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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: First retail pot sales won't be a big change ... A man's love for trees ... Grant will build life jacket loaner stations ... Our View: First retail pot sales won't be a big change ... A man's love for trees ... Grant will build life jacket loaner stations ... Marketta Gregory: Turn to God in your quest to feel healthier Comment By Marketta Gregory More Content Now MailTribune.com By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Dec. 29, 2014 at 12:18 PM By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Dec. 29, 2014 at 12:18 PM » Social News The first time I remember feeling self-conscious about my weight was when my family was in Hawaii. We had enjoyed just about every minute of our week-long vacation and were having a special dinner on our final evening. I loved the new dress I was wearing because it had the bold, beautiful fabric you’d expect on the islands, and I remember sucking in my stomach for the pictures. I had just turned 6. In all those years since then, you’d think weight loss would have come up on my prayer list, even if it was merely a mention. But I didn’t really start talking to God about it until fairly recently, when I began worrying about the health risks of being overweight, and about the example I’m setting for my children. My prayers are still in what I’d call the exploratory phase right now, which means I’m only circling around the idea of healthy eating and exercise — preparing slowly for those first steps toward a more disciplined life. But there are many people who are miles ahead of me, people like Carol Showalter who recognized decades ago that God could help with matters of sweets and carbohydrates. Showalter is the author of a book and a 12-week program called “Your Whole Life: The 3-D Plan for Eating Right, Living Well, Loving God” ($24.95, Paraclete Press). More than 1 million people have participated in the program since it started in the early ’70s, when Showalter’s husband served as senior pastor at Parkminster Presbyterian Church in Rochester, New York. A few years ago, Lois Brower helped lead a group through the program at Pearce Memorial Church in Chili, New York. Participants had daily devotions and weekly meetings, and were asked to pray daily, keep a food journal, memorize Bible verses and be willing to share their struggles and encourage one another. Brower, who took her first diet pill at age 15, lost about 10 pounds when she went through the program. In its place, she gained a sense of balance in her life and closeness to God. Who wouldn’t want to make that trade? Marketta Gregory is a former religion reporter who now shares her own journey of faith with readers. She lives in Rochester, New York, with her husband, their three young boys and one very vocal Pomeranian. To contact Gregory, email [email protected] or write to her at P.O. Box 12923, Rochester, NY 14612. You can also visit the Simply Faithful page on Facebook and follow her on Twitter at @MarkettaGregory. By Marketta Gregory More Content Now MailTribune.com By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Dec. 29, 2014 at 12:18 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501