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Exercise Your Demons
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I don't know what exercise she's doing, but it's working.
It’s 6:30am. As the sun begins to really shine, I’m already on the streets pushing forward. Not pushing, pushing forward. See, I like to do my running early in the morning – the only people up with me are too busy heading to work to care what I’m doing and the streets are all mine. In my neighborhood, there are no running groups, there’s no cutting through crowds or running around people. It’s easy going. Mainly because not too many Black people like to exercise.
I really wish I was joking or being hyperbolic. When I’m running in the hood, I can count on two hands how many people I see running or walking with me. And if I’m in a more gentrified or already bougie area, I’m usually surrounded by everything but Black people as I run. It’s disappointing, but nothing new. It’s something my boys and I noticed in college.
When we were in the gym, we would see every other type of women besides Black women in there with us. The only time we’d see Black women was the beginning of the spring semester. There would be an influx of New Year’s Resolution gym heads. They’d come as a crew, decked out in their latest exercise gear that they bought a week before they came back to school, do a lot of nothing but look in the mirror and talk and then disappear a week or two into the semester. Meanwhile the White, Asian and other melanin deficient women would have their bodies all tuned up by March. Which I can’t be mad at.
There’s a reason some of these non-Black women’s bodies are starting to rival the idealized African woman’s body. It isn’t just the booty shots.
There would be all types of excuses as to why this happened. We heard everything from “I don’t want to lose my butt” to “I’m already thin, I don’t have to” to the candid and honest, “I just don’t want to.” I still get those excuses today. It’s sad because a lot of these women would be a lot more attractive if they woke up in the morning and did a 30 minute workout before work. Or if they just took the stairs instead of the escalator. Plus I guarantee they wouldn’t have as many problems finding or keeping a man. We are a visual gender. Every man that’s with his woman now is with her because he thought she was fine.
But it’s not just about looks, nor is lack of exercise gender specific after a certain point. As we get older, the health issues begin to affect both Black men and women.
Since moving back to the hood, I’ve noticed how unhealthy my people are. Most of my observations are done when I don’t get the chance to go running in the morning and have to do so in the evening. On my usual route I pass by a McDonald’s, a diner and a 7/11. And they’re are all packed. I run through neighborhoods and I see both overweight adults and kids who look like they should’ve been a twin, but they ate him in the womb. Kids are not supposed to weigh as much as an adult nor are adults supposed to weigh as much as they do. It’s disheartening to see. It’s not so much the older Black people, it’s definitely people within my age bracket.
Somewhere over time, we became a seriously unhealthy people. We complain that “The Man” is trying to kill us off, but it’s really the high cholesterol and heart problems that are doing so. And that’s something we have control over.
Now I’m not saying we need to all be hitting the streets, doing 5Ks, lifting every day and turning ourselves into video vixens and male models. That’s not going to happen. We each have our own body types and limitations. However, there is a big difference between a women who is built like Toccara and is still healthy enough to run for more than 4 minutes straight without hyperventilating and a man who is built like Uncle Phil from “Fresh Prince” and only curls steak sandwiches. Sure we can only do so much with our bodies, but we should definitely do something after sitting at our computer and reading Three Ways that is.
Am I off base? Is this epidemic just restrained to my hood? I know it’s not, I’ve been to Atlanta, but I have to ask these questions. Why do Black people not like to exercise? Shoot, why do people not like to exercise in general? On the flip side, do you exercise? If so, why and what do you do?
Far from a health freak, but I do like getting freaky with a healthy woman,
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black women don’t like to exercise cause…….*thinking of a viable reason but can’t*
*calls local in-shape white girl up*
*prepares to beat*
*raw*
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I’m one of those people that walks everywhere but i don’t work out outside of that but that is changing. I picked up yoga & pilate dvds today (both workouts i REALLY enjoyed but didn’t get to continue because of school constraints) and i plan on doing it everyday. I hated going out of my way to go the rec (it wasn’t close on my UG campus) and I really had no clue on how to go about working out outside of the shoeless ones I enjoyed! I told a friend of mine that when i was taking pilates, the instructor wanted me to get certified so i could teach it…he said that I should do it & that that would be sexy. I won’t be an instructor but i will do the workout (that will still be sexy, lol).
It is sad how obesity is running rampant in our community & it breaks my heart when i see a child who is really overweight because the rate of childhood diabetes is going up. I hope that people try to turn this around…its not like they have to spend tons of money on membership to a gym or a personal trainer, it could be as simple as getting a dvd & sticking with it.
Great post Seattle!
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I used to be one of those people who didn’t like to exercise. Technically, I still don’t but I do like the result I get from some quality cardio and circuit training. I think, for Black women, being “thick” or “big boned” is so glorified due to our unique propensity for curves and lusciousness that we tend to think a thick size 22 is the same as a thick size 10. It’s not. You can be thick and healthy (and I mean “healthy” in the biological sense…not the term we use to describe overweight people when we’re trying to be nice). I also think, again for women, we are made to feel a certain way if you are “too” skinny– like “you don’t want to get too small” or “only dogs like bones”. You are no good to anyone, however, embracing your curves at a size 26 in a coffin, having died from some obesity-influenced disease. SW, don’t be discouraged (necessarily) b/c you don’t see us running the streets with you. Some of us are at the house hooking it up on a Bowflex or with the P90x/Insanity workout. I don’t like the gym because it makes me self conscious. I workout at home with Billy Blanks and Jillian Michaels. I definitely think its all about finding what works for you.
I would also argue that a combination of ethnic cultures’ association of lots of food with good time and sense of family and an attachment to sedentary activities is why we are, as a people and as a society, overweight and obese. I’m in an African country right now and one of my co-workers said his children can only watch TV two hours a week. Can you imagine if we told our kids they only got two hours a week of TV?! Can you imagine if we limited ourselves to two hours a week of TV? It starts with us (as parents, role models, aunties, uncles, big brothers/ sisters, etc) and I think that if we move beyond this image of only white people doing certain things (running, playing tennis, going to the gym regularly, etc) and acknowledging that some of our “soul food” is literally going to leave us with just that- a soul, cause our body will be dead and gone prematurely- then we can start to move forward in a way that lowers our health risks.
