Raise 'Em and Praise Him - Testimony Tuesday! Bridget

In early 2012, I started having high blood pressure issues out of nowhere (180/100). In addition, my husband said that he could hear my heart beating while he was several feet away. I realized that my resting heart rate was much higher than it should have been (100 bpm).

He said that I needed to start walking, and he did it with me. That brought down my resting heart rate to normal. My BP also decreased, but still was too high (around 155/95). I joined a gym when his schedule changed and saw more improvement in my BP readings; however, it was still was not back to normal.

By the grace of God, I crossed paths at the gym with someone I know, who is also a sister in Christ. In conversation, I mentioned my frustration at not seeing more progress, and she lovingly told me that the problem was with my diet. Though I was not on any special diet, she meant my eating habits in general. She asked me to record EVERYTHING I ate for three days and send it to her.

She began to teach me how to eat, by making small changes at a time, without having to cut out complete groups of food, and still enjoy the food. It's called lifestyle eating. I also started tracking my food daily through a free app called My Fitness Pal, which I have been using for more than 1,100 days in a row. This was the miracle that I needed! (By the way, this does NOT mean 1,100+ days of perfection, but of awareness.)

I realized that I had been asking God to decrease my BP as if He were a genie in a bottle to grant my wish. Though He certainly could have done it that way, He instead showed me that He sent a wise woman, Japonica Walker, N.D., to teach me the tools I needed to do this WITHOUT MEDS. By actually putting into practice what she taught me, it has made a HUGE difference in my health and overall quality of life. Now, the Lord is using me to help others do the same.

In 2014, in four months' time, I lost 20 pounds and 10 total inches. Weight loss was not my goal, but it was "icing on the cake." My BP is fine. The 35-year issue I had had with cystic acne is no more. The migraines, with which I suffered for 35 years, complete with vomiting, I no longer have. Hallelujah!

Because people have seen such a physical transformation in me, they've started asking me to share what I have done and am doing. God has literally opened doors and continues to open doors, to minister to others in a practical way to help them to transform their health. As their lives change, others are asking them what they have done, and on and on it goes. When I lost the weight and inches in 2014, I went from a size 10 to a size 6. That was three years ago, and I am still wearing a size 6.

Another benefit is that our children are making healthier choices. I am thankful they are still young enough for me to have that kind of influence over them. I do not want them to have to "deprogram" decades of bad eating habits like I did. Yet, it IS possible. I am living proof!

Living a healthy lifestyle is a choice-by-choice process every day. Faith and works go hand-in-hand on this journey, as well. It is worth it to honor the Lord by taking care of our earthly "temples." For believers, His Spirit dwells there. He wants to accomplish great things through us. I want to be strong enough not only spiritually, but also physically, to fulfill His assignment for me.

I am so grateful for Dr. Walker, N.D., for her willingness to obey the Holy Spirit in helping me. Thanks be to God!

If you'd like to follow my journey and receive encouragement, please feel free to follow me on social media:
- Instagram: modelp31fit
- Twitter: @modelp31fit

Cindy's Featured Artist of the Week - Sabrina

COACH SABRINA

Female Bodybuilder 50+ Years Old...I mean 50 Years Young!

As a Personal Fitness Trainer I get asked most frequently by my fitness community, "How did I get interested in Bodybuilding and when did I start bodybuilding?"

Sabrina began her career as a personal trainer in Baltimore, MD in 2016 while pursuing her Wellness Ambassador and Public Speaking journey as a 50+ Sports Fitness Model. Eventually, her experience landed her as the Owner of her own company Faith In You Fitness LLC in Baltimore, Maryland.

Her services include evaluating clients and designing customized personal workout programs for each individual and meal plans for maximum performance.

Additionally, Sabrina provides Online Training with so much technology she is prepared to take on clients in any state. While working at Faith In You Fitness LLC she designed classes called "Your Best Bikini-Body" which was formed to provide a low impact workout for women to learn all about strength training.

Sabrina continued to teach group classes while pursuing her career as a competitive bikini bodybuilder. She is the current 2017 NPC Baltimore Gladiator Grand Master Bikini Bodybuilding First Place Champion.

Sabrina obtained her current Personal Fitness Training certification through NESTA (National Exercise and Fitness Sports Training Association) in February of 2016. She currently holds a CPR certification through the Red Cross of America. Sabrina's true passion at the age of 51, is to help each individual achieve their personal best.

Sabrina not only is working on her career as an amateur athlete and Personal Trainer but she is extremely professional as her prior expertise has been in being an Information Technology Executive and Consultant over two decades.

Want to get in the best shape of your life and work with a true professional? Look no more. Coach Sabrina is available for consultation calls to contact her at faithinyoufitnessllc@gmail.com

Looking for Testimonials of Coach Sabrina?

