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Author approached weight loss through Christianity

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Staff Writer 2:56 PM Friday, June 12, 2009

Patricia Thomas was both a devout Christian and a hopeful dieter, but it wasn’t until she combined the two that she found weight loss success.

The West Chester mother of two shares her unique spiritual journey with others in her new book, “A Christian Woman’s Journal to Weight Loss: A 52-Week Guide to Losing Weight with The Word” (The Elevator Group Faith, $15.95).

She hopes the guidebook, which offers 52 scriptures accompanied by 52 personal reflections, may be helpful for anyone facing difficult issues in their lives.

Thomas, 45, is looking forward to spending one-on-one time with patrons at a book signing Saturday, June 20, at Family Christian Stores in Miamisburg. Her book is a reproduction of an actual journal she began keeping in 2002.

The journal was a gift from her husband.

“When I finally began to write, I used a scripture to inspire me,” says Thomas, who had always taken quiet time out of each day to read the Bible. “So I wrote about the issue I was experiencing at the time which was about weight.”

After the birth of her second child, Thomas left a corporate job to become a stay-at-home mom. But with a lifestyle she describes as more sedentary, she found herself unable to lose the 70 pounds she’d gained through the course of her pregnancy. Diets didn’t work.

“I’m not a big believer in diets,” says Thomas now. “Diets are for a limited time and I would try dieting but it would last a month or two, then the weight would come back.”

She found that by journaling about a different scripture each week, she was able to approach her weight loss challenge in a new way. Within a year, she had reached her goal and was wearing a size 8.

One example of a Biblical message that came into play, she says, was the importance of keeping everything in balance.

“That’s as Biblical as you can get,” Thomas says. “Society has helped us get out of balance with all the ‘biggie sizes’ and the ‘all-you-can-eats.’ ”

Another example: From a scripture about the cleansing power of water (Ezekiel 36:25), Thomas reflects about the importance of drinking water for weight loss.

Today, she says, she doesn’t cut out any food, but tries to limit quantities.

“If it’s my birthday I’m having cake, but it’s not my birthday every day. At Thanksgiving, I’m going to have dressing, but it’s not a holiday every day. When I began to look at it that way, I didn’t feel deprived and was less likely to go on binges. And when I did have that food, I wouldn’t have as much of it.”

The book was recently named a finalist in three categories at the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, winning in three categories: spiritual, inspirational and motivational.

Publisher Sheilah Vance of Pennsylvania says she created her publishing company, The Elevator Group, to “help people rise above and lead an abundant life.” When she read Thomas’ book, she “loved it and signed her up immediately.”

“It gives readers room to write their own reflections,” explains Vance. “It shows you how to put yourself first and reach your goals. If you’re a person who relies on the Bible for strength and guidance, this book addresses how you can use that to address everyday issues.”

At the book signing, Thomas will share her “before and after” photos.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or MMoss@Dayton DailyNews.com.