And I say all of this as a person still striving toward health and fitness goals, not as someone who is “naturally” skinny. It definitely takes some introspection. My sister has high blood pressure (as does my father), my mom high cholesterol, and my father has diabetes. I’m not going down like that.
Great post
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We are a generation of convenience. We want the fastest route to whatever it is we are seeking out of life. “Shoot, why do people not like to exercise in general?” We’re not exercising because there is no convenient way to get around it. You either do it or you don’t! Personally, I know how hard it is to exercise; finding the time to do it is a real challenge some days. I try to walk as much as I can. I love the convenience of my car, but I still make efforts to walk whenever I can. Like a whole lot of people, I don’t like the gym either. I’m self-conscious too about going there, but when I’m walking, shoot nobody is really paying attention anyway. What it comes down to is this…we need to eat less and move more. We have become “comfortable” with the conveniences in life and are now we are suffering for it.
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I think America in general doesn’t like to excercise. We’re all about convience.
Anywho, I really don’t know why people don’t like to excercise. Perhaps b/c the word brings images of boot camp style workouts…when the key is to simply get moving.
I believe excercising habits are instilled in you as a child. My father would always take my siblings and I to the park. We’d go w/ my mother while she ran stadium style bleachers or hit up Lucille Ball.
I’m not gonna sit here and say its hella easy to get a workout routine b/c there are days when I need to push myself to make it to the track. But I always do. I don’t wanna have any unecessary health problems down the road. I like the fact that I can play a game of ball w/ my students and while they’re winded I’m ready for the next game.
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Little Miss Sunshine Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 10:08 am
that was our thing. my parents had us in all type of sports. I did ballet and played tennis up until two years ago. My sister ran competitive track all of HS. Now my brother was allowed to slack and he got uber thick but then he realized that ladies don’t like em mega thick so he started slimming down.
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 10:12 am
Yup, I was the only one of my siblings who played sports through out high school and college.
But my brother got his act together, now he look like Will Smith in “I Am Legend” lol, that what I call him too
My sis…she’s gonna learn the hard way.
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Streetz Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 11:20 am
I wont lie… the Will Smith I Am Legend look is what im striving for..lol
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 11:24 am
LOL!! It’s attainable…you’re on the right track
Messing around w/ my bro (doing pull ups) I effed around and pulled a muscle in my back. #NotBuiltForThat
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L Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I like that you said, “hella.”
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For me, I realized that working out had to be something that I enjoyed doing. The gym just doesn’t rock right for me. I love the outdoors. A jog around my golf course when the sun is setting. Or yoga in the park on a Saturday morning (not during the summer, of course). Fresh air feels so good to me..
I remember when I started going dancing and doing “another activity” and before I turned around, I’d lost 30 pounds. I’ll often dance in my living room. I’m a dancer, that’s what I do. It doesn’t feel like work, so it works for me.
I don’t know what it is with black women not working out. But I won’t lie, it’s not a good look.. If not for vain reasons, then at least to be healthy!! It’s like being healthy isn’t even considered. As people eat more soul food than a little bit and still use lard, doing nothing to counteract the effects unhealthy eating is very sad..
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 9:20 am
See you’re “lucky” b/c you live in FL. During the winter you can still head outside w/o freezing to death.
Last winter I just didn’t work out. Before that I lived in a building w/ ten floors, so I’d just run the stairs. This year I’ve already began shopping around for a gym to hit up during the cold months….but as soon as the weather breaks…I’ll be back outside.
*looking forward to running today*
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Nick@Nite Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 10:52 am
I’ll give you that.. Living in Florida does have it’s benefits.. Yesterday Cheekie asked me what the temperature was gonna be like in October.. my reply: if there isn’t a cold front, then maybe in the 80′s..
then i asked #youmad
I don’t know how i’d adapt if winter was Actually winter around here.. but i better figure it out, because i wanna move when my papers come through!
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 10:57 am
It’ll be an adjustment. My aunt (originally from NJ) is damn near shellshocked when she visits from FL in the winter.
I remember her once telling my cousin didn’t have a winter coat,lol.
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Seattle Washington Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I feel you. I’d rather run in the rain than hop on a treadmill. There’s something about running nowhere that just pisses me off.
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:46 pm
YES!!! I can’t run long distances around the track. The monotony does something too. But if I run on the street or a trail, I’m good to go.
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Nick@Nite Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 1:20 pm
that’s EXACTLY my problem.. The fact that it’s the same scenery, and I have nothing to mark my progress by (other than a readout) upsets me greatly.. I feel the same about that cycling class..
I know i’m tired, but can we translate what i just did to the real world!? how far did i just go?
also, since distance is about perspective, i find i run farther if i say something like, “just make it to that tree”.. and then when i pass the tree, create another goal..
gym is no bueno..
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 1:26 pm
RIGHT!!! If I can just make it the stop sign I’m good…when I’m running like that, it pushes me to finish up strong. Running in circles I’m like “damn, I’m not done yet?!!!”
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Miss Jenkins Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Ugh. I hate the muthaeffin treadmill.
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I’m not too sure how I feel about this post. I think there are a few things that factor in to why black women in particular don’t work out. But when has working out ever really been a big thing in our community….until we get diagnosed with something and the doctor says we gotta work out. For most, it’s never been a priority. I think it would take quite a bit to change that for most otherwise healthy black folk. I mean, everyone knows the benefits of working out but even with that, they still don’t work out. It’s a mental thing I think.
Yeah I may not be able to run up two flights of stairs without hyperventilating but I’m still in good physical shape. Or yeah I have a bit of a keg for a stomach but I’m still pretty sexy. That’s how most people think…
I do happen to work out. I’ve always been rather active. I’m predisposed to quite a few things, diabetes, hypertension and most of the women in my family are overweight. So I HAVE to work out but I don’t think of it as a task. I love doing it aside from the fact that I’m vain and like staring at myself in the mirror it’s my own personal me time. Where I don’t have to think just move.
