Apparently Black Women Are Big Boned

For all of you who’ve lost the weight, but the BMI scale doesn’t seem to agree…it’s not you:

The body mass index (BMI) and waistline measurement overestimate obesity in African-Americans, according to a new study. The results, which were presented at The Endocrine Society’s 91st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., suggest that conventional methods for estimating body fat may need to become race-specific.

“Compared to Caucasians, African-Americans of the same age, gender, waist circumference, weight and height may have lower total and abdominal fat mass,” said principal investigator and study leader Samuel Dagogo-Jack, MD, professor of medicine and chief, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis. “These findings argue for a review of the existing cutoffs for healthy BMI and waist circumference among African-Americans.”</span

I've written about this before in Big Butts = Good Health I mentioned how a study shows black women can have a BMI of 27 and still be healthy. This new study largely confirms that the current BMI scale doesn’t do a good job of measuring black women’s body mass.

I completely understand what this article is saying. At 140lbs I’m borderline overweight according to the BMI scale and at 165 I’m listed as obese. In reality I’m rocking a six pack at 140lbs and I’m merely overweight at 165. The previous scale where you weren’t considered overweight until you BMI hit 27 was a bit more accurate.

Now, this doesn’t mean that you can be 250lbs and be healthy. It does mean if you’ve lost a considerable amount of weight and look lean and helathy, but the BMI scale is suggesting you’re not, you’re probably in good shape. I’m mean at 140lbs I’m rocking a size 6, but if I listen to the BMI I’d still be worried about being overweight.

Join Sweet Potato Pie

Not a member? Register today for your free account and join the only online fitness community built specifically for African-American women!

Looking for a Husband? Date Marriage Minded Men

Date Marriage Minded Men

In Tell him to “Put a Ring On It” I briefly mentioned the need to date marriage minded men if marriage is your goal.

This should be a no-brainer when you’ve decided that you want more than a casual relationship, but for too many of us it’s not. Somehow we meet a guy, think he’s great and decide to ignore the fact that he said, “Well, I’m not looking for anything serious right now.”

Then we act all surprised when not only won’t he “put a ring on it,” he won’t “put a title on it,” either.

It’s time we stop with the insanity. Brandon St. Randy had a post up talking about the Indian way of marriage, where arranged marriages are still the norm and the more “progressive” dating process involves folk dating a few months before they walk down the aisle (or around the fire).

While I’m not sure full on arranged marriages are the way to go, I do believe there is a happy medium between arranged marriages and the western style of dating that will have you dating someone for years and still not sure if they’re the one for you.

The only point of dating is to find your future spouse. Not to end up in a perpetual pseudo marriage, only to have it end in heartbreak and pain when it doesn’t work out and then to start all over again. Honestly, if you’re a woman over 25 who wants to be married and have kids, then you should be dating with a purpose and not wasting your time on anyone who isn’t on the same page you’re on.

You have to be mercenary when dating, eliminating men on the first date who don’t meet your standards, share your values or goals.

Throw the “normal” dating rule out of the window.

Ask all of the “rude” first date questions on a first date.

If he isn’t giving the answers you’re looking for, then keep it moving. You don’t have time to waste on a guy who doesn’t want the same things you want. I guarantee when you give your dating a purpose you will feel so liberated. You will alleviate the stress associated with dating, guessing whether a man is into you or not, and waiting for him to decide your future for you.

And that’s an important point. Too often we let men determine the pace and future of our relationship lives. We wait for him to choose us as a potential date, girlfriend, wife. This can lead to disastrous results as some women spend years, decades even with men who have no intentions of proposing, even though they desperately want to be wife.

If you take control of your dating life by only dating marriage minded men then you eliminate all of this waiting around, hoping and praying for him to chose you. You all will choose each other and the relationship will be that much stronger for it.

Side Effects of Adultery: Slashed Tires, Hot Grits and Death

Adultery Has Consequences

*Announcers Voice*

Feeling lonely in your marriage?

Have things just become boring an predictable?

Is your spouse just not giving it to you the way they used to?

Well talk to your doctor about Adultery.

Adultery has been proven to alleviate many of the pains associated with a boring and predictable marriage. You will be able to find that spark for life again and experience the fun, newness, and excitement you had in your relationships before you were married.

You should only take Adultery a few times a year.

You should consult your doctor before you take Adultery to ensure you are healthy enough to begin the medication.

Tell your doctor right away If you experience any itching, burning or unexplained breakouts while taking Adultery.

Side effects may include: destroying your family, hurting your kids, jail time, loss of career, STD’s, hot grits, slashed tires, keyed cars, bleached wardrobes, burnt homes, potash, bodily harm and death

Adultery may be the answer you are looking for all of your marital woes.

