While there is a litany of reasons that we are in this state, the most easily identifiable culprits are our relationships with food and exercise.

Our Relationship with Food

Black women cook well, and black families eat a lot. This may not be a universal truth, but overwhelmingly this is the case. Our grandmothers nurtured our parents with mouth-watering home-cooked meals to show them how much they were loved, and our mothers made sure our bellies were full of hearty calorie-laden food because that’s how they knew to best take care of their loved ones. 

Culturally, food is the centerpiece of every celebration and event that we have – family reunions, weddings, funerals, birthdays, graduations, holidays…and the list goes on. We, as black women, show our love in the kitchen. Our hectic lifestyles may prevent us from throwing down with the full deal every night, but there is usually nothing that warms our hearts more than watching someone we love enjoy our cooking.

Remember the movie Soul Food? The success of that film centered on our connection with Sunday dinners. It required no explanation or dialogue. The camera’s panoramic view of the dinner table told an entire story in and of itself. We related and we understood. We relate and we understand.

Our Relationship with Exercise

Historically, black women are far less likely to work out than most other groups for a variety of reasons. Exercise is not typically something that is stressed in our households, we are not socialized to include regular physical activity in our daily routine and last, but most certainly not least, we have hair issues. Any one of these factors alone could be enough to deter one from hitting the gym every day, but all of them combined make it crystal clear why exercising, and especially sweating, isn’t prevalent in our community.

Where We Are Today

While this information is helpful and insightful, it isn’t necessarily new news. For years, experts have been spotlighting the health epidemic within the African-American community, yet not much has changed. According the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 79% of African American women over the age of 20 are overweight or obese compared to only 57% of white women. Despite these alarming statistics, we continue to celebrate being “extra thick” as part of our genetic birthright rather than seeing a high body fat percentage as the precursor to serious health issues that it is. And as a whole, we still consume more calories than we burn.

The question now becomes, “Are we ready to change?” Given the fact that we’re part of the FIT-Body family, it is probably safe to assume that most of us are at least thinking about change. The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to set goals and implement change, so let’s evaluate how ready we are for 2008.

Stages of Readiness

There are countless theoretical models addressing stages of readiness for physical activity, good nutrition and healthy living. The model that is most often used and easily understood categorizes people into five groups. Take a look below, and decide where you best fit:

1. Pre-contemplation. In this stage, you basically have no interest in working out or changing your eating habits in the near future. You feel content with how you’re currently living, and you don’t plan on changing. Next Step: Make an appointment to see your primary care physician for a full physical, and discuss potential health risks. If you are at a healthy weight and have no risk factors, make a note to re-evaluate how you feel in six months.
2. Contemplation. You aren’t actually doing anything yet, but you are seriously considering making a change. You know that you should exercise more often and eat right and you’re thinking about it. Next Step: Pull out a piece of paper and a pen, and jot down all the reasons that you want to make a change. Tape the list to your bathroom mirror (trust me, it works) and revisit it daily until you find yourself moving into the next stage.
3. Preparation. Once you hit this stage, you have already decided that you will change your behavior within the next 30 days, and you’ve started to get ready. You may have joined a fitness facility or visited the farmer’s market to load up on healthy fare. Next step: Treat yourself to something that will add some excitement to your new healthy lifestlye. A new pair of cross-trainers or an upgraded iPod full of great workout jams will usually do the trick.
4. Action. Now you’re grooving…You are consistently engaging in physical activity, choosing healthy foods and eating moderately. Healthy living has become a part of your daily routine, but you’re still at a high risk of relapse because it’s been less than six months since you changed your ways. Next step: Hire a personal trainer and registered dietitian to help you push through the plateau that is inevitably on the horizon.
5. Maintenance. Congratulations! If you are in this stage, you have fully committed to a true lifestyle change, and you have sustained this behavior for over six months. You are an ideal candidate for becoming an ambassador of physical activity and good nutrition in your community. Next step: Reward yourself in regular intervals. Working out regularly and sticking to a healthy diet can be difficult at times. Be sure to think about what motivates you most, and indulge yourself from time to time. Pedicures, massages or a new outfit for your slimmed-down physique are great options.

What’s Next?

2008 is here, and there’s no better time to set new goals and embrace change. Don’t just accept inevitable change but instead, shake things up a bit and create your own change. The best part about creating change is that you don’t have to do it alone. Join the rest of the FIT-Body community by internalizing and committing to these healthy living affirmations:

• I am an advocate for healthy living among African-American women.
• I am starting this advocacy today by setting a realistic and consistent example for the black women I touch everyday where I live, work and play.
• I am as committed to taking care of my body as I am to taking care of everyone and everything around me.

No matter which stage of readiness you’re in, there is something that you can be doing to take one step closer to making these goals a reality.

Amber O’Neal is the owner of Café Physique, an Atlanta-based fitness and nutrition company specializing in personalized nutrition services, personal training, and private yoga & pilates instruction. Visit her online at www.cafephysique.com.

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