I'm wondering is anyone has combined any "Christian" weight loss plans with low-carbing. Like Weigh Down Workshop, First Place, the Maker's diet, etc.
I've participated in Weigh Down before (when it first became popular and before Gwen "changed"). So, I'm thinking of using the WDW principles along with low-carb eating. I tend to "forget" to make God part of my weight loss - doing it all on my own - and God teaches us to come to him first in all things.
WDW is the only other diet plan where I have lost a significant amount of weight and in a relatively short timeframe (compared to other "diets"). Since I want to make this a wol, including God in my decision making and eating seem to make sense to me.
I'd love to hear/read others comments on this.
T
Certainly applying many of the Weigh Down principles without all of Gwen Shamblin's "changes" would complement your low-carb lifestyle very well. I remember how much I enjoyed the feeling of waiting for your hunger on that plan because it meant you could eat. With low-carb, it means a nice, healthy intake of fat and protein with a few low-carb veggies to boot. GREAT REMINDER, Tweety! THANKS!
T, I'm glad to see this post as Weigh-Down Workshop [WDW] was the only other successful weight loss effort I've experienced as well. I even facilitated a WDW class at our church. This was probably around 1995 when I was involved with it. It's for sure that this was the first time in my life I ever really 'learned' to feel, know and wait for true hunger. And the first time I ever learned to eat only until full.
There are several positive aspects of WDW that I believe are valuable life lessons, especially as Christians. Prayer and Scriptures are of course essential to the success of any undertaking.
The one area that I don't agree with WDW anymore is the fact that it promoted, "you can eat ANY foods you want as long as you only eat until you're full". Of course once I discovered low-carb in 2003 I can no longer agree with that particular WDW philosophy. I think the one thing I've seen is that low-carb is about 'whole' or 'real' foods, the foods that mankind has eaten for thousands of years, foods that our bodies were designed to handle.
See, WDW never took that into account. It basically taught that God had made ALL foods [including 'food-like' substances], and that so long as we received them with thanksgiving that all were 'clean' or acceptable and we should not be condemned by eating any food we want to eat. My problem with that is that the majority of so called foods in our supermarkets today are not really foods at all, but conglomerations of chemical blends. I call them 'pseudo-foods' or 'food-like-substances', while others have also rightly named them 'anti-foods'. I'm especially talking about things such as sugar and carb laden 'foods'.
That's my biggest point of deference from WDW, or at least the old WDW I was familiar with. I believe our problem is not with all the wide world of foods that God put on this planet for us to enjoy, meats, fruits, veggies, dairy. The problem is the man-made stuff. Man has stripped all the nutrients from foods and added back artificial ingredients and slaps a 'healthier' label on them and people accept the bait, hook, line and sinker.
In summary, I believe if we stick with 'real' foods, 'whole' foods, then stick with eating only when we're really hungry and eating only until full, we can lose and maintain our weight the way God intended. And of course, as you know since true low-carb eliminates cravings and binges, it is much easier to sense both true hunger and true fullness. Combined with praying, and reading, studying and meditating on the Word, we can realize God's best for our life and walk in victory with good health.
I don't follow a Chrstian diet program per say but, I do follow the advice given in the Bible and outlined in Rex Russell's What the Bible Says About Healthy Living: Three Biblical Principles That Will Change Your Diet and Improve Your Health. The book is based on three principles:
1) Eat the foods God created for you.
2) Don't alter God's design.
3) Don't let any food or drink become your god. So, I really try to stick to the foods that are unprocessed.
I'm not perfect but, I do try and attain these goals.
I need to reread that book because I really enjoyed it.
I would say that I often have to remind myself to lose my control issues and hand that over to God. I guess, at times, I need to be more trusting without dismissing my responsibility.
~Danielle
Noturningback Wrote:1) Eat the foods God created for you.
2) Don't alter God's design.
3) Don't let any food or drink become your god. So, I really try to stick to the foods that are unprocessed.
Interesting comments but I was wondering if you could elaborate a little.
1) What exact foods would those be since practically every food has been genetically altered/hybridized in some way?
2) Which design and how do we alter it?
3) Do you mean processed foods are God or more important then God? Or that we crave processed food?
con Wrote:Noturningback Wrote:1) Eat the foods God created for you.
2) Don't alter God's design.
3) Don't let any food or drink become your god. So, I really try to stick to the foods that are unprocessed.
Interesting comments but I was wondering if you could elaborate a little.
1) What exact foods would those be since practically every food has been genetically altered/hybridized in some way?
2) Which design and how do we alter it?