Ask your doctor about Adultery.

*End announcers voice*

Funny huh?

In the aftermath of the tragedy that was Steve McNair it seems many men folk have forgotten how serious adultery/cheating/playing with folks emotions really is. Men, more so then the ladies, put all the blame for what happened on Kazemi – the delusional chick who offed herself and McNair. They seem to believe that the tragedy lies solely on her shoulders.

I’m sorry to disappoint the fellas (and some of the ladies) put Kazemi isn’t even the main person to blame for this horror.

This tragedy comes in two parts and had McNair remembered that one of the consequences to adultery is death, maybe he’d still be alive today.

We seem to forget that this type of crime happens so often it’s given a name – a crime of passion.

Not only is it given a name, but a look at pop culture can easily reveal how common retribution by a spurned lover is. From Fatal Attraction to Jazmine Sullivan, our various forms of entertainment are chalk full of examples of the high price people pay for playing around on their significant others.

To those who don’t get it, and seem to think Steve McNair couldn’t have seem this coming, I will make it as clear for you as I can: Remember Al Green and those hot grits?

Nuff said.

And while Rev. Green may not have died, I’m pretty sure most people who read this blog don’t have to delve too far in their lives or their friends and families lives to find tales of a jilted lover/spouse that exacted their revenge with a bullet, knife or some deadly fisticuffs.

Does it happen in all cases of adultery? No.

Does it happen in the majority of cases of adultery? No.

Does it happen often enough that it is a foreseeable consequence of adultery? Yes.

Just like all drug users don’t die, all adulterers won’t die, but it doesn’t mean that death isn’t a real consequence of drug use and adultery.

Folk need to think about those consequences long and hard before dipping their pens in someone else’s inkwell (or opening their inkwells to other folk’s pens).

Maybe if they did we wouldn’t have to hear about these type of tragedies that impact not just the adulterer and the murderer, but also the families they leave behind.

Can We Stop With the Blue Collar Men Worship

Blue Collar Men Aren’t Saviors

Can we stop with the blue collar man worship please?

Just because a man works with his hands does not mean he’s more enlightened, steadfast, kinder, gentler, will make a better husband, father or that somehow he automatically qualifies as being a “good” man than those who have white collar jobs.

Blue collar men are like any other men: there are good ones, bad ones and those who fall in between.

Any time dating and marriage in the black community comes up there are women (and men) hollering how if black women just would look at these blue collar men then all of our dating woes would be over. That we’re too busy not looking at what’s important in life an don’t know a “good” man when we see one.

Really?

I wonder how many of these women making these comments actually date or are married to blue collar men?

Can we stop pretending like the working class lifestyle is the bees knees?

That that is what all of us over educated women should aspire too?

And yes – some – blue collar men make “good money” (as the argument goes) but unions aren’t what they used to be and it’s not all about dollars, but about shared values, interests and life experiences.

No one is knocking blue collar men. Date and marry a blue collar man if you like, but just because some women don’t want to marry blue collar men doesn’t mean they don’t know what a “good man” is. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s not about finding any good man, but about finding the right good man for you.

Save

Everything You Should Know About Heart Disease

African American women are especially affected by heart disease. They have a higher mortality or death rate than white women and black men under the age of 55 years. The mortality rate from coronary heart disease is 69% higher than for white women. In addition, the first heart attack occurs at an earlier age in black women and is more likely to be fatal than is the case in white women. And pre-menopausal women who have hypertension, which is more common in black women, have 10 times the heart attack risk of those without high blood pressure.

Risk Factors in African-American Women

Black women have the highest rates of what are called risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the country, when they are compared to men and women of their own race as well as other races. When you have a risk factor, which means that you are unusually likely to develop CVD, as opposed to people who have none. In addition, the more risk factors you have, the greater are the chance that you will have an adverse event involving the cardiovascular system such as a heart attack or a stroke. It has been well documented that African American women have the highest rates of the following risk factors:

* Smoking: 26% of black women smoke
* High blood pressure: about one-third of black women have hypertension
* Obesity: two-thirds of black women are overweight or obese
* Physical inactivity: the majority of black women do not exercise regularly

In addition, diabetes, which causes so many heart attacks that it is now considered a cardiovascular disease and a CVD risk equivalent, is found in a very high percentage of African American women.

