Taking Steps Towards a Healthier Sikh Lifestyle

Sat Sri Akal!

My name is Jasjit Singh Dhanoa and I am a 21 year old college student at UC Riverside.  I am currently studying Political Science and am thinking of either pursuing a career in teaching or pursuing a career in law. This is Sareer, and the following will describe the motivation, thoughts, goals and individuals involved.

This year marked my 6th Jakara Conference and I’ve got to tell you that it has been a life changing experience.  As every conference Jakara has introduced me to people I never thought I’d meet, I have expanded my horizons, changed my train of thought, learned from brilliant individuals who I can relate to regarding anywhere from divisions of the community to panthic awareness and by surrounding my self with good Sangat I hope to help the Panth in any way I can.  Jakara is put on by the youth for the youth, the Conference allows the youth to speak, and express themselves as they may not be able to otherwise.  My thanks goes out to all those who are responsible to putting this conference together and putting the amazing regional camps across California together and truly making a difference for Sikhi and inspiring the next generation of Sikh youth.

The topic was Gurudwaras (Growing with our Gurudwaras) and the point was to create the perfect Gurudwara. Stemming from the Gurudwara discussion came about the importance of certain aspects of Sikh life, and for me that aspect included becoming a healthy and eco friendly Sikh. Our Guru’s were eco-friendly, Sikhism is also a religion that stresses the love of everything around us as God is found in everything, mother nature is a form of God.. so what have we done to live up to our faith? Gurudwaras use paper cups, plates, plastic spoon- things that can be replaced by steel and other reusable sources. But these changes must be made by the youth, modern values that they can instill within the older community- such are the things learned at Jakara this year. Taking into account the huge problem of blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease within the Punjabi Sikh community, this is our way to combat.  Guru Ji gave us these bodies and just as we are not to waste our bodies with alcohol, and drugs we should equally not fall into the realms of obesity and fat, as these are no ways of living a proper Sikh lifestyle.  

THE PLAN

- Ride a bicycle to campus, and around the area for local use

- Eat a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner (all on time) Eat last meal by 7 30 PM

- Run daily (trying to figure out if that’s going to be every morning or every night)

- Re start weight training

- Change the Gurudwaras! Paper Plates, Plastic Cups…bring in the STEEL!

What have I started so far?

I bought an excellent mountain bike for $300. Is it worth the $300?? Yes, and I recommend it to all who want to start biking. (Don’t buy the cheap Wal-Mart bikes, they will BREAK!)

I quit drinking sodas, my main obsession was/is Coca Cola it has now been 1 week since I last drank Coca Cola.

Coming Soon…

The lifestyle changes have begun and once my routine is built I will begin posting pictures every 2 weeks (like you see in fat loss commercials), I will also include my body fat percentage, my body weight, pictures of biking, nature, and weightlifting and running plans and hopefully begin to make a difference.

These plans are intended for others to see the difference and follow what we are doing! So that we can help one another achieve these goals!

Good luck to  Amarpal and Ashveer THANK YOU GUYS FOR DOING THIS WITH ME!!!! I love you guys!

WE ARE THE MOVEMENT.

Sat Sri Akal!