My weight didn’t fly off, but as the
months rolled by, I settled into a routine.
My appearance started to change. First to
slim down was my lower body; muscles
began to appear after a long hiatus; arms
and legs, then my face were noticeably
thinner. Stuff was more firm. Clothes fit
better, differently. I dropped a size, then
two.
I jettisoned from my diet foods that
made me weaker. For example, pasta
— can’t do it and work out. Or
pizza. My body started to crave
protein, so my diet has evolved
into a weird blend. I begin each
day with veggies through the
Champion juicer. My favorite
combo: carrots, cauliflower,
Granny Smith apple, ginger,
red grapes and cilantro, when I
have it. Next, organic chicken
on black bread, homemade
mayonnaise, sprouts and avocado.
I learned to eat these half
sandwiches, smaller portions,
lots of nuts, and to eat more often, as
organic as possible.
All total, I shaved off 18 pounds, but it
was from significant locations.
I am a hundred times stronger, and
able to do things I didn’t dream I would
be able to do, possibly ever again. That’s
been huge. For the first six months of this
challenge, I believed what I was doing
was all about me getting fitter, healthier,
but as time went on I realized it was actually
a part of God’s plan for my life, so
that I would be able to do more for His
kingdom.
In the food ministry that I serve, one
of my weekly chores has been to collect
donated foods. That means I load boxes
of frozen House of Raiford chicken,
40 pounds each, into my car and then
into refrigeration at one of two church
kitchens.
Twice weekly I also pick up and deliver
several 20-pound bins of bread from
Atlanta Bread. Once or twice a month I
fill up the entire back of my car with a
couple hundred pounds of bread and
sweets from Panera. And then there
are two weekly bins of Krispy Kreme
donuts. Without the changes in me,
hefting these pickups and deliveries
would be impossible.
About three months into the yearlong
challenge, I started doing what
LaMaine had been encouraging me
to do. I added a second shorter walk
to my day. Now the food I was consuming
didn’t add weight. When I
added a third brief walk, the weight
started to drop away. So for me, three
activities: walking, training, and walking
again; or walking the Loop, walking to
the police complex, walking to the corner
— even vacuuming and mopping suffices
for the third activity. One is mandatory,
but to shed pounds that second and third
time out have been essential.
For me, there was no hair makeover,
but Jenny Culbreth at Fringe cut my hair
shorter in October. I didn’t want to color
my hair, but my self-esteem did get a jolt
when my teeth were whitened by Dr.
James Smith at Dental Works; this was
something I had always wanted to do and
I highly recommend it!
I can honestly say this has been the
best 12 months of my life. I cross-country
skied early on. I grew through zip lining.
There’s less of me on the outside, but
more now on the inside, and I made a
few treasured friends in the process. My
cup runs over!
My gratitude for those who generously
gave of their time and resources for me
to accomplish what I have is boundless.
What a fabulous gift I have been given.
And it’s not over!
—Pat Bradford
Clockwise from above: Jonie Green and
Stephanie Shores from Bangz provide hair and
makeup. Lumina Gems’ Brad Bass fits Pat with
a Sapphire and Diamond Necklace. Wardrobe
consultant Sherry Bryan discusses makeover
wardrobe options with Pat.
Fitness Team
Trainer: LaMaine William, Lumina Fitness
Body Mechanic: Dr. Robert Fibich,
Chiropractic Kinesiology Center of
Wilmington
Reveal Team
Wardrobe Consultant: Sherry Bryan,
Clozets
Makeup: Jonie Green, Bangz
Hair: Stephanie Shores, Bangz
Wardrobe: Cool Sweats and Uppity Lu’s
Shoes: Encore and Shoe Shak
Fine Jewelry: Brad Bass, Lumina Gems
Silver ring and rope necklace: Kathy
Babb, babb-co
Smile: Dr. James Smith, Dental Works
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WBM