Detailing Your Body

You know, I was talking to someone today about health and wellness.  This individual was oblivious to the fact that their current weight and lifestyle was jeopardizing their health, they refused the advice of doctors to make changes from the inside out even though they have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and so forth.  As we continued to talk, I pointed out the importance of keeping our body in tip top shape, from the inside to the outside.  The individual then stopped in mid thought, pulled out his phone and showed me a picture of his brand new car...which he was about to get detailed, from the inside out!  "My, I stated, you put more effort into your car than you do your own health", and then I started to write.

 As African Americans, it is time to put our priorities in order.  You can possess the finest cars, the nicest house, and wear the latest fashions, but if you do not have good health, and a sound mind, you have nothing.  What good is it to ride around in that fancy car and when you get out you can barely walk to your destination because of obvious reason such as being overweight or lack of body conditioning.  It is the truth that is going to set us free as a people, and I am going to tell the truth.  We need to stop listening to the lies and believing the hype that others are saying to us, and start looking more closely at our most prized asset which is our health.

Lets just imagine if we took the time to detail our body the same way we do our cars, how would that work?  First we would ensure that we only choose the best, natural products for our skin because we would not want to leave any residue, and you know most body care products contain harsh chemicals that have lasting effects that are damaging to your health.  We would choose a natural bristle brush, to body brush to ensure the toxins accumulated can be lifted and we can generate wellness inside and out.  We would exercise at least 5 times a week for 30 minutes a day, because we know that if we eat, we have to burn that energy off and exercising also keeps our body looking good as well as helping us to perform better as well.  Lets not forget the inside, what detail would be complete without the finishing touches, this is where you spend most of your time, and who wants to be in an environment that is dirty, and unwelcoming...so it is with your cells, your cells have dwell within you and they need an environment conducive for carrying out the functions they were intended for. 

If we feed our body junk food and garbage, then we risk damaging our cells and compromising our immune function.  I think it is a good idea to give as  much attention to our wellness as we do to the things in our life.  Our body goes everywhere that we go, you can not detach from it.  You cant just park it in the garage, or put it in the closet, it is who you are.  Little steps make a big difference in your wellness, if you cannot commit to exercising 30 minutes a day, start out with a walk around the block for 20 minutes 3 x a week. 

Each time you set a goal and meet it will give you a sense of accomplishment and the drive to want more.  Add a variety of fruits and vegetables to your meals, small steps will pay off in the long run. Do everything in moderation when it comes to the detailing of your body, there are numerous activities you can do to keep moving.  Always keep in mind that in order to be fit, you have to empower yourself, fitness has no staying power on its own.  You might have been an athlete back in the day, but if you are not keeping active, then that is no benefit to you now. 

Your car was once new, show room shiny and in great shape, but over the years, the wear and tear can take its toll.  You can circumvent some of the damage by proper care and detailing, and it will continue to run well and perform its best (for its age).  Today, make the commitment to detail your body for maximum wellness, and watch how heads turn and you take a spin around the block!

www.wellnessbyfateria.com
    

The Struggle With Weight Managment

According to The Office On Minority Health: African American women have the highest rates of being overweight or obese compared to other groups in the U.S. About four out of five African American women are overweight or obese.1

In 2009, African Americans were 1.5 times as likely to be obese as Non- Hispanic Whites.

In 2009, African American women were 60% more likely to be obese than Non-Hispanic White women.

In 2007-2008, African American children were 30% as likely to be overweight than Non-Hispanic Whites.

More than 80% of people with type 2 diabetes is overweight, I would even say those most people with lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure are overweight, not all but many.  
 
Weight management to me is an important issue because I know that by maintaining a healthy weight, many can reduce the risk of the myriad of problems associated with being overweight.  Now, let me make my self clear, just because a person wears a size 10/12 does not mean they are overweight, never let society dictate to you what being over weight is, and for each person because of body structure it will vary.  I notice often that there are many programs out there for weight management, but one thing most of those programs fail to address is the true cause of why a person keeps gaining weight.  In holistic wellness, I tend to view things in terms of cause and effect.  It is very important to look at the underlying causes of weight gain and ultimately obesity.

