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Feb 20

Ministering to the body and the soul – Greenville Daily Reflector

Exercise Programs Comments Off on Ministering to the body and the soul – Greenville Daily Reflector

SIMPSON She stood quietly at the podium, fighting off tears and gathering her thoughts.

Keonya KeKe Miller thought she was just going to talk about vegan brownies but ended up showing how a lifetime of heartbreak comes from heart disease.

"My mother passed from heart disease. ... She passed away when I was 8 years old. Even after a heart transplant, nothing was working," Miller said.

Nearly 10 years later, Miller found herself weighing 265 pounds, pre-diabetic and experiencing thyroid problems. Her siblings also were experiencing obesity-related illnesses. Miller feared she was following in her mother's footsteps.

Miller was one of nearly two dozen people who participated in Go Red for Women, a Saturday event sponsored by Phillippi Missionary Baptist Church's Health Ministry in connection with Heart Health Month.

The church started its health ministry 18 months ago because its members believed spiritual and physical health go hand in hand.

"We believe it takes a village to raise a child; well, it takes a village to keep everyone healthy," Valarie Gatlin, president of the health ministry auxiliary, said.

The ministry holds monthly programs and sponsors twice weekly exercise classes. Having friends waiting for them motivates members to show up and participate in the classes, Gatlin said.

Miller said that while she wanted to pursue a healthier lifestyle, every diet she tried was frustrating because of the restrictions on certain types of food.

"So what do I do? I choose the most restrictive diet there is, no meat, no dairy," Miller said.

Miller initially adopted the vegan diet because she is an animal lover. But as she further explored it and became more knowledgeable and committed, she began experiencing health benefits.

Miller lost more than 100 pounds after combining aerobic exercise and strength training with her vegan lifestyle. She no longer is pre-diabetic, and her thyroid problems are gone.

Miller has had slips three years into her new lifestyle, especially when she was pregnant with her nearly 3-month-old daughter Eviane Hill. Miller drank and ate a lot of dairy products.

Miller assured the audience that the vegan diet is varied and hearty.

"I eat a lot," she said.

An audience member asked if almond milk was a good substitute for traditional dairy products. Miller said she makes ice cream with it.

"I swear you would think you were eating something bad for you," Miller joked.

Her brownies, made with black beans, cacao and naturally sweetened ingredients, were a hit with Saturdays audience.

Stacey Greenway, director of cardiovascular disease management programs at the Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Rehab and Heart Failure Clinic at Vidant Medical Center, talked about what signs people should look for to determine if they are at risk of heart disease, warning signs of a heart attack and lifestyle changes to offset the risk of heart attacks.

The changes needed to fight heart disease may seem overwhelming, but setting small, specific goals is the best way to begin, Greenway said. Losing 50 pounds may stave off heart problems, but a person should begin with a weight loss goal of 1 pound a week; exercising five minutes a day with the goal of adding minutes each week.

A key to making healthy lifestyle changes is a medical provider who will help individuals identify areas of concern and prioritize the needed changes. There also are many free community activities that help people learn about healthy living, Greenway said.

She also encouraged people to find a workout or diet partner, but to be selective and find someone who will offer support.

Greenway also encouraged participants to rely on their faith. People can't ask God to take away 50 pounds, but they can ask for the willpower to say no to a piece of cake or the energy to walk a few more minutes.

Joining Greenway was Jane Murray, a former patient of the rehab clinic.

Murray moved to Greenville in 2013 at age 65 to attend classes at East Carolina University. Three semesters into her program, Murray one night found herself eating Chinese food and working on a research paper when she started experiencing numbness in her jaw, pain in her left arm and weakness.

"I got outside myself and started laughing, I was thinking 'I'm having a heart attack,'" she said.

Murray managed to take an aspirin and call emergency services to transport her to the hospital. She had two blocked arteries, one nearly 100 percent.

"I was glad I was here, in the heart capital of the northeast," Murray said.

"What I want to say to you is be aware, know what the symptoms (of a heart attack) are, but don't panic," Murray said. "Feel empowered. ... I think most of us know what to do (to prevent heart disease), even if we don't do it but be aware, we have a limited time here."

Contact Ginger Livingston at glivingston@reflector.comor 252-329-9570. Follow her on Twitter @GingerLGDR.

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Ministering to the body and the soul - Greenville Daily Reflector

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