For February 2016, we are doing a Modified Daniel Fast. I believe that this fast can really help with food addictions and emotional eating. How? When you simplify your daily diet and remove the foods you are addicted to or using for medication, you can focus on your emotional health and life issues. You’ll find the sign up information and eating guidelines below.
This month we are going to acknowledge that weight gain is not just about eating and exercise and we are going to face our issues. We are going to simplify our eating habits so that we can refocus and dig deep.
Take the time to do some internal and emotional work during this modified fast. That means that it’s time to really dig deep and figure out what is causing you to eat/overeat, what is hindering your motivation and what is hindering you from finding time to workout.
This internal work could be traditional religious practice or whatever practices are spiritual for you. It could mean that this is the month that you sign up to speak with a therapist or psychologist. It could mean that it’s time to relax at the spa or start writing in a journal daily. You may need to reach out to friends for support or work on forgiving people who have wronged you. It could also mean that it’s time to start doing research and buying books about depression, addiction, stress, self help strategies, etc. Only you know where to start the healing process that led to greater emotional wellness.
Giveaway – #BWLWFeb
Sign up and participate in some social sharing and you will be eligible for this month’s giveaway. We will be giving away two $25 Amazon gift cards each week. One will go to someone who has signed up for this month’s challenge and one to someone who is posting, Feb 3-27th, about their weight loss journey using our hashtag: #BWLWFeb on social media (Instagram, Facebook or Twitter). We will announce the winners chosen at random on Feb 8, 15, 22, 29, 2016 via email. (8 winner total, 2 each week) Your social media profile must be public for us to be able to consider it for the contest.
ARE YOU READY?!? How do you sign-up? Click on this button to sign up and receive lessons that will help you stay on track with this month’s goals.
Click Here to Join Us
After you’ve signed up, you’ll be directed back to this page. We want you to leave a comment below and let us know what you are going to do in terms of emotional/spiritual/internal work.
February GOAL: Avoiding the “Food for Pleasure and Comfort” Mindset. We will work to discover our food triggers and stop medicating ourselves with food.
We’ve got some lessons and exercises for you to follow this month:
Lesson 1 | Lesson 2 | Lesson 3 | Lesson 4 | Lesson 5
We will eat a limited group of foods and let go of the need to have a lot of variety and choices.
We will commit to stop using food for pleasure or as medicine for our emotions.
We will commit to this modified fast for 14-21 days. It’s up to you how long you follow this plan, but 14 days is the minimum time frame that I suggest to see real benefits. For the group, I’m suggesting Feb 3rd as the start date but you can pick any 14 day period in Feb. (Eating Guidelines Below).
- I want US to really understand how much food many be controlling us.
- I want US to analyze our reactions to cutting back on the foods we’ve been self medicating with.
- I want US to challenge ourselves and look within.
- I want us to be forced to turn to something else, something fulfilling, instead of food in February. Take action! Write in your journal, pray, meet with a supportive group, make a vision board, take a calming walk or start meditating. It’s up to you how you connect mind, body and soul, but my hope is that you will be able to see food more as nourishment and fuel and less like an addictive agent or something “bad”.
The number one way to take action this month: Track your food intake and your emotions daily! – Buy a paper journal or use an app like myfitnesspal.com to track your meals during this 14 day journey. Be very honest about what you eat, good or bad. Along with the food record your mood and how you felt at the time you ate. Trust me, you will learn a lot about whether you are responding to hunger or feelings when it comes to eating.
Disclaimer Health: As with all of our food related challenges, I don’t suggest a drastic diet change like this for people who are chronically ill, have kidney/liver/pancreas issues, have diabetes or are pregnant. If you have issues or allergies related to fruit, veggies or digesting vegetables, this may not be the challenge for you. Fasting is not for everyone, even a modified fast. If you have any medical issues, you should always seek out a doctor or medical professional before participating in a fast or changing your diet drastically.
