HEALTH and Wellness
Georgette’s story:
Inspired by scripture, dedicated to health
By Georgette Gaston*
When I saw this scripture, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body,” (1 Cor. 6:19-20), I knew I had to write!
I have fought my weight my entire life. Food was my “crutch” through a painful childhood. As an adult I successfully lost 67 pounds only to gain back 70. Years later I lost 40 of those pounds again only to gain back 45. In 2002, (during a Disciple session) Paul’s words took on new meaning for me. God spoke loud and clear.
No longer was my weight about the way I looked to others, but rather my disregard for the body and life I was blessed with. I was 41 and 223 pounds. I have a strong family history of heart disease, high cholesterol and took meds for high blood pressure.
I began a wellness program through my employer and learned about portions and proper “fuel” for the temple of my soul. I simply followed the food pyramid and counted my calories. I began a walking regime about one mile three days a week and eventually increased my walking to every day. I now walk four miles EVERY DAY.
Walking has become a precious time of prayer and fellowship with God. A year later I weighed 57 pounds less than my all-time high of 223. I have never looked back — and the pounds stayed off. I no longer take any blood pressure medicine. I have also been able to control my cholesterol with good eating habits and exercise.
Most of all, I look forward to walking with the One I love each day. To pray — to meditate — to give to and receive from the Holy One. I am now known as the “friendly streetwalker lady” in our small community of Greenwich, OH. To God be the glory!
* Georgette Gaston, Pastor, Greenwich/Delphi UMCs
