 |
| Andre Byrd Interviewed By: Andrenee Boothe aboothe@believersreport.com |
President
and Founder of Degree 180 Enterprises, Andre Byrd seeks to educate all
people from every walk of life about the reality of God’s
love, and how important it is to please Him. That turning away from
your vicious, unproductive and crippling cycles with shift your primary
focus, which will ultimately forever change you for the better, through
almost every form of performance and visual art. Byrd shares with us
his journey to prospering in good health.
B.R.: Tell us a bit about your lifestyle prior to your road to health, what contributed to your weight gain?
A.B.: I
come from a Caribbean family, Jamaican to be exact. Many of the staples
of native Jamaican dishes were saturated in starch and high
concentrations of oils. My mother was always someone conscious about
portions, and how much of the ingredients she was including in her
dishes either helped or adversely affected everyone in the household,
which helped a bit. She would be sure to include my younger sister and I
in her quest to maintain a healthy lifestyle: a balance of moderate
portion control and physical activity (occasional walking or bike
riding). I was never interested in sports as a child, and once I had
gotten a job and had control of my own money, was when I really saw an
increase of weight gain; and it wasn’t that I was eating excessively, it
was more so that I had become more sedentary as the years went on and
rather then having spaced out meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, I
would just eat one meal and binge.
 |
| Before the Weight Loss |
B.R.: How long did you struggle with your eating habits?
A.B.: I hadn’t learned to properly balance my schedule, so this habit of not eating enough throughout the day then binging at night then immediately going to sleep, ended up turning into eating improperly period. I would say it lasted from 6th Grade until freshman year in college.
A.B.: I hadn’t learned to properly balance my schedule, so this habit of not eating enough throughout the day then binging at night then immediately going to sleep, ended up turning into eating improperly period. I would say it lasted from 6th Grade until freshman year in college.
B.R.: What made you decide to make this change in your lifestyle?
A.B.: I
had suffered three separate accounts of sleep apnea where I literally
experienced my respiratory system being constricted, which jolted me out
of my sleep terrified. What you also have to understand is that I was
overweight through much of my formative years and school can be a very
unhappy place for a child subject to ridicule and the mean words of
his/her classmates. I believe I finally had had it with people ill
treating me simply based on the results of poor eating habits, I felt as
though they disregarded the opportunity to get to know the core of who I
was, which was a good person.
B.R.: How much weight have you lost?
A.B.: I
have lost a total of 100 lbs since my final true attempt at applying a
healthy lifestyle which started in the later part of 2010, and have kept
it off for 6 months now and still losing.
B.R.: Have you reached your goal weight?
A.B.: I didn’t think I would’ve but I am quite content with where I am. My focus now is weight training.
B.R.: Please share your strategy of maintenance with our readers?
A.B.: As
you go along, your level of discipline is heightened and your
motivation to never subject yourself to the negative results of
unhealthy eating again will keep you cognizant and committed to keep it
off. It’s all about being introspective enough to consider how your life
has changed so positively since the weight loss, your sense of self;
self-esteem, emotional well being etc should be considered.
B.R.: What motivates you to stick to this plan?
A.B.: I
had joined a gym and there are articles of clothing that I consider a
gage to my weight loss, when I find myself fitting into it I know I am
fine, if not I am convicted to immediately assess the situation and get
back on track; also a motivation to inspire others to follow suit as
apart of my holistic message of the 180.
B.R.: You look like a completely different person…How has life changed for you with this new way of life?
A.B.: Quite
frankly my life is entirely different. People’s perceptions of me had
shifted for the better whether they are just meeting me or have known
me. I am an upcoming inspirational artist and I’m quickly learning that
image plays a part even in the non-secular arena, so needless to say I
am very proud of my progress and accomplishments and ready to face this
new phase of life.
B.R.: I
Corinthians 6:19, 20 says “Know ye not that your body is the temple of
the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not
your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your
body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Would you affiliate this to
also healthy eating and a proper diet?
A.B.: GREAT
QUESTION! As a matter of fact this is the scripture I always quote
while telling everyone about the importance of following suit! Yes, I
believe we will held accountable for how well we managed what we were
given including our bodies. For me, the clearest and most apparent
indication of a lack of discipline and being content was encompassed in
being overweight; it had diametrically opposed this message of living in
the 180!
B.R.: As
we all know, eating healthy is one of the biggest struggles Americans
face, what would you say to that reader who finds it hard to change this
area of their life and feels that maybe they do not have the ability to
do so?
