Staying Fit While Being Black
Staying Fit While Being Black
Hosea 4: 6 (KJV) My people perish from a lack of knowledge.
Black people are dying every day unnecessarily. We spend millions of dollars on cosmetics, clothing, hair, fast food, cars, and whatever the latest trend maybe. We will not pay for a gym membership, personal trainer, fitness class, or even workout dvds. According to the office of Minority health, African American women have the highest rates of being overweight compared to other groups in the U.S. About four out of five African American women are overweight or obese. In 2010, African Americans were 1.4 times as likely to be obese as Non- Hispanic Whites. In 2010, African American women were 70% more likely to be obese than Non-Hispanic White women. In 2007-2010, African American girls were 80% more likely to be overweight than Non-Hispanic White girls. More than 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high levels of blood fats, and LDL cholesterol -- all risk factors for heart disease and stroke. In 2010, African Americans were 70% less likely to engage in active physical activity as Non-Hispanic Whites. Deaths from heart disease and stroke are almost twice the rate for African Americans as compared to Whites. [Source: : CDC, 2012. Health United States, 2011. Table 74.] This has to change! If you are reading this, then it will change! Starting with YOU! Yes You Can Do It! Share the information and apply this information.
I believe that one of the keys to working out and reaching your goals, is mind over body. If you think you can, you will! I always tell my clients that there are 3 most important rules for a Fitness Lifestyle Success: 1. Exercise 2. Nutrition 3. Mind set
Applying these three things, will help you reach your goals!
African Americans were 70% less likely to engage in active physical activity as Non-Hispanic Whites. What is the number one reason why people don't achieve their health and fitness goals? Why is it that when it comes to working out, we tend to start out strong, but fail to finish. This may sound harsh but, it is called Commitment to your health. Because we don't commit to our own health! It's commitment! And a lack of commitment comes from a lack of priority! Is your health and fitness one of the most important things in your life? (Remembering that without it – there is no you to live?) We can prioritize what is important to us in life, by prioritizing what’s important to us! Let’s stop making excuses people! The number one reason I hear for not working out, maybe this may sound familiar to you, or maybe you’ve even used this yourself.
I don’t have time to exercise. People will always find time to do something they enjoy doing. Saying you don’t have time to exercise is just an excuse to get out of doing something you can’t be bothered doing. Now, I’m not saying that you are not a busy person. Maybe you are. But I am pretty certain that almost every person can find 10-15-30-60 minutes, somewhere in their day, to exercise. I have seen absolutely the most beautiful women with beautifully braided hair that were tightly neatly and elegantly done. They would share with me how they sat for 3-6 hours to get their hair braided to this beautifully well put together style. I repeat, almost every person can find 10-15-30-60 minutes, somewhere in their day, to exercise. Make an appointment with yourself to exercise. You should always break your exercise into two categories Cardiovascular fitness and Strength training. First of all, you need both. Cardio is going to get that heart pumping, blood flowing, and fat burning. Strength training is just what your body needs to fight the loss of muscle, bone mass, and strength that comes with age and can burn that unwanted fat. Everyone, no matter how young or old, should be doing some kind of regular strength training. This could be at the gym, or at home using very little equipment. Resistance bands and balls, small hand weights, water and even your own body weight can be used as resistance when designing a strength training program. I always hear many women say I do not want to lift weights, because I do not want to get big like a man. The common fear is that strength training will add bulk and therefore add weight. But this is a myth. Strength training will build lean muscle and burn fat. So in the long run, you not only become stronger, leaner, but you can lose weight as well. Women, in fact, are more likely to tone up from strength training rather than bulk up. In the movie “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” Angela Basset, playing Tina Turner was in great shape! She was very tone and lean! The trick to making a habit of cardio exercise is to find something that you enjoy,, feel comfortable with doing and, that you have access to.! For example, some prefer to exercise outdoors-take a hike, jog, go for a bike ride, etc. On the other hand, some would rather just get a gym membership and use a treadmill, bike, elliptical. I personally love to play basketball early in the morning with a group of ball players 2-3 times a week, versus having to run or jog 2-3 times a week. Brisk walking, Cycling, Swimming, Zumba class, Step aerobics, even Line dancing are some examples of aerobic exercises. It all depends what fits your lifestyle and budget. At this point I would like you to write down your Cardio choice! It does not have to be just one choice. Simply walking at a relaxed pace for a short while each day led to significant improvement in longevity, you can add more years to your life! The take-home lesson here is that if you're not doing a little exercise every day because you don't think it will make a difference, you're mistaken. You can improve cardiovascular function and extend your lifespan by going for a walk or engaging in any other type of moderate exercise for just 20 to 30 minutes each day.
Leonard W Wilson is a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer and Business owner of Divine Intervention Personal Fitness. He has been on several radio stations providing nutritional, fitness and health information. Leonard has also written fitness articles for Black Emerge magazine and he provides workshops and trainings. Leonard resides in Chandler, Arizona. His professional experiences include Head Start teacher, and Parent Involvement specialist. Through his work with the Head Start program, he has often shared his expertise and insights through training sessions and in-services which he designed and conducted for both the agency and private agencies. Leonard attended University Wisconsin Milwaukee and received certification through the International Sports Sciences Association(CFT)Leonard’s workshops take a interactive approach to fitness. Leonard will discuss muscle and toning exercises that includes stretching, cardio, strength training and abdominal work. This workshop is designed to teach at home techniques that would improve and maintain muscle tone, functional strength and overall cardiovascular health. This workshop will not only serve to teach and demonstrate how to tone those hard to reach places, it will also aid in improving your flexibility and core strength. A variety of apparatus will be introduced such as light weights, Resist-a-Balls,
