Every New Year, the number one resolution on everyone’s list is to lose weight. While the beginning of anything always sparks excitement, we could all dig a little deeper and make a stronger commitment to ourselves beyond losing weight to look great. We should commit to being healthy and it should never be for vanity’s sake that we make such changes. Why?–because if the reason to begin something is empty and shallow, usually the commitment to go the distance and complete it is equally so. We live in a time where our people’s health is waning and fast. This is no longer limited to our parents, grandparents and elders. Young people are developing conditions at earlier ages that should not be theirs to carry. Many are dying far too young from the early and often preventable onset of disease. We have the power to change this!
In December 2011, I was personally faced with health challenges that rendered me incapable of walking. I still face some challenges today. However, because I listened to my body then, I am much further along now in my healing process. By making the decision to do what I call EAT LIFE! IT’S A MOVEMENT NOT A MOMENT, I was able to transform physically by losing 78 lbs. in 10 months, and transform spiritually, mentally and emotionally, adding years to my life.
Benjamin Franklin said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” Simply, if we prevent a problem from occurring in the first place, we won’t have to spend the time, effort and money trying to repair the damage later. The legacy of health concerns in the African-American community is long and ominous. Leading this group of health woes are the usual suspects including heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or hypertension, gout, arthritis and diabetes. I’ve noticed that because these conditions have plagued our people for so long, we have come to accept that they innately and almost rightfully belong to us. As if we have a birthright or claim to such illnesses. Here’s the truth: just because this is the way it has always been does not mean this is the way it always has to be.
The body is a masterful, living organism created and designed to work optimally and efficiently. Because it is “machine like”, engineered and divinely crafted, it will do precisely what we direct it and command it to do.
So, if you feed your body the proper fruits, vegetables, vitamins and minerals it will respond at its highest and best level. The same is true if you feed it the adverse such as processed foods, you will feel sluggish, tired, cranky, and not at your best. Over time, this can lead to sickness, disease and even death.
Throughout this new year of 2013, let us make the daily resolution, not to lose weight, but to become healthy, healed and whole; spirit, soul and body. Let’s resolve to be more concerned with what goes in our bodies, than with what goes on our bodies. We begin this by changing our mindset about food. After all, it is not the enemy. Food is here to serve us as long as we use our good judgment to make wise decisions about it. As the great philosopher Hippocrates stated, “let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food!” Let’s embrace this time honored mantra and start how we want to finish. Here’s to a HEALTHY NEW YEAR AND A HEALTHY NEW YOU!
I concur on not losing weight but being healthy. Thanks for sharing your insight!
Thank you Randall.
I absolutely love reading your FB page and the article in Health and Wellness!!! Congratulations on your achievements and thank you for your efforts in teaching us about the benefits of food ANC eating healthy.
Judy:
Thank you for your words and comments. I appreciate your sharing.
Congrats on your weight loss! I concur that we need to focus more on health; indeed, one of the reasons I became a certified yoga instructor was to introduce something that’s healthy to some who still think its weird. Ignorance is not bliss in this instance. And I love you statement: “Here’s the truth: just because this is the way it has always been does not mean this is the way it always has to be.” So many of us say “my mother has heart disease so I will” and the truth is you can reclaim your body which is “divinely crafted.” Once we recognize that reality then no excuse, no thing can stand in our way.
Pamela:
Thank you for your words. I applaud your movement toward demystifying the ways of the Yogi; particularly in our community. This along with other health approaches, i.e. therapy, etc. is often shunned and misunderstood as meant to be “weird” of even for the non-African American demographic(s). However, more light need be shed on these amazing forms of and approaches to our overall health and wellness. I celebrate you and cannot wait to meet you and sit in one of your classes. Be well.
Namaste