This a first of many posts on women's personal journey through living healthier. I was able to interview a 22 year old William Paterson University student Ciara Porter on her journey to a healthy living style.
What influenced your decision to change you living style as far as exercise and eating?
Besides just wanting to look better for myself, my main influence was spring break. As silly as it sound, since I was traveling out the country, I wanted to look the best I can, and be able to wear certain clothing items, that I choose not to wear because of how I looked. After I awhile I fell in love with gym and dieting and it changed from a temporary goal to a permanent motivation and lifestyle. And I found out that just because food is healthy doesn’t mean it will taste bad.
Has your goal been accomplished and if so how long did it take you?
I decided to actually change the way I eat and start exercising in the middle of February. I had set a goal of 20 pounds for March 17th, only because that’s when my spring break would start. It took a week longer than expected but I accomplished the 20 pounds by March 23rd. At this point I’ve become used to the dieting lifestyle, so I was comfortable in making it a permanent lifestyle. I had set another small goal for April of losing 10 more pounds because I thought losing the 20 pounds my body was going to look how I wanted it but it didn’t. At the point I stopped worrying about the number on the scale and started looking at the mirror, and ask myself is this how I want my body to look or could it look better . As of the first week of April, I lost 33 pounds So I’ve lost more than I expected earlier than I had thought and now I’m just trying to maintain the weight I’m currently at, because now I love the way my body looks.
Who are your influences and what helped you get to where you are?
My influences throughout this process were my friends, my older brother, and my friend who is a personal trainer. Me and my friends sort of looked at it as a challenge or a small competition kind of like the biggest loser type thing, and us working out together, became a motivation to keep going. My older brother recently changed his whole lifestyle and became this extra healthy person and just looking at what he has accomplished , with working full time and taking care of his child has motivated me. My friend /trainer made sure I didn’t quit, and was doing and eating the right things that will specifically help my body.
What is your daily regimen?
As far as exercising, I go to the gym for two hrs. a day than I do about 4 laps on the track, run for 2 and walk for 2, I do this 4 to 5 days a week. Usually If I wake up early for breakfast I would either have an apple with yogurt or a bowl of cereal. Since some of my meals won’t necessarily always be healthy later on in the day. For lunch and dinner, since I eat in smaller portions, I usually split up 1 meal to be my dinner and lunch, since I get full easily. So I generally eat less and start my day off as healthy as I can. I gave up soda and I only drink water, and if I really want juice I always mix half with water. The biggest thing that helped me lose my weight was not eating after 9.
What advice would you give to other African American women who went through the same health struggle and are trying to live healthier?
Changing your lifestyle is hard at first, but you ultimately have to find what works for you. For some, eating less and exercising works for others just eating healthy works. You just have to find what works for you and your body. If you really want to change your physical appearance, you just have to not think about the process but the end result, and once you start seeing results you are going to appreciate the hard work you put in to get there, and that will be motivation all on its own. And it not only makes you physically look better but you would feel better internally and it will take away a tremendous amount of health risks that women of color are subject to.
Is there's anything else you want the readers to know?
You don't have to give up the foods you love you just have to eat less of it, and once you start your body will get used to the change and the food, and it will be hard for you to go back to the way you used to be.
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