In episode four of the Melanin Pearls Podcast, Yvette and Ericka discuss how to stay healthy and discuss ways to keep from adding additional pounds during the holidays, with their special guest, lifelong coach and fitness professional Marcell Harrison. “The greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you. – Joyce Meyer”
During this episode, Yvette, Ericka and Marcell discuss the importance of making a plan when it comes to your health now and long term. The holidays are normally a time where we spend with our families and eat and for some over indulge in the once a year goodies starting with the 10 days before Christmas through the 10 days after Christmas. This year it will be different for many and with our routines being disrupted and increased stress due to COVID, taking care of ourselves is more important than ever - especially for the black community.
The 8 main causes of weight gain are:
The most common diseases associated with excessive weight include hypertension, cardiovascular problems, Type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis. There are also some forms of cancer that increase incidence in patients who struggle with weight like breast cancer and colon cancer. All of which make you at increased risk of getting severely ill if you do get COVID. And if you are black, the outlook is extremely grim for the black community. Black people continue to get infected and die from COVID-19 at rates more than 1.5 times their share of the population. For example, Black people make up 12.3% of the US population but 21.1% of all COVID deaths and 18.7% of COVID cases.
Per the CDC (cdc.gov), the leading causes of death in the black community is cancer and heart disease and black people are more likely to die at early age because of high blood pressure, diabetes or stroke. What is very scary, younger Black people are living with diseases more common at older ages (i.e., high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke). Taking care of yourself is the linchpin to living a healthy lifestyle. Being fit on the outside can only happen when you are “fit” on the inside. A healthy lifestyle is not limited to eating right and working out, it’s about changing your mind, changing your narrative and your attitude. Remember, nothing tastes as good as being healthy feels.
Make a plan that works for you! Start small, show yourself some compassion and get moving today.
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