3) Do you mean processed foods are God or more important then God? Or that we crave processed food?
Just to make it clear - those are the authors words and not mine. Tomorrow, I'll try and summerize his views as best I can. It may not be easy since it's the premise of the whole book.
Quickly
#1 I'll elaborate tomorrow. Sorry little time right at this moment.
#2 would mean butter and not margarine as an example.
#3 Making food an obsession or priority over God would make it a god.
The last line about processed foods was my statemant and not the authors. Sorry for the confusion.
Back tomorrow.
Goodnight,
~Danielle
con Wrote:Noturningback Wrote:1) Eat the foods God created for you.
2) Don't alter God's design.
3) Don't let any food or drink become your god. So, I really try to stick to the foods that are unprocessed.
Interesting comments but I was wondering if you could elaborate a little.
1) What exact foods would those be since practically every food has been genetically altered/hybridized in some way?
2) Which design and how do we alter it?
3) Do you mean processed foods are God or more important then God? Or that we crave processed food?
I may try to find this book. Sounds interesting.
To me- eating foods God created would mean meat, fish, or anything that comes from the Earth - veggies, fruit, beans, etc -
Not altering Gods design would be avoiding things like HFCS or other types of "invented" products, like "enriched" wheat.
Not letting food become your God - wow a biggie. If you are "addicted" to any food - it has become an idol in your life.
In our world it would be difficult to stick to the 1st 2, however your idea of not eating processed foods is a good one. I have to admit that I'm not there yet as I'm eating things like pepperoni that I don't think fit the mold, yet I use them to help me stay on LC track while I'm getting started. Once I move beyond induction, I'll move away from these products.
Thanks for sharing - great information!!
T
Oki Doki - I'm now refreshed with some Zzzz.
Slight recap...
The book is entitled
What the Bible Says About Healthy Living. It authored by Rex Russell MD. The book says he is a board-certified invasive radiologist who practices in Fort Smith, AZ.
The book is mainly based upon three principles:
1) Eat the foods God created for you.
2) Don't alter God's design.
3) Don't let any food or drink become your god.
The book's chapters are split into three parts.
Part I: "If We Were Created Perfect, Why are We Sick?"
Part II: "The Three Principles"
Part III: "Dinner According to The Divine"
Part I seems to discuss how God's character and care are revealed in the Old Testament health laws. So, as you may be able to tell, he starts discussing laws such as "forbidden blood", "clean and unlclean" and "forbidden fat". These come with an interpretation. Grant it - his.
Part II discusses the first three principles.
1) Eat the foods God created for you. He goes on to explain foods that are considered clean and unclean. What the Bible lists as unclean and how eating them could lead to disease. He also discusses what is in the clean foods that can promote health. (Example: "Do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts." (Exod 22:31)
2) Don't Alter God's Design. "As much as possible, eat foods as they were created-before they are changed or converted into something humans think are better." (Rex Russell) "There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death." (Prov. 16:25) (Example: Man thinking hydrogenated margarine is better than butter)
Con brought up an excellent point. It's virtually impossible not to ingest foods that have been altered in some way. Beef these days have been altered due to the feed the cows/bulls are given. Rex urges to try and eat clean foods that are not altered as much as possible. Grass fed beef would be a better choice. I know it's not finacially feasable for all - myself included - but he does urge to do these things as much as possible.
3) Don't let food or drink become your god. He discusses food addiction and fasting.
Let me state that he encourages people to follow the clean and unclean laws because he feels that it will lead us to better health. He doesn't consider not following the laws a sin. I know this is debatable among some Christians but, most agree that these Old Testament food laws do not NEED to be followed, as a Christian, for salvation. He isn't suggesting salvation through following the laws - rather a road to health.
I'll post his thoughts on Carbs and Fats in the next post.
~Danielle
Grains/Breads
Rex Russell is not really low carb. However, he does advise against refinements and perservatives in bread and grains. He also warns of the sugar content.
Fat
Clean = fat in nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables and legumes. Pure butter and unrefined liquid oils.
Unclean = refined liquid oils, hydrogenated oils like margarine, meat from animals overfed/given hormones or antibiotics, avoid cover fat or suet and fat of scavengers.
He isn't anti choleterol or fat in general.
He list clean and unclean animals according to the bible.
He warns against sugar and suggests that if you must eat any use wild honey and eat fiber along with it.
He is pro fruits and veggies.
He mentions spices/herbs listed in the Bible.
Beverages..pure water is good (doesn't like fluoride in water). He dislikes pasturization/homogenization. Warns against strong alcohol.
