroid disease and PCOS.
On September 13, 2016 I eliminated all animal foods from my diet. Going whole food, plant-based has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I feel physically stronger, and my body is continuing to lean out every day. I sleep so much better and wake up with a clear, focused mind that used to be in a state of constant fog. I also feel so good knowing I’m doing my part to help protect the animals and our planet from destruction.
The best part of it all is I no longer suffer with thyroid disease or PCOS and am off ALL medications. To be off all medication and cured of my ailments in just three months is miraculous, and I thank the Lord for this wonderful wealth of knowledge I’ve been blessed with. I’ve now lost a total of 121 lbs. since the start of my journey in 2015, and I’m continuing to drop weight due to a healthy whole food, plant-based diet and lots of exercise. I enjoy life more fully than ever before, and I truly love the woman I’ve become!
April Harker is 27 years old. She and her husband live in Phoenix, Arizona where she is currently studying nutritional research. She enjoys weight lifting, boxing, and cooking.
What a blessing it is to have the Word of Wisdom to direct us through the perilous times we live in. I admire and respect people like April who suffered greatly because of the totally chaotic and misleading food culture of the modern world. April is showing us there is a way out. We have been given the answers! Thanks so much, April!
April, thank you sharing with all of us the struggle you had over the years to become healthy. I am grateful that you found that the Lord’s Word of Wisdom provides answers for those who have eating disorders!
I particularly appreciated the following which you shared with all of us:
“On September 13, 2016 I eliminated all animal foods from my diet. Going whole food, plant-based has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I felt physically stronger, and my body is continuing to keep me lean and healthy. I sleep so much better and wake up with a clear, focused mind that used to be in a state of constant fog. I also feel so good knowing I’m doing my part to help protect the animals and our planet from destruction.” Before I began eating the way the Lord advises I suffered from about three serious illnesses.”
I am grateful that eating the Word of Wisdom Way has allowed me, Jane’s father, to no longer have to go to doctors to be assisted in overcoming several serious illnesses I once had.
Jane Birch, who published that which you submitted, is the eldest of nine children Jane’s mother and I brought into this world. Jane personally helped me learn and live in accordance to what the Lord teaches us in His Word of Wisdom about how we should eat just as I was about to turn eighty.
In February of this year I will celebrate my eighty fifth birthday. Thanks to my eating the Word of Wisdom Way I never have anymore, even minor illnesses. I’m deeply grateful that many much younger men and women like you, are beginning to eat the way the Lord teaches us to eat.Thank you for your GREAT EXAMPLE!
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so very sorry for the loss of your precious father. Even though you will see him again in heaven, it’s still difficult to see loved ones leave the earth before we do. It’s wonderful that you learned these principles so young and actually incorporated them into your life. Hurray, for you!
So inspiring! Thanks for sharing!!:)
Wow! Your amazing journey is amazing to read. I will be very interested in any updates you may provide. Congratulations on your decision to eat for health. I am so happy for you and every life you touch…all will be blessed by your choices.
What is your interpretation of the staff of life. WOW states that it is to be used in time of famine. Do you eat grains.
Here are my thoughts on the staff of life: http://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/about/the-word-of-wisdom/wow-faqs/staff-of-life/
Thank you so much for sharing this!! Someone close to me has PCOS and I’m going to share this with her to see if this might help her. And she lives in Mesa, AZ! (I grew up in Tempe, AZ). I recently started eating a vegan diet and no sugar and am currently trying to learn more about the word of wisdom when it comes to eating meat sparingly. We definitely live in a world of meat eaters so it has been eye opening to me learning how to eat meat less or none at all. Thanks again!
Andrea: Here are more resources on PCOS if you are interested: https://goo.gl/WmhNKE
April, What an inspirational story! What a wonderful reminder that we all can find revelation for ourselves as long as we get down on our knees and sincerely ask.