The “secret sauce” to success on The Daniel Plan, according to best-selling author and brain-scan expert Dr. Daniel Amen, is the power of group support. Even if it’s one person to openly share struggles and triumphs with, it’s better than going at it alone. As The Daniel Plan Director Dee Eastman would say, “We’re better together!”

In preparation for the Fun Walk & Run, we wanted to give a few examples and opportunities to find a workout buddy or small group to support your new healthy lifestyle — and register together for the event on June 11.

THE DANIEL PLAN “MODEL” SMALL GROUP

The Daniel Plan could not have written a better script for a small group than the one Sherri Lamanuzzi is in. Led by Mike and Cynthia Johnston, her group adopted The Daniel Plan in January when Health Champions Martin and Ruth Binder asked everyone to commit to The Daniel Plan for one year.

Everyone decided to go for it, although each person had their own goal. Some wanted weight loss, others wanted to learn healthy habits, and others wanted to “run” a 5K race.

Sherri said before The Daniel Plan she would exercise fairly regularly, but needed help improving her eating. So a few of her small group members joined her in a 8-week food detoxification. She’s now lost around 18 pounds.

Sherri and another small group member set a goal of running a 5K. They entered the “Dove Dash” in March and completed the race running almost half of it, giving her a new goal to run the entire Fun Walk & Run 5K on June 11. Sherri, along with five others from the group will either walk or run the 5K, and they are preparing daily.

The group has met for more than two years, and since January every meeting includes a time of sharing about recipes, struggles and encouragement to work The Daniel Plan.

“We see each other almost every day, because we’re either at Walk and Worship on Mondays, Tuesday and Fridays, and Pump and Praise on Saturdays, then our small group meets together on Thursday night,” she said. “We’re always talking about health issues and sharing recipes. We did a healthy potluck. We’ve converted over to The Daniel Plan healthy snacks. I think we’re all avoiding sugar and flour and are pretty strict Daniel Plan eaters. I’d say we’ve integrated The Daniel Plan in everything we do.”

RANCHO CAPISTRANO HOSTS HUNDREDS FOR BOOT CAMP

The Rancho Capistrano campus of Saddleback Church recently hosted a fitness Boot Camp and nearly 300 people participated. Led by volunteer trainers, the Boot Camp brought people together with a common goal: Get fit.

“People were clapping and encouraging each other like I’ve never seen,” said Scott Coventry who helped organize the event and anticipates doing another Boot Camp in June. “This works so well with The Daniel Plan.”

FITNESS GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES IN YOUR AREA

SADDLEBACK CHURCH – CORONA

Running Club
7:30 a.m.
Mountain Gate Park
Contact Kris Meyn: (951) 239-6633

SADDLEBACK CHURCH – HUNTINGTON BEACH

“GET FIT” Classes
15323 Pipline Lane, HB 92649.
Saturdays, 9 a.m.
Contact: Brian McFadden, [email protected]

SADDLEBACK CHURCH – IRVINE

3002 Dow Avenue, Suite 514
Tustin, CA 92780

SADDLEBACK CHURCH – LAKE FOREST

Sports & Adventure Ministry
Numerous sports and activities available.
Call (949) 609-8461, email: [email protected]
www.saddleback.com/lakeforest/adults/moreministries/fellowships/sports/

Walk & Worship
Monday-Wednesday-Friday 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Meet on the Lake Forest campus in the Pavilion, outside the main Worship Center
Tuesday-Thursday 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. Meet at the Rancho Santa Margarita Lake at the fountain down the stairs from the main parking lot, located at 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Mission Viejo.

Pump & Praise
Saturday Morning Circuit Training
6:00 to 7:00 a.m. This is a circuit training workout (using weights) that meets at the Solid Rock
Workout gym, located at 30012 Aventura, Suite B in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Women’s Workout
Monday-Wednesday-Friday 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Tent 3, $5
Call (949) 609-8701 for more information

SADDLEBACK CHURCH – RANCHO CAPISTRANO

Walk & Worship
Saturdays, 9 a.m.

TOP: Sharon Liebman, Ken Liebman, Mike Johnston
BOTTOM: Lena Walls, Sherri Lamanuzzi, Cynthia Johnston, Ruth Binder, Martin Binder
NOT PICTURED: Jim Walls, Merri Ann Wiles, Shari Dunn