Daniel Fast Guides
What is a Daniel Fast? A Daniel fast is a biblically-based, vegetarian-centered fast that has been around for years. You may have participated in one with your church family and it is commonly done at the beginning of the year as a congregational fast. Over the years, it has become a very popular fasting program for all people, regardless of faith or tradition. You don’t have to be a religious person and prescribe to a faith tradition to take part. It’s usually focused on plant-based eating. However, we will add more protein sources for our modified fast.
Traditionally with a Daniel Fast you…
- Eat Any Vegetables (canned, frozen, fresh, dried, etc) – cooked how ever you like.
- Eat Any Fruits (canned, frozen, fresh, dried, etc) – cooked how ever you like.
- Eat Any Nuts and Seeds (including nut milks like almond milk)
- Eat Any Beans
- Drink only WATER.
For our Modified Daniel Fast we are going to add a few things so that the plan works better for those who are working out.
- Take a quality multivitamin – This will help ensure that you are getting all the nutrients you need.
- Lean Meat twice a day, like Chicken, Fish, Turkey, Bison, Pork, Lamb etc. (This is for those who eat meat. If you are vegan or vegetarian, you would of course continue with that lifestyle)
- Eggs
- Vegetarian protein sources: Tofu, Seitan, etc.
- Protein Powder of your choice (the most natural brand you can find)
- Cottage Cheese
- Greek Yogurt (unsweetened preferred. sweeten with fruit)
- Agave Nectar or Honey for sweeteners
- Whole Grain Cereal/Low Sugar Granola
- Whole Grains – Quinoa, Barley, Oatmeal, whole grain brown rice
- Quality Oils – olive oil, coconut oil and other healthy vegetable oils like grape seed, etc.
- Natural Seasonings, Herbs and Condiments (vinegar, pepper, garlic, Ms. Dash, sea salt, fresh herbs, various seasonings, etc.)
- Herbal Tea made at home (drink without sweeteners)
If you want to stick with the more simplified, traditional vegan Daniel Fast, that’s good too. It’s up to you how much you cut out of your eating plan, but PLEASE cut out the foods that you are truly addicted to.
The NO List: No bread, No crackers, No processed sugar (candy, ice cream, cookies, cake, etc), No white flour, No dairy cheese, No fried food, No alcohol and No soda. Limit your dairy to just cottage cheese, greek yogurt and whey protein powder. Cut way down on sweeteners during this challenge, as much as possible.
To Do List
- Create a grocery list before you shop so that you have a plan going into the land of temptation.
- Check out our free 4 week meal plans for recipe ideas.
- If you are bored, emotional or stressed, reach for veggies or fruit instead of your usual comfort foods.
- Before you eat, take 60 seconds to ask yourself, “Am I hungry or am I eating to fill a void/soothe my nerves?”
- Don’t go to the grocery store hungry or while emotional. That can affect your purchases.
- For this challenge you will need to create a list of meals that you can have for breakfast, lunch, dinner and meals/snacks in between. YOU SHOULD REPEAT THE SAME CLEAN MEALS to help you to stay on track! Believe me, it will make this fast much simpler.
- Here are some ideas.
- Buy lunch box ice packs and an insulated lunch bag. You will likely need to prepare your meals at home and take them on the go
- Buy a water bottle so that you carry water at all times. Sometimes we mistake thirst for hunger.
- Buy glass mason jars or wide mouth bottles so that you can carry smoothies with you to work and on the go. Smoothies can help with your sweet tooth.
- Look at menus online before going out to eat so that you know what foods are available that work with this plan. When in doubt, have a salad.
BTW…here are scriptures the fast is based on: Daniel 1
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”
11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
Arimy says
Hello! How do I sign up for the February challenge? it says to click on a button but the button is not showing up? did I miss out? I hope not 🙁 thank you!
Ajima Jackson says
I just corrected this issue and I see your name on the list of participants for this month. Thank you for joining us.