------------------------------------------
Phewwww. That was me skimming the book. It has a lot of other stuff I couldn't cover without rereading it. I purchased the book long ago. It was a time my interest was peaked with Biblical/Jewish customs and food laws. Personally, I try and stick to the list of unclean/clean animals. I also try and stay away from food that has been altered. For me that means bye-bye Kraft mac & cheese and hello butter, meat and cheese. I cut out carbs because I am diabetic. I feel years of refined foods (thanks food pyramid!) along with a bit of genetics has led me to this point. Hindsight is 20/20.
Lord knows I'm not perfect and these are not hard laws I follow just a basic outline and reminder that the food that was given us doesn't need to be altered by humans. Why reinvent the wheel - right?
~Danielle
Danielle, thanks for sharing that. They do have the book at my library so I put a reserve on it. Can't wait to check it out.
Went through the whole day and did not once thank God for my food or ask a blessing on it. WHY is this so hard for me to do??? We are in limbo on having a church home and it is surprising to me how hard it is to fall back into the wordly ways without that support. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, that is what the "world" is all about.
Have a great night!
T
T -
That is great. Let me know what you think of the book. This thread has inspired me to reread the book.
~Danielle
Noturningback Wrote:I don't follow a Chrstian diet program per say but, I do follow the advice given in the Bible and outlined in Rex Russell's What the Bible Says About Healthy Living: Three Biblical Principles That Will Change Your Diet and Improve Your Health. The book is based on three principles:
1) Eat the foods God created for you.
2) Don't alter God's design.
3) Don't let any food or drink become your god. So, I really try to stick to the foods that are unprocessed.
This is an interesting topic to me on many levels.
First, it seems like LC and VLC diets don't necessarily follow the first principle of Russell's book. For example, the term "bread" appears 471 times in the King James Version of the Bible; yet, LC/VLC diets typically forbid or drastically limit this food. In addition, a lot of fruits and vegetables are off-limits because of their high carb content.
Second, God's laws on clean/unclean food do not carry over to the New Testament (see
Acts 10:9-16 and
Acts 15:20).
Third, I agree with Russell that we cannot let our bodies becomes slaves to the things we eat.
I Corinthians 6:19-20 mentions our bodies are temples, and I think we need to do our best to take care of them.
I am personally following the Atkin's diet and exercising five days a week. I like the ease LC dieting offers, although I do wonder about all the bread, fruits, and vegetables I currently give up.
kansaskyle Wrote:Noturningback Wrote:I don't follow a Chrstian diet program per say but, I do follow the advice given in the Bible and outlined in Rex Russell's What the Bible Says About Healthy Living: Three Biblical Principles That Will Change Your Diet and Improve Your Health. The book is based on three principles:
1) Eat the foods God created for you.
2) Don't alter God's design.
3) Don't let any food or drink become your god. So, I really try to stick to the foods that are unprocessed.
This is an interesting topic to me on many levels.
First, it seems like LC and VLC diets don't necessarily follow the first principle of Russell's book. For example, the term "bread" appears 471 times in the King James Version of the Bible; yet, LC/VLC diets typically forbid or drastically limit this food. In addition, a lot of fruits and vegetables are off-limits because of their high carb content.
Third, I agree with Russell that we cannot let our bodies becomes slaves to the things we eat.
I do wonder about all the bread, fruits, and vegetables I currently give up.
These are the problems and confusion that arise when we take things written thousands of yrs. ago too literally.
For example BREAD does it mean French bread, tortillas, or the staff of life-that is --what it takes to keep us alive or is it a symbol like a symbol for Jesus' body? Who decides? What makes this author the expert?
Same with meat--it also is symbolically used--and what kind of meat-were there cows like we have cows? Obviously no!!!!!!!!!!
And fruits and vegetables-----have you seen the early pineapples--inedible!! Most fruits were small and not too sweet like crab apples. Remember when ALL grapes had seeds?????????? And oranges were small with lots of seeds? All have been Hybridized to beome little sugar factories!!!!!!!!
Just imagine if someone placed you in the middle of nowhere(think campgrounds) with NO
grocery stores what would you eat? Most pristine terrains have no apple orchards---you would eat fish if you could grab them, insects or other small animals.
As for the terrible
cravings that put food ahead of God----they are there ONLY because we are lierally starving while being obese due to an ILLNESS that makes it impossible to access our fat storage. These cravings ALL come from the exessive sugar in hybridized carbohydrates.
Surely an all compasionate God understands our health issues with altered foodstuffs-surely he placed what we need here on earth-and gave us insight to see and understand things and how mankind has radically altered all the pure foods.
