Black Women! You Have Power Over Your Health

I want to take the time to talk about a pressing issue that is affecting the lives of black women in America, our diminishing health. As black women we are suffering abysmal health in America, obesity, heart disease, AIDS and cancer are killing us at an astounding rate. We sacrifice ourselves, our bodies and our health (mental and physical) to "fill in the gaps" in our families and communities. Many of us play the role of mother and father to our children and to other's children. We volunteer for church activities, community organizations and other good causes while simultaneously sacrificing our well being. Although on the surface it appears that what we are doing is for the "good of the community" it is actually detrimental because we are losing our lives in the process.

Today each of us must decide to take power over our health.

Action Steps You Can Take

1. Take an honest assessment of your health. If you can, get a physical check-up at the doctor's office or free clinic in your community. Check everything! That includes an AIDS test and tests for other sexually transmitted diseases. I remember going to the doctor and asking for an AIDS test and being discouraged from taking one. I was shocked to say the least. I was told that I was NOT at risk. As black women we have the fastest growing number of people contracting AIDS. We cannot allow doctors to dissuade us from getting checked for AIDS and other diseases. Also, make sure that you check for common disorders such as diabetes, heart disease and circulatory issues that are taking so many of us OUT. My mother died of heart disease at 62 years old. Don't let that happen to you, take power over your health by facing any challenges and problems head on.

2. Change your diet. Forget about soul food, because it is KILLING US. Eating greasy, fried food on an ongoing basis is a recipe for DEATH. Please let go of any sentimental feelings towards, fried pork, and greasy fatty food because they are shortening our lives. Our ancestors ate this type of food because they did not have a choice. Today we have a choice. Choose life by eating healthy food that is low-calorie, low in fat and low in salt. I will blog more in detail about having power over your health in future blogs.

3. Exercise. This is a tough one because exercise takes time and energy, two resources most black women are short on. But you must exercise EVERYDAY. That means you must exercise for at least 30 minutes everyday. The best and easiest type of exercise is walking.

These are just a few things you can do today to take power over your health. In future blogs I will go into more detail and offer resources and links that can be of help.

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