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| JJ Smith |
A few months ago I took a shot in the dark and emailed JJ Smith, a nutritionist and wellness coach, and asked if she would mind answering a few questions for my blog. To my surprise she replied, "yes". Needless to say I was excited. She is an author and has made several T.V. and radio appearances.
I first heard of JJ Smith via Facebook. A friend posted a link which lead me to her homepage. I am always excited when other African American women take their health seriously. She is definitely one of those women. Plus, the icing on the cake is that Ms. Smith is a graduate of Hampton University, my alma mater. GO HAMPTON!!! Read below to check out what she has to say.
How
long have you been working as a nutritionist and weight management
coach?
I’ve been working to manage my weight and
improve my health for over 10 years, but I’ve been working professionally as a
nutritionist and weight management coach for the past few years. I offer information products such as books,
CDs, and DVD programs, as well as teleseminars and coaching that help women
lose weight, be healthy and get their sexy back!
What
encouraged you to pursue those career options?
My own struggle with rapid weight gain and
poor health. There were two occasions,
once in my 20s and again in my 30s where I gained weight (40 pounds , about 4
dress sizes) and the advice to “eat less and exercise more” never really worked
for me. Additionally, I was getting sicker and sicker (infections, allergies,
hernias, etc) and the doctors answers weren’t getting me well. So, I had to figure out a way to lose weight
permanently and get healthy. That began
this journey for me.
What
are some things that motivate you to stay in great shape?
I’ve learned that poor health and weight
gain usually go hand in hand. In my
quest to heal many of my illnesses and ailments, I naturally slimmed down. The ultimate goal for me is to be healthy,
feel great and have energy and vibrance.
If you focus on optimum health, the body has a natural ability to
regulate and maintain your healthy ideal weight.
What,
if any, are some of the biggest obstacles that you have encountered on your
health and fitness journey? How did you overcome them?
Big Macs! In my 20’s,
I was a fast food junkie and I still have to have a big mac every now and
then. But a big obstacle for me is to
overcome poor eating habits that were established over so many years. They are really tough to overcome. So, I practice the 80/20 rule. If I eat clean, balanced and natural foods
80% of the time, I can have a few reward meals (e.g., pizza or big mac) 20% of
the time. This works for me.
What
do you believe are some of the biggest obstacles facing the African American
community in terms of living healthier lifestyles?
Statistics show that 78% of African-American
women are overweight and obese. I think
this is due to the diet we eat, more specifically, the style of southern
cooking which might include too many fried foods and unhealthy fats. However, it is possible to break those habits
and the hereditary cycle of poor eating habits.
What
do you think are some of the biggest misconceptions about Black women and
exercise?
Not sure…I’m not a fitness expert and
struggle to find time to exercise, so I can’t speak to that.
Describe
your workout routine.
I don’t “work out” in the traditional
sense. Studies show that incorporating
physical activity into your daily routine is more effective for managing your
weight than fixating on going to the gym to workout an hour here or an hour
there. I have an entire chapter on my
book that discusses the studies as to “why exercise won’t make you thin.” So, I
try to get 10 minutes bursts of physical activity by walking up the stairs
instead of taking the elevator, walking to lunch, etc. So, more physical activity each day is my
goal.
Tell
us about your book “Lose Weight without Dieting or Working Out!” Where can
readers purchase this book?
The book is based on the revolutionary DEM
(Detox-Eat-Move) System, which is not a diet, but a lifestyle! The DEM System is a three-phase system that
allows you to get rid of stubborn body fat in your body and reverse some of
your health issues and ailments, restoring your body to optimal health.
- D Is for DETOX. Get rid of
toxins in the body for fast weight loss by avoiding the "Big 6 Foods"
for three weeks and using other detoxification methods that eliminate toxic
waste from your body.
- E is for EAT. You will learn the
method of eating "clean and balanced foods" to help you achieve your
ideal weight.
- M is for MOVE. Get moving without going to the gym or "working
out" by incorporating easy ways to get physically active each day.
The DEM System is a breakthrough permanent
weight-loss solution that melts fat from your body, especially from stubborn
areas like the hips, thighs, and belly, through detoxifying and cleansing the
body and feeding it healthy, nutrient-rich foods that keep it slim.
What
advice can you give to someone who is struggling to lose weight?
Many of the reasons for weight gain are
often outside of one’s control. It is
important to understand the hidden causes of weight gain, such as hormonal
imbalances, excess toxins in the body, sluggish metabolism. When many of the hidden conditions exist,
traditional diet and exercise won’t work… and if it does, it’s generally
temporary. 95% of people who lose weight on a diet, gain it all back within 3-5
years. So, address and correct the hidden causes of weight gain to help the
body burn fat more effortlessly.
Where
can we go to find out more about you and what you do?
Let us
know about any upcoming projects that you are working on.
We have an online community of women who
are committed to losing weight, even if they don’t always have time to diet or
exercise.
It’s called Sisters Getting
Slim (SGS) and I offer free teleseminar calls twice/month.
Information on it is at
www.jjsmithonline.com
If
there’s any additional information you would like to share with the readers,
please include it.Thanks!
No matter your struggle or challenge in life,
it’s important to LOVE YOURSELF! Self-love
is essential to survival. There is no successful, authentic relationship with
others without self-love. We cannot water the land from a dry well. Self-love
is not selfish or self-indulgent. We have to take care of our needs first so we
can give to others from abundance.
Packing
your workout clothes the night before allows you to just grab and go on
your way out the door in the morning. If your house is anything like
mine in the morning you wake up late and barely have time to do anything
in the morning. Pack and leave your bag by the door. This will eliminate at
least one chaotic moment from your already chaotic morning. 
A master grocery list is a list of items that you will always keep stocked in your household. For healthy eating consider adding things like lean meats, veggies, plain Greek yogurt, almonds, healthy fats etc. When you go grocery shopping these are the primary items that need to be in your cart. Of course, you may stray from the list every now and then depending on what your needs are. The list is not meant to confine you but to guide you. 
Negative Nancy, Debbie Downer, dream killers. You know who they are. People who never have anything good to say. You tell them about your desire to lose weight and exercise and what do they do??? They order a large cheese pizza and offer you a slice or they make sly comments insinuating that you will never stick with your plan, probably because they can't stick with their commitments. Screw those people. Surround yourself with positive people and things that will motivate you. Your source of inspiration could be, I don't know, maybe www. mahoganystrenghtspeaks.blogspot.com I hear there's some good stuff on that blog. ;-) If you can't find anyone in your immediate circle who will offer support, find a support group on the internet or at the gym you frequent. There are lots of health and fitness forums out there. However, be cautious and be sure to do your own research if you're offered advice. 
