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No more excuses
Thoughtful responses are flowing in about my recent message to black women to become healthier, and I genuinely appreciate the comments because they encourage me to dissect the issue further, which helps continue a conversation that needs attention.
Some Black Women Will Have Their Whole Look Together, But Be Overweight
Break the stereotype: live a healthier lifestyle
Why do we perpetuate being overweight in our community?
A Response
“Where do you get this ridiculous claim!? You are perpetuating a stereotype and have zero evidence to back up your claim.
It is widely known in the medical community that BMI is racist and wholly inaccurate. Not to mention your grotesque and exaggerated claims do not take into account class and privilege.
You state your father buying a home gym and you have been lifting since. Congratulations for having that privilege. I have $150 membership to lifetime gym and I KNOW that I am privileged to be able to afford that lifestyle to take care of my body mentally and physically.
There are some woman in the black community who are the breadwinners for their home and are being caretakers to children and ederly and do not have the time to put themselves first. Furthermore some woman are just naturally built heavier and they are perfectly healthy!!!
Whew!!! The openly assault on specifically Black women is Wild. Sis, please reconsider your perspective on this because there is so much nuance you are not taking into account.”
My Response
Research Is Critical To Back Up Our Claims
You’re right. My first article didn’t include enough research, so I wrote a follow-up piece with plenty of research to tackle the discussion further.
But…
…look around. Which demographics tend to be more overweight?
Yes, many people in America are overweight, especially those who come from lesser economic circumstances.
And who do those people happen to be?
The black community.
Black people are at the bottom of the financial and economic totem pole.
Maybe The BMI peeps are racist, but they’re not wrong…
In no way am I assaulting black women who are thicker.
I understand that some women are built heavier, but that doesn’t grant them an excuse not actively monitor their health, work out, and eat healthily.
Many women and men in my family have thicker body types, but this is because of the way they eat.
If you eat cleaner, your physique will change.
You’lll still be thick, but a healthier thick.
I get it; a lot of us black women are the breadwinners.
Economic Status
My father didn’t “buy” a gym; he won a free gym and brought it home. It was a case of luck.
And I got a job to pay for my gym membership when I was 14.
Even if my dad hadn’t brought that gym home, my mother still took it upon herself to ensure we all stayed active.
She worked multiple jobs.
We also spent plenty of time outside as kids and were encouraged to do so.
Parents
My parents came from extremely traumatic, poor, and abusive home environments. They didn’t further their education until they were adults, and they did so because they took matters into their own hands.
Most Americans have the ability to change their circumstances – no matter their economic background – if they decide to…
They would be the last people on earth I’d expect to know how to be parents.
Yet, they succeeded.
We were not wealthy.
We struggled financially, and it got worse as I got older.
We lost our home.
Okay.
So what?
NO MORE EXCUSES
Do you think you’re health will give you a break because you’re busy, economically suffering, or have a hard life?
No.
Health is not discriminate to how we live, the obligations we have, the trials we go through, the number of kids we have, the traumas we go through, or the responsibilities we have on our plates.
Are you suggesting that many black women cannot carve out 5–15 minutes a day to walk, take the stairs, park farther away from the grocery store, do some pushups or calisthenics while watching tv, use their lunch break as a walking break, or do 3 minutes of yoga before she retires for the night?
“I do not have time” is one of the most common excuses for people not doing things. That’s a lie. We got 5–15 minutes to spare somewhere.
Here are a few ideas:
Cut out tv.
Quit social media.
Get off your phone.
Stop dating for a while.
Implement more boundaries.
Allow others the opportunity to care for themselves.
Boundaries
Not all people struggle with boundaries, but if you’re overweight or experiencing health issues brought on by voluntary choices, you struggle to implement boundaries with yourself and your health.
Sometimes, we will need to say “no” to our loved ones and take a moment to care for ourselves, or we will no longer be around to care for them.
At some point, the excuses not to care for ourselves have to end, and we must take responsibility for our health. No one else is going to do it for us.
Taking care of yourself won’t be easy. I watched my mother struggle with her health journey while managing everything else. Yet, she found a way…And many others can do the same if they want to experience optimal health.
Where there is a will, there is a way.
Women Who Are Naturally Built Heavier But Living Healthily
I’m not talking about women who are built thick but stay consistently active, go to the doctor, have healthy numbers, and eat well.
If you’re healthy, I’m not talking about you.
Who My Message Is For:
My message is for the women who are overweight or obese and consistently not checking their numbers, staying active, eating clean, or monitoring their weight.
Another thing; if you’re built heavier, you will need to stay on top of your weight because it’s easier to cross the line from healthy thickness to being overweight or obese.
Not Overweight? There Are Plenty of Other Ways To Be Unhealthy
I’ve seen countless black females take care of their physical appearance but still eat shitty foods, smoke cigarettes, not work out, not sleep or hydrate enough, and neglect every other aspect of their health, such as their emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
Health requires a holistic approach.
Looking good on the outside is temporary. Whatever you do to the inside always finds a way to reveal itself on the outside.
7 Things You Can Do To Be Healthier
1. Eating healthy.
Meaning more raw veggies and less processed foods).
Living in a food-insecure area might mean consuming frozen veggies or veggie juices without added sugars.
Maximize whatever resources are available to you.
2. Caring for your mental.
Keeping your stress levels low and nurturing your mental health – considering we tend to take on many responsibilities in life, at home, and in the workplace is critical.
Added stress can perpetuate unnecessary weight gain and emotional eating, frequently leading to compromised health and weight gain.
3. Stay on top of your health.
Actively monitor your weight and critical numbers.
More weight can add pressure to the heart and body, and you and your doctor need to figure out what that healthy weight looks like for you.
4. Getting regular doctor visits in.
Similar to #3.
Head to the dentist.
Get your physical.
Get all of your annuals and ensure everything is good to go. If something doesn’t feel right or feels off, check it out.
5. Drinking less alcohol and more water.
6. Consistently stay active by working out.
7. Avoid toxic and unhealthy relationships and friendships.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.