If you had an allergy to peanuts and so didn't dare eat them everyone would be sympathetic-well I have a "literal" allergy to man-created high sugar fruits and vegetables and grains--Surely God understands this as He CREATED me????
DOESN'T HE?
I agree with everyone's points but, I think maybe the point about this not being laws but rather guidelines is being missed. I don't agree with everything in the book but sticking to food that God or nature or whomever one believes in/or not seems like a good idea to me. If you were to read this from a non-christian perspective, I see the principles as:
1) Eat healthy foods.
2) Don't eat processed foods.
3) Don't make food an obsession.
I think those things are what many books, pardon the pun, "preach."
As far as cravings being physical. I agree to that 110%. I cringe many times when I hear people say they emotionally eat. Haven't we all been asked, When do you eat?, and the joke is - when I'm mad, sad, happy, angry.....weddings...funerals...LOL. It's not that I think emotional eating doesn't exist at all but, I wonder how often is it physical or emotional? However, I didn't see the third principle about food cravings. I saw it more as obsessing over food and/or weight. Maybe that person who is obsessing about being 125lbs no matter what it takes - even when it's not a healthy weight to be at for them.
That is how I viewed it but, I'm the girl who enjoys listening to other viewpoints and learning from others so, maybe I'm wrong. - LOL
~Danielle
Noturningback Wrote:If you were to read this from a non-christian perspective, I see the principles as:
1) Eat healthy foods.
2) Don't eat processed foods.
3) Don't make food an obsession.
I think those things are what many books, pardon the pun, "preach."
~Danielle
Thanks for posting this perspective because I think it is a good way to approach this topic. A lot of the exercise forums I read talk about
eating clean and I think that aligns quite well with this book.
kansaskyle Wrote:Noturningback Wrote:I don't follow a Chrstian diet program per say but, I do follow the advice given in the Bible and outlined in Rex Russell's What the Bible Says About Healthy Living: Three Biblical Principles That Will Change Your Diet and Improve Your Health. The book is based on three principles:
1) Eat the foods God created for you.
2) Don't alter God's design.
3) Don't let any food or drink become your god. So, I really try to stick to the foods that are unprocessed.
This is an interesting topic to me on many levels.
First, it seems like LC and VLC diets don't necessarily follow the first principle of Russell's book. For example, the term "bread" appears 471 times in the King James Version of the Bible; yet, LC/VLC diets typically forbid or drastically limit this food. In addition, a lot of fruits and vegetables are off-limits because of their high carb content.
Second, God's laws on clean/unclean food do not carry over to the New Testament (see Acts 10:9-16 and Acts 15:20).
Third, I agree with Russell that we cannot let our bodies becomes slaves to the things we eat. I Corinthians 6:19-20 mentions our bodies are temples, and I think we need to do our best to take care of them.
I am personally following the Atkin's diet and exercising five days a week. I like the ease LC dieting offers, although I do wonder about all the bread, fruits, and vegetables I currently give up.
For one thing, the "bread" they ate in old testament days was NOTHING like the bread we have today. As for eating hybridized foods - God did create scientists and gave them ideas and brains to put the ideas into effect. However, we must use our brains to discern which "invented" foods are ok to eat - to me, seedless grapes, etc would be fine - however HFCS is not!
And it is not like I will NEVER eat another slice of bread. I am just choosing not to for the moment - I hope that once I get to my goal weight and have maintained it for a while that I can have an occassional roll, or slice of watermelon, etc.
I also like learning about other's perspectives which I why I started this thread in the first place. Helps me figure out where I stand on these things.
T
T -
I'm happy you brought that up because the book does go into what they believe was meant with words like "bread" and "corn". As many people have figured out, it's not Wonder Bread or Maize.
~Danielle
I've just ordered
The Maker's Diet by Jordan Rubin. After looking through a copy that a friend had, I just had to order one of my own. Anyone else read this one?
FormerDonutJunkie Wrote:I've just ordered The Maker's Diet by Jordan Rubin. After looking through a copy that a friend had, I just had to order one of my own. Anyone else read this one?
No, I haven't - please share as you read.
T
tweety Wrote:FormerDonutJunkie Wrote:I've just ordered The Maker's Diet by Jordan Rubin. After looking through a copy that a friend had, I just had to order one of my own. Anyone else read this one?
No, I haven't - please share as you read.
T
OK, I bought it on eBay so it will be a few days before it arrives and it may take me a little bit to read it, but I will gladly share his take on things.