Suffolk News-Herald

Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church wants to help make local residents more aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

The church, at 3488 Godwin Blvd., is sponsoring a nine-week seminar called, &uot;It’s A New Start.&uot; Classes will be held every Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. from Aug. 29- Oct. 31. Registration is under way and will continue through Aug. 15.

Two doctors, one nurse and one health specialist will conduct the program. First Elder Keith Charles of Suffolk’s Capernaum Seventh Day Adventist Church, who is coordinator of the program, said it will enroll up to 60 people and require a $25 registration fee. The fee covers materials, books and healthy foods that will be consumed during the course.

&uot;Health is the most valuable asset any person has. Unfortunately, many people do not invest much in their health until a serious problem such as heart attack or cancer develops,&uot; Charles said. &uot;However, by adopting a new start into a healthy lifestyle now, you can significantly reduce your risk for serious health problems, increase your energy level, feel better and live longer no matter what your age.&uot;

Charles’s wife, Priscilla Charles, is a nurse who specializes in gastro-intestinal disorders. She will be teaching how to get rid of reflux and gas disorders without using medication and by eating the right foods.

Other topics to be covered include:

— Identifying and developing a healthy lifestyle.

— Becoming more physically active.

— Choosing meals low in saturated fat and cholesterol.

— How to removing the seven &uot;poisons&uot; from your body

— Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

— Coping with stress more effectively.

Charles wants participants to commit to attending at least eight of the weekly classes. He is hopeful people will try out all suggestions of healthy living and record their progress weekly.

&uot;Forms will be handed out and we will be able to complete an evaluation at the end of the seminar,&uot; Charles said. &uot;During the week between classes, participants will be given homework and something to do to monitor yourself on what you have been taught.&uot;

Charles said that he is basically financing the entire seminar because he is interested in people knowing that they can live healthy lives and prevent diabetes and high blood pressure by just eating the right food and living a healthy lifestyle. Participants in the class will meet for a follow-up session in six months to see how people are doing.

&uot;If we have a lot of people still interested in participating in the seminar, we will start another one, probably in November. If we can help one person to live a healthier life, then we as a group have accomplished our goal.&uot;

To register, contact Charles at 934-2724 or Pastor Linthicum at 923-1688.