Fort Wayne native presents spiritual guide to weight loss, better health

FORT WAYNE—“I had struggled with my weight for years after having my children, and I just accepted that this was the way it was going to be. For my birthday one year my husband gave me a journal along with other gifts, and although I appreciated the gesture, I had not planned on using it,” admitted author, Fort Wayne native and former area resident Patricia L. Thomas.

Divine inspiration, however, changed all that.

“However, during my quiet time, I started writing down scriptures that strengthened and encouraged me, and I have been writing ever since. In the journal, I began to apply these scriptures to my weight loss experiences. I noticed how the journal was making a difference for me, and I had to agree to publish it. I hope that it will be a source of strength and accomplishment for other women as well,” she said.

That process gave birth to Thomas’ recently released book “A Christian Woman’s Journal To Weight Loss: A 52-Week Guide to Losing Weight with the Word.”

Thomas, now of Liberty Township, Ohio, is scheduled to conduct book signings in Fort Wayne from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., March 21 at the Anchor Room, 4530 Lahmeyer Road, and at Barnes & Noble in Glenbrook Mall from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., March 22.

“I am so excited to be coming back to Fort Wayne for this,” said Thomas, who wants to share her roadmap to success.

For Thomas, the key is found in the scriptures. She said she realized that the word was very clear on how to handle the issue of weight loss victoriously. “A Christian Woman’s Journal to Weight Loss: A 52-Week Guide to Losing Weight With the Word” lays out the plan for achieving success in a week-by-week format, utilizing the 52 scriptures that Thomas relied on and her reflections on those scriptures. The book follows each scripture with a journaling prompt to allow the reader to focus that scripture on her own personal weight loss challenges and record her own reflections.

According to Thomas, she, like many other people grew up surrounded by the allure of food.

“I grew up with cooks, and I learned to enjoy food at an early age. You name it, we had it, every week,” she explained. “This was how we loved, celebrated and enjoyed good company, we ate.”

That, however, can make it difficult to maintain healthy eating habits.

Although I count it a blessing to have these wonderful memories of cooking and fellowship, I had to begin to look at food differently,” said Thomas. “Let‘s face it, food is everywhere. It is acceptable to eat. So losing weight when you are surrounded by your weakness is a challenge.”

She found inspiration—and an imperative to do just that—in the Word of God, in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

“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.”

“This scripture not only convicted me, but what a way to be reminded that my body is a precious gift from God. Although I wasn’t feeling very precious, I had to begin to see myself as God sees me. I decided that I deserve so much more than a few pieces of cheesecake, a bag of potato chips, or jumbo size fries,” said Thomas. “My cholesterol was borderline, my energy level was low, and I didn’t feel very victorious. This was not God‘s plan, so I had to replace my agenda with His.”

She outlines the agenda God had for her in her book. Honoring God’s word not only transformed Thomas on the outside but yielded overall health benefits.

“As the pounds began to shed, my cholesterol went down, and through His grace I am a conqueror. I look at it like this: as I take care of His temple, He is really taking care of me,” she said. “I still enjoy food, but not as much as I enjoy being a healthier, stronger me.”

Now, she is sharing that spiritual knowledge through “A Christian Woman’s Journal To Weight Loss: A 52-Week Guide to Losing Weight with the Word.”

“In the book I discuss the transformation that needs to take place within, in order to eat and live a more balanced life,” said Thomas. “It is a process.”

That message is getting out to many people who need it thanks to the book’s publisher, the Elevator Group. Described as being “dedicated to helping people rise above and lead an abundant life by developing books, broadcast media and motion pictures with meaning,” the Paoli, Penn.-based company sees Thomas’ book as falling firmly in line with their mission.

“‘A Christian Woman’s Journal to Weight Loss’ is a beautiful and inspirational book that shows women how they can use the word of God to provide them with support and with guidance as they face their challenges with weight loss and, in fact, other challenges, to leading an abundant life,” said Sheilah Vance, president & CEO of the Elevator Group.

In addition to adding the title author to her resume, Thomas has been active in a number of arenas She studied Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1986.

Thomas, who has 15 years of experience in corporate training, training development and project management, has had many highlights in her corporate career including being a featured guest on a local talk show as an advocate for higher education. She was nationally certified to conduct the following seminars: Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, Franklin Planner Time Management Strategies, Sales Training and Gaining Employment Workshops. She has worked with writing consultants to develop new hire training material, and she also had the opportunity to launch a corporate library for a Fortune 50 Company.

She currently lives in Liberty Township, Ohio, and is an active member of the Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, serving in her church and community in many ways. She is the secretary of the Deaconess Board, and ministry leader of the Scholarship Committee and works with numerous community organizations, including volunteering at the elementary and junior schools in her district. Over the years she has also taught Sunday school, co-facilitated an Excellent Wives class, participated in a mentoring program, and city charity drives.

Patricia has been married for 17 years to Ken Thomas. They have two daughters, Kendra, 14, and Meagan, nine. Patricia has been a stay-at-home-mom for several years. She returned to work parttime in 2004, allowing her the opportunity to explore her passion for writing.

For more information about “A Christian Woman’s Journal To Weight Loss: A 52-Week Guide to Losing Weight with the Word,” visit www.TheElevatorGroup.com online.

This is part of the March 18, 2009 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

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