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Seattle Washington Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:40 pm
I have to disagree with you. I remember as a child, I had to have a football, a basketball, a baseball, a handball, etc. in my hand. It wasn’t exercise, it was activity. That has been ingrained in me ever since. I may not have always played ball, but I definitely was always doing something to make sure I wasn’t wheezing.
These kids don’t have that some expectations.
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Bahama Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 1:48 pm
I can somewhat agree with you, I was the same way sans the balls *no pun intended* rollerskating was my thing….huh, I think I might need to invest in some new ones, I haven’t done that in a while. But you have your good share of kids that “back in the day” liked playing outside and being active and it just stayed with them. Then you have more than your share of kids that stayed in the house watching cartoons or playing Sega or Playstation that just wasn’t checking. It could have been laziness, them raising themselves or what ever other excuse. It’s a mental thing, if you were active when you were younger then there’s a higher probability you stayed active when you got older.
And you’re right kids these days don’t. There’s just too much technology surrounding them now. And also, mother’s are/have become younger than the average. The priorities are so different.
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L. Dejean Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:46 pm
nope and schools aren’t enforcing gym like they should or they are cutting back the time & not giving them recess either
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I know one of the issue I had w/ working out: sweat! It’s not that I don’t like to sweat… I don’t mind it really but who is gonna wash my hair 3x week (if that’s the exercise routine I’m following). As a black woman, there are a lot of us who don’t have those wash-n-go hairstyles. I can’t be spittin out money for the salon weekly.
Secondly, a lot of us are single parents. Time is of the essence, that’s why we rely a lot on convienence foods & frozen ‘heat-n-go’ items for our kids. You mean to tell me I’m supposed to work 8-5, pick up the kids, do dinner, help w/ homework, do bathing, school clothes, pack the lunches, review work stuff on my blackberry (or argue w/ the baby daddy) & then find time to exercise? Yea. Ok.
I mean I’m not a single mom but I have a lot friends/family who are and I just don’t see where they would find the time. My personal reason rely around lack of motivation & hair issues. LOL. Plus living in farm country (and hating the outdoors – I see you Nick) getting to the gym isn’t always the easiest thing. The gym I have a membership at is at least 20 miles from my house/job situation. Lastly, I’m reasonably healthy. I eat well, I take the stairs instead of escalators at times & I could run a mile & half and not be winded. Sure, I could do better & my abs could use some toning but when you’re not obese or hating your body, my motivation is SLACK.
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N.I.A. naturally Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 9:31 am
So, I guess you’re gonna be one of those people who wait until the doctor says you HAVE to exercise or you will die. You can be slim, and still contract all manner of diseases that exercise, plus a healthy diet, can help you avoid. And please, get over your hair. Seriously.
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S0_Flyy Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 9:35 am
No don’t get me wrong… I exercise. I’m just not consistent. I’ll go 3x a week for a few months, and then slack for a few months. I have had a great personal trainer and she motivates me beyond my slackness… but I could see why other women wouldn’t because those are the same things I feel when I don’t exercise. Besides being pressed for time w/ school/work.
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Reecie Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 10:16 am
I don’t like to sweat either. like not at all but…you do it when you have sex right? lol. I’m not a wash and go girl either. I just had to learn to style my own hair–because yea I’m not paying a salon a bunch of money to sweat it out, sweat it out *in The Dream’s voice*
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 10:18 am
Working out was bomb when I was natural. Could wash my hair everyday if I wanted to.
Now, as long as I keep it off my face, I’m straight. I don’t mind sweating, that’s my indicator that I’m “getting it in”. If I’m not sweating, in my mind I’m not working hard enough,lol
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Nick@Nite Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 10:49 am
I’m the same way.. in my mind, if there’s no sweat, then nothing was done..
likewise if i’m not sore.. although i know that’s not a good indicator..
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N.I.A. naturally Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 11:03 am
co-sign you and LaBakir
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Reecie Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 11:09 am
true, but I just feel gross when its all over. I runs to the damn shower. *cringe* I perspire a lot too…but you gotta do what you gotta do.
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 11:11 am
Honey please!!!! I sweat a lot too. I don’t retain water what so ever! SOON as I get in the house, I head straight to the shower.
I don’t sit down or anything! I can’t even eat while I’m sweaty!
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Streetz Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 11:28 am
Sweating is good. That means your getting the toxins out of your body, unnecessary water weight, cooling your body down from a workout that was definitely hard. If im not sweating after a workout, I feel like I skated.
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 11:36 am
Oh snap! You just explained to me why I sweat more AFTER I’m done working out. I’ll be in my car heading home, making it rain!
@SO_Flyy…I got em from my daddy. The sweat genes kicked in about 4 years ago.
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S0_Flyy Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 11:31 am
Amen. I gets my sweat genes from my momma… I feel like all I have to do is bust out a mini-run and I’m sweating. YUCK.
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Nick@Nite Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 1:23 pm
I guess I’m lucky here.. it takes a lot to make me sweat.. which is why if I am sweating, it’s either SUPA HOT or I just did a hell of a workout!
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L. Dejean Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 4:27 pm
I’m sore right now from those yoga & pilates workouts i did…i feel so out of shape for how sore i am…i’ve definitely been sweating…i just hate when it drips down my face into my eyes #annoying.
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MadScientist7 Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 1:45 pm
i sweat gallons. especially this summer when i was hooping in the sweat-box of a gym at Fisk Univ. i could literally take my shirt off and wring out the sweat and it would probably fill up a cup. *shrug* sweat is sweat. i eventually just starting hooping and running with no shirt on.
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:40 pm
See, now I’ve considered that. But I’m well aware of that fact that there are high school boys on the track that same time I am.
Running in a sports bra would only put on a show.
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N.I.A. naturally Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Girl!! For me. running in a sports bra would be softcore pron. I wish I could, though. Now, I just wear a tank top over the sports bra. It helps a little.
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:52 pm
LMAO!!! Yeah man…I gotta keep a shirt on. At most I’ll lift up my shirt and wipe away the sweat…but that’s it!!!
Hell, last weekend I felt so liberated working out in just spandex shorts (and a shirt of course). I ALWAYS have a pair of shorts on over it (I’m draggin a lot of wagon), but I wore sweats that day and it got hot really quick.