A.B.: You
must consider how living the way you are living prohibits living at
your greatest potential. It all starts in the mind and DIETS DO NOT
WORK! It requires a lifestyle change. I would suggest doing research on
those who suffer from the adverse effects of obesity, high blood
pressure and diabetes, and consider if this is how you think God
intended you to live. Stop walking in circles! Live in the 180!
Degree
180 Enterprises currently represent the artist known as Andre Byrd and
are making great strides in exposing this world to a message of
achieving attainable lifestyle changes through God; not by multi-step
programs, just simply “Believe” in Him!
Check out Andre Byrd:
www.AndreByrdMusic.com
www.reverbnation.com/AndreByrd180
www.facebook.com/DreByrd180
byrdz_tha_word (Twitter)
 |
| Dr. Var Kelly Interviewed By: Andrenee Boothe aboothe@believersreport.com |
Dr.
Var Kelly is the youngest of four children, born to Pastor Ivory &
Lady Mary Kelly in Brooklyn, New York. All throughout his life, he has
learned from his parents and siblings about ministry, leadership,
entrepreneurship, creativity, music, and writing. Dr. Kelly shares with
us his journey to prospering in good health.
B.R.: Tell
us a bit about your lifestyle prior to your road to health, what
contributed to your weight gain? What made you decide to make this
change in your lifestyle?
V.K.: As
I went on mission trip to Montserrat in Late May, 2011, I boarded the
plane like any other time. However, upon taking my seat there was a huge
difference. I couldn’t fit properly in the seat. I didn’t need the
extension belt for the seat belt, but I knew if I didn’t make changes
soon I would need it. As I sat in the seat, I said to myself, “Here you
are again. You’re back where you were years before. You have to do
something immediately. The enemy desires to kill you with your weight.”
As I continued on the mission trip, I remember how I had lost over 50
lbs before. I was over 300 lbs then and lost the weight, and there I was
again over 300 lbs and completely out of shape. Upon coming back from
the mission trip, I made the choice to loss the weight and keep it off.
On Monday, June 26, 2011, I started what I like to call Healthy Living: The Lifestyle.
B.R.: How long did you struggle with your eating habits?
V.K.: I
never struggled with my weight until I ran into an issue with asthma.
That summer before entering Junior High School, I was active and always
on the move. I used to stay outside on my bicycle and skates. I always
was out with my neighborhood friends. However, once I met up with
asthma, my play time seemed to shut down. Although God healed me and
delivered me from this disease, I never really went back outside to
play. Thus, the weight started piling on.
Before graduating High School I lost a lot of weight. I still have my graduation suit from back then. I used to use it as a marker to let me know if I’m the same size as I was in High School. Since then, I have surpassed the size of that suit. I can almost swim in that suit now.
After High School, I started college and started to gain back all the weight. This occurred for many years until I decided to loss the weight. Upon coming back down to my graduation suit size, I stopped exercising again. And the weight came back on.
My lifestyle of eating wasn’t necessarily bad. However, eating too much of even the good foods will still cause weight gain. I learned that the hard way. Upon taking that trip to Montserrat, The Lord opened my eyes again and I began my journey of Healthy Living: The Lifestyle.
B.R.: How much weight have you lost?
V.K.: Thus
far I’ve lost over 75 lbs. There are many who would like for me to stop
losing weight. For some reason there is a misconception about people
who lose weight. I’m not sick. I wasn’t advised to lose weight by my
doctor. This was completely by choice.
As
a Christian, I always felt some kind of way about overweight
Christians. To me, it doesn’t’ make sense. If God allowed the Apostle
Paul to write down the works of the flesh, the latter two relates to
food, and then there are the fruit of the spirit which include
self-control, then there is something to be said of overweight
Christians. I’m not saying that it’s a sin; not at all. However, there
is help. We just don’t apply our faith in all things as we should.
B.R.: Have you reached your goal weight?
V.K.: I have not reached my goal weight yet. However, I do plan to reach it in 2013.
B.R.: Please share your strategy of maintenance with our readers?
V.K.:
- Be realistic. Healthy Living is about making the choice to be the size and have health whatever size you choose. Just be educated enough to know that if you choose to be overweight, there are risks.
- Know your family’s medical history: While many Christians don’t accept generational curses, genetics will tell you something about your family. If your family has a high risk for diabetes, then you should be abreast of the symptoms and live a lifestyle to ensure you don’t fall prey to this disease earlier than necessary.
