BDO: What was your biggest obstacle so far in your journey?
EW: Staying motivated has been my biggest obstacle, especially when I reached a plateau. When it comes to exercise, I don’t mind going to the gym especially to swim. But staying on track with the food is hard. I try to take it one day at a time.
BDO: What would you recommend for someone trying to lose weight?
EW: First of all you have to love yourself. You have to look in the mirror and accept yourself, flaws and all. Only when you truly fall in love with yourself will you make smart choices when it comes to treating your body well. It’s a process. It does not happen overnight, but it starts there. Then you have to take a critical look at your lifestyle to figure out what your triggers are that allow you to make the unhealthy food choices that you make. You must change your diet. You can still eat the foods you love, but you have to be on your best behavior 85% of the time, so that it leaves room for you to splurge from time to time. You do not have to join a gym and you do not have to hire a trainer, but you have to get moving. Go for a walk everyday. Do sit ups and push ups in your house. Watch workout videos online. Get a group of friends together and go for a swim. Do whatever you have to do to get active, and surround yourself with positivity.
In addition to shooting television pilots and starring in Chris Rock’s new movie coming out in 2014, Erica is starting a new initiative called “Get Fit With Erica”. She continues to tour her one-woman show showcasing America’s obsession with size.
For more details on Erica, click here.
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Weight Loss center for more helpful articles and tips.
My Story: “It’s Not About Weight Loss, It’s About Health Gains” was originally published on blackdoctor.org
