All Articles Tagged "black women exercise"
Tips for Working Out The Body and Mind With Author and Fitness Guru Donna Richardson Joyner
Fitness expert Donna Richardson Joyner knows that you need to be inspired to get in shape. Her video, “Body Gospel,” was the number one selling inspirational fitness video. And speaking to just how buff she is, she’s also appeared in the bestselling “Buns of Steel” video. In addition, Joyner is the only member on the President’s Council for Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition to serve under President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush, and she is an ambassador for First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Initiative.
Her work extends beyond Washington DC. Joyner was a fitness expert on the NBC Weekend Today Show and ESPN Fitness Pros, and produced and hosted Donna Richardson Joyner: Mind, Body and Spirit. As a result of her many accomplishments, The Oprah Winfrey Show selected her as one of the Top Five Fitness Video Instructors, and Essence magazine named her one of the 25 most inspiring women in America.
We caught up with Joyner as she was promoting her new book, Witness to Fitness: Pumped Up! Powered Up! All Things are Possible, to talk about this latest project and get exclusive health tips for our Madame Noire readers.
Madame Noire: What makes this book unique from other fitness and workout books?
Donna Richardson Joyner: It’s not just about looking good, it is spiritual, mental and emotional. I witnessed too many loved ones go to heaven way too soon, suffering and dying at an early age because of preventable illness. Also, many of us know better but don’t do better. We’re prisoners of our own health. So I wanted to say, “We need to be a witness, and take an active role in being whole in mind, body and spirit.”
There is a disconnect between mind, body and spirit. I want you to be good and do good. It wouldn’t matter if I helped you to get a great body if your heart is hardened, because all people would see is your spirit.
MN: The book is also packed with information, including meal plans, exercises, and inspirational stories.
DRJ: I wanted to provide everything that a person needs to be successful. That’s why the daily meal plans have simple, delicious recipes and the daily workouts include instructions and photographs of me performing the exercises. In addition, I provide daily scriptures, success stories, and even a song suggestion for each day. I’m bringing together food, faith, and fitness!
Werk! 8 Ways To Whittle Your Waistline This Winter
Black women exercise
Has old man winter gotten your waistline a bit off kilter? No need to fret! Here are 8 ways to whittle your waistline, just in time to bare some skin for spring.
Leg Lifts
Leg lifts are usually performed upright using a Captain Chair but for optimal results with little strain on your upper body, try them laying down. Begin by lying down face up. For beginners, bend knees, feet flat on the floor as the starting position. Inhale and lift knees towards chest, pause for 2 seconds and return feet to start position as you exhale. Raise the knees as close to chest as possible without using momentum.
To advance the exercise, raise knees towards chest, pause and exhale as you straighten the legs vertically. Inhale again before lowering the legs in a straight position gently down to the ground, exhaling as they descend. For the super strong core, target your lower abdominals by completing the exercise with straight legs entirely.
Working Up A Sweat: Your Hair vs.Your Health
There are very few experiences in life like the one a black woman has in a hair salon. Everyday African-American women invest countless hours and amounts of money into maintaining the style and health of their hair. Our mane is our crowning glory, and in order for it to hold its regal title it must battle a variety of natural elements that work towards its destruction: wind, rain, stress and most importantly its arch enemy: sweat. Sweat and other types of moisture to freshly straightened tresses is like water to the Wicked Witch of the West.
C’Mon Let’s Sweat: Fun Workouts That’ll Produce Results
Exercising might not be on the list of your all time favorite activities but that doesn’t mean you can’t turn your favorite activities into workouts. After all if you enjoy an activity there’s a better chance that you won’t discard it, with your neon leotards and all those Billy Blanks DVDs. Check out some of these calorie burning activities and see if you can’t incorporate them into your exercise regimen.
Your Daily Heart-Healthy Schedule
You might be getting yourself all dolled up on the outside for Valentine’s Day, but take heart that February isn’t all about flowers and candy. It’s Heart Health Month, and certainly a good reminder that “cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability for African American women and kills more African American women than all cancers combined,” says Nieca Goldberg, M.D., a cardiologist and author of the Complete Guide to Women’s Health. ”Risk factors particularly important to African American Women are high blood pressure, obesity and physical inactivity.”