- Age Makes the Difference: A person who is in their 70’s may develop high blood pressure and even diabetes. However, more than likely it develops due to age and not due to diet. All those in their 40’s and 50’s who develop these diseases could have often warded off the onset of these diseases through Healthy Living.
- Eat Fruits & Vegetables: On purpose prepare 2 vegetables for dinner. Keep starch in your diet however, don’t eat it all day. Bread for breakfast, bread for lunch and bread at dinner. Don’t do it. Keep starches in your daily life however minimize them and choose them wisely.
- Portion Control: Eat whatever you want. You like to have that burger. Go ahead! You love your cookies? Have it! However, portion control. If you can’t control yourself, ask God for help. Faith isn’t just for healing, but it’s for self-control as well.
- Understand Food Labels: Take the time to make sure you know what food labels mean. Visit official health websites and learn about labels. They will help you save your life.
- Exercise: Many don’t like to do this, but it’s a must. By simply walking 3 times a week for a minimum of 20 minutes, we’ll each automatically lower our blood pressure and help control sugar level naturally without medication. Those who would like to lose more weight, educate yourself on Body Mass Index and Body Metabolic Rate. The more information you learn about how much you should eat verses how much exercise you do a week will make the difference of successful weight loss or no loss at all.
B.R.: What motivates you to stick to this plan?
V.K.: I have my sister to motivate me. She just finished her first marathon on Sunday, November 18th.
While she didn’t motivate me to start Healthy Living, her success (over
100 lbs weight loss – See her Facebook Monica Kelly) motivates me to
continue forward.
In addition to this, God’s Spirit has been a comfort during the most difficult times. Those times when I over ate or fell off the wagon, I had to seek forgiveness and ask God for help. By allowing The Holy Spirit to help my self control and educating myself through reading and exercise, I’ve found motivation.
Lastly, I’ve befriended groups of people who exercise too. Hearing them discuss their success with exercise and even doing some of their workouts motivates me to move forward so I can tell them about what I’ve been doing for exercise. Not all of them are seeking weight lose. Many of them are just regular people who want to stay healthy.
 |
| After the Weight Loss |
B.R.: You look like a completely different person…How has life changed for you with this new way of life?
V.K.: I
can honestly say I’m still not used to the new me. I still walk pass
full length mirrors and say “That’s not me.” LOL! I still go to the
store and look at sizes that I believe won’t fit me but when I try them
on I slip right in. I still have a huge adjustment to make. People tell
me I look great and yet for some reason in my head I’m still fat.
This major weight loss is all natural and took a lot of work and time. I’m appreciative to God for His help and His continual help. All the complaints are a blessing and encouraging, but I give all the glory to God. To some this isn’t a testimony for I wasn’t sick and lost the weight or I didn’t have surgery. But this is a testimony because I saw myself and made a choice. Just like I made the choice to accept Jesus Christ, I made the choice to live a Healthy Lifestyle as a Christian. It can be done. Just ask me. LOL!
B.R.: I
Corinthians 6:19, 20 says “Know ye not that your body is the temple of
the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not
your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your
body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Would you affiliate this to
also healthy eating and a proper diet?
V.K.: I seriously would use this verse in reference to Healthy Living (proper diet). (See Note from above about works of the flesh and fruit of The Spirit).
B.R.: As
we all know, eating healthy is one of the biggest struggles Americans
face, what would you say to that reader who finds it hard to change this
area of their life and feels that maybe they do not have the ability to
do so?
V.K.: I
would tell others to get a new life. What I mean is get away from those
who live faithless lives. Surround yourself in the knowledge of truth
through The Word of God and proper nutritional/exercise information. The
more you allow God to control your mind in all things including food
and exercise, the more success you’ll have. I found out that as I
stimulated my mind with The Word, my faith increased. It motivated me to
push the more to live a healthy lifestyle for God. The healthier I am,
the more I can do for God. I’ll live a longer life, if it’s the will of
God, and I’ll be able to do more for Him.
Dr. Kelly has
also been favored the opportunity to travel locally, nationally and
internationally to many places to teach The Word of God. His life as a
writer and teacher seems to be expanding continually by God’s Mighty
Hand.
Check out Dr. Kelly:
Var Kelly
Phone: (347) 665-1877
Email: Info@VarMinistries.org
Website: www.VarMinistries.org
My Family: Finding Me Thru My Family / eBook Available on Amazon.com
The FAITH Reaction
