Looking at Our Health from a Different Cultural Perspective
African American women have the highest obesity rates in the USA. But, there is some good news to this fact – they also have very strong friendships. Prime Time Sister Circles use this close bond to help fight the weight issues. The health-focused groups meet weekly so women can cheer one another toward better habits. Within 3 months, weight loss averages were around 6 pounds and hypertension dropped nearly 50%!! Next up: Women’s Circles for all races. Got to www.gastonandporter.org to learn more.
Talk to you friends or even set-up your own “Meet-up” group to help fight obesity and the diseases that are a result of weight gain (hypertension, Type II diabetes, high cholesterol, depression, and more…) in your neck of the woods.
Another good thing about these groups – they help you to work at your own pace. New research from Penn State University shows that women who exercise at a moderate intensity are more likely to benefit in the long run. Researchers compared groups of women who exercised at various paces. Women who exercised at a more moderate pace were about twice as likely to feel energized and confident about exercising regularly vs. women who exercised at a more vigorous or intense pace. The upshot: the most effective workout is the one you’ll do for the long haul.
So, maybe skip to coffee break at 3pm and get a group of ladies together to just walk around the block, climb a few stair cases, or do some sort of moderate activity to get that heart pumping!
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