SonyaT says
Looking forward to corporately working together make needed changes.
Tolu says
Just signed up for the challenge. Looking forward to a rewarding experience.
Ajima Jackson says
Thank you so much for joining us!
Ajima Jackson says
Thank you for joining us, Tolu.
Emma says
I am ready. I already have the book. We tried to do this as a bible study with limit success.
Ajima Jackson says
Thank you for joining, Emma
Vee says
I’m excited….ready for great things to take place w/my mind body and soul…
Ajima Jackson says
Thank you for joining us, Vee
Emma says
I am ready to stop being an emotional eater, and to stop using food for anything other than fueling my body…..to stop celebrating with it, filling lonely times with it, expecting it to soothe my pain. I will stop elevating it to be such a huge part of my life.
Ajima Jackson says
Emma, I love what you said. We have to recognize all the aspects of our relationship with food. I love the word “elevating” in this context. So very appropriate because we do put food and our desire for it on a pedestal.
Elaine says
Thank you because I could not identify my reasons for emotional eating. Now, it is quite clear.
Nykesha Carter says
Looking forward to starting this fast. Excepting to gain balance in my daily life mentality, physically, and spiritually. I can do all things that Christ Jesus who strengthens me. Praying for all who are participating in this Daniel Fast. Be blessed be strong and be encouraged because we all can succeed to gaining a better healthly life. In Jesus name amen.
bridget lockhart says
I am and emotional eater, My job closed after working there over 22 years, and I was able to find a job in December and then the job announced it would be relocating to another state. i need this mentally and physically! To my journey!
Ajima Jackson says
Hi Bridget! I’m so glad you are joining us.
Ajima Jackson says
Amen to that, Nykesha.
Cristi says
I will keep a journal of my daily food intake and I am praying that I can get rid of my sugar addiction.
Shawniece ellis says
May God be with us all we can do it
Carolyn Keaton Culp says
I need to gain control over my eating and health. I will be journaling, keeping a food log and attending church regularly.
Sherry Clemons says
I need this in my life!!
Carla says
I AM going to start taking the initiative to become the best me that I can be overall.
Martha says
I will be praying, asking GOD for the strength to complete this challenge,the will to overcome this non-healthy lifestyle, so that i may become a better, healthier me.
Jean says
I want to learn to not use food to ease my stress level and to identify how to manage stress without binging on addictive food.
Tiffany says
I was just telling My mom I was going to do a 21 day fast and here is the opportunity as soon as i went on instagram. He works in my favor! I will be praying and journaling my days
Senitra says
I am excited to be a part of this. I needed a little push. Thank you!
Martina says
This fast is right on time for me. I eat when I’m bored or feel like I’m losing control. I’m going to focus more on getting through my feelings instead of eating them
Adebola says
I pray for the discipline to stay on track throughout this fast.
Marlean Blair says
I will pray to realize my triggers and to rely more on God than food.Also to channel feeling toward exercising not eating. Maybe do some journaling.
Tracy says
This sounds like a great challenge to help me refocus on my bible reading and eating properly. The focus will be spiritual strength.
Nicole says
I will accept this challenge, and I will work on my emotional eating and journal my experience. I will be praying that this will not only be a goal for the month, but that I will make this a lifestyle change.
Samantha Nicholas says
Focus more on my spiritual growth.
Teresa McCleary says
I’m definitely going need encouraging but I’m ready not happy with this weight
Julie says
I am praying God helps us all with our journey good luck
Prayer for weight loss
Father,
Only you have journeyed closely besides me though my life,
Seeing the heartache I have felt as I have battled daily with my weight.
As I come before you now, please touch my body and correct the metabolism rate.
Bring restoration to my whole being, bringing new balance and wellbeing.
Cover me with love as I seek to cope with a poor self image. Help me to love myself.