I was like “So this is how the white girls feel?”
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MadScientist7 Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 3:00 pm
“I ALWAYS have a pair of shorts on over it (I’m draggin a lot of wagon)”
we don’t believe you, you need more people. lol
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N.I.A. naturally Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 3:14 pm
I know, right. I wore my spandex shorts to the gym last Sunday. I felt so liberated. But I knew no one would be in the gym on a Sunday morning. Girls with noassatall have it easy. lol.
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 3:21 pm
LMAO! You got me…there was barely anyone at the track that morning. So I felt “safe” in taking off my sweats.
Yes, the noassatalls live a plus life :p
MadScientist7 Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:59 pm
i say put on a show. *shrug*
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 3:03 pm
*gets on tip toes and mushes Tunde* Shut it up! Lol!
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Miss Jenkins Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 5:59 pm
I had to come to that realization…I just thought I didn’t sweat a lot. After trying some interval training, I now know I just wasn’t working hard enough.
And I bet we don’t mind sweating when we get *cough cough* worked out…
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MadScientist7 Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 1:42 pm
trust me. having a great in shape body is a WAY better look than having a nice hair do and being out of shape.
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I think people don’t like to work out because they weren’t really raised to be athletic–guys usually are but not so many girls unless they play sports or dance/cheerlead. I know I wasn’t outside of cheerleading. When I become a parent, I will make sure my children have that instilled in them early. Also like others said you just have a culture of convenience and being lazy.
I’ve always been skinny with high metabolism so I didn’t really realize I SHOULD to exercise until maybe 4 or 5 years ago.Ive always walked, took stairs, etc. so I have never felt winded and out of shape ever. Also watching fam suffer from high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes helps me realize that could be my future. Metabolism eventually slows. I’m personally more interested in a healthier diet/lifestyle than working out but I make myself do it to tone and keep my heart healthy. its soooo not fun though. lol But I try to switch it up and make it fun.I feel good once I’m there and when I leave…but going to the gym is the hard part…
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I think that loving to run and do ballet has allowed me to be healthy despite the extra pounds I have tagging along… as well as allowing me to keep a shape so I don’t look anything like what I weigh (that might also be genetic).
In my undergrad though- the gym was mostly filled with white ladies but there were plenty of black girls in gym getting their exercise on. Even on the south side of Chicago- look outside in the morning. Plenty of black women getting their run/walk/jog on.
I do agree though that I’ve seen entirely too many morbidly obese black women in their 20s… it makes me sad more than anything.
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I also think that many of our people don’t work because it hasn’t been instilled in us. I run and work out on a regular basis. When I’m on the trails, I always see white families out doing something active together, whether it’s riding bikes, rollerblading, walking, running something. I can count on my hands the number of times I ran past black families. Also, I can’t tell you how many times a man has asked me, why do you work out? Well I’m not going to stay slim if I don’t keep working out! I think we just need to change our exercise mentality as a whole.
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 10:22 am
YES!! When I’m at the track I see Asian and White families working out together more than Black (there are a few).
Heck it’s this old Asian couple that probably welded the hinges of Hell who RUN together all the time.
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N.I.A. naturally Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:09 pm
THIS!! I go out to the lake, or to the stae park, and families are out riding bikes or just walking the trails. I rarely see black/latino families.
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lol at the ad on the right about obesity. It shouldn’t really be funny, but the lack of artistic quality makes it funny.
I know a lot of women who look good and abide by the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality when it comes to working out. I’m not quite a fan of that, because I’m willing to bet that attitude is present in other areas of their lives as well.
I don’t get to the gym as much as I’d like to, but I’m working on coming up with a routine now that I’m adjusted to this city and my gig. Besides, my gym is right across the street from my building. I have no excuse not to go.
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Smtyms d busy schedules dnt help……nt 2 mention d fizzy drinks n sweet greasy meals. Bin contemplating renewn my gym card. Dis is gud motivation.
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The Honorable and Rather Articulate Award Winning RightCoastLexSteele, LLC, Dark as the Night that covers me Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 1:15 pm
English please.
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Nick@Nite Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 1:27 pm
this person has commented before.. english a nuh fi dem first language..
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The Honorable and Rather Articulate Award Winning RightCoastLexSteele, LLC, Dark as the Night that covers me Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Does their first language have vowels, or is it one of those languages that just don’t rock w/ vowels? Per chance would they like to buy a vowel…?
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I wish more people would shine light on this topic. I made the same observation my freshman year in college when I use to go to the gym for an hour everyday. I would go to the gym and ask if anyone would like to acompany me but no one ever would. Eventually I stopped going but I plan on regaining a steady routine now that I have the available resources. Another this I wanted to mention was that with the working out comes the healthy eating habit and everyone is aware of how that goes.
xo
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I’m a binge exerciser. I work out for like 3-4 months at a time, slack for 2 weeks, then get back on it. I’m naturally a fit person but I hate to feel “skinny” so I work out a lot. I do think it’s sexy when I see a black chick on the way to the gym especially when it’s on more than one occasion. You don’t have to be built like amber rose for me to like you but if you show that you care about your physique and health, you get bonus points in my book!
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Seattle Washington Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Nothing sexier. Saw a light-skinned woman in gym shorts when I was going to the train this morning. I damn near started the wave.
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CVal Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Amen my brother. The gym I go to is primarily bunnies so when a Black woman comes in, my head turns quick to give appropriate attention. Damn near killed myself on the treadmill last time.
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great post. i understand that just because i may never have a male model (please, call me caramel adonis anyway) physique, that won’t stop me from being in shape. media drenches us with visions of everyone having 6 packs and bulging biceps…unless you’re a college student, or own your own business (that doesn’t require a ton of time to run) then you may not have the time to put in those gym hours. what you can do, as you stated earlier, is make sure that you can run, have your weight in line and make sure you eat RIGHT. fitness ain’t a book, it’s not some secret. exercise/work out. eat healthy/not too much. repeat. when i go to my ymca or go jogging, i’m hurt that there aren’t more of our people there. problem is, that proportion of people who aren’t in those two places will probably be spending that same time poppin’ pills and visiting their doctor. i say exercise more and medicate less. up wit’ hope, down wit’ dope!!!!!