Check her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/personaltrainermaryland/ or

Instagram: @FaithInYouFitnessLLC

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/isagenixdiva

Website: www.FaithInYouFitness.com

Google Faith In You Fitness LLC for recent client experiences.

Here is a recent testimonial from Steve: I have been fortunate enough to be under Coach Sabrina's guidance for 3 full weeks now and I have already lost 7 lbs. The remarkable part is it has all been through the combination of daily exercise and the use of several ISAGENIX products recommended by Sabrina. She consulted with me and figured out through her expertise as a trainer and athlete, a plan that would work well with my physical abilities and current busy Outside Sales Rep lifestyle. I had recently had a checkup from my Doctor and had gained approximately 10 to 15 lbs and my blood sugar A1C levels showed to be higher than ever before and I was having no part of it, so if you have 15 or 50 lbs to lose, contact Sabrina St. Rose for your health!

Janice ★★★★★ Ten stars! Coach Sabrina is awesome. She walks the walk and talks the talk. In four weeks, I feel better and see results with a trainer that is well educated in the connection between food and work out. She knows what she is doing, and she offers her amazing knowledge to help her clients achieve their goals. I'm so fortunate I found Coach Sabrina.

Raise 'Em and Praise Him - Testimony Tuesday! Andre

My name is Andre Wilson. I am an ordained Elder, former Deacon, host of the Morning Mover Gospel Show. The owner of Perfume City, husband, father of four daughters, and grandfather of six granddaughters. 

I was raised in Centenary, SC by my grandmother, a holy woman. I guess that's what kept me stable; she couldn't read nor write so I read the bible to her. She taught me to love God and people. 

She nor my family knew I was beaten and molested by an older female relative baby-sitter. This I suppressed for years not knowing I would later suffer from PTSD and anxiety, which almost ruined my life. I never lived with my father, my mother married when I was 12 years old and moved in with her husband which left me without both parents. 

At the age of 15, I started working at WCIG 107.1; this led to my educational demise. I was an all honors student and Beta Club member. My grades began to fall because I stayed out late deejaying in clubs late nights and the older men I hung out with started me on marijuana; which later on led me to sell weed and crack cocaine. I was arrested for arm robbery. I was in four jails in five days but thank God I didn't do it. Four people picked me out of a lineup but they caught the guy who did it. 

A few years later anxiety kicked in but I didn't know what it was and I ballooned to almost 450 pounds. I was at the point of death, then by divine nature, God sent an evangelist my way and he witnessed Jesus to me as the tears ran down my face. A few days later I was baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission if my sins and filled with the Holy Ghost in 1994. Since then I've been a counselor for youth, and advocate Sales Manager for WJAY Radio Station. I host the morning show and I've been in church ever since. I haven't smoked a cigarette, taken a drink, sold drugs, nor touched another woman besides my wife since he saved me. Oh, what a change the Lord has made in my life. It's never too late to change and make a positive impact. Don't give up on people; their season may not be your season but God is the climate changer.

My email address is andrewilson5@aol.com
Web address perfumecity.org

Cindy's Featured Artist of the Week - Connie

CONNIE CLAY

My name is Connie Clay, and I’m a lot like you. I’ve been stuck. Stuck in jobs that I hated. Stuck in financial messes. Stuck in bad health. Stuck in neutral, feeling like I was going to work, coming home and accomplishing nothing. Once I got really disgusted with being stuck, I came up with simple solutions to get out of my messes. I can help you too.

I will show you how to begin again. Whether you’ve endured failed relationships, financial ruin, abuse at work or declining health, I’ve been where you are right now, and I know the way out.

I struggled for decades. I was trying to figure out how to manage relationships, time, career, household and body. After many trials and errors, I found simple yet effective ways of getting healthy, caring for my family, advancing professionally, and managing the 24 hours that I get every day.

In case you’re wondering, here’s a little background info on me. I’m a graduate of Howard University and the University of Virginia School of Law. I’ve completed the CaPP Institute Coach Training Intensive, She Speaks of Proverbs 31 Ministries, and the Christian Communicators Conference. I have been mentoring and advising people on a personal and professional level for over three decades. I have had the privilege of mentoring, encouraging and coaching hundreds of clients, witnesses, co-workers, friends and family members.

I will show you how to: 

• Make your physical and mental well-being a priority without feeling like you’re cheating your loved ones;
  
• Add exercise, healthy food, and good rest to your day without taking time away from the important things that need to be done;
  
• Love and care for your family without feeling that your time should be spent on something else; 

• Advance professionally whether it is as an entrepreneur, in private industry or government;
  
• Set and achieve your BHAGs (big hairy audacious goals);
  
• Breathe and enjoy life.
  

