Exercise entrepreneur Jennifer Turner understands how important it is for the black community to have empowering tools for health. The graduate of Stanford Business School and seasoned communications executive might be buff now, but like many of us, has struggled with her weight. Now an African-American marathon runner and triathlete, Turner is using her personal experiences combined with her business acumen to teach others what she has learned on her path to wellness. Just in time for the holidays, Turner recently launched her Mad Cool Cardio Dance Party DVD, an exercise extravaganza showcasing women of varying shapes and sizes using the joy of movement to get fit. This empowering DVD is just one part of her Mad Cool Fitness program, which aims to help all women seek a positive relationship with food while building wellbeing.
TheGrio.com chatted over email with Turner about the best ways to stay fit this holiday season, the recent controversy over black women and obesity, and tips for planning out your New Year’s goals for realistically building a healthier, happier you.
theGrio: What inspired you to create the Mad Cool Fitness DVD?
Jennifer Turner: I wanted to create a fun workout that was for real women, featuring real women. There are so many DVDs out there with workouts that are either, a) difficult and are only targeted to a narrow segment of the population, or b) feature women of just one ethnicity, who have perfect bodies with subtle messaging that, “if you do this DVD you will look just like me,” which actually isn’t true. Those women looked like that before they did the DVD. I would bet you dollars to doughnuts they’re doing a bunch of other stuff they’re not telling you about. Women not seeing themselves in fitness content is alienating and disheartening, especially when they don’t end up looking like the women on the TV screen. The Mad Cool Cardio Dance Party ain’t that kind of DVD. These are women from my fitness classes who are not professionals. The DVD is for and represents women of all shapes and sizes.
What fitness level would someone need to have to start this fitness program?
The Mad Cool Cardio Dance Party is designed for beginners, [ranging] to the more advanced. There’s something for everyone in this DVD and moves are modified to create a low impact workout for those who need to be more mindful of their joints. Join us! We’re having fun!
Do you think the holiday season is a good time to start a new exercise routine?
Honestly, no. It’s too hard. Too many distractions and temptations. Part of the Mad Cool Fitness philosophy is to focus on positive habit building, to get personal systems and processes in place to position people for success in sticking to a new wellness program. That is really hard to do during the holidays for two reasons. One, your schedule is a little wonky because there are so many functions and parties to go to, you’re out late, etc.; and, two temptation is everywhere. You wouldn’t drop an alcoholic in the middle of a liquor store and say, “Okay Jane, lots of good stuff in here, but you just figure out how you’re not going to drink. Gotta go. Ho, ho, ho!” No! So don’t do that to yourself. You’re just setting yourself up to fail. Wait until you can really focus on implementing a wellness plan and have a better chance of being successful sticking with it. My advice is just to try not to dig yourself too big of a fa-la-la-la-la fat hole during the holidays, and then focus on the new plan, and new you, right after New Year’s.
Many people are afraid of gaining weight over the holidays. What are some tips for maintaining your weight despite all the temptations?
1. Don’t Taste While You Cook. “Tasting” is eating. Seriously. It counts.
2. Watch the “Drinky Drink.” Holiday cheer in a wine or champagne glass can really do you in with not only the calories, but also the hangover that keeps you from getting your behind out of the bed the next morning to go workout.
3. Get up, Get Out, and Get Some Exercise! Don’t start the holiday days laying around in your jammy jams. Get up and get moving. You don’t have to run a marathon, but just do something. And do it with a friend. Everyone needs support!
4. Stop. Eat. Don’t Go Anywhere Hungry. If you are going to someone else’s house for dinner, eat before you go. Don’t go anywhere hungry because hungry quickly turns into what? HONGRY.
5. Eat, But Don’t Repeat! Get one plate, get everything you want (preferably one dessert), enjoy it, and get over it.
6. Control Your Portions. Don’t build an erector set-type pyramid out of that one plate of food, balancing jiffy corn bread on top of hot links.
7. Have a Food Plan and STICK TO THE PLAN! You need a food strategy. Why? Because this is a fat war. Don’t go into a knife fight with a little BB gun. Go into your social events with a plan. If you can, find out what the menu is in advance and decide what you’re going eat AND STICK WITH THE PLAN!
8. Eat early. Try not to eat late, get the “itis,” go into the lazy boy, and fall asleep. It’s so bad, and yet so good. That sleep is some good sleep. We’ve all done it. Let’s not do it again.
9. Leave the Leftovers Left. The holidays are like the gift that keeps on giving… to your behind. Stop the madness. Eat once and be done with it.
10. Give Food Away. I mean this not only for the leftovers that you are leaving left, but I also mean it at work. When your clients or business partners etc., send you food, take it immediately to your department kitchen. Run, don’t walk. It’s too tempting.
These tips should help people to STEP AWAY FROM THAT CHICKEN WING! — and enjoy the holidays without crazy weight gain.
Who are your fitness role models?