Bring wisdom and truth to my mind, and help me to plan my daily food and to enjoy it.
Give me energy as I exercise more and become more fit,
And bless my efforts with sustainable weight loss.
Father, I long to be free of this difficulty in my life,
I look to you, you are my supporter, my comforter and my helper.
Thank you for your constant love.
Amen
Erica says
Thank you so much for this prayer Julie this is exactly what I needed to become motivated!!! God bless you on your journey as well
Joy McCracken says
AMEN!!!
Dee says
Amen I felt Like you was speaking to my heart! Thanks!!!!!
Natasha Grant-Dean says
Julies,
THANK YOU FOR SHARING this awesome prayer over your life. I will like to use it for my journey as well. God bless you.
Emily says
Thank you very much.. God is our helper. He will make it alright.
Pam says
I’m excited about participating in the fast.This is just what I need to jump start a change in my eating habits and to start my weight loss. 2016 – A healthier, happier me!!!
Erica says
I’m looking forward to this fast I will definitely be in constant prayer to control my willpower to not emotionally eat because i always let my emotions control what i have to eat I will also begin to get more sleep so I can have more energy to want to exercise & start a journal!! I’m doing this for my health & most importantly my 5 yr old daughter who needs her mom to be around & healthy for her so I’m ready to change my thinking & habits!
Danielle.R says
Hello every I have accepted the challenge to aid me in this process I have started the 10 smoothie by JJ.SMITH and started to read food, fittness and Faith…its going great so far so good luck to everyone
Shante says
Looking forward to trying something different. Will focus on prayer and keeping a food journal in hopes of putting an end to the emotional eating. Tired of being unhealthy.
Tracey says
I saw the improvement of my health when I participated in a Daniel Fast with my church. My heart was telling me that I wasn’t through with this journey and there was more work to do in regards to breaking my addiction/obsession with food. I am excited that I am with a group of supporters who remind me that I’m not alone and that I can do all things through Christ! I need this! Let’s go for it!!
Lataysha Faison says
I will be keeping food and feelings journal to keep myself accountable for my food choices and behaviors.
Jennifer Bethea says
I am ready to work on my stress levels so I can stop overeating as a way to cope.
Tareka Mckiver says
With God this is possible! I’m excited to be a part of the challenge ☺.
Imani Miller says
I am excited about joining the group on the Daniel fast. I am looking forward to the great benefits of fasting and praying.And a healthy lifestyle.
Vannessa says
Yes, I will be joining you guys.
Mary says
I will start journaling. I currently write what I eat daily, but I don’t track y feelings.
Dee says
I am looking forward to this challenge. My goal is to keep my mind off the scale/weight and focus on drilling down to the real problem I have with food!
Good luck ladies!
Kelley says
I will journal my food and emotions.
Shafia says
I’ll be deepening my relationship with The Most High depending on him and no longer accepting food as my crutch. I’ll also journal and attend the gym.
Uzo says
Thanks Julie for that prayer.Started taking steps to this challenge yesterday.I look forward to regaining self control and dethroning King Stomach
Aneesha Barnard says
I just joined the challenge. I am doing this for self discipline, direction, and more clarity.
BJ says
I will try to eat my meals on time especially my dinner. Drink lots of water though not too good in that arena.
Stacey says
I am tired of food controlling me ! I’ve lost weight before and fell off the wagon ! I’m ready to get back on and recommit to losing weight! I plan ahead , that is the key for me..
Zaida says
Get ready. Set. Here we go…..
Teiesha says
Signed up! excited about eating clean. Lord with your strength I will be able to complete this challenge Amen!!
Sandra says
Praying for strength and will power.l will be keeping a journal. I this for my health.I know it suppose be a life not an diet. It gets hard sometimes.
Terri says
I’m going to journal. Try to pray 3 times a day. Modified Daniel fast with no meat. Also exercise 20-30 min 6 days a week!
