“One of our best vacations…”

Nineteen years ago, David Heetland’s cholesterol level was 181 – higher than he wanted it to be. After trying – and struggling with – several approaches (“I can’t believe how many bran muffins I ate), the vice-president for development at Garrett-Evangelical Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, ran across the book The Pritikin Promise.

One month after starting the Pritikin Program, his cholesterol shot down to 142. “Right then and there,” he recalls, “I committed myself to the Pritikin lifestyle.”

But it was a lonely undertaking. In the suburbs north of Chicago, he didn’t know anyone on Pritikin. And though he wanted to go to the Pritikin Longevity Center, “it was too expensive.”

His wife Kathy, a professional musician, supported her husband’s new lifestyle but wasn’t keen on changing her own. Plus, she and David were thin, so why bother?

But a few years ago, Kathy developed high blood pressure. No surprise, really. She has a family history of heart disease, so her doctor put her on anti-hypertension drugs.

Last summer, as the couple considered where they’d like to take a vacation, never an easy discussion (Kathy likes shopping, David prefers hiking), David ventured, “How about Pritikin?”

“What!?” asked Kathy. “A health camp?”

“No,” suggested David, “a spa.”

Kathy acquiesced. Last September, as they flew to Pritikin in Florida, David did have second thoughts. “Man, this is a lot of money,” he worried. “Are we doing the right thing?”

But two weeks later, flying home, the couple thought it “one of the best vacations” they’d ever had, “not just for those two weeks but for our lifetimes. We both fell in love with the Center. And we left on fire,” says David, still amazed several weeks later, “energized like never before to live well.”

Back at work, David’s encouraged his colleagues, telling them that “the best gift you can give yourself is to go to Pritikin.” And he and Kathy hope they can vacation at Pritikin again – perhaps next time with their two daughters and sons-in laws, and their toddler grandson.

“Many aging baby boomers,” observes David, “think nothing of dropping $5,000 on a nice vacation but would never spend that much on health education. What’s wonderful about Pritikin is you get both – a great vacation and a great education. And you return home feeling so good – and with the skills to continue feeling that good. It’s a vacation with a purpose.

“Our Pritikin vacation exceeded our expectations – and was the fulfillment of my dream.”

Below, in his own words, are more highlights of David’s dream-come-true:

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Pritikin Perspective - Healthy Living Made Easier
Pritikin Perspective is a publication for Alumni of the Pritikin Longevity Center. It is dedicated to helping people make healthy changes in their lives. The articles in this publication should not be considered specific medical advice, as each individual circumstance is different. You are strongly encouraged to seek medical advice before beginning a program of diet and exercise.
Editor/Writer: Eugenia Killoran.

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