Franklin Graham Sets High School Freshman Weight as New Year's Resolution, Goes on Vegan Diet in 2017

By Leah Marieann Klett
Franklin Graham
Franklin Graham Wikimedia Commons

With 2017 fast approaching, evangelist Franklin Graham has shared his New Year's resolution he hopes will make a "drastic" difference in his life.

Graham, the president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the head of the Samaritan's Purse humanitarian organization, took to his Facebook page on Tuesday to reveal his plans for the coming year.

"I don't know about you, but I have some extra pounds I'd like to get rid of," Billy Graham's son admitted. "I'm 64 years old and it doesn't come easy. I would love to get down to the weight I was as a freshman in high school. Well, that might be impossible--so how about my weight as a freshman in college"

Graham said he's nervous, however, as he doesn't think he will be able to handle his love for McDonald's "Quarter Pounders with Cheese" and barbecued ribs and steak with any sort of healthy moderation.

"Therefore, beginning January 1, I'm going to try something drastic-I'm going on a vegan diet," he said. "Vegetables and fruit anyway you can fix them. Do you think I'll survive?"

While Graham revealed that "everyone is betting" his new vegan diet won't last two days, he figures that if biblical figures like Daniel can do it in the face of overwhelming temptation, so can he.

"Remember in the Bible, Daniel went on a complete vegetable diet and after 10 days, his appearance was better than the others who hadn't," Graham said. The evangelist was referencing Daniel 1:8, which reads, "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way," and Daniel 1:12, where the young man asked the king's men, "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink."

Graham called on his five million Facebook followers to help him by posting any vegetable recipes that they would like to share.

According to a study done at the University of Scranton, out of the 45% of Americans who make New Year's resolutions, only 8% are successful in achieving them. However, Graham received an extra boost from his followers, who offered the evangelist recipes, tips, and advice to help him stick to his resolution.

"You can do it in Christ's strength! I lost 100 pounds in 6 months going on a diet that was similar. Praying for you on your journey!" wrote one supporter.

"Now that you made it public, I think you will last longer than you would've w/o going public," quipped another follower.

Added another, "First week is hardest... after that slowly step by step! You have great FAITH! I believe you will do it. I have to change myself."

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