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I think that these are all great questions. I honestly could even understand the aesthetic argument as to why Black women may not exercise. As a natural curly haired chick, when I began working out consistently about 2 years ago, I basically also made the decision to rock my curls about 24/7 because you can’t be in the middle of a cardio session trying to preserve your Dominican blowout — that is a no go. Also, I think that it is about the habits imbedded in you as a youngster. The only physical exercise I did with family and such was walking but that could hardly combat the poor nutritional choices I had (partially due to choice and primarily due to the foods accessible to me at home and my neighborhood).
On a people level, exercise just is not as sexy as the results are. People have become more and more lazy — if there is no app for it, quick fix or whatnot, they do not want to invest. However, the flipside is exposure to all manner of future ailments and health concerns.
I exercise about 5x/wk after being the chubby girl in college no one admitted was chubby — friends, family and guy interests included. Another piece of why not work out is the flac you receive when you lose weight or get in shape. Even in a healthy weight range, I still have people that insist I’m too skinny or am working out too much, blah blah. For me, I work out because I do not want to die of preventable conditions and I love my body more than I love a milkshake. It’s about choices and people have different motivations. I cannot knock anyone but I sure wish more of spin, step or yoga classes were filled with more of my people…
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olivya23 Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Even in a healthy weight range, I still have people that insist I’m too skinny or am working out too much, blah blah. For me, I work out because I do not want to die of preventable conditions and I love my body more than I love a milkshake. It’s about choices and people have different motivations. I cannot knock anyone but I sure wish more of spin, step or yoga classes were filled with more of my people…
100% cosign!
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Yesterday was the first day I saw 2 other black women running in my neighborhood. I ran past them and kinda wanted to give them a hi-five. I also live by a university so I imagine the people that do workout might just go to the gym.
I imagine people don’t like working out because they’re probably too busy, they don’t a desire to or maybe just a lack of motivation. I actually like going to the gym. I strength-train 3x a week and do cardio 3x a week. Going to the gym is just part of my routine. It’s directly across from my building at work so there’s really no reason why I shouldn’t go. Oh and let’s not forget the eye-candy. For about 6 months I was the only black woman at my gym (in the after-5 group) who didn’t teach a class. Recently, more black women have joined. It’s refreshing to see more of us trying to get in shape.
I’m looking to spice up my workouts, possibly a bootcamp. If anyone knows of any in Chicago (on the cheap-end), let me know.
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Well I shifted the focus of my personal blog (click my name) ffor health and fitness.
I wanted my body to look good, and I wanted to avoid the ailments that plague blacks and americans. Healthy living is not as hard as people want us to imagine. We lead these indulgent lifestyles and fail to consider the back end ramifications [||] of our actions. I want to be the 90 year old dude in the gym killin the 20 somethings in every statistical category.
Women definitely need to stop b*tchin about sweat, weights, looking “bulky”, and all the other excuses. Also, women swindle themselves into thinking they are “thick” when they are actually functioning obese, but thats another blog.
Lets shape up and get it together people!
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N.I.A. naturally Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Women definitely need to stop b*tchin about sweat, weights, looking “bulky”, and all the other excuses.
The one that gets me is “I don’t want to be skinny.” My sister hit me with this during our weekend phone chat. She was lamenting the fact that she lost 4lbs, and actually considering going from working out everyday to working out 3 days a week. WTF!! smh…
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L. Dejean Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Muffin tops aren’t cute…thats why i’m getting on this yoga & pilates flow! You can be thick but there is no reason not to be toned & fitting into your clothes better!
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nyhoop Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 3:06 pm
“Women swindle themselves into thinking they are “thick” when they are actually functioning obese…”
THIS THIS THIS THIS THIS!!
The biggest Black women’s health swindle of all time! We let this notion of being “thick” “curvy” whatever you want to call it, distract us from accepting simple truths about our weight and health.
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Reasons people don’t exercise…
1. Microwave culture. People want quick, immediate results.
2. General laziness/lifestyle. Most people don’t see exercise as a part of their life. That’s why they will circle around a parking lot looking for the closest park, take the elevator instead of the stairs, etc.
3. Self-conscious about the gym. I can see how an obese woman may not want to go to a gym where the majority of the people are going to be slimmer.
4. Exercise isn’t fun to some people. I will be the first to say running isn’t for everybody. So don’t run, walk. Or kickbox, eliptical, spin, Insanity, P90x, whatever.
I like to workout. I like most physical activity, except biking. Ever since I learned how to ride a bike, I hated biking. lol. Next week, I start my second month of Insanity, and I’m going to include 4 days of weights/resistance training and 2 days of running. I’m excited about it!
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:05 pm
I biked w/ a friend this summer. I was HURTING…well my bottom was. That seat is NOT made for my tush.
I wish you lived close! We could be work out partners. I enjoy working out w/ folks sometimes b/c I can gauge easier how hard I’m pushing myself.
I was running sprints one day, and this little 5 year old boy decided to race me. Maaaaannnn I had to turn up the heat on his ass. No way in hell he was beating me,lol. Afterwards, I was like “damn, I wasn’t even running my hardest before”
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Stacy Australia Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:20 pm
I am glad the 5 year old was active enough to even race you. A lot of kids don’t even go outside nowadays. Maybe we just need to go back to the days when we were kids. Just get outside and play- run, jump, hide & seek or something.
Maybe we should have an old school National Field Day where we all just go outside and play.
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Seriously. Gym once a week isn’t cutting it.
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Nick@Nite Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I was actually gonna write about the microwave culture.. i thought about this concept this morning.. i saw that commercial for the sneakers with the toning heels and thought “anything so you don’t have to work out, huh? even if the shoes are God-ugly”
but then again, the microwave culture has crossed over into a lot of different aspects of thinking.. failing to realize that anything of value is work working for..
shucks even Pac said, “i don’t want it if it’s that easy..”
