This Saturday, Nov. 14, Tadda’s Fitness is hosting Create your Fit Life, a nutrition seminar featuring experts presenting the latest information on a variety of health and wellness topics. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch live cooking and juicing demos by Sherry and Chef Steph, learn beneficial hair care tips for women of color from hairstylist Patrice Hector, and discover new fitness exercises from Tadda Fitness owner LaTasha E. Lewis..
Obesity is a major issue among Black women. Nearly two-thirds of Black women in the United States are considered to be overweight or obese, according to the Office of Minority Health. Between a lack of exercise and poor diet, women of color are being diagnosed in increasing numbers with diabetes, cancer, heart disease and strokes. So why are a large percentage of Black women not exercising and taking care of their bodies?
Rolling out had the chance to speak with Lewis and Hector to find out the real reason Black women aren’t taking control of their weight and health.
Here is what they had to say:
What made you ladies come together to produce the Create Your Fit Life seminar?
LaTasha Lewis: Among many other things, we came together because we realized a commonality with Black women. They do not want to work out because of their hair. I thought it was a great component to add to the seminar. I want to show these women that I work out every day and still look good. This will be a great way for them to learn how to maintain healthy hair.
Patrice Hector: One of the things with me being in the salon daily is that we come across a lot of Black women that particularly want to lose weight but have spent so much money on their hair. With me working out on a regular basis and still keep my hair up, I can show them how to do the same. Also, with Tadda owning a fitness center, we just decided to come together so we can show women they can live a healthy lifestyle and maintain healthy hair. At the seminar, I will be giving hair care tips for women including great products they can use and incorporate proper dieting and certain foods they can eat to help strengthen their hair.
What is your daily hair care routine before you work out at the gym?
PH: I really don’t do much before I go. I wear short hair. I don’t tie my hair up with scarves or wraps because it makes you sweat even more. I just go free to the gym, but I do sweat a lot. After I finish working out, there is a product that I use that I will be showing at the seminar where it allows you to go back in and remold your hair along the front and sides. Typically women sweat the most around their edges who have short hair. I suggest women with longer hair wrap their hair up beforehand, and after they finish let their hair air dry first before combing it down.
Why do you think Black women are not working out as much as other races?
LL: Most of us were not groomed to work out early on in life. It is important for parents to start their kid’s young and get them active opposed to letting them play video games all day. Once you make that lifestyle change you begin to want to continue that. Trying to change that mindset now can be difficult because we put everything else first before our health. Until something detrimental happens to us with our health then we want to get in the gym and be reactive instead of proactive. So many times Black women come to me saying they want to get in shape for a trip or class reunion. You don’t want to get ready, you want to stay ready, so you don’t have to do harmful things to your body to lose weight.
What do you hope these women will take away after attending your seminar?
LL: There are going to be lightbulbs popping off here and there. They are going to be running and telling their friends. These women will be filled with excitement. They will be asking when we will be doing this again because it is going to be so informative and motivating. They are going to want to get up and wrap their hair or workout with their hair styled really cute. They are going to want to start cooking healthy meals at home instead of eating out all the time. The new year is starting and this is the most critical time because people will gain the most weight from the holidays. We want them to go into the holiday season ready to eat healthily and still eat well.
PH: One of the things I talk to my clients about is will you choose your hair or your health. When they walk away from our sessions, they will leave informed on how to take care of their hair. With me being in the beauty industry and being a woman of color, I can give them tips and encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle. I am also a mom with a daughter in college, so I try to give her advice on how to stay in shape while in school. We get together via FaceTime and I will give her cooking lessons, so that is a great thing to do for your kids who are in school.
