I found JD through his facebook page and asked him if he
would be willing to share his story with you. He agreed, and I just know that
you are going to be inspired by his story. Introducing JD:
would be willing to share his story with you. He agreed, and I just know that
you are going to be inspired by his story. Introducing JD:
—————————————————————————–
“Here lately, I have been asked more than a few times what
inspired me to get healthy and what has sustained me after 4 years. I could
probably write a book on this but I will try to make this as concise as
possible.
inspired me to get healthy and what has sustained me after 4 years. I could
probably write a book on this but I will try to make this as concise as
possible.
Like most men, I carried all the demons, scars, hurts and
issues that accumulated throughout my lifetime, deep within me. They eventually
manifested in my body being so out of shape and on the brink of complete
meltdown. In the summer of 2009 I visited my doctor and received so bad but not
surprising bad news. My cholesterol and blood pressure were both through the
roof, as well as being on the verge of being classified as a diabetic. To make
matters worse, I had lost my job more than a year before and had yet to find
employment. So I was a complete train wreck emotionally, spiritually,
financially and physically.
issues that accumulated throughout my lifetime, deep within me. They eventually
manifested in my body being so out of shape and on the brink of complete
meltdown. In the summer of 2009 I visited my doctor and received so bad but not
surprising bad news. My cholesterol and blood pressure were both through the
roof, as well as being on the verge of being classified as a diabetic. To make
matters worse, I had lost my job more than a year before and had yet to find
employment. So I was a complete train wreck emotionally, spiritually,
financially and physically.
That’s when God showed up in a huge way! Not only did HE
start to meet our financial needs, HE started peeling away all the scabs that
covered all hurts and issues deep within me. For about 3 years, God’s focus was
to fix my spirit and my mind. Through fellowship with other God centered men,
spending time in God’s word and just those quiet one on one times with God, I
was able to release those issues. It was then God directed me that HE wanted
the whole package, mind, spirit and body. So at my heaviest, 410 pounds, JD’s
journey towards complete health started.
start to meet our financial needs, HE started peeling away all the scabs that
covered all hurts and issues deep within me. For about 3 years, God’s focus was
to fix my spirit and my mind. Through fellowship with other God centered men,
spending time in God’s word and just those quiet one on one times with God, I
was able to release those issues. It was then God directed me that HE wanted
the whole package, mind, spirit and body. So at my heaviest, 410 pounds, JD’s
journey towards complete health started.
Over the 4 years I have been walking this fitness journey, I
have had discussions with other fellow believers that have made remarks that
fitness is a form of vanity, time spent in the gym should be used reading the
bible or alone time with God. Here is my response to that: God’s word is very
clear on fitness! We’ve all heard 1 Corinthians 6:19-20,”Do you not know that
your bodies are temples 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 bodies.” We are to honor God with our mind, spirit and
including the body. We are to be stewards of this gift that was bought and paid
for by the blood of Christ. Through my weight loss and body transformation, I
have had the opportunity and blessing on multiple times to share my faith with
others.
have had discussions with other fellow believers that have made remarks that
fitness is a form of vanity, time spent in the gym should be used reading the
bible or alone time with God. Here is my response to that: God’s word is very
clear on fitness! We’ve all heard 1 Corinthians 6:19-20,”Do you not know that
your bodies are temples 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 bodies.” We are to honor God with our mind, spirit and
including the body. We are to be stewards of this gift that was bought and paid
for by the blood of Christ. Through my weight loss and body transformation, I
have had the opportunity and blessing on multiple times to share my faith with
others.
God wants the entire package, not just one or two aspects of
us. I am not saying that I have achieved any level of perfection but I am
blessed to say I am a work in progress. God has had to reel me back in a few
times over the years when my focus was distracted and not on HIM. Some of my
most intimate moments with God have been right in the middle of a grueling
workout. That’s when I lean on HIM to get me through it. I guess you can say
HE’s my trainer and spotter!
us. I am not saying that I have achieved any level of perfection but I am
blessed to say I am a work in progress. God has had to reel me back in a few
times over the years when my focus was distracted and not on HIM. Some of my
most intimate moments with God have been right in the middle of a grueling
workout. That’s when I lean on HIM to get me through it. I guess you can say
HE’s my trainer and spotter!
So for anyone out there who might find themselves in poor
health due to being overweight, allow God in to starting healing those wounds
that might be hid way deep down inside. Take it from someone who knows, you
cannot fix the outside until you have been healed on the inside.
health due to being overweight, allow God in to starting healing those wounds
that might be hid way deep down inside. Take it from someone who knows, you
cannot fix the outside until you have been healed on the inside.
My wife, Sharon, daughter, Jennifer, and I were led by the
Lord to move to San Antonio, Texas, this past December. I wasn’t sure what
God’s plan was for us but as I continue my journey, God is starting to open
doors in the fitness and health area. I am currently pursuing my personal
trainer certification. My desire is to assist others get healthy emotionally,
spiritually and physically by sharing and using my experience with them.
Lord to move to San Antonio, Texas, this past December. I wasn’t sure what
God’s plan was for us but as I continue my journey, God is starting to open
doors in the fitness and health area. I am currently pursuing my personal
trainer certification. My desire is to assist others get healthy emotionally,
spiritually and physically by sharing and using my experience with them.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and my hope and
prayer is that God will light a flame within you to be the best God designed
you to be, mind, spirit and body. Be blessed and always remember, “Train the
Mind, Feed the Spirit and the Body will Follow!”
prayer is that God will light a flame within you to be the best God designed
you to be, mind, spirit and body. Be blessed and always remember, “Train the
Mind, Feed the Spirit and the Body will Follow!”
And now for his Before/After pictures:
Amazing, right?!?!?!
Be sure to check out his facebook page here.
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