A Few Words with JJ Smith

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.

The book is available at www.jjsmithonline.com or amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and other retailers. 

         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?

They can visit www.jjsmithonline.com

  

          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.

Is it Really the Hair??

I really did try to avoid this topic like the plague because I feel as though it's like beating a dead horse. But hey...let's commence with the beating. Recently, Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, had the internet all abuzz with her comments about Black women, obesity, and lack of physical fitness.  She partially linked the problem of obesity amongst Black women to us making our hair a priority over health. Although this was only one of the possible reasons the Surgeon General attributed to why Black women have a higher obesity rate than other demographic groups, this really got people up in arms. It lead me to ask the question, "Well, is it really the hair??".

The facts are the facts...some Black women don't workout for fear of ruining a perfectly coiffed hairstyle. I remember being a little girl and dreading hot summer days, fearing that my freshly pressed hair would revert back to those kinks I learned to hate. Oh and let's not mention gym (physical education for you southern folks). I think one semester I skipped everyday because the teacher actually made us do physical activity...how dare he?!?! I would hide from the rain as if it was acid trying to melt my skin off the bones. It all sounds exaggerated but it was the truth, child!! This mentality did transfer over into adulthood for me.

Women in general are taught that their hair is their crowning glory, regardless of ethnicity. Therefore, it has to look good at all times. You had to get that wig split every other Friday or whenever, sitting in the hair salon for hours, waiting to emerge with beautiful hair that other ladies envied. But at what cost are Black women willing to sacrifice their health in order to maintain gorgeous locks??

According to The Office of Minority Health (OMH), Black women have the highest rates of being overweight or obese. About four out of five Black women are overweight or obese. Things that make you go hmmmm. In addition, when it comes to diseases that can be linked to being overweight or obesity, Blacks (male and female) are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than their White counterparts. Black people are 1.5 times more likely to suffer from high blood pressure. Black people are also more likely to be diagnosed with coronary heart disease and more likely to die from heart disease. Now, there are some stats for you!!

This information is not new. So, if this data is accurate, which I am sure it is, why wouldn't someone want to manage their weight?? It has to be much more than a hair issue. I believe that in addition to hair, it's a lack of knowledge, support, finances, time, and resources. However, we can work around these issues. If lack of knowledge is the issue, go to the library and borrow any fitness magazine to find routines that work for your fitness level, speak with someone who is active and get tips, or simply Google it. If you need support, join a group, download a training app, start a blog or join an online fitness forum or support group. You don't need money to workout, so don't let finances stop you. All you need is space not necessarily in  a gym. There are items around your house that can assist with your workout. I plan on writing a post about being fit on a budget, so be on the look out.

With all that said, I still cannot deny that hair is part of the issue. Therefore if hair is your issue, here are some tips for that, too.  I will always recommend that you choose to wear your hair natural because you won't have the issue of the hair reverting back to kinks, coils, naps, curls, whatever you call it, because it's already in that state. I wear my hair natural and sweat like crazy during my workouts. The natural hair allows my hair to remain unaffected by those sweat sessions. It would be a waste of money if I wore my hair in any other form. However, I understand that this is not an option that many women are willing to choose. If you prefer to wear your hair straightened, wigs are always an option. They have come a loooonnngg way from the days of our grandmother's wigs...LOL. No, no Brillo pad wigs in 2011.  Lacefronts, half wigs, full wigs, hair pieces, oh my!! Just choose a style and have fun with it!! I've worn my share of wigs and loved it. They are very low maintenance.

If this is still not your cup of tea but you are determined to put your health first, try wrapping your hair and tying it with a scarf during your workouts. A gym buddy, who has relaxed hair, says that she lets her hair dry completely before unwrapping it to avoid a poofy style. You can choose to blowdry your hair after each workout but I wouldn't recommend that due to potential heat damage. Putting the hair in a high ponytail has also worked well for a few of my gym buddies.

One day while in Sally's Beauty Supply, I ran across the product Dri Sweat Edge Women's Headband. See photo on the right. It's designed to absorb sweat and help maintain your style. I've never tried it because my hairstyles aren't really affected by my workouts but it may be worth a try. If you try it out please let me know how it works out for you! Braids, Senagalese and kinky twists are also great options!! You can wash and style many braided styles as needed.

I don't have a definitive method that will solve the hair and workout epidemic that has plagued the nation (sarcasm) but I can offer you suggestions. What's the point of having great hair if the rest of you (inside and outside) is jacked up?!?! At least your hair looks good, right?!?! Uhhh, no...LOL. The benefits of exercising and proper nutrition are amazing.Whatever your reason is for not working out, get rid of it.  Find reasons why you should workout. If you can't find any reasons, please scroll up and reread this post. Please encourage all the women in your life to get out and get active. NO EXCUSES!!

I'm curious to know your thoughts on the subject. What do you or your friends do about their hair when working out? Share in the comments section.

PEACE!!