“In the Beginning….”

Today I’ve decided for several reasons to start on a path to healthy living. At the onset I was going to keep this a private matter, but the more and more I thought about it the more it became clear that I should go public. To reveal my true transparent self opens me up for accountability to my brothers and sisters, besides other people are probably dealing with some of the same issues I am facing right now (weight control & healthy living). Transparency allows me to expose another side of me. Just because I am in leadership doesn’t mean that I don’t have everyday personal struggles! I hope that this blog will bring us together as a community and become a source of encouragement and motivation for those who want to start on a path to healthy living. So here’s my story……

Ok so maybe about three years ago, after becoming pastor, I noticed that I started to gain some weight (it wasn’t from chicken dinners!). From that time until now I have gained about 25lbs. It was terrifying at the beginning, not being able to fit my clothes, noticing extra baggage around my waist line, yall I was straight up scared! I don’t want to buy a new wardrobe; I think it’s ridiculous I have nice things yall! I want to be able to worship God freely without being offensive to the body of Christ and without being self-conscious of what might move out of place…LOL! From this point I decided that either I would make excuses for my weight gain or I would make adjustments. The first thing I did was I talked to God-He’s the closet friend I have! I told Him that I needed His help because I was powerless to do this on my own. Then I started soul searching. I wanted to make sure that apart from the weight gain I was comfortable with the woman inside, that my self-esteem was intact. I began to affirm my identity in Christ and appreciate who made me, flaws and all!

Currently I am working with my husband and the staff at the church for accountability and inter-motivation. We will be a healthy church: mind, body and soul! Below you will find a list of things I am doing to help me stay on the straight and narrow, I encourage you to do the same. You will find that these things are both spiritual and natural as you can’t have one without the other!

   1.  Go before God to ask for His divine assistance *We have prayer Sat. Mornings @

        7 a.m.

   2.   Educate yourself about nutrition or get with someone who could help you.

   3.   Speak positive affirmations daily and avoid all negativity internally and externally.

   4.   Exercise 3 times per week at least 30 min. * I walk around Montebello Lake @

         6am *

   5.   Restock your house with good foods (GET RID OF THE JUNK!) and begin

         to restock your spirit, again I say GET RID OF THE JUNK!

So for right now that’s all I have to say! I’m looking for a good menu or good recipes…can anybody help me?

 -Pastor England