Igniting Your Community To Healthy Living

As we instill in our children the values needed to be successful, we should not overlook the importance of health. In the black community, generations of unhealthy eating habits and lifestyles have taken their toll on our children, in addition the modern day, sedentary way of life. As our nation strives to prioritize health and fitness to our children, as demonstrated by First Lady Michelle Obama’s, “Get Moving” initiative, we need to improve our statistics. It’s a new day, and we need a new way to truly take care of ourselves for the sake of the health of our community.

Part of my personal mission as a fitness professional is to evoke change in my community and inspire people to live healthier, more active lives. Having worked with a number of community groups and spearheading community events and initiatives, I have seen the power of the individual’s influence in their community. It just takes one determined person to ignite the community for positive efforts.

People can make better lifestyle choices, and you can help them get there. Here’s how:

1. Lead by Example
Your personal commitment to taking care of your body is your most powerful tool in improving your community. As people see you become more active in your exercise routines and make healthier food choices, they will be inspired to do the same. Each one of us can reach another.

2. Start Small
Your most powerful voice of influence will be among the people in your everyday life, starting with your family. If you’ve begun a healthy eating regimen for yourself to lose weight, prepare those meals for the entire family. Incorporate exercise into your socializing and family time. Many people I’ve known to lose a large amount of weight began with a friendly contest among church members. Even in your workplace, try a weight loss challenge that inspires everyone to get involved with attainable goals and beneficial rewards.

3. Give Back
Get involved with health and fitness activities in your community. If they don’t exist, create some. Find causes that you’re most passionate about. Most likely there is a walk supporting that initiative. Stay informed about the local events in your community. Causes like HIV awareness, diabetes and cancer research occasionally are supported by fundraisers. You can even choose to volunteer your time with local sports leagues for young people or help support after-school programs that provide great physical activities for the neighborhood kids. You will get great exercise and act as an influence to someone else.

4. Support One Another
One of the most successful events I have worked on was organizing a community health fair. By connecting myself with other like-minded, health-conscious people, I created a network of health professionals who all shared a common mission and vision for restoring healthy habits in our community. By making phone calls, distributing flyers and collaborating with community members, I helped to create a meaningful health fair where community members learned various ways to put themselves on the right track to a healthy lifestyle.

5. Invest in Your Health
While we spend countless dollars on entertainment and lifestyle, we often skimp on investing in health. As a personal trainer, I often hear, “I don’t have money to pay for a gym” or “Eating healthily is too expensive.” Remember the money you invest in improving your body directly contributes to your future, and you will see a return. What we do today will have a lot to do with our tomorrows.

We emphasize success in business, money and relationships, but these are attributes we can’t enjoy without health. Remember, we only have one body. Choose to make it a healthy one!

Dionne Ross is a writer, fitness coach and TV personality. Her new fitness video, Cardio Drum,” is available at Dionneross.com.