Warning Signs for Black Women

Pain in the chest is a classic symptom of an impending heart attack, and it means that your heart is literally crying out for help. It is called angina. Black women do not experience it as commonly as white women, for reasons that are not entirely clear. It may also occur in locations other than the chest such as the back, arm, and even the jaw. It may or may not be associated with activity. If it does occur, it may be misinterpreted as indigestion or an upset stomach. The best advice is, don’t take a chance—go to the nearest hospital right away to be checked to make sure you are not having a heart attack. This is crucial, because half of the people who have a heart attack die on the first occasion. You may not get a second chance if you are having a heart attack and don’t get immediate medical attention. So use 911—that’s what it’s there for. Better safe than sorry. Shortness of breath, a fast heartbeat, excessive sweating, unexplained weakness and tiredness, nausea and dizziness may also occur.

High blood pressure may not cause any signs or symptoms warning you of its presence until something happens, such as a stroke or heart attack. For this reason, it is called the “silent killer”. You really do need to get that blood pressure checked by a doctor, and more than one time. When hypertension does cause symptoms, they may include headache, dizziness, rapid heartbeat (palpitations), or blurred vision. But don’t wait until these symptoms occur, because by then, dangerous complications stemming from damage to major organs may already be in progress.

Stroke is caused when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, and it can also be caused by blood clots in these arteries or whenever a brain artery is ruptured or bursts, causing cerebral hemorrhage, which commonly occurs in black people who have hypertension. Strokes generally occur suddenly, often without warning. Some of the warning signs may be sudden numbness or weakness of the limbs or face, especially on one side, sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or walking, difficulty focusing the eyes, and headache. If any of these things happen, you should get to the hospital right away, because brain damage progresses within minutes and is usually permanent and irreversible unless treated very quickly. Call 911 immediately. You don’t even have time to get dressed.

Conclusion

It is not possible in this small space to give more than a comprehensive overview of the problems, but hopefully, you have gotten the most important message of all, which is to get yourself checked out by a doctor and to heed the advice given.

From What Every Woman Should Know About Heart Disease from Blackdoctor.org

Join Sweet Potato Pie

Not a member? Register today for your free account and join the only online fitness community built specifically for African-American women!

Staying Motivated When You’re Not Seeing Results

So how do you stay motivated when you’re not seeing any results?

What’s going to keep you going to the gym or doing that workout video or waking up early to run everyday?

I ask the question because that’s the situation I find myself in right now. My weight is fluctuating between 165lbs – 169lbs which is down from my high of 172lbs, but nowhere near the 140lbs I’m trying to get back too.

It’s beyond frustrating.

I know that my body is prone to weight gain and not so much weight loss. I also know that I gain muscle easily as well so that’s a bit of consolation. So except for the occassional experience with back fat (that’s gone now by the way) I’m not saggy or flabby and I still have a small waist and relatively flat stomach.

But still..

I’m tired of being fat.

And all the running and walking and jumping doesn’t seem to be doing the trick.

Sigh.

It can be tough.

Ultimately I don’t have any major words of wisdom, but to keep going to the gym, doing those videos and waking up and running. I think you have to be very methodical about it. Tracking your weight, being congzinant of what you eat and making the necessary changes if what you’re currently doing isn’t working. Basically you just keep pluggin away because the alternative isn’t an option.

Join Sweet Potato Pie

Not a member? Register today for your free account and join the only online fitness community built specifically for African-American women!

Braids, Locs, Wigs and Weaves: Best Natural Hairstyles for Working Out

Best Natural Hairstyles for Black Women Working Out

It’s summertime and it’s time to figure out what you’re going to do with that hair after you’ve seated it out running, jumping, biking and swimming or whatever your exercise regime happens to be.

Now as black women, I know many of ya’ll have an aversion to sweating out the “do” you just paid way too much money for. However, as I’ve noted on this blog on many an occaison, not sweating is not an option. Black women’s health depends on a bit of sweating so ya’ll just need to get with the program and figure the best way to keep those locs stylish and that body moving. Here are a few suggestions I found around the web:

Put a Wig On It!

If you still haven’t learned to care for you own hair don’t let it hold you back any longer. You have options you can get braids, a weave, or put a “Wig” on it. Now, I have never been really been in favor of wigs or weave but Ladies you got to put your health first. So if that means getting a sew-in or sporting a wig a couple of days a week then do just that. Oh, and these days you don’t have to worry about your wig falling off. Consult with your beautician about getting a lace wig. One of my girls has one and she loves it…Keep Reading

Hair Care Tips for Sisters on the Move

This is a pamphlet created by Harvard researchers back in the 90’s. Yes I know it’s old, but it still holds up to time. It gives great suggestions fro relaxed and natural hairstyles. Goes into detail on the may hairstyle choices available to women from short dos to locs and braids. I recommend all black women who are concerned about their hair as it pertains to their workouts download the pamphlet and check it out.

