Step Four: Peer counseling that motivates church members to eat a healthy diet and be physically active.
Peer counseling helps motivate church members to eat healthier and be more physically active. Interested church members sign up to talk with a trained volunteer. They can talk over the telephone or in person.
Church members talk with their peer counselors about how healthy eating and physical activity relates to their life goals and personal values. Peer counselors tailor the talk to the persons readiness to change. Together the church member and peer counselor come up with an action plan for eating healthier an starting a fitness plan. This approach empowers people to take more control over their health.
Each church chooses and train members to be peer counselors. The counselors learn skills for talking about health habits. A program to rain peer counselors is available on an interactive DVD.
The Peer Counselor step of Body & Soul is based on principles of motivational interviewing. This kind of interviewing is a proven method hanging health behavior. These skills can also be used in many outreach activities at the church.
Peer counsel helps ìbring homeî the Body & Soul program. It helps church members see how a healthier lifestyle can fit into their lives. It offers one on one attention and support to those who need it. This personal touch is the final step of an effective Body & Soul Program.