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Spiritually Based Weight Loss

When it comes to the battle of the bulge, most people find themselves at the gym, in the fight to be fit, but a new program in Chattanooga is looking to a higher power to help people manage their weight.

Dr, Jim Marcum says "We've moved back to the Bible, God gave us the template on how to live and how to be healthy and we're using that plan to help people manage their weight."

Dr. Jim Marcum is a local cardiologist. He says 250 people including Shannon Cantrell and Peggy Hagan are participating in the year long study.

Peggy Hagan says "You need to have a foundation, someone you can go to when all else fails."

Shannon Cantrell says "Two resolutions one was to lose weight, the other to read Bible from cover to cover. When this was presented, it made sense."

Dr. Marcum says it all makes sense, and is spelled out in black and white in the Bible.

Dr. Jim Marcum says "God gave us the original diet, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and grains."

And this is something you've heard before, drink your water.

 Shannon Cantrell says "Just the water intake alone, I feel so much better."

We asked Dr. Marcum about critics who are uncomfortable with a religious based weight management program.

Dr. Jim Marcum says "It's about that journey to good health, we all want to be on."

And is he throwing common sense out the window?

Dr. Jim Marcum says "We want them to have their personal trainer, weight watchers, but if they need help, we are offering that."

Dr. Marcum says he sees the impact of obesity everyday from heart attacks to high blood pressure.

 Dr. Jim Marcum says "This is treatment for the dis ease as much as a pill would be."

While Peggy and Shannon both believe in miracles, they know the road to better health is also paved with hard work and common sense.

(additional information)

This new spiritually based weight management program will last a year. Participants meet monthly.. and focus on one topic, because Dr. Marcum says on average that's how long it takes to change habits.. and there is no cost to join.

423.645.5916 or heartwiseministries.org