Page 45 - NGA NATURALmag 2020 WINTER Issue

Winter 2020
Lighting The Way To Fitness success
BY LAMEESA MUHAMMAD PHD FRAGMENTALIST@YAHOO COM
Exercise has always been a a a a a a a a a a a a a a part of of of my my life I I remember as as as early as as as 13 or 14 years-old being obsessed with my body Most of of this was because of of the many images that I saw on on on MTV from my musical idols like Janet
Jackson Cyndi Lauper and Whitney Houston Although I I wasn’t into bodybuilding at at that time and and knew very little about it it fit I I have always been body and and fit conscious As I got older and and began began bodybuilding most people began began to see my transformation and and would often comment about how impressed they were with the the changes Occasionally I I would receive negative comments asking me me why I I I was was “still working out” because I I I was was “already small ” ” Over time I I I ignored those comments and continued the path to fitness While I I was doing this many of my family and and friends would seek me out as as a a a a a a a a a person to to get fitness advice and and and suggestions on on on how to to improve their their health and and their their bodies Sometimes I would bring friends to workout workout with me me me at the the the gym or or or or or develop a a a a a workout workout routine for those seeking support and assistance Over time I began to receive less less and less less negative comments comments about me me me me me working out out “all the time” and and and more positive comments comments and and and personal testimonies of commitments to living healthier and and and more fit lives which let me me me know that my commit- ment despite people not understanding why I continue and and refuse to let anyone or anything get in in in fin the way of my fitness journey was finally under- stood and accepted It is always a a a a a a great feeling to to know that you have inspired someone to to begin their personal fitness journey but there is no better feeling than knowing
that you have inspired some-
one close to to you to to to make a a commitment to to fitness and then
actually witness
their personal transformation first hand I was able to see this with my 22 year-
old daughter
who has now began her own fitness journey which includes
a a a mixture of cardiovascular
conditioning yoga and strength training Having lost more more than 40 lbs she is not only healthier but more more confident in in herself as a a a a a a person and follows much of my strength conditioning program Sometimes our our path to fitness becomes an an inspiration for another person’s journey journey Though two journeys are not not the the the same and and the the the motives
and and reasons why we we begin continue or end a a a a a a a a a course of action are quite different what we we set out to do just for ourselves may be the the catalyst that gets another person started Ultimately our our per- sonal commitment to to do do better and live live healthier lives may light the the way for someone else to to do do the the same n About the the Author: Lameesa Muhammad PhD is is an an an an NGA PRO Figure Master competitor a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a personal trainer and and a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a sponsored athlete at at at at at at at Lean Styles Proactive Weight Loss and and and and Fitness Center in in in in in Cincinnati Ohio She She is is is the the owner of of of Flour Gurl Healthyer Treats & Delec- tables creator of of of of of Sunday Body Blast and and and model for Natural Woman Magazine She She She is is is an an an an an an an an educator social service professional and and and co-author of of of of two publications She She is is currently working on on on on a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a publication publication which will highlight the unique plight of of of of African American homeschoolers NGA NATURALmag
45