European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 18, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 4 scene s r and stripes sunday March 18 2007 body unhealthy obstacles social pressures keep some Black women from working out o q s j u o x Andrea Riggs was ready to take on the Competition when she opened her personal training studio in Black Jack to the Niche for body Beautiful was to help Black women get into shape be healthy and look Good the Competition she ran into however want Bally or golds or 24 hour fitness instead her greatest Competition came from attitudes about exercise and diet from the people she wanted for her clients Black women they told Rne they didst want to lose weight and that includes the 508 percent who Are obese providers of health care know that being overweight or obese is a path to life threatening diseases the centers for disease control and prevention reports that Black women suffer higher percentages of diabetes hypertension cardiovascular disease cancer and premature death and the cd says when they get these diseases they have More severe cases than White women yet compared with overweight White i i 1c v Iziu 111c a Juii i Stulll Iii i a weight Riggs said recalling her efforts americans overweight Black amen to recruit clients its cultural expect cans to Fimes More like la onh Africa american say their weight is average even after they be been diagnosed As Over weight or obese by compared with overweight White americans overweight Black americans Are acceptance of High two to three times More body weight and 11 1 i heavier body Likely to say their weight shapes the reports is average even tons and pressures Africa american women seem to say we want meat on our Bones and we All want to be Booty Licious and Appeal to Africa american men people who Battle health disparities in Blacks agree with Riggs but they admit the topic rarely is broached because of fear of political incorrect Ness still that Well meaning sensitivity May contribute to killing people Black people Arent alone in feeling the effects of cultural impediments but there at the top of Many lists for hav ing bad health the american obesity association says that cultural factors related to diet exercise and weight among Black peo ple play a role in interfering with weightless efforts the association also says that 78 percent of Black women Are Over w i a doctor according to women health gov theres been less pressure for Blacks to lose weight be cause of a cultural St Louis Sonia Davis left does upper body repetitions at body Beautiful in Black Jack Moas her Trainer Bethany Dockett watches Black women face Many social obstacles when it comes to incorporating a healthy workout into lifestyle Treyve been diagnosed or Michael Railey medical director of the St of i Louis county health or od6s6 department says that health disparities Are reaching a crisis level for Black women and that its time health officials take gender into consideration for any health concerns because one size Doest fit All for example Railey says for Black women to exercise there needs to be a social connection studies Tell us that Black women will work out in groups but not alone men Are More Likely to work out alone also to get Black women to exercise and adopt healthful lifestyles you must take hair and appearance into consideration Railey says if a woman spends hours in a Salon chair and spends Shes out of the gym for at least two Days Railey says Black women who want to build relationships with Black men Are still forced to try to catch a Man by looking the Best they possibly can says Railey until a Black woman is in a culture where the Man says i love you just like you Are i love your Kinky hair and i select against Long hair that not the message that going out he says and who going to make our Black women feel Beautiful but us Lori Jones an instructor in nutrition and dietetics with St Louis University agrees that cultural norms can be a route to bad health still traditions can be altered while not being abandoned she says for example a soul food dinner could be made using a smoked Turkey Wing instead of a Ham Hock figure preferences Arent going to change overnight if at All but that Doest mean people cant be healthy were not All meant to be the same size says Jones who is Black while being overweight or obese puts you at risk for More chronic diseases you dont have to be vulnerable to those diseases you can be at higher weights and be healthy Treadmill still a hot col weather alternative l take a snowy Winter add icy roads Slushy sidewalks and below freezing temperatures throw in Short Days when its dark at 6 am and dark at 6 pm a Hadaya get a Treadmill folks fed up with the weather and craving a Way to exercise Are reinventing their outdoor workouts by investing in exercise equipment especially treadmills fitness equipment sales often jump in the Winter this Winter was no different december through March Are always our busiest months says James Brackney store manager at elite fitness in Colorado Springs Colo Brackney attributes the machines staying Power to its relative simplicity the Treadmill is such a natural movement every body who can walk or run can use a Treadmill a Survey by the sporting goods manufacturers association in 2002 showed that americans found treadmills to be the most comfortable natural and effective exercise equipment a Treadmill workout is one of the most efficient ways to exercise says Tony Shockency a Branch executive at the Myca of the pikes Peak Region walking on a Treadmill is a weight bearing exer Cise and you will Burn More calories than on other exercise equipment such As a Bike Shockency says its hard for people to have enough leg strength to Burn the same number of calories on a Bike unless they Are extremely Strong if your local workout facility has plenty of treadmills youre set but if youre looking to own do a Little research first tips for buying a Treadmill from the National sport ing goods association consumer reports and fitness systems before you leave Home measure the space where youll keep the Treadmill a typical machine is about the size of a Small Couch most Are heavy enough that you wont want to move them much decide How you Are going to use the Treadmill if youre a Walker Lowe priced machines might work for you if youre a dedicated runner choose a non folding Model or higher end Model plan on trying out several machines Wear run Ning or walking shoes look at treadmills with these elements in mind construction programming features and warranty construction look fora motor with a minimum 20 continuous duty horsepower the motors ability to function under a Load for a Long period of which will hold users who weigh More than 180 pounds look for a Belt that at least two ply 17 inches wide and 49 inches Long programming features the More you pay the More programming options youll get warranty some machines have a lifetime warranty on the Frame with features and components covered by a warranty that ranges from 90 Days to 3 years higher end machines often come with a oneyear income labor contract cd 7s g o 3 o o co o u cd q q i