Your story may be similar to mine, or completely different, but regardless, if you’re reading this, it means God has been working in your life and health and someway, somehow, brought you here. I’d like to share my story with you so we can both see how God is at work, for our good, whether we realize it at the moment or not. He’s working His redemptive process, every day, to bring healing, restoration and freedom to His Beloved: You and me.

The Wrong Way

Like many, I started my health journey 4 years ago, in 2015, when I was so absolutely disgusted with what I saw reflected back at me in the mirror. I scoffed and criticized every photo, every bad angle, everything on my plate or of those around me. I jealously criticized the skinny woman drinking Starbucks or a cocktail, knowing I ‘wasn’t allowed’ to drink those things or the weight would pile on even more. “How could they eat and drink like that and still be thin?” I wondered with envy.

I knew things needed to change, so I reached out to a health coach who had had her own great success using powdered products, shakes and dehydrated food, and I was desperate, so I was ready to try anything!

And it worked…

I felt good after I had lost the weight, but reflecting back now I was always hungry, not always in a good mood (because of being hungry!) and was filled with vanity and pride.

Even with the weight loss, I was still never completely satisfied because I didn’t hit my goal number on the scale. (Looking back now, I see that number was unrealistic.)

I finally liked what I saw in the mirror, for the most part, but was still self-critical in my mind. Still not feeling ‘thin enough’ and still criticizing every item on my plate and those of others. And if they had what I wished I was eating, I would be judgemental and irritated that I couldn’t eat and enjoy what they were.

OR, worse yet, I would criticize their body and think, “No wonder they look like that, look what they’re eating! And they don’t seem to care!”

I had no internalpeace.

I remember when I put on this black and silver dress (above) that I hadn’t even realized I had lost the weight because the scale still didn’t say what I wanted it to and my mind was still obsessed with food and looks and false perceptions of happiness, so I couldn’t even truly enjoy my ‘success.’

I look happy and confident (in both pictures) but I remember feeling uncomfortable in my body, insecure and embarrassed of myself in the picture on the left, and and on the right I was not really able to enjoy and feel successful, even though my outer appearance had changed, because my mind was still all messed up and with the wrong priorities.

Then God Began to Move.

It was at this point that God began to work in my heart and life. I had started my own private practice for physical therapy and on the outside people would say I was successful in this. But internally God began asking me, “Where am I in all of this?”

He began moving my private practice away from just the rehabilitation of someone’s body, and calling me to integrate their global health and preventative health as well. And even further, addressing their spiritual health too.

But how was I going to do all of that?

I became a Certified Health Coach to be able to help others with their health and weight loss, but it still didn’t ‘sit right’ with me completely, because I felt in my heart that pure, whole foods that God had already created in nature were the best way to proper health. But the company I was with was promoting processed and refined products, bars and shakes, and I didn’t feel it was truly teaching someone how to navigate the day-to-day practicality of learning proper whole-food nutrition, meal planning and healthy living.

And God kept pressing upon me the need to incorporate Him in a bigger, actually more central, way.

Fit+Faith Was Born.

This is when I launched this very blog, back in August of 2015. Basically as a side project and outlet to get the message in my heart out about how our bodies were not meant to be segregated and separated when it comes to our mental, physical and spiritual health.

God has created all of them, each affecting the other, inside of one amazing body. Mind, body and spirit, all wrapped up together.

Since that time God has worked miracles in my heart and mind and grown this message of healthy mind, body and spirit, in Jesus’ name. He has grown the community that ensued into an international group of God-fearing women who are making positive and healthy changes from a new perspective:

As a steward of God’s creation.

Not as a slave to the mirror or scale.

Happy Ending, Right? Not Quite…

Uh oh. Maybe you can relate. As the years have gone by, despite knowing what to do, and coaching and counseling others on what to do, I’ve let old habits slip back in, and bit-by-bit I’ve let the weight come back on.

Previously this would have been cause for personal devastation and verbal abuse to myself as to why and how I’ve ‘let myself go.’

But something was different this time.

I found that even though the scale was going back up, I was no longer criticizing my every flaw, belly roll and returned muffin-top. At least not like I used to.

Even though I’m now needing to go back to doing the work of reversing old habits, creating discipline for the new, and giving my body the time it needs to make changes (this is key), I am rejoicing in the fact that the ‘old critical me’ has not returned.

I may not like how my clothes fit at the moment and am working towards things being different, but I am no longer criticizing every skinnier woman I see, or scrutinizing every item on my plate and everyone’s around me. I’m no longer feeling jealous or envious of thinner, more fit people. I celebrate their discipline and hard work.

I no longer pity those who are overweight, shaming them in my mind for their lack of self-discipline, as I’ve come to realize 1) it’s not my place to judge and 2) lacking self-discipline is not always the cause of their external appearance!

I now have peace in my heart, that I didn’t have before.

Knowing I am unconditionally loved by God and now my health efforts come from a place of love and respect for the body He’s given me, not vanity, pride and self-hatred in order force myself to look a certain way.

Who Am I to Judge??

Along my journey I have learned that:

• Thin people are not always healthy in their mind and spirit.
• Being thin does not equate to perfect physical health.
• Being large or overweight does not indicate your mental or spiritual health and does not negate God from being very active in your life.
• I am not the judge of things seen and unseen, God is.
• My job is to show God’s love to others by the way I live my life, treat myself and how I treat and view others.
• None of our journeys are over until the Lord calls us home.
• Our physical health journey is actually a mental and spiritual health journey.
• Our quest for ‘good health’ is a lifelong pursuit and a cultivated lifestyle, with God at the helm.
• Our actions tell the story of what we really want, regardless of what we may say.

You’re In the Right Place

Exploring this site and becoming a part of the Fit+Faith community is one of the best things you can do.

You join thousands of women across the globe who love God and are learning to love, honor and respect their bodies and are being transformed because of His immeasurable love for us first.

It was because He first loved us that we can learn to love ourselves, our bodies, even our shortcomings.

It was because He first loved us that we do not need to condemn ourselves and/or others because of the physical outer appearance. We can begin to accept His love, and in turn, show it to ourselves and others.

It is because of His love that we are transformed. We are made new in Christ. We are set free from shame, condemnation, judgement, self-loathing or self-harm.

We don’t need to turn to other people, substances or food to give us comfort and strength. He is all we need and has already conquered death for us to live, and live abundantly.

Let’s Journey Together

As I mentioned before, I’m on this journey with you. I am not perfect. In fact, I’m perfectly imperfect, as are you!

Imperfect, and determined.

Determined to grow closer to God.

Determined to make positive changes in my mind, body and spirit, for His glory.

Determined to share His love with others through example, encouragement and empowerment, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony.

My story is not over, and neither is yours.

Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved with us and many ways I can help you in your personal journey, if you’re looking for that.

Start by joining our Facebook community and listening to the Healthy Christian Women podcast.

I look forward to getting to know you more and see God shine out in your life.

Setting you free from guilt, shame, condemnation, regret and fear, in Jesus name!

We are His shining beacons of light and hope in this world. Let your light shine for Him!

Start with you.

~Dr. Melody

P.S. If you’ve connected with my story, please do me a favor and Share on social media below. Others deserve to know they’re not alone either, yet we are still perfect and loved in God’s eyes.