Weightloss Program Targets Black Women
DETROIT, MI – According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, four out of five African American women are overweight. In response to this health crisis, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is bringing back its popular 30 Days To Lose It! program as a year-long fitness and health drive. Aimed at helping African-American women – the leading casualties of such ills as obesity, heart disease and diabetes – to adopt comprehensive healthy lifestyles for the long haul, fitness and health sessions will take place every Tuesday evening starting September 7 at the museum, located at 315 E. Warren Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201 in Detroit’s Cultural Center.
The original 30 Days To Lose It! program was inspired by the hit TV show, “The Biggest Loser,” and took place during March, or Women’s History Month, of this year. It was wildly popular, attracting women of all ages and races, and centered on a month-long health challenge wherein participants competed to see who could lose the most weight.
The program’s return includes the features that made it so successful, including monthly health screenings and seminars on everything from nutrition to diabetes, and specialized weekly workouts in a safe, supportive environment. The kick-off takes place September 7 and introduces September’s focus of “Mind, Body and Spirit” with a health screening administered by the Henry Ford Health System's Institute on Multicultural Health from 5:30 – 7:30 pm, a health seminar entitled “Connecting Body & Spirit” at 6:30, and a cardio sculpt dance party workout with fitness expert Lazet Michaels at 7:30. This workout will return at 7:30 pm each Tuesday for the remainder of September.
And just like the original 30 Days To Lose It!, March 2011 will include a voluntary challenge where up to 10 contestants will compete to see who can lose the most weight. So whether one wants to shed pounds, get fit, compete, or just stay in shape, attendees should come dressed to sweat, with an exercise mat or beach towel, and join this safe, fun fitness program for women.
30 Days To Lose It! is free for museum members and $5 for non-members per session. Members should bring their current membership card; all others, cash and check will be accepted. Non-members who purchase 8 sessions will receive a complimentary museum membership, making their next 12 months free.
Sponsors of 30 Days To Lose It! include the Henry Ford Health System's Institute on Multicultural Health, Weight Watchers, and LA Fitness. A detailed listing of events and dates follows:
30 Days To Lose It! Schedule of Events
SEPTEMBER 2010 – The Launch!
Focus: Mind, body and spirit
Weekly Workout: Cardio Sculpt/Dance Party (Lazet Michaels, Working Out with Lazet)
Free Screening: Tuesday, Sept. 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Seminar(s): Connecting Body & Spirit (Lazet Michaels), Tuesday, Sept. 7, 6:30 p.m.
OCTOBER 2010 – Fight To Win!
Focus: Breast Cancer awareness
Weekly Workout: Kickboxing (Steven R. Pierce, RS Health & Fitness)
Free Screening: Tuesday, Oct. 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Seminar(s): Fighting Cancer with Fitness: A Look at the ExCITE (Exercise and Cancer Integrative Therapies Education) Program, (Dr. Eleanor Walker, director, Breast Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Hospital), Tuesday, Oct. 12, 6:30 p.m.
NOVEMBER 2010 – Healthy Consumption
Focus: Diabetes awareness
Weekly Workout: Boot Camp (Theresa Taylor, Taylored Health and Fitness)
Free Screening: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Seminar(s): Cooking Healthy with Chef Jesse: Soul Food (Chef Jesse Gales, Weight Watchers), Tuesday, Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m.; Doing Battle with Diabetes (Dr. Lynette Davenport, Henry Ford Hospital), Tuesday, Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m.
DECEMBER 2010 – Dying For A Good Night’s Sleep
Focus: Sleep Hygiene
Weekly Workout: TBD
Free Screening: Tuesday, Dec. 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Seminar(s): Sleep Well, Live Well (Dr. Meeta Singh, Henry Ford Sleep Disorders Center), Tuesday, Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m.
Special: Weekly massage therapy (Carrie L. Hendricks, Just Like Grandma’s Hands) $$$
JANUARY 2011 – Living Whole, Living Healthy
Focus: Inner Health
Weekly Workout: FluidMotion (stretching exercises with Ariss Seals)
Free Screening: Tuesday, Jan. 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Seminar(s): Let It Go: Stress Management (Dr. Maria Sepulveda, PhD, LPC Applied Sport Psychology, Wayne State University Football Program), Tuesday Jan. 11, 6:30 p.m.
Special: Weekly massage therapy (Jonathan Burt, Burt and Company Message Therapy) $$$
FEBRUARY 2011 – Living to the Beat (of Your Heart)
Focus: Heart Health
Weekly Workout: Hustle for Health (Thomasenia Johnson, Two Left Feet)
Free Screening: Tuesday, Feb. 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Seminar(s): Cooking Healthy with Chef Jesse: Heart Smart Recipes (Chef Jesse Gales, Weight Watchers), Tuesday, Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m.
MARCH 2011 – The Challenge!
Focus: Nutrition
Workout: Jazzercise (Sondra Jackson, fitness director, Northwest Activity Center)
Free Screening: Tuesday, March 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Seminar(s): March 8, Eating Healthy on the Run (Dr. Velonda Thompson, PhD, president, Be-Fit Inc.); March 15, Beautiful, from the Inside Out (Carla Triplett and Anquinette Mosley, partners, Let’s Get Gorgeous); March 22, Beauty Secrets (Steven Thomas, founder, Amethyst International)
Special: Weekly message therapy (Roderick Wright, Roderick’s Therapeutic Massage) $$$; updates on fitness challenge contestants
APRIL 2011 – Take Back Control!
Focus: Addictions (sexual, substances, gambling, etc.)
Workout: Zumba (Valencia Hamilton, Body and Mind Fitness)
Free Screening: Tuesday, April 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Seminar(s): The Total You (Dr. Paris Finner-Williams, Finner-Williams & Associates), Tuesday, April 12, 6:30 p.m.
MAY 2011 – Healthy Consumption
Focus: Nutrition, cardio
Weekly Workout: Jump rope/Hula-Hoop/ab wheel (Dr. Velonda Thompson)
Free Screening: Tuesday, March 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Seminar(s): Eating Healthy on a Budget (Pamela Walker, MSU Extension/Wayne County), May 10, 6:30 p.m.
JUNE 2011 – New Beginnings
Focus: Abuse (domestic, sexual, emotional)
Weekly Workout: Salsa workout (duane Wrenn, Energetic Soul Dance Studios)
Free Screening: Tuesday, June 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Seminar(s): Time for Hope (Dr. Paris Finner-Williams), Tuesday, June 14, 6:30 p.m.;
Cooking Healthy with Chef Jesse: Good For You Barbecue (Chef Jesse Gales), Tuesday, June 28, 6:30
JULY 2011 – Shape Shifting
Focus: Body Sculpting
Weekly Workout: Resistance training w/bands and dumbbells (Steven R. Pierce, RS Health & Fitness)
Free Screening: Tuesday, July 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Seminar: Raw foods cooking demonstration (R. Juel Taylor, Diamond Juel Enterprises), Tuesday July 12, 6:30 p.m.
AUGUST 2011 – Stretch Yourself
Focus: Self Image
Weekly Workout: FluidMotion (stretching exercises by Ariss Seals)
Free Screening: Tuesday, Aug. 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Seminar(s): Face Facts (Ralana Hampton, aesthetician, Michigan S.K.I.N. Associates & S.K.I.N. Spa), Tuesday, Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m.