 Weight management does not have to be a struggle when you uncover what is going on beneath the surface of a person.  Weight gain is only the effect of something deeper going on.   It is important to take a close look at the emotional dimension of who we are as it relates to weight management, and as we do this we can understand how closely related emotions and eating are.  It is not enough to diet, you must get a handle of some of the unresolved issues before you will be successful in weight management.  You have heard the term yo-yo dieting, well this type of dieting if closely looked at will be linked directly to rollercoaster emotions.

We need to constanly be aware of what it is we are placing on our plates, especially in times of emotional distress.  Comfort foods are called comfort foods for a reason, they alter the way you feel, but in the long run they alter the way you look as well.  When we experience negative triggers, we look for ways to make our self feel better.  We turn to chocolate, sugary snacks, heavy starchews and a host of other foods that traditionally are known to soothe those emotions, but what we do not realize is why, nor do we understand the effects of this cycle. Most processed foods are laden with hidden ingredients that do not promote weight loss and will actually contribute to your weight gain.

 A a study done at UNC Chapel Hill indicated that MSG (flavor enhancer in food could be a contributor in weight gain, I find this very interesting since many foods that are served outside of the home contain these flavor enhancers.  Another thing to mention is the sodium content in many processed foods.  I was alarmed to find out that my favorite whole wheat pretzels contained 2400mg of sodium per serving, now that is too much, no wonder I felt puffy and tired when I woke up in the morning.  The important thing is to be mindful of when and what we eat, as well as what we are feeling when we eat.  If you do not keep a food journal, now would be a great time to start. 

The food journal will help you to manage your weight successfully. As I always say, weight management does not have to be complicated, just think of food as energy and if you take energy in you will need to release energy through physical exercise or else it will store in your body and create weight gain...say that out loud "Energy in, Energy out! Physical activity is not an option in weight management, it is important for you to exercise 30 minutes on most days of the week.  This could include a brisk walk, jogging, Pilate's, power yoga, or some form of exercise that gets you to burn fat and calories. When we begin to look at weight management from the inside out instead of just the outside we will be well on our way to ending the struggle with weight management.  Many of our battles in life began in the mind, manage your emotional and mental realm and you have the battle half won!

Think Like a Winner Athlete For Wellness

We all want to win at life. I do not think there is one person that wants to be sick, depressed or feel as if the good things in life is passing them by. Learning to apply the principles of winning athletes in your daily life, just might provide the edge that you need to succeed. We all can see that the life of an athlete can be demanding, but it is also focused, what about your life?




Develop your winning wellness game plan: Take the time to actively write out your goals so that you can review them and make adjustments when needed. Those athletes that win, do not just go to a game without preperation. I have come to the conclusion that devloping an action plan will lead you to the winners stand in life.



Seek out proven methods that will help you to get closer to your goals. Do you want to lose weight? eat more fruits and vegetables, exercise more, change careers, whatever it is you are striving for, will take a strategy to accomplish. You can not afford to live your life by chance and expect positive outcomes.



Athletes that I enjoy watching have power. One of the reasons I love to teach Pilates is because it helps a person to develop core strength, that is building up the powerhouse. In life, you have to empower yourself in many ways, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, by doing this you fortify yourself for whatever comes your way and you will not waver easily. Sometimes all it takes is one more run, one more class, one more push to reach that determined finish line, but many people give up right at the last lap. This is where power and endurance will come into play. Be steadfast, unmoveable, concentrating on your goals and visualizing the win in your life, now thats a victory.



Athletes that win do not give in, they have endurance, and people who win at life must have endurance as well. One of the most important elements that I believe in a winner athletes life is the proper mind set. If you can get it settled in your mind, it will manifest in your heart. If you can not control your negative thought pattern, you can have the perfect action plan but your negative thoughts will get in the way of your big win .



You have to think yourself a winner, well, prosperous and achieving. You have to visualize the victory in your minds eye way before it will manifest in the physical realm. Challenges will come, and you have to know how to stand firm in the face of adversity. If you want to win at life, take the time to look at how winner's operate and then develop your own game plan. The game might be different but the fundamental strategies are the same.



Whole person wellness is within your reach. We live in a very fractured society, but I am confident that people can be whole and enjoy a life that is joyful and full of vitality.



I will see you in the winner's circle!