It almost seems trite to continue to be talking about weight loss at a time like this, but then I read this, “Coronaviruses can cause more severe symptoms and complications in people with obesity-related conditions! ” [1] So I knew I had to do more now more than ever to help you get your weight and health under control.
Instead of freaking out and running to Costco to stock up on toilet paper, now is the time for God’s people to come together in prayer and action.
As a health professional, I believe the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to keep your immune system strong, maintain a healthy weight, and pray.
Beloved, your life is too valuable to continue doing things that do not contribute to good health. Let this be your wake up call to get your health under control. Here’s how:
Eat Whole Foods
No need to stock up on Kraft dinners that will only contribute to lowering your immune system and make you more susceptible to the virus. Now is the time to learn how to eat whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. No meat left on the shelves? Soak some lentils and use them instead of protein during this crisis. Eating whole foods will boost your immune system and provide your body with the nutrients it needs to fight infections and viruses. Read Genesis 1:29.
Sleep Well
A good night’s sleep is probably one of the best things that you can do to help your body release excess weight and to strengthen your immune system. While you’re sleeping is when your body undergoes all of its growth and repair. Without adequate sleep, your body does not renew and refresh itself.
Poor sleep also lowers your metabolism because it triggers cortisol to spike. This signals your body to conserve energy to fuel your waking hours. What this means is instead of burning fat for energy, you’re needlessly conserving energy. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Read Psalm 127:2.
Move Your Body
Physical activity builds your immune system and may help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways. In addition to the other benefits such as increased mood, helping control your weight, decreasing your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and other illnesses. The rise in body temperature during and right after exercise may prevent bacteria from growing. Read 1 Corinthians 9:27.
Stay Calm
When the Bible said, “Do not be anxious about anything”, it seems like we do not realize that everything means everything including the coronavirus. Yes, there is cause for concern, but this is not the time to lose it. This is not the time to panic and forget the mighty God we serve. Will you listen to His voice or will you allow the media to throw you into a state of panic. Use this time to let your light shine for the world to see. The world will be looking at you to see how to respond appropriately.
Lastly, know that working yourself into a panic raises stress levels, which actually hurts your immune system and makes you more vulnerable to viruses and infections. See Philippians 4:6-7; Matthew 5:15-16.
Pray
I’ll be the first to admit that it’s a lot easier to pray when the stakes are not so high, but this is when we need prayer most. Pray for the venerable; pray for each other; put your hands on your head and pray for yourself; pray against the spirit of fear, of gluttony, of sickness, of disorder, of blaming, and pray for peace. God has given us spiritual weapons for such a time as this so let’s use it. Read Psalm 46:1-2; Psalm 91; Mark 4:40.
Fasting
Fasting is defined as “abstinence from all or some foods or drinks for a set period of time”. From the beginning of time, fasting has been a part of a healthy diet. In addition to providing many health benefits such as weight loss and lowering blood sugar levels, it also induces autophagy. Autophagy is the body’s way of cleaning out damaged cells in order to regenerate newer, healthier cells. Fasting also has many spiritual benefits. It improves your ability to hear from God, (Ezra 8:21) and it lifts oppression and breaks demonic powers (Mark 9:29; Isaiah 58:6-8). This does not mean that you should starve yourself, simply start by not eating anything after dinner and wait for 12 hours before eating breakfast. Also, read Isaiah 58:6.
Vitamin C
Now is a good time to stock up on vitamin C. It can help to boost your immunity and is also a powerful antioxidant. The human body does not store vitamin C, so we can only get this nutrient from our daily diet. Sources of vitamin C include broccoli, oranges, strawberries, and peppers to name just a few. If you’re not currently consuming enough vitamin C, be sure to add some to your anti-virus protocol.
Wash Your Hands
Sadly, it’s taken this pandemic for hand-washing to become en vogue. We’re being told time and time again that hand-washing with soap is critical in the fight against coronavirus. But prior to corona, washing your hands was always important to prevent the spread of infection and to keep your immune system strong. Read Mark 7:3.
Avoid the Spirit of Gluttony and Hoarding
Although not directly related to your health, there is an indirect correlation. Hoarding is tied to a spirit of greed, and gluttony crosses over to overeating. Plan for emergencies, but practice trusting God to meet your needs. Also think of your neighbors who might be without because you emptied out the store shelves. Use this season to bring out the best in you by sharing and binding the spirit of hoarding and gluttony. See 2 Corinthians 9:8.
Let’s remain calm and level-headed and begin putting these practices into place. They will not only help you in this season but will also improve your overall health, build your immune system, boost your energy, and reduce excess weight.
If you have excess weight, don’t panic but don’t ignore the fact that this makes you more susceptible to the coronavirus as well as other illnesses. Don’t sleep on this my friends, take action today!
Share below at least one thing that you will do to begin boosting your immune system and achieve a healthy weight.
Source
1. https://www.worldobesity.org/news/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-outbreak-for-people-living-with-obesity
2. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007165.htm
13 Comments
Thank you for just bringing everything into perspective! God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.
Thanks, Cathy. This was just what I needed. Ps. 91 is the best. As I read it, my felt the tension in my body release. I have been avoiding the news because it was making me anxious. Just an hour ago, a Christian woman came to my door and began spewing fear and the worst cases. I came in to read my Bible and your blog and I am reminded how great our God is.
Thank you Cathy! Glad you are home safe! I will recommit to the daily practices I have learned through the Commit course!
Great to hear Roni. Continue to take it one day at a time.
Awesome, we all need to boost our immunity, now more than ever.
This was wonderful, Cathy. I’m excited to share it with my family later tonight!
This was wonderful, thank you Cathy. I am excited to share it with my family tonight!
Great reminder to do the things that contribute to health and godliness! Thanks to great lessons from WLGW I’m already eating a lot of whole foods and moving my body (even though my water aerobics group can’t meet), as well as practicing intermittent fasting. I learned long ago as a nurse about good hand washing and how obesity contributes to illnesses. I have added more Vitamin C to my intake. And my prayers are being lifted to God daily! On track to be as healthy as I can be.
Keep up the great word Ena!
Even though they closed our gym, we got up this morning, did 3 sets of squats, pushups, sit-ups and planks, then took a 40 minute walk around the neighborhood. It was great and safe. And prayed.with my hubby. 😊
Thanks great to hear Beth, my hubby and I are also doing home workouts.
I will use this time to grow my trust in God that I may bind the spirits of anxiety and fear which will keep me strong in the Lord both spiritually and physically.
Amen!
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