Visit www.ConnieClay.com and download your free Goal Setting Playbook. This free resource will show you how to jump start those areas in your life that seem to be stuck in neutral. 

Need an engaging speaker for your church, community or corporate event? I am available to speak in the United States and abroad. For more info, visit www.ConnieClay.com/speaking.

Raise 'Em and Praise Him - Testimony Tuesday!

MARK BOOKER

This was me in 1982. I was told I wouldn't walk normal again. I was paralyzed on the left side of my body for eight months from neck to left foot. I had headaches on and off. You get trials and tests in your life, we all do, you have to believe and trust God and he will do it - just keep your faith. 

God wanted me to find myself in him. He was waiting for me but it was tough because I got down on myself, but he kept me while I was getting myself together. Thank you God for waiting for me, I'm yours now. 

Thank God for my Pastors Garrick and Mary Brown at Miracle Life Ministries International, for giving me a chance and confidence to tell this testimony. The devil was doing his job of keeping me bound, but they allowed me to break the chains and hopefully, I'm able with this testimony, to help someone else. "I'm free, Praise the Lord. I'm free, no longer bound, no more chains holding me."

Cindy's Featured Artist of the Week - Rachel

RACHEL REED

Rachel Reed is the CEO and Owner of The FAB Lifestyle, a Social Media, and Marketing company.

Their primary goal is to increase company sales, improve your profits, and build your company’s image and reputation. They want to bring more awareness and exposure to small businesses. As an authority on the various uses of Social Media, she's been involved in social networks and online communities for more than 10 years.

Rachel was selected out of thousands of Bloggers to participate with First Lady Michelle Obama in her Let's Move Initiative. She was privileged to be in her presence at the White House. In addition, Rachel was recently accepted into the Forbes Coaches Council. She's also a published author. fab~YOU~lous, a novel by Rachel Rae can be found at all online bookstores.

Advertise with them! Get the traffic you need! Amazing low prices! They can do custom ads for you!! Inbox Rachel for details!! http://www.thefablifestyle.com/socialmediaservices

Let's Get Social:

Website: http://thefablifestyle.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/befabyoulous

Facebook Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/bfabyoulous

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.reed.5817

Raise 'Em and Praise Him - Testimony Tuesday!

Orianna Sells

My testimony is the fact that my husband and I survived our first year of marriage. It was the most testing time of my life to date. 

John and I got married on April 21st, 2016. As soon as we left the wedding venue we started facing issues. We got pulled over and we got a ticket. We live in South Carolina, it was already dark and because we are black, there was a host of other thoughts that were swimming through my head. 

In short, I was glad we got the ticket and drove away with our lives still intact. But there was a lesson in that ticket (other than the fact that if you speed you will get punished). The lesson was that we are now tied together in every way possible because when I wanted to go out the next weekend we couldn’t because he had paid the ticket and we no longer had the money to go. So now our actions affect each other on a deeper level than when we were dating. I wasn’t ready for that but now I’m married, and that scared me. 

I like stability, I can now admit that stability has been a resource of mine for a while. There have been moments this year where I didn’t know where our next meal was coming from. There have been some moments where both of us were without jobs for months. We prayed and we heard silence. But in the midst of the silence, God made a way. Friends helped out with food, our parents made sure we didn’t get evicted, even though we didn’t tell them the full situation. All in all, I realized the depths of God’s sovereignty this year and I am so thankful that he allows me to keep breathing so I can share this story. 

God is our faithful provider and we have learned to lean on him no matter what!

Cindy's Featured Artist of the Week - Simone

SIMONE CARTER

Simone Carter is the founder of Simone’s Digital World. She is a graduate from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising.

Simone discovered her passion while working as a Web Design intern which molded and shaped her gifts. She fell in love with the creativity of web design and social media analytics. Simone has mastered Google analytics, web design, and multiple social media channels. Her talent has allowed her to work for a non-profit organization and major corporations utilizing her talent and gifts of creativity. Digital is in Simone’s Digital World DNA. She is a rising freelancer taking the digital world by storm.

Simone was inspired to launch Simone's Digital World because she took a look around and realized it was easy to graduate with a degree and help enhance or build someone else's dream. The vision for Simone's Digital World is to help promote other black business owners. They want to help build the black community businesses in a creative way.

Simone's Digital World is different than other freelancers because they believe in taking creative risks, and they search outside the social norm to grasp audience attention. The creative approach is just creatively unique.

Her vision inspired the collaboration with Sistah's Creative Media to help enhance and help grow other black businesses.

Follow her on social media:
https://simonesdigitalworld.com/
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SimonesDigitalWorld
Instagram: @Simone_Digital_World
Visit her website at www.simonesdigitalworld.com