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Break the stereotype: live a healthier lifestyle
“African American women have the highest rates of obesity or being overweight compared to other groups in the United States. About 4 out of 5 African American women are overweight or obese.
In 2018, African Americans were 20 percent less likely to engage in active physical activity than non-Hispanic whites.”
Source: Minority Health
What Is Happening Black Women?
Ugh! What is happening within our group, and why are we struggling so much with our weight?
I’ve been active most of my life, and I noticed that black women are not as prevalent when I’m in the gym, out on hikes, or anywhere I engage in physical activity. I see a sprinkle here and there, but not as many as I’d like to see.
Growing up, my mother enforced a lot of physical activity, but I had a natural inclination, so it never bothered me. I played several sports and spent a lot of my free time outside.
When I was 11, my father brought home a gym, and I’ve been lifting weights ever since.
But this story is an anomaly.
Most Black women aren’t as physically active and don’t want to be.
The Risks Of Being Overweight Extend Far
The more weight we hold onto our bodies, the more we place ourselves at risk for health concerns such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
But I believe it’s more severe than this.
Many health issues are related to diet, exercise, stress, and weight. If you’re overweight, you’re more at risk for everything, and your body will have to work harder every single day to maintain the extra weight you’re holding onto.
Joint pain, thyroid, foot, digestive, cycle-related ailments, constant headaches, etc., can all be linked to your weight and diet. Lose the weight, and I promise you’ll drop the many health issues you’ve been dealing with. Being overweight not only exacerbates issues but creates them.
My family line is not genetically slim, yet I am; I’ve managed this by maintaining an active lifestyle and a healthy diet throughout my entire life.
I sometimes eat what I want but always get back on track. I never go weeks or months endlessly consuming shitty foods because I recognize that my body will not appreciate that.
Don’t Be Hypocritical: Prioritize Internal + External
Many of us care for our hair, nails, and what we wear at all costs, yet, we don’t invest anything into our health.
Let’s start caring for our internal bodies by eating, drinking, and living well. If anything, our internal health is invaluable many times over compared to our external appearance.
I’ve seen countless beautiful black women have their whole look together yet are severely overweight, which is problematic.
We can’t just care about how well put together we are on the outside and ignore entirely how well put together we are on the inside.
We must take a holistic approach to our health (internal, external, emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, financial, etc.).
If you are an overweight black woman, I challenge you to start eating and living healthier, so you can live a longer, stronger, and more enriching life.
Things to consume in moderation:
Processed foods
Fried foods
Alcohol
Snacks
Sugar
Things to consume in higher amounts:
Nutrient-dense foods
Raw veggies
Water
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Things to do more:
Exercise
Take the stairs
Walk farther away from entrances
Practice stretching, yoga, and meditation
Cook your own meals so you control the ingredients
Doing these things won’t be easy – especially if you haven’t done it before. It will require tremendous self-discipline. But anything worthwhile in life requires self-discipline. If you want to experience a different outcome, you need to take action – no matter how uncomfortable those actions are.
I don’t always feel like eating healthily. Mostly, I want to eat burgers every day, but I don’t because I know that my health is more important than short-term pleasure.
6 Benefits Not Eating Carbs Will Do For Your Body
If you want to lean out, eliminating carbs will do the trick
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.