(i’m sorry, I HAD to!! Lol)
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I think your post is good but it doesn’t address the issue that alot of people have with excerising. I think a big reason that people don’t excerise is because most of the time it is not fun. It is a long term committment many people are not willing to make. I don’t undertsand why you would just single out black women that don’t excerise.
I excerise but sometimes it get boring. Losing weight and excerising is not easy. It’s hard work. Maybe that is one of the reasons why many people don’t excerise.
I run in the hood as well. I don’t see alot of black women and I don’t see alot of black men either. I pretty much don’t see any body runningvery early in the morning. However, this morning I saw two black women running so don’t assume all black women don’t excerise. Men can get away with being fat. Their called stocky, solid, or thick. You NEVER hear a woman called that. It’s either thick or fat. It’s just not only some black women that don’t excerise. You need to remember that.
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:14 pm
c/s the last paragraph
Besides athletes, I don’t see any black males at the track where I work out either. And it is much more acceptable for a man to have a gut or be fat.
If it’s a woman, she’s sloppy.
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N.I.A. naturally Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:20 pm
co-sign!
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Seattle Washington Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Sorry if I touched a nerve homie.
I pointed out Black women in my college years because, well, I never saw Black women in the gym. Yet I saw dudes who weren’t collegiate athletes in the gym room with me on a weekly basis.
And I’m not sure if you missed my transition, but I did go on to point out that post-college it’s not gender specific anymore. A lot of us picked up bad habits once we left school.
And yes, you’re right, men can get away with having a few more pounds on them. However, I would argue that there are more cats hitting the field, the ball courts or the gym room than there are women on the treadmill.
That’s just from what I’ve seen when I’m out on the town. Maybe I’m mistaken.
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CVal Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:37 pm
I’m with Seattle on this. I know some big dudes that are willing to at least hit the courts for some exercise while the women of equal size simply refuse to engage in a similar activities
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average chick Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 4:06 pm
I love your blogs!! I guess it hit a nerve because I keep reading online about black women in a negative light. I think men get away with so much more. When I went to college I did see some black women but I have to agree there were alot more guys in there.
Question – Do you run in the mornings when it is dark out? Like I wrote before I live in the hood and even though I’m tall and carry my mase I still get nervous.
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“I excerise but sometimes it get boring.”
*sigh*
there’s a lot of “boring” things we do in life that we should/have to do (work, school, laundry, wearing a condom, etc.)
exercising should honestly be one of the last things on your life list that should come across as boring….there’s so much variety to be had
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average chick Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I’m being honest. Sometimes for me excerising is boring but I do it anyway. Maybe you can suggest some things that I would find interesting instead of just a “sigh”.
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I’ve always been pretty active my whole life. I was on the soccer team throughout middle and high school. Also played recreationally in a women’s league. However it’s been since I moved out to the middle of nowhere (I live out west in Canada) that I’ve really gotten addicted to being fit. I took up running, attempted to prepare for a sprint triathlon (didn’t quite pan out but it will some day)and in the last year I started doing “CrossFit” (www.crossfit.com). I got so into it that I deceided to get certified and become a personal trainer. I was working out 4 days week for a while (until I got pregnant, YEAH me!!) So I’ve scaled it back to three. I love the way I look (I love my arms and my butt the most) and most importantly I love the way I feel after a workout. The great thing is my workouts are not usually long, maximum of 30-45 min but I’m soaking in sweat and breathing hard when I’m finished. I put up some of my after pictures on FB. This was after 6 months and totally going all out and completely changing my diet. Since then I’ve convinced my mom, my cousin and my younger sister to join.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=159093&id=508583900&l=da051700cc
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BP Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 5:17 pm
You have guns lady! I wouldn’t want to cross you.
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Andrienne Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Thanks I put in LOTS of work for them!!
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*Sigh*
I’ve been exercising since I was like 5 years old; gymnastics and ballet until I was 18 (injured my back on the balance beam and broke both my big toes dancing
); middle school and high school was all about volleyball, softball, and track & field. College continued with softball and volleyball. I think that unless it’s instilled within one since young you’ll always be wanting to be active. An active lifestyle is always great. You feel more alive!
On another note… Eff Shaun T. I know it’s not Effem Friday’s but Eff him. Eff his sexy ass abs too.
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i think your post is right on. i live in the hood too and it saddens me how many people who look like me are living so unhealthy. people always get on me asking why i work out so much because i’m thin (4-6 times a week). being healthy is not a look, it’s a lifestyle. i know that my high metabolism will not last forever and i want to stay ahead of the curve, plus i’m a gym rat by nature.
running can cure a lot of things. it doesn’t cost anything and you can start off at your own pace. in high school i was at 9-11 miles a day, 3-4 days a week. i’m trying to get back to that pace. i’m currently at about 5-7.
as far as choice of food i think it’s sad that parents feel its ok to feed their children fast food the majority of the time. my mother treated fast food as a reward for us. you did good in school then you got to go to mcdonalds. on the regular my mom cooked food from scratch. i know everyone doesn’t have time for that but it’s so much healthier than eating processed foods and food that is high in cholesterol and salts.
i like how you left of women not wanting to mess up their hair in the list of excuses. lol
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BP Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 4:49 pm
9-11 miles a day? That’s insane. You should run a marathon. However, I have to disagree that running doesn’t cost “anything”. It can be significantly less than getting a gym membership but my running shoes cost almost as much as a pair of Jordans. #justsayin’
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WoW!!! This is the 5th thing I came across in the last 24 hours that talked about weight and healthy living preferably African Americans. I am guilty of not exercising and not doing anything healthy. I was healthier in high school because of all the activities I was involved. As I entered into college and begin my life as a “professional” I joined the gym (YMCA-loved it) but I quit going. I do not know why. Then over time I joined Bally’s Fittness then later Curves. Each of those I stop attending. Don’t know why. I know I am heavy (but I am still cute) and should take my health more serious than I do. I think for me since I still have guys who approach me and date me-my weight isn’t an issue. But despite the fact I still have suitors, I know I should take my weight more seriously for myself. I am good but I know I can be a lot better.
Thanks so much for this post. This was another signed and more motivation for me to get up get out and do something.
