Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our next choice of reading will come from the free Saddleback Church Daniel Plan Curriculum. The Daniel Plan is a six-week Bible study curriculum that walks through steps to be healthier.
We will be posting updates through the PHW Facebook page, but our PHW blog page will have the discussion posts in full with responses from staff. Just look for the apple on top of the book picture among the blog post pictures and you will find past Book Club entries.
You can find a summary of the curriculum below, and an introductory video here. This curriculum encourages you to find a companion to walk through this six-week journey together. I know that you will enjoy browsing through The Daniel Plan website. I hope to you visit Thursday to leave your comments on our first week’s lesson!
The Simple Six: Core Principles & Action Steps (provided by Saddleback)
CONNECT for Success
Ask a friend or two to join or support you on your journey because “we’re better together.” Start or join a small group. Online groups are available too.
Connect with your current health by measuring your weight, waist size, blood pressure so you know your numbers. See your doctor(s) for an annual checkup.
Start your health profile, enter your starting figures at the “Start” tab.
Begin learning about foods to eat and avoid. Watch “Clean Out Your Pantry” video and print out the “Good Foods” shopping list.
RELY on God’s Power
Seek God’s power to help make changes to your health and life.
Start your day with an attitude of gratitude and journal your journey. Seek God’s help. Read “How to Have a Meaningful Time with God” by Pastor Rick Warren.
Complete the One-Page Miracle. Set goals. Try to win the week. Consider using food and exercise tracking tools like fitday.com, loseit.com or fatsecret.com.
EAT Delicious Whole Foods
Have 70% of your daily diet consist of whole, living foods including raw or lightly cooked vegetables, fruit, raw nuts and seeds. The other 30% can include lean protein, whole grains and starchy vegetables.
Don’t drink your calories (sodas, juices, alcohol). Drink water instead.
Read the label: Avoid high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, nitrates, food coloring.
Avoid the “white menaces,” flour, rice, potatoes and sugar (bread, pasta, cookies, cakes).
Supplement your diet with high quality vitamins Omega-3, Vit. D, and a multi-vitamin.
Eat nutritious breakfasts that include protein. Add healthy snacks throughout the day. Low-fat lunches. Light dinners (don’t eat within three hours of bedtime).
MOVE Your Way to Health
Stay active daily. Find ways to enjoy exercise. God made our bodies for movement.
Begin improving your posture, flexibility and cardiovascular/aerobicconditioning.Lose weight faster with “burst” (interval) training. Read “How to Exercise” to guide you.
Burn calories, gain strength using resistance training.
THINK Sharper and Smarter
Your decisions about the way you eat, move and think are results of your brain health.
Get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Stress less with deep breathing and exercise.
Reverse risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s by learning something new: language, scripture.
Avoid brain robbers like alcohol, drugs, smoking, and sports that can cause concussions.
Don’t believe the automatic negative thoughts in your head. Challenge and replace them with the truth!
HEAL for Life
Develop a strategy that makes The Daniel Plan a permanent part of your life.
Seek optimal digestive health by following Dr. Mark Hyman’s suggestions.
Consider a period of food detoxification to identify food allergies that could be making you sick and overweight.
Stop sugar addiction and food addictions that trigger overeating.
Improve your energy by addressing the variety of energy gains and drains.
–Joy Williams, PHW Regional Consultant
Partners in Health and Wholeness is an initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches. PHW aims to connect health as a faith issue. Please visit our website to sign your personal pledge to be healthier, and to find out about grant opportunities for places of worship in NC.
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