Healthy Summer Hair Tips for Black Women

As the summer gradually descends on the nation’s capitol, thousands of African American women are considering what to do with their tresses. In addition to being harangued by the humidity of the city, Black hair is often caught in style limbo due to damage from over-processing or the many summer activities that “sweat hair out.” But according to area stylists, all is not loss...Keep Reading

Get With the Hair-Gram: Braids, Locs, WIgs and Weaves

It’s summer time and it’s time to figure out what you’re going to do with that hair after you’ve seated it out running, jumping, biking and swimming or whatever your exercise regime happens to be.

Put a Wig On It!
f you still haven’t learned to care for you own hair don’t let it hold you back any longer. You have options you can get braids, a weave, or put a “Wig” on it. Now, I have never been really been in favor of wigs or weave but Ladies you got to put your health first. So if that means getting a sew-in or sporting a wig a couple of days a week then do just that. Oh, and these days you don’t have to worry about your wig falling off. Consult with your beautician about getting a lace wig. One of my girls has one and she loves it…Keep Reading

Hair Care Tips for Sisters on the Move
This is a pamphlet created by Harvard researchers back in the 90’s. Yes I know it’s old, but it still holds up to time. It gives great suggestions fro relaxed and natural hairstyles. Goes into detail on the may hairstyle choices available to women from short dos to locs and braids. I recommend all black women who are concerned about their hair as it pertains to their workouts download the pamphlet and check it out.

Healthy Summer Hair Tips for Black Women
As the summer gradually descends on the nation’s capitol, thousands of African American women are considering what to do with their tresses. In addition to being harangued by the humidity of the city, Black hair is often caught in style limbo due to damage from over-processing or the many summer activities that “sweat hair out.” But according to area stylists, all is not loss...Keep Reading

Need More Beauty Tips?

Looking for more tips on staying fit and fly? Join the group Beauty and the Gym for more tips and advice on looking good pre, post and during your workout.

Is an Open Marriage Ever Okay?

Open To An Open Marriage?

So not too long ago Monique’s husband was quoted as saying he didn’t mind if his wife got her sex on with another man:

“We’re saying that if by some chance that you hear scandal and you hear that Mo’Nique slept with another man, it won’t be a need for a press conference because I’m going to say, ‘Why are y’all tripping off that? Because that’s what she did. Did she sleep with that man and you?’ That’s not a deal breaker for myself … We are logical enough to understand that things like this do happen.”

Monique has also been quoted as stating that she has an open marriage and she’s okay with that. Now I know Monique isn’t the best example to use of a person having an open marriage. She isn’t known for her stellar choice in men (first husband was a criminal and illiterate) and her decision to have an open marriage reeks of desperation. You know, the fat girl wants love so she will agree to anything so she can have this slim, half-way attractive man.

So the question is, is an open marriage ever okay?

A while back Will Smith made a comment along the lines of him and Jada not breaking up should someone dip out as long as it was something that was talked about first. That simple comment sent the black blogs ablazin’ as folk who don’t know Will and Jada from Adam and Eve were in a tither at the mere idea that the two might have a marital arrangement outside of the norm or what folk would consider acceptable.

I’ve never quite understood why people get all up in arms over what consenting adults decide to do in their relationships. I’m of the opinion that as long as the two parties involved are completely okay with the arrangement then it isn’t any concern of mine. People have the right to set the terms of their relationships without approval from the masses.

So once again I ask: is an open marriage ever okay? Why or why not? And could you see yourself agreeing to such terms in a relationship?

Mel B. Esxercise Tips: I Have Sex Five Times a Day

Well looks like those six pack abs Mel B is rocking is from all that sexercise she is getting:

“I’m honestly not body-obsessed – I can’t be with three kids and a husband. My husband likes my muscles, but then he’s seen me every which way over the past eight years – including when I put on 42lbs after my last pregnancy and he always loves my body. In fact, on top of all my exercise, I have sex with him five times a day – maybe that has something to do with it. I have to admit, I’m a nymphomaniac with him. It’s sexercise! ”

I remember when i used to get it like that. Hell, these days I’d settle for once a day – hell once a week – goodness knows I could use a tune up. While I don’t think all that sex has given her that amazing body, I’m still trying to figure out what this Stephen Belafonte has that has Mel B going wild. I mean it can’t be the flabby belly and saggy breasts pecs he’s sporting. I’m just going to chalk it up to one extra long and wide penis topped off with a super serious head game.

But hey…as long as she’s happy.

And on a side note: If the sex is burning all those calories, is there a reason he’s not losing any weight?