UCC - Meagan McGlover inspires GS28 workshop to health and wellness

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Meagan McGlover inspires GS28 workshop to health and wellness

> Written by Micki Carter
> July 2, 2011
> []

> ?Let?s talk about weight loss!?

Megan (pronounced MEE-gan) McGlover grabbed the
microphone in Ballroom A and launched into her
Suncoast Saturday workshop with enough energy and
enthusiasm to wear out her audience before the event got started.

The petite and superbly fit African American
woman, newly relocated from Southern California
to Atlanta, Ga., asked how many in her largely
female audience had been on a diet. When hands
shot up, she asked, how many gained the weight right back? Hands stayed up.

?Why don?t we lose weight and keep it off,? she
asked. ?The reason is, it?s not about the diet,
not even the program, but it?s about the
emotional distress that comes along with weight loss.

?It?s about the patterns of behavior that we
repeat throughout our lives. It?s about
recognizing them and then choosing to change them.?

So how does one succeed at creating this change?

?You need to know where you?ve been to know where
you?re going. Maybe you were bullied when you
were a kid or unpopular in high school. Whatever
it is, you have emotional triggers, and you need
to recognize when those triggers are tripped.

?Then you need to be honest with the people you
love. Ask for help and tell them what you are
trying to do and how they can support you.

?Finally, be prepared. Find out what is your
thing? Are you an emotional eater? What is
filling a void in you? I?m upset and I getting
ready to do this, this and this.  I want to fill that void differently now. ?

> McGlover offered four specific steps:

* ?Get a food journal. Tell me what you?re
eating. Write down how you felt before you ate it
and how you felt after you ate it. It shows
patterns. It provides a visible reminder.?

* ?Go outside! Start living outside your

house. You can?t have a healthy lifestyle inside
your house.  Get outside and walk, run, job, talk, move!?

* ?Snack! Have healthy snacks on hand ­ baby
carrots, broccoli, celery, crackers.  Keep them
in a handy drawer. Live life for real.  Be
prepared. Take time out for yourself and eat a
small snack when you need energy.?

* ?Make up your mind that you will not quit.
There will be obstacles; there will be trials.
But when you don?t give up, the other side is glorious, I promise.?

?Remember that God created us as creations who
create. So create change! Imagine the possibilities!?