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This needs to be said…
The lack of good health habits and exercise among women – particularly Black women – is a serious issue. It is not my assumption – or intent – to assume that this blog is the appropriate platform to discuss the many socio-economic, health and racial issues that go into this issue. However, I think we should take a bit more care in how we frame this discussion on all platforms, from newspaper to television, from magazines to casual blogs.
First, the facts: Two in three Americans – across all racial backgrounds – are considered overweight or obese. African-American adults have the highest obesity rates — 37 % for men and nearly 50 % for women. For Hispanic women, the rate is 43 %. What is even more disheartening is that Hispanic and Black children have higher rates than non-Hispanic whites.
Now, the reasons: As the person reading this note likely knows, African Americans have a history of unhealthy food options, starting from slavery. This has led to conformity among Blacks to these foods options, incorporating them into their culture and hence day-to-day lifestyles (See soul food). And this history manifests itself today into the unfortunate lack of healthy and affordable food options in the places where Blacks reside (so-called “health deserts” in highly populated urban areas). It should also be noted, as part of a full conversation about race and health, that accessibility is a major issue. Black women have historically had less exposure and access to the following: affordable gyms and appropriate instruction; prenatal care; preventative medicine; mammograms; birth control and STD prevention; and the list goes on.
But that’s not what readers of this blog particularly want to hear about. So, allow me to push the educated Black woman analysis aside and get all Angry Black Woman.
I take huge issue and offense that a conversation about health and wellness among Black women is being framed in a lackluster, casual, comparative way. Can we have a discussion about Black women and weight and not compare them to non-Black women? Can we be educated enough to frame the conversation in a way that addresses the issue and provides a forum for addressing opportunities for change, and not in this way: “look at those White and Asian women exercising. Black women don’t do that for {insert arbitrary reasons here}. I wish Black women cared more about hitting the gym and coming off some of that weight. Then they’d look better and be more sexy, like that White chick on the treadmill.” Black women should be concerned about their health, and thus make healthy life choices and exercise, because it is the right thing to do for their bodies and their families. Not because being thin and/or fabulously thick is what gets Seattle Washington’s dick hard.
Pause.
Further, most men don’t realize the small torture that happens every time a woman sits down for a meal, particularly among women how have even a passing fascination with health, weight and wellness:
· Should I eat the bread? Should I not?
· Should I have brown rice or white?
· When did I go to the gym last?
· This will make my stomach bloated, don’t eat that.
· I wonder how many calories are in just one bite of chocolate
· My stomach is probably just poking out because I’m pre-menstrual. Or maybe I should just go to the gym.
· Those pants fit so tight this morning. Probably should shy away from the candy.
The Truth about Losing Weight. Unless your name is Beyonce and you need to drop 20 lbs in order to appear in a multi-million dollar movie, the average woman is not going to decide to lose weight in order to “look good”. Weight loss and healthy eating is, by far, the hardest endeavor for any person to achieve. Weight loss, exercise and healthy eating are immensely personal battles that every woman must face. And the goal will not be attained unless a woman within herself decides to make a change for the greater good. The greater good being health, self-confidence, piece of mind, etc.
Black women in particular are faced, day after day, with constant images of women who are thinner, lighter, have longer hair, longer eyelashes, flatter stomachs, clearer skin, taller, shorter, etc. Black women have two choices: (1) compete with these images, or (2) define beauty in our own way, in a take-it-or-leave-it mentality. Number 2 is where the “I’m thick, fuck you” mentality among Black women comes from. Instead of retreating into self-loathing or hate, we put our fists in the air and define beauty in our own way. And that definition of beauty for some Black women involves feeding into the very idea of stereotypical beauty in this country (See hair weaves; make-up; Spanx). However, the problem comes in when Black women sacrifice their health in the prospect of maintaining that Number 2 self-confidence. A healthy lifestyle should be more about personal fitness and less about attaining some measure of beauty. And that is the way to frame the conversation: How can Black women maintain their self worth, and the curves that define their culture, in a healthy, nutritious and positive way?
I stopped myself before responding because I considered quite heavily the transaction cost of doing so. The costs are as followed:
· Pissing people off
· Insulting people and their points of view
· Potentially opening myself up to a tirade of ignorant responses
But the opportunity cost for not responding was too great. Though this is not necessarily a forum for particularly educated or thoughtful discussion of the policy, economic and health implications of this topic, far be it from me to not inject some Angry Black Woman pseudo enlightenment into the discussion. I am by no means the authority on this issue, nor am I sure that this response advances the discussion in a positive and productive way.
This needs to be said…
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LaBakir Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Well thought out and on point response!!
This hit home for me: Further, most men don’t realize the small torture that happens every time a woman sits down for a meal, particularly among women how have even a passing fascination with health, weight and wellness:
· Should I eat the bread? Should I not?
· Should I have brown rice or white?
· When did I go to the gym last?
· This will make my stomach bloated, don’t eat that.
· I wonder how many calories are in just one bite of chocolate
· My stomach is probably just poking out because I’m pre-menstrual. Or maybe I should just go to the gym.
· Those pants fit so tight this morning. Probably should shy away from the candy.
I know I walk a fine line between being healthy, and being OCD about my weight and excercise. I also agree with your points on the images that we’re fed related to weight and body structure. There’s an underlying pressuer there.
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Seattle Washington Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Looks like I’m striking more nerves than a clumsy cat playing Operation.
“Not because being thin and/or fabulously thick is what gets Seattle Washington’s dick hard.”
Eh, that’s what matters to me from the day-to-day. I’ll be honest. Which brings me to my first point.
This is an op-ed piece ie. from my perspective. I’m not a nutritionist nor am I a personal trainer, I can only write what I see. And in college, that’s what I and my friends who hit the gym more than I saw. Furthermore, it’s hard not to compare the activity of other races when you never see your female counterparts around. There’s no excuse or data for pure lack of motivation and bad health choices.
And if you read the post in it’s totality, you’d realize that I’ve framed the whole discussion about the lack of exercise and health in the Black community. The last paragraphs illustrate my point. I could’ve gone into further detail, but I didn’t. I’m sorry that I pointed out my experiences in college, but in my opinion, that’s where a lot of bad habits begin.
