Slowly but surely, she is getting rid of her extra pounds, and I can personally relate to her need to lose weight and get in better shape.

The other day when I tried to give myself a pedicure I couldn’t even touch my feet and I cried. It’s not because I’m not flexible, I am. It was because of that big round mound that sits under my chest. I must admit  that I’ve turned into a ”tubby tundra” and it  ain’t pretty.

These days, from the White House to our homes, losing weight must become a priority for everyone who is obese.

First Lady Michelle Obama’s rollout of a plan to fight childhood obesity is very timely because America is fighting desperately to fix its broken health care system. Fighting fat by getting people to change their eating habits and  exercise are just two methods for doing this.

I played competitive sports all through high school and college, and I never had to worry about my weight. Thirty-some years later, without the intensity of that type of exercise, weight has become a problem for me. Not only is it unsightly and damaging to myself esteem, but it also makes simple things like giving myself a pedicure hard. Going from size 7 to size 14 took  time, so I know it will take time to get back down in size.

There are a myriad of reasons that America is fat.

But people who are in good shape will tell you they not only look and feel better, but they function at a higher level.

When Philadelphia was named America’s fattest city by Men’s Fitness magazine more than 10 years ago, then-Mayor John Street decided to do something about it. He appointed a health car, Gwen Foster, who not only helped the city lose weight, but also taught citizens how to lead healthier lives.  At that time, I was a broadcast journalist and hosted a radio talk show at WDAS in Philadelphia called Heart to Heart, which was committed to teaching people to lead healthier lives. Foster had a 10-week program for the media that I immediately joined. It was a perfect fit, and after learning the lifestyle changes that she taught, I lost 30 pounds.

Czar Foster rolled out a program called Fun, Fit and Free with initiatives that taught people how to eat wholesome, tasty foods without a lot of fat and meat, and how to exercise. She taught that simple lifestyle changes such as drinking enough water, meditating, dancing to get fit, and replacing those fatty foods with fruits and vegetables make a world of difference in how we feel.  Although thousands of Philadelphians benefited from the program, a new mayoral administration came in 2008 and saw fit to eliminate it.  And that’s unfortunate because under her tutelage, I personally witnessed morbidly obese people who lost 100 pounds and diabetics who were able to come off their insulin after spending a year studying her regime.

Fast forward to today and although Philadelphia is no longer considered the fattest city in America (we’re number 20 on Men’s Fitness’s 2009 Fattest City List), it certainly isn’t listed as one of the healthiest.

Having good health begins at home. By making simple lifestyle changes, all of us can not only set good examples for our children but we’ll become more productive in other areas of our lives as well.  In many cases we’ll lead happier and longer lives by controlling our weight and getting enough exercise.  And Mon’Nique is fast becoming the poster child for weight-loss  sucess.

Be sure to follow bloggers Yvonne Shinhoster Lamb and Mae Israel as they, like me, try to  trim their middles.  And I think it’s also time for me to get more serious about joining  their efforts as well. We’ll all keep you posted on our progress !

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1. Let’s all join Michelle Obama’s obesity fight
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During my 53 years on earth, I’ve been blessed to have access to many fine and life-altering teachers, and  their  important lessons continue to unfold long after  I‘ve  been in their company. Life’s most important lessons are those that permanently enhance us, and one of my most important teachers was Philadelphia’s former health czar, Gwen Foster.

Gwen, appointed by then-Mayor John Street, taught Philadelphians how to lose weight and lead healthier lives by making lasting lifestyle changes. And although I took her 10-week media-awareness course called “Fun, Fit and Free” nearly a decade ago, her teachings still have a  profound impact on me.                                                                                                                                   

One essential component to her plan for healthier living was to not just go on a diet, but to make changes that keep the weight off.

“Diets don’t work,” says my mate Imhotep Natu Ali, an alternative health practitioner, master massage therapist and reflexologist. He encourages his clients to do a “live-it” instead of  a diet, and like Gwen, Natu teaches them to incorporate healthy lifestyle changes into their daily routines. He advises them to limit or eliminate red meat, sugar and dairy; drink plenty of spring water, and incorporate exercise into regular routines. (Photo credit: Tofu star by Riebschleger).

Both say that discipline is key to making these healthy changes and that we should  replace things that are bad for us.  So in doing this, if you choose to become a vegetarian, it’s essential to eat enough protein. One good source is tofu.

Tofu for protein

One of the most widely misunderstood foods is tofu, which is also a very good source of iron.

Tofu is one of those foods that gets a bad rap among hard-core meat-eaters. You either love it or hate it, but how tofu is prepared makes a huge difference in that choice. Tofu is one of the few sources of protein besides chicken that my youngest and pickiest child will eat, which really surprises me.  Although tofu can be made many different ways - including a dish that resembles chicken salad – my “baby girl” prefers it prepared simply in a skillet.

 Pan-fried tofu with baby spinach

Ingredients

One package firm tofu

Olive-oil flavored spray coating

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

½  tsp paprika

1 envelope Sazon

1 handful sesame seeds

1 cup of fresh baby spinach

Directions 

• Sift spices together and set aside.

• Squeeze  out excess water from tofu either by putting it in a tofu press or placing it in a shallow dish underneath something with some weight, such as a cast iron skillet.

           You  should  be able to take out at least 1/3 cup of water.

• Slice tofu down the middle and then into ½ inch-thick squares, and set aside until pan is hot.

• Heat skillet until a drop of water sizzles on it, and then coat evenly with olive oil spray coating.

• Pan-fry tofu on both sides until light brown, then dust all over with seasonings.

• Sprinkle sesame seeds on both sides and then place baby spinach on top.

• Turn off pan and cover until heat wilts the spinach (about three minutes).

• Serve with a side of tamari sauce for dipping.

Related posts:

1. Change your mind, change your life
2. The mysteries of soy and tofu
3. When life gives you lemons …