Biblical Approach to Weight ManagementHeartwise Biblical Approach to Weight Management

Next Meeting: September 16th, @ 7 pm
Where: Brainerd Baptist BX Facility
Topic: New concepts in weight management,
with Dr. James Marcum MD FACC


This innovative approach to weight management uses Biblical techniques to help individuals manage weight.

The program is unique because it is free. There are no fad diets. We use the Bible and Creation week as the template for weight management. We hope the participants will receive the power of the Holy Spirit to improve their health. We will track the group and hope to be a witness to the entire world. This program is intended to supplement other programs the individuals might be involved in. The goal is to meet an individual wherever they are at and begin them on a journey to health recognizing that everyone moves at different speeds. The important aspect is to be on the journey.

In the first meeting we focused on:

  1. The importance of relationships with God and each other
  2. The importance of water

At our second meeting we focused on:

At our second meeting we focused on nutrition. We divided into three groups as we try to meet people where they are. Dr. Marcum is with the slow but sure group. Ted Dubbs is helping out with the moderate group and David Hamilton is helping the let's go faster group. We want to encourage fellowship and have each group form their own identity within the larger group. E-mail and facebook is a great way to stay in touch. Some general principles to remember:

  1. Eat more fresh. This was the original diet. Fruits, vegetrables, nuts and grains
  2. Try to eat small at night and preferably earlier as our metabolism was designed to slow at night.
  3. The website has some good resources and we are adding recipes all the time.

At our third meeting:

Dr. Chandra talked about the importance of rest/sleep in a weight management program.
Sleep apnea is a condition which is under-diagnosed, and yet, if not addressed, could hinder the success of weight management. Symptoms of sleep apnea include: fatigue, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, increase in appetite, and general malaise just to name a few. When sleep deprived, the body makes the chemicals epinephriene and cortisol, which make weight management difficult. Also, without oxygen, the body's metabolism is altered. Dr. Chandra's website, www.sleepforhealth.org, explores topics related to sleep in greater detail. The take home point to his lecture: rest both nightly and weekly are vital to the success of weight management. 

Dr. Tim Jennings explored the relationship between addictions and food. He explained how sugar and other substances are addictive and change the chemistry of the brain. He showed many examples of how our food choices alter our brain. He also showed evidence of how cultural and social habits can also damage our reasoning powers. How to overcome these addictions: understand the fact that we are addicted to substances and return to the plan as outlined in the Bible.

The meetings:

The meetings will be held at the BX building on the campus of Brainerd Baptist Church at 7pm. Brainerd Baptist is on Austin Street of Belvoir. The media will follow our progress.

Anyone is welcome to come anytime.

We encourage participants to share in the journey. This can be accomplished via our FaceBook page or by leaving an e-mail on this site. We will send out periodic e-mails as well as phone calls to individuals without computers. We also want individuals to feel comfortable calling or e-mailing each other in support. We need to pray for one another as we seek to form and maintain a better lifestyle. As testimonies develop and prayers are answered, these will be shared. We are all part of the Body of Christ and will encourage, help, and pray for each other. It takes about a month to develop a habit. This program is initially designed to last one year. If successful this program will serve as a template to others on the power of God to change lives. All praise will be to God.

Pictures, testimonies, prayer requests, videos, and progress reports will be posted to this area of the Heartwise ministries website.

To learn more about this program, please contact us.

LISTEN

Listen to Dr. James Marcum and Tim Kochis talk about the Heartwise Biblical
Weight Loss Program.go

READ

12 Steps to Health and Fitness go

READ

Spiritually Based Weight Loss go

READ

Doctor Brings Spiritual Principles to Weighty Matters go

READ

Heartwise Meeting
Attracts Large Crowd go