I don’t know about your daily routine or meal decisions. I’m happy you pointed them out, because I only had a vague idea. Whether or not that had any baring on this conversation can be disputed, but thanks for bringing it up.
To be candid, it really seems like I’ve struck a nerve with this post. I realize everyone is insecure about their weight in some fashion, including men, but the purpose of this post was to express my sadness about how the Black community doesn’t exercise. I pointed out Black women, well, because I like women and their figures.
I could’ve mentioned dudes, but I could care less about what the next man is doing. I’ll leave that for my female bloggers to comment on.
Thanks for contributing to the conversation, I hope you comment more often.
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elle Reply:
September 3rd, 2010 at 2:26 am
Amanda-Thank you sooooo much for saying this! I whole heartedly agree w/ everything you just said!!! At times it seems as if everyone wants to pick on the “sistahs”-or the African American community when it comes to obesity issues. Seattle Washington- Fat or not, my question is why does it matter to anyone? How is someone’s eating habits affecting your a#$? How is it hurting you personally? Aside from sexual gratification? I could understand calling out the senseless violence in the Black community, or AIDS/HIV epidemic-these issues can impact you immensely on a individual level. But it should be no concern of yours how a person “looks” or works out. Lets focus on something aside from a woman’s weight, why not call out all the Black men who impregnate Black women and fail to provide any care for them/offspring, or the Black men who seem to LOVE killing one another, or my personal favorite…. let’s talk about how the black community is slowly dying from the pain we inflict on one another….I ain’t never seen a donut attack, kill, or psychologically damage another human life. Focus on other factors, and leave Black women’s weight alone. Suggested post: Talk about the failings of black men…
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Have any of y’all used the TRX Suspension trainer yet? It’s one of the few “work out systems” that actually works. It’s based on using your own body weight.
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The Honorable and Rather Articulate Award Winning RightCoastLexSteele, LLC, Dark as the Night that covers me Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 3:49 pm
TRX bands are the truth!
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Although I wish I did not see as many of our people unhealthy, I will say as someone who lives in Brownsville, Brooklyn, I do see more and more Black men and women on the track, and multiple youth teams practicing, so it does make me optimistic for the future.
I think the fast-food culture has also crippled us. Growing up, we rarely ate outside the house. My sister and I were also athletes, so exercising is second nature to us…
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I work out because I want to be a sexy til I cant be sexy no mo’. I don’t want to ever look in the mirror and be unhappy with how I look in the nude b/c I was too worried about my edges to pick up a weight or drop the cake.
For a while I took my small frame for granted (still do sometimes) but I know that there is more to working out than losing weight. Skinny women can be just as or more unhealthy and out of shape than we all think. Where I live, I definitely see more white folks running and biking the trails than our own people, but I always smile and give the “I see you” nod to black men and women working it out.
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Seattle Washington,
This was such a good post that I printed it off to read while on my commute home. It is wonderful that there is so much discussion around this topic. But because of this I will attempt to answer your questions succinctly:
1. Am I off base?
A: No, you’ve made some pretty good observations.
2. Is this epidemic just restrained to my hood?
A: Certainly not, but you knew that already.
3. Why do Black people not like to exercise?
A: This is an assumption not based on any empirical data. There is a wide range of factors that explain why exercise rates may be lower in AAs, covering nearly every aspect of life, from personal accountability to socialization. It is impossible to say that one thing explains it- it is the combination of all these things.
4. Why do people not like to exercise in general?
A: See previous Q, besides there are some ppl who like it. But for argument’s sake, here’s a popular answer that makes a lot of sense to me: Evolutionarily, exercise in it’s current form is something that has been adopted because of our increasingly sedentary lifestyles and junk-laden diets. Years ago, it was done to improve physical condition, now it’s a necessity. Some time ago, we got our exercise through the daily hustle and bustle- just look at your parent’s photos when they were your age.
5.Do you exercise?
A: ABSOLUTELY, nearly every morn at 0530!
6. If so, why and what do you do?
A: I do a wide variety of exercises. But I will do weights, high intensity training (ie P90X), take a swim, weekly 5k, or yoga session.
A: Why…let me count the reasons: My career & academic research centers on health and identity, I love the challenge, makes me feel great, my guy exercises regularly too, the look on my guy’s face when looks at me, an ideal future pregnancy, inspiring others, etc.
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I hate to exercise. I hate it. I didn’t play sports growing up, was a nerdy bookish child, and my mother didn’t socialize us to exercise. And, when I finally found an exercise I enjoyed, it was dancing, which is indoors. I’m more likely to try outdoor activities now (the last guy I dated taught me how to skateboard, which is fun and terrifying). But I’m still more likely to either take a dance class or get a trainer to push me while he listens to me whine.
I do force myself to work out. Because of where I carry weight, I can’t go for too long before I feel like I look a hot mess. I also want to have good health until old age, and you have to work out to have that.
Unfortunately, most of people who encourage me to workout aren’t black (male or otherwise). Black men assume that my blackness will make me ‘fill out and get thick’ – I won’t. Black women think that because I’m relatively small (Size 4/6) that I’m okay.
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I’m days late so it probably won’t matter – buttttt… I hate the gym. Lots. I now take a free Zumba class 3 days a week at the community center in the “hood.” It’s packed. PACKED! Filled with Black girls/women ranging from 10-60 years old (no lie). Oh and one big White girl who I think feels more comfortable among us. I’ve done a lot of workout programs and this is where I feel most comfortable.
Anywho. There’s range of shapes and sizes. I’m sure some people are there cause their doctor told them they need exercise. Some are there to lose weight (and people have dropped pounds). Some people are there for the workout. So, to say you never see Black women working out means you don’t see them where you go. Our teacher doesn’t even get paid to teach the class – just does it out of the goodness of her own heart I guess – or to torture us. I think this class is a good example of meeting people where they are by providing most importantly free activities, but also making it an attractive option. And then making people feel welcome and comfortable to just start (and continue) to workout.
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