Debbie says
During this fast, I plan to be more inrentional. I will track my food intake as well as emotions. Pay more attention to the impact certain foods have on me. I will also strengthen my prayer life during this time.
Kristi says
I’m going you ladies. I’m kristidove on MyFitnessPal. Been tracking but indulging here and there. Follow me and let’s get moving. Will be praying on this fast 🙂 Thanks BWLS for all the support and rich content. We can do this!!!
Ajima Jackson says
Thank you so much!
Daba says
I’m going to try my best!
Gloria says
Are we allowed to chew gum on the modified fast?
During this challenge, I hope to break my sugar addiction, cut out mindless eating and actually pay attention to my hunger levels so u don’t eat when I’m bored or stressed.
Ajima Jackson says
It’s up to you. Here’s some info from WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/diet-myth-or-truth-chewing-gum-for-weight-loss
Christa Wimberly says
So I am an AQUARIUS!!!! And my Bday is on the 5th…I need to get all of my life, ALL OF IT so My shenanigans will cut down after SUPERBOWL SUNDAY…OK I AM SO HAPPY TO BE HERE
LaSonja Wilbon says
Just joined looking forward to the get healthier and getting my life back in order.
Sonia says
My challenge will start in a few days. I will write daily in a journal and pray for strength.
Melanie Baker says
I just signed up for the challenge but was unable to click the button it says to click, it wasn’t there. But for the challenge I will log my eating and load it unto Myfitnesspal. I hope to get stronger in my security for myself and know that I can accomplish this during this fast. I’m also believing for some spiritual increase from this too, cause it is based on the word of God.
Maria says
I hope that i can be honest with myself about my food addiction. I also hope that prayer and behavior modification will help me start a healthier life style.
Eudel O'Meally says
I need this!! I started a eating plan but realise that I am not sticking to it as I should. Need the strength and will power to stay away from certain foods. BUT I AM GOING TO DO THIS!! Yes I can!
AJ Carter says
I have never done a fast before. This does not seem hard to follow. I will definitely give this a try!
Christina says
I will start my fast February 7th. This was right on time for me. I’m currently rebuilding my relationship with God and this helps make it complete
Melissa says
I am just finding out about this fast. I will start later this week when I am able to purchase what i need in order to do this fast. I look forward to this. But I will eat as clean as I can with with I do have.
Shari says
Well here it goes as am reading this article, it hit me why I am eating and out of control with my emotions :'( to me I know when it started. .. With the past few years I have lost love ones. Mother, brothers (2)..
Anetra says
All set ready to go.
Simone says
I’m a emotional eater and snack on trigger foods. Great none of those triggers foods are on this list plus This will work in conjunction with fasting at church
Charletta says
I am going to start looking within myself to the cause of my self sabotaging. I am a emotional eater and for some time now I have wanted to change. Hopefully this will give me the push I need.
Donna says
I’m Journaling,logging my food and studying from Dwight Carson, MD.overcoming Hurts & Anger.
Theresa says
I’m Art journaling (with a fresh journal, colored pencils, and markers), Bible reading, tracking my food and activities, and reading the book, ‘Making Habits, Breaking Habits’ by Jeremy Dean.
Talitha says
I will start this asap and i love the spiritual guidance
Sharon says
I am going to focus on WHY I AM EATING ????
Tonya says
I need help and guidance..
I just don’t why I can’t reminder focused.
I try to avoid the mirror as much as possible
Tracy says
This is a wonderful idea; I just wish I had joined sooner. I really am going to concentrate on my motivations to eat, how much I eat, and what I eat.
MustardSeedFaith says
To God be all the glory. Just desiring more of God right now, we have the power to do anything we want through Christ Jesus. But we must activate our power and the bible says that the power comes through prayer and fasting. The sacrifice that Daniel made was awesome and the power that came from that shows God is well able . So activating the inner man the lies within will be both beneficial to your spiritual and physical being..let’s go!!