I would say anyone who has struggled with their weight, conquered unhealthy habits, and come out the other side with a better version of themselves. In terms of people I know, I recently saw the urban revitalization strategist Majora Carter at my DVD launch event. We’ve emailed, but I haven’t seen her in person for about 18 months. I’m going to totally put her on blast, but I’m just so proud of her! She always looked great and now she looks even more AMAZING! And most importantly, the glow that was coming off her was something to see. I was just so honored and humbled when she said meeting me inspired her to change. Seeing her just made my whole year and has gotten me even more jazzed about next year.
And then of course Jennifer Hudson’s story is incredible. She has become a different person. I admire her and would love to meet her.
A recent AP story has detailed the fact that four in five black women are considered overweight or obese according to current medical definitions. What are your thoughts on this observation?
I live in East Harlem and based on what I’m seeing I would say it’s real. It breaks my heart to see black women who are not living up to their full potential and contributing to their communities to their fullest because they are in poor health. That’s why I started Mad Cool Fitness to hopefully play a role in changing this horrible statistic. The factors are myriad — cultural, systemic in terms of lack of access to convenient, good food at reasonable prices, lack of wellness services (gyms, etc.), lack of safe, clean, inspiring open spaces where people can commune and engage in physical activity together. Lot’s of complex obstacles to overcome, but I truly believe they are not insurmountable.
First lady Michelle Obama has been promoting overall fitness in America. What other social programs or star endorsements do you think will encourage weight loss in the black community?
I think it’s wonderful that Michelle Obama has lent her celebrity and her platform as first lady to shine a light on and put programs in place to address this very serious issue. I think other celebrities can be used to encourage weight loss as well, but from what I know from my personal experience and from the work I’ve been doing in Harlem and other parts of New York City, nothing is more powerful than relatable messaging and imagery. I believe people are more responsive to consistent, in-the-trenches messaging coming from their peers, friends, families… people who look like them and live in their reality, than to people and celebrities who may do one-off events or commercials. Celebrity is great, but we need on-the-ground troops delivering consistent messaging and programming, locally in communities.
Some believe that the BMI scale that is used to determine obesity is outdated and inaccurate, particularly for African-Americans. Do you care to comment on whether it is an appropriate predictor of health?
First, there are assessments of health, and then there are predictors of health. In terms of assessment, I think BMI is a useful directional tool in assessing where somebody is in their weight, and then using the number to see if they are at risk for certain health issues associated with being overweight. However, because it is only one data point based on a formula height relative to weight, it can’t be the only thing to look at in health assessment, both from an individual and collective perspective. BMI doesn’t take into account muscle mass, so someone who is very muscular could be getting close to, or be classified as, overweight or obese. Second, in terms of predictors of health you have to assess behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, and environments (such as home and community) to predict if someone is at risk for unhealthy behaviors. BMI is not perfect, but the bottom line is we’re fat. So let’s not sugar coat it or beat ourselves up about it. Let’s own the problem and then work together to figure out a solution.
If people want to start a New Year’s workout routine, what are some good ways to get started and stick with it?
First visualize what you’re trying to achieve, what your new life looks like. Formulate a plan around achieving this goal. Write it down. Seriously write it down and refer to it. Don’t just stick it in your sock drawer. Second, start small and don’t bite off more than you chew; and third, get support.
Last, I would highly recommend doing your workouts in the morning. It’s the part of the day in which, for the most part, your blackberry isn’t blowing up and you have more energy. I’ve been working out in the mornings for over 14 years and it has worked for me.
Here are more tips from the MAD COOL FITNESS perspective on how to be successful in sticking to your New Year’s workout routine:
M – Make the specific goal using SMART principles (Smart, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound)
A – Assess what it’s going to take for you to make your goal happen. What is “the plan”? If you’re going to work out three days a week, how will you make sure it will happen?
D – Be determined. Visualize the new you and stick with the plan even when the going gets tough.
C – Get your crew together. You need support. Don’t try to do this by yourself. Grab a girlfriend and get going. Share your fitness journey!
O – Get organized. For example, pack your gym bag the night before, get your behind in the bed so you can get up the next day, and know what you’re going to do when you get there so you’re not stumbling around in the morning trying to figure it out on the fly.
O – Own your “failures” and use them as opportunities to learn. Then go back and re-assess your plan, the one that isn’t in your sock drawer. Don’t dwell on [your failures,] but learn from them.
L– Laugh. You must laugh, even when you fall off the resolution wagon. This is a process and you have to enjoy it!
What’s next for you?
I’m going to continue to grow Mad Cool Fitness. I am Mad Cool Fitness. It is my life’s mission and passion. The company has a pro-social mission. I believe that through implementing holistic wellness tools, leveraging technology to connect people to wellness and each other, and through the collective efforts of the government, for profit companies and non-profit entities, we can collectively change our country’s negative health direction and eradicate obesity in America. Through the achievement of good health, we can collectively help people and communities to reach their fullest potential. This is my belief in every part of my being, so that’s what I’m doing.
Follow Alexis Garrett Stodghill on Twitter at @lexisb.