Deloris Witcher believes in God and she believes in exercise. So it was only fitting that she would combine these passions into a workshop.
Entitled "Fit For His Kingdom," a new session will be offered for the first time in this area. Starting April 4 from 7-9 p.m., "Fit For His Kingdom" will be held at Agape Christian Academy, 5632 Mt. Vernon Memorial Hwy. It will run for 10 weeks at the cost of $250 per student.
Witcher started the program a few years ago and has offered it at the Antioch Baptist Church in Fairfax Station. She said, "It's all about making small lifetime changes. When you serve God, you look good and feel good."
Cleotha Kelley attended the first class and said, "Without a doubt, I think it's the best class I've ever taken."
Kelley said that she had participated in other weight-loss programs, but found this to be the most effective.
"She [Delores] doesn't do anything for you. She teaches you how to do it yourself," said Kelley. "I learned some wonderful things about good eating habits and nutrition."
Even though Kelley has a background in nutrition, she still had many misconceptions and is now more aware of labels and the need for taking vitamin supplements.
The first class had ended, but Kelley feels that she has made some permanent lifestyle changes. Some of the students from the first class continued to meet for awhile as a support group. Kelley is helping Witcher do blood pressure checks for the second class and participates in some of the exercise routines.
"It was such a wonderful learning process," said Kelley.
Another student, Cathy Clark, said, "The class has changed my life and my family... I have made many changes in my eating habits and the type of foods that I eat."
Bonita Toler lost 12 pounds and dropped a dress and pant size. She said that she eats better and now exercises on a regular basis. Adrienne Powell said, "I feel better informed and confident about improving my eating habits and health-related issues. The spiritual portion of the class only reinforced the need to maintain a healthy and wholesome diet. God bless you for this class."
Exercise & Bible Study
Every class starts with a prayer and then Witcher leads them in 30 minutes of low-impact aerobics done to Bible music. Twenty minutes of Bible study follow and then there's an hour of interactive learning. The session ends with sharing and a closing prayer.
During Bible study, Witcher selects passages which relate to our bodies. One of the passages is from Hosea 4:6a — "Our bodies are the Temples of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, many Christians are taking themselves out of service for God before their appointed times because they lack knowledge."
During the interactive learning session, every student teams up with the partner they have selected. Partners are there for accountability, both in and out of the class.
"If I'm feeling like I need a little encouragement, I'll call up my partner," said Kelley.
Partners read each other's weekly journals and then participate in the interactive session, which is different every week. Topics covered are items such as diabetes, high blood pressure, nutrition, exercise, calories and other food-related topics.
Well Suited to Teach
Witcher has extensive background in the health care field. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University in Occupational Therapy and a Master of Arts degree from George Washington University in Education and Human Development with a specialty in Traumatic Brain Injury.
For the past 19 years, Witcher has worked in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, group homes, and public and private schools. She served as an instructor of Occupational Therapy at Howard University in the College of Allied Health Sciences for four years. In addition to holding her workshops, she continues to work full-time in health ministry.
Witchers's major objective is "to help Christians apply God's word in ways that promote lifestyle changes and improved health therefore enabling believers to bet fit for service in God's Kingdom."
<bci>For more information about the program call 703-425-4877.