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BY BROOKE R. CANTRELLE

L’OBSERVATEUR

BOOK: Lessons can inspire others

 

RESERVE — Every day, Yolanda Fleming-Williams of Reserve is faced with a choice to succumb to old eating habits or take control of them. Her debut book, “Pathways: Discovering the Power Within” shares her ups and downs in her pursuit of a healthier lifestyle.

Whether a person is struggling with food addictions or other issues in life, Fleming-Williams hopes her book can inspire others to mentally and physically break free from the past.

While “Pathways: Discovering the Power Within” was released in August of this year, the inspiration for the book traces back much further. A few years ago, Fleming-Williams started journaling her frustrations with fast food issues, weight gain and the effects of related health conditions such as blood pressure, diabetes and depression.

“I am a Christian woman, and I feel like this book was given to me by inspiration of the Holy Spirit,” Fleming-Williams said. “I share my ups and downs and how I had to ultimately find the desire and the passion within myself to overcome gluttony with food, not having the power to know when to stop or when I was full. I dealt with a lot of bad food issues, and things from my past played a big part in my discovery of who I am and what I want to do. Writing this book helped me search myself and get in control over the years.”

Reflecting on her childhood, Fleming-Williams realized her issues with food started around the time she was 4 years old. She would ride with her father to her grandmother’s house every morning, and they would stop at a little, silver building that sold the best donuts in town.

Rather than choosing between the chocolate and glazed, she would always tell her father that she wanted both. After eating both, she was always met with a plate of food at her grandmother’s house.

Now an adult, Fleming-Williams realizes the importance of making choices.

“It’s a struggle. I don’t think of it as I’ve made it. Nothing happened overnight, and even today I still have to make the right choices and decisions in regard to my eating habits,” Fleming-Williams said.

She also spoke of the importance of celebrating small victories and keeping a positive mindset. Those small victories have allowed her to lose approximately 50 pounds so far and come off of one of her blood pressure medications.

In her writing, Fleming-Williams pairs her messages with scripture to reinforce the lessons.

From Romans 12:1, she quotes, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship.”

“As a Christian, we know that we are supposed to present ourselves as a gift to God and to control what we put into our bodies,” Fleming-Williams said. “We can’t be here and help one another if we are unhealthy.”

Lawanda Care read the book and found the lesson that resonated with her the most was “the power of the tongue.”

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue. How you speak things upon your life is how you presume it is going to go. You need to speak life into yourself,” Care said. “I thought the book was very inspirational for all to read. It really makes you think about your past experiences and if those past experiences are holding you from going forward in your future adventures. She had a lot of scriptures as well as quotes to help me realize that you have to break free from those past things that have hurt you so you can be positive going forward.”

According to Care, the lessons from “Pathways: Discovering the Power Within” extend beyond food. She said young people can read the book and learn to get rid of negative aspects of their life to move forward.

“Ultimately I knew that if I was going through this, I think there are others out there who deal with the same or similar issues, maybe not just with food, but with other issues in life,” Fleming-Williams said. “I have been getting a lot of good feedback from locals. I know I’m better than I was three years ago. I’m thankful that I was able to share different experiences in this book, and I’m very thankful that people are responding in a very positive way.”
Copies of the book can be obtained through Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Books can also be ordered through Fleming-Williams directly via social media. She can be reached through Facebook at Christ Producing Restoration and through Instagram at yagirl_yo_godzgirl. For more information, email yolawilliams40@gmail.com.