Bubba Sparxxx isn't the only one who can say it. My title for this post is my quote for the year-"Get It Right & Get It Tight", which is more than I say for the women in his music video. But, in a way, I think he may have been on to something, just a bit misguided (I digress). I write this post not as one who criticizes or looks down on others, but one who is concerned and a bit frustrated with members of her community.
As a disclaimer, I don't proclaim to be Flo Jo, nor do I say I am a fitness guru. I'm not perfect. The last few weeks, I've skipped a few 5am trips to the gym before work. I know better. So, guess what? When you know better, you do better.
I must admit, a stimulating conversation with a special friend last night ignited the flame from my mind to my fingertips as I type this blog post. We both observed the same thing and asked ourselves the same question: why are most women in our community unhealthy?
Back in January, I wrote an article for Gloss Magazine Online entitled "Food for Thought and Action". In the article, I interviewed two African-American female health experts and a woman who's working to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The woman looking to remain healthy said something that resonated with me. She said as weird as it sounded, every time she thought about eating something unhealthy, an overweight sister would appear in her presence.
What's sad is this statement isn't weird, nor is it false. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, African-American women have the highest rates of being overweight or obese than any other ethnic group in the country. Four out of five women are overweight or obese. If people don't see this is as a problem, then I don't know what is.
Like my friend, when we go to the gym, why is it we rarely see Black women working out? Why aren't we outside jogging in our neighborhoods? Why aren't our shopping carts at grocery stores filled with fruits, vegetables, salads and other healthy products? We can't put all the blame on our schools for feeding our children garbage.
The harsh truth is practicing and living a healthy lifestyle starts at home. Children model the actions they see. As mothers, aunts, grandmothers and caregivers (which I am not either of these yet, but hope to be one day) we must provide a positive example for our youth and end this vicious cycle that's killing our community. Killing us with diseases related to obesity such as hypertension, strokes, heart attacks and diabetes. But, if we can't take care of ourselves, how are we going to take care of someone else?
Of course, all of this starts from within...how do we feel about ourselves? A low self-esteem exudes and is reflected in our outer appearance. If you don't believe in or love yourself, how do you expect others to be attracted to you (and not just in a romantic way)? So the question is...how can we gain that inner confidence and love for life that we need to take care of ourselves?
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
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