ROBERT STURM: POPULAR FOOD DESIGNER SAYS “DO IT NOW!”

Designing foods for a living keeps Robert Sturm experimenting with flavors, combinations and ingredients on a regular basis. More than likely, you’ve tried one of his creations at a popular or fast-food restaurant. Read how Robert turned to The Daniel Plan to get control of his own health, and the impact it’s having in his life, his family, and other marriages at Saddleback Church.

EXPLAIN ONE OR TWO OF YOUR PRIMARY HEALTH AND/OR LIFESTYLE CHALLENGES PRIOR TO THE DANIEL PLAN.

BEFORE / AFTER

I was overweight, weighing in at 264 pounds and 6’1” tall. So I was just too short for that weight. My back hurt, my knees hurt. I couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs without being out of breath. This started to scare me. I didn’t want to have a heart attack. I was in horrible shape. I was just sick and tired of being sick and tired.

WHY DID YOU START THE DANIEL PLAN? HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT IT?

When Pastor Rick talked about the Decade of Destiny in church one Sunday, I lit up. It really got me excited. The church teaching practical ways for the people live. Wow!! Now that’s what the church is suppose do be doing. The hard part about participating in The Daniel Plan is I have to walk the talk.

I’m a chef and a food designer. I’ve created food that millions of people eat every day. I have had my hand in creating foods like Outback’s Bloomin’ Onion, McDonald’s McRib, Chili’s Southwest Eggroll, Jack In The Box Panido Sandwiches, El Pollo Loco’s Chicken Carnitas, Taco Bell’s Chilito, KFC’s Chicken Twisters, food for The Cheesecake Factory, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Marie Callender’s and the list goes on. I’ve done a lot of damage. Daniel Amen told me “I have a lot of penance to do.”

My wife and I started a small group in our home. Our whole family is on The Daniel Plan like it or not. The kids and the dog too. The Herd Saturday started a “BIG” small group. Steve Komanapalli does the Biblical teaching and I started teaching the men how to cook healthy. I started a website www.RobertFood.com for all the recipes. Free for everyone. We give lessons every couple of weeks or so at The Herd Saturday in the morning and of course we all get a bite to eat. You wouldn’t believe the results. Amazing!!

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGES AND THINGS YOU HAVE LEARNED, SINCE GETTING ON THE DANIEL PLAN?

Personally, I lost 27 pounds, I found a few back a long the way but I am back on track with 40 more pounds to go. I want to lose the weight. I want to get healthy. That’s for me. My wife is excited about me losing weight. I have a beautiful godly wife and I want to keep her happy. Our family is getting healthier. We had a lot of bad diet habits to change but we are making the changes. The Herd Saturday guys have been amazing. No women or wives around so the guys really open up. It’s safe for them. Nobody to say, “I told You So”. We support each other like brothers. Because I’m involved with The Herd Saturday, I realized that I am not alone in this battle. Being on the journey with a great group of guys has given me the confidence and inspiration to continue to get healthy. Because of The Daniel Plan and our Herd Saturday meeting I am a better man, a better husband, a better father and a better Christian. I’m healthier.

WHAT RESULTS HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED?

My family is stronger. Not just healthier but just better together. Our small group has become much more close together. But the “BIG” results – because of The Daniel Plan and the cooking lessons we give on Saturday morning — men are getting healthy. The guys are cooking for their wives. The marriages are getting better. You wouldn’t believe the number of wives that are excited about their husbands. The guys are getting off diabetes medicine, off the cholesterol medicines. They’re losing weight, getting in shape. They’re shopping for smaller clothes and the wives are out there with them. Now we’re teaching how to cook together as a couple. Some guys have even said, “This has saved my marriage.” The results have been unbelievable.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS TO GET STARTED OR CONTINUE?

Are you kidding? I was part of the study that was done on High Fructose Corn Syrup and how much and how fast it converts to Diabetes. After what I have seen you have got to be crazy not to do The Daniel Plan. I’m never getting off of this plan. I’m telling you that The Daniel Plan will cure so many people of chronic illnesses and diseases that you will be stunned at the results that you will achieve. If you’re on The Daniel Plan, stay on it. If you are not on The Daniel Plan, get on it. Today. Don’t waste anymore time being unhealthy. Do it “NOW!”

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