I’ve decided to apply the consistency and the persistence that made my dreams come true in some areas of my life to my quest for vibrant health (and weight-loss).
I’d like to highlight the Daniel Plan from Saddleback Church, put together after Rick Warren realised he needed to lose 90 pounds. (He’s lost 60 in a year!)
It’s put together with well-respected medical doctors, Dr Oz, Dr Amen and Dr Hyman.
Okay, it’s the only life-style change, diet and fitness programme I have ever seen or embarked on which sets off NO internal alarm bells. Not—“Is cutting out a food group (fat, meat, carbs, dairy) even healthy?” Not “Is this so restrictive that my metabolism will plummet, making me gain back all I’ve lost?” Not “Will I be able to keep to this diet and do without so many favourite things?” Not, “How long am I going to be able to do all this weighing and measuring?”
Not—WILL it work? Of course, it will. I somehow know that.
Here it is at a glance. No white devils—white sugar, flour or rice. 70 percent of every meal should be fruit and veg—up to 10 servings a day. Protein for breakfast. Protein snacks. Exercise. Earlier bedtimes.
It is eminently sensible and practical.
The website is a rich source of videos, blogs, articles, information–full of motivation. It’s a 52 week programme.
And I have started.
I have lamented my declining fitness on this blog, so how am I doing? Well, I hit my personal highest weight (is that personal best or personal worst?) in mid-Jan, and since then have lost 5 lb.
My goal is to ensure I lose half a pound a week, or 26 pounds by mid-May next year. A small, sweet, achievable goal I intend to achieve.
You see my quest for health and weight-loss has now become so intertwined with my spiritual life that I just don’t feel shalom, a sense of peace and well-being when I am not exercising, or when I am eating sugar, chocolate, crisps, white flour etc –more than once or twice a week. I feel out of control, as I guess I am. And so I know that I will eventually succeed in this health endeavour. I no longer feel spiritually peaceful, happy, or good about myself when my eating and exercise is out of whack, or when I am gaining weight!
* * *
Success is an interesting thing. It’s a mind-set, a way of thinking and behaving which becomes a habit. Once you have succeeded in anything—any area of endeavour, any goal you have set yourself, you are far more likely to succeed in other endeavours. You have the self-confidence, which is the most important component of success.
You have also, subliminally or practically, learnt to think from A to Z. What are the steps I need to take to see this happen? What can I do today? You’ve learnt to teach yourself the new information you need to succeed.
I am very impressed with the professionalism with which Rick Warren has put together the Daniel plan. I guess his great success with Saddleback Church, and with his book, and speaking has given him the tools and confidence and klout to put this together!
Read my new memoir: Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India (US) or UK.
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Manella